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'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."

Alright. There are fewer than one might expect in a place like this. The Resting Grounds and all Hallownest. The ones they believe Lemm might've wanted to try communicating with are long gone with their battle and Dream Nail.

They choose not to mention Greenhorn, though the technicality itches to be mentioned. They're a spirit, and reminding Lemm as much would be painfully tactless. He likes them.

Moths seem in tune with graves. Be as quiet as I, instead.

With that, the Knight disappears into the tunnels.

Of course they'll be down there waiting for him, standard lumafly lantern held up in the dark.

(It's not the same with Greenhorn! - Well, no, alright, he wouldn't have a leg to stand on there. The point is he knows that one. Strangers' ghosts are a whole other issue.)

Lemm scoffs. Of course they'd give his joke a rebuttal.

As usual he is much faster descending than ascending, though he's far slower than the Knight nonetheless. At least with the tightness of the space he doesn't need rope. At the bottom he pulls out his own lamp and - a little bit wiser for last time - tucks his beard behind his bag, away from the floor and walls. ~~Not that it isn't still stained in the first place.~~

As before, he lapses into quiet down here. They're nowhere near the Seer yet, and he knows that, but... something still feels off about talking in the catacombs. He nods for the Knight to lead, since they know the way better. Any further querying about whether the tombs down here interest him will be dismissed with a wave. He's really not any more keen on stopping than he was on the way in.

The trip out goes quicker than the trip in. Lemm's disinterest in what's buried here is still mildly surprising, but they don't waste time questioning, or doing more than consulting their map to make absolutely certain they're not leading them the wrong way.

The way back up might need rope. They'll offer with a paw out to carry it back to the crypt's entrance if he wishes them to, and then creep back out. It's quieter up there than they like.

In all fairness, he probably would have lingered more if not for both trips being preceded by talk of spirits. Even if it was his own silly fault this time. He's really not bothered by the dead in most circumstances - and likely he'll get over this slight hurdle very quickly.

Lemm does let them secure the rope for him. That much is appreciated - it's not really the angle for throwing a grapple, nor is there much space for it.

He is a little clumsier than he intends, and ends up thudding an arm over the side of the broken tomb as a sudden precaution when his foot almost slips on the way out. There is no 'ow', since they're both playing the quiet game, but once Lemm is upright and standing on solid ground they might catch him rubbing his elbow with all the bitterness of someone who was trying quite hard to look professional the whole time.

They gingerly pat Lemm's arm nowhere near the elbow in silent sympathy before heading forward again.

They're not going to stop for the Dreamers' gravestone, memorial, what-have-you this time. They're not even going to look at it. Still, the drawn image of their tall sibling so small is something they're very, very conscious of having as they pass it by.

If anything he just looks even more perturbed that they acknowledged it. He stops fussing after that.

Whether consciously or not, he sticks close to the Knight as they make their way back. Their little expedition is not over until it's over, and despite the sense that it's largely been a success and the way back to the City of Tears feeling more than familiar, he hasn't forgotten to take the expedition stuff seriously. If mostly to prove he will.

The rest of the way is thankfully uneventful. Lemm has little to say about anything until they're almost back.

"...Knight." A long pause, during which he looks slightly conflicted, then: "I'm going to keep my key behind the sign, I think. When I go for a walk."

The Knight doesn't respond to that for a few more steps, conflicted as well.

It's a kind sentiment. Truthfully, a touching one. But they have some concerns, in particular after his recent mention of being robbed not too far in the past.

I'm grateful you have that level of trust in me. ~~Are~~
I'm incapable of expressing how much. But I don't know if I trust others who might pass through. Are you certain?

Yes, he's sure! Relic Seeker Lemm has not lived a life without paranoia. He instinctively wants to snap-!

...He does not. He takes a breath and scratches his beard and acts casual.

"Yes, I'm certain. Who's here, and what would they take that would be worth the trip to sell it?"

Lemm is honestly relieved there was no confusion over this. He'd have had to explain.

"My shop's no Pleasure House. But if you're dragging your wet little self through the City I might as well let you another space to dry off. I hope I'm understood."

There'll be no swaying him. After his open explanation, the desire to try further fades.

They bow deeply.

Yes. I understand, and thank you. This is and they stutter to a stop.

The Knight wasn't lying when they used the specific phrase incapable of expressing. They don't know what else to write to tell him how important the trust, the letting them in, the wanting to let them in, is.

--significant, they finish on, far later, not to leave Lemm hanging.

The bow is acknowledged with a curt, shy nod.

He knows they weren't lying. Right now this is all he's got in terms of... expressing. The two of them are really not too different in some ways. That's why it's easier.

"...Yes," he replies eventually, once they finish the long pause and dot the last word. "Well, then." Awkward. Or not. It depends how they take the ensuing quiet.

He knocks the elevator lever with a fist.

Lemm will quietly stick his hand behind the sign and rap the crossbar where it's fixed to the wall, addressing them with that silent information. Then it's business as usual, if anything with them is usual.

He checks in, casts a close look around, and retreats to lean backwards against the front of the counter. (Still covered with a mess of game-board and game pieces and ink and papers.) Lemm folds his arms.

"Have you things to attend to?"

This is observed carefully. They'll...they're uncertain if they'll take advantage of the offer, even as they won't discount it. But just knowing they have the option if they want--right now, that's enough.

He's followed to the counter, leaping atop it even as they know the answer.

I'm afraid so. I'll be needing to risk Deepnest politics to visit my sibling.

I'll try to keep a better look out for Great Knight evidence around now that I have some better knowledge on what to give attention. The Knight pats Lemm's shoulder. Gratefulness, assurance. If we're lucky, I'll find something interesting. If I don't, I'll be glad to go wherever you consider in the meantime.

That is all it is. He would have offered a stay more clearly, but he knows they have a wider life to attend to and Lemm has no intent for them to stick around in the City. He nods firmly.

"I'd appreciate whatever you find, but Great Knight Ze'mer is information enough. I got far more than that today..."

He helplessly trails off into a noticeably weaker tone as they pat his shoulder, eyeing the contact sidelong.

Lemm is quick to rally, and rolls his shoulders curtly. (He is not shrugging them off, but he needs to remind himself to stay centred.)

"Good luck."

Ah. Perhaps they should stick to hand-holding over shoulder and arm touches. That should be easy enough with their differences in stature.

The Knight bows, as always.

They'll return again before long, they decide as their shadowy self dashes off the counter and pace determinedly out of the room. Not too soon, to give him space, but perhaps just a visit, hopefully another trip. They want, actively want to show him more of Hallownest, and only now register how fueled by worry they'd been before in comparison.

They think to turn back and wave in his direction before they're gone down the hallway. Farewell!

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