#(gilded confinement.)

[within-cogwork-shell]

Hello there!

why does it feel like a shade’s in this cogwork bug…? Surely no one would be that cruel, right?

Greetings, bug. How may this one assist?

You also know I’m in here…? Can you hear me? P-Please get me out of here!

[within-cogwork-shell]

The Grand Gate has been infiltrated, this one has heard. While this one is tense, it has also heard of the temporary ceasefire placed by Karak and that attacks will be stopped in the meantime.

Nevertheless, let down its guard completely, this one will not. Patrolling the vaults will be its tireless duty until this one’s shell is destroyed for good. Until the time calls for this one to prepare for battle, happily entertain any form of interaction, this one will.

I’m really scared…and…I just hope someone can hear me…eventually…

OOC: Since the Khann war is on pause for now, some asks would be nice! You can now talk to the reactivated Prototype Choirbug, and if you’re a Vessel/Void being, maybe to the trapped Goldie too. Please :’)

[within-cogwork-shell]

Arrived at the Whispering Vaults, this one has. Ready to face any Karakian enemy that dares traverse these halls, is this one.

The automaton takes a step, almost tripping on the faded purple cloak it was still wearing. Without hesitation, it uses a blade-limb to slice the garment off as it looks around, waiting for other automaton reinforcements.

Karak should not expect an easy victory, not when this one and its kin can help it. Eternal glory to the Citadel, and may fortune be on our side.

Though, this one wonders, why its shell feels almost…weaker?

N-No…no, no…I’m scared…I can’t do this! I h-have to get out of here…!

___

OOC: Hey! Um, I wasn’t expecting to kinda involve myself in the Khann war while my angst arc is going on but eh…it happened. And I’m kinda excited! However, as I’m going on vacation starting tomorrow and the rest of the week, activity will be limited on this blog—I’ll try to tune in whenever I can :DD

[within-cogwork-shell]

*as you wander through the paths of greymoor, over to bellhart you notice major swarms of bugs, pilgrims, funneling into the city of bells and a bug trying to guide them in, in as neat a line as possible. the bug takes notice that you are not like the other pilgrims, actually they note that you aren't a pilgrim at all.*

Hello there...bug of...oh, you're an automaton with...void? I would think such impossible but I guess maybe it was the amount? it's going to be weird to hazard a guess, but I suppose you wish to return to the citadel.

-@a-little-wandering-bug

(OOC: Let’s pretend I answered this before the previous one—oopsie :’D)

What you speak of, this one knows not. However, you are correct, bug. Return to the Citadel, this one must, to resume its duties as quickly as possible.

Y-You know I’m in here…? P-Please, help me…!

[within-cogwork-shell]

Arriving at the Citadel's Grand Gate, they would find their path obstructed by unlikely guard. A towering Chorus machine, and a bug clad in a colorful cloak, with a long weapon in claw, perched on a hand of the giant automaton. Noticing the approaching figure, she leaped down to ground level, the bell by the hilt of her lance chiming quietly.

A Cogwork construct? Unlike any I've seen before... What do you seek here, little one?

– @lancewielder-butterfly 🔔

Return to the Citadel, this one must, for it has found itself too far away from its designated station. If you and your colossal companion could step aside, this one would appreciate.

Someone there…? H-Help me! I’m trapped! Please…!

[within-cogwork-shell]

Footsteps march on continuously, away from the putrid maggot-infested waters of Bilewater and eventually winding up in the damp roads of Greymoor. The stranger stops at a safe spot, away from the dangers of the area, and sets the immobile automaton down.

Let’s see now…

The automaton’s gilded shell is pried open, revealing damaged mechanisms.

This would hardly do. Sighhh…at least I’m still somewhat proficient in the ways of mechanical reparations.

The stranger gets to work, fixing the inner mechanisms of the automaton the best they could. Before long, the repairs are done. But the stranger isn’t done yet.

They pull out a modified phial filled with swirling Void. Void that used to be the shade resting next to the automaton when they first found it.

Finally…

The stranger injects the automaton’s cogwork heart with Void. It glows with a binding seal, trapping what’s left of the shade inside.

The automaton begins to move.

The stranger gets to their feet, giving their new creation one last look. Staying too long is a death sentence. All they knew was to modify and experiment; they knew nothing of combat. Their goal has been accomplished and that was all they needed. So they fled.

Creak. Clack.

Awoken, is this one, in an unfamiliar location. This one must return to the Core at once. To work, to serve the Citadel is this one’s eternal duty. It must make haste, lest it falls behind.

…Can anyone hear me? H-Help me…please…!

[within-cogwork-shell]

I’ve been wandering around for so long and I ended up in a very nasty place! It’s full of this icky green water and worms. I fell into the water so many times and got my body all dirty and covered in worms. It’s so gross!

I keep getting lost, too…everywhere I go it’s just worms and green water and worms and green water all the time! I’m getting so tired…I don’t know how I’ll meet Papa if I keep going like this. Maybe I made my body even worse now. I hope it’s not too much trouble to fix it when I get there…

I’m so tired. I think I’ll just rest for a bit…this place seems pretty safe…I hope.

The shade drifts off to sleep, its arms grasping its metal shell tightly as it does so.

For a moment, there’s only silence in the swampy area.

That is until someone approaches.

My, my…what do we have here?

[within-cogwork-shell]

Ummm about my appreciating drawing…I didn’t get to do it yet. I lost my supplies so I went to find new ones! Except I wasn’t really careful, so I got hurt a lot, owie (sad face)

Normally my new body doesn’t get hurt so easily, but the mean bugs were VERY MEAN today! My legs don’t work anymore and everything just hurts…now I have to drag my body around because I can’t use it to move…

I remember the time I visited Papa…he said he would give me repairs when I need them, right? Maybe I’ll go look for Papa again…though he’s really far away…