voicetest the voiceless
Oct. 31st, 2022 05:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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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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Date: 2022-12-03 08:52 pm (UTC)"Every account's biased," he scoffs, about as flippant as it gets. "That's why you need to examine as many different angles as you can. Someone who knew of Hegemol personally is a more valuable asset than anything on my shelves." A brief glance up as he nudges the bell piece a little bit to the left, and he shoots the Knight a narrow glare. "Ah - stop lengthening the list of people I've got to talk to! I came to Hallownest so I could learn from inanimate objects, not chit-chat."
Lemm's experience would be woefully inadequate to pick up on the Knight's insinuation even with full context. He has none - and the Knight's expressionless mask has nothing to tell him about how he ought to be reading their words, so they're taken as plain as they stand. It's lost on him either way.
"Nailmaster to Paintmaster... I suppose when my account is completed I'll demand you call me Relicmaster, eh? A bit cocky of anyone, I'd think." Regardless of the things he didn't pick up, Lemm has absolutely no qualms about teasing someone who isn't here to defend themselves.
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Date: 2022-12-04 05:08 am (UTC)Paintmaster is apt. He's skilled at painting and just as skilled at making an absolute mess with it. Relicmaster would be too long and make you seem like a fake, excellent at forging them over finding them.
They tip the quill in their claws, thinking about something else. This is a visit. Only a visit. Telling him their mind wanders was completely true, though. They should make a point clear before one of them moves away from it, intentionally or no.
I'd like to give multiple options, but won't push you into interacting with any, if that's a concern.
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Date: 2022-12-04 08:32 am (UTC)Lemm may be privately conflicted about the next bit, but he's not under any false impressions. Stiffly, he makes himself as clear as he can.
"I'm a grown bug and my work comes first. Don't tread on glass around me, Knight." It's insulting, he wants to add, but he knows the Knight doesn't mean it that way and he manages to rein it in. With a sigh, he folds his arms behind his beard and tries not to look too apprehensive. "I don't know what impression I've managed to give you, but it seems it's an embarrassing one. Speaking to others won't crush me."
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Date: 2022-12-04 09:34 am (UTC)The next few moments, they Knight is staring into the middle distance, the opposite of overanimate.
I don't think it will crush you. The impression I've found is that you don't like it. Simple, to the point. There may be layers beneath, but that's not their current point. I'm not intending disrespect or shame by noticing as much.
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Date: 2022-12-04 10:17 am (UTC)He's slow to smooth out the irked note in his voice, but smooth it he does.
"It's the noticing that's got me thrown, 'm not used to it." He gives what he seems to think is a dismissive wave-off of this conversation. It may come across as more pleading than he hopes. "S'just habit - I don't like being examined. Just have to remind myself who's doing the examining and I'll get over it."
Lemm clears his throat and tries to tie off this mess as cleanly as he can.
"You'll introduce me to this Paintmaster sometime and there'll be no fuss. Sounds like another bug who doesn't mind you for company, anyway, so he must be the patient type." Take that.
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Date: 2022-12-04 10:47 am (UTC)And you're not the only who often avoids too much company, not even in this room. We're still here despite ourselves.
(They mistake wanting peace for disliking company.)
This point was still prudent to bring up, as the Paintmaster isn't alone.
That's true. He allowed me to pester him into teaching a Nail Art, and would likely prefer less obnoxious interruptions.
He's recently made a happy couple with the Nailsmith. I believe they'd welcome anyone interested in the gentler arts these days.
Their Nail gets another pat. The Knight isn't quite ready for that. Not yet. Certainly not forever, as Sheo would prefer. But they find they're not terribly against making a try.
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Date: 2022-12-04 11:24 am (UTC)"That we are." He can concede that point. "A lot of it's been up to you, though, and that's not a word of a lie."
It's somewhere close to gratitude. Pity he didn't include anything to say so.
Lemm is glad to move on. "I'll have to take you at your word that pestering him about a Great Knight's less than pestering him about a Nail. And don't you go calling Relic Seeking a 'gentler art'! History's got blades sometimes."
He has to be mistaken, or else they are. Lemm reads that second-to-last sentence again. No, he read it right. He sits there in silence for a second, squinting down at it. It staunchly refuses to make any more sense to him.
Another one? Or - no, he's not going to entertain that thought, it wouldn't do him any favours.
"...What's he like?" He resignedly taps Nailsmith. Might as well prepare to add another person to the growing list. At least the Knight can warn him what to expect.
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Date: 2022-12-04 02:14 pm (UTC)Unless you're to bring one of those historical blades to him or trying to buy one off him, I think he wouldn't mind. Writing is an art of its own, though I don't know his opinion of historic transcription.
What is the Nailsmith like...? A broad query, but they already have some words to steal.
Soft-spoken and mighty, was highly skilled. He honed my own Nail from (pause, as their pride struggles with simple truth) an unfortunate state to something he considered the epoch of his Smithing. He's found a new calling after not knowing where else to go from there.
I'm still pleased with his work and glad he's made his way to Sheo. They match each other. I've only gotten to know him somewhat since. He was preoccupied with his work when I came by and primarily ignored my presence otherwise. He's far more relaxed and open when sculpting.
However, he doesn't seem to know much of the Great Knights. It seems he's spent nearly the entire Infection and before within his hut.
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Date: 2022-12-04 02:56 pm (UTC)Worked on the Knight's Nail. The timespan there doesn't make sense any other way. Lemm suggested it and he'd been right nearby. They couldn't have taken it anywhere else. It had to be him. It has to be him they're talking about.
He breathes in slow and deep and lets it out in a long sigh, looking westward to the door for a little while. Then he locks his eyes back on the Knight's writing.
"That's news," he says weakly. "Good for him. May I see your Nail?"
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Date: 2022-12-04 03:20 pm (UTC)Still, that's a request they're hardly about to refuse. Few are allowed the chance without being more than victim of it, but they know Lemm won't try to turn it back on them in attack or steal.
The Knight removes it from their back, holding the blade horizontal and steady between them. Even in the muted light of the City, the intricate, ancient patterns are beautifully clear. They've held this as far back as they can remember, a steady companion in the worst of times. The many fragments of Pale Ore they had to scour the depths of the kingdom for reforged it into something wonderfully deadly. They're proud of this Nail, and the Nailsmith's skillful work.
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Date: 2022-12-04 03:37 pm (UTC)He knew the Knight got their Nail fixed, that he noticed. He hadn't thought...
He hadn't looked at it, not really, it was just an occasional blur of pale metal making a racket or being swung at things in the Knight's hand. He hadn't been interested.
Lemm studies the patterning and eyes the edges with no real understanding of what he's looking for. He finds it anyway. A fool could look at this Nail and know it was special. He leans a little closer and very lightly runs a claw across some of the detail on the flat of the blade, wary of how reverently the Knight is holding it.
"Well," he says at last, "he managed it, then."
Lemm takes his hand back, tucks it under his chin, and considers whether or not this is the kind of thing that'd come across wrong. With a glance up from the Nail to its wielder, he gets the feeling they'll understand.
Nevertheless his voice is small and uncertain. "He wasn't very well," he murmurs. "Down here. It's good to hear he's - that he - you've met him elsewhere."
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Date: 2022-12-04 03:50 pm (UTC)So Lemm knows him. So the Nailsmith's--obsession was so clear for even him (and perhaps that's uncharitable) to realize.
The Knight had considered fulfilling that request. Abstained, of course. There was no benefit to a moment of beautiful cruelty when there was more than that hut in the world. But they had, staring at the back of his shell, listening to his reverent voice drifting over the sound of rain.
They will not mention this.
Slowly, they nod. Currently in Greenpath. Significantly more well than the last I saw him nearby. He realized he has much to learn outside of metal and weapons, and is glad to be taught.
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Date: 2022-12-04 04:44 pm (UTC)Lemm is still a little unsteady - in a way that perhaps the Knight would recognise if they were privy to this. He holds it together quite well, straying his other hand over the blade now, just... tracing. Admiring the craftsmanship, maybe, or else just anchoring himself.
"We weren't close and I doubt I cross his mind. But I'm glad you told me." There's none of the usual Lemm-like clip to that. It just is. "Anyway, I can scarcely believe this is the same shabby Nail that came wandering in with you that first time. I may not have thought much of his goal, but this really is a thing to behold."
He stops just short of trying to bargain. Lemm is already aware that's a non-starter.
"Been with you a while, has it?"
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Date: 2022-12-04 05:00 pm (UTC)A difficult feat in even their initial thoughts. They shattered their own mask more times than they'd like to admit just going to visit, even after they got used to it. They can possibly arrange a meeting if all are amenable. If.
That's for later. Nail talk is now, though they're a little less pleased by it now. Shabby...
That's not incorrect. Still, it stings a touch. If the Knight was aware he even considered bargaining, that sting would be taken as full-blown insult. Fortunate he knows better.
Forever.
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Date: 2022-12-04 05:29 pm (UTC)"Hm."
Again the temptation is there, but he's too certain they won't part with it to even bother. It's one thing to collect aesthetically-pleasing and historically-important relics left behind by storied figures, but... this is very much not left behind. In fact this is the first time he's seen them put it down.
...At that thought, Lemm takes his hand back off the Nail with an air of finality.
Storied figures, though.
"It must've seen some battles. Same as you, eh?" ...This will get a yes or no, he realises, and quickly tacks on: "I'd hear of one, if you'd tell it. I think we've about exhausted what we'll find of the Great Knights before we make our visits." That, and he wouldn't want them to think he'd lost interest in the Knight sitting in front of him.
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Date: 2022-12-04 09:44 pm (UTC)They already had half-agreement going on before he kept going, and they stop mid-nod. They should've been prepared for a query like this eventually.
They aren't.
...They get out a new sheet of paper.
They consider first the False Knight, as that was a recent subject, but it was hardly impressive. A bit sad once they found his siblings mourning him above.
Historically relevant? The Radiance--? The mere memory of their ascension to find her is enough to stir their Siblings in a way that warns them off. Hornet? Their battles with her had been enjoyable in their own frustrating ways. She had fun in her grim duty. They had fun in their stubborn learning of her unique Needle-based tactics. The Mantis Lords had been enjoyable as well, and they could boast of the respect they'd earned through it. The Coliseum had been a mad rush they still hold equal pride and annoyance at being titled Fool. This City itself had wild gauntlets aplenty where the most powerful guards awaited, and this is well before mentioning the Soul Sanctum--perhaps that should be avoided as well.
And these are only a tiny clawful in Hallownest, as they assume Lemm's interest lies.
The Knight has been staring at the paper for a while now.
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Date: 2022-12-04 10:20 pm (UTC)(Lemm's hand twitches to the discarded sheets they've used so far. He stops fast, and drums his fingers on the counter instead, just to keep himself from straying.)
There appears to be no answer forthcoming.
He can see their handwriting, if he pictures it. Mind wanders.
"Your easiest," he tries, "if it helps."
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Date: 2022-12-04 10:44 pm (UTC)...On second thought, the things' wandering into their Nail hardly counts as 'battle'.
When I had the misfortune of meeting Zote, he was in the maw of a Vengefly King-Patriarch of a vengefly colony, several times larger than the usual kind. When I struck it to free him, it objected.
It was a longer battle than deserved. I had nonfunctioning wings then and it flew higher than I could often reach. I had to fend off other vengeflies it called as reinforcements while striking it as it swooped to attack. My Nail was in disrepair and it took many hits and cracks to my mask before I finally killed it. (Dealing with Zote after was worse than the injuries.)
Hardly a striking tale, but it's what he asked for.
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Date: 2022-12-05 09:47 am (UTC)Lemm reads their retelling and allows the usual sense of wonder to rise in him as it does when he reads any particularly riveting Wanderer's Journal. Occasionally he glances to their Nail just to picture it differently, imagining it in their grip...
It's also a tactful choice because he finds himself rather more jolted by the imagery of vast Vengefly jaws coming for the Knight than he expected. He knows they're a warrior, he just doesn't think about it much. The Nail is an excellent reminder.
"I do enjoy a tale of action just for the sake of it, you know," he admits. "But this is a fine peek into your life before we met, as well! Hearing your Nail has seen combat helps me believe it all the more."
And... that they have. All he's seen is that they chased off a Goam (not that he was watching for most of that), and the evidence of the fight in the Black Egg... and that's too sharp a story for this visit.
"When a strange little wanderer came trotting through my door I hardly expected to find out what I have. Tales like this have me reminded you're the lethal type." In that tone it sounds a lot like a compliment. "S'hard to remember that when you're sitting on my counter making a mess."
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Date: 2022-12-05 02:44 pm (UTC)That he asked and seems to have found it fascinating, even for something so easy, is grounds for a sweep of pride.
There's a great many more I could offer. I enjoy a good fight, but Hallownest had more than even I can appreciate.
It's pleasant to do things like this in its comparative peace.
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Date: 2022-12-05 03:35 pm (UTC)Pleasant is the right word exactly. He's used to sitting in here by himself, deciphering other people's journals to the sound of rain. That was peaceful and pleasant enough. The atmosphere is different now with the Knight in here, and the sound of their quill scribbling away has added itself to the ambience seamlessly.
"Speaking of - I've been meaning to ask a while. In the Storerooms, when you were..." He makes a vague gesture, waggling his fingers along an imaginary flat line. "It didn't look deliberate to me, that's why I was hanging around. Felt a bit ridiculous when I figured out you were probably just... Were you asleep, then?"
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Date: 2022-12-05 03:48 pm (UTC)They would've thought they'd be growing bored by now, but they've felt is restless at the worst. Hallownest continues to be a large, interesting maze, and they're already planning on breaking their way into certain areas to make it more to alleviate the restlessness when simply retreading won't cut it.
The Knight stares blankly up until he mentions sleep. Right. Nothing about the Old Stag, that. They automatically push a paw around their eye at the phantom sensation.
Yes, I was asleep. I hadn't since before ascending(?) and didn't know that I'd they stop writing to partly mimic Lemm's gesture do that.
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Date: 2022-12-05 04:15 pm (UTC)Apparently it doesn't come naturally to the Knight, either.
"Ah. Stumbling across you like that was -" alarming? concerning? "- a surprise." Lemm leans back in his seat a little, thinking for a moment. "So was meeting Greenhorn, though I've no regrets about that."
Any other would probably preface this next part with a forgive me for pointing this out, but this is Lemm, so:
"A lot of what I've seen of your - other look hasn't seemed all that calculated."
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Date: 2022-12-05 04:32 pm (UTC)They were surprised at their own bravery, reaching out to visit without me, the Knight conveys, to a sense of very mild indignance.
That observation gets a simple headshake. It isn't. It wasn't from the moment they became that other look. Themselves and their siblings and all the Void ever was, which they aren't even aware of the depths of, free to do as it wanted when it wanted.
Nearly. They have assurance in their own self-control reaching out to soothe Siblings to know they can stop from doing what many wish--to attack and drown everything frightening or foreign. Too instinctive, and more importantly, too pointlessly cruel. They're learning of neutral and better through the Knight's eyes.
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Date: 2022-12-05 05:35 pm (UTC)He drops the pretense for this next part and taps fingers on his arm as for once he's careful how to phrase something.
"I think you're being quiet on purpose, which probably means I'm pushing it." He looks down at his counter and begins fiddling with board game pieces again, if only to give them both the dignity of not having to feel seen. "But I notice things, same as you - and I've a lot of time to think. There's not much I can offer you but to listen, but my shop's always open to you. Not sure I'm making myself clear." He sighs resignedly. "Probably not. S'hardly my strong suit."
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