The Observer

The three maids huddled on balcony chairs inside the sterile med-bay, the hum of the tower’s machinery a constant reminder of their surreal circumstances.

Through the window, the bio luminescent forests of the Obsidian Atoll pulsed faintly, casting an eerie glow over the room.  

Lira pinches her arm “Is… this real? Or are we dead and this is the Six Heavens’ antechamber?”  

Mara hugged her knees “If this were the Six Heavens, we’d have feather beds. Not… this.” She gestured to the cold, metallic chairs.  

"Enough. Whether dream or reality, we’re alive. Act like it.”  

Charlotte stood by the window, her borrowed plain gray tunic  hanging loosely. 

Her fingers brushed the glass, tracing the distant silhouette of the White Spire.  

Altricia asked Charlotte “Milady. What do you make of our… host?”  

Charlotte turned, her face unreadable. “The Observer. The books say he watches but never interferes. Yet he saved us. Why?”  

Before Altricia could reply, the med-bay door hissed open. A  humanoid robot  wheeled in a clothing rack draped with simple tunics, trousers, and boots.  

[Greetings. I am ACE. These garments are tailored to your measurements. Please dress. The Observer awaits you in the cafeteria.]

Charlotte eyeing the clothes “Awaits us? For what purpose?”  

[Purpose: Sustenance. And conversation.] 

The maids exchanged glances but dressed quickly—Charlotte in a gray tunic and black trousers, the maids in similar practical attire. ACE led them through winding corridors of  polished black stone until they reached a cavernous cafeteria.  

The cafeteria’s vastness swallowed their voices, the sterile hum of machinery a stark contrast to the clatter of silverware as the Observer ate leisurely.

His eyes, glowing faintly like twin moons, flicked between the four women with detached curiosity.

The maids fidgeted in their crisp new uniforms, their postures rigid, while Charlotte sat with aristocratic poise, her fingers tracing the edge of the table as if grounding herself in reality.

She cleared her throat, breaking the silence first. "Where exactly are we, Observer? This facility... it’s unlike any kingdom’s architecture. Are we still on our world?"  

The Observer dabbed his mouth with a napkin, unfazed. "Yes, you are inside the observatories cafeteria that is located in the middle of the Pacific ocean, the widest body of the ocean"

Lira snorting under her breath  

She leaned forward, her bravado masking her unease. "So you ‘observe’ the world. Like a peeping tom with a god complex?"  

Mira flinched from the word uttered by lira "Lira, you idiot—he’ll vaporize us!

She kicked Lira’s shin under the table, earning a yelp.  

The Observer chuckled, the sound like gravel shifting. "i do vaporize people but only the one's who actually deserve to"

She folded her hands, her voice steady but softer than she intended. "Why make an exception for us?"  

He paused, his fork hovering over a slice of wyvern meat. "Because i felt like i should for some reason, i dont know maybe the Goddess of fate decided to do something"

Altricia looked at the observed narrowing her eyes down

"And our homes can we return?"

The Observer shrugged. "Anytime, say it and I'll do it"  

He waved a hand, and Ace glided forward with a tray of pastries.  

Charlotte spoke "You said we could ask anything. So I will: What do you want from us in return for saving our lives?"  

The room stilled. Even Ace halted its serving.  

The Observer set down his fork, his playful demeanor hardening into something ancient and inscrutable.

"Nothing in specific anyway Stay here for a few days then do what ever you want afterwards, its been awhile since ive entertained visitors"

Altricia crossed her arms. "And if we refuse?"  

He smirked. "Then Ace will send you back now."  

They were Taken aback surprised by the answer uttered by the observer.

The Observer raises his hands and claps "bring in the dishes ace"

And as soon as that, food was delivered in front of them

"Let's pause the conversation for now, and eat"

They were skeptical at first but the smell of the food and how it looked made them drool, well except for Charlotte.

The Observer smiled "you should explore the outside of this observatory, i want your opinion for my garden"