Ace didn’t lie. The Research Department revealed itself as the mahogany barriers moved in sync. A large chamber, about half the size of the ballroom awaited Askerian. Scarlet carpet crawled forward under his feet adding a red walkway leading to the opposite side of the massive room where a dimly lit wall lined in lime glass screens towered over him.
The screens, aside from their grassy glow, blended into a collage of various points in the realm. The Celestial citizens moved about their routines, performing a multitude of activities. Below the screens lay a large glass desk, stretching from one end of the room to the other, in front of it, a mysterious cloaked figure perched on a matching chair.
Short quartz pillars dotted the room, each holding a strange object, some enclosed by glass boxes.
Askerian looked at the scene before him in awe, edging his way towards the center of the room as his gaze trailed around over the screens once more. “A surveillance room?”
“Correct!” The cloaked figure spoke from the glass chair, never taking their focus off the monitors. “Welcome to the Research Department, Sir Askerian.”
“That’s Renfred.” A young man passed by, carrying a familiar glass box. His hair was a snowy fringe on the top of his head. Eyes a blue so light, he almost looked blind, while his skin was pale as well and it did little to contrast with the white garments he was wearing.
He donned a white tunic whose embellishments were thousands of tiny crystals which shimmered in the dim light of the room and white trousers that flowed over a pair of light blue boots lined with pale amethyst.
“Hello?” Askerian furrowed his brows at the stranger.
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“Name’s Varier.” The man said as he continued his journey to a door along the right side of the enormous room, affixed to another dimly lit towering wall.
“Modest as always, Chancellor.” Lady Seraphina laughed as she exited a door on the other side of the expansive room. The door behind her, a golden hatch, shimmered in starlight before disappearing, leaving the shadotheof the dimly lit room in its absence.
“Lady Seraphina.” Askerian was happy to see a familiar face in such a strange place, his gaze darting to the wall behind her.
“Sorry, I was tending to the treasury. We pulled in an abundance of embers this week.” She explained making her way over to her new companion.
“Embers?” Askerian asked feeling out of place for the first time since coming through the portal.
“That’s our currency here. Named in honor of Lady Ardent. Somehow twelve different currencies just didn’t feel fit here. Anyway, I’m in charge of treasure and funds.” She smiled up at him.
“You brought me down here for something” He cleared his throat, “So what is it?”
“Ah yes! First allow me to introduce you to our team, well the ones who are here anyway.” As her words escaped her lips, Varrier, and Renfred made their way over to the duo.
“You met Renfred here over the communicator.” She introduced the cloaked figure.
“Oh right! The inventor! Hello!” Askerian’s greeting was met with a curt nod from Renfred, lime green eyes peering out as orbs from under the dark canopy of the cloak.
“And this is Chancellor Varier. The Celestial Realm and Gaian Realm’s one and only seer.”
“Don’t forget about me!” A familiar voice chimed from across the room. Lady Storm had come through another door, except this one didn’t disappear.
“How could I ever?” Seraphina beamed.
“We’re missing Zoe and a few others.” Storm explained, “You’ll see them in due time.” She glanced over at Seraphina, her stormy blue eyes full of apprehension.
Seraphina nodded, the tiny mounds of fur twitching atop the onyx and pale hair. “Now let’s begin.”