#little void bug

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

While they appreciated the pats, they weren't sure how they felt about all these questions, they couldn't answer! They couldn't speak! Any conversation they had was terribly one sided, it was just other people talking at them. As it was, they just sat down and crossed their little legs, trying to convey that they were fine just riding along. They didn't need to eat. Or drink. Or do anything, really. That's just kind of how they worked. ~ Vesselofthevoid

Nettles nodded when the bug sat down. Seemed about right. She hadn’t quite been expecting any verbal responses, anyway. “Alright. Sounds good. We’ll chill here.” Cupping her hand close to her body, she sat down properly in the leaves. She set her hand down against her knee in case the bug wanted to move somewhere else. Ah, yes. Nothing like sitting among the trees with a little friend.

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

It was indeed a long trip! A very long trip. They've wandered for a long, long ways, trying to find someone. Of course, they couldn't really convey that particular fact. The question gave them pause. Well, they wouldn't mind pats! But if they shook their head no, would she think they don't want pats? But she asked if they minded, so what if the same happens if they shake their head yes? They ended up not coming to a definitive answer, and simply looked up at her expectantly. ~ Vesselofthevoid

Nettles waited while the little bug debated on an answer. When she didn’t get a clear objection to it, she carefully raised her finger to gently pat their head. She figured if they didn’t want it, they could put up a hand to stop her. As it was, she was doing her best to gently stroke the top of its head. She was smiling fondly. “Well, you can take a load off with me for a bit. You wouldn’t be the first bug to hitchhike on me to somewhere else,” she smirked. “Anything I can get ya? Or would you rather just ride around for now?”

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

The little vessel eyed Nettles hand curiously for a moment, before hopping onto it, looking up at the much larger individual. At her question, they reached into their cloak and pulled out a tiny piece of paper. Well, tiny for her, for them it was quite big. They looked it over before turning it over and showing it to her, revealing a very complicated map. They pointed at the lowest point of the map, which, if it's to be taken as vertical, seems to be the bottom of a giant pit. ~ Vesseslofthevoid

Nettles held the bug carefully in her hand as they got themself adjusted. The sight of the paper made her bring her hand a bit closer to her face for a better look. It was small... complicated... scribbly... ah. A map. She knew one when she saw it. Granted, she wasn’t sure where the map was showing, but it was one nonetheless.

“You’re from... mmm... some sort of pit? Full of other bugs?” She guessed. “Like some sorta underground nest city for lil critters like you? Sounds nice.” She glanced around. “Means you must be a long way from home then, huh?”

Taking a finger, she held it near the bug. “Mind if I give you a little pat?”

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

The little vessel looked up at Nettles when she spoke, their masked expression unmoving, but still somehow projecting a sort of curiosity. The nearby mantis was still bowing respectfully. They bounced a little bit on the leaf, before leaping up, a pair of bright glowing wings briefly appearing on their back for some extra height, and landing square on Nettles' shoulder. They then gently papped her face. ~ Vesselofthevoid

Nettles blinked in surprise at the bug’s location change, but chuckled softly at the little pats. Any worries she might’ve had about it biting or stinging her left with the tiny gesture. She shifted a bit in place to try and get a better look at the bug.

“Thanks. You’re a friendly little thing, hm?” She smiled, holding a hand up by it. Just in case it wanted to move there. It might make for easier chatting on her end. “Where’re you from? Some new bugs moving in that I should know about?”

(( @vesselofthevoid ))

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

Oh? What is this? The teeny little bug with the sword has managed to make their way aaaaaalllll the way to Nettles! It feels like Greenpath, almost. But bigger. So much bigger. Everything outside of Hallownest was so big!!! Too big, almost. Either way, they were hopping along some of Nettles' plants, at one point giving a little bow to a nearby mantis. Strange. Even stranger that the mantis seemed to respectfully bow back. ~ Vesselofthevoid

Nettles didn’t tend to pay much mind to bugs. They were usually doing their own insectoid or arachnid thing. No need to watch em.

But... bugs didn’t tend to come with nails. Or masks. Or manners, if the bowing was any indication. The bouncing little bug had caught her gaze the moment it hopped into view. Humming in curiosity, she crouched down to get a better look at it.

“Well well well... what do we have here?” She mused, one brow raised. “What’re you up to, little friend?”

(( @vesselofthevoid ))

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

The vessel tilted their head at Journal. Was he okay? Was he injured??? He didn't look injured... was he upset? Oh! Oh he must be upset! Of course! Being so big and then being so small must be very distressing! The vessels knew that they would be distressed if they were suddenly super big! They stepped over to the sorcerer, before they started climbing his back and getting themself settled on his shoulders. They started gently patting his head. Piggyback time, apparently. ~ @vesselofthevoid

Journal complained quietly as the vessel climbed on him. But he fell quiet at the gentle pats. They were soothing. Even if nothing else changed. “... th’nks...” he muttered softly.

Aiden whistled appreciatively, going to sit by the two of them. “You’re a real journal whisperer,” he said teasingly. Journal grunted in mock offense. Aiden just snorted, giving him a pat as well.

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

Oh! The little buggo is back! And they come bearing a gift for Aiden! It is a little pie... a very little pie. It could fit on the end of one of Aiden's fingers, but they wanted to give it to him. They don't need to eat! They don't even have a mouth! So it goes to someone who does. It is unfortunately cold though, because it was a long trip, but still. They hold it up for him to take it. ~ vesselofthevoid

Aiden was busy cleaning up dinner when the little bug arrived. He spotted them after lifting a few empty plates. “Oh-!” Blinking in surprise, he stared at the bug for a moment. He hadn’t known the bug would return again. Maybe we’ve gained another returning visitor... He set the plates down a little distance away. The questor figured he may as well greet the tiny guest.

“Hey there, lil bug,” aiden said softly. Though he knew it wasn’t necessary, he still felt he had to speak quietly. “What’ve you got there...? Is it a gift?” Hesitantly, he held out his index finger to take the tiny pie. He chuckled ruefully when he realized what it was. A tiny pie. Adorable. “Ah, thank you! This looks like an, er, a nice snack.”

[a-familiar-set-of-apartments]

They just. Bring the flower closer. They hold it up to Roo. They just want him to take the flower. They worked so hard to get it here, he can destroy it immediately after taking it, please accept their gift. ~ @vesselofthevoid

Roo hesitated as the bug held the flower closer. He knew he should take it, but he didn’t want it to get destroyed! How was he to go about this...?

Very carefully, he held out one of his paws. He unsheathed his claws, gently reaching out with one to get the flower on its tip. For one who didn’t like using his claws, he sure had plenty of control over them. He knew how to be gentle. He took the flower over to the table, setting it on top of a stray paper for later. He pattered back over to the bug timidly.

“Th-thank yeh,” he said softly. “I-it’s a real nice present...”