Cortla-the-diver

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

*She sighs and looks to Flutters. The Silkfly gives a hard-to-see nod. She walks over to her nest, grabbing a pillow for him to hold instead. When she returns, she hands it to him and turns to Ronda.*

Ronda, hun, could you and the rest of your siblings head off into another room please? Me and Pavo need to talk about some things.

*Once all the kids leave, Cortla turns back to Pavo.*

Okay, so: a super long time ago, before the Citadel was even a concept, a Pale Being formed. This being would eventually take on the name Grand Mother Silk, and during her time, she ruled with an iron fist.

The thing to remember about Pale Beings is that they don't naturally care for others, not really. Their instinct is to subjugate all those weaker than them and make said other worship them, and as for any who match or are stronger?

They fight them off, either forcing them away or killing them.

This is what happened with the Weavers: she had found out about Pharlids, and used her Silk to forcibly change their bodies and give them minds. That's how Weavers were created.

The problems came when she couldn't stop her Pale instincts from mixing with her motherly ones, which ended up making her controlling.

Wanted kids? Nope, got punished for even thinking it. Wanted a break from playing songs all day? Nope, punished because that meant they weren't worshipping her! Want her to stop treating you like a literal infant? Nope, now you're brain-dead!

Eventually, the Weavers had enough, and set to planning. They realised the only way to get her to stop?

Was to trap her, and force her to sleep forever. Needless to say, this isn't an easy task, especially when trying to do it to a Pale Being.

*Cortla sighs.*

...the Weavers ended up coming up with a plan: they knew that she could be lured into sleep with songs, and said songs could also be used to activate runes. So what if they made one, giant resonating chamber, and had the best of the best keep on singing a song to put her under?

So that's what they did. They built the Citadel, a giant city made to carry sound, and said that it was in her honour. They dried up the kingdom of Karak, to make sure only the best got through, and said it was to weed out the sinners.

Eventually, they completed the runes and spells needed, and the trap was sprung. The Grand Mother was sent into slumber, right in the centre of the Citadel, above them all, trapped in a cage of Silk and spells.

...

*Even Cortla looks depressed at the next part.*

...it was all for nothing. She was still conscious, even asleep, and was actively trying to break out. This led the Weavers to flee before she could get to them.

...I know less about the rest of it, but from what I know, the people of the Citadel began to forget why they sang.

They started to think that they were better than others, and where the Weavers had made four castes — the Architects, the Conductors, the Vaultkeepers, and the Workers — the newer generations tore down the statues of the last, and dubbed them Underworkers: they toil day in, day out, in smog and rust and around the dead bodies of their fellows, all for a single rosary a week...

They forgot what exactly they kept at bay.

*Cortla is quiet for a while, seemingly collecting herself.*

...one day, they learnt of the healing properties of Silk, and began experimenting on those they deemed lower to try and extend their own lifespans.

They eventually ran out of Silk, and started looking for more. And wouldn't you know it?

There was a massive, glowing source of Silk, right above them, in the centre of their Citadel of Song...

...I think you can guess the rest.

Things can get better, if you try.

*Cortla pauses, trying to word the next part properly.*

...from what it sounds like, you weren't just greeting people because it was your job: you did it because you wished for them to be happy and healthy, you did it to spread joy.

You now know the origins of the Citadel, yes, but does that change those facts? At the end of the day, you just want others to be happy, so why not continue to do so?

If you want my advice? Try singing songs that have double meanings, like, well...

*She wracks her brain for a moment before remembering the right song, at which point she starts to sing.*

Hunting trails, and those that fail,

Throughout the shadowed night~

Walk your path, and face their wrath,

For no warrior runs away~

Stand upright, and stand uptight,

Until the dawn brings the light~

Find your way, and don't be swayed,

For there's still prey to be slayed~

*She finishes the song.*

That song was often sung around a particular kingdom that my tribe stayed away from. At the surface level, it just warns of the dangers in the wilds around said kingdom, but when you dig a bit deeper, it also warns travellers who make it to said kingdom.

"Oh, a nice song. I think I need to recover though. I just want to go home. All this knowledge is rough. Thank you for telling me though." Pavo rises from his seat.

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

*She sighs and looks to Flutters. The Silkfly gives a hard-to-see nod. She walks over to her nest, grabbing a pillow for him to hold instead. When she returns, she hands it to him and turns to Ronda.*

Ronda, hun, could you and the rest of your siblings head off into another room please? Me and Pavo need to talk about some things.

*Once all the kids leave, Cortla turns back to Pavo.*

Okay, so: a super long time ago, before the Citadel was even a concept, a Pale Being formed. This being would eventually take on the name Grand Mother Silk, and during her time, she ruled with an iron fist.

The thing to remember about Pale Beings is that they don't naturally care for others, not really. Their instinct is to subjugate all those weaker than them and make said other worship them, and as for any who match or are stronger?

They fight them off, either forcing them away or killing them.

This is what happened with the Weavers: she had found out about Pharlids, and used her Silk to forcibly change their bodies and give them minds. That's how Weavers were created.

The problems came when she couldn't stop her Pale instincts from mixing with her motherly ones, which ended up making her controlling.

Wanted kids? Nope, got punished for even thinking it. Wanted a break from playing songs all day? Nope, punished because that meant they weren't worshipping her! Want her to stop treating you like a literal infant? Nope, now you're brain-dead!

Eventually, the Weavers had enough, and set to planning. They realised the only way to get her to stop?

Was to trap her, and force her to sleep forever. Needless to say, this isn't an easy task, especially when trying to do it to a Pale Being.

*Cortla sighs.*

...the Weavers ended up coming up with a plan: they knew that she could be lured into sleep with songs, and said songs could also be used to activate runes. So what if they made one, giant resonating chamber, and had the best of the best keep on singing a song to put her under?

So that's what they did. They built the Citadel, a giant city made to carry sound, and said that it was in her honour. They dried up the kingdom of Karak, to make sure only the best got through, and said it was to weed out the sinners.

Eventually, they completed the runes and spells needed, and the trap was sprung. The Grand Mother was sent into slumber, right in the centre of the Citadel, above them all, trapped in a cage of Silk and spells.

...

*Even Cortla looks depressed at the next part.*

...it was all for nothing. She was still conscious, even asleep, and was actively trying to break out. This led the Weavers to flee before she could get to them.

...I know less about the rest of it, but from what I know, the people of the Citadel began to forget why they sang.

They started to think that they were better than others, and where the Weavers had made four castes — the Architects, the Conductors, the Vaultkeepers, and the Workers — the newer generations tore down the statues of the last, and dubbed them Underworkers: they toil day in, day out, in smog and rust and around the dead bodies of their fellows, all for a single rosary a week...

They forgot what exactly they kept at bay.

*Cortla is quiet for a while, seemingly collecting herself.*

...one day, they learnt of the healing properties of Silk, and began experimenting on those they deemed lower to try and extend their own lifespans.

They eventually ran out of Silk, and started looking for more. And wouldn't you know it?

There was a massive, glowing source of Silk, right above them, in the centre of their Citadel of Song...

...I think you can guess the rest.

Things can get better, if you try.

*Cortla pauses, trying to word the next part properly.*

...from what it sounds like, you weren't just greeting people because it was your job: you did it because you wished for them to be happy and healthy, you did it to spread joy.

You now know the origins of the Citadel, yes, but does that change those facts? At the end of the day, you just want others to be happy, so why not continue to do so?

If you want my advice? Try singing songs that have double meanings, like, well...

*She wracks her brain for a moment before remembering the right song, at which point she starts to sing.*

Hunting trails, and those that fail,

Throughout the shadowed night~

Walk your path, and face their wrath,

For no warrior runs away~

Stand upright, and stand uptight,

Until the dawn brings the light~

Find your way, and don't be swayed,

For there's still prey to be slayed~

*She finishes the song.*

That song was often sung around a particular kingdom that my tribe stayed away from. At the surface level, it just warns of the dangers in the wilds around said kingdom, but when you dig a bit deeper, it also warns travellers who make it to said kingdom.

"Oh, a nice song. I think I need to recover though. I just want to go home. All this knowledge is rough. Thank you for telling me though." Pavo rises from his seat.

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

*She sighs and looks to Flutters. The Silkfly gives a hard-to-see nod. She walks over to her nest, grabbing a pillow for him to hold instead. When she returns, she hands it to him and turns to Ronda.*

Ronda, hun, could you and the rest of your siblings head off into another room please? Me and Pavo need to talk about some things.

*Once all the kids leave, Cortla turns back to Pavo.*

Okay, so: a super long time ago, before the Citadel was even a concept, a Pale Being formed. This being would eventually take on the name Grand Mother Silk, and during her time, she ruled with an iron fist.

The thing to remember about Pale Beings is that they don't naturally care for others, not really. Their instinct is to subjugate all those weaker than them and make said other worship them, and as for any who match or are stronger?

They fight them off, either forcing them away or killing them.

This is what happened with the Weavers: she had found out about Pharlids, and used her Silk to forcibly change their bodies and give them minds. That's how Weavers were created.

The problems came when she couldn't stop her Pale instincts from mixing with her motherly ones, which ended up making her controlling.

Wanted kids? Nope, got punished for even thinking it. Wanted a break from playing songs all day? Nope, punished because that meant they weren't worshipping her! Want her to stop treating you like a literal infant? Nope, now you're brain-dead!

Eventually, the Weavers had enough, and set to planning. They realised the only way to get her to stop?

Was to trap her, and force her to sleep forever. Needless to say, this isn't an easy task, especially when trying to do it to a Pale Being.

*Cortla sighs.*

...the Weavers ended up coming up with a plan: they knew that she could be lured into sleep with songs, and said songs could also be used to activate runes. So what if they made one, giant resonating chamber, and had the best of the best keep on singing a song to put her under?

So that's what they did. They built the Citadel, a giant city made to carry sound, and said that it was in her honour. They dried up the kingdom of Karak, to make sure only the best got through, and said it was to weed out the sinners.

Eventually, they completed the runes and spells needed, and the trap was sprung. The Grand Mother was sent into slumber, right in the centre of the Citadel, above them all, trapped in a cage of Silk and spells.

...

*Even Cortla looks depressed at the next part.*

...it was all for nothing. She was still conscious, even asleep, and was actively trying to break out. This led the Weavers to flee before she could get to them.

...I know less about the rest of it, but from what I know, the people of the Citadel began to forget why they sang.

They started to think that they were better than others, and where the Weavers had made four castes — the Architects, the Conductors, the Vaultkeepers, and the Workers — the newer generations tore down the statues of the last, and dubbed them Underworkers: they toil day in, day out, in smog and rust and around the dead bodies of their fellows, all for a single rosary a week...

They forgot what exactly they kept at bay.

*Cortla is quiet for a while, seemingly collecting herself.*

...one day, they learnt of the healing properties of Silk, and began experimenting on those they deemed lower to try and extend their own lifespans.

They eventually ran out of Silk, and started looking for more. And wouldn't you know it?

There was a massive, glowing source of Silk, right above them, in the centre of their Citadel of Song...

...I think you can guess the rest.

Things can get better, if you try.

*Cortla pauses, trying to word the next part properly.*

...from what it sounds like, you weren't just greeting people because it was your job: you did it because you wished for them to be happy and healthy, you did it to spread joy.

You now know the origins of the Citadel, yes, but does that change those facts? At the end of the day, you just want others to be happy, so why not continue to do so?

If you want my advice? Try singing songs that have double meanings, like, well...

*She wracks her brain for a moment before remembering the right song, at which point she starts to sing.*

Hunting trails, and those that fail,

Throughout the shadowed night~

Walk your path, and face their wrath,

For no warrior runs away~

Stand upright, and stand uptight,

Until the dawn brings the light~

Find your way, and don't be swayed,

For there's still prey to be slayed~

*She finishes the song.*

That song was often sung around a particular kingdom that my tribe stayed away from. At the surface level, it just warns of the dangers in the wilds around said kingdom, but when you dig a bit deeper, it also warns travellers who make it to said kingdom.

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

*She sighs and looks to Flutters. The Silkfly gives a hard-to-see nod. She walks over to her nest, grabbing a pillow for him to hold instead. When she returns, she hands it to him and turns to Ronda.*

Ronda, hun, could you and the rest of your siblings head off into another room please? Me and Pavo need to talk about some things.

*Once all the kids leave, Cortla turns back to Pavo.*

Okay, so: a super long time ago, before the Citadel was even a concept, a Pale Being formed. This being would eventually take on the name Grand Mother Silk, and during her time, she ruled with an iron fist.

The thing to remember about Pale Beings is that they don't naturally care for others, not really. Their instinct is to subjugate all those weaker than them and make said other worship them, and as for any who match or are stronger?

They fight them off, either forcing them away or killing them.

This is what happened with the Weavers: she had found out about Pharlids, and used her Silk to forcibly change their bodies and give them minds. That's how Weavers were created.

The problems came when she couldn't stop her Pale instincts from mixing with her motherly ones, which ended up making her controlling.

Wanted kids? Nope, got punished for even thinking it. Wanted a break from playing songs all day? Nope, punished because that meant they weren't worshipping her! Want her to stop treating you like a literal infant? Nope, now you're brain-dead!

Eventually, the Weavers had enough, and set to planning. They realised the only way to get her to stop?

Was to trap her, and force her to sleep forever. Needless to say, this isn't an easy task, especially when trying to do it to a Pale Being.

*Cortla sighs.*

...the Weavers ended up coming up with a plan: they knew that she could be lured into sleep with songs, and said songs could also be used to activate runes. So what if they made one, giant resonating chamber, and had the best of the best keep on singing a song to put her under?

So that's what they did. They built the Citadel, a giant city made to carry sound, and said that it was in her honour. They dried up the kingdom of Karak, to make sure only the best got through, and said it was to weed out the sinners.

Eventually, they completed the runes and spells needed, and the trap was sprung. The Grand Mother was sent into slumber, right in the centre of the Citadel, above them all, trapped in a cage of Silk and spells.

...

*Even Cortla looks depressed at the next part.*

...it was all for nothing. She was still conscious, even asleep, and was actively trying to break out. This led the Weavers to flee before she could get to them.

...I know less about the rest of it, but from what I know, the people of the Citadel began to forget why they sang.

They started to think that they were better than others, and where the Weavers had made four castes — the Architects, the Conductors, the Vaultkeepers, and the Workers — the newer generations tore down the statues of the last, and dubbed them Underworkers: they toil day in, day out, in smog and rust and around the dead bodies of their fellows, all for a single rosary a week...

They forgot what exactly they kept at bay.

*Cortla is quiet for a while, seemingly collecting herself.*

...one day, they learnt of the healing properties of Silk, and began experimenting on those they deemed lower to try and extend their own lifespans.

They eventually ran out of Silk, and started looking for more. And wouldn't you know it?

There was a massive, glowing source of Silk, right above them, in the centre of their Citadel of Song...

...I think you can guess the rest.

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

*She sighs and looks to Flutters. The Silkfly gives a hard-to-see nod. She walks over to her nest, grabbing a pillow for him to hold instead. When she returns, she hands it to him and turns to Ronda.*

Ronda, hun, could you and the rest of your siblings head off into another room please? Me and Pavo need to talk about some things.

*Once all the kids leave, Cortla turns back to Pavo.*

Okay, so: a super long time ago, before the Citadel was even a concept, a Pale Being formed. This being would eventually take on the name Grand Mother Silk, and during her time, she ruled with an iron fist.

The thing to remember about Pale Beings is that they don't naturally care for others, not really. Their instinct is to subjugate all those weaker than them and make said other worship them, and as for any who match or are stronger?

They fight them off, either forcing them away or killing them.

This is what happened with the Weavers: she had found out about Pharlids, and used her Silk to forcibly change their bodies and give them minds. That's how Weavers were created.

The problems came when she couldn't stop her Pale instincts from mixing with her motherly ones, which ended up making her controlling.

Wanted kids? Nope, got punished for even thinking it. Wanted a break from playing songs all day? Nope, punished because that meant they weren't worshipping her! Want her to stop treating you like a literal infant? Nope, now you're brain-dead!

Eventually, the Weavers had enough, and set to planning. They realised the only way to get her to stop?

Was to trap her, and force her to sleep forever. Needless to say, this isn't an easy task, especially when trying to do it to a Pale Being.

*Cortla sighs.*

...the Weavers ended up coming up with a plan: they knew that she could be lured into sleep with songs, and said songs could also be used to activate runes. So what if they made one, giant resonating chamber, and had the best of the best keep on singing a song to put her under?

So that's what they did. They built the Citadel, a giant city made to carry sound, and said that it was in her honour. They dried up the kingdom of Karak, to make sure only the best got through, and said it was to weed out the sinners.

Eventually, they completed the runes and spells needed, and the trap was sprung. The Grand Mother was sent into slumber, right in the centre of the Citadel, above them all, trapped in a cage of Silk and spells.

...

*Even Cortla looks depressed at the next part.*

...it was all for nothing. She was still conscious, even asleep, and was actively trying to break out. This led the Weavers to flee before she could get to them.

...I know less about the rest of it, but from what I know, the people of the Citadel began to forget why they sang.

They started to think that they were better than others, and where the Weavers had made four castes — the Architects, the Conductors, the Vaultkeepers, and the Workers — the newer generations tore down the statues of the last, and dubbed them Underworkers: they toil day in, day out, in smog and rust and around the dead bodies of their fellows, all for a single rosary a week...

They forgot what exactly they kept at bay.

*Cortla is quiet for a while, seemingly collecting herself.*

...one day, they learnt of the healing properties of Silk, and began experimenting on those they deemed lower to try and extend their own lifespans.

They eventually ran out of Silk, and started looking for more. And wouldn't you know it?

There was a massive, glowing source of Silk, right above them, in the centre of their Citadel of Song...

...I think you can guess the rest.

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

*She sighs and looks to Flutters. The Silkfly gives a hard-to-see nod. She walks over to her nest, grabbing a pillow for him to hold instead. When she returns, she hands it to him and turns to Ronda.*

Ronda, hun, could you and the rest of your siblings head off into another room please? Me and Pavo need to talk about some things.

*Once all the kids leave, Cortla turns back to Pavo.*

Okay, so: a super long time ago, before the Citadel was even a concept, a Pale Being formed. This being would eventually take on the name Grand Mother Silk, and during her time, she ruled with an iron fist.

The thing to remember about Pale Beings is that they don't naturally care for others, not really. Their instinct is to subjugate all those weaker than them and make said other worship them, and as for any who match or are stronger?

They fight them off, either forcing them away or killing them.

This is what happened with the Weavers: she had found out about Pharlids, and used her Silk to forcibly change their bodies and give them minds. That's how Weavers were created.

The problems came when she couldn't stop her Pale instincts from mixing with her motherly ones, which ended up making her controlling.

Wanted kids? Nope, got punished for even thinking it. Wanted a break from playing songs all day? Nope, punished because that meant they weren't worshipping her! Want her to stop treating you like a literal infant? Nope, now you're brain-dead!

Eventually, the Weavers had enough, and set to planning. They realised the only way to get her to stop?

Was to trap her, and force her to sleep forever. Needless to say, this isn't an easy task, especially when trying to do it to a Pale Being.

*Cortla sighs.*

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

*She sighs and looks to Flutters. The Silkfly gives a hard-to-see nod. She walks over to her nest, grabbing a pillow for him to hold instead. When she returns, she hands it to him and turns to Ronda.*

Ronda, hun, could you and the rest of your siblings head off into another room please? Me and Pavo need to talk about some things.

*Once all the kids leave, Cortla turns back to Pavo.*

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

Pavo thinks for a moment, then speaks softly.

*Cortla sighs, the last vestiges of what the Grand Mother had done seeming to fade.*

There is more to it than just that, though. The tale of what led to the Haunting goes back to before the Citadel... it is not the kind of tale you want to hear if you don't want your day ruined...

*She sighs again.*

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

"I'll update you on my life a little. I had a date with a giant metal Conductor named Isabella. She was a bit freaky, like, who moans while eating cookies? I brought some for you and the kids."

Pavo gives Cortla a case of Polip-petal buttercookies.

*Cortla takes the case of cookies, holding it out of reach of Lilith.*

No honey, you can't have these yet. We can have them for dessert when we have dinner.

*As Cortla listens to Pavo talk, she thinks. It takes a moment, but she comes up with a theory.*

Pavo, do you think it may have something to do with her past experiences? Think about it: Conductors are quite high in the hierarchy of the Citadel, if I'm remembering correctly, so it would take something pretty bad for one to leave, yes?

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

Pavo looks at the plants and waters them a little. Then he turns his attention to the children.

Mama... teaching us t-to... read firsst.

*Cortla nods at this, moving to check on some oddly silvery-blue sprouts.*

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

@greeter-pavo

*It takes a few minutes, but eventually, Cortla opens the door. When she does, she is covered in dirt.*

Sorry about the mess, Ronda got into my spare garden soil, so I've been cleaning that up.

*Despite her words, there doesn't seem to be any traces of annoyance, not even a sigh.

Flutters appears behind her, and after a few moments, she whips around to face them.*

*Cortla blinks when she realises Pavo doesn't know about the resident Pale Being.*

Oh, I thought you knew... there's a Pale Being that lives at the top of the Citadel. She isn't... the best, really, and is known to be overbearing and controlling. She is also known to get quite... upset when things don't go her way.

"I never told the Pale Being about what mother did"

She winces to herself, sighing deeply before placing the fabric down and closing her eyes. A moment later, Grand Mother Silk feels a presence reach out to her.*

Grand Mother Silk? I believe there is... a few things you need to know about my mother...

@deep-diving-webbing

The grand lady was attending to her robotic hostage, cutting off the "growths" before hearing one of her children.

...my mother, Kastinla, was a bad, bad person. She...

*Cortla trails off.*

...she killed other Weavers. A lot of them, and tried to behead me as a child, too. There is context, but...

*Silence for a moment.*

*Cortla sighs.*

No, she took the fast way out-

*She pauses, thinking.*

...well, I wouldn't call it fast or easy, really, but she did deal with herself.

...her and a team of others were trying to make Nosk hybrids, but weren't having much luck. Eventually, Kastinla suggested that they carry the children themselves, mothering them to make sure they grew. The others didn't want to be pregnant, so they refused.

She didn't like this at all. One day, most of them went into various surgeries to try and become hybrids, or something like that. So, with barely anyone there who was in a good enough condition to stop her...

At least 30 Weavers worked in the same lab as her, not including herself. Once they all were opened up on those tables, though?

*Cortla frowns to herself.*

She was the only one to ever walk out of there.

It took several centuries until she had me, during which she became cannibalistic, and would eat any other Weaver that we happened to come across before they could see me.

Eventually, she was caught out, and when I refused to be like her, she tried to cut my head off.

*Cortla frowns even harder.*

"Don't worry, our sweet child. That she's gone means you never have to think about her again. Here, we have something that will make you feel better for now..."

The silk inside of Cortla began glowing, her head started feeling weird, really weird. But for this moment, everything seemed fine again.

However.

When she was younger, her and her sister had done some dumb, dumb things. Among them was getting somewhat high. Compared to that?

Cortla just gets Flutters' attention, and nods to the kids and then another room. The Silkfly understands quickly, and shepherds them away before the high fully hits.

When it does, Cortla just smiles.*

*Cortla softly laughs.*

They probably would enjoy presents, yes... though I've had to be careful with getting them things...

*Cortla sends over a mental image of her three kids: Lazuli, a full sized Wyrm, though they're still a baby, Ronda, a Nosk who's shell never hardened, and Lilith, a living plush toy.*

The big blue one is Lazuli, they're a Wyrm. I've had to make sure that they get toys that are large and sturdy enough, but it's been fine!

The little one with six limbs is Ronda, they're a Nosk. To be more specific, they're a runt, and their shell sadly never hardened. With Nosks, our shells remain flexible but hard using a specific mix of hormones and chemicals. The levels of these shift and change a lot, so no matter what happens, sadly, Ronda's shell will never harden. Not without turning them into a statue.

Lilith is the last one. She was given to me by one of those anonymous bugs, and I've been learning about her past for a while now...

*Cortla sighs, unable to be unhappy due to the drugging, but not quite as high as she had been before.*

"I never told the Pale Being about what mother did"

She winces to herself, sighing deeply before placing the fabric down and closing her eyes. A moment later, Grand Mother Silk feels a presence reach out to her.*

Grand Mother Silk? I believe there is... a few things you need to know about my mother...

@deep-diving-webbing

The grand lady was attending to her robotic hostage, cutting off the "growths" before hearing one of her children.

...my mother, Kastinla, was a bad, bad person. She...

*Cortla trails off.*

...she killed other Weavers. A lot of them, and tried to behead me as a child, too. There is context, but...

*Silence for a moment.*

*Cortla sighs.*

No, she took the fast way out-

*She pauses, thinking.*

...well, I wouldn't call it fast or easy, really, but she did deal with herself.

...her and a team of others were trying to make Nosk hybrids, but weren't having much luck. Eventually, Kastinla suggested that they carry the children themselves, mothering them to make sure they grew. The others didn't want to be pregnant, so they refused.

She didn't like this at all. One day, most of them went into various surgeries to try and become hybrids, or something like that. So, with barely anyone there who was in a good enough condition to stop her...

At least 30 Weavers worked in the same lab as her, not including herself. Once they all were opened up on those tables, though?

*Cortla frowns to herself.*

She was the only one to ever walk out of there.

It took several centuries until she had me, during which she became cannibalistic, and would eat any other Weaver that we happened to come across before they could see me.

Eventually, she was caught out, and when I refused to be like her, she tried to cut my head off.

*Cortla frowns even harder.*

"Don't worry, our sweet child. That she's gone means you never have to think about her again. Here, we have something that will make you feel better for now..."

The silk inside of Cortla began glowing, her head started feeling weird, really weird. But for this moment, everything seemed fine again.

However.

When she was younger, her and her sister had done some dumb, dumb things. Among them was getting somewhat high. Compared to that?

Cortla just gets Flutters' attention, and nods to the kids and then another room. The Silkfly understands quickly, and shepherds them away before the high fully hits.

When it does, Cortla just smiles.*

*Cortla softly laughs.*

They probably would enjoy presents, yes... though I've had to be careful with getting them things...

*Cortla sends over a mental image of her three kids: Lazuli, a full sized Wyrm, though they're still a baby, Ronda, a Nosk who's shell never hardened, and Lilith, a living plush toy.*

The big blue one is Lazuli, they're a Wyrm. I've had to make sure that they get toys that are large and sturdy enough, but it's been fine!

The little one with six limbs is Ronda, they're a Nosk. To be more specific, they're a runt, and their shell sadly never hardened. With Nosks, our shells remain flexible but hard using a specific mix of hormones and chemicals. The levels of these shift and change a lot, so no matter what happens, sadly, Ronda's shell will never harden. Not without turning them into a statue.

Lilith is the last one. She was given to me by one of those anonymous bugs, and I've been learning about her past for a while now...

*Cortla sighs, unable to be unhappy due to the drugging, but not quite as high as she had been before.*