Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"In that case, I take it that this droptube is not, in fact, going to drop us."
I guess, looking over the tube itself.

 

A few brave fish tentatively swim over to take a small bite from the moss, but remain wary.


"Would you like to keep your old one?" Leilia asks.

 

"Anyways, where are we going now?"

 

"You would be correct. You'll have to catch yourself before you hit the barrier on eightieth, though. I mean, unless you're fond of flattening yourself, which I doubt any rigid bodied being is."

"You said you wanted to see my cave, so we're heading there. It's just much deeper than Rema's."

They feel a sense of calm, and any injuries they have are mended quickly.


"I mean... I've sort of been sleeping on the floor this whole time." Amethyst admits.

 

“Catch myself, as in, with my hands?”

 

"Or push off the back of the tube. Also probably want to be somewhat wary of people plummeting from the lower floors. Well, ascending, technically."

 

“And, the second floor is just the second opening I see? Apart from this one, of course.”

 

A few more fish swim over and begin eating, not scared anymore. Many fish leave once they've had their fill.


Leilia looks utterly shocked, as if Amethyst had just told her the dress was fake.

"I...I can't believe that! That's terrible! I can't have a professional tailor and guest of the palace be sleeping on the floor!" Leilia says.

 

"Lead the way."

 

It doesn’t take much for them to feel full, and the moss grows about at the rate the fish nibble it off.


Amethyst doesn’t seem to know how to react.

“There will be marks on the tube, and ascents start out slow since most floor transitions are only one to five floors away. The rest of the tubes I think are for redundancy.”

________________________________

Epsi continues on, the tunnel soon spiralling downward before you can see normal candlelight just a bit further down.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting visitors, but welcome anyways.”

 

"Thanks."
I'll sit somewhere, if I can.

 

As more fish leave, more fish seem to be attracted; almost as if the fish are spreading the word. Eventually, the attention of a water guardian is caught. They swim over to investigate, before surfacing to look up at Gaia.


Leilia laughs, amused.

"You don't need to live rough here. I'm more than happy to provide a standard of living more...fitting for your place." Leilia says happily.

 

Gaia lazily opens one eye, otherwise keeping still.
“Hello there. Do you need me to move?”


“Live rough? What do you mean?”
Amethyst seems legitimately confused.

There’s a few cushions laying around, along with a forge and shelves of small trinkets.
“Most of these things are decorative at the moment. I don’t usually imbue them with magic.”

 

"No, I was just curious as to why the fish seem to have found a new and plentiful source of food. What are you, if you don't mind me asking?" The water guardian asks.


"Well, you said you slept on the floor. Floors don't make for good beds." Leilia chuckles.

 

“I am Gaia... just, not yours. Your Gaia has been kind enough to offer me respite in her domain since mine has been razed and left desolate.”


“It’s better than a pile of bones...” Amethyst says, though it’s clear she still isn’t sure how to react.

 

"So you have no use for them?"

 

“I don’t, but they sell very well. Dragonmade trinkets have innate value in human eyes, I’m not too sure why but I won’t complain about free benefits.”

 

Upon hearing the word 'Gaia', the water guardian immediately freezes the surface of the water around them so they can bow down to Gaia.

"I'm sorry, Lady Gaia. I didn't realise it was you, even if you are not from this domain." The water guardian says, head bowed low.


"Well, I hope this can suffice." Leilia says happily as she approaches a pair of large open doors about a quarter her size; giant compared to Amethyst. Inside, a huge, elegant, expensive-looking and most importantly extremely comfortable four-poster bed sits inside a large bedroom, various sewing and tailoring items spread about the room. A huge pile of materials forming a gradient of every colour sits in one corner, while a table filled with art tools sits in another with a large soft looking chair beside it. A small lockbox also sits on the table, the key to it being produced by Leilia.

"I told you I'd reward you. I only hope this is enough to repay you for this beautiful dress." Leilia says happily, offering a small key to Amethyst.

 

Gaia smiles.
"Please, no need to bow."


Amethyst seems even more speechless, not sure what to do with what she's been presented with.

 

The water guardian gets up, but avoids looking directly at Gaia; letting their small ice platform sink and melt.

"Do you have everything under control, Lady Gaia?" The water guardian asks.


Leilia smiles, happy with Amethyst's reaction.