voicetest the voiceless
Oct. 31st, 2022 05:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-21 10:37 pm (UTC)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.
AreI'm incapable of expressing how much. But I don't know if I trust others who might pass through. Are you certain?
no subject
Date: 2022-12-21 10:49 pm (UTC)...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."
no subject
Date: 2022-12-21 10:59 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-21 11:16 pm (UTC)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?"
no subject
Date: 2022-12-21 11:40 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-21 11:56 pm (UTC)"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."
no subject
Date: 2022-12-22 12:06 am (UTC)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!