Out Of The Dark

Min had been holding her breath again and blew it out in a loud sigh. "Lights up." She said as she dropped her own lenses. The room was dim but not murky now. Riddick's brows were drawn together but he seemed ok with the change so far as he looked around the room.

"More light?" She asked him.

"Lights up." He said himself.

Control freak, she thought with an internal grin. At least he wasn't mad anymore. Min started to relax. "Scene. Ferrin 1441." Min spoke with more confidence and the walls leapt to life. Riddick started as much as he ever did, she assumed, as the sudden change in his surroundings elicited one whole shoulder muscle twitch.

Must be nice to have that much confidence, she thought as Riddick stared at the scenery now surrounding them.

"What's this?"

"Just my favorite. Well, my Ferrin's favorite." She amended.

The walls and ceiling were alive with moving foliage and wild animal sounds; a jungle or a rainforest with a high canopy and filtered red light. Small and large creatures could be glimpsed as they went on their normal daily lives. Min walked around looking at the different views offered.

"Computer simulation?" He asked.

"It's computer enhanced, you can see quite a bit more with your dark light lenses up than you would with a normal scenery. But it was originally a live feed." Min mused as she searched the different walls and their views. "Here, come watch this bit..." She waved him over.

An armored cat stepped out of the underbrush, its eyes glittered blue, the holographic quality of the wall scenery made it nearly 3D as it padded by. It paused and made a grumbling noise. Two kits followed their queen out of the brush looking like tiny serious copies of their mother before the trio disappeared back into the forest.

"I've met one those." Riddick commented dryly, startling Min once again. At least she was nearly as good at covering her internal reactions with outward calm as he was.

"They're nearly extinct. But there's a couple on this ship. The Lords have their own private zoo of creatures they admired before they destroyed its world." Min's words were cold with old anger. Riddick turned, presumably to read her reaction, but she'd already dropped the emotion from her face.

The door chimed for attention causing Riddick's head to turn sharply in that direction. Min saw his blue lenses pop back up. "Lights dim." She said, as he suddenly needed to squint into the glare again.

"It's probably just dinner." She commented as she moved towards the door. At the com there she put on her old safe self. "Yesss?" she asked in her little girl voice.

"Dinner has arrived." One of the guards outside responded, in the background Min could hear the Witch making a fuss and demanding entry. Min backed away from the door and shot a glance to Riddick. But he looked like he wasn't planning on being any help. Sadist, she thought and wrapped her armor tighter around her mind.

"Enter," the vacant little girl answered, steeling herself for the spectacle she was about to make.

The door opened and a servant tried to wheel the service tray into the room but the Witch was trying to get in first. Min froze near the door as she caught sight of the Elemental, then she backed up to the wall behind her putting a fist to her mouth to stifle a scream, her eyes wide with counterfeit terror. The Elemental pushed her way in and the service tray followed along with the two guards who stopped and looked at Riddick expectantly. Min stayed frozen, waiting for her chance to bolt from the room.

Riddick crossed his arms and tilted his head back in a smile as counterfeit as Min's fear.

"Aereon," his voice boomed, "to what do I owe this dubious pleasure? I thought I told you and everyone else to leave me alone." His voice dropped to a dangerous low at the last word.

"We have to talk," the Elemental started in her imperious tone but paused as she looked around. "I thought you didn't remember your home world?" The Witch looked around and her eyes fell on Min.

That was her cue. Min ran screaming. Riddick's look at her as she passed him was as infuriating a smirk as she expected. Prick. Min dived behind the nearest couch and crouched in terror. She wanted to hear.

Riddick didn't respond to the Witch's question. Min heard the door shut and the swish of Aereon's clothing as she moved further into the room.

"This holographic, did you know it was of Fury?"

"You came to discuss my entertainment choices?" Riddick's voice was dry and impatient.

"I'm here to discuss your destiny."

Min inwardly seethed at the Witch's imperious attitude. Apparently Riddick was unimpressed with her as well.

"Have I told you to fuck off lately?"

Min stuck a knuckle in her mouth and bit down on it hard to keep from laughing right out loud. She wished she could see the Witch's face. She forgave Riddick a little for his smirking at her.

"I don't think you understand the position which you've..."

"I don't think you understand," he cut her off. "You're standing between me... and my dinner."

Min heard the doors open and Riddick address the guards outside it. "Escort our esteemed guest to the lodgings provided to her by the previous Marshall." Min could have applauded. The conniving, scheming, self-important bitch could rot. She wished Dame Vaako would find herself similarly quartered.

"If you're done back there," Riddick drolled, "I can't eat all this by myself."