voicetest the voiceless

[focusedvoid]

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.

Comments

[focusedvoid]

They're irritated. He's irritated! They--

--are being pushy. He's conflicted, and they, of all beings, know how it feels.

The Knight prods their Sibling in warning, who vanishes into the dark when the Lord of Shades shifts in the water, sinking and rolling slowly onto their back, letting their limbs stretch out into the air. It likely appears silly. Or would, if a single claw wasn't the length of the Radiance's legs.

Sent: tired, flat apology. It has been--

Silence.

Sent: They are preoccupied with doing lately. With family. With community. Too many plans. He has time to decide. Their door will stay open.

[baelfyr]

Grimm watches carefully, as if some movement of theirs might betray whatever thoughts they're really having. But it looks like they're just getting comfortable. Grimm waits patiently for whatever they opt to do with his answer.

With a glance at their talons Grimm is reminded how effortless it had seemed for them to reach even the Nightmare's Heart, and to send its greatest acolyte cowering. Nightmare would have been foolish to challenge Void, even if it hadn't been wrong about intent.

...Regardless. Apology accepted.

"It is not unreasonable for you to want answers, Knight. Regrettably I am limited in providing them." He will allow a small whisper of approval to follow his words. Family, they said, and community. Objectively constructive goals. That Grimmchild is included in some of their doings is a positive.

Enough, perhaps. Grimm tucks his long legs back under him and stands, water cascading off his wings with a rush of noise. He turns to step up out of the spring.

"Tarry if you must," he addresses them, bowing, "but your performance is awaited!"

[focusedvoid]

Once his legs disappear from their view beneath the water, they shift until their head breaches above, and bows their head back. The edges lap against the stone.

The Knight reminds him, with a ripple of what could have been laughter: yes, but their Siblings are looking forward to whatever performance the Troupe puts on first, next time they drop by.

[baelfyr]

There is similar mirth in his voice when he speaks again, and it feels more real this time.

"The dread Troupe will be delighted to have all of you in the audience." All of them meaning the whole of the Shadelord, or is he referring to the many Siblings? - Yes.

Graciously, he takes a swift turn to make his exit. There is a hiss of evaporated springwater and a light spattering of more of it on the floor; Grimm vanishes in a burst of flame.

(The presence of him, and of Nightmare, might be sensed flitting back out and up through the Crossroads to anyone so inclined. Elderbug, having firmly shut himself at home after the last scare, is not.)