Forbidden Archives
Sylvara Waveweave
December 16th, 3025
Deep in the Drowned Archives Sylvara Waveweave arranged her tea party with meticulous care. A low table of barnacle-encrusted driftwood gleamed under pale green motes, set with porcelain cups delicate as seashells, a silver tray of spectral sashimi, and cookies shaped like tiny grimoires, complete with glowing icing.
Mei Shadowsoul emerged from the shadows, her petite form a stark contrast to the cavern’s vastness, black hair flowing into gloom, red cat-eyes glinting like embers. Her funeral gown clung like wet shadow, tails curling with lazy menace.
Sylvara inclined her head, sheer silk blouse and skirt shimmering as she poured Gyokuro tea, its jade hue catching the archive’s sickly light. “Welcome, Reaper. I’ve waited centuries for this visit.”
Mei slid into the opposite seat, legs crossing with feline grace. “You guessed my favorite tea. Acceptable quality.” Her voice purred approval.
Sylvara’s glasses glinted as she smiled, shark-sweet. “I’ve planned this day for ages. A pleasure to converse at last.”
Mei’s fangs flashed. “Think you’ll talk your way out of judgment?”
Sylvara shook her head, pouring her own cup—laced with a poison tailored to her essence, its scent faint but lethal. “No mortal, fae, or kami escapes a Celestial Reaper.” She sipped, calm. “Two hours: precisely.”
Mei leaned forward, tails flicking. “What do you want to discuss, then?”
Sylvara’s eyes gleamed. “The finer points of the Soul Economy among the Repears. The deeper mechanics of how Yggdrasil’s roots in the Primordium bring in the material of ancient worlds. And many such things.” Her fingers traced a floating tome, its pages showing Genghis Khan. “Also, I hear that your collection of souls is quite exquisite. I would be curious to learn about your favorites.”
Mei’s smile widened.
As the second hour waned, Sylvara finished her tea with a sigh. “I am content with what I have learned. Thank you for indulging me.”
She dissolved into cerulean water, pooling briefly on the coral floor before seeping into the shelves, tomes humming as they drank her essence.
Mei stretched, cat-like, tails curling. “I liked that one.”