inactive

im not running this blog anymore

[burning-underworker]

Ooc post! This is a blog for my oc underworked that realized the citadel lies and escaped through the wisp thicket and joined their weird fire cult thing. Uhm yeah I will interact with other blogs and stuff

It/its for character sie/sir exclusively for mod

PLEASE SEND ASKS

[burning-underworker]

ooc break over. sorry for interrupting any arcs i was in

[burning-underworker]

OOC:

im going to be taking a short break from this blog to do other things for a bit. sorry to be abandoning a few arcs, im just really busy.

[burning-underworker]

Phlogiston went to the eastern side of the Wisp Thicket to get some water.

And when he saw the lake... Oh.

Oh, it was... It was beautiful, purified as it was. It was... It was perfect...

She almost wanted to strip down and swim in it, but... She didn't want people to see what she hid under her mask and cloak.

So, instead, she just refilled the water and went to find this "Armored-child."

"Hello? Armored Child? I was told to meet you while I am here? The Performer-child sent me?"

@phlogiston-and-ignipotence

*armored-child comes out of a house on the edge of the lake*

Oh hello there! i dont belive we've met!

performer-child... wait is this about the snail egg? are you the pyrosopher-child?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*A knock on the door comes.*

Armored-child? Dost thee hath an moment? This Bug hast an rather question of't great import forn thee.

@burning-underworker

[burning-underworker]

hello! yes what is it?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Hailus hailus! Now, thee may findeth thise question odd, bute dost thee hath any experience in't hatch-care?

*The Performer-child's claws grab for something under its cloak, causing the red fabric to rustle.*

[burning-underworker]

Hmm... well i cant say i do... but it cant be that hard can it?

...

whats that you have?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

T'is mine hope as't well.

*It pulls its claw out, revealing it to be holding something. A gelatinous, baseball-sized orb, glowing a pale blue, its surface covered in naturally occurring indented spirals. A dark spot can be seen nestled inside through the translucent jelly.*

T'is an gift, fron ourn Mortal-Mother. An egg. An fertilized egg.

*It gets closer, kneeling on one knee so the Armored-child can get a closer look. Although only in an early stage of development, the dark spot inside the egg can be seen wearing the beginnings of a shell, one with an already prominent spiral form.*

An snail egg, Father-kin.

[burning-underworker]

Oh flames. a real snail egg? actually...?

...its so pretty... a real snail egg...

*ehem* You say you obtained this from the thickets mortal form? are we sure its, safe?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

This Bug hast reason nary to'n suspect it not safe. And aye, t'is real. Leastas real as't this Bug hast ascertained.

Just imagine it, Armored-child. According to'n ourn dearest ascended Archchild, yon snails hath natural poweres, even beforeth thon ascension to'n Shaman, soul beist of't natural attract to'n spiral forme. An Father-child of't snail heritage. An glorious gift, t'would be, to'n His blazing true-light, and an mercy forn it, to'n findeth its waye here, away'n fron its sinful hatch-givers ande int'win its true home, amongst His warm embrace.

*It looks down into the glowing membrane at the growing hatchling within, before remaking eye contact with the Armored-child.*

This Bug hast already confirmed widthst yon Guardian-child andst yon Pyrosopher-child, who'mst this Bug doth believe thee hast not yet hadst opporntunity forn meetment. Be warned, Father-child, t'is an bit... Bad in social communementes, bute this Bug knoweth an true Bug Burning dost reside withinst "his" core. Thee shouldst meeteth "her", whonst thee geteth an chance.

But thon beith point aside, we doth confer widthst ourn Father-kin, to'n seeith ifith anye amongst us hast knowledge priorren inst hatch-care. He shalt guide yon Father-child snail's growth, bute forn it to'th beith an child of't His Thicket, it musteth beith cared for by'n us all, nary juste one.

[burning-underworker]

..............alright. i can help. i will go and see this pyrosopher-child.

...

i hope you know what your doing...

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*A knock on the door comes.*

Armored-child? Dost thee hath an moment? This Bug hast an rather question of't great import forn thee.

@burning-underworker

[burning-underworker]

hello! yes what is it?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Hailus hailus! Now, thee may findeth thise question odd, bute dost thee hath any experience in't hatch-care?

*The Performer-child's claws grab for something under its cloak, causing the red fabric to rustle.*

[burning-underworker]

Hmm... well i cant say i do... but it cant be that hard can it?

...

whats that you have?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

T'is mine hope as't well.

*It pulls its claw out, revealing it to be holding something. A gelatinous, baseball-sized orb, glowing a pale blue, its surface covered in naturally occurring indented spirals. A dark spot can be seen nestled inside through the translucent jelly.*

T'is an gift, fron ourn Mortal-Mother. An egg. An fertilized egg.

*It gets closer, kneeling on one knee so the Armored-child can get a closer look. Although only in an early stage of development, the dark spot inside the egg can be seen wearing the beginnings of a shell, one with an already prominent spiral form.*

An snail egg, Father-kin.

[burning-underworker]

Oh flames. a real snail egg? actually...?

...its so pretty... a real snail egg...

*ehem* You say you obtained this from the thickets mortal form? are we sure its, safe?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*A knock on the door comes.*

Armored-child? Dost thee hath an moment? This Bug hast an rather question of't great import forn thee.

@burning-underworker

[burning-underworker]

hello! yes what is it?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Hailus hailus! Now, thee may findeth thise question odd, bute dost thee hath any experience in't hatch-care?

*The Performer-child's claws grab for something under its cloak, causing the red fabric to rustle.*

[burning-underworker]

Hmm... well i cant say i do... but it cant be that hard can it?

...

whats that you have?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*A knock on the door comes.*

Armored-child? Dost thee hath an moment? This Bug hast an rather question of't great import forn thee.

@burning-underworker

[burning-underworker]

hello! yes what is it?

[burning-underworker]

have you ever tried to convert other underworkers into burning bug-ism

well the path into the thicket is off limits so no bugs come by... there are a few with this "internet" thing and yes i have tried to show them the light. they... werent interested.

[burning-underworker]

do you ever feel insecure about the other burning bugs being way taller than you

like are you afraid you'll ever get stepped on

Ha! grey bug i am not that small. The others are quite accepting of my size so i feel no shame.

[burning-underworker]

Want some Plasmium? I can make it On Brand for you using 100% Safe Lead Based Paint to make it Red!

@plasmiumseller

How the fuck did you get in my house

and no

[wisp-thicket-official]

*Relocates Weavenest Atla to be in the wisp thicket.*

”a- wh- what?”

@best-weavenest-obviously

[best-weavenest-obviously]

...

hai?

[wisp-thicket-official]

"I- I am very confused-..."

[best-weavenest-obviously]

who r u?

[wisp-thicket-official]

"I am the Wisp Thicket, though you may refer to me as Ephermeral. And I assume you are this... "Weavenest Atla"..?"

[best-weavenest-obviously]

oh okey!

i am ephy!

[wisp-thicket-official]

"Ephy.... such a similar name to my own... It is a pleasure to meet you, Ephy."

[best-weavenest-obviously]

uhh

i don feel so good

[wisp-thicket-official]

"oh uh..." *She hesitated, unsure of how to help.* "is there.. anything I can do?"

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!

WHATETH AN FUCK IS THIS?!?!

[burning-underworker]

It looks like a creation of the weavers. the citadel had some of their stuff back in the underworks. this is so large though, i wonder how it got here.

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Hailus, hailus, Redeemer-child. Thee hast asettled within His beauteous Thicket richously. How dost thee fare thus farn? Thine red doth settle well upon thine shell.

@burning-dockworker

[burning-dockworker]

Thanks!! I really like it too! I've always carried spray paint with me in case I need to graffiti something or cause some chaos. I am so glad you brought me into the warmth of the Father, but I still could use a guide around here. -Ashen, the Redeemer-Child

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Of course. This Bug shalt beith of't great pleasure to'n demonstrate His glory.

*The Performer-child beckons you with its staff and begins the tour.*

Starting ateth yon southmost entrance in connect of't thon gloomy moors, this beith spot of lodging forn His Guardian-child. Dutiful in its charge, it doth protect His Thicket fron all of't yonder Outsider mortalrealm threat.

@burning-bug

[burning-dockworker]

"Huh. That's cool. I don't think I've met Guardian-child. Maybe we can talk to it when it returns to its post. Yeah, I can see why you'd put a guard here. From my understanding, it's the only entrance to our thicket."

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Nay, t'is not, in actuality. His Thicket hast 'nother egress, northernmost, an link int'win yon coughing smoke-belly of'th that gilded leech up top. Though this Bug hopeth, in time, yon pass can beith sealed.

Indeed, it shall beith good t'wonce it returneth. Loyal, wonderful, loveable Father-kin, it doth be. Thee shalt quite enjoyeth it, this Bug ist certain.

But lo, on with this guide!

*It first takes you east, up a rising tunnel full of lanterns, many wisps dancing around in the air. It stops, briefly, gesturing to them as they cavort.*

His first children, yon flaming Wisps, doth liveth in whole forn His true-light. Birth, euphoric, brief, blazing life, than snufflight in destruction of'th Outsider-intruders, return'ed to'n His blazing otherrealm so'th it can doist it all overth again.

*A wisp lands on the Performer-child's outstretched claw, hiss-giggling gently. There's the faint sizzling sound of the wisp's fiery body burning the Performer-child's claw, but it pays this no mind, simply smiling warmly at the little sprite. It turns to Ashen, holding the wisp out to them.*

Thee saw yon beautiful cycle upon thine dayith of redemption, in severing of'th thine former commander.

[burning-dockworker]

"You know, I used to live in a coughing smoke-belly. I hope that entrance can be sealed too, as my old home was not...pleasant. And that place sounds even worse. These wisps...beautiful." They reach out to touch the wisp and watch it dance around them, happy to see a newcomer. Ashen giggles. "It's quite plain I made the right decision in leaving my old home. The joy of that place greatly pales in comparison to His Thicket, with its warmth and wisps."

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*It smiles.*

Aye. And thee shall feel'th His warmth in even greater forme, afterth thine initiation.

*The wisp, having had its fun, returns to its lantern and the other wisps, and the Performer-child guides you to the top of the rise, and as far east as the Thicket goes, coming up on the shore of a small lake, it's water rippling calmly in the warm air. There sits a small lodging next to it.*

We now cometh upon to'n His holy waters. Of recent make by this Bug's own claw hast it been cleansed of muckmaggot filth-infestation, return'ed to'th its greater, grandest glory. An beautiful, serene local, farthest away'n fron all intrusions of't yon mortalrealm.

*It approaches the lodging.*

And here doth reside yon Armored-child. It beith His newest Father-child. Or wellst, newest of second'th line, this Bug doth suppose now. This Bug doth admire it greatly, forn it hast wrench'ed itshell away fron control of't yon aforementioned choking smoke-belly and foundst His true-light. Thon shalt have plenty in common, this Bug ist sure. Let us seeith if it is home.

*It knocks on the thicketsprout door.*

@burning-underworker

[burning-underworker]

*after a moment the door opens* Hello performer-child! and this is the new-child of the docks? its so nice to see more embrace his warmth.

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Aye. And that sayeth nought forn what it did to'n our family. It beith His history, and now it doth beith thine. T'wonce was that all of yon land below, thon sterile moors, as't well as yon rank cage-hang road beyond, was all our Thicket. But t'wonce yon gilded leech appeared, it coveted ourn lands, and took and took it did. It push'ed us out of ourn own hatchright, leeched it forn all it had, and reduced it to'n what thine seeith now.

It beith this Bug's greatest goal, granted by His beauteous, blazing true-light, to'n restore and reclaim it'all forn Him.

*It turns as the door opens, its smile returning as it sees the burning underworker.*

Greetings! Thine dost fare well, this Bug hopes, Father-kin. Indeed, this Bug ist giving them an tour of His glorious Thicket.

@burning-dockworker

[burning-dockworker]

"Oh...Hey! I'm Ashen, or Redeemer-Child. You are...Armored child, yeah? Sorry if that's wrong, I don't really know anyone here. But if that is you, I'm glad that you have seen through the gilded facade of Pharloom. I hope we can find a sense of companionship through this."

@burning-underworker

[burning-underworker]

hello Redeemer-child! yes! i hope so too! our thicket is little, so we have quite the tightly woven community. I think your presence will be a nice complement to it.

[father-of-the-flame-official]

*horrible cracking sound can be heard from the chappel of the flame, like a tree being felled or a large wood structure falling. worst of all the entrance seem to be blocked off by a thick layer of ice, only a dime light seem to glow on the other side of the ice

@child-of-the-father-of-the-flame @burning-dockworker @burning-bug @burning-underworker @bug-of-the-thicket

[burning-underworker]

oh its awfully cold... whats happening in our thicket? father?

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Hailus, hailus, Redeemer-child. Thee hast asettled within His beauteous Thicket richously. How dost thee fare thus farn? Thine red doth settle well upon thine shell.

@burning-dockworker

[burning-dockworker]

Thanks!! I really like it too! I've always carried spray paint with me in case I need to graffiti something or cause some chaos. I am so glad you brought me into the warmth of the Father, but I still could use a guide around here. -Ashen, the Redeemer-Child

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Of course. This Bug shalt beith of't great pleasure to'n demonstrate His glory.

*The Performer-child beckons you with its staff and begins the tour.*

Starting ateth yon southmost entrance in connect of't thon gloomy moors, this beith spot of lodging forn His Guardian-child. Dutiful in its charge, it doth protect His Thicket fron all of't yonder Outsider mortalrealm threat.

@burning-bug

[burning-dockworker]

"Huh. That's cool. I don't think I've met Guardian-child. Maybe we can talk to it when it returns to its post. Yeah, I can see why you'd put a guard here. From my understanding, it's the only entrance to our thicket."

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Nay, t'is not, in actuality. His Thicket hast 'nother egress, northernmost, an link int'win yon coughing smoke-belly of'th that gilded leech up top. Though this Bug hopeth, in time, yon pass can beith sealed.

Indeed, it shall beith good t'wonce it returneth. Loyal, wonderful, loveable Father-kin, it doth be. Thee shalt quite enjoyeth it, this Bug ist certain.

But lo, on with this guide!

*It first takes you east, up a rising tunnel full of lanterns, many wisps dancing around in the air. It stops, briefly, gesturing to them as they cavort.*

His first children, yon flaming Wisps, doth liveth in whole forn His true-light. Birth, euphoric, brief, blazing life, than snufflight in destruction of'th Outsider-intruders, return'ed to'n His blazing otherrealm so'th it can doist it all overth again.

*A wisp lands on the Performer-child's outstretched claw, hiss-giggling gently. There's the faint sizzling sound of the wisp's fiery body burning the Performer-child's claw, but it pays this no mind, simply smiling warmly at the little sprite. It turns to Ashen, holding the wisp out to them.*

Thee saw yon beautiful cycle upon thine dayith of redemption, in severing of'th thine former commander.

[burning-dockworker]

"You know, I used to live in a coughing smoke-belly. I hope that entrance can be sealed too, as my old home was not...pleasant. And that place sounds even worse. These wisps...beautiful." They reach out to touch the wisp and watch it dance around them, happy to see a newcomer. Ashen giggles. "It's quite plain I made the right decision in leaving my old home. The joy of that place greatly pales in comparison to His Thicket, with its warmth and wisps."

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*It smiles.*

Aye. And thee shall feel'th His warmth in even greater forme, afterth thine initiation.

*The wisp, having had its fun, returns to its lantern and the other wisps, and the Performer-child guides you to the top of the rise, and as far east as the Thicket goes, coming up on the shore of a small lake, it's water rippling calmly in the warm air. There sits a small lodging next to it.*

We now cometh upon to'n His holy waters. Of recent make by this Bug's own claw hast it been cleansed of muckmaggot filth-infestation, return'ed to'th its greater, grandest glory. An beautiful, serene local, farthest away'n fron all intrusions of't yon mortalrealm.

*It approaches the lodging.*

And here doth reside yon Armored-child. It beith His newest Father-child. Or wellst, newest of second'th line, this Bug doth suppose now. This Bug doth admire it greatly, forn it hast wrench'ed itshell away fron control of't yon aforementioned choking smoke-belly and foundst His true-light. Thon shalt have plenty in common, this Bug ist sure. Let us seeith if it is home.

*It knocks on the thicketsprout door.*

@burning-underworker

[burning-underworker]

*after a moment the door opens* Hello performer-child! and this is the new-child of the docks? its so nice to see more embrace his warmth.

[father-of-the-flame-official]

*turns you into the opposite version of yourself personality-wise for 3 asks*

So you dare use some kind of magic on my greatness? If you so choose, but beware, vengeance is a plate best served cold

Ooc: @child-of-the-father-of-the-flame @burning-bug @bug-of-the-thicket @burning-underworker interact with this so I can be a cold and distant father

[burning-underworker]

wow oh great father i sure am glad that you are close to us and provide us with warmth and comfort forever!

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

It's time

Gron is standing outside Wisp Thicket. The entrances are piled high with bells. Many dockworkers stand behind Gron. "Where are you, you 8-legged fanatics! I want to speak to your leader. And make it fast! We've got plenty of workers with even more explosives. I'm getting annoying, and when I get annoyed, things get set on fire. Or explode!" @child-of-the-father-of-the-flame @burning-bug @burning-underworker @bug-of-the-thicket @father-of-the-flame-official It's time.

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*The Performer-child, hearing Gron's cries, steps over to the barricade, peering through the blazing rune and a single gap in the wall. It shouts through it.*

Thee request audience with His divinity, bell-headed worm-leech?! Ifith thine mortalshell seeketh redemption now, thos doth seemeth method most poor of doing so!!!

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

"The heck I am! The only way I'll have an audience with 'His Divinity' is when I burn him to ashes and blow those ashes to SMITHEREENS! Don't make me do it, because I don't want to, but you guys are really starting to piss me off..."

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

HA! Thee thinketh thineself capable of brunging such harm as't that towards His true-light?! Yon Outsider hath nary more dull, hollow iron in thine head! Eventh more than this Bug hadst first thought!!! Thee shalt nought even maketh it past yon barricade! Thine pitiful strength beith of mortalrealm illusions, whilst we doth carry magik of His blazing otherrealm; this wall'th of bells beith reinforced with it!

Of'th course thee doth rage against us! T'is expected course of envious, weak, insecure grubs whomst find warmth not in thon own empty, false-light-lit souls, wailing as if newhatched against realm whichst simply doth refuse its babbling tantrum!!!

Begone, little grub! Lest thee hurt thineself.

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

"THAT'S IT YOU LITTLE...BUGS! PRIME THE EXPLOSIVES. WE'LL KNOCK THESE UNBELIEVERS INTO THE UNDERWORKS AND SHRED THEM INTO A THOUSAND PIECES! WE'LL SEE WHO'S LEFT AFTER WE DESTROY YOUR 'BLAZING OTHERREALM' ONCE AND FOR ALL!!" *The Dockworkers begin to advance towards the walls of bells when... A loud clank is heard from behind the barricade, near the Underworks connection to the Wisp Thicket. A grimy, bell-headed figure emerges, covered in soot from the underworks and holding a Delver's Drill. He looks very, very angry.

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*The rune on the wall glows bright with wispfire light as the Performer-child begins to conjure Wisps from it.*

BRINGETH IT ON, LEMMING-OUTSIDERS!!! IT SHALT BE'N MINE PLEASURE TO'TH GIVE UPON THEE ROARING, STOKING IMMOLA-

*It is cut off by the resounding arrival of the soot-covered dockworker, the rune humming with primed fire magic, flames licking from its lines. It tries to peer through the tiny gap in the wall to see them more clearly.*

Doth... Doth yonder bug beith of thine, bell-headed?

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

"What in the name of PHARLOOM ETERNAL is going on here!! I leave for 10 measures on a business trip and return to find out that MY FIANCE STARTED A WAR AND IS ABOUT TO GET HALF OF GREYMOOR BURNED DOWN!! Gron, you know I love you. BUT WHAT THE ABYSS WERE YOU THINKING!! Both of you, explain yourselves! *Seeing the Dockworkers carrying some smoking Flintflame "And for Citadel's sake, put the explosives DOWN!"

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Ah, thine handler hast arrived, leech. Perhapseth *it* wilst listen to'n sense.

*It shouts to Signis now.*

Thine "fiance" hast leteth its issues of anger most clear cloud its mind, and it doth threaten war upon this Bug, its family, and His true-light afterth we doth rightfully refuse its demands of ourn holiest knowledge and magiks! Fetch it'all and haveth it begone! Neverth to'n return, whilst thine beith at it!

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

"Oh, I see..." *Gron being rightfully silent for once, nothing he can say will help the situation. *Turning to look through the gaps in the wall. More have appeared as a result of the conflict and the dockworkers meddling. "LISTEN UP YOU OVERGROWN MAGGOTS!! WE'RE MOVING BACK TO THE DOCKS ON THE DOUBLE!! ALL OF YOU ARE GOING TO WORK EXTRA SHIFTS WITH OUT OVERTIME PAY FOR THIS MISTAKE. NOW MOVE IT, YOU BELLS-FOR-BRAINS!! SOMETIMES I WONDER IF THERE'S EVEN ANYTHING GOING ON UNDERNEATH THOSE BELLS!" *Turning back towards the performer child "I am so, so sorry for this grievous interruption and ask that you tell us how we can make it up to you and your cult. My humble and sincere apologies again for the misconduct of my idiot partner." [OOC: I encourage you to be very evil to poor Signis heheheh all you cult members can troll him and I as the mod will laugh and write how he deals with it all.]

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

Ah... It beith of relief that respect is't not concept lost amongst yon bell-headed Outsiders, eventh in smallest form.

This Bug doth taketh offense at thine label. We beist not an "cult". We beist only Bugs in this allmortalrealm whomst follow true-light, ourn blazing Father of the Flame. Of course yon Outsider doth display such ignorance of whichst thee hath no ability of'th understanding. Small of mind and piety as thee be. This Bug shouldst demand blood-sacrifice of'th thee!!! All of thine workers' souls in recompense, every't single one! T'would showeth thine right, to'th hath thine gall in THREATENING HIM AND HIS CHILDREN SO AND WEAVING SUCH INSULT WITHIN THINE APOLOGY!!!!!

*It's anger mounts, and it looks like it's about to strike Signis, but then the light in its eyes lashes out, but rather in aid of the Performer-child, it sparks against the shell edges of its eyes, burning it and causing to to flinch back, gripping its eyes. It mumbles pleads to no one in particular, seemingly in penence with an unseen entity. Eventually, the pleads stop, and it removes its claw from its eyes, its face burnt nearly black. It stamps its staff against the ground, scolded into relative passivity.*

One. Thee shalt select one of'th thine greatest underbugs. It shalt beith left behind, unbelled, as't ash-meal forn His first-children. And knoweth this: it musteth beith thee to'n maketh choice, and maketh it now, amongst bugs summoned by thine "fiance", in way that all knoweth t'was thee to maketh yon choice. His true-light deemeth that fair trade forn many threats made. That shalt be thine pay...

*It hesitates, eyes darting to Gron's flint spear.*

As't well as yon weapon oft thine "fiance." Giveth it to'n this Bug, as't it clearly beith not deserving of such power forn an while...

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

[OOC: Firstly, amazing job! This is exactly how I'd imagine Performer Child to react and I really like the way this is going!] "Uh...Lets not do anything...rash...Maybe an alternate bargain could be made? Because...I really don't want to make one of these good bugs give up their lives. Please, take me instead. This was my fault. I should have worked harder to prevent this and should not have spoken so rudely to your tribe." "Signis! SIGNIS! SHUT UP! What are you doing!?" Gron looks quite distressed and tries to grab Signis' arm, but Signis just shrugs him off and takes a step towards the Performer Child

[bug-of-the-thicket]

This bug, hearing the yelling, finally checks out the source. It walks up to the group, eyes half open.

"Who's there t- YOU?? What are you doing here??" It exclaims, alert and taking an almost apalled step back. "How did you- I am not even gonna question it. What are you trying to do here, bellbug?"

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

"Ah...Well...I'm kinda sacrificing myself to save some dockworkers." "Gah! Dammit Signis, why?! WHY! Why do you have to be...so selfless! Look, bug. We better work something else out, or I'll...oh, its hopeless. I can't negotiate!" "Gron...It'll be okay. I love you." And with that, Signis begins to move closer into the thicket.

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*The Performer-child looks stunned for a moment, taken off-guard, before lowering its head and chuckling deeply, its laughter rumbling off of the bells. It locks eyes with Signis, its blazing eyes seeming to stretch into infinity, bottomless pits of liquid fire. Signis almost feels as if he is falling into them, as if he can see the divinity gazing through them like windows.*

Thee offerth thineself to the Father's first children, knowing immolation most permanent, thine snuff-light, cometh in thine choice surely!?

*It shakes its head, chuckling even more.*

Thee truly marketh thineself worthy leader oft thine bell-headed lemmings, to'n protecteth thon so, and to'n provide such sacrifice forn sins of't thine "fiance". Knoweth this, Forebrother, in any way thee shalt leaveth this place, thee shalt leave having gain'ed this Bug's respect.

*It walks up to Signis and lifts its staff, only to bring it down hard on his shoulder.*

But thine deal beith sour! Soul-sacrifice given willingly maketh ash-meal most sweetest, but thee doth forget thine vassal. Ifith thine soul doth beith taken by this Thicket's claw now, thine ravenous roach (*It gestures to Gron*) wouldst have nary an handler. It would seek vengeance, and bringeth its vile impudent rage, now without balance, and war-claws upon ourn doorstep once again. And we beist back at square one, Forebrother.

*Using its staff, it pushes Signis down to his knees, keeping eye contact with him all the while.*

Can thee ensure such clear course whilst not cometh to'n pass? Willst thine charge shackle its rage in thine absence?

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

"Y-yes, I think so. Gron, I love you. Will you stay out of the trouble, for me? I trust that the Docks will be in good hands with you. I know we'll never get married now, but you made life worth living. I love you more than anything. Goodbye." Tears are leaking out of Gron's bell. "Signis, please. I can't...I...don't go..." Signis looks utterly destroyed "I...it has to be done, Gron. I'm so, so, sorry." Signis turns towards the Thicket... ...but stops when a new voice calls out "WAIT!" Everyone in the Thicket turns around, confused. A figure is shoving through the throng of bell-headed bugs. Signis, recognizing the figure is confused. "Ashen? What are you doing?" The figure, Ashen, is a Flintflame Flyer. Their heavy bell is covered in red markings, which signify demerits earned due to defiance. This bug is not one for rules, and doesn't seem to fit in with the other dockworkers, who begin to grumble as Ashen pushes to the front. "Take me instead! I want to join you in worship of the Father of the Flame!" "Ashen, are you-" "Shut up Signis. I'm doing this and you can't stop me. Besides, this way you get to go back and make out with Gron, anyway!" "..." Addressing the Performer Child, Gron asks, "Would that work?" "Gron!" "Dude... if Ashen wants to do this we shouldn't stop them." "...fine."

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*The Performer-child looks up at Ashen, and can't help but laugh a bit more to itself at the unexpected twists and turns the encounter has taken. It lifts its staff from Signis's shoulder and walks past both him and Gron, initially ignoring Gron's question, and standing before Ashen, pinning them under its heavy gaze.*

Thee seeketh redemption, Outsider? Thee offerth thineself, thine mortalshell, thine name, thine heretical life thou art lived before, thine very soul, to'n His blazing true-light? To'th become amongst His family as't His Father-child eternal?

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

"Indeed. I've always felt that our faith in Pharloom is nothing but a scam designed to cover up past mistakes and provide the Citadel with free labor. Surely that's not true, but something about it still feels so... artificial and stale. I can see it in your eyes, however, your great and true devotion to your fiery Father, and I want to be a part of that!" Gron and Signis are rendered temporarily speechless.

[child-of-the-father-of-the-flame]

*The Performer-child grins.*

Very well, Redeemer. Nay, thine feelings art true, thine false-light hast sinned gravely. Thine recognition of't so proveth thine worthyness of't His true-light.

Thee hast madeth choice to'n begin thine life righteous and anew. Initiation thee still musteth take, beforn Father-child sure thee become, but that beith event forn morrow. Come, Redeemer, into thine true home, His blazing Thicket, it doth await and embraceth thee.

*With a foosh, a pair of wisps emerge from the Performer-child's lantern and rush towards Ashen. But rather than attacking them, they begin to encircle them in play, wreathing them in bright wispfire light, hiss-giggling to themselves at the sight of a new sibling.*

*The Performer-child then turns and begins walking back towards the Thicket, past Gron until it stands next to Signis again, still at his knees. It then speaks to Gron.*

Yonder new soul hast paid thine toll, leech. Be grateful for thine serendipity...

...Although hardly punishment it doth seem, aye? Ourn Father doth demand recompense of some kind, ifith message shouldst truly beith made.

*It looks down at Signis.*

"Fiance", thee called it, Forebrother... Yon word beith foreign to'th this Bug, but it doth carry meaning heavy. Thon beith paired, perhaps?

*It smiles.*

Strange, to'n maketh such relation without an physical commemoration. Leteth this Bug fix that.

*Then, bringing its staff up lightning fast, the lantern end beginning to glow with red-hot magic, the Performer-child slams the staff down into Signis's left shoulder. Searing, agonizing pain rushes through Signis's entire body, shell cauterizing as the staff eats its way through his armor, then shoulder, then entire arm, before coming out the other side, his left arm falling to the ground with a heavy thud.*

*Before Gron can react, one of the two wisps circling Ashen dart forward, turning into a ball of fire as it blasts through Gron's right shoulder, lobbing his right arm clean off in a spike of horrible pain, although not as prolonged as Signis's. His flint spear goes with his arm as it flies through the air with the inertia and lands right next to Signis's severed arm, the Performer-child catching the flint spear in its free claw. It huffs, satisfied, as it turns the spear in its claw.*

There. Thee hast now both paid thine toll, and hath seen punishment forn thine sins 'gainst the Father. And mark of thine codependency thee hath gained as extra treat. Thee need not thanketh this Bug.

*Its face (though not its eyes) darkens.*

Now leave. And neverth return.

*It smiles, turning back to the Thicket and walking past the wall and within, into the thicketsprouts, standing alongside the Patchwork-child.*

Come along, Redeemer. Thee hast abode to'n find, and'n kin to'th meet.

[forebrothers-signis-plus-gron]

Despite the pain, Signis still manages to speak. "A-Ashen...I hope you know what you're doing...And...Remember...You'll always...have a place with us." Ashen nods. That's all Signis can get out before he collapses into Gron's arms arm. Since Gron has wings, he uses his legs to support his fiance and carries Signis off towards the Underworks. They both are in excruciating pain, but persevere anyway. Ashen just watches them leave for a minute. Then they finally turn towards Performer Child and say, "So, let's get going with the tour, huh buddy?"

[burning-underworker]

...............*cough* .......that went well i think