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]

The wind nearly rips paper from their paws when they pull one out, so they hastily tuck it back.

They're just behind the Stag Station, their house is (and they get another strange blow to the mask sensation, somewhere in their chest, this is their house) so they simply point to it.

And then, at Lemm, with a questioning tilt of the head, even as they start ambling around the building towards the entrance.

[capitalcurator]

"Ah, wait - I'll see you off."

Lemm's hand rests at their back for a little while, and he walks with them and offers a few words.

"Be safe on your way," Lemm mutters, just over the wind. "Don't get careless. Check before you - ugh, listen to me, fussing like this, you've turned me into a busybody. You know what you're doing."

Lemm lets his hand drop as they emerge from behind the Station and into view of the centre of town. He avoids looking. He'll deal with that in a moment.

"I hope you'll visit when there's more time," he says, leaning down so he can afford to be a bit quieter. "There's more important business afoot, of course, I'll not hold my breath... You'll be alright," he adds, and stops in the doorway.

[focusedvoid]

If Lemm's fussing, they can fuss somewhat in return and he can't get too upset about it. They duck into the frame so they can write a hasty question:

I can ride with you to the City. if you like? They don't know he came in that way. They haven't thought about it, and still perhaps wouldn't have expected he did, but it is the fastest way back anyway. He dislikes it, and the stop can be on their way, so they lose little by offering.

They nod a few times anyway, whether or not he chooses that. Expectations aren't high, but they hope they can visit before long.

[capitalcurator]

...Kind of them, even if his pride still takes a knock for it - and he's not inclined to react poorly this time. Lemm makes a negative-ish noise and waves off the offer as politely as he can manage.

"Someone I need to see, first. You go on, I'll ride by myself." He'll wait here until they're out of sight. It feels like the right thing to do. "I'll... see you soon, Knight."

[focusedvoid]

Perhaps they'll visit on the way back.

Or on another shift-change. That's more likely. More reasonable.

...This is something they need to consider after they're rested, they decide.

The Knight bows a deep farewell, and disappears into the Station before they can dally any further.

[capitalcurator]

He lingers for a bit, watching the tips of the Knight's horns disappear down to the lower level of the Stag Station, listening to the clank of the lift stopping. The bell chimes distantly, and he narrows his eyes and tears himself away.

Lemm catches sight of Elderbug just as he finishes a furtive glance in his direction. Right, then. Lemm takes a deep breath and trudges over.

Diplomacy is not his strong point. This is not important any more. Friends of his friend live here. He realised a little while ago that some part of him suspected this might be coming.

"A word." He slumps down onto the bench, hands folded together on his knees. He does not look up.

"Oh, it's you again!" Like he didn't watch Lemm seeing off the Knight. It's a small town. He was right there. Cordially - and curiously, as anyone would be - he asks: "I hope your visit went well?"

Lemm bristles internally - but he catches it quick. Maybe it's none of Elderbug's business, but there are more important things than snapping about it. Instead he disregards the question entirely and focuses on why he's here.

"I wasn't polite the first time. ...Or the second." He looks up, and holds out a hand. "Relic Seeker Lemm. I've a shop, now. Of sorts..."