Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Okay. 2 more for both."

"3... 2... 1..."

"Knife!"

 

The bouncer looks at Idhaenna's watch closely with a suspicious look, before nodding and letting her pass.

Once inside, loud rave music immediately assaults Idhaenna's ears, bright lights illuminating thousands of dancing patrons. In addition to a brightly lit main floor, various platforms seem to float around the room, all hosting people dancing on them too. A large bar sits off to the side of the room, Praecantatia visible mixing and serving drinks and potions for people at the bar. In addition to Praecantatia, Fia seems to be singing some songs in a different language that seems to coincide with the music; Fia herself displayed on a large monitor at the back of the room, as well as other monitors around the room.

 

“Of course we’d meet here. We’d have to meet here.” Idhaenna grumbles, keeping an eye on you as she slowly tries to navigate the rave.

________________________________

Rock! Only need one more.

 

"Dammit it. I'm losing from myself."

"3... 2... 1..."

"Knife!"

(No I don't just say knife all the time. I roll a dice to choose.)

 

"Xlentia's palace, and if you can't get me there, I'd like to be somewhere that can get me there."

 

I weave through the crowd fairly easily, heading over to the bar while glancing around. Idhaenna however finds it a little more difficult to navigate, people bumping into her or blocking her paths as they dance.

"0h. S0rry, 1 d1dn't see you there." A robot girl says as she accidentally bumps into Idhaenna. Strangely, the girl looks a little bit like Stephanie.

 

Idhaenna says nothing, continuing towards you with a bit of a pained expression.

A portal to Idhaenna’s portal room opens in front of you.
“I assume you know how to set the portals to other domains rather than realms?”

Pap- really? Again? Crap. Next one decides it, then.

 

I seem to be sitting at the bar, chatting with Artemis; or rather, a version of Artemis.

"Well, you know that time we went to the beach with Stephanie, her Shadow and your form?" Artemis asks.

"Wait, you're saying I didn't survive that?" I say, shocked.

"Not...exactly. It was more you sacrificed yourself and we couldn't save you in time." Artemis explains.

"Man...I can't even imagine that...I didn't even sacrifice myself on my timeline, but I suppose that's why I'm still here." I say, still shocked.

"It's nice to see you again though. It's been a lot quieter without you around, but it turns out Stephanie is a demigod, which is how I got here." Artemis says, a sad tone to her voice.

 

Idhaenna idles near you instead of sitting down.
"Are we waiting for our timeline's Artemis, or do I get to soulscan to figure out if this is the you I came in with?" She asks, looking directly at you.

 

"One more. Come on, me."

"3... 2... 1..."

"Paper!"

 

"I'm still me," I say, holding up my red watch, "What took you so long to get over here?"

"Here's the drinks for the timelost couple." Praecantatia says happily, sliding a couple of glass bottles over to Artemis and I before tending to other people at the bar. The bottles swirl with strange liquids, Artemis' a green and orange and mine a red and purple.

"Couple? Did...are we together on your timeline?" Artemis asks, confused.

"Oh, uh...yeah. I guess since I'm dead we never actually got together. Are you with anyone on your timeline?" I ask.

"No, I...well, I just don't really see us being a thing," Artemis says, taking a sip of her drink, "Who's your friend?"

I gesture for Idhaenna to have a seat and introduce herself.

 

Idhaenna shrugs, sitting down.
"I didn't want to plow through people, so I just sort of let everyone shove me around a bit. I'm Idhaenna, a goddess from another reality." She says, turning to Artemis.

Rock... well, damn. Good game.

 

"Another...reality? Like, a whole different set of timelines?" Artemis asks, confused, "How did you get here?"

 

“So, smartums here cut a hole in reality that formed a connection between mine and his. The rift has since grown stronger, and the connection is strong enough that I can freely walk between the two while retaining any and all powers I have.”

 

"At least I can say that I did tell you that cutting holes in reality to travel around faster would one day backfire." Artemis says.

"Well I had no idea there were other realities- wait, where's Shadow Katana in your timeline?" I ask, curious.

"Shadow Stephanie has it. We've kept it as a reminder of you, though apparently the palace in your realm wants it back for some reason. Something to do with your king." Artemis explains.

"Huh, well I suppose she'd be the only one responsible enough to wield it after me," I say, "At least this rift hasn't bled into too many timelines though, it's somewhat contained."

"Can I get you anything?" Temporus asks, appearing next to Idhaenna, albeit behind the bar. He seems to be holding a notepad full of drink names on it.

 

“Waiting on other Artemis.” Idhaenna says, glancing at Temporus before refocusing on her prior conversation.
“People dying for lessons learned seems to be a recurring theme. Cough cough stabbing your friends.” She says sarcastically, smirking at you.

 

I narrow my eyes at Idhaenna.

"Oh, is the me from your timeline coming here?" Artemis asks, hopeful.

"Actually, we came here to see Praecantatia. I think Idhaenna must've forgot." I say, forcing a smile.

 

“Technically, yes, but I figured we’d wait for Artemis. Unless you’re in a rush?” She says, meeting your gaze with a slightly bigger smirk.
“And don’t you dare make a time pun. I don’t think you’ve said any good ones on any timeline.”

 

"By the logic of timelines, there exists a timeline where all of my puns are amazing and you laugh at them every time." I say, offended.

"Shame neither of us are from that timeline." Artemis says quietly, before looking away and sipping some more of her drink.

"Anyway, we don't even know if our Artemis is going to come here. She's pretty hell-bent on beating the game she was playing, Stephanie got her into it." I say.

"Jesus, how long does it take for you to get a- wait, what are you sitting around talking to Artemis for? You've got your drink, let's go." Shadow Stephanie says, walking over and looking annoyed.

"Oh, hey Stephanie. I didn't know you were here." I say happily.

"Wha- we came in here together you dipshit! Come on, I wanted to try out-" Shadow Stephanie says, before pausing as I raise up both my watch and an eyebrow.

"I'm over here babe." Another version of me says, walking out from just behind Idhaenna.

"Ugh, damn it. Sorry." Shadow Stephanie says, before grabbing the other version of me and storming off.

"Don't take so long next time, I almost slept with-" Shadow Stephanie says, trailing off as she walks away.

"Hm, I guess I stay with her on another timeline..." I say, taking a sip from my own drink, "Makes sense."

"You used to date Shadow Stephanie?" Artemis asks, halfway between confused and amused.

 

“Apparently you worked better than she did.” Idhaenna snarks, tapping her foot. “Besides, I could page Gaia to remind Artemis people are waiting on her.”