Not so Deserted

Hermes's housemates:

- Clara the old Cochineal. (She/her) She's always looking out for others. A crafts expert. Especially in dyes and paints.

- Flint the Desert Stink beetle. (He/him) He's energetic and a great cook. Hopefully you don't mind the smell.

- Chert the Gossamer Wing butterfly. (She/they) She's actually a construction worker and her wings make it a safer career. They are sometimes nonverbal.

The Hercules beetle family:

- Attens the Hercules beetle. (She/her) Tough old codger. It's Hermes's Gramma. Used to be a warrior. Got more despondent lately. Her husband Cor died.

- Maia the Hercules beetle. (She/xer) Works in the aphid farms with Monadnock's ant population. Xey are super nice and she loves making friends. It's mom.

- Alcus the Hercules beetle. (He/him) Helps out the moth commune that raised him. Some dysmorphia. Geology nerd. He knows a little bit of dream magic. He's neurodivergent (not sure what). It's dad.

- Mercury the Hercules beetle. (He/him) Works in the graveyard and knows resting rites. He's so fast. Guy that gives noogies.

- Lao the Hercules beetle. (She/her) Wastes guide. Really good combat specialist and survivalist. A bit no nonsense but has a crazy sweet tooth. Probably the most sensical to meet.

- Iphy the Hercules beetle. (She/her). Transfemme. So fluffy too. Does theater. She is well informed on Wastes history.

Lastly, Hermes's stupid boss.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

*some new notes*

Yes, higher beings are most likely the cause though the crystals themselves may have only been enchanted.

*with the prompt of wanting to see it's maps, Largy happily brought them out, showing off its extensive work of nearly every area in pharloom only missing the upper bilelands and half of mt fay, and the abyss, for obvious reasons.*

"Definitely. Keep this up, Largy." His partner agrees.

Alcus makes his return with some salad, bread and specifically carrots. "Hey, I'm back." He sets down some food for everyone.

"Some carrots for the little lady." He gives them to Peam.

"So now we go to meet mama?" she then asks Hermes. A little bit of chewed carrot escaped her mouth and fell on the floor. Peam jumped down and cleaned it up.

"Whoa hoh, with the cart tied to that charm, I know you'll be significantly slowed down. Let's call your sister, she is literally a guide." Their father interrupts.

"But, I said that I would get them there..." Hermes protests. "I could just leave it with you guys."

"I don't know the terms of your contract. Are you going to be safe at such a distance?" Alcus asks.

"..."

Hermes thinks for a moment, then he reaches into the cart for a piece of paper. They find the page he's looking for. "No."

"I'm getting our maskfly. Lao should be in Monadnock and it's really not that far." He writes a letter and calls down the little bug that was perched above them. "You don't have time to take care of your burden and get to Hallownest quickly. I think you should head to Fercity as soon as possible. Maybe you can join them later."

"Well... no, you're right." Hermes concedes. The maskfly takes off.

The beetle turns to their friends. "So, my sister is going to be coming soon. She's actually much more equipped than me and I have something I need to take care of. I'll try to be fast and join you quickly. My dad's right about this being an issue." He points at the charm on his sash.

"I think, that I am just going to go now. It's a bit of a walk." Hermes gives their dad a strong hug, swinging slightly. He turns to their friends and opens his arms to hug them too.

"Goodbye mister! I'll miss you!"

Thank you for guiding us this far, best of luck with getting rid of that charm, who knows, maybe you will catch up in time. But for now I think you should get going, time's not getting any slower for you now...and I don't think you want your liberation instantly.

*it turns to hermes's father, handing him a note*

So while we wait do you have any good literature I could study?

"There's a few memoirs from the war she collected too." He also suggests.

"There's a library nearby. I could go check out some books real quick if there's a genre you want." His mother suggests.

I think I could take a script to study, and maybe some of the lengthier memoirs. I would like a large history book to perhaps understand more of what went on here.

*Largy writes a quick note to peam*

Anything you might want to read from the library?

Mmm, alright, the perhaps just a history book and a longer work of fiction, I've heard dense books exist though I have yet to truly see one.

Alcus hands Largy a small bundle of pages.

"I just finished it. Iphy's last script." Just to start off.

*Largy takes the script to read quickly, writing a note back*

Thank you, I'll let you know what I think.

"Here, I got a copy for A Comprehensive Look at the Dreckhaven Unification in Face of Conflict. And also Ridges in the Sand." She gives them to Largy.

"Oh, I loved Ridges." Her partner comments.

thank you, I'll be sure to enjoy them as best I can, I'll return them once we are done in hollownest as well.

Someone is running. "Excuse me," The beetle coming towards them lacks horns.

"Hey dad, I got your... Haah... message." She seems out of breath.

"By the Three, you did not run from Monadnock to here, did you?" Alcus asks.

"No no, I was already between... roads. Fouuu!" She's got her hands on her knees. "Who's Hermes's friends that need to... cross?"

"Lao, this is Peam and Largy. They need to get to Hallownest, specifically the Crystal Peak. We made a map. Your sibling will join you at some point." Her grandfather points at the duo.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'll get you to your destination no problem." She addresses them.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

*some new notes*

Yes, higher beings are most likely the cause though the crystals themselves may have only been enchanted.

*with the prompt of wanting to see it's maps, Largy happily brought them out, showing off its extensive work of nearly every area in pharloom only missing the upper bilelands and half of mt fay, and the abyss, for obvious reasons.*

"Definitely. Keep this up, Largy." His partner agrees.

Alcus makes his return with some salad, bread and specifically carrots. "Hey, I'm back." He sets down some food for everyone.

"Some carrots for the little lady." He gives them to Peam.

"So now we go to meet mama?" she then asks Hermes. A little bit of chewed carrot escaped her mouth and fell on the floor. Peam jumped down and cleaned it up.

"Whoa hoh, with the cart tied to that charm, I know you'll be significantly slowed down. Let's call your sister, she is literally a guide." Their father interrupts.

"But, I said that I would get them there..." Hermes protests. "I could just leave it with you guys."

"I don't know the terms of your contract. Are you going to be safe at such a distance?" Alcus asks.

"..."

Hermes thinks for a moment, then he reaches into the cart for a piece of paper. They find the page he's looking for. "No."

"I'm getting our maskfly. Lao should be in Monadnock and it's really not that far." He writes a letter and calls down the little bug that was perched above them. "You don't have time to take care of your burden and get to Hallownest quickly. I think you should head to Fercity as soon as possible. Maybe you can join them later."

"Well... no, you're right." Hermes concedes. The maskfly takes off.

The beetle turns to their friends. "So, my sister is going to be coming soon. She's actually much more equipped than me and I have something I need to take care of. I'll try to be fast and join you quickly. My dad's right about this being an issue." He points at the charm on his sash.

"I think, that I am just going to go now. It's a bit of a walk." Hermes gives their dad a strong hug, swinging slightly. He turns to their friends and opens his arms to hug them too.

"Goodbye mister! I'll miss you!"

Thank you for guiding us this far, best of luck with getting rid of that charm, who knows, maybe you will catch up in time. But for now I think you should get going, time's not getting any slower for you now...and I don't think you want your liberation instantly.

*it turns to hermes's father, handing him a note*

So while we wait do you have any good literature I could study?

"There's a few memoirs from the war she collected too." He also suggests.

"There's a library nearby. I could go check out some books real quick if there's a genre you want." His mother suggests.

I think I could take a script to study, and maybe some of the lengthier memoirs. I would like a large history book to perhaps understand more of what went on here.

*Largy writes a quick note to peam*

Anything you might want to read from the library?

Mmm, alright, the perhaps just a history book and a longer work of fiction, I've heard dense books exist though I have yet to truly see one.

Alcus hands Largy a small bundle of pages.

"I just finished it. Iphy's last script." Just to start off.

*Largy takes the script to read quickly, writing a note back*

Thank you, I'll let you know what I think.

"Here, I got a copy for A Comprehensive Look at the Dreckhaven Unification in Face of Conflict. And also Ridges in the Sand." She gives them to Largy.

"Oh, I loved Ridges." Her partner comments.

thank you, I'll be sure to enjoy them as best I can, I'll return them once we are done in hollownest as well.

Someone is running. "Excuse me," The beetle coming towards them lacks horns.

"Hey dad, I got your... Haah... message." She seems out of breath.

"By the Three, you did not run from Monadnock to here, did you?" Alcus asks.

"No no, I was already between... roads. Fouuu!" She's got her hands on her knees. "Who's Hermes's friends that need to... cross?"

"Lao, this is Peam and Largy. They need to get to Hallownest, specifically the Crystal Peak. We made a map. Your sibling will join you at some point." Her grandfather points at the duo.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'll get you to your destination no problem." She addresses them.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

*some new notes*

Yes, higher beings are most likely the cause though the crystals themselves may have only been enchanted.

*with the prompt of wanting to see it's maps, Largy happily brought them out, showing off its extensive work of nearly every area in pharloom only missing the upper bilelands and half of mt fay, and the abyss, for obvious reasons.*

"Definitely. Keep this up, Largy." His partner agrees.

Alcus makes his return with some salad, bread and specifically carrots. "Hey, I'm back." He sets down some food for everyone.

"Some carrots for the little lady." He gives them to Peam.

"So now we go to meet mama?" she then asks Hermes. A little bit of chewed carrot escaped her mouth and fell on the floor. Peam jumped down and cleaned it up.

"Whoa hoh, with the cart tied to that charm, I know you'll be significantly slowed down. Let's call your sister, she is literally a guide." Their father interrupts.

"But, I said that I would get them there..." Hermes protests. "I could just leave it with you guys."

"I don't know the terms of your contract. Are you going to be safe at such a distance?" Alcus asks.

"..."

Hermes thinks for a moment, then he reaches into the cart for a piece of paper. They find the page he's looking for. "No."

"I'm getting our maskfly. Lao should be in Monadnock and it's really not that far." He writes a letter and calls down the little bug that was perched above them. "You don't have time to take care of your burden and get to Hallownest quickly. I think you should head to Fercity as soon as possible. Maybe you can join them later."

"Well... no, you're right." Hermes concedes. The maskfly takes off.

The beetle turns to their friends. "So, my sister is going to be coming soon. She's actually much more equipped than me and I have something I need to take care of. I'll try to be fast and join you quickly. My dad's right about this being an issue." He points at the charm on his sash.

"I think, that I am just going to go now. It's a bit of a walk." Hermes gives their dad a strong hug, swinging slightly. He turns to their friends and opens his arms to hug them too.

"Goodbye mister! I'll miss you!"

Thank you for guiding us this far, best of luck with getting rid of that charm, who knows, maybe you will catch up in time. But for now I think you should get going, time's not getting any slower for you now...and I don't think you want your liberation instantly.

*it turns to hermes's father, handing him a note*

So while we wait do you have any good literature I could study?

"There's a few memoirs from the war she collected too." He also suggests.

"There's a library nearby. I could go check out some books real quick if there's a genre you want." His mother suggests.

I think I could take a script to study, and maybe some of the lengthier memoirs. I would like a large history book to perhaps understand more of what went on here.

*Largy writes a quick note to peam*

Anything you might want to read from the library?

Mmm, alright, the perhaps just a history book and a longer work of fiction, I've heard dense books exist though I have yet to truly see one.

Alcus hands Largy a small bundle of pages.

"I just finished it. Iphy's last script." Just to start off.

*Largy takes the script to read quickly, writing a note back*

Thank you, I'll let you know what I think.

"Here, I got a copy for A Comprehensive Look at the Dreckhaven Unification in Face of Conflict. And also Ridges in the Sand." She gives them to Largy.

"Oh, I loved Ridges." Her partner comments.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

*some new notes*

Yes, higher beings are most likely the cause though the crystals themselves may have only been enchanted.

*with the prompt of wanting to see it's maps, Largy happily brought them out, showing off its extensive work of nearly every area in pharloom only missing the upper bilelands and half of mt fay, and the abyss, for obvious reasons.*

"Definitely. Keep this up, Largy." His partner agrees.

Alcus makes his return with some salad, bread and specifically carrots. "Hey, I'm back." He sets down some food for everyone.

"Some carrots for the little lady." He gives them to Peam.

"So now we go to meet mama?" she then asks Hermes. A little bit of chewed carrot escaped her mouth and fell on the floor. Peam jumped down and cleaned it up.

"Whoa hoh, with the cart tied to that charm, I know you'll be significantly slowed down. Let's call your sister, she is literally a guide." Their father interrupts.

"But, I said that I would get them there..." Hermes protests. "I could just leave it with you guys."

"I don't know the terms of your contract. Are you going to be safe at such a distance?" Alcus asks.

"..."

Hermes thinks for a moment, then he reaches into the cart for a piece of paper. They find the page he's looking for. "No."

"I'm getting our maskfly. Lao should be in Monadnock and it's really not that far." He writes a letter and calls down the little bug that was perched above them. "You don't have time to take care of your burden and get to Hallownest quickly. I think you should head to Fercity as soon as possible. Maybe you can join them later."

"Well... no, you're right." Hermes concedes. The maskfly takes off.

The beetle turns to their friends. "So, my sister is going to be coming soon. She's actually much more equipped than me and I have something I need to take care of. I'll try to be fast and join you quickly. My dad's right about this being an issue." He points at the charm on his sash.

"I think, that I am just going to go now. It's a bit of a walk." Hermes gives their dad a strong hug, swinging slightly. He turns to their friends and opens his arms to hug them too.

"Goodbye mister! I'll miss you!"

Thank you for guiding us this far, best of luck with getting rid of that charm, who knows, maybe you will catch up in time. But for now I think you should get going, time's not getting any slower for you now...and I don't think you want your liberation instantly.

*it turns to hermes's father, handing him a note*

So while we wait do you have any good literature I could study?

"There's a few memoirs from the war she collected too." He also suggests.

"There's a library nearby. I could go check out some books real quick if there's a genre you want." His mother suggests.

I think I could take a script to study, and maybe some of the lengthier memoirs. I would like a large history book to perhaps understand more of what went on here.

*Largy writes a quick note to peam*

Anything you might want to read from the library?

Mmm, alright, the perhaps just a history book and a longer work of fiction, I've heard dense books exist though I have yet to truly see one.

Alcus hands Largy a small bundle of pages.

"I just finished it. Iphy's last script." Just to start off.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

*some new notes*

Yes, higher beings are most likely the cause though the crystals themselves may have only been enchanted.

*with the prompt of wanting to see it's maps, Largy happily brought them out, showing off its extensive work of nearly every area in pharloom only missing the upper bilelands and half of mt fay, and the abyss, for obvious reasons.*

"Definitely. Keep this up, Largy." His partner agrees.

Alcus makes his return with some salad, bread and specifically carrots. "Hey, I'm back." He sets down some food for everyone.

"Some carrots for the little lady." He gives them to Peam.

"So now we go to meet mama?" she then asks Hermes. A little bit of chewed carrot escaped her mouth and fell on the floor. Peam jumped down and cleaned it up.

"Whoa hoh, with the cart tied to that charm, I know you'll be significantly slowed down. Let's call your sister, she is literally a guide." Their father interrupts.

"But, I said that I would get them there..." Hermes protests. "I could just leave it with you guys."

"I don't know the terms of your contract. Are you going to be safe at such a distance?" Alcus asks.

"..."

Hermes thinks for a moment, then he reaches into the cart for a piece of paper. They find the page he's looking for. "No."

"I'm getting our maskfly. Lao should be in Monadnock and it's really not that far." He writes a letter and calls down the little bug that was perched above them. "You don't have time to take care of your burden and get to Hallownest quickly. I think you should head to Fercity as soon as possible. Maybe you can join them later."

"Well... no, you're right." Hermes concedes. The maskfly takes off.

The beetle turns to their friends. "So, my sister is going to be coming soon. She's actually much more equipped than me and I have something I need to take care of. I'll try to be fast and join you quickly. My dad's right about this being an issue." He points at the charm on his sash.

"I think, that I am just going to go now. It's a bit of a walk." Hermes gives their dad a strong hug, swinging slightly. He turns to their friends and opens his arms to hug them too.

"Goodbye mister! I'll miss you!"

Thank you for guiding us this far, best of luck with getting rid of that charm, who knows, maybe you will catch up in time. But for now I think you should get going, time's not getting any slower for you now...and I don't think you want your liberation instantly.

*it turns to hermes's father, handing him a note*

So while we wait do you have any good literature I could study?

"There's a few memoirs from the war she collected too." He also suggests.

"There's a library nearby. I could go check out some books real quick if there's a genre you want." His mother suggests.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

*some new notes*

Yes, higher beings are most likely the cause though the crystals themselves may have only been enchanted.

*with the prompt of wanting to see it's maps, Largy happily brought them out, showing off its extensive work of nearly every area in pharloom only missing the upper bilelands and half of mt fay, and the abyss, for obvious reasons.*

"Definitely. Keep this up, Largy." His partner agrees.

Alcus makes his return with some salad, bread and specifically carrots. "Hey, I'm back." He sets down some food for everyone.

"Some carrots for the little lady." He gives them to Peam.

"So now we go to meet mama?" she then asks Hermes. A little bit of chewed carrot escaped her mouth and fell on the floor. Peam jumped down and cleaned it up.

"Whoa hoh, with the cart tied to that charm, I know you'll be significantly slowed down. Let's call your sister, she is literally a guide." Their father interrupts.

"But, I said that I would get them there..." Hermes protests. "I could just leave it with you guys."

"I don't know the terms of your contract. Are you going to be safe at such a distance?" Alcus asks.

"..."

Hermes thinks for a moment, then he reaches into the cart for a piece of paper. They find the page he's looking for. "No."

"I'm getting our maskfly. Lao should be in Monadnock and it's really not that far." He writes a letter and calls down the little bug that was perched above them. "You don't have time to take care of your burden and get to Hallownest quickly. I think you should head to Fercity as soon as possible. Maybe you can join them later."

"Well... no, you're right." Hermes concedes. The maskfly takes off.

The beetle turns to their friends. "So, my sister is going to be coming soon. She's actually much more equipped than me and I have something I need to take care of. I'll try to be fast and join you quickly. My dad's right about this being an issue." He points at the charm on his sash.

"I think, that I am just going to go now. It's a bit of a walk." Hermes gives their dad a strong hug, swinging slightly. He turns to their friends and opens his arms to hug them too.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

*some new notes*

Yes, higher beings are most likely the cause though the crystals themselves may have only been enchanted.

*with the prompt of wanting to see it's maps, Largy happily brought them out, showing off its extensive work of nearly every area in pharloom only missing the upper bilelands and half of mt fay, and the abyss, for obvious reasons.*

"Definitely. Keep this up, Largy." His partner agrees.

Alcus makes his return with some salad, bread and specifically carrots. "Hey, I'm back." He sets down some food for everyone.

"Some carrots for the little lady." He gives them to Peam.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

(crystal...peaks? Ooh that sounds exciting, maybe I can find something to augment my- wait...peam said her mother was a- oh dear...this does have me wondering how a crystal...dies.)

*all this while writing more notes*

Are the crystals special in any way?

What are they crystal peaks like?

Do you have any of those crystals here still?

What caused the crystals?

Was peam...actually I'll save this one for later.

How detailed is the map?

Are there any nooks or crannies I should know about too?

Do you want to see my maps? If you ever go to pharloom they could be useful.

Do you have any spare carrots here? Peam could use them.

*it's questions just seemed like a waterfall*

"I would say all the natural earth processes caused the crystallization but maybe all those supernatural stories were because of higher beings..." Her partner muses. "Anyways, we're mostly drawing this from what we remember all that time ago so I apologize for the lack of details."

"Honestly, it would be very nice to see your maps. I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, but at the very least we can see what other places are like." He continues. Just after, Hermes's grandmother yells out to her son to specifically come back with some carrots.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

"She has no legs, no arms, or anything really. She's just big and stoney. Like my dad!"

Alcus sits up and gives a warm pat to his child's head and walks off.

"Maybe you can show Largy? It is an aspiring map maker." Hermes suggests.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

Peam makes big eyes as she talked. She hadn't met that many moths, and especially not any as wrinkly as these two. But they seemed nice, so she trusted them.

"Maybe we knew your mother. Do you know what she looks like?" Her partner asks.

"Opa, Peam isn't the same kind of moth as you two. She's more like your mother." Hermes tried to clarify.

She gives big eyes to the beetle.

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

While Peam was taking a nap, the group was able to get further into town. There's a nice clearing with cloths and drapes hanging from posts and carpets covering the sandy floor. Moths are chatting with each other and trading with other citizens of Chalcedony.

"Oh hey, I was just about to wake you up. Welcome to the moth commune! Let me go see if my grosseltern are around... They'll probably be easy to see if my dad's here." Hermes says. They put a hand above his mask to take a look around.

"Grosseltern is a funny word."

She looks around at all the moths. They looked like her. She felt like she was being one of the group.

"Papa, look at the moths." she whispers to Largy.

Aren't they all wonderful? Every individual is so unique...you're still one of the prettiest pebble Moth-lookalikes here though.

"Thank you papa! You're very pretty too! Much nicer than my first papa. He froze me in a block of ice for five hundred years."

Peam then looks around at the different moths, each looking interesting in their own way.

*anutha note to hermes*

Any chance that you are able to see the Moth we seek?

"There's my dad. I think he's with his Eltern. Come on, let's go say high!" He hauls their cart across the lot towards the back.

They approach and see that yes, two moths are next to the beetle.

"What in the... Hermes, it's been some time. What brings my little Coleoptera to Chalcedony?" He asks.

"Hey Dad, I thought it would be a good idea to see you. I have some friends with me here. Peam and Largy. We were headed in about the same direction, but I don't actually know the way to Hallownest as that is their destination." Hermes explains.

"Oh, how thoughtful that you wanted your Oma and Opa to help you." One of the moths answer, hearing the conversation. Ironically, she seems to be of a similar colour to her adopted son.

"How can we help?"

"Papa, can I fly a little, if I get some help? I promise to be careful."

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

*Largy hands Peam a note*

of course, I'll make sure the winds aren't too strong so that you don't go flying off again.

*it quickly hands Hermes a note too*

please be at the ready in case Peam goes flying off again.

"We're getting closer to Chalcedony anyway."

Good, then let's give this a try.

*it quickly hands peam another note*

I'll make sure the gust isn't too strong so that you don't fly away again.

"Thank you!"

She then crawls up on top of it.

Whenever you're ready.

"Wee!" she laughs as she soars into the air. She flutters her wings and flies.

She weaves in and out of the air, rising and sinking as she practiced. She even managed to gain some height on her own.

"Look papa, I'm flying!"

Isn't it wonderful? When a bug finds their wings for the first time?

"How is the view from up there, Peam?" The beetle calls out.

Peam laughs as she manages to stay airborne without Largy's help.

"We can ask the moth commune for help."

"The moth commune? But I'm not a moth. Are you a moth? Papa, is he a moth?"

No, as far as I can see he is a beetle, you do however possess many of the traits of a Moth.

*Largy writes a note to hermes with a small amount of side eye*

Just to be clear, you aren't secretly like, a Moth hybrid right?

"That and they would definitely know more about higher beings than I."

"I'm not a moth. I'm a pebble."

Then, she shines up.

"You know what I haven't tried? What powers my wings have! It seems like every pink part of me is connected to an ability. Let me try!"

Peams wings flashed pink and then she's just gone.

*a note to hermes*

So you saw that too right?

"We just lost the child..."

How did you do that? Do your wings let you move at lightspeed or something?

She had been crying for fifteen minutes at that point, so her eyes were watery and the ground wet. Now she makes grabby hands, desperate to get picked up.

*another note to peam as Largy places her on its back*

I think that power stops time, or at the very least let's you move outside of it, I wouldn't have been able to talk if I was frozen like that.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! I never want to do that again! I was so lonely!"

"At the very least, you know what it does now." They say, a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm okay. Sorry for making a scene. We should continue. I'll just take a nap..."

Peam crawls into the armor for her nap.

well then, shall we?

"Papa, can I fly a little, if I get some help? I promise to be careful."

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

*Largy hands Peam a note*

of course, I'll make sure the winds aren't too strong so that you don't go flying off again.

*it quickly hands Hermes a note too*

please be at the ready in case Peam goes flying off again.

"We're getting closer to Chalcedony anyway."

Good, then let's give this a try.

*it quickly hands peam another note*

I'll make sure the gust isn't too strong so that you don't fly away again.

"Thank you!"

She then crawls up on top of it.

Whenever you're ready.

"Wee!" she laughs as she soars into the air. She flutters her wings and flies.

She weaves in and out of the air, rising and sinking as she practiced. She even managed to gain some height on her own.

"Look papa, I'm flying!"

Isn't it wonderful? When a bug finds their wings for the first time?

"How is the view from up there, Peam?" The beetle calls out.

Peam laughs as she manages to stay airborne without Largy's help.

"We can ask the moth commune for help."

"The moth commune? But I'm not a moth. Are you a moth? Papa, is he a moth?"

No, as far as I can see he is a beetle, you do however possess many of the traits of a Moth.

*Largy writes a note to hermes with a small amount of side eye*

Just to be clear, you aren't secretly like, a Moth hybrid right?

"That and they would definitely know more about higher beings than I."

"I'm not a moth. I'm a pebble."

Then, she shines up.

"You know what I haven't tried? What powers my wings have! It seems like every pink part of me is connected to an ability. Let me try!"

Peams wings flashed pink and then she's just gone.

*a note to hermes*

So you saw that too right?

"We just lost the child..."

How did you do that? Do your wings let you move at lightspeed or something?

She had been crying for fifteen minutes at that point, so her eyes were watery and the ground wet. Now she makes grabby hands, desperate to get picked up.

*another note to peam as Largy places her on its back*

I think that power stops time, or at the very least let's you move outside of it, I wouldn't have been able to talk if I was frozen like that.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! I never want to do that again! I was so lonely!"

"At the very least, you know what it does now." They say, a hand on her shoulder.

"Papa, can I fly a little, if I get some help? I promise to be careful."

@peam-heir-godess-of-time

*Largy hands Peam a note*

of course, I'll make sure the winds aren't too strong so that you don't go flying off again.

*it quickly hands Hermes a note too*

please be at the ready in case Peam goes flying off again.

"We're getting closer to Chalcedony anyway."

Good, then let's give this a try.

*it quickly hands peam another note*

I'll make sure the gust isn't too strong so that you don't fly away again.

"Thank you!"

She then crawls up on top of it.

Whenever you're ready.

"Wee!" she laughs as she soars into the air. She flutters her wings and flies.

She weaves in and out of the air, rising and sinking as she practiced. She even managed to gain some height on her own.

"Look papa, I'm flying!"

Isn't it wonderful? When a bug finds their wings for the first time?

"How is the view from up there, Peam?" The beetle calls out.

Peam laughs as she manages to stay airborne without Largy's help.

"We can ask the moth commune for help."

"The moth commune? But I'm not a moth. Are you a moth? Papa, is he a moth?"

No, as far as I can see he is a beetle, you do however possess many of the traits of a Moth.

*Largy writes a note to hermes with a small amount of side eye*

Just to be clear, you aren't secretly like, a Moth hybrid right?

"That and they would definitely know more about higher beings than I."

"I'm not a moth. I'm a pebble."

Then, she shines up.

"You know what I haven't tried? What powers my wings have! It seems like every pink part of me is connected to an ability. Let me try!"

Peams wings flashed pink and then she's just gone.

*a note to hermes*

So you saw that too right?

"We just lost the child..."