There’s been a lot on his mind, and he’s beginning to get tired of thinking by this point. Entirely unlike him, truly, however pervasive thoughts would wear out even the most logical of trolls. At the very least he hasn’t been called upon, so he’s been able to remain inside his hive and devote himself to machinism projects he’d been leaving in the back-burner for the Highblood’s sake.
Darkleer had to appreciate the little things sometimes.
she goes silent , inhaling , exhaling . calming herself , her mind . so she doesn’t go on another speech like her matesprit her words would never be true if she let emotion get in the way and she knew that . she also knew he was right . she needed to keep in mind that this wasn’t a normal highblood ─ he was someone who could crush her easier than she’d ever admit out loud .
❛ i know . it is evfurryone’s fate to perish one day . just like it is our fate to be treated the way we are . that however does not mean i will not stop fighting . i know who i am facing , i know there is no pawssible way for me to win against him … yet . it is my calling , it is my fate to do this , just like it is his to kill us . it is what was meant to be , and who am i to go against it ? ❜
She had always been strong, and it was impossible for Darkleer not to admire her for that. In the end, he understood that this was what they’d been fated for. The Signless was meant to die, and his Disciple was the one who would document his existence. His teachings would live on, and while Darkleer couldn’t say he understood them... There was a feeling of community within them he couldn’t help but envy. Even as someone who was so painfully aware of his position, he sometimes wished he would be treated with even an inkling of kindness from those he served so diligently.
But such thing wasn’t meant to be. The only lowblood to have shown him kindness was that rebel, and he supposed wishing for more would be pure greed on his behalf. “ You ought not throw your life away so easily. Even if you are aware of your mortality, at least attempt to prolong your life enough so your battle can truly mean something. And so his sacrifice and devotion will not be cut all too short. As someone who has those who deeply care for her... ” Requited or otherwise, much to his chagrin. “ I am aware that you will continue to push forward, and that we will lock horns again in the future. I rather look forward to that. ”
“ I’M NOT GONNA MOTHERFUCKING BET ON THAT. “ After all, this grub might grow up to become the next sufferer. He was bearing his sign and The Highblood was not going to make the same mistake as before. Underestimating this mutant’s influence..
“ NOW GET OUTTA MY MOTHERFUCKING SIGHT BEFORE I DECIDE TO SMEAR YOUR SHITTY MUG ON MY WALL TOO. ” He was losing his patience, the bit of patience he had for his underlings or the Condesce. Right now he was already thinking about who to pick in order to replace Darkleer though.
“Is the Empress aware of your decision, Highblood? Or are you merely following your whims as per usual?” He didn’t seem to be willing to budge, and honestly? The Empress and her word outweighed the Highblood’s own in Darkleer’s lookstubs. And even if she had allowed it, which he doubted as he would have heard of this as the executioner. “This only seems like an excuse to unlawfully add another hue to your wall, overstepping her authority if such is the case. A hue you could have attained back in the day, so why didn’t you?”
Did he even care about the hierarchy? He was certain he hadn’t received any messages regarding the younger Vantas which allowed for the Highblood to do as he pleased. While he understands his role, and the purpleblood’s own, he knows that if he doesn’t speak up regarding the fact he would not be able to live with himself. If he had to be replaced, then so be it. Even as a devoted servant, Darkleer is well aware of just how replaceable he is. But for once he wanted to stand up for himself on behalf of someone who was too young to be dragged into this hoofbeast shit.
He rose to his proper height, turning to now face Darkleer as he fixated the other with a long stare, that might have cut the other apart if his looks could do that. Sadly they couldn’t.
“ YOU THINK I GIVE A MOTHERFUCKING
— SHIT ABOUT THAT? “
With slow steps, he moved closer towards the blue blooded troll. “ THIS AIN’T ABOUT FUCKING PASTS OR FUTURES OR CONVENIENCE - ITS ABOUT DELIVERING THE PUNCHLINE, BROTHER. IT’S BEEN LONG OVERDUE.” His last step pulled him directly in front of Darkleer, the Highblood’s eyes narrowing.
“… YOU GONNA TRY RUIN MY PUNCHLINE FOR ME? “
“Punchline? How is this long overdue if not pertaining the Sufferer, then? His descendant has absolutely no reason to become something like that.” Oh, he would have shrunk back if his pride wasn’t keeping him in place. He knew the Highblood’s type. He knows that he enjoys pushing others around because he’s earned the right due to that ridiculous strength of his. But Darkleer is so tired of serving someone who rarely used his thinkpan for anything that didn’t involve his own selfish desires.
Did he even respect the empire anymore? His posture was anything but the resigned, submissive one Darkleer usually adopted around the purpleblood. He actually seemed angry for a change.
He stopped in his movements and growled, turning his head back to shoot Darkleer a glare.
“ I DON’T REMEMBER ASKING FOR YOUR MOTHERFUCKING OPINION . “
“You did not, however I will still provide you with my insight. This makes absolutely no sense, and it strikes me as some desperate attempt to do what you didn’t do back then. With a troll who isn’t even an adult, to top it off. I frankly am rather surprised you can even feel pride in such pitiful kills. Are you sincerely challenging yourself? Or are you merely driven by convenience because this is the easiest route?”
“Highblood if I may interject, is this really necessary? You had the chance of taking that hue back in the day, and you didn’t. Why shouldn’t I point out that logical fallacy now?”
The Highblood had taken his club with him and was dragging it around after him, leaving a line of colorful blood to follow him as he lead Darkleer deeper into his circus. They made it past horroshow after horrorshow. It seemed like murder was the most popular thing to do around here, when no one had to do anything. That stopped however, when they reached a darker, almost quiet part within a big tent, guarded by two more SUbjugglators.
The Highblood entered and found himself staring at a row of lowblooded trolls. They were still alive, chained to the walls, all lined up. Some were shaking, others had come to accept their fate.
“WELL THEN, MR. EXECUTIONER.. WORK YOUR MIRACLES ON ‘EM MOTHERFUCKER. ‘S YOUR JOB THA EXECUTE, AIN’T IT?”
Again, just done to make Darkleer uncomfortable. The Highblood had no problem with killing these lowbloods himself. In fact, he wanted to do it himself but.. For now he would see how long it took the blue blood to follow this order.
There he went, giving nonsensical orders. It was obvious that the Highblood himself wanted to end their lives, but there was some ulterior motive behind this order. Was he attempting to test his loyalty? He’d almost be offended by the implication if it didn’t feel necessary. As previously stated, Darkleer didn’t fear death. But he knew that if he disobeyed the command, it was likely these trolls would get tortured regardless of their perceived crimes. The purpleblood’s kills weren’t always instantaneous, because he relished in the fear that he created.
Some would be used to torture those who hadn’t come to terms with their imminent demise, even. They were nothing but game and tools to the massive troll besides him. As much as he respected the caste system, he knew that these prisoners probably had no crimes relevant enough to warrant an execution. If they had a crime to their name other than being on the lower side of the spectrum, that was. But in the end their predicament boiled down to the fact that they either perished by the Highblood’s hand or his own.
He’d procured his heavy bow from it’s usual resting spot against his back, along with an arrow extracted from his trusty quiver. Anyone with enough matter in their thinkpan would notice the bow alone seemed to weight too much for just anyone to hoist it, much less position it impeccably aimed at the row of prisoners. In the end, it was him or the Highblood. That was what he had to tell himself, because he’d rather be fair and quick with his motions rather than dragging out their suffering like the purplebloods seemed to enjoy. Every arrow released from his tight grip soared through the air and struck precisely where he intended, either the pump biscuit or meal tunnel. He knew those spots, with that force, would at the very least mean near-instant death. One unfortunate troll made the mistake of shifting the position of their thinkpan, which was less than ideal but it got the job done regardless.
Lowering the bow to his side, Darkleer exhaled slowly. He didn’t feel like watching the life slip out of those who didn’t immediately perish, but he did. If only to make sure they’d pass without needing further assistance. He didn’t do this for pleasure or power, no. He did it because it was his duty. Even they deserved at least a modicum of respect for a moment as intimate as death.
The Highblood continued to watch Darkleer, claws tapping against the bony armrest. He had his own thoughts running through his twisted think pan. Even if the purple bloods were not the most ingenius ones, they acted a lot on instinct and instinct could tell him when someone was doubtful, or with no faith. Darkleer, had no faith in anything but the fact that the hemospectrum served a purpose. That was not enough to hold him on a leash though.
The Highblood knew that one day, Darkleer would snap.
When the meal was served, he peered down at the over sized bowl filled with all kinds of colors. Like a liquid rainbow. It almost looked nice if it weren’t for the remains within the pot.Everyone knew about his cannibalistic tendencies, perhaps that also helped to keep the bluebloods in check. After all, no one wanted to get culled and especially not eaten.
He picked up the entire bowl and poured the contents down his maw, letting some run past the corners of his mouth. The slurping and crunching and followed, was far from quiet.
When he was done, he tossed the bowl aside and wiped his mouth with the back of his claw. “ NOW GET YOUR ASS MOVING, MOTHERFUCKER. “ No explanation needed, or the fact that Darkleer always stood ready. The Highblood simply lead him out of the throne room and deeper into the carnival.
Perhaps if he pushed his buttons further, he could see how prone Darkleer was to betraying them.
Those piercing lookstubs continued to burn into his back as he worked. He knew that the other was pondering regarding his hemoloyalty, and in all honesty he was becoming steadily more disenchanted with those he ought to see as his masters. Highblood was right, belief in the caste system was not enough to keep even the most loyal trolls on a leash once they begun to realise how full of vices those above them were. And yet, what else would there be for him? This is all he has known, from cradle to grave, regardless of his personal views on these subjects and his distaste for gratuitous violence.
Nose wrinkled slightly at the noisy slurping and crunching, however he focused on cleaning what he could in the meantime. Or he was attempting to do that when the other’s bark reached him. Blinking blearily in the massive troll’s direction, he had the nagging feeling that this could not end well for him. Darkleer’s response was automatic, and he set aside the rag he’d been using before making his way to the purpleblood’s side- Perhaps just a couple of steps behind in order to at least keep their hierarchical difference where it should be.
This definitely didn’t bode well, but all he could do was wait and see with this one. He personally wasn’t keen on the carnival, as the excess brutality on display seemed entirely needless.
there he goes again speaking things he didn’t want to hear, spilling words that made his blood boil && his skin tighten uncomfortably. at first, there wasn’t a serious bone in his BODY when the suggestion had been made- after all, he also had business to tend to. but, even so, it was how he didn’t even need to take a moment to consider it that got to him.
❛i’m sure they could survive a few days without you. they’re not helpless wrigglers. ❜ he pauses for a moment when he realizes his own tone. ❛ but if that’s how you feel then alright, i guess. ❜
" Why are you so adamant on making these jokes? ” Darkleer questioned, working to pull his hair back just enough so the sleek black curtain would remain behind powerful shoulders. “ Is it so amusing to toy with a highblood’s thinkpan? ” He didn’t have time to continue playing games with the Summoner. The more they did this complicated dance, the more Darkleer had come to realise he was becoming confused.
“ ... I don’t have time for games, Summoner. I have no interest in being dragged about for your amusement. ” Regardless, the notion that he was being used hurt him. He didn’t understand why he would be bothered, it wasn’t as if he expected anything from this troll. Right?
❝ yes . though – like i have told the highblood the countless time’s he has yelled for me to beg for my life . i have been ready and willing to die since i knew what death was . if i am able to fight for something – and leave my impact on our world , even after death . then – it was all worth it . was it not ? if there’s even a small chance that future generations will be able to live in harmony – then our work will be done . we can .. continue on in whatever afterlife there is in happiness ! ❞ she actually pauses after her own mini speech , before giving a small sigh . really – she was adapting her matesprits way of talking far to easily .
❝ i have , began to notice their little patterns . one checks up on me every once in a while . it seems to happen twice . one right as the moon rises , one not long before it sets . i am only waiting for enough energy , and enough information on the highblood himself to make my escape . ❞
Even as his personal servant, Darkleer knew he only understood him partially. The purpleblood was too unpredictable, even within what little logic he did employ. It was that religion of his that caused him to be so problematic, the messiahs and miracles and that hoofbeast shit he was tired of hearing about. Still, her little speech was littered with the Signless’ ideology, and he couldn’t help but smell the self-delusion from a mile away. Reaching up to unclasp his headgear, he slid that away before using his free hand to massage his right temple. His thinkpan ached, but that was a constant state for him trapped within this filthy carnival.
“ Keep in mind who you are facing. This is the way things have always been, and even with a rebellion there is also a chance these efforts will amount to nothing. Empires are built on the back of those lower in the spectrum, under the hand of the ones above. They will not relinquish their grip on the system easily, and they will target those attempting to stir the pot. ” His frown deepens. “ If it isn’t them to end those lives, time certainly will. Everyone, even... ” Darkleer’s voice trailed off, briefly caught up in remembering that their days were numbered regardless of their actions. “ Even he would perish... ”
He found extreme amusement in the other’s torment. Anyone’s torment, really. It was funny cause he didn’t know how Darkleer would react and to see him suddenly defy the Highblood was… New. At first, he wasn’t sure how to react to this unnatural phenomenon.
Would a crazy Darkleer even be amusing to have around?
Perhaps not, he was not going to mess up his thinkpan, it was good the way it was. Obedient, straight and simple. Now he got a glimpse of a new side however. Interesting.
“COURSE YA DON’T. YOU’RE BLIND AND DEAF, MOTHERFUCKER.” He had tightened his grip so much that the skull got crushed and crumbled to the ground as the Highblood let go of Darkleer.
“YA CAN’T HOPE TO EVER HEAR OR SEE ‘EM. IT WAS A MOTHERFUCKING JOKE! GET IT?!.” He sneered, stepping over the skull remains to return to his throne. He had pushed Darkleer far, he wondered how far he could go. If he could make the other snap.
That was for another day though, for now they still needed the other the way he was. He and his blue blooded brothers and sisters. They all were a great addition to their army of Subjugglators. Even the Highblood was not crazy enough to deny that.
Darkleer had accepted that he would either live to see himself betray the castes he’d grown to serve or die by someone’s merciless hand. He was definitely not a fan of death, but the indigo was often surrounded by it. Lowbloods were culled basically as a sport, highbloods continued to thrive in conquering planets and either got done in by other races or at hands of their own if they were to fail. It was a barkbeast eats barkbeast world.
He’d never wanted to see them in the first place. He had no interest in the purpleblood’s religion, because it was toxic propaganda regarding some messiahs who enjoyed bloodbaths and put themselves before the empire. Much like the Highblood did, so he wasn’t at all surprised this selfish religion fit him like a glove. Perhaps his sense of loyalty was an anomaly, where he played the role of beaten servant to a T without ever seeing his superiors following suit regarding their own loyalties.
At the very least after a little more hassling and the crunching of bones he was finally left be to finish cooking. Serving this troll was both an honour and utter disappointment, as he was able to see him beyond the Subjugglation he often boasted about with his subjects. They were creatures of vice, not role models or figures of virtue by anything that wasn’t their own standard. Regardless, he didn’t have any options. His sense of duty and immense loyalty to the hemospectrum would be his downfall, specially since they conflicted with his morality to an extent.
Though this was hardly the time to dwell on it. As he served the gargantuan troll his meal, the furrowed brow had flattened back to it’s usual position of resigned lack of amusement. This was the path he must follow until he either decided to betray the empire or got culled, hopefully not by Dualscar’s hand because that would be just embarrassing.
“ THAT’S BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T BEEN BLESSED.” And here he started again about his religious believes as reasoning for why the Indigo wouldn’t find something like murder, not straight up amusing. Otherwise it would make no sense to the Highblood. Murder was the pinnacle of beauty, pure miracles seeping out of flesh sacks.
“SEE YOUR KIND HAS ALWAYS BEEN USEFUL BUT YOU AIN’T HEARING IT CAUSE YOUR EARS ARE ALL UP AND WRONG.” He pushed the skull to the side agian so it would sit properly on Darkleer’s head, then he took his face in a claw and forced him to peer into the pot.
“ YOU AIN’T SEEING THE MIRACLES OR HEARING THE HONKS!! JUST LIKE THESE MOTHERFUCKERS.”
A troll head, or what was left of it, rose to the surface and stared back at Darkleer before sinking back down to the bottom of the pot…
“ WOULDN’T TAKE MUCH TO MAKE YOU HEAR THEM THOUGH. ALL YOU NEED IS TO MESS UP YOUR THINKPAN A LITTLE…” He began pushing Darklee’s face towards the boiling blood pot, inch by inch…
No.
This wasn’t fine with him. He’d been raised and taught that higher castes were to be respected and listened to, but his sense of self preservation was still there. He’d never enjoyed the Highblood’s cultist views, and the way he continued to push boundaries for his own selfish desires. He never expected a Subjugglator to have any semblance of honour, as even when they attempted to enforce the law there was always some hidden agenda behind it.
They weren’t there to serve the Empress. Each of the highbloods above him was out to serve themselves, one way or the other. Of course he couldn’t hear the Honks, and he honestly didn’t want to. Not when he knew those same revelations had caused the Highblood to become this relentless force who rarely used his thinkpan in ways that weren’t convenient for him. Logic meant little to him, and when brawn was there to back him up who really needed their thinkpan?
The inching suddenly stopped short, as the purpleblood’s hand would soon find resistance in Darkleer. Of course the Executor hadn’t even begun squirming, an eerie silence engulfing him and somehow making his resistance even more apparent. He’d stiffened his neck, frown set across his lips as he spread his legs just enough to get a better balance.
“ I have no interest in such thing, Highblood. Could I please finish what I was doing without you wanting to interrupt me for playtime? ” His voice never once wavered while those words rolled off his tongue in the flattest tone yet. He was not afraid, that much was obvious. Even with the steam from the bubbling contents so close to his face it was making beads of sweat gather against stinging flesh.
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