[center][h2][color=20B2AA]Chapter II:[/color][/h2]
[h3][i][color=BA55D3]Reticence[/color][/i][/h3]

She waited in the static-eaten space between worlds. She had been there when the 'Ghost Girl' passed through with her chromatic souls in tow. She had watched, patiently, as they broke apart and were changed. Minute changes. Barely worth noting. No words had been exchanged, the process engaged in as usual; only a momentary flicker of silver-and-black eyes in her direction. Then stillness, after her exit. Stillness was a pervasive aspect of that place, the [i]only[/i] aspect of that place. 

[color=DA70D6][i]Earth and Irriss. No different than before. Boring.[/i][/color]

 She was here to give a status report. A report on things that her 'owner'  couldn't be bothered with. Things that still had value, in the large scheme. It irked her, regardless, to be relegated to such minuscule duties. She was, after all, a being of immense potential; much like her mistress. Yet the Ghost Girl was always at the forefront, always the commander. That part didn't bother her as much. It was always easier to handle smaller tasks. Easier to be unnoticed.

[color=DA70D6][i]Yeah, but that's never where the fun is.[/i][/color]

 Of course, she had been told numerous times that her assignments were not about 'fun'. She had been told of the high stakes and countless fates that depended on their actions. [color=DA70D6][i]She's always so serious. What. A. Drag. She better hurry up.[/i][/color] Bitching was pointless, but Three enjoyed it anyway. Even if things never changed, she could always [i]complain[/i] that they should.

 With a sigh she leaned against a non-existent wall, flipping a non-existent coin. Mimicry was a strong suit of hers. Boredom was her bane. Her favorite color was white. [color=DA70D6][i]Wish I'd brought my yo-yo.[/i][/color] That would certainly make the stillness more tolerable. Even the habit of breathing was unnecessary in a place like this.

As Three mulled over the various aspects of Nothing, she walked around it; picking idly at her jacket. It wasn't a large space, despite what its initial impression might give. Nothing ended about seventy steps from where the 'entrance' was. After that Nothing became Something. Those Somethings sat on either side; with darkened potential beyond each other surface. She could, just as easily as her mistress, pass through the spatial membrane that kept it all from spilling into one another.

 [color=DA70D6][i]It just leaks. Doesn't spill. Not yet.[/i][/color]

 Then came the underwhelming entrance. A small decompression at the center of Nothing that denoted the return of her mistress. Three's heart swelled in her chest and she spun on her heels, a smile spreading across snowy features. Indigo eyes focused through the still smog and on the form of the one she had waited for.

 [color=708090]"Greetings. I apologize for my lateness,"[/color] the Ghost Girl removed her hood and mussed her hair vigorously, [color=708090]"the Semblances have been received and all is moving forward."[/color] Her face betrayed nothing, but Three could read the Ghost Girl better than most. She was irritated, and maybe tired. Probably something to do with unruly Mortals and all that weight she insisted on carrying. A small sigh escaped the white clad girl.

[color=DA70D6][i]At least she's sorry, this time.[/i][/color]

 [color=DA70D6]"That's to be expected. Want to hear my report?"[/color] A nod met the words as they left her, and a small motion of the Ghost Girl's fingers urged Three to carry on. [color=DA70D6]"Ok, well, let's see."[/color] She produced a non-existent clipboard and pen, looking over notes she didn't take. Her mistress never [i]did[/i] appreciate her jokes, but that never stopped her from trying. [color=DA70D6]"Lightbridge is pretty stable, though areas of corruption have started to show."[/color] Three knew that a projection would be wanted, so she held her palm out to save time. [color=DA70D6]"They're temporary, so guessing at their source isn't too hard. Still, could be a problem if interference continues. I'd give it,"[/color] Three pretended to nibble at the edge of her pen, [color=DA70D6]"[i]four[/i] to [i]six[/i] days until there's any real cause for concern."[/color]

 She adjusted non-existent glasses and looked to her owner. The Ghost Girl reclined against nothing, staring out at Nothing; a small smile hinted at with her eyes. [color=708090]"I am impressed with your progress. However,"[/color] Three cocked an eyebrow, waiting, putting her clipboard away, [color=708090]"it may be more beneficial to have you operate within Irriss, for the time being."[/color]

 [color=DA70D6][i]Yes! Finally![/i][/color]

 [color=708090]"I may have lingered too long,"[/color] Ghost Girl looked at her, now, back to blank restraint, [color=708090]"my continued presence will be noted. The Mortals are already in danger, I do not wish to imperil them any more than need be. You do not share my..."[/color] Hesitance, for the first time in ages. Three saw the flash of discomfort; that glaring moment of uncertainty. Her heart sank, a little. It was like her mistress to appear melancholy, but to actually sense it from her was rare. 

[color=DA70D6]"Got it,"[/color] Three smiled, trying to break the gloom, and tossed her glasses aside, [color=DA70D6]"I'll get over there, soon. Are you sure you trust me with this?"[/color] Despite her eagerness, Three wanted to be sure. [color=DA70D6]"I don't want to get in trouble for messing up the big moves."[/color] She knew the plan, though, and had every relevant detail memorized. Her form twitched, breaking away from its outline in jagged spikes of black static and indigo interference, for a moment; reverting as soon as the lapse was noticed. 

 [color=DA70D6][i]Oops. Pull yourself together.[/i][/color]

 The Ghost Girl didn't seem to mind that, though. She was resting her head against her knee, staring at Something. A Something that Three couldn't see. She looked, anyway, in the same direction. Staring into the tenebrous depths of a reality completely barred to her. [color=DA70D6][i]Wonder what's over there.[/i][/color] It flared and rolled but never truly moved, the mist and fog of Nothing; but the slick surface of empty Somethings always seemed to ripple and strain against its self, when Three peered closely. 

 [color=708090]"I have trusted you with much, Three. A day, or two, in Irriss will serve as a test of your capacity for extended responsibilities,"[/color] Ghost Girl looked up, slowly pointing to the Something on Nothing's left side, [color=708090]"When it suits you, enter Irriss. Begin with scouting. The Mortals should  be traveling to Silverbrook. Those who go elsewhere are not to be tampered with."[/color]

[color=DA70D6][i]Really? Why not?[/i][/color]  She went to adjust her glasses, forgetting that they had been tossed aside. [color=DA70D6]"Ok, so keep a low profile. Stay out of the way. That's easy. Any particular places you want reports on? I've already got a list of my own. Couldn't hurt to add some more."[/color]

[color=708090]"The Crystalline Garden is to be avoided. The Demense and Jagged Keeps are to be avoided,"[/color] So the Enlightened and Unfettered cores were denied to her, something Three would bitch about later. She nodded compliance, sighing several times. [color=708090]"Magician has been given a specific task, another thing I would ask you to refrain from meddling in. A wide berth between the two of you would be best,"[/color] Ghost Girl looked to the Something at her right, [color=708090]"Everything else is yours to explore."[/color]

[color=DA70D6][i]A whole world. A whole Irriss for me to play with.[/i][/color]

 [color=708090]"I must rest, Three. Please excuse me,"[/color] The Ghost Girl stood, stretching and absently replacing her hood. [color=708090]"We will convene, again, in a short while. I will be awaiting you, here, when that time arrives."[/color] Three knew she would hear the call, when she was needed. Smiling, she waved goodbye to her mistress. To her surprise, the wave was returned; sluggish but affirming. [color=708090]"Goodbye,"[/color] came the last word from Ghost Girl, spoken with a turned back, before she slipped back to Earth. Back to the C-Route. 

 Three stalled, for a moment, mumbling into Nothing as she walked to the Earth-Something.

 [color=DA70D6]"She could've waited. I need to get my yo-yo..."[/color] [/center]