Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Your reality is far more calm than ours."


The ruby bounces off a chain buried in the sand, Apocalypse sighing as the guardians approach.
"Don't come to me for guidance. You know this place better than I." She says, tugging at the chain.

 

"I wonder where she is going."

 

"That is true. The aspect of command seems to also have some negative connotations in your reality, too." Mortius says.


"Captain Aquira sent us to help you with the construction process. She said to listen to you for orders on what to work on, as to not interrupt your current work schedule." One of the earth guardians explains.

 

“I’ll work with it, I guess.”

I slow my roll.
“What are you hoping to get out of Gaia, anyway?”

 

"It depends. Sure, most people don't like being bossed around, but unless you're working for Atavul then taking orders isn't usually too bad."


"We have no schedule, Admiral's dead. Besides, we only know the framework of the house, we're only going far enough to get it stable before leaving. If you're to help with construction, talk to the ones actually doing the construction. Not the executioner."

"Some understanding of their magic, maybe how they got here. Mostly just curious, considering I've been stuck behind the glacial barrier."

I don't think it's weird that she ran off, but I do think it's strange she knew we'd chase after her.

 

"I'd rather not use my status as a god to order people around." Mortius says plainly.


"I think Captain Aquira mentioned something about floorplans to the palace. Maybe those could help?" A water guardian mentions.

"You're not the leader here?" The earth guardian asks, confused.

 

“The fact you don’t need to says a lot about this reality.”


“Bring those plans to the construction crew. I told you, I’m the executioner. Admiral’s dead. People only listen to me because they don’t want to go through this.” Apocalypse says, tugging the chain of her guillotine blade to pull it out from underneath the sand.

 

"We live a reserved lifestyle so the mortals that get to meet us consider it something of value, rather than something like meeting a figure of royalty," Mortius says, "Though I understand an alternate reality would call for alternate methods of communication."


None of the pirates seem at all scared by the weapon, some even looking ready to fight when Apocalypse brings it up before quickly calming down.

"Go ask Aquira for whatever documents she has on her home. I'll speak to whoever's leading the reconstruction. The rest of you, fan out and familiarise yourself with the other workers." The earth guardian instructs the water guardian and the rest of his group. They do as he says, the water guardian running back to the ship while the earth guardian looks for whoever seems to be leading the charge on the reconstruction efforts. The rest of the guardians head off to observe the damages done to the palace, water guardians helping the earth guardians underwater.

 

"True. There's never a one-size-fits-all solution, so to speak."


Apocalypse finally turns to glance at the earth guardian as he leaves.

"Realistically, nobody's leading the construction. We're just doing it because Kiin tried to fix her mess before Aquira came back." Mirage says from underfoot, seemingly from under the sand.

 

"Should we return to the rave now we've caught up on things?" Praecantatia suddenly pipes up.

"I did wish to see how the demons I sent here are performing, yes." Mortius says.

"I...wouldn't mind." I say quietly.


The earth guardian jumps suddenly, stepping back.

"Which of you has done the most, then?" The earth guardian asks.

 

"I should head back at some point. Hopefully we're on better terms now?" Idhaenna asks, turning to Praecantatia.


"I don't know how any of us would be able to tell. Anyone working is working because they want to. If you wouldn't mind doing me a small favor, though, please take two paces back so you're not standing on my tail?"

 

"Certainly, I don't think we were really on bad terms to begin with." Praecantatia says happily, her potion bottle close to empty.


The earth guardian does as instructed, taking three paces back to be safe.

"They...don't expect to be paid for their work? I suppose that'll make the captain happy..." The earth guardian says, thinking.

 

“I wasn’t sure either, but better safe than in yet another war I suppose.”


“Exploit us if you dare. We are the sole survivors of a third reality, and if you think we have forgotten how to fight you will have a mutiny to remember on your hands.” Mirage says, tone becoming serious. “The Admiral was supposed to help us find a new home, somewhere to finally settle. They’re dead, but we are willing to work until we feel we have repaid the favors your captain has done for us.”
Pause.
“Thanks for stepping back, though.”

 

"The last thing any of us want is a war with your reality." Praecantatia reassures.

"Especially after the boorish actions of Tenebrae and Lux regarding their erased child." Mortius adds.


"If you have threats, I suggest you redirect them to the captain," The earth guardian says calmly, unphased, "I'm just a member of her crew."

 

“Boorish is a bit strong, but the point stands. I... don’t know how to leave from here, though.”


“Fair enough. Depending on where the scepter is, we may be oathbound to share a captain soon. Regardless, I appreciate you not walking on me. This beach has a surprisingly comfortable temperature along this stretch.”

 

"How can you be certain that she knew?"

 

She told the gorgon to give us somewhere to stay, and told the leviathan to come back for us. If she didn’t know we were going to follow, why would she have done either of those things?

 

"Just leave the way you entered, and use your watch to teleport back to my islands if you need to." Praecantatia explains.


"Good fortune, I suppose," The earth guardian shrugs, "I'll relay this information to the captain. I'm sure she'd like to hear."

The earth guardian turns and starts to head back to the ship, a few forest, fire and air guardians starting to leave to get back on land. One air guardian glides over and around the palace's construction site, seeming to be getting a birds-eye view on the damage and happenings.

 

“Appreciated. I’ll see your daughter around, I hope. Have a good... well, whatever it is here.” Idhaenna says, turning to leave.


The palace seems to be barely able to hold together in its current state, despite the work. Kiin seemed to trash nearly the entire house, and it’s nearly impossible to tell where any room was.

 

"Okay, that adds up. Could that mean she would want to take us somewhere by following her?"