[SYNOPSIS]
Higher Beings, these words are for you alone...… but first, who are you?
Backstory Options:
The Noble
You are a noble. Not of any special blood, but rather one of the common caste among the nobles. Your family found its money in the Crystal Peaks, mining the minerals there and becoming the leading, and only, company able to supply the valuable substance.
New money. That's what you were, and it didn't do you any favors with those of older wealth. Your family's reputation and business practices did not endear you to the common folk, either. Still, you loved your mother with all of your heart, and the woman, now in her twilight years and fading fast, had raised you as best she could.
The reins of the company had only recently been handed over, and with your mother's advice and your own determination to rise, you had dived in, trying to mend relations with the workers while further improving production. This had mixed results, but you didn't give up.
One day, you were examining the most recent dig site yourself, the surveyor having quit, when something caught your eye. You fell to your knees as something drilled into your mind. It was as if one thousand voices had suddenly joined you in the solitude of your thoughts.
Suddenly, they were gone.
You stood, changed. There was perhaps a manic light in your eye now. Perhaps something odd about the way you moved.
It didn't matter.
You knew what to do.
Upon Choosing This Option, You Gain:
[{[ Perks]}]
[A Loving Mother]
Your old lady will go to bat for you, and by that I mean she'll hire some good folks to take a bat to the kneecaps of anyone who messes with you.
[New Wealth]
You're rich, but not rich. Money is rarely an issue, and you have some connections.
[Crystals]
You have access to an exclusive resource. If any tribe wants to build something more advanced than a lock, they've got to trade with you.
[{[Malices]}]
[Impudent Brat]
The old wealth of the City of Tears were never going to like you. It just so happened that, when you were younger, you also spilled a drink directly onto Lurien the Watcher's nice cloak.
[The Threat of Unionization]
Your workers are unhappy. With you and your family, but mostly with you. There have been whispers of something called a "union," and you don't like it.
---
[The Failed Scholar]
You are a genius, despite what others may claim.
Idiots!
They were all fools, shrinking in the shadow of your mind! That charlatan Monomon, unable to properly defend herself from your arguments, had sent you away. They were all too blind to see. Too blind to understand!
It was the Moths! The Moths were the source of the Sleeping Sickness. Their Radiance, a forgotten god, a petty god. Even now, you could feel her gnawing at the edges of your mind, trying to take you as well.
Thankfully, you had plenty of mind to spare.
The moment you had mentioned your theory to the council of scholars, their faces had blanched, your research was defunded, and a boot was firmly planted in your back as you were kicked out and banned from the Archives.
You'd show them. You'd show them all.
You had friends. Colleagues. Others who understood what really mattered. The letter in your hand told you that you were not alone. The Soul Sanctum praised your work. They wished to know more.
As you settled into your small apartment, you winced slightly as something more burrowed into your mind. A cacophony of sounds, opinions, ideas.
It was gone in a second.
A smile spread across your face, wide and manic.
You knew what to do.
[{{[ Upon Choosing This Option, You Gain: ]}}]
[{[ Perks ]}]
[A Brilliant Mind]
Brilliant, but terrible. You know what you are doing, and when it comes to matters of Soul, few are your equal. You have a knack for finding out things that should not be known.
[Pure of Soul, but Not of Mind]
You are gifted in magic, picking things up quickly and working even faster to innovate. You lack the boundaries others place on themselves.
[A Letter of Invitation]
You've received an invitation to join the Soul Sanctum. Like-minded individuals are always welcome.
[{[ Malices ]}]
[State "Interest"]
You are known for knowing too much, and thus are under surveillance and suspicion.
[Creeping Madness]
The Radiance has found a brilliant mind in the Waking World. With it, she could cause the Pale King true damage.
She will have it.
---
[The Nosk]
You were… something else.
Young compared to your many siblings, you were still many hundreds of years older than any of the prey, the bugs, living around you. Awareness, though, had only come in the last few days.
Traditionally, you disguised yourself using the memories of those you hunted. Loved ones, lost ones, hated ones; all were used in order to get your prey to follow.
It had been a regular day for you, only…
A small creature had moved into your den, and when you tried to copy it, you found yourself, just for a moment, reduced to nothing.
It was as if the prey you had tried to entrap was an empty vessel, hollow of any will, wants, or memories.
For a moment, you experienced nonexistence.
And then you came back, more aware than ever. Your abilities changed. Your very mind changed.
But the Hunger was still there.
You crept around Deepnest, putting your new abilities to the test, taking the shape of a recent prey you had just eaten before stepping into the village. You were welcomed with the relief given to an old friend and drawn into the heart of their lives.
Exactly as planned.
But you didn't strike.
Even as they sat you down. Even as the large family of the person who had once held this form embraced you, speaking words of gratitude, of love…
They were vulnerable.
You did not attack.
A disgrace. A failure. A defective Nosk.
What were you worth if you didn't attack?
You lay in your stolen bed, stolen body, and stolen life, considering this, when your mind warped once more as though you tried to pull too many memories from too many minds at once. It ached, and your stolen form nearly cracked.
Then, it was gone.
Unbidden, a smile formed.
You didn't know what a smile was until that point.
You knew what to do.
[{{[ Upon Choosing This Option, You Gain: ]}}]
[{[ Perks ]}]
[Nosk]
Your form is malleable, ever-changing. It is hard to hurt you and often hard to recognize you. Shapeshifting is an art you learn when you hatch, or you die.
[Family…]
Your "family" loves you dearly. They are, perhaps, even a bit overprotective sometimes. Your friends as well are grateful to have you back.
[Of the Deep]
Deepnest is your home. There are many advantages that come from this, from protection to reputation. Used well, it can cut deeper than any blade.
[{[ Malices ]}]
[Skin-Stealer]
The guilt eating at you will pale in comparison to what they will do if they find out.
[Of the Deep]
Deepnest is your home. There are many disadvantages that come from this, from prejudice to isolation. It can cut you deeper than any blade.
.
...
...
You have chosen Nosk, a creature changed. Your true form is hated and reviled, but the one you've stolen is not. Take care with that secret.
Nosk has -
+3 to Body
Attack (2*Body Stat)
Defense (3*Body Stat)
+2 to Soul
Spellcasting (2*Soul Stat)
Spell Resistance (3*Soul Stat)
+1 to Mind
Persuasion/Deception/Charm (2*Mind Stat)
Mental Resistance (3*Mind Stat)
You have 10 Stat points to allocate. Post your preferred set alongside a plan name in the box below.
-x-X-x-
Nox, the Nosk >
Title -
The Family Man (Fake)
(+3 To All Rolls When a Family Member is Present) (Only works as long as the Family is unaware you are a Nosk)
Stats:
Body: 7
Attack: 14 (2* BodyStat)
Defense 21 (3* BodyStat)
Mind: 7
Speech 14 (2* MindStat)
Mental Fortitude 21 (3* MindStat)
Soul: 3
Spellcasting 6 (2* SoulStat)
Spell Resistance 9 (3* Soul Stat
Spells Gained:
Shape Change (Free) - Change Shape to Someone You Know Of
Dream Eater (Free) - Draw information from the minds of a target. Roll 1d20+5+Spellcasting vs. their Spell Resistance. If successful, gain information and be able to take the form of someone they know.
Special Inventory:
An Old Nail
-x-X-x-
The caves had been dark.
They had been, but that hadn't mattered to you. The reason why creatures feared darkness was that there might have been something in it. You were that something.
There had never been a creature, big or small, that had been strong enough to threaten you. Not unless they came in force, and the larger groups never found you.
You had never let them find you in those instances.
Dark and Cold. That had been your safety. Your kingdom. You ate at the weaklings that had wandered in, ate the other Nosks who strayed too close, and even when the tendrils of something greater than you began poking their way into you and yours, you ate those as well.
Only…
That had been yesterday.
It was dark in this room. But rather than the rough bed of stone and bone you'd constructed, it was soft. Rather than the cold draft that blew through the cavern, the small chamber of silk and cloth was warm.
And…
.
---------->
.
Rather than being alone with naught but the bones of your food, you had company.
Ever since that moment, you'd been unable to properly take the measures you needed to. This new form, you understood it too well. The small, white, empty thing that had crawled into your lair had broken you somehow.
And then the voices had broken you more, and now suddenly you were both infinitely more and just a little bit less than you had been before.
The sister, or the body you were wearing's sister, grumbled, arms tightening around you. She'd been worried, she said.
She was happy you were back. The Mated Pair had cried tears of happiness, and the sister had refused to let go.
They had been missing your food. They were happy he was back.
They believed a lie.
You could tell, from the taste of their emotions and memories, the depth and truth of their feelings. How happy they were.
It made you feel odd.
A frown fell to your face, and you shifted slightly.
If you weren't going to eat, you needed to go. You could find your food elsewhere. Forget about this body and these bugs.
Your hands fell to the covers, pulling them up slightly.
Your sister, the sister, immediately moved, and a hand wrapped around your own, borrowed fingers.
"Mmmh… Nox…" She muttered, clinging. "Don't go… please… I don't want to be alone…"
You lowered the covers, leaning back against the Pillow.
The other, Nyx, had insisted on sleeping in your room, 'Like old times' to 'keep an eye on you'. Your parents had agreed, and it was only the size of your bed that kept the other sister from joining.
Instead, you lie staring at the ceiling. You didn't sleep, so instead, you thought.
The… voices. They had changed you, made you more.
They had given you perspective. Awareness. Not quite knowledge but more instinct. An understanding of the world around you, a deeper knowledge of who the players were.
The only thing it hadn't given you was direction.
What did you want?
What is the point of this world if you didn't control it?
The reckoning had given you awareness of just how small you were. In comparison to the likes of the Pale King, the White Lady, and even Lord Fool in his colleseum, you were weak.
The thought had you shuddering, and the sister pushed closer into your side as a response. Your arm, driven by instincts of this form long past mind, pulled your own up, wrapping it around her.
Weakness.
It was a disgusting thought. On you couldn't abide by. To be weak was to die.
That was not an option.
Your free hand clenched, and orange hemolymph began seeping out. You stopped, quickly, before it started dripping, and willed the substance back in. The wound closed.
Strength was what you needed. Not just physical or magical, although both would be needed in spades.
The new view of the world had brought you the understanding of strength through different means.
You needed allies, those who provide benefits for you.
You needed servants, those who would carry out orders for you.
You needed friends, those who would die for you.
The question was, where?
How?
Your reach wasn't great. And while Deepnest was strong…
Even the beast could not stand up to the might of a Wyrm…
-x-X-x-
Deepnest.
You would start at home.
This… family.
Your family.
They would help.
You stared at the ceiling just a little bit longer before sinking into your own memories, reviewing, cataloguing, and erasing.
There was nothing else you could do with the time.
---
The next morning, you stood from the bed, your sister having left a while ago. You'd pretended to be asleep when she got up, given how sneaky she was attempting to be.
It wasn't because you care for her.
You just figured that…
Well, you figure it'd be for the best.
About half an hour after she left, you stood from the bed.
Not a grim or wear had collected on your form, and the only morning procedures you went through were to pull your cloak off the rack.
You paused in front of the mirror.
.
----------->
.
It was still you.
You blinked before willing the mask to cover your real eyes.
It wouldn't do for them to see that.
Turning away, you left the small room and entered the main area of the small home. Around the table was the family.
…
Your family.
That felt strange.
.
---------->>>>
.
They all turned as you entered, the table set out with quite an array for breakfast. Items that you didn't normally find in Deepnest, from expensive leaves and seeds, to what looked like grilled Aspid.
It was filled with your… the body's favorite foods.
Something in your chest throbbed. You wondered if perhaps your disguise was failing you.
The Step-Mother, who was, by Mantis culture, known simply by her role as Step-Mother, bowed as you entered, the stoic woman emoting more than the memories, indicating her happiness at your appearance palpably.
"Welcome, honored Son. I hope your sleep was restful."
You nodded respectfully, bowing back in the way the memories indicated. Pleased, the other backed off, as your mother, Nux, bustled forward, drawing you into a long hug. Your memories hadn't quite tipped you off to just how… enthusiastic, the other woman was, with her affections
The feeling of her breasts lingered as she stepped away, her sweater doing nothing to stop the soft feeling of them against your chest.
She would have made a good meal.
Finally, the armored bug stepped forward, looking both uncomfortable in being here, but also thrilled at your appearance.
Athena, your mind told you. She'd gotten into a large argument with your mother about… something, and had left, not visiting for a month at a time. Each time was pleasant enough for you and Nyx, but…
It always ended in screaming matches.
She stepped forward, hesitantly, the normally confident martial bug looking out of place in the traditional Deepnest home.
She laid a hand on your shoulders, shaking slightly.
You tilted your head in a manner to indicate happiness, and she seemed to break down all of a sudden, drawing you into a tight, uncomfortable hug, full of sharp edges and hard metal. You didn't find yourself minding it, though, as you felt tears soak your cloak.
"I- I'm sorry…" She sobbed. "I never should have left. I'm so sorry."
Placing a hand on her back and the other on her shoulder, you hugged just like the memories indicated, but if anything, that made her cry harder.
The two of you stood like that for a while, Nyx joining, before she broke off, Athena sniffling and wiping her face furiously.
"I'm sorry." She said again.
For what?
"There's nothing to apologize for." You said, pleasantly, smiling as best you could.
According to your senses, that only made her feel worse, but her face didn't show it. Instead, she looked determined.
"It won't happen again." She said firmly.
You nodded once.
"Thanks." You didn't know what you were thanking her for, but it seemed to do the trick, and she moved back to her spot. From there, the lot of you ate, a, for you, unfulfilling breakfast. You made all the right noises of pleasure at all the right times, before helping Step-Mother wash the dishes.
From there, you turned, intent on surveying your new territory, when a hand caught your own.
It was Athena.
"Where are you going?" She said," She gripped tight enough to bruise had you been a normal bug. You winced theatrically, and she let go as if burned.
"Just into the village, I… need to walk after what happened." You shuddered.
Her eyes softened and filled with relief.
"Oh… oh. I thought you were going to try something crazy like going to the hive, and I was going to have Nyx sit on you until you agreed not to. Do you… Want me to come with?"
She was in her full armor, and her sword was at her side.
She looked more ready for war than for a walk.
Shrugging, you gave a smile, tugging the corners of your lips upwards in your best rendition of an accepting look. It seemed to work, but still…
You weren't used to piloting a single body for this long. There was a large difference between running away and actually trying to act.
You could do it, don't make a mistake there, but it was a new experience for you.
"Sure! It's a date!"
Your memories told you that was a good response when a girl said she wanted to go with you somewhere.
Athena froze, for a moment, going stiff, before blinking rapidly, and stuttering out several noises that were likely not words at all. You held your smile as she turned on her heel, towards the house.
"I- bag- geo." She stuttered out before practically jumping in and closing the door.
The smile on your face fell, and you tilted your head curiously.
What was that about?
Waiting for a few moments proved correct, as your sister opened the door once more, tinkling pouch in hand as she shut it behind her, stepping up beside you.
"R-ready?" She asked.
You nodded, and the two of you set off towards the center of the distant village.
The thing about the Village of Deepnest was that it was bigger than anyone thought. Rooms hidden in rooms, secret entrances, tunnels.
It was more accurate to say the Maze of Deepnest than anything. The entirety of the place was difficult to navigate if you were not from the area. Dangerous even.
Thankfully, you had plenty of memories of how to do so, and with your sibling, the two of you leaped from thread to thread, along paths, towards the center, and the central market.
As you hopped from thread to thread, you brushed past Athena, arm gliding against hers. The proximity was enough for your nose to trigger the smell of something sweet and floral in the air. You blinked in confusion.
"What's that?" You said aloud, curious if the actual Bug would have insight. The memories didn't provide any help.
Athena blushed, oddly, looking away.
"I can't smell anything." She said, voice tight, before hopping away.
You lingered only a moment, the smell vanishing, before following.
Within moments, you made it to the market, bustling with bugs and spiders alike, all trying to either hawk wares or haggle for more.
The deal the Beast had made with the Pale Monarch had led to many new, and admittedly helpful, wares being sold. It also led to the vendors in question flooding the nest, though. Alongside came something much worse.
Tourists.
Bugs from the City of Tears, Gardens, and even the Surface milled around. Not a lot, but enough to make the normally peaceful and sprawling space feel cramped. Ladders had been, grudgingly, installed for those unfamiliar with the territory, and the lines at each, between levels, were long and filled with numerous bugs.
Slipping into the crowd was easy, and your sister followed close behind. A hand slipped into your own, and you looked back, only for Athena to refuse to meet your eyes, instead pretending to study the numerous rough fabric cloaks you knew your tomboy of a sister wasn't interested in.
Moving in deeper, you did your best to scan the area to find something useful. An idiot Noble to swindle, or perhaps someone carrying their Geo pouch in an unsafe location.
Something that could give you a start, anything that would give you direction on how you could begin.
You wandered for a while, when you spotted your mark.
A noble bug, standing only slightly apart from the crowd. He looked unhappy to be here, and his carapace was quite shiny, something that would make him be considered rather attractive amongst the nobles of Hollow Nest. Oddly enough, he seemed to have more than one coin pouch.
He also had a fat coin purse, tucked against his side, jingling merrily as he glared at the crowd.
Your eyes drifted back to Athena, though, and you considered the best way to do this.
In your distraction, though, you weren't able to dodge before the shoulder of a rather wide bug bumped into you, sending you both sprawling. Athena, who'd kept hold of your hand, used the momentum to swing you back up quickly, although the other, a rather fat bug with a scratched antenna, took more time in getting up, glaring.
"You…" He growled. "Mongrel, watch your step."
The casual venom in his voice washed over you, but Athena evidently took it more personally, stepping forward, mandibles bared. She only stopped when you placed a hand on her shoulder. She glanced at you, seeing your placid expression, before backing down. She still glared daggers at the fat bug, who sneered, turning to walk away.
You figured that was the end of it, when, only a few steps away, he froze, feeling along his mid-section.
"My Geo!" He whipped around, a finger coming up to point at you and Athena. "Thief!"
At this, Athena really did snarl, but before you, she, or the other bug could get any words in, there was a clink, as a needle buried itself in the silk-covered stone between you, and a red blur landed.
.
------------>
.
A red-cloaked bug you didn't recognize landed in between the two of you, clothing flaring dramatically as she steadied herself, before letting out a war cry.
"Shaw!"
The square went silent.
"The peace has been disturbed. Speak your grievances, and know that I, Hornet, Princess of Deepnest, will judicate this disagreement." She declared in a rather bombastic voice.
"That rancid egg stole my geo from me! They're thieves!" The other called quickly, still pointing.
The red cloaked bug, Hornet, turned towards you, nail pointed threateningly.
"You! Accused Cut-Purse! Speak your piece, scum!" She said, instantly.
Not even a chance to defend ourselves?!?
Before you could say anything, though, Athena had evidently had enough and stepped forward, drawing her own short nail.
"Who are you to make such mighty claims and false accusations! Some type of braggart and liar, making false claims! Athena shot back.
Hornet gasped and brandished her needle higher. The tension was thickening.
You wanted to sigh.
-x-X-x-
Yeah.
This wasn't happening.
You didn't know who this red-clad bug was, but what you did know what you were absolutely not dealing with fighting a random bug in the market over something you didn't even do.
And you certainly weren't tolerating your sister getting into trouble for the same thing, even though you could remember her doing exactly that numerous times when you were both growing up.
…
The sister. Not your sister. Because she wasn't your sister, she was a random person who happened to know this disguise.
Anyways, you still weren't quite willing to tolerate any fights at this point. It'd likely draw undue attention, and…
You didn't want Athena to get in trouble.
Stepping forward, you reached out, intending to grab each of the weapons and keep them still as a way to de-escalate the situation. With both of them being mortal, as well as your enhanced physiology, you expected you would be able to defuse this quite easily.
Unfortunately, you had forgotten something.
Namely, the nature of leverage and shapeshifting.
Your shapeshifting, as is natural for a healthy Nosk, was perfect.
Everything from height, size, appearance, and even weight was correct. You did this while keeping your enhanced strength, as well as other abilities.
A nearly perfect combo.
Only, while you, certainly, were stronger than both girls, that did not exactly mean much when you had nothing to stabilize you in place.
This meant that, when you stepped between the two glaring female bugs and pushed your sister's short nail down, whilst taking hold of the needle with your other hand, you weren't prepared for the effects of their reactions.
Athena had instantly lowered her blade anyway at your intervention, your sister's face softening at your own.
Hornet, on the other hand.
"Unhand my blade, scoundrel!" She cried, pulling her Needle upward in order to free it from your grasp. Unfortunately, you had instinctively grabbed on quite tight and quickly found yourself lifted off your feet by the other's strength.
You grunted as you were suddenly in the air here, something that seemed to fluster the other as well, as she stared up at you, her eyes beneath the mask wide at the sight of the boy she'd lifted.
"What-" She started, only to squeak as you began sliding down the nail, uncontrolled, and crashing into the red-cloaked bug. "Get off me!" She cried, flailing. Her nail rolled away, forgotten in the scuffle.
There was no grace in the way the two of you fell, headfirst to the ground. Limbs tangling alongside the thread that the other had begun throwing around in a panic, as the two of you struggled to right yourselves.
It was getting quite frustrating, being unable to free yourself, as, with a bit of Nosk strength, you slammed your arms into the ground on either side of the other, a spider, you realized, steadying yourself, and freezing her in place.
She stared up at you, your masks now somewhat close together. In a fit of nostalgia that wasn't yours, you winked at the other, somewhat cheekily. This was driven from the time your disguise had walked in on your Step-Mother pinning your mother to the couch in quite a similar position.
Her reaction…
.
------------->
.
The flush on her mask was amusing. She squirmed slightly, as if expecting something.
"Stay still." You muttered lowly, eyeing her in a way that you hoped was stern. She froze, flushing even more, before squeaking out something you couldn't quite catch.
Still, she'd stayed still as you asked, and it allowed you to quickly and efficiently untie the two of you and stand. All done in seconds. She seemed shocked, for a moment, as you offered a hand, before whirling to a stand herself.
.
---------->
.
"You!" She said, staring at you with an odd look. You tilted your head questioningly. "H-How dare you! Vile Seducer, your wiles will find no purchase in me." She said, waving her finger about. Still, it was better than the needle, so you tried to smile approvingly at her. Rewarding good behaviour was important, you figured.
It didn't seem to help, and she seemed to vibrate violently for a moment before finding her voice again.
"I- I'll have to take you in! To interrogate you!" She demanded.
You tilted your head.
"In where?"
She froze.
"Ah- I- We'll go to the ice-cream stand. Then my room- house! My house!"
"Like a da-" You didn't get to finish your question, when Athena, looking surprisingly angry, armor bristling and weapon notably still in hand, stepped in front of you.
"And what gives you the authority to take an innocent bug in for questioning, Ms. Fraud?"
Hornet reared back.
"Fraud!?" A mix of confusion and offence in her voice.
"Yeah! Fraud! Some rich tourist bug like you has no right to be ordering anyone anywhere. Especially not Nox."
The other bug seemed to pause for a moment, as if processing her words. Her entire stance read offence, but after a moment, a look of odd understanding came over her, and she nodded to herself, before a line of silk retrieved her needle.
"I understand, now, harlot-"
"Excuse me!?"
"-You're not just any regular crook. You're even more foul than that. I won't- no, I can't stand by!"
She pointed her needle dramatically, and Athena tensed.
"I declare you my Rival! Know that from this day, you've made an enemy that you cannot handle. I will defeat you in all arenas, thwart you at every turn, and ensure you know no peace! Know the name Hornet, for it will be the one you fear!" The speech sounded rehearsed, like she'd practiced it in the mirror.
"And if I win, then-" she pointed at you, "-he-" before she could finish, there was the sound of a bell, and the red-cloaked spider froze, eyes widening. She whipped towards you both.
"This isn't over." She cried before throwing the needle and zipping away. Leaving a bewildered crowd.
"W-wait! What about my money!" Cried that fat bug.
Athena took your hand quickly, pulling you away.
"Let's go." She muttered, backing away from the square while everyone watched the spider.
What had just happened?
-x-X-x-
Later that day, the Beast would make an announcement, summoning the entirety of Deepnest to attend, lest they risk offending the Beast herself.
.
----------->
.
Your family, naturally, arrived together and stood near the front of the crowd. The Deep didn't announce with a stage or any sort of ceremony. Everyone understood that there were better things to do.
So instead of delaying or even making sure everyone was there, the Beast eyed the crowd, standing with her substantial arms crossed in front of her.
Even when you were a low-thinking Nosk, you knew about the Beast.
One of the few bugs even you would hesitate to face alone. A mortal on the level of some higher beings. What she lacked entirely in soul-powered magics, she more than made up for in sheer brutality.
The memories indicated she was a fair ruler. Harsh, but fair. Deepnest had only grown under her rein.
They respected the Beast because she was strong and because she had proven her strength time and time again.
The Beast was one of them.
Satisfied with the attendance, she started. Gesturing beside her, a familiar red cloak appeared.
.
----------->
.
And she was staring directly at Athena, who had frozen.
"This is my Daughter. She's the princess of Deepnest now. She was training with the Pale Idiot, then the Hive. Now she's here." The Beast's eyes gleamed for a second, beneath her mask. "Test her as you will. She will surpass them. But try to hurt her, and know that you will not die until I permit it."
Her piece said, simply and shortly, Herrah turned, the midwife followed, and the crowd dispersed, although there was much murmuring and speculative eying of the red-cloaked figure.
Standing as a group, your family turned to leave when-
"Aren't you going to say something, Harlot?"
Hornet had blocked Athena's path and was standing there, as if expecting something.
.
---------------->
.
Athena tilted her head, questioning, before realizing that the other was waiting for an apology.
Your sister leaned back and laughed, long, hard, and uproariously. Hornet shifted, thrown off, and confused the action.
"Don't laugh at me!" She demanded, waving a hand in what you assumed was supposed to be a commanding gesture.
Athena chuckled a few more times, looked at Hornet again, before laughing again.
"You're Princess of Jack and Squat to me right now, Fraud. This is Deepnest. You've gotta prove your titles for them to be worth anything." Athena shouldered past the shorter bug. "Come back when you're at least capable of putting weight behind a single word, then maybe I'll consider you worth something."
Hornet wilted, but unfortunately, it was true.
Deepnest respected results, and while Hornet had the Beast backing her, she didn't have the Beast's strength.
She was just Hornet.
"I-I'm strong! Stop calling me that, you Skank!" She said, stamping a leg.
Athena leaned forward.
"Prove it then, Fraud."
Frustrated, Hornet went silent and turned slightly away from the group.
Then she spotted you, and a calculating look entered her eyes.
"Fine! I'll prove myself, and then, when acknowledged, I'm the greatest-" She pointed at you, "You'll give your boyfriend to me!"
Your mother spit out her drink, and Nyx seemed to start choking. Step-Mother didn't react beyond a sharp intake of air. All of you were waiting for Athena to deny it.
Instead, though.
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"Sure, Princess Fraud, sure." And Athena turned away. A noise of frustration escaped the Spider beside her, but she wasn't acknowledged in the slightest.
Instead, your sister grabbed you by the hand and dragged you away. The rest of the family followed, looking odd.
"Don't get caught alone with that creep. I don't trust her." Athena muttered to you. You couldn't help but raise a brow.
"She's right," Nyx added, glancing back with a look colder than your memories ever showed on her face. "I don't like the look in her eyes."
That wasn't the sense you got at all.
Was something going on here that you didn't get?
-x-X-x-
From that point, you fell into what had to be considered, for most bugs, a normal life.
Hunting, trading, preparing food, and learning.
All things you participated in. Enjoyed.
You laughed.
Genuinely. Not a fake laugh, not one produced by the memories of someone soon to be eaten.
But a real, genuine laugh, as Nyx tried and failed to reach the top shelf of the pantry, when Athena tripped and fell on her face. When either of your mothers retold embarrassing stories from your, the body's youth.
You got angry when other Deepnest bugs were rude to Athena, or Step-Mother, for being from outside the nest.
All of these emotions, and more. Yet none were truly befitting of a Nosk.
A Nosk used the emotions, wielded them like a blade against their prey.
And here you were, acting like you were something you were not.
It was something you spent time pondering over when you were lying in bed. Not needing to sleep gave one plenty of time to consider one's place and philosophize.
Whatever you were, be it Nosk, Bug, or something else, you knew for certain that, well…
You didn't want to hurt these bugs.
Part of your instincts roared at you to take them in the night. Inject your venom, let their insides liquefy within their shells, and whisk them back to your lair, where you would eat as a king for months at a time.
But whatever had been done to you, it meant that you no longer had to listen to those instincts.
You could, well, choose not to.
That too, stuck in your mind.
Regardless of your own thoughts, the world moved, and gradually, you fell into a sort of routine, and life flattened out from there.
Hornet, the now-named Princess of Deepnest, was a relatively common sight, but you didn't, actually, interact with her an overt amount. Rather, she and your sister talked of you before engaging in some ridiculous contest between the two of them.
It had become a bit of a running gag if Athena was present. Hornet would swing in dramatically on something you and your family were doing, and loudly challenge your sisters to some contest, Athena would loudly accept, and then you and the rest of Deepnest would watch on as both female Warriors inevitably made a fool of themselves in some way, shape, or form.
Last you had heard, the score was something along the lines of 26-28, in your sister's favor.
Step-Mother had begun taking bets when she could.
Life was good, but now, you were ready to start looking for more.
To figure out why you were like this.
Who the voices were.
With your contemplation of life and its majesty over, you opted to finally swing your legs out of the bed and stretched them.
This form, it was… brittle. While the other-worldly power which had awakened you also kept it preserved, far longer than a Nosk typically could, something told you…
Getting it back wouldn't be so easy.
So you took care of it, stretching each limb, ensuring nothing was stuck in the joints of your carapace, before leaving.
As Nyx said, self-care was important.
Down the stairs you went, waving hello to Step-Mother, who was standing in the kitchen, using her blades to chop up some type of insect Athena had brought, and wrapped it in some sort of leaves.
She imported food regularly from her home. While Step-Mother had willingly been exiled from the Mantis Tribe to be with your mother, she was still able to requisition certain supplies. The small bundles of food and trinkets always made her happy, so when you saw the stack in the market the previous day, you had grabbed them.
She had bowed deeply to the night before. Deep enough for you to be slightly embarrassed.
"Honored Son. Welcome. Your sisters are outside."
You sat at the table, accepting a wrapped morsel, idly chewing. You couldn't taste anything, but the fuel and gesture were appreciated all the same.
"What are they doing this time?" Your sisters, while possessing a strong bond, did not have many overlapping interests.
Athena worked part-time as a guard in the city, commuting over every once in a while, while Nyx…
The one time you'd asked about the many papers and manuscripts she had, she'd blushed vividly and locked you out of her room.
Step-Mother shifted, claws grinding in a way that you knew indicated quiet amusement.
"The Honored Elder Daughter is helping the Younger learn the key points of exercise. She… is not pleased with this."
The curve of her eyes, under the mask, spoke of her thoughts on the manner.
"Mayhap the Honored Son would save his sister?"
You nodded, going to stand when-
A claw came down on your shoulder, gently, pushing you back into your seat. You let it happen.
Step-Mother backed away, taking the seat across from you.
"But first, let us enjoy the morning together." She sounded happy.
There was a scream from Nyx, and a cackle from Athena, from the door.
You met Step-Mother's eyes before taking another bite of the morsel. Breakfast was important, after all.
-x-X-x-
By the time you had finished breakfast, which had consisted of multiple of the Morsels, a cup of tea, and a small bit of Honey that Step-Mother had pulled out of a secret spot in the pantry.
You assumed that she'd bought the expensive luxury with some of the money she'd gotten from taking bets between Athena and Hornet.
After that was done, you gave Step-Mother a deep bow, which the Mantis returned, happily, happy to participate in the culture of her home.
One that was done, you went outside, intending to either save Nyx from your older sister's tender mercies or to scrape up what was left of her, in an act of kindness.
What you found when you exited-
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You found that, likely, the ladder was what was going to happen.
Athena stood off to the side, hip cocked with a single fist planted on it, her short nail in the other, as she grinned at her younger sister.
"Come on, Nyx, one more time. You nearly had it." She cheered, the adopted sister trying to get the other off the ground. To the side, there was another nail on the ground, positioned in a way that you figured Nyx had just been, rather thoroughly, disarmed.
She panted, sweating, and instead of responding to Athena, she tilted her head back, catching sight of you.
That seemed to reinvigorate the shorter bug, who stumbled to her feet, panting and puffing. You half expected her to go for her sword, maybe to try again this time in front of an audience.
Instead, on unsteady feet, she moved towards you, planting both hands on your shoulders, using you as stabilization as he moved behind you, using your cloak as a shield as she hid from your sister.
"Please…" She wheezed, still out of breath, "Don't let her take me. She's trying to kill me, Nox." She ground out between ragged gasps.
Athena laughed, bringing an arm up to wipe her own sweat. She wasn't anywhere near as tired as Nyx, but there was a fine shine of sweat across her form. You did your best to ignore the way a rivulet of it ran down her exposed abs.
"What's going on?" You asked, twisting back to try and keep an eye on your shorter sister, who had buried her head into the fur lining of your cloak. You grimaced at the clear amount of sweat and grime getting onto the pristine fabric. Even before you became aware, you'd been picky about your appearance; you still were now.
It was going to take a good while to get that out.
Towel in hand, Athena sheathed her short nail and stepped forward, hand coming up to clap your shoulders.
"Getting some early training in. Nyx said she wanted to get fit properly, so I figured she could join me for my reps."
"No, I didn't." Came the muffled protest behind you. "I said I wanted to lose some weight, and then you kidnapped me out of my nice warm bed. I was having a good dream!
The other waved the protest away with a wide grin.
"Eh, technicalities. Besides, you did pretty well! How about we try to beat your PB tomorrow?"
There was a faint air of maliciousness in her tone, and Nyx shivered before clinging tighter.
"Nox, save me!" She beseeched. At your wince, though, she looked up, fear in her eyes as you turned away apologetically.
Athena, on the other hand, smiled widely, showing sharp mandibles.
"Sorry, Nyx, but I already agreed to join her myself, tomorrow-"
"-But you could come then as well-"
Nyx didn't even let the other finish before turning tail, and with more energy and speed than you thought she had in her small form, she dashed back towards the house, squealing in fear.
You watched her go. It was quite… bouncy.
Athena stood beside you and waited until the door slammed shut before turning to you with a much easier, more relaxed smile. You met it with one of your own, but you hadn't quite gotten it down yet, and only realized, until after that, that you'd forgotten to include mandibles.
Athena either didn't notice or didn't care, though, and instead let go of you in favor of stretching her arm and humming.
You waited patiently for her to start speaking. It was a tick of Athena's to stretch when she had something on her mind.
"…How do you feel about a field trip today?" She asked, finally.
You tilted your head, a gesture you'd learnt from this body's mother. It indicated confusion or curiosity.
She shrugged, arms crossing, then uncrossing. Usually an indicator or nerves.
"I was thinking, well, if you wanted to come to the City with me today. I've not got a shift or anything, but…" She trailed off, rubbing her arm.
You thought about it.
The City, likely referring to the City of Tears.
Such a place, to your Nosk mind, was nearly impossible to comprehend.
Several hundred thousand bugs in such a small area.
A mix of heaven and hell, plenty of prey and no place to hide.
To your new intelligence, though.
It was interesting.
Not quite the seat of power, but a powerful symbol of the Pale Kings' control over Hollow Nest.
Also, a blunder of engineering, considering the lake above it is likely to collapse onto the city in a few decades, but that was beside the point.
Did you want to go…?
Another new feeling, neutrality. Or rather, apathy?
Yes, that was the right word.
You were apathetic to the idea.
But seeing the way Athena seemed to be too nervous to ask. You should say yes to this.
You nodded. Athena brightened, and you know you'd made the correct choice.
She squealed happily, throwing her arms around you and physically lifting you off your feet.
After a few spins, she put you down, and you experienced your third new sensation of the day. Dizziness.
"I've gotta go get my stuff. I haven't ever gotten to play tourist in the city! Oh, we should check out the pleasure house and-"
She kept talking, even as she dragged you towards the house, letting go once you were inside and vanishing up the stairs, towards her room. Allegedly, to retrieve her things.
Step-Mother watched, bemused. You met here and shrugged.
You were a Nosk. It wasn't your job to understand this.
-x-X-x-
The two of you collectively decided to just take the stairs.
Athena had tried to, briefly, argue for going on the Tram, but the two of you both recognized the way your Geo pouches jingled far too little. While maybe you could afford that sort of thing, it wasn't, ultimately, worth it.
Your sister seemed a bit red-faced at the admission, and your factual breakdown on both her pay and your own.
You didn't understand why. While it would have been interesting to ride on the tram, your financial situation didn't allow such an expense.
Athena shuffled, looking away, and Step-Mother, who was watching from the kitchen, frowned while watching.
"Honored Daughter, there is no shame in being unable to afford such base luxuries. Those who do casually oftentimes grow soft and weak. Neither of you, my Honorable children, is weak."
A mischievous look came over her, and she tilted her head.
"Although, perhaps the Honorable Younger Daughter could do with being a bit less soft."
The subtle jab provoked a quiet giggle out of Athena, and she shook off whatever had her in such a state, looking towards you with brighter eyes.
"The Stagway, then?"
You nodded.
Your sister grinned, shouldering her travel bag and adjusting the straps of her shorts.
"Let's go, then. If we're fast, we can catch Boli. She's the one I take to work, and likes to go really fast."
You allowed yourself to be tugged along, furrowing your brow consciously to express confusion.
"I thought that a smoother ride on stags was more preferable?"
Many of the tourists, those not wealthy enough to afford a tram ride, often complained loudly about the stag ride.
Athena snorted as you passed by the markets.
"Slow rides are for sissies with a weak ass and weaker will." She stopped, turning and pointing to herself. "When you want to get somewhere fast, you gotta learn to lean into the bruising."
She didn't elaborate and instead headed towards the stag station, where there were several tourists already stumbling out on shaky legs.
Entering in, the change in scenery was immediate and obvious. The architecture itself changed, the stagway being funded by the Pale King, held more of his influence than Deepnest. Gone were the silver looks and delicate tapestries, replaced by ivory finery and steel.
It was also loud, and you winced at the large number of bugs, even as your sister led you towards the back, away from the crowds. A smaller, less popular station sat, with empty metal benches, ready. Only one other person was waiting.
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The obvious warrior looked up at your arrival, making note of both of you with sharp eyes. Athena met them without fear, and you did the same.
A moment passed before the warrior nodded and went back to polishing her spear.
You were transfixed, briefly, by the way her hand travelled smoothly and efficiently up and down the shaft, its shining silver flashing in the light. A weapon that you could sense had claimed many lives.
Catching your stare, the warrior straightened a bit before her hand slowed, and the polishing took on a more… leisurely pace.
Gliding upwards towards the tip of the spear, she caressed it with the rag before, with deliberate movements, dragging it back down to the base.
You had a feeling that there was some innuendo or subtlety that you were missing, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it. Before you could ask, or at least study further, Athena's grip tightened, and you found yourself turned towards the tracks.
"Nox, meet Boli, Boli, this is my little brother Nox."
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The stag was huge, much bigger than almost any other bug, aside from the Beast, you'd seen. She stood well over twice your height and rested on powerful legs.
Her saddle was wide and likely could fit eight bugs without much trouble. Handholds were built into the sides, as well as rope and straps, for those less sure of themselves.
The tall insect leaned down to look at you, before a rumbling, rich laugh escaped her.
"I do not see the resemblance." She said, more of a teasing statement than any sort of accusation.
Athena just grinned.
"Yeah, well, my egg got all of the attractiveness, and Nox here got the brains."
Boli crossed her arms.
"And what of your third sibling?"
Athena met your eyes, and you nodded together.
"The shortness."
The Stag stared for a while longer before laughing loudly.
"I do not think-" She said, stepping closer to the station, "-that is a gene you can inherit."
"Sure it is." Athena snarked back. "How would you explain it otherwise?"
The two got to joking like they were close friends; you got the sense they were, and eventually, she came to the purpose of your visit.
"Taking any visits up to the city today, Boli?"
A long hum, before the stag nodded slowly.
"Yes, I think I may. The tunnels have been quieter since the king built that tramline of his. I have more freedom in my routing, though, because of it."
She shifted, had come up to wipe her mask, spike shoulder shifting with it.
"Less soft-bottomed brats to whine about my performance to the Stag Father. All the better." Taking a few steps, she neared a large board and timepiece at the side of the station.
"Hmm, are you ready to leave now?"
The two of you nodded.
The Stag craned her neck.
"And how about you?" She called to the third, sitting.
The mantis, a different type from your mother, stood, spear now secured on her back.
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"I am, Honorable Stag. If your companion had me on the journey." She looked towards the two of you. Athena sent you a questioning look. You shrugged.
"Sure, the more the merrier."
With that, Boli crouched down next to the station, allowing the three of you to step onto the Saddle. The mantis woman, larger than both of you, sat near the back and quickly went about securing herself in a crossed leg position. You and Athena mirrored her, near the Stags front, and soon enough, the three of you were ready. Athena had chosen not to use the straps, instead holding on to the handles with a wild grin.
The Saddle, while large, was built for bugs your size, and thus, you found your knees pressing against the Mantis's thighs. You sent her an apologetic look, but she waved you off.
"Among travellers like us, privacy is as much a luxury as it can be a curse. Please, stay as close as you need."
A hand landed on your shoulder. Athena's smile was strained.
"Feel free to lean against me, brother, I've done this before."
Even while she spoke to you, her eyes were on the other, who just hummed.
Boli twisted, looking back at the three of you.
"Ready?" She asked simply.
Athena nodded once, patting her midriff.
"Take us away, Boli."
The Stag snorted and raised herself from the crouch before stepping out towards the tracks. As she did, you could feel, through both your Bug and Nosk senses, the biological machinery begin to work.
Each step came a little faster, and she paused only briefly to let another Stag zoom by before stepping out herself and beginning to run.
One step, then two, and then a full gallop. Soon enough, the walls were blurring, and the station was left behind as you entered the Stagway.