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]

Like many of their plans, it takes the slightest push to go off track.

Calling the Stag lead to his mentioning a few others travelling through, including some from Deepnest. They go there, and are wrapped up again in assisting their biggest sibling. (They've stopped using their title even in their thoughts. It wasn't anything chosen or honorable enough for that respect.) Hornet is more emotional than they've ever seen her. She berates herself to the Ghost of Hallownest over their sibling apparently vanishing for a while under her watch, only to be discovered hidden away in the failed tramway.

They cannot--will not--express why, even through the Void. They hold themselves separate, through habit or shame. Pushing into their mind to force it would be possible. Unspeakably cruel, as well.

The Knight can guess the reason for their travel. Herrah guesses, as well, and tells them elsewhere that their sibling misses the White Palace, and requests their confirmation of its disappearance.

...There is a chance the Knight can bring their sibling into the Dream that's left behind...but not now. Not with the other Siblings recoiling away from bright lamps. Not when the Palace is filled with blades that their own tiny form was torn to pieces on, and their taller sibling still lacks the ability to walk in a straight line. And it may not even be possible. They haven't brought even their collective into a Dream that isn't the Godseekers'.

Herrah gets a shaken head in confirmation. She's relieved. Some from a rival being gone. More that this will lessen the Vessel's struggles, she says.

Observing the lush blankets and careful supervision they're surrounded with, the Knight believes her.

They do what they can to patch up injury, old and new. They wait by their side for a time. They're not acknowledged by more than a jerky head bow.

This is fine. It's a reassurance. They are alive. They're recovering. Slowly. With cringing and flinching, and holding their self back. But it is a better state than the scream that drew the Knight here in the first place, and any mercy is what they would have killed and died (and have, so many times) to give.

They are alive. They're here. They have time now.

They all have time.

The Knight disappears from Deepnest; Herrah was eyeing them in a way that spelled politics or favors. She could send Hornet if they were so necessary.

(They'd chased her across the kingdom, time and time again. Grave in ash, she'd told them. They'd searched the Resting Grounds all the way to finding a new charm and the Grey Mourner. That frustrating vagueness turned back would be a pleasure.)

When they finally make it to the Resting Grounds, they abruptly turn the other way when they hear Seer chatting with at least two other bugs. They're already back down to the City before remembering they wanted to go to the Resting Grounds for a reason separate from her.

They drop into the Pleasure House again. Millibelle doesn't seem to be there, at least not right then. The Hot Spring is comfortable. Marissa's singing echoes all throughout the theater.

They Knight is significantly less frazzled when they wander back to the shop.

They attempt to steal their way to the counter without disturbance.

[capitalcurator]

It is too bad, then, that Lemm is feeling especially sharp after a good rest.

Just as it seems they've made it, Lemm pins two fingers behind the paper tray and slides his work to the front of the counter in case they want to proofread - without so much as looking up from his reading material. Yes, they've been noticed.

Then, because he's getting terribly used to chatting lately despite his insistence that he doesn't: "Took you long enough. Busy, were you?"

No mention of his nap. Lemm is definitely hoping he got away with it. It's not like him to leave his door open, but Hallownest is no longer crawling with Infected and he got a little careless.

[focusedvoid]

They're perfectly stealthy. When they really want to be. Clearly, all the dust kicked up from the carpet alerted him.

No use dwelling on a foiled plan. They take the papers, half-expecting them to be some sort of quiz he set up for more of their information.

They find it mildly confusing. The amount of detail and minutiae packed in is impressive, or so they assume. As much as the Knight takes enjoyment detailing observations on their own, they aren't a historian. The pieces that go further into Hallownest's more recent state are skimmed.

Lemm's gleaned more than they realized outside of their own contributions. It is his job, after all.

(...He must have been in Hallownest a while.)

Nothing seems too out of place, nor does it seem to have any queries pointed in their direction. After several minutes of quiet shuffling, they place them back.

Their extremely delayed response is a nod and gesture in the general direction of west and down.

[capitalcurator]

When they read through, Lemm - watches a bit. Just to see that there's nothing obviously outright wrong. He is relieved when his prime consultant doesn't find anything to complain about, though he's not showing it.

Out, west, down. Lemm's hand twitches as if to take up his map, but he doesn't need to. He really has been working hard to memorise the information he's been given - including the geography of places he hasn't been. Time to check that he's got it right.

"Deepnest," he tries experimentally.

Even if he knows the written map now, he can't imagine what it's like there, and doesn't try. The Mantis Tribe frightened him off fast enough and he was discouraged from ever laying eyes on the places beyond.

"What were you looking for?"

It's conversation. People make conversation, don't they?

[focusedvoid]

Sharp nod. They're pleased he got it without immediately pressing a quill into their face.

They'll put it off for a short while longer. They take a moment before next pointing straight out the window behind him.

[capitalcurator]

He peers over his shoulder suspiciously and out of the window. The rain patters.

"...Ah." Change of subject. He's a bit off-guard here but conversation must go on. "Yes. I've recovered my... investment."

There is a short pause.

He can't... help it. Relic Seeker Lemm, humourless antisocial that he is, presses a hand right up against his mouth and looks away.

"You do have a history together. Juggled, she said." He is a hair away from being unprofessional.

[focusedvoid]

The Knight's intention had been the Fountain outside and its main subject. The information he gives instead is far more welcome. And amusing.

They pull out their Nail to mime a flipping motion, and then one wiggling with the flat side down, as though bouncing with a ball-and-stick. Juggled was only a single part of it. She probably couldn't tell, cowering away in there.

[capitalcurator]

The miming. He- yes, of course he can hold it together. He's a joyless relic hunter, he won't break at-

Lemm sputters into his hand. Quickly he pretends to smooth his palm up a horn and looks away, and folds his hands together on his counter. Overly casual and trying very hard to look annoyed (it is his baseline).

"Troublemaker." He tries to sound scolding. Mileage may vary. He gathers himself quickly and tries to catch up with the real topic. "But you've travelled. It's none of my business why."

That's such a cold statement. If not for the glance at the Knight. And then a second. (He'd love to know. He just doesn't know how to ask.)

[focusedvoid]

Breaking his composure hadn't been an intended goal. They keep the wild miming up for a few moments longer, feeling intensely successful despite that fact.

The amusement fades somewhat at the curiosity. They...aren't certain how much they should say of their sibling. Siblings, with Hornet there as well. Their privacy is important.

...Lemm shouldn't be running his mouth. There aren't many to speak to around here that he'd want to share the knowledge with in the first place. And they're...fairly certain he simply wouldn't if they asked. He respected certain things even without fearing terrible consequences from the Shade Lord. And information could still spread with how Deepnest is putting feelers out, with their healthiest travelling the Stagways.

After their heavy stare goes on likely far longer than comfortable, the Knight clambers back into their usual place. Map out again, pointing specifically at the clusters that make up the surviving Dens.

[capitalcurator]

For a minute he thinks he's somehow been rude by asking, that familiar feeling surfacing that he simply doesn't know how far is too far until the words are out.

But then the long stare finishes and Lemm shoves the feeling back under. He has more leeway with the Knight. Before they got chatty he thought it was just something he could get away with. Now he thinks it's because they let him, which is a bit different.

"Hm." He peers at the map with sudden curiosity. "Is there someone living all the way out there, then?" Could be foreigners, like him. Or... Lemm narrows his eyes. "Recent, or still?"

[focusedvoid]

The Knight gives a slight nod, which clarifies precisely nothing, and they pull close the nearest supplies to write.

They consider beginning with a factual list. That is simpler. They can keep distance between their thoughts and emotions when they need. (Or--could, once. It's getting harder.)

But they must be careful with this.

Another lengthy pause.

Discussing this needs to be kept private.

[capitalcurator]

He stares at that sentence for a moment like he's uncertain, and glances at the tray of history notes.

"Personal, is it," he half-asks. His tone is measured.

Lemm slides the tray away from them both as a deliberate gesture. Whatever they're about to say, he won't record, though maybe it won't even be history-related. Could be about to tell him they broke a relic while he wasn't looking.

"Don't expect me to burn after reading, though. You handle that yourself."

[focusedvoid]

The gesture is appreciated. Their answering nod is nearly a bow.

Writing out the title Lemm knows would be clearest. (Maybe they will burn these papers later.) But they can't. They won't. It has historical importance. Here, it deserves no respect or acknowledgement in confidential conversation.

Against all probability, my tallest Sibling lives. They nearly didn't. They are hidden away with Deepnest's other survivors.

[capitalcurator]

It's short, and he reads fast.

"Your tallest -"

With a jerk of his head, his eyes snap to the window. No, surely not that one.

Who else, though?

Lemm stares them in the face and tries to get his voice working again.

"I passed the empty Vault, you know." He sounds almost conspiratorial. "Didn't linger. Didn't seem much point." That, and it made him feel gravely unpleasant. "You - would - ah..."

Lemm settles a hand on his forehead and stares down at the words, thinking hard. Private, they said. Probably inappropriate to ask too many questions at this point. But he has to say something.

"With - who? What survivors? Wait! No. Wait a minute. You're reporting this to a Relic Seeker and telling him to stay his quill. Why?"

[focusedvoid]

That one.

Their response is ugly, by necessity, though they decide against too much detail just yet. Hornet had theories with their sibling's wounds. The Knight's attempt at repair gained their agreement.

Recovery. I do not know They are severely injured. The source of the Infection burned through them.

I believe she was attempting to form a physical body in the upper half of theirs.

[capitalcurator]

He winces. Lemm is not affected by much - dead bodies, grisly accounts in journals that end up sounding like horror stories, there's a lot that doesn't bother him - but he's not untouchable. His hand covers his mouth automatically, and he stares at the words with barely-withheld horror.

"That's not anything I..." He clears his throat and attempts to steel himself. "I'm not a doctor," he sharply insists. "If there's an emergency, you're wasting your time with me!"

They've asked Lemm not to record this, so they specifically are not telling him for historic record purposes, so: why? Lemm is suddenly watching them very closely indeed.

[focusedvoid]

The Knight shakes their head and underlines 'Recovery'.

They are unlikely to die of their wounds now. There are others around to tend to other but I try to visit and assist.

Their sibling could die of something else, whether they're around or not. With Hornet and Herrah on higher alert, and their own attempt to bolster their sense of, if not self, having a chance, they believe anything self-inflicted now has lower probability.

I thought you would like to know. I'd rather you find it from me.

[capitalcurator]

"Ah! Good! Obviously. I'd be no use in-" Just his mistake to talk over their second line, but he stops in his tracks as soon as he reads the first part of it. "Oh..."

He'd had a concern there that something might be expected of him - it would have been setting him up to fail. It's a relief this isn't the case. More than that... The Knight is just telling him. Because they thought he'd like to know.

What.

Lemm attempts to rally his usual level of acrimony and only half-succeeds.

"Well. Correct. The Hollow Knight lives, that's relevant to my-" not to his work, he already agreed on that, can't use that as a get-out-of-jail-card "-to me."

His posture closes in a little, and he looks away - it's very foreign to say exactly what's on his mind, and he obviously doesn't like the way it tastes.

"It is relevant to me. But you didn't have to tell me a thing. I'm just someone who spent too long staring at a statue."

[focusedvoid]

The Knight simply taps their last two lines.

They know. They're capable of keeping secrets by nature--by design. And they choose not to. Lemm's partly put-on harshness is not the same as unnecessary, pointed cruelties. They have no wish to keep it as a potential shock for later. They've found they can trust him with their words, and they trust him with this much.

[capitalcurator]

"...Get well, then. Or - no, don't pass that on. Urgh." Eyes locked on the writing, Lemm rests his head against his hand, and one finger taps his forehead as he thinks on how to explain himself.

The Knight has a lot to handle. Lemm's got nothing to offer but stories, and none of them have ever been his. He would like to be part of something. It's a mean little thought, that.

"I won't breathe a word," he says simply.

[focusedvoid]

The reassurance is appreciated.

Perhaps Lemm can meet their sibling one day. They won't taunt Lemm with that, however. They don't know how long that recovery could take, or what their wishes about visits and travels might be in the open future.

For now, the Knight slices off the bit of paper they'd wrote on and quietly tucks it away. The rest of the paper remains--they'd rather not waste a limited resource that belongs to someone else.

Now. They sit up, attentive. They're ready for other questions.

[capitalcurator]

Right. Things are moving on, and thank goodness. Lemm takes a firm grasp of the part of him that's getting invested and holds it underwater until it stops moving.

"...I guess," he starts, a little wobbly, "if you aren't running off, we have some time to work. I'll be back to citing you as long as it suits."

Luckily he's prepared a mental list to fall back on. Makes it easier to steady up.

"Monomon the Teacher. Tell me what you know."

[focusedvoid]

Moving on, before one of them tries to discuss further than needed.

Monomon...they don't know much about the Dreamers. Enough to know she's a more complicated one. They swirl the tip of the quill around the inkwell for a moment, thinking. (They add a mental note to check the Archives again. They'll likely forget, but it's worth a try.)

Monomon the Teacher. Apparently head of the Teacher's Archives. Dreaming inside, guarded by countless Ooma and Uoma, Charged Lumaflies, and one giant intelligent being similar to the former creatures, known as Uumuu.

Decided to enact additional protection. Used some sort of spellwork on her mask that left her impossible to reach with the Dream Nail alone. Her head and upper body appeared to be missing/intangible?

The mask was entrusted with Quirrel. They draw a loose sketch, adding Monomon's mask atop his head last.

I do not know their exact relationship. He holds her in great esteem. He took the mask and left Hallownest, losing most memories in the process. He returned around when I did with just as little understanding of his origins here, though it seems some came back over time, or were buried and surfaced(?) We met periodically in our travels through Hallownest.

Quirrel said she "called" him for that reason and believed she may have "called" me as well. (This was not the case.)

Monomon explicitly desired for for the Seals to be broken, discovered through the Dream Nail after the mask was returned.

[capitalcurator]

Lemm's finger taps restlessly on the desk as he reads whatever they're putting down a bit faster than they can write it.

"The see-through things? Unpleasant to look at and to touch..." The mask talk gets a slow nod. "I saw that one pass by, I think. Very conversational." By Lemm's disapproving tone, he probably didn't reciprocate. But he has something to impart here, and as soon as the Knight looks like they've come to a stop he holds up a hand - or rather holds it over the paper since that's what they're looking at.

Lemm takes up his quill and, daringly, puts his pen to their paper at last. He underlines 'do not know their relationship', and does nothing else.

"You wear one, Knight." Lemm finds he doubts that they have the context, somehow, so he swiftly continues so that they can. They ought to. "A face is something to address, first. If you've none of your own, putting on a mask gives a bug something to look at. Taking up someone else's..." He is careful with his words, more than usual. "...You carry them with you, and you do it on purpose. I never asked him, mind you." He points his nib at the underlined bit again. "Keep it that way unless he talks first."

He moves swiftly on from that advice.

"Monomon saw the truth first, then, I'd wager, or else she broke first. Somehow I doubt it was the latter. But you're writing in present tense," he points out, and taps the page with his non-quill hand. "She lives, too, then?"

[focusedvoid]

They lean back to give Lemm room, staring at his underlining thoughtfully.

They weren't planning on pressing; they rarely need to bother. Like they told Lemm prior, many trust them, or don't worry about their presence enough to shut their mouths when they would with others. They have some doubt that Quirrel would act so massive-mandibled now, knowing so much more than before about her, and some about them. They'll just have to wait if there's a chance.

But that isn't why Lemm is telling them this.

After he speaks the rest of his piece, the Knight stops to set a paw on their mask, resting beneath one eye. The one where their biggest sibling mask had had shattered under the Radiance's strain. The side their Lost Kin's missing horn had been snapped off, well before they stumbled across their corpse.

The Knight dips their head.

I believe so. The Archives were locked recently. She or Quirrel had to have done that.

Herrah the Beast is alive in Deepnest, still acting as Queen over its few survivors with Hornet's assistance. She's had much recovering to do after waking. Monomon could have similar problems.