On The Other Side Of Silence

The Voice Of The Past That Will Always Be ((Dolorosa RP blog, part of the now inactive Brightside AU. HEADCANONS EXCLUSIVE TO THIS AU. DO NOT REBLOG.))

[grievinganathema]

The Tomes of Blood

Great part of the work of the jadebloods is keeping the registers of population up to date. And they have an unvaluable set of tools to do this: the Tomes of Blood.

 These are a set of books, one per known blood colour (plus one for mutants) that have an exhaustive, detailed description of every troll lineage known. Within each bloodline, there's a depiction of the egg pattern that characterizes it, the horn shape, the official sign, and a list of all known members of it. And should new egg patterns appear, they will be recorded in their corresponding book and a new lineage may be created. 

This makes them a basic asset in the working of the Caverns, along with the registries. In these, every time the Mothergrub lays eggs, every single one is recorded, along with a short description of their fate. 

For example, an extract of the last census would be: olive egg, (surname) bloodline. hatched on (day-perigee-sweep), healthy. black egg. apparently of (surname) bloodline. sent to southern storage. burgundy egg. (surname) bloodline. did not hatch. sent to northern storage. 

Should doubt arise when documenting an egg, any jade can just take the Tome of the colour they need, search for the pattern, and easily identify the egg. 

 As fun facts: there is a tyrian book despite there only being one known bloodline and not many members of it (and all of them being dead at this point in time); there is a lost lime book of unknown fate; and the Tome of newest creation is the purple one, made when the purples were formally recognized as a caste. @purplepimpryda

[cobaltdraws]

i’ve been working on this for most of the month but here it is! just in time before it’s over!

all my muses (plus special guest @bearwithme-95 ‘s nightelf Talarosh) with their respective flags! happy pride everyone <3

[fellowclowns-deactivated2022112]

returnedreverend:

ASK MAMA

@grievinganathema​

What do mothergrubs sound like

do they cluck?

[fellowclowns-deactivated2022112]

Nope. If it peeps and chirps. It’s a bird.

[grievinganathema]

She... also does this little clicking noise? But she has no feathers.

[fellowclowns-deactivated2022112]

returnedreverend:

ASK MAMA

@grievinganathema​

What do mothergrubs sound like

do they cluck?

[grievinganathema]

No but they do peep and chirp. Why?

[fellowclowns-deactivated2022112]

Peep and chirp.

Mothergrubs are just flightless birds

Change my mind

[grievinganathema]

I

Uh

They are more like giant bugs if anything?

[fellowclowns-deactivated2022112]

returnedreverend:

ASK MAMA

@grievinganathema​

What do mothergrubs sound like

do they cluck?

[grievinganathema]

No but they do peep and chirp. Why?

[grievinganathema]

About schooling

Education is the norm in the Caverns, and is equal and obligatory for everyone. Every jadeblood will go through a minutious training, lasting sweeps, that is designed for everyone to have the same knowledge even if later in life they might favor particular tasks. 

Formally, they are taught how to handle and care for the Mothergrub and the eggs, how to manipulate and store the genetic material, how to use the registries, history, their secret code, first aid skills, bases of medicine, and how to read and write. Other skills acquired in a more informal setting are tailoring, cooking, gardening, various crafts... 

One can talk to an elder that knows more about a particular topic or skill, should they want to 'specialize' or know something in depth. But otherwise education is exactly the same for all.

((Do not reblog or repost! These headcanons are made for the Brightside AU))

@purplepimpryda

[mens-rights-activia]

↖️This is a terf unfriendly blog

all terfs gtfo

[addigni]

Reblog if you genuinely support asexuals

It terrifies me that there’s so much raging passion in the lgbt+ community that insist on marginalizing asexuals and implying that asexuals don’t deserve to have safe spaces. There’s still so much acephobia so I just wanna know which blogs are genuinely supportive and a safe space for asexuals

[grievinganathema]

How jades view foreigners depends, to be truthful. There's a distrust of foreigners in general- if they are in the Caverns unannounced they will be treated as trespassers, and no matter what they are seen as a danger... or rather, a temptation for members of the secluded community. It wouldn't be the first nor the last time that a Sister has left (or tried to leave) to live like foreigners live Above. And obviously that isn't something anyone wants. 

 Now, that said, jades are hemoist. A stranger of a teal hue and above will be better accepted, while olives and below are regarded with more distrust. A seadweller however? They are probably the exception to the rule. To have a seadweller visiting the Caverns (if it's not to punish some Sister or the community as a whole) is seen as a honor. They are the only strangers that may walk through the Caverns beyond the main corridors- although always with a Sister to guide them if possible. 

 It's very possible that this blatant bias is inherited from the strict control the Empress had over the jade community, and from the closeness of the Caverns to the violet lands. But some jades are certainly warmer to strangers, no matter their hue. Most of these are in the group that abandoned the Caverns, seeking a life more like that of the foreigners.

@purplepimpryda

((Do not reblog or repost! These headcanons are made for the Brightside AU))

[alannasroleplaymemes-moved]

For every 💭 I receive, I will write one thought my Muse has had about yours.

[grievinganathema]

Bath time

Jades are a very cleanly bunch, both because they have found that in a closed space like the Caverns it prevents lots of illnesses, and because they work with eggs (and their toxic slime) and genetic material, which they cannot allow to be contaminated. Usually they will bathe every day, at least once; they will often bathe more if they have been working with eggs or material, to prevent any problems despite their careful handling. 

 The habit of bathing is taught since the wigglers are pupated. They will be taken by the adults to the communal baths and the act of bathing is turned into a chance to socialize and play, which makes the wigglers acquire the taste for bathing from very early on. Certainly there are jades that prefer a little more privacy, or to take the baths as a chance to relax- it's seen as just a curious quirky thing, and there are smaller individual pools for those that prefer to bathe alone or with only a close troll. 

 Jades will chew certain herbs often to clean their teeth, and they do grow plants and flowers to use as perfumes. 

But perhaps the point that would be most surprising to outsiders is how the jades will view long hair on other jades as dirty and not hygienic. On outsiders they will not comment, though they do not approve of it either. A proper jade will always be clean and have their hair cut short. Never any longer than shoulder length.

@purplepimpryda

((Do not reblog or repost! These headcanons are made for the Brightside AU))

[grievinganathema]

❤- Jevith

I would kill for you. • I would make love to you. • I would fuck you. • I would protect you. • I would hurt you for a selfish cause. • I wish we had more in common. • I want nothing to do with you. • I want to see you cry. • I want a future with you. • I want to destroy your future. • I do not care what you do. • I am indifferent towards you. • I want children with you. • I love you ( platonically ) • I love you ( romantically ) • I love you life family. • You are my family. • I could fall in love with you. • I would lie for you. • I would fight by your side. • I will never let you go. • I would hold you while you cried. • I would hug you. • I want to kiss you. • I would stay by your bedside if you were ill. • I want to fall asleep with you in my arms. • I want to forget you. • I will never forget you. • I only want to make you proud. • I wish I could make you happy. • You deserve nothing. • I will never forgive you. • You confuse me. ((sorry for the late reply hun!))

[sphinxmemesmusings]

send me ❤ and I will bold all that applies to your muse

I would kill for you. • I would make love to you. • I would fuck you. • I would protect you. • I would hurt you for a selfish cause. • I wish we had more in common. • I want nothing to do with you. • I want to see you cry. • I want a future with you. • I want to destroy your future. • I do not care what you do. • I am indifferent towards you. • I want children with you. • I love you ( platonically ) • I love you ( romantically ) • I love you life family. • You are my family. • I could fall in love with you. • I would lie for you. • I would fight by your side. • I will never let you go. • I would hold you while you cried. • I would hug you. • I want to kiss you. • I would stay by your bedside if you were ill. • I want to fall asleep with you in my arms. • I want to forget you. • I will never forget you. • I only want to make you proud. • I wish I could make you happy. • You deserve nothing. • I will never forgive you. • You confuse me.

[grievinganathema]

The Parting

It had been a while since the strangers had come to the Caverns, and there had not been a night or a day without tension ever since. A purpleblood leader had arrived, protecting and protected by a traitor, and each in their own way had changed the world. The message that they had left behind was too powerful to leave anyone indifferent.

The idea, the hope, of change and equality had gotten to a great part of the community, mostly the younger ones... and unsurprisingly, it had angered the others. How dared they, a stranger and a renegade, come to question the way things had always been? The natural order of life? They had brought chaos and dissension into the peaceful life of the Caverns, and now it was their duty to stop it. Soon the punishment of anyone and everyone that seemed to remotely approve of the Change became routine- over half of the Sisters ended up recluded for apparently minor faults. And they were getting very, very tired of this.

Especially one in particular.

After a good perigee of standing these injustices in silence and being imprisoned more than once, Nasira Ziraaq secretly appointed small groups of the jades that she knew were in the same conditions. She had a plan, and she intended to carry it to term with or without help.

“She left so that we could be free” she whispered, her voice quiet but vehement, over and over again. “She risked death for a grub, and raised him to believe that we are all equal. She made a family like ours, and they spoke of freedom for all. And they suffered for it! He fought so that after their dissapearing their message would still come true. And thanks to Him, the Empress is dead, and her reign is over! This is the chance for us to be free too, for us to have a life like anyone else... They sacrificed so much so we had the chance to become who we want to be, to be with our friends and mates when we want, to be with whoever we want- and still we can do what we are meant to do. We can live Above, and still fulfill our duty as Sisters. At last... we will be part of the life we create.”

Her message spread fast- everyone knew who He and She were, and Nasira chose her audience carefully.

A week later, all was arranged. Bit by bit, small groups of jadebloods left the Caverns in the middle of the day, aided by allied guards. And the last group was led by Nasira herself, who directed them towards the small forest that hid one of the few transportalizers near the Caverns. That would send them over to the limits of the jade territory, where the other groups awaited. But then a figure ran after them, and Nasira looked back in alarm... and smiled. With open arms, she welcomed a very heartbroken Ialore into the group, and while the group moved forward she held her friend tight.

There was no going back now.

[fellowclowns-deactivated2022112]

grievinganathema:

Ialore blatantly ignored Aldous, only a twitch of her ears showing she might have heard. But Nasira looked over her shoulder for a moment at them- and her gaze and her soft smile held no hostility. Rather, it was compassionate, admiring. Comforting. But a second later Ialore elbowed her in the arm discretely and the younger jade looked forward again, squaring her shoulders.

Vashet smiled down at Aldous, with a gentle squeeze to his arm. “You are safe. That much I promise. They shall listen to you. Say what you must, what you believe should change so that the world outside and underground will be better. This is what we are here for. And whether change will happen, only time will tell.”

 And then, she paused. Though her touch was still gentle, she was stiff, like when they had met for the first time in Sotiría. Like back then, she was looking forward, avoiding Aldous’ glances and attempting to not let go of her mask of bravery and determination. But the corridor was coming to an end, and the golden bejeweled doors before them were closed… and time could be running out for her. The guards signaled them to stay still, and while they pulled the doors open, against her better judgement, Vashet made her voice even quieter and murmured to Aldous, pleaded. “Please, if something happens to me, promise me that you will not try to avenge me. There is too much at stake to ruin it for a single life. You have to give the world a chance.”

The twitch had not gone unnoticed. Aldous kept his eyes peeled, watching the two like a bird of prey as the lead them down the cave halls. It wasn’t until Nasira looked over her shoulder, those eyes gentle and compassionate did Aldous start to even remotely relax. 

But that calm lasted only moments before Vashet ripped it from him. “ I won’t need to avenge you because I won’t let them hurt you.” his shoulder’s stiffened as the doors opened, his hand moving to tighten into Vashet’s grasp. “ I’ve got you mama.” He assured, moving forward as he lead her along with him into the room ahead. 

His gaze flitted to the two guard momentarily before he stared forward. Searching for the ones he longed to speak to. Jades, such a intense caste. He thought to himself. Feeling his heart beat a bit faster with building anticipation. 

[grievinganathema]

There was no answer to his words. Vashet’s face was still stoic, as if made of stone, but she held onto Aldous’ hand as tight as she dared as the doors opened before them and they found what awaited them. 

Perhaps a hundred or two of jades were waiting by the walls, wanting to witness this moment, but the first thing they would see was a double altar embedded into  crystal walls, and six ancient trolls lined up neatly in front of it, right ahead of them. 

The guards walked behind Aldous and Vashet (and Nasira managed to smile at the visitors without being seen by Ialore again) and led them forward, to the empty space in the middle of the room. There was a soft light all around them, from faint beams of moonlight reflecting on the crystals, but the greatest source of light was that of the skins of the Council of Six, which stepped towards the ambassadors in perfect harmony, as if they were one. Nothing in their faces gave away what they might be feeling, surrounded in solemnity and the air of those that know they are in their own domain.

“Greetings, ambassador” one of them said, an old woman that supported her steps with a wooden staff taller than her. Her voice was broken, stern, but surprisingly warm. “We are told you wish to tell us of the news from Above. But we were not told you would be bringing... such company. We all want to know what all of this means, and the reason behind this insistence on meddling in a realm that is not yours.”

[grievinganathema]

Friends on the (Above) side

Relationships with outsiders are a wholly different thing from relationships with cavern dwellers. While familial ties and quadranting between jades is highly encouraged, having friends and quadrantmates among outsiders is absolutely considered a necessary evil. Jades know that there is only so much people near your age to be found in the Caverns, and that you may not be attracted to them. But jades are scarce enough that producing as much quality genetic material as possible is still a priority, because only a small part of it actually gives fruit; thus, quadranting with non-jades is tolerated. 

 The usual routine is that the Sister will be allowed outside for a night, to feed and to find bonds if they have none. Then they may visit their friends and quadrants, under watch of another Sister that will guarantee that the visitor returns to the Caverns. 

 However there are very strict rules to these relationships. The outsider must not enter the caverns unless strictly necessary, or if they do they must stay in one of the outermost rooms, with constant watch from one or two Sisters other than their mate. This privilege is mostly granted to palemates during emergencies, but even then they cannot stay for long, so as to not to disrupt the Sister's work routine. They are an exception only because the stability of their jade palemate is important to the group of Sisters as a whole. Sometimes, other quadrants will be allowed inside during emergencies- but never friends. The bond between the jade and the outsider may be strong enough to be considered familial, but whereas the quadrants are begrudgingly allowed the friends are seen as unnecessary distraction for the jade. 

@purplepimpryda

((Do not reblog or repost! These headcanons are made for the Brightside AU))

[grievinganathema]

A sweep in the Caverns

Before the dismantling of the drone system, there was a very clear system to the work in the Caverns that marked the rhythm of the whole sweep.

The drone system was first installed as yet another measure for the Empire to control the population. It allowed to keep track of how many trolls of each color had donated, and even how many donations were needed to mantain a population at its desired level, based on how many of its wigglers survive and a number of other variables.

Gathering was performed during fall and spring, where the weather was cold enough to help preserve the material before its arrival to the Caverns, and when many cultures celebrate their festivals and thus the general enthusiasm could make it easier to find quality material. After each gathering the material was promptly transportalized to the Caverns, where the Sisters would store it until, days after, it was time to offer it to the Mothergrub.

The next two weeks were when the eggs are laid, examined and recorded in the registry by the Sisters. The lineage pattern of the egg is identified and checked. Then, every egg was placed in its designated spot of the corridors- as per ‘tradition’ and Imperial orders, the colder hues were placed closer to the exits to ensure the highest rate of survival and the minimal Trials. Warmer bloods got placed deeper in the corridors. Jade eggs were set aside for a careful incubation and closer vigilance. Violet and (extremely rare) tyrian eggs were placed in the southern corridor, which leads directly to the violet lands.

The weeks after that were comprised of patroling in turns, ready to detect any hatching grubs, sick/mutated eggs and abnormalities of any kind. And the eggs hatch at different rates, all around the half sweep between one gathering and the next, which keeps the jades constantly occupied. This is a resting period for the Mothergrub, though.

Now, the drones are out of commission, and material is sent irregularly to the Caverns. It is a chaotic period for the Sisters, but they are working on a solution: they are digging a storage cavern for the material, so it will not spoil, until things go back to a stable rhythm like before.

@purplepimpryda

((Do not reblog or repost! These headcanons are made for the Brightside AU))