the swarm of things - Printable Version

P A L L A S
the man who sleeps with a knife
is a fool every night but one

Pallas's jaw ached as he carefully chose his three-legged path down to the crossroads of Tunnel H, greyish objects hoarded in maw and arm. He had to get them all home- all of it, all of his things. The ice and water didn't help a bit as he navigated. His fur felt completely on end in this cold and wet, several curses rolling through his mind and over the fuzzy things over his tongue.

He just had to get home safely, even if he lost some on the way. No- he couldn't lose them! His teeth ground ever so softly on the delicate things. It was hard work hobbling home, and he risked injury, or worse, losing them from his grip entirely. Who cares if there's broken bones, as long as his things aren't broken.

He needed a name for them. Things didn't suffice- fuzzy rocks? But... They weren't rocks. He had to avoid stamping his feet lest he slip in anger. The items dumbfounded the linsang. Maybe he could just... Name them. He felt personal enough to them, anyways.

And so, ever so carefully, he came across a slick piece of ice, wet from the storms raging across the caves. Pallas hissed around the rocks. There was no way around, unless he wanted to wade through water and risk dropping his things from his paw-hold. He could feel his claws flex and eyes shut as he huffed in frustration.

Taking a deep breath through his nostrils, Pallas took a step forward, putting faith in his footsteps to carry him to his goal. His claws tapped against hard, slick ice, and he felt himself lose his grip and stumble. Panicked, his paw clutching the things flew out as he skidded across the ice and nearly into the freezing water. The things scattered, some following close behind while many felt the pull of gravity into the watery puddle.

Pallas avoided breathing in the things in his mouth, dropping them to the ice with a gasp. Fear washed over him. His things! Like a cartoon character unable to get his traction, Pallas skidded in place for a moment as he veered back, running to the water with a loud splash. Luckily, none had floated too far to the point he had to swim, and yet it was still anxiety inducing for the Gembound as he scrambled to gather his things back to him.

@Legion

RE: the swarm of things - Legion - Jul 18 2019

This tunnel was cold. Legion found their component mites having to vibrate constantly just to stay awake, and alert, and avoid being frozen; as a result they could fee, too, their metabolism spiking, their hunger rising. The queen in particular was wary, guiding the swarm and their chosen bioluminescent body across the ice. Though they seemed to walk, Legion in fact buzzed and floated a few inches off the ground, each step secure where it landed midair.

There was a clatter ahead, and a splash. The swarm paused, a loud and curious hum emanating from it, and all at once--in a vague and indistinct blur of its normal shape--it swept forward.

There was a creature, there, scurrying about, picking up somethings from the water. It appeared at least a little distressed, and so Legion coalesed mostly into a solid form, tilting its large-eyed head in curiosity. There was a buzzing undercurrent to its voice as it spoke, though its tone--as a whole--seemed concerned and genuine.

"Are you--okay? Do you nnneed help?"

It hovered a few feet away, hesitant, a gentle and curious naivety in its demeanor.

@Pallas

RE: the swarm of things - Pallas - Jul 18 2019

P A L L A S
the man who sleeps with a knife
is a fool every night but one

A contented sigh of relief escaped Pallas as he waded in the water, his things regathered about him. They were safe. His entire composure dropped in relaxation at the safety they brought him. His thick paws floated them closer to his body, his long tail sweeping about them in protection. "I've got you," he murmured to his things.

The linsang's eyes squinted at the rising buzzing coming forth. He couldn't pin it- the noise was odd, almost too close for comfort, like a mosquito rising up the back of your neck.

He startled when a voice spoke to him. The buzzing cut through it, though Pallas wholly unexpected it. His vision was on the things one moment, and the next an odd... Well, he couldn't place what it was. It seemed to be the source of the buzzing, Pallas came to realize, as he turned his head this way in that in investigation. The moment hung before Pallas moved to answer, hovering a paw over his things. "We're fine. Thank you, though," he hummed, nearly an opposite of his usual stand-offish demeanor.

His things... This creature, did they like his things? What did they think of them? Did they want them? Animalistic, Pallas stood on all fours and performed a tight circle in the water around his precious objects. "Have you seen these? They're so pretty- they're mine, and they're good." His voice was lilted, enchanted by the strange objects. Dark eyes watched for movement before he stopped opposite of them, putting the things between himself and the creature. "Here, look, look!" He pushed a larger flower to the creature, his neck held high proudly. "Aren't they gorgeous? They're mine, though- but, you can look, see?" A claw revealed itself from orange paws and traced about the spines of the cluster. "It's so pretty. Like.. A flower, but... Better."

Pallas could feel his breath fill with pride. These were his gorgeous things, and this creature had the privilege of seeing them as he did! Even the smell, at this point, was no point of thought to him. All he cared about was how great they made him feel.

@Legion

RE: the swarm of things - Legion - Jul 18 2019

Legion's two large eyes--the formed ones, the created shapes--blinked. It was a realistic gesture, one they'd picked up from others. Quietly, they slinked closer.

"We did not see the things," they answered, after a moment, the hum still beneath their voice. They could taste something on the air--some sweet-rotten scent--and it was entrancing. But they did not forget their manners. 

"We are Legion. May we see it--more closely? We have never smelled anything like that, before." Legion's body shifted, briefly breaking, in parts, into a brownish cloud of mites before rapidly reforming, and the resulting form took a tentative step closer--then paused, looking to Pallas for permission.

Normally, the swarm would be far more curious about the linsang, and eager to meet a friend, but... something about that odor had them enraptured.

@Pallas

RE: the swarm of things - Pallas - Jul 18 2019

P A L L A S
the man who sleeps with a knife
is a fool every night but one

A smile and a puff of his chest came over Pallas. They hadn't seen these things! Pearly whites revealed themselves as he looked between the creature and his flowers, tail waving from side to side. He was the reason they were seeing these things. A second paced circle carried Pallas away and back to the things, his excitement driving him to movement. He barely noticed the breaking of the creature's form, his vision solely on the prospect of teaching this privileged about his things.

He hesitated at the question though, his motion pausing ever so slightly. They want to see it... More closely? Dual elation and fear took over two halves of Pallas's mind. "Uh- yes! But.." He sniffed at the objects, lost in thought. Did they want his objects? Were they playing a trick on him? But, on the other paw, they were interested. He needed to show them this thing. Blinking fast, Pallas huffed with resignation. "Yes, you may come and look." His tailtip flicked in an unsettled feeling as he ran his eyes over their form. Was it shifting? His eyes narrowed as his long neck craned closer, stepping to the side to get closer without stepping over his things. "My name is Pallas," he offered, dark eyes glancing to the odd structues of Legion's own- something was off about this creature, but he just couldn't put his paw on it. It wasn't the 'we' part, mostly. He chalked that up to odd sentence structure for the most part, but something about the physical form just put him on edge.

He could notice something, at least, as he stepped closer if allowed. It was like they were some illusion, shimmering and shifting softly before him. The buzzing was eminating from them- were they laden with magic? Satisfied with his inspection, though, Pallas turned back to his things and sat in the shallow portion of puddle. He would save questions for later. For now, he waited with bated breath, ready to take in the interaction of Legion and his things. As long as Legion didn't dare to take any of them.

@Legion

RE: the swarm of things - Legion - Jul 18 2019

Legion drew closer, the swarm buzzing with curiosity. Every single mite was fascinated, though a good number also voiced worry--dissent--about the encroaching odor. Many of them hummed that perhaps they should wait, but the majority won out, the queen bringing the whole right up to one of Pallas' clusters to inspect.

Some of the mites--near-microscopic, and a dusty brown--zipped down to touch and sniff and feel. A moment later they returned, satisfied--elated, even, as Pallas had been, and enthralled.

And equally as rapt, and suddenly feeling a new urge, Legion turned to the Linsang and spoke. They forgot, now, to give any life to their false eyes, which seemed glassy and unblinking.

"...May we take one? To show others?" they buzzed softly. It was a polite request, and not a demand, the swarm hovering in Legion's form uncertainly--yet with a leaning forward, a yearning, clear in its shape.

@Pallas

RE: the swarm of things - Pallas - Jul 18 2019

P A L L A S
the man who sleeps with a knife
is a fool every night but one

The movement and shimmering of the... dust? Covering Legion interested Pallas. It almost caught him as much as the flowers did. They would have his full attention, perhaps, if it weren't for his objects. His tongue ran over his teeth as he shifted from paw to paw, watching with wide eyes as Legion interacted with his things. They were buzzing more, reminding him of insects even further. It didn't help that some of the dust broke off to inspect his thing. This creature was... Odd, but, there were many oddities among the caves.

Breaking free from his hesitation, Pallas straightened proudly when attention was brought back to him. Even if they were odd, with their odd eyes and odd dust and form, they were pleased with his things! Pallas had done the mysterious duty of showing off his precious finds.

Though, he paused in his exuberant, tail-thumping glee at the question. Almost immediately did his expression sour. Protectively, he stepped forward and extended his long body over his things, staring with intensity into Legion's eyes. An almost hiss rose in his throat. Of course they couldn't take one! But... To show others? The linsang was quiet as he continued his pace over the things, stepping over them again in thought like a swirling snake.

Stopping where he started his pacing, Pallas inhibited a growl. It was almost heartwrenchingly painful to even suggest what was dancing in his mind, and yet... These things, they needed to be shown to others. Pallas, with his small form, he probably wouldn't be able to get really anyone to see his things. The others needed to see them. They needed to be spread.

Feeling his lips curl from his teeth, Pallas shut his eyes and turned his head vainly. "You may borrow one." An eye opened to watch, tail curling tight around his body as he sat again, eyeing Legion once more. "Just. One. One of my things," he warned. He couldn't have this creature running off with all his things, now could he? He expected them to be back, with the emphasis on the word 'borrow', and yet... This was a huge risk for him. Legion may never return with his thing. But it could still be his even if it was held by someone else.

@Legion

RE: the swarm of things - Legion - Jul 19 2019

All of Legion's body vibrated with pleasure, as if, for a moment, they were purring.

"Oh, thank you!" they exclaimed, ecstatic joy humming in their combined myriad voices. "Please, thank you--where can we find you? To return it? We will share them! It! We will share it!" Delicately those many-mite-forepaws reached out to pick up one of the smaller clusters, the thing seeming to waver and hesitate midair as hundreds of mites struggled to lift it and draw it back. 

"We will show others... we will share this. We will bring it back. We will join them all back together." It was a low, rapt mantra, half-entranced by the cluster before them. Legion's shape withdrew from the pile, the single cluster taken with it.

They could not remember what else they had been doing. Nothing in their lives had ever been quite so important, it seemed, as taking this object and bringing it to others. Finally, they had purpose! They would not let... they would not let... Pallas? Down. Others. They wouldn't let anyone down.

This puzzled, half-coherent thought accepted, the swarm looked to Pallas with wide, excited eyes.

@Pallas

RE: the swarm of things - Pallas - Jul 19 2019

P A L L A S
the man who sleeps with a knife
is a fool every night but one

Legion's energy was infectious, to say the least. Pallas could almost feel his negative emotions dripping away. The rare smile took over him as his tail thumped with a happy finality. "Take whichever one you want," he encouraged, head leaning to watch closely. "You're very welcome!" He straightened back, grinning to Legion's odd face.

One paw lifted to his muzzle at the question, pupils drifting up in thought. "Cetus," he began, humming ever so softly. "That way." The lifted paw pointed which way it was from the tunnel's crossroads. "I live where the trees are the thickest, in a low branch den by a dead stump. The water's not too deep where I live. Just look for vines and weaved things and you'll find it. I've marked the tree a little by its roots and it's a little bit lifted from the water, kind of like a cage." He nodded, mentally mapping the route there. He had to admit, even he got lost, sometimes, but he'd been growing to learn the forest and enjoy it.

"I'll be there, I can hang some of these things down from the uh.. Overhang, so you can find it easier." Finally, his paw reached forward to drag some of the flower clusters closer to him. "They're really gorgeous, aren't they? They... Deserve to be together." He sat, entranced for a brief moment, before clearing his throat and turning back to Legion. "I'm headed home with these now, if you want to come and see where I live. Plus, uh..." He huffed. "I don't think I can carry all of them. I already slipped once." Already, he was mentally picking out those he'd take- the large ones, for sure, but more of the smaller ones would fit better in his mouth. Reaching with his paw, he absentmindedly drifted more closer, those he could assure that he could carry with ease in his mouth and still walk well.

"Uh- or, well.." He hissed to himself mentally. "I can't carry them all." A sad gaze rested over those he had to forsake for the safety of others. "I suppose you could take another if you want- it's not many, but..." He huffed. He wasn't able to carry much at all in his arm, and really only about three of the five he'd retrieved would fit in his mouth. "I trust you to keep them safe." His head bobbed at the last word. "Share them. More to share means more people can see them."

He didn't really understand why they had to be shared, though. It haunted his subconscious, like a small suppressed voice whispering out against a brick wall of fascination. They were wrong, they were perfect, they were things.

"Anyways, I should get home." His tail flickered as he stood, haunches wet from being seated in the water. "You're free to follow or anything." Without waiting for an answer, he bent and carefully scooped as many of the clusters as he could in his mouth before looking back to Legion. Two were secure, but one threatened to fall from his gaping teeth. Another (gentle) bob of the head and a paw gesture to the other thing was offered.

It was up to Legion if they wanted to take it, even if it felt like Pallas's soul was ripped from his body from the thought.

@Legion

RE: the swarm of things - Legion - Jul 19 2019

Joyous fascination--rapt at both the linsang (their new friend!) and the clusters--rippled visibly through the swarm.

"We thank you. We will help! We will follow," they buzzed. Legion's shape swept down, briefly blurring in a haze of dusty brown; any clusters that Pallas was unable to carry were carefully lifted high. They seemed almost to absorb into Legion's body, drifting upward until they settled in what seemed to be its jaws.

"...We think we have been there. We will follow," Legion repeated, "to the wet place, the dark place. And then we will keep them safe. And share them," they assured Pallas earnestly.

Even now, some of the swarm--its Queen included--were trying to figure out just why these clusters were so important. Why were they precious? Why did they need to be shared, protected? But the rest of the swarm was too busy thinking about how precious they were, and how best to share and protect them--enough that the minority "why" was eclipsed, their voices drowned out by Legion's own masses.

Quietly they followed Pallas, a happy hum emanating from them, fascinated at this new turn of events in their lives. 

Surely this could all only be a good thing.

exit Legion
@Pallas