Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Crystal tries staying completely still.


"You said you don't know where the key to this thing is?"
I ask the naga.

 

"Very well, I'll go see her once I get back to the palace." I say confidently.


There seems to be just that, the forest thinning out and leading to more palm-tree like trees as it approaches a warm beach. No humans seem to be on it either, likely due to the protective forest.

 

Avis’ tail starts swishing again.


They shake their head wildly, too busy screaming to give you a better response.

Arkclal nods, glancing at Arie.
“...I just hope nobody presses on why she doesn’t want to sit at the table.”


Fenira glances around, looking for anyone else nearby as she steps into the water to cool off.

 

Crystal stays still.


“I don’t happen to have any medical equipment stored in my gut, do I?”
I ask Stella.

 

"I think everyone else is too drunk to realise you're not even from here." I say, taking a sip from my own drink.


The salty sea water washes over Fenira with a cold embrace, a crisp ocean breeze carrying scents from the far reaches of the sea.

 

“Better that than a barfight.” He mumbles.


She relaxes, one head going underwater and looking around as she stands still once her body is just submerged.

After about a minute of staring you down, Avis lets out a chirp.


“You could use some nanomachines to dull his sensitivity, but besides that you don’t.”

 

Crystal doesn't move.


"Is that a resource I would be using up?"

 

I calmly enjoy my drink as time passes. A drunk Shadow stumbles over to Arie mumbling something incoherent - even in the language it's speaking in - with an annoyed look before collapsing on the ground as it tries to raise a fist.


There's not much to see on the shoreline, apart from a few washed up seashells and what looks to be a smooth flake of an emerald. Any sea creatures are either too far out or hiding under the cover of sand.

 

Arie seems too distracted by everyone else in the bar to care.

“All due respect, how does this assist us in finding safer transit?” Arkclal asks, seeming troubled by his action.


Curious, Fenira approaches what she thinks is a jewel and tries to gently move it slightly.

Avis chirps at him again.
“She’s just saying ‘up’ to you.” Linoa relays.


“A replenishable one typically, but considering your current position, yes you could use it up. They also constitute your self repair, so don’t waste too many on this... other robot.”

 

"Oh, I just wanted a drink. This place has some great alcohol." I say, swirling my beverage.


It turns out to be a piece of glass, smoothed by the ocean waves. It tumbles over in the sand, sending particles flying.

 

“Up?”
Crystal looks towards the ceiling.
“What’s up?”


“I’m not going to use any on him.”

 

“I take it you were forced to abstain on that mountain?”


Fenira walks along the coast, apparently looking for something.

Linoa shrugs.
Avis chirps again, slightly louder and a bit more sharply this time.
“She’s still just saying ‘up’.”


“Your intentions are beyond me, then.”

 

Crystal tries mimicking the sound that Avis is making.


"Well, I want to get this hatch open, take out the librarian, find the library, then find the records. I guess there's a reason the hatch is so hard to get open."

 

"Not at all, there was special alcohol provided even. I just fancied something different." I say.


Fenira eventually sees a cat waiting by the shoreline, kneading it's paws in the sand and seemingly waiting for something.

 

“Fair enough. Did you find out where to look for actual transport, or was a break simply overdue?”


She goes out of her way to keep distance from the cat, trying to avoid even glancing near it.

Avis shakes her head in response, proceeding to be still and silent.


“You probably dented it shut. Besides, aren’t you in a li- well, what used to be a library?”

 

"Well, if memory serves correct, there should be somewhere on the eastern side of town where we can get transport. Saves hiding in a carriage at least." I say.

The cat meows a few times as a water guardian emerges from the sea, carrying two freshly-caught fish. They sit cross-legged on the shore, water sloshing over them as they gently toss a fish toward the cat, who pounces on it and starts eating it. The water guardian smiles, starting to eat the other fish they brought.

 

Crystal just mimics Avis.


I look around, analyzing the scenery a bit more.

 

Avis opts to jump down another floor, seeming a bit calmer.
"If this is annoying you, you're not the only one. She does this with everyone."


You seem to be in a now very messy room filled with folders containing speech transcriptions.
Most of which are scattered about the floor.

"I may be able to help in that regard. I'm not much in combat, but..."
Arkclal links with you telepathically again.
"I have an unusual type of foresight that lets me see three minutes in the equivalent of a second. I use it to help with negotiations; a potentially dangerous turn of events could be avoided with a mere second of apologizing for zoning out. Perhaps I could use it to verify our destination?" He offers.


Fenira looks towards the guardian.
"Excuse me, would you happen to have a moment?"

 

“It’s fine. She can take her time.”
Crystal says quietly.


And there’s no way out except for the way I came in?

 

"Wouldn't hurt to try, I suppose." I say, shrugging.


The water guardian glances over.

"Hm?" The water guardian asks.