boxfullofzeroes | voicetest the voiceless

voicetest the voiceless

They're not dead.

Less dead than they'd felt, at least. Their shell doesn't normally take so long to reform.

Then again. Their shell doesn't usually break of their own violation as they ascended in a boiling rage, ate at least one realm, a god, and all the Godseekers.

(That last point is debatable, actually. There's some odd sense, deep under their...shell? Void? Wherever they once stored things like Isma's Tear, much deeper now...that the sea-mind is still there, sluggish and held in a stasis. They're already adjusting enough, and they don't seem to be dying or trying to kill them, so that problem is neatly sorted as 'for later'.)

They push their body to stand. Their horn clangs uncomfortably loudly against the grate they've apparently woken up beneath. They're somewhere in the Royal Waterways. A quick check of the map--or, not so quick, as it takes time to locate where it had been--shows they've risen about halfway through, closer to the City of Tears than the White Palace. They'll go to the Stag Station in the City Storerooms next.

So they think. Complications arise on the way.

The Infection is gone, leaving dead Flukes, Pilflips, and Hwurmps in piles enough it takes time to force their way past. Their body seems too small. No, their body is fine--there's something wrong with perception itself. That will take time to adjust to.

Then, they discover the Monarch Wings now stretch and warp when used, twisting around the nearest pipes after landing before the Knight forcibly calls them back. Shade Wings, they decide to call these.

Once they're high enough to hear the rain above, they realize a noise they'd ascribed to water running in the distance is, in fact, something swirling behind their mask. Many somethings. All the fragments of Siblings with enough self left, staring out from their eyes. It's disconcerting.

By the time they actually get out of the Waterways, they're using their Shade Wings to grip ledges and drag themselves up, with those holding onto things better than their own arms are with the Mantis Claw.

The Knight faceplants awkwardly onto the floor of the building Lemm's shop is in. If the City is the same as below, there's little left to try killing them in the area.

They'll just take a moment here, thanks.

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He relents as soon as he sees them writing. Maybe he's overreacting a bit. Maybe.

Also, he is still holding the jar, which... they did give to him. Can't forget that.

A sigh. Lemm shakes his head and flaps a hand at the Knight, waving off the apology note. "Never mind. I forgot these things don't seem to bother you! Unflappable unless I'm there to complain, it seems." ... That does put a spin on it, actually. Lemm's annoyance turns to amusement at least a bit. "Doesn't that say something."

Mindful that his hands are an acceptable level of clean, Lemm unscrews the lid of the jar and inspects a piece of the candy.

"Anyway these certainly smell better than that thing." A light cough. "Er, I didn't - did I? ...No, I don't think I did. Thank you," he offers them, sheepish. He looks like he wants to offer them one, but they have already told him they don't eat, so he just kind of stares at it for a moment. "Do you - have other friends who might-?"

What does that say, but how he can truly bring out the worst in them. Or perhaps the best. The most.

A brief pause of consideration before they dismiss the thought with a wave. Technically, yes, others might like it, but they gave that to Lemm. And even if they hadn't, they're feeling the slightest bit bad. The disgusting mess was a genuine mistake.

Besides, they can probably procure some from the Hive now that they've been reminded of honey being edible.

Lemm dips his head in recognition. Fine, then. His. Like the quill. For free, or else for the admittedly low price of getting a bit of gunk on his hands. Which he can accept, contrary to his momentary flip-out. He's honestly a bit surprised he managed to bean the Knight with a cloth at all.

...Because their guard is down, perhaps...? Ugh, Lemm will examine that later.

The jar is re-sealed and tucked into his bag with a betraying level of care, clinking lightly against his tools and the other piece of glassware. He will try some when he's home and there's no one to watch.

Lemm peers about the kitchen to satisfy his remaining curiosity. There's evidence of more decay here and there, but there's little beneath except for what he already knows: that Ze'mer was given privileges beyond most in Hallownest. Eventually he returns from investigating a dusty cupboard, looking mildly triumphant and stowing a small container of silverware polish in his bag.

He is reluctant to address this, but nothing can last forever.

"I think we may be able to conclude this visit, unless there's something you'd like to do first...?"

The resolve to find him more gifts later. Maybe more candy, if they can find it. Or continue with something that catches their eye. Lemm should have more gifts. They should try to get into his back room again and see what he doesn't have back there.

This on their mind, they stop their steps-behind shadowing by Lemm's side, staring thoughtfully at his bag.

The trip's been a success of multiple sorts. They can always do it again, to here or somewhere else. He and they have made enough promises to be careful; some of the itch of worry in the back of their mask has finally lessened.

I'd like to try prying one of those Delicate Flower lights/frames from by the greenhouse for us. Is this acceptable?

His bag is full enough of stuff. The problem:

Lemm has found little that would interest the Knight, but then he doesn't know them well enough to know what would. They don't eat, they don't sleep on anything he can easily give them (yes, he noticed) - they don't like to see things defaced (perhaps for different reasons than he does, which makes that a dangerous avenue) - they don't need anything he can glean from Ze'mer's old life. All he has been able to offer is chatter. Far less than enough to make him comfortable after a life built of transactions.

(But it's been - productive? Yes, but not in this context. It's been nice. It has been nice.)

Lemm glances at them half-aware, then quickly shakes himself into reading.

"Ah?" The - oh! Those. Lemm feels a pang of something that is familiar: wanting to have things. He finds himself calculating the Geo and instantly dismisses the numbers. Not today.

I take what I want and don't care if you do too. It's fine. Probably.

"Hrm." Another pause, but mostly superficial. And, very cautiously: "Yes..."

...That's a very uncertain-sounding yes; particularly coming from Lemm.

So they simply pause in the center of the kitchen to eye him for elaboration. If he thinks it foolish or unnecessary, they won't.

He waits.

...

But left to their own devices in a silence, people tend to say what's on their mind. No doubt the Knight is more familiar with this phenomenon than most. Eventually he's compelled to say something.

"It wouldn't bother you, would it?" He's never had to worry about that before.

The Knight slowly shakes their head. They're...somewhat confused by this.

I wouldn't have asked if it were a problem. I thought we both might like to bring at least one out. They run a claw under the 'us' from the previous line. If possible without destroying them, which it might not be.

Edited 2022-12-20 22:25 (UTC)

There is a fine line between looting and... whatever this is. Looting still, perhaps. But he wants the damn sconce, and Ze'mer is gone. And if they're clarifying they're not judging-?

Lemm sticks his hands on his sides, summoning enough confidence in his career to say yes, of course he'd like to take a historically-relevant light holder that he can remember a Great Knight by. (And have her remembered by, if he happens to record anything about those flowers.)

"Then it isn't a problem. Yes, I'd take one. I'll clean up both, if you'd like."

Positions made clear, the Knight nods decisively. Two to pry from the wall, if possible.

They trot past Lemm to lead the way, briefly patting his wrist first. Hand-holding through the house wouldn't be practical.

Even more than the sconces, the picture of their sibling by the stairs hasn't been forgotten. When they make it there, they stop and pull it from its place without letting themselves think too much.

Their eyes still catch the unseeing set staring up, almost, not quite meeting theirs.

The emotions that swirl compared to the image's discovery are duller, but still there. They'll...they suppose they will put this on the wall of their house. If they don't keep it tucked away with the rest of their items. They have yet to decide.

(It wouldn't be practical, no. He catches at his own arm afterward, unrelatedly.)

He's quick and confident when he follows, but their pause has him step back a pace or two to allow them some space. If they hadn't taken the picture, he'd considered sneaking it out. It should be rescued from here, he'd thought at the time.

It doesn't matter now; they should be the one to have it, and one way or another he thinks he'd have made sure. Lemm watches the way they linger over it. And he clears his throat, and settles a hand firmly on their shoulder.

"Stash it upright," he advises. "Nowhere too damp nor too dry. Light above ground'll fade it, if it's too direct."

Lemm does not have a better language to say this is important.

They jump slightly. It's too easy to be lost in the hardly-distant past.

Sharp nod. The sentiment is understood enough. He cares for them and their emotions, or for the history of this picture, or some concept of the little one in this image. The advice is good no matter the case or cases. They'll do their absolute best to follow it.

It disappears under their wings, and they refocus on the task at hand.

The melancholy is shaken off well before they're staring back up at the sconces.

Now, how to remove them without significant destruction...they reach up to tap the tip of their blade where the metal meets the wall, testing how flimsy it is.

He nods curtly at their decision and follows like a shadow, like he's getting used to doing when they - the they, plural are moving with intent, together.

...On the wall-fittings, too, he has some experience to share. Never mind how he learned it.

He draws close to the sconce they're examining and, unbothered by their Nail, taps a finger at the corner of the fitting and instructs accordingly.

"Metal pins, I'd think, with this design. Pry the edges one by one. Careful."

They nod their thanks. And pry with their Nail, naturally. The tip is fine to a degree that actually works, and their control enough to keep from simply slipping or ripping the whole thing down.

The lumafly that still survives within causes slight distraction. The Knight doesn't do any damage from it, but must briefly stop to admire how the light catches the edges of the Nail's patterns sticking from behind the flower's shape.

He would demand speed, if this were a team someone else organised, if it were a circumstance where someone else had any hold on how things went. It's not. Lemm feels a bit like the overseer. Mostly, not.

He just hangs back, content with however they opt to proceed. It's a bit endearing that they'd pause to look at the way it gleams.

They have time. Lemm has absolutely no intent to rush them.

(Some might describe the way he watches as affectionate. Lemm would likely start an argument over this.)

It takes some time, being careful.

Not as much as it could. They're fully confident in their use of Nail, even in such a strange manner.

By the time the sconce pops off the wall, they think fast enough to flutter up to catch it, only to find that it has more heft than they were expecting. They land rather heavily and stumble backwards, onto their rump--allowing it, really, in a unthreatening place with a friend--staring at the shape in their hands accusingly as dust swirls freshly around.

Lemm immediately comes forward to try and be helpful, like he did when they were sprayed with water in the greenhouse. Like then he's a little too late to catch them before they topple back, and instead it just gets a mild snicker out of him.

"S'heavy, is it? Here." He stoops to take the weight of the sconce (oh, that is solid, that's encouraging!) and sets it to one side for the time being. Lemm takes the Knight's paws and pulls them to their feet, briefly dusting at their wings with the back of his hand. "I'll hold the other one."

Admittedly, they didn't expect the lift so much, nor to be brushed off. A little of their wings must've felt bizarre under Lemm's hands as tendrils considered wrapping around his fingers.

Instead, they step away and let them rustle in for-show indignance, and go pry the other sconce off the wall a little more quickly. They let its weight carry itself down to them, catching it before it can fall straight onto their face. Mission successful.

Lemm hovers the whole time. Yes, he knows they can manage. It's more about being backup just in case. No one likes being clocked between the horns by a metal ornament.

When the sconce comes away from the wall, he even prepares himself to catch this time - they're fine, though.

Lemm nods approvingly and goes to retrieve the other one, tucking it into his bag. It's getting a little heavier, but he's lugged enough stone journals around not to be bothered and this is hardly that.

"D'you want me to hang onto that for you until we part ways? I've got the space for it." He pats his bag. "Looks cumbersome on you." No offense...

The Knight tips their head in appreciation, but not agreement.

It's not a small object, and once, they wouldn't have tried what they do next: tucking it under their wings, where it visibly sinks into them and the shell of their side. It would've been too difficult before, and later, they might've had concerns unsettling Lemm. After everything, they doubt he'll be overly bothered.

He's ruffled only for a moment until he remembers - ah, right. Unified Void, et cetera. This is normal.

Lemm watches it done, vaguely curious.

"Of course." It's not that he forgot, it's just... that was so visible and obvious as opposed to small things being made to mysteriously disappear beneath their wings. "I have to admit, Knight, I'm strangely jealous. I'd carry my whole shop with me if I could do that." He sounds quite amused. "Are you ready to go, then?"

It's convenient until I forget what I have. I suspect a lot of your shop would be lost for a while.
That said, if you want something kept hidden or held for a time, I'll gladly carry what you give.

The Knight nods agreeably. Onward and out, and they'll wait for Lemm to lead.

That tickles him somewhat. "If I'm to be completely honest with you, half of it is already." Lemm sounds more than amused by this. He'd never normally admit such a thing, but since they're sharing! "Everything I have is safest at home, as it stands. But, hrm - it's a thoughtful thing of you to say."

He won't exactly lead, rather just takes the cue to go ahead through doors too narrow for the two of them; the rest of the time, Lemm's more inclined to remain at the Knight's side.

He does stop and pause in the foyer, turning back to regard Great Knight Ze'mer's Nail with an unreadable stare. Then he slips outside. He keeps his eyes forward, but when the Knight is close enough he offers a few words.

"I learned a lot from this place, and thank you for showing it to me." There. Perfectly courteous. Like any normal person making conversation. Never mind that he's rehearsed it in his head a few times while they've been here.

Also, with far less certainty as the tunnels near: "...Hm. You'd have told me if we passed any spirits, of course...?"

With how the front of his shop appears, and how the back is even worse, this information doesn't shock them. It does answer something they've been idly wondering since their second or third visit to sell, whether or not Lemm knows exactly where everything is in only his own organization system. Seems he has to dig his own way through.

The Knight lingers behind for a moment, turning to the Nail, just behind where Ze'mer had stood, and bows. They don't think she's genuinely here, but if anything still remains, they offer respect on the way out.

His words get a nod and as far as a hop in response. They're glad of it, and enjoyed it as well. It's been a fruitful trip in a great many ways, their increased knowledge of each other fully unexpected and the most important.

I may, if you like, in the future. There were none on the way in. They're mostly above, just across where Seer lives. We need to quiet on the way out to avoid her and her guests(?).

Mostly he knows what he has! Just. Not with everything. Stuff he hasn't looked at in a while tends to make its way out of sight and out of mind. It happens.

Lemm dips a horn in response to their enthusiasm, trying not to look too pleased that they apparently feel that way. (Lemm will not change into an overly-forthcoming fountain of zeal overnight, and likely not ever. Exactly how thrilled he is about anything will remain something he keeps to himself for the most part.)

The spirit stuff is considered at length. He's a bit torn - on the one hand, does he really want to know? He was admittedly more comfortable not giving the concept of ghosts and spirits much thought. Still, curiosity has driven his whole life.

"...Hrmm... Tell me if it's important. I'll leave that up to you." If he really thinks about the odds, he's probably walked through a few in the past. He must certainly have taken things rather left alone. Lemm makes a displeased noise and shakes his head. "I've always had a heap of questions for the dead, but I don't know that I like the idea of them answering back."

It's not that he's afraid, per se. It's just... something that puts a strange new spin on his whole line of work.

"Worry not. I'll be silent as the grave."

voicetest the voiceless

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