Issue 1 Downtime

Samantha stormed through the base, making her way for Atropha's quarters without any acknowledgement there were others present.

Atropha is lieing on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Despite 'noticing' Sam before she busts through the door she doesn't move.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

That actually does startle her.

"What?"

"Every filthy little thought this wretched city tries to express, I feel that. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

"I had hoped you wouldn't..."

"Oh yes, such a dirty little secret, just not polite to talk about how you fed her to Sekhmet!"

Atropha blinks.

And again.

"What?"

"There's no use playing dumb, I found the ritual site..."

"What the fuck are you talking about? When should I have even done that?"

"The sacrifices there have been there longer than she has..."

"And that makes sense to you." she says flatly.

"In that you've been at this awhile? You tell me..."

"What? And that translates into me sacrificing her how? You stepped through the portal with me and then left me with Harbinger for... I don't even know how long and then you brought me here!"

"You were doing something to her when you sent her through. You've never even denied that..."

"Oh for the love of... It was a short prayer from a ritual called The Passion of Ast and Nebt-Het."

"You pour forth the light of our yesterdays, even as you pour your love into us,
And let us tend to your weary bones. I am Ast." she recites another part of it.

"And this is the thing you claim you botched, which is why I can't find her?"

"It's not a spell, just a small prayer. And what the hell kind of ritual site are you talking about anyway?"

"Atop a building. It wasn't easy telling what I found there... not at first..."

She just quirks an eyebrow.

"What's that? Don't know me as well as you think you do?"

"Apparently..."

"Then perhaps you'll want to rethink withholding information from me..."

"I swear I was not aware of a ritual circle in the city, much less used it."

"But you're still hiding things from me..."

For the first time since Sam burst into the room Atropha really looks at her.

"You tapped into it, didn't you..."

"All your pretty little tricks, which you thought I'd never catch on to because it's your own little playground. After all, I simply couldn't possibly understand any of what you were doing, could I?"

"But I can. I always could, even though I'd hate what it would make me..."

"...but none of that will matter if I can't find her. I am going to find her, and you're going to help me even if I have to pluck out those eyes of yours that see so much and feed them to my flock..."

"Goddess, Sam, what are you doing to yourself! I warned you, I told you this place warps people and you go and..." she sighs.

"And what am I supposed to do when you throw up a stone wall? When you tell me just to leave her?"

"It's for the best..." she says quietly.

"Look at yourself. You've been here how long? Even if you do find her, how much of you is going to be left? How much are you going to sacrifice?"

"How much will I give up? Enough. That's all that matters. Enough to get her back, even if I have to gut a certain Egyptian cat goddess..."

"I... I..."

"I need to go." she says, pushing past Sam to get out the door.

"No, you don't." Her hand shot out, trying to keep a firm grip on Atropha's arm.

"Let me go." is all she says, not even with that much vehemence and in that moment she kind of sounds like Nailah though it's not on purpose.

"Is that all you've got to say for yourself? The lies stop. Now."

For a moment she looks like she's about to say something and there's something in her eyes for just a split-second but whatever it was is drowned out again.

"I can't. I can't..."

"If you didn't want me to go down this path, you should have told me what you know. You know I'd do anything for her..."

"Where did you say was that ritual site again?" she asks coldly. Or maybe she's just distracted.

"At the top of what should be London Bridge Tower..."

If she's right and someone really created a ritual circle...

"I need to see it for myself."