Interlude (5)

Tucked away in the space between realities, where time and space has no meaning there was, is, and eventually will be a small, cozy little tea room. The wooden floors made of rich, dark wood though each plank a slightly different hue. Sitting in the middle of the room was a round wooden table, atop which rested a strange and needlessly intricate looking tea set. Despite the intricate design it was incredibly mismatched, with each of the five cups looking as if they were from different sets and not one matching the pot.

Two chairs had been positioned around the table, with three more turning upright in the far corner.

Possibly the strangest thing about the room was that it lacked any and all form of walls or roof, with a maelstrom of colour crashing around. Yet despite this lack of structure or form the small tea room remained solidly in place.

As if held in place through sheer force of will.

And stepping into the room from that churning maelstrom of chaos was a figure of incredible height. They were humanoid with four arms, each one elongated nearly dragging on the ground with each step.

Glancing around the figure clicked their tongue in disappointment at the empty room before walking over and taking a seat in one of the chairs. They were dressed in a grey robe with multiple coloured sashes over top; the multiple layers giving the figure the illusion of a bulky frame.

With long, slender fingers they snatched up one of the mismatched cups, an oddly shaped pale blue thing with an unflattering floral pattern, then untied a small grey pouch attached to the strips of rope which served as the figures belt before pulling out a small bulbous seed which was swiftly dropped.

It clattered and danced across the bottom of the tea cup, a small melodic chime that seemed to steadily increase in volume with each bounce, until a small chime had become an explosive gong.

Until suddenly a second figure entered from the maelstrom.

“Alright! Alright! I’m here.” The figure, similarly elongated and lanky, waved a similar twin sets of arms, “you’re so uptight about being late.”

“We had an appointment, Shozo. Punctuality matters.” Each figure spoke with a similar distortion, the one that had arrived early spoke with a lighter almost feminine voice while the other spoke with one that felt more masculine.

“Ah yes, because it’s not like we have eternity to while away or anything. Or wait, we do!” There was mockery to the newly arrived figure’s voice, yet hidden beneath were layers of impatience, anger, and a hint of fear.

“Lower your voice, Shozo. This is a place of mutual respect.” Their tone seemed neutral, but the sharpness of the figure’s eyes carried volumes.

Slowly the figure referred to as Shozo crossed the room and slumped into the empty chair, picking up the mug that was painted with a scaled rainbow pattern with the attitude of a defeated child returning to the table after serving a time out.

“Thank you,” with a small smile the other figure picked up the teapot and slowly poured a liquid that shone with a warm golden light into each cup. Slowly the seed placed in their cup bloomed into what appeared to be a miniature cherry blossom tree.

There was a brief but pleasant silence as the two enjoyed their glowing golden drink, and once he had finished half the cup Shozo let out a sigh of relief.

“I apologize Reine, it was rude of me to treat our appointment with frivolity.”

“That’s quite alright.”

Setting down the floral cup Reine slowly reached down to her belt and untied a thick, heavy tome before setting it down on the table. The book was bound in leather and bore centuries of use given the amount of tattered pages within.

“Now, let us discuss our recent findings.”

Shozo, who was equally dressed in multiple layers of clothing but instead had a rather bulky leather satchel that rested at his side, produced a similar looking leather bound notebook from the bag only with multiple pages that looked to be almost falling out.

“I have confirmed that a fractal point will emerge soon. Though it will not develop for another several centuries.” The one called Reine opened the book and pushed it across the table, each page was covered in strange writing, alien looking formulas.

“I’m sure the others will be happy to see that development.”

“They have requested we expedite the fractal event.”

The being known as Shozo let out a cackle before shaking his head, “of course they have. They understand that doing so risks further exposure to the Null, right?”

Reine shrugged before sipping her tea. “They consider it a worthwhile risk, especially with your current experiment in progress. How has that been progressing?”

“Slow, but fruitful. The virus has taken host in the subject, and currently two others have developed potential methods of remedy.”

“And the fourth subject?”

Shozo shrugged before finishing the remaining liquid in his cup, “unforeseen side effects of the transfer. Hopefully she will recover, but if not it’s no real loss.”

Reine nodded and finished her drink as the male figure continued speaking.

“But it is paramount this experiment remains as sterile as possible, so speeding things up is only going to taint the research.”

“I understand, but you know The Council. Their fears have only grown since your experiment began, they fear you are nurturing their destruction.”

Shozo laughed, a hollow and bitter sound that died in his throat before it got a chance to escape. "I've run the numbers of that event happening and it is a statistical improbability we need not concern ourselves with."

"Any possibility of our reign ending, no matter how slim, must be treated with the gravity that it is a certainty. Now please, Shozo, promise me that you will find a way to end the pregnancy."

The male figure sighed and nodded. "Very well, I shall see to it that the child does not come to term."

Reine nodded and slowly stood up, closing the book and replacing it in her belt.

“Good luck in your venture, Shozo. But beware getting too attached to your experiment. You understand that eventually it will go up in flames.”

“I may be the most junior of our ilk, but I do understand our position Reine.”

“Good.”

Without another word Reine turned and walked into the maelstrom leaving Shozo alone.

He sat for some time alone in the strange eldritch tea room flipping through the ramshackle notes from his book. Setting his cup back on the stand Shozo stood and stretched one set of arms while gathering his notes with the other.

“I know you’re watching, Sara. I know you’ve been watching since I brought you all here…I also know you can do nothing with what you know.”

Turning his face upward Shozo flashed a twisted smile of satisfaction.

“But you can take solace in this…your friends, and your lover, they will not have to suffer long. I promise you that.”