#throughscarleteyes

[thevoidknights]

@throughscarleteyes

It's a relief that Grimm isn't beyond his limits right then, though Hollow didn't know that at the moment. They only knew that he was in a state a bit less than optimal. However, they still don't mind this since it was seemingly helping the moth with whatever he was struggling with. A chirp escapes them at the gentle coaxing to continue their question and this time they find themself to be the one pausing. Then while they were collecting their thoughts he reminds them of the bombshell that had elated them but also confused and enraged them... Grimm could understand Void now. Giving a small nod they slowly speak up, voice low and hesitant.

"I had forgotten you had this talent now. I... I was going to ask if I could try the smoke as well. Not only to better understand what you were explaining but also because if it quiets thoughts then that would be a relief right now."

Their thoughts weren't as bad as normal thanks to Grimm's presence alone but they were also still not gone.

[carefree-melody]

@throughscarleteyes continued from here

It would be apparent that the poor beetle wasn’t in a much better state than Grimm at that moment. His fur was in a disarray, some of it mussed up from where he’d been working at it with anxious hands. His whole form was a shaky mess with his mask even skewed but Brumm himself didn’t seem to notice at the moment. No, his depression but more over anxiety had been tormenting the poor beetle this entire time. 

However, rather than be worried over himself Brumm was taking in Grimm’s appearance and gave a slight whimper at the sight before him. It might not appear it to most but he knew Grimm well and could tell the moth was worsening. Though he couldn’t tell to what extent it made those fears of that news being true worsen. 

“Mrmm... I... I...” Gods, he couldn’t keep his voice from having a slight waver and suddenly wanted to abandon the question but finding a strength he didn’t know its origin of, he finally asked. “I got distressing news and want to ask if it’s true.... Mrmm... Are.... Are you dy-dy..dy.... I can’t say it.”

[grimm-troupe-caretaker]

Who Are You In The Murder Investigation? The detective You are bound and determined to finish what you have started. So persevere, my love, but you might not like what you find. Go on. Let it consume you. It eats you from the inside and the outside at once and as the shadows fill your eyes you realize that your obsession consumed you a long time ago. You are a husk of yourself. A shadow-spindly thing. The same determination that filled you punishes you. your mouth tastes like ashes. Insanity is your release. Who is the true killer here? you.

[silkthreadedneedle]

@throughscarleteyes continued from here

Hornet was torn on just barging further into the tent or leaving entirely when her call was unheeded. The air of the tent was too strange for her liking but she supposed she could understand why her siblings enjoyed it. It was strange, like their entire existence had been. 

The sudden flash of red and fire made her instantly drop into a battle position and ready her needle. It was his respectful bow that made her pause the attack. Ghost could have warned her about the rather flashy entrances of the Troupe Master. 

“A pleasure indeed. I seek to speak with you upon the matter of which Ghost tells me you shall be King in their stead while they heal and grow. Is this true?”

[sealed-radiance]

We meet again {closed}

It had been a certain while since Grimm and his troupe had been summoned to Hallownest again. The ritual had begun, the cycle of life and death would have restarted very soon and with one the most unique shows between all. None else but a small vessel, a descendant of the Wyrm, was responsible for the... “invasion”, or so an old bug kept saying, of the small town at the top of the ruins. 

Dirthmouth was a silent, melancholic place. Few houses were inhabited, and it was fairly rare to see light coming from the windows of the curved shells. The flames and melodies coming from the tents where the troupe lived certainly renewed the flat atmosphere, but it wasn’t enough to really change it. Those bugs must have liked it as it was. So did the vessel, apparently.

The Master could see them rushing back and forth quite often. It wasn’t rare to see them stop by the old bug that complained about them. They were a very good listener as they were a poor speaker; the old bug kept making monologues about Hallownest, its various areas and what it used to be. Everyone knew that everything was in ashes now. The husks, the dangers, the desperation of the few that still lived were perfect premises to harvest the flames for the child, Grimm knew it from the beginning. And still... those rumors about an infection, that orange-ish hue raising from the well, the ominous roars that sometimes echoed through the place... were they enough to beckon even a deity down there?

@throughscarleteyes

[feralvessel]

Starter for @throughscarleteyes

It’s only been to the surface once in its entire life, preferring the safety of its little tunnels. The open space above it made it uneasy. Ordinarily avoids being up here like... Well, the plague. But there was something stirring in the air of the caverns of the dying kingdom, something uneasy enough to reach even down as deep as it likes to lurk.

So, it emerges from the ground, bolting for the shelter of the shadow at the base of a building before it even bothers looking around to make sure that nothing’s seen it. Slinking along the ground, darting from shadow to overhang to bench, keeping down as low as it possibly can, taking long routes around to avoid living creatures. It’s utterly silent, for once.

The source of the disquiet is easily apparent even from the distance it’s at. It homes in on the source of noise and warmth like a missile, darting in under the cloth to immediately be punched in the face by Colorful Overstimulation Hell. The only reason it doesn’t scream immediately is because the room is blessedly empty. It scrambles for cover under a large soft-looking pile of silks, burrows in, curls up to calm the electric panic arcing through its tiny body, trembling.

Eventually, it carefully pokes its lil noggin out. Looks around. ...Reaches out with a hand, hooks the end of a stray scrap with a claw, drags it back into the pile. Begins wrestling with it. New Toy Time.

[wild-vessel]

@throughscarleteyes from X

The bug- vessel?- creature seems to stiffen at being addressed, standing a little taller than before. They never take their skull masked gaze away from Grimm, however, head tilting ever so slightly as they size him up. They don’t seem eager to get close, but they’re not making any move to leave either.

They don’t have an answer for Grimm, just a few more moments of rude staring before breaking the silence themself with a full body, bone chime rattling shake. Acknowledging that he’s speaking to them, perhaps. They direct their gaze slightly upward, but not fully taking Grimm out of their line of sight... 

[riingthebell]

@throughscarleteyes continued from (x)

The stag bettle listened, feeling his old carcass fill with curiosity. True, not everyone took the tunnels anymore but still... was that bug new to that cursed and forgotten kingdom? Perhaps.

“I’d give you a name in return but I’m afraid I don’t recall it. You may call me simply Stag if you wish. “