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

[capitalcurator]

Lemm isn't sure what he was expecting. Did he think they wouldn't provide him with a notarised list? Honestly.

He stares down at all of those with profound, burning curiosity. This does give him somewhere to start if the mood strikes to research these things. (And it will. He can already feel that familiar obsession rising, and forces himself to keep a lid on it for now. One can only pursue so many topics at once!)

"That is altogether too many higher powers," he declares simply, but there's no hiding the quiet excitement in his voice. "I might ask you about the less familiar ones some other time, if you don't mind. That's fascinating."

The rest of the information on the Coliseum is read with a great deal of input from himself - they get some solid reactions out of him regarding some of the more formidable-sounding opponents, and he interjects with questions here and there as well as a hefty allowance of scorn for the whole concept of the Coliseum as it is. But it becomes clear on some level that Lemm is quietly impressed with their achievements there; he's not a warrior, but he can appreciate the struggle.

"...I wonder what that place looks like without the Radiance's particular madness clouding it?" he finishes, after a hefty line of questioning about the dungeon. "Quieter I'd imagine, but who knows? With its reputation I wouldn't be surprised if it kept attracting warrior types long into the future." He shakes his head. "Unpleasant business, that. I don't much like having it so near."

[focusedvoid]

They nod. They'll discuss the Higher Beings--other Higher Beings, technically, and that continues to be discomfiting--but they aren't sure how much knowledge they hold. Lemm's shown he can ask the questions to stir their memory well enough.

Perhaps less mindless. Its reputation seemed a call for glory when it scarcely appeared as such, no matter the rewards.

They paper is given a heavy stare. Inside, they gently push their Siblings away. This isn't for them.

There were enough challengers to dump a large amount of bodies down into the acid below. There was a warrior, Tiso, who travelled through Hallownest searching for that glory. He seemingly made it to the final trial, was killed by what I suspect was an unfair trick. He didn't fall enough to reach the acid.

I defeated their Champion and destroyed the Infection not long after, I believe. It would be better if it were to fade from that.

[capitalcurator]

"The few bugs who passed through the City looking for it seemed senseless to me, but you're right - not all of them were addled by the air down here." He dismisses his own contempt with a vague wave, first. The Knight seems to enjoy combat. Best not say everything that comes to mind. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't an example of the same, I guess. Everyone finds a calling. Many find mine strange, as well."

Lemm scans the rest and just seems to accept it. It's as he's said before: bugs die, or disappear, and usually without one's say in the matter. (As it turns out, one example has recently un-exampled himself. This has somewhat shaken Lemm's foundations a bit, though unfortunately they've had too much time to grow sturdy.)

"One can only hope the word dies out! I don't think I'll be giving any more directions, myself. If anyone asks, I've never heard of the place. It sounds like you've cleaned them out of incentives, anyway."

He's learned a bit of empathy, though.

"Was he a friend of yours? You have his name."

[focusedvoid]

Combat is enjoyable. They found a rush to the Coliseum itself at the time, but it was soured by the discovery of the secret way out of the dungeon, where they could watch the battles and be sprayed with the infected blood of the combatants, and the finding of the Dream Nail leading to understanding at least many of the simpler creatures hadn't chosen to be there. By the end, they were driven to find what was there more than a sense of fun, and perhaps mercy.

Good idea. It doesn't deserve its fame.

Tiso wasn't a friend, exactly. We were travellers that met more than once, which was uncommon. I wished to see his skills, but never got the chance, and his death was undignified.

They look at their own writing, unsatisfied. Tiso is one of those who won't be remembered if they don't, short and disagreeable as their meetings were. No death is, but his was the particularly unfair. I believe a Mawlek was dropped to crush him without prior warning, and his last thoughts were simply wondering why. Finding his body after that was unpleasant if only for the sake of knowing him earlier.

[capitalcurator]

The graphic mental image does not seem to faze him, and Lemm seems to understand the sentiment as a whole.

"I see." A light shake of the head. "That's humiliating for a warrior type, isn't it? I've read enough to see that much."

He does not know this Tiso person, but he knows the Knight. It occurs to him, rather jarringly, that it just as well might have happened to them, if fate had happened to tip it that way. Then where would he be.

"Yes. Vile business, this Coliseum. May it fall to disrepair and collapse into the acid."

[focusedvoid]

There are all the practicalities of that to consider, which they nearly stop and do, but shake off in time to gravely nod.

In the meantime, though, their thoughts strayed to a certain other at Kingdom's Edge.

There's another Nailmaster there, Oro, as far from the Coliseum as one can be in the area. I don't expect you to visit him, though perhaps you'd enjoy trading barbs and geo. He's not cheap. Unsure if he knows much of the Great Knights in the first place.

There's one more Nailmaster, Mato, at King's Pass on the other side of the kingdom. They vaguely gesture westward. See, they're remembering to give more facts than he's specifically asked already! Not easy to get to with all the winds and climbing, but quite friendly. Still not sure of his knowledge. They're brothers, and all look extremely similar.

[capitalcurator]

"...Brothers, eh?" That does imply the other two might know something. Lemm files this away as future research material. Maybe near future, if one lives so close. He'll feel that out as he goes. "I'll remind you you're an exception as far as conversation goes. But I'll consider a visit." Or two. Maybe.

Lemm has noticed the sudden freedom of information, too, and it'd be a shame not to take the opportunity to encourage that.

"These're good connections you're making for me. I've a fair few trips to make, it seems. Though I'll prioritise our - joint project, first." This does highlight the other thing he's been treading carefully around for a little while. Lemm takes a sip of his water and casually tries: "If I do find the whim strikes, shall I wait to take you along?"

He has never really bent to anyone else's restrictions before, but as far as he knows their entire precarious relationship hinges on it - and he's committed already. The image of the Knight's ink dragged away from their note still sits uncomfortably heavy in his mind's eye. His excitement over the Great Knights still does not take precedence over that private guilt.

[focusedvoid]

Somewhat estranged, I should add. I'm not sure why as of yet.

Likewise, I'll remind you I don't expect you to follow up with every name I give. They're simply options to take or leave.
Also, if there are any I believe you should avoid, I'll be sure to specify. (Ex, Divine of the Grimm Troupe.)

The Knight is focused on their current subject, and so they assume he's referring to the Nailmasters in particular. They take a few moments to think them over.

Likely, yes. Oro lives past acid and Great Hoppers I doubt have all died out, as much a blessing as it'd be. Sheo and the Nailsmith are past a very irritating tunnel of thorny vines^{(unknown how they met)}. You may be able to make it to Mato with your rope but the cliffs are rather sheer.

[capitalcurator]

If he thinks anything of the estranged thing, he doesn't show it. "I won't be visiting the Grimm Troupe at all if I can help it," he emphasises. "The performing arts aren't my specialty." He means: they're not part of Hallownest's history (as far as he's aware) - and it sounds like the kind of event that draws a crowd.

He bites back an I'll manage! The Knight gets the final say. He has committed.

Only a little stiffly, he nods. More rattling around in the shop then. No, that's bitter - he likes his shop, no need to be dramatic.

"I'll follow your lead," he says simply, and sets his cup aside. "You've made a fine guide so far."

He does tilt his head slightly, eyeing the way they're sprawled. There is a heavily implied but unspoken Comfy? in that look.

[focusedvoid]

Honestly, they just wanted to warn him. If he decides to mention one to another, he should know there might be bad blood, or at least melancholy.

The Knight has a moment's pause, imagining Lemm in the Troupe's tents. With his faintly tinted shell, he might, barely, seem to fit. From a distance. And behind. With his mouth kept shut.

Thank you. Still, I need clean the rust of so long without travelling with a companion. I believe we should leave the Hoppers and acid for a little later.?

Yes, they'd prefer to be present, but in the end, Lemm is to pick the destination.

[capitalcurator]

This gets a curt nod.

"As have I." Rust. As if it's rust. Laughable! "I'm still well content with this mansion as a destination. If I'm sidetracked it's because I've plans to set for after."

He's looking forward to such a trip with them. He hoped very hard there'd be another, at least one more, and now they seem open to the idea of so many... Following his rule of taking the Knight's directions is much easier with this hope settling almost comfortably in his chest.

"We'll shake it off," he clunkily adds.

[focusedvoid]

They consider going to the effort of pulling their Nail out and acting like they're giving it a clean, but at their current angle, they really might just drop it. They've had enough clumsiness for one visit, thank you.

We will. There's time. This addition is partly for their own benefit. The Knight has no desperate goal to rush to, only steady excursions and personal exploration for entertainment alone.

Hallownest is a large place. A surprising amount is still impressive. It does well to see it through eyes that aren't my own. This is intended to be a compliment.

And on the note of the Mansion: When would you like to go?

[capitalcurator]

"All of it's impressive, even after it's decayed. It's just that a lot of it was rotten to begin with."

It is taken as a compliment. A good Relic Seeker knows nothing is totally unbiased. It's the bias that makes history interesting to pick apart, because sometimes what it actually is is perspective. Lemm enjoys the Knight's perspective as much as they (and Greenhorn) seem to enjoy his. (It is changing him to learn this.)

There is time, it's all he has right now, that and relics - but suddenly he wants to cram everything in as fast as possible. There's still a part of him expecting this to be over as quickly as it's begun.

He lets that feeling sit until he's able to keep it out of his decisions. He is an adult bug with some kind of measured reaction to things, thank you very much.

"I'll go whenever you're ready," he says, after a pause that goes on slightly too long. "I don't feel like my horns are being torn off me any more, at least."

[focusedvoid]

--Now? They stop and peer up at him for a while, somewhat dubious.

...Still, it isn't a particularly threatening area to traverse, even with some sort of headache.

I have nowhere to be currently.
That's not completely the case. I gladly choose your company over Herrah's politicking. Light teasing while offering a truth.

[capitalcurator]

He snickers.

"That's who's been politicking you?" This comes easy. He remembers every word, after all. "The thought of her is daunting, I'll admit - but I'll face her for you if you need an excuse. I'll tell her you're busy." Please do not ask him to do this thing he just offered. He is hoping very hard it will not leave this room.

...

Oh!

The sudden little knock of now, do they mean now? has him rising from his seat eagerly.

"I can pack a bag, if haste's the word." He hopes so. He feels far younger than he is right now at the thought of it.

[focusedvoid]

That's a much, much stranger image than Lemm and the Troupe. Herrah may or may not be taller than Grimm, but she feels like a much larger presence, for all she's not part of a Higher Being. A Journal striking her seems it would do nothing but summon her Greatneedle, and in the realm of fantasy, imagining Lemm skittering through the wild halls and startling the tinier creatures with his beard is rather amusing.

Ah, he's excited. That's a better sign. The Knight shifts from their awkward lay into a crouch (still nearly as awkward). If you like. If you need rest first, I can wait. Perhaps mind the shop in your stead.

Don't agree with that, Lemm, they have no memory what the formula is outside Wanderer's Journals and King's Idols.

[capitalcurator]

His fingers stray across the head of their paper as he reads their words sideways and quickly shakes his head.

"I'm rested, as I told you..." and oh no, no no. "I won't have you hanging around in here, no. This is my place of business and you'll have everyone thinking it's a community effort! No. Wait for me."

Lemm disappears into the back, but it won't take him long. He keeps his bag packed very carefully, and just tops it up with supplies now and then - though they can probably hear him hurriedly going through a few things just in case.

When he re-emerges with his bag grasped in one hand, he lifts it into the air a bit semi-triumphantly with a fabric-muffled clatter of tools. He does not make a move to sit back down. Yes, he is willing to go right now. Is that so strange.

[focusedvoid]

They decide against mentioning his shop is, technically, community effort as it is. They've sold him plenty relics he wouldn't have had any chance of reaching, and they're not alone in that.

He'll find the Knight standing on the counter's edge, bemused. Even with the excitement, this amount of hurry wasn't expected.

It occurs that Lemm is, more likely than not, restless.

They can hardly blame him. This is a small shop in a dull city, no matter how fascinating its collection of minutiae. A good wandering is needed. They should...try to stop by more often, or at least try charting a way that could be long enough for camp for a later route.

If he wants. They're getting ahead of themselves. Practice, de-rust, Grey Mansion.

They dip their head and stow their quill, hopping down. Now, then.