Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Is she even above the surface? I doubt she can do that when she can't see me! Trust me, I'd be fine with coming in, but I'm the kind of person that'd take caution with dipping themselves in lava for the first time, especially when I'm blinded."

 

You feel something cold hit you, and it spreads on you like fire before disappearing. You then feel water snaking around you, which freezes and disappears.

"There! You should be able to come in fine now!" Katie shouts.

You hear someone running towards you, before grabbing your hand, "I'll guide you, since you can't see." Katie says happily. She sounds like she's right next to you.

 

"Thanks."
I smile.
"You lead, I'll be right behind you."

 

Katie leads you back the way she came. As you approach the pool, you feel the area around you get slightly warmer; but it feels pleasantly warm, like a summer evening.

"Ok, just carefully put your foot forward and step in." Katie says, getting into the pool herself.

"Welcome to the party, C3P0." You hear me say.

 

I do as Katie says, then sink into the pool about shoulder-high.
"Sup, Lurker."
I smile as I float back up to waist-high in the pool.

 

The pool, despite being lava, feels the same temperature as a hot bath.

"What's with the blindfold? You going to try and 'see' by smelling and licking things?" I ask.

You hear a high five.

 

"Not quite, just hearing and touching. I don't exactly want to come off as a creep to Abigail, or anyone else for that matter, so I was just listening to you guys instead of watching. I guess it'd be better if I were to take it off now."
I untie the knot, and throw the rag on the ground, next to the pool.

 

You notice Katie, Artemis, Stephanie and I in the pool; half below the surface. Artemis and Stephanie wear bikinis, green and purple respectively, and Katie wears a swimsuit. I'm simply shirtless.

Abigail is strangely absent.

"Welcome back to the world of the non-blind." I say.

"What do you think of the pool?" Katie asks happily.

 

"Feels nice. Relaxing. Like how a pool should feel, but warmer. I get why you guys like it."

 

"It's very cleansing for your skin too. Burns off the dirt and such." I say.

"Though, you do need to be granted a resistance to the lava so you don't burn up when you get in." Katie says, giggling slightly.

Artemis sighs heavily, relaxing and sinking into the pool.

"I'm sort of jealous that Abigail can just create these and get in whenever she likes; it's so nice." Artemis says.

"Maybe we could try a hot spring next time, if Abigail wants. She's not the best with them, but they feel really good," Katie suggests, "I thought I'd let Abigail have a lava bath this time though, since it was her idea."

"That. sounds. amazing." I say.

"I wouldn't mind trying it..." Stephanie says quietly.

 

"What's the difference between a Hot Spring and a Lava bath?"
I question.
"Other than the thickness of the thing you're putting yourself in."
I say, putting my fingers in the lava, and rubbing them together.

 

"Well, you don't need to be resistant to fire for one, the temperature can easily be heated or cooled, and it's easier to swim around in!" Katie says happily.

"Plus if you accidentally drink some it's not going to turn your internal organs to ash," I say, "And you don't have to worry about accidentally dropping something in."

I summon a small log in my hands, before dropping it into the lava. It bursts into fire and turns to ash in a matter of seconds.

"I guess we could create one after mother has finished my training session." Artemis says.

Katie seems rather excited.

"Ok, I'll do it." Abigail says, emerging from the lava and swimming to the side to relax.

"Welcome back to the world of the not-under-the-lava." I say.

"That was pretty weak, Aj." Abigail says.

"Are you sure you'll be ok with it, Abigail? I know you're not the best with water, and last time you stayed in too long and got hurt!" Katie says, concerned.

"I'll be fine. You and the others seem pretty excited about it anyway." Abigail says, smiling at you.

 

I smile back.
"Alright. Sounds good to me."

 

"Yay!" Katie shouts excitedly.

"I expected nothing less of a reaction from a water guardian about the concept of water." I say, smiling at Katie.

"It's a shame Ihra can't enjoy these things; since she'll burn up immediately." Abigail says, slightly saddened.

"She can enjoy the hot spring though, can't she?" Artemis says, smiling.

"Oh yeah, good point." Abigail says.

"It...sounds like fun. I look forward to it." Stephanie says, smiling.

"Hey, there's that smile!" I say happily.

 

I simply look towards Stephanie and smile, still enjoying the talking amongst the group of guardians and Aj.

 

"Thank you... I don't mean to be rude, but know I'll be making sure of that. Literally every preserver died from betrayal."

"Break?"

It seems almost too easy. There's very few warriors here, and those that are...

Wait- is that light?

You and most of your soldiers are surrounded by fire. Was it a trap...?

"Should I invite her over?" Ruby asks, keeping her distance. "Maybe Ragnyon as well? She is an Aquos..."

 

Stephanie smiles back at you, albeit weakly.

"Hey Artemis, maybe you could grow fruits and such for the hot spring! Or outline it with trees!" Katie says happily.

"I think we've opened Pandora's water bottle with the phrase 'Hot Spring'" I say, laughing to myself.

"The idea of a tree-lined hot spring does sound nice, and an area for fruity snacks sounds good." Artemis says.

"Maybe you could chop up the fruits and put them in the water. Add that nice fruity zest." Abigail suggests.

"Yeah! That sounds awesome!" Katie says, excited.

"Here's an idea: Palm trees with vines. You could swing into the pool from like...an ice waterfall or something."

Katie squeals in delight.

"Did someone give Katie and overdose of sugar?" Abigail asks jokingly.

"Wow...no wonder you have trust issues. I give you my word I won't betray you, then." I think.


"We could always make the hot spring large enough to accommodate everyone," Artemis says, "But I don't really think there's enough room in the lava pool to fit everyone in."

The pool does look rather clustered.

"Hey Katie, hot spring pool party." I say.

Katie's eyes light up with joy.

"I think if we excite her any more, she's going to explode." Abigail says.

Stephanie laughs to herself quietly.

 

"Yeah... Sorry. I used to use mind reading sparingly, but after finding out what happened to the others... Intent is too valuable to me."


"Understood. I just thought I'd offer, because she's dozed off again.

...Ihra. Not Ragnyon."

 

"Just...try not to look too deep in my mind. If you borrowed my brain for like 10 seconds you'd be like "Dude can't handle it"." I think, smiling to myself.


"Is she narcoleptic? I swear, if you leave Ihra alone for long enough, she'll fall asleep."

"I guess we should go check on her. I think we've been in here long enough; don't want the protection to wear off."

"I agree. I should get on with my training, anyway. Mother seemed intent on teaching me." Artemis says, getting out of the pool.

"Mother, I'm ready to start my training." Artemis says to Myria.

"Very good. You go get changed and we can start." Myria says, smiling at Artemis.

Wooden cubicles appear a short distance away from the pool, and red, green and blue flowers emerge from the ground; containing Abigail's, Artemis' and Katie's clothing and weapons respectively.

The group heads into the cubicles to get changed; Stephanie and I summoning our clothing instead of retrieving it from flowers.

 

I just climb out of the lava, grabbing my cloth.