Footsteps… soft, munching footsteps. Eating away at thoughts, erasing the need to think any further as they approach. It will all be resolved.
A skipped beat, a stop. A halt to a crescendo.
???: I hope you haven’t been drooling all over the master’s carpet, it is new after all. As is this whole place… A fighting ground made for your personal enjoyment, a spectacle perfectly suited to your specifications. A haven made according to your desires. Every minute detail has been given the utmost attention. It is both a gift, and something that’s not to be treated lightly. Got that?
???: Yeah sure, got it, Stasia. You’re really talking it up, though. I know it really wasn’t made for me, was it? What do you gain by attempting to make me believe it should be of worth to me? As if I’d try to tarnish it otherwise… Oh, and then you try to connect this to our master’s doing? Wonder why he has to be responsible for even the most insignificant of things. Are you talking him up too, or have you got some kind of attachment I’m not aware of?~
Stasia: That’s not what I meant. I’m just… following orders. As you should be doing too. This place may be temporary, but in the time it exists, it can be of much use. In fact, it has the potential to remove all further interruptions to our plans. You’re here to make sure that this goes smoothly, like a late night clean up crew at the store, you know? You should be grateful you’re even here, just take this chance to hone your skills, or let loose, or whatever. Think of it as a playground.
???: Playgrounds aren’t fun, Stasia.
Stasia: Fine! Think of it as a castle, and you’re the king protecting it from intruders. By any. Means. Necessary.
???: Now that’s more to my liking, I’ll go along with this pretend play for a little bit longer.
Stasia: Good, I’ll be on my way then.
???: One more thing… Don’t kings have subordinates?
Stasia: That’s the best part, they should take care of most of the trouble for you.
???: You won’t even tell me what made this place, now you’re refusing to name what I’m stuck here with? Shouldn’t it only be our enemies left without warning? Though, the mystery does make it more exciting…
Stasia: Sigh… I assure you, it’s for the best that it remains that way. Just be silent and obey our master’s framework. Got that?
???: You don’t have to say it twice, don’t worry. I’ll make a bunch of noise and get this over with real quick. I’m not one to stay seated, you know. But jeez, you really act as if I don’t have any respect sometimes.
Stasia: Okay, we’re sorta on a schedule, so I’ll hear more from you uh… whenever we next meet.
???: Fate will bring us together again, don’t worry Stasia, it will all be resolved soon.
Stasia: Shut it, Astra, I only tolerate you because he does. It’s just work.
Astra: Ooh, and there goes her temper.
[Astra makes an explosion motion by opening his fist, directed toward her face.]
Stasia: N-No. I’m calm, just because the truth isn’t positive doesn’t mean I’m angry. You should really learn to take that better you know.
[Astra now makes a subtle, sly face, forcing one eye to be more squinted than the other with his hand deforming his cheek. He looks directly at Stasia, remaining quiet, as if content with what he has already said.]
Stasia: Guess that’s all for questions…
[Stasia adjusts the bangs in front of her face, swooping them to the side. She turns away and makes sure to carry the clipboard with a comical amount of paperwork along her side. She could use a folder. Or two. ]
As Stasia’s figure grows fainter and fainter down the endless halls of this labyrinthine construct, Astra’s face loses the snark he previously wore, and is instead replaced by an unreadable mask, as if doing a chore, without anyone to watch him express his malcontent. Unperformative.
Astra: Let’s see… What do we have here?
[Astra runs his finger along the clean slate walls while muttering to himself.]
Astra: Seriously, not even a manual, does she expect me to figure out how all this works on my own? I doubt she has confidence in my skills to entrust me with such a task, so she really does hate me, huh?
[… Astra cackles to himself, echoing throughout the never-ending walls.]
Astra: Just as I thought, this really is going to be quite fun!
{END OF SECTION} | Next Page >> 1.5 - Breaking Through The Maze