The Sixth Sentinel... and a Bud?

"Subject Identified: Breeder #2552," It greeted. "This Sentinel has found the spinner in Bellhart. It may move soon, as its companion has become aware that this Sentinel is looking for it after certain conditions compromised this Sentinel's stealth capabilities," The Sixth Sentinel explained. "Query: Do you require any other form ofassistance from me?"

@rootrobot.

"You... Actually found them?? Thank you so much!! Uh... I don't think I need anything else, but thank you!"

*She bows her head, wings fluttering in happiness. She looks up, worried*

"Subject Identified: Breeder #2552," It greeted. "This Sentinel has found the spinner in Bellhart. It may move soon, as its companion has become aware that this Sentinel is looking for it after certain conditions compromised this Sentinel's stealth capabilities," The Sixth Sentinel explained. "Query: Do you require any other form ofassistance from me?"

@rootrobot.

"You... Actually found them?? Thank you so much!! Uh... I don't think I need anything else, but thank you!"

*She bows her head, wings fluttering in happiness. She looks up, worried*

At first, it had been difficult. Thon (which it had started growing more and more used to calling referring to itself as, after the Third Sentinel, Trinn, had started doing so) had found the silk spinner nearly untraceable.

But eventually, thon had gotten a method for tracking it.

It seemed to spend considerable time with a creature that was, partially, made of Void. Void could be traced. So, the Sixth Sentinel traced it.

Thon traced it all the way to Shellwood, where thon found this... automaton?

An automaton, yes, walking through Shellwood.

Predicting its path, thon concluded that it was moving to Bellhart... and so thon stalked it all the way there.

There—Thon saw the specimen. The silk moth.

Target's location acquired. Time to report back to Breeder #2552.

With that, the Sixth Sentinel vanished, though in thons haste, it's possible someone spotted thon.

@rootrobot.

Throughout the journey back to Bellhart to reunite once more with their moth friend, Goldie had remained oblivious to the metal bug stalking them from behind. It was only when they were paces away from where they had left Spinner did they vaguely notice something or someone quickly moving away behind them.

Whirling around in confusion, they slowly walk in the direction they thought they saw the thing vanish. They caught a quick glance of metallic plating, and impulsively they called out,

It turned around.

Root tendrils curled from under its gilded exterior, its Plasmium-clogged eye flaring blue as it gazed upon the Void-filled automaton.

Thon debated what action to take, calculating whatever was of least risk.

The root bud within it let out a wet gurgle, a desperate noise. It had been growing progressively more restless for a proper host the longer it spent within the Sentinel.

It was unused to creatures being friendly towards it like this.

"Subject unable to be properly identified," The Sixth Sentinel... greeted? "Designation unknown. Correct, this Sentinel is an automaton. Correct, this Sentinel is not of your model. Your favorability towards its singing is noted."

... that was probably its best approximation of a 'thank you'?

"Query: What is your designation?"

It doesn't like the feeling, but it is aware that it brought this up on itself, and thus it shall not protest.

"Yes, this Sentinel does possess many names," It remarked. Technically, it hadn't even given the full list.

Then, the Sixth Sentinel heard Goldie's question. This is one instance where it would be beneficial to lie... if it could.

Usually, when the Sixth Sentinel announced that it had followed a bug, the reaction was terror. In this case, it was simple... curiosity.

The mannerisms of this bug... The Sixth Sentinel briefly wondered if this was how the root bud within it would act, were it able to speak.

They weren’t stupid enough or oblivious enough to know what thon was talking about. They did spend significant time with one particular bug—a bug they were just going back to see had they not noticed they were being followed.

They probably just put their friend in danger.

Besides, metal bugs came from the Citadel. Why had they not noticed before?

“MEANIE!” Goldie shrieked, the volume of their voice startling even to them, “You are a mean Citadel bug! Oh no, oh no, oh no…!”

'Mean,' Goldie had called thon. Strange. Trinn had called thon 'nice.' Thon was not quite sure how to reconcile this strange contradiction.

Nonetheless, the shrieking had made the root bud resume its crying and sobbing, and the Sixth Sentinel had already gotten what thon came for. As such, the Sixth Sentinel began to dart away, needing to report back to Breeder #2552.

Along the way, thon resumed thons earlier singing of lullabies to the root bud, hoping it would quell the creature's emotional state.

It did not.

At first, it had been difficult. Thon (which it had started growing more and more used to calling referring to itself as, after the Third Sentinel, Trinn, had started doing so) had found the silk spinner nearly untraceable.

But eventually, thon had gotten a method for tracking it.

It seemed to spend considerable time with a creature that was, partially, made of Void. Void could be traced. So, the Sixth Sentinel traced it.

Thon traced it all the way to Shellwood, where thon found this... automaton?

An automaton, yes, walking through Shellwood.

Predicting its path, thon concluded that it was moving to Bellhart... and so thon stalked it all the way there.

There—Thon saw the specimen. The silk moth.

Target's location acquired. Time to report back to Breeder #2552.

With that, the Sixth Sentinel vanished, though in thons haste, it's possible someone spotted thon.

@rootrobot.

Throughout the journey back to Bellhart to reunite once more with their moth friend, Goldie had remained oblivious to the metal bug stalking them from behind. It was only when they were paces away from where they had left Spinner did they vaguely notice something or someone quickly moving away behind them.

Whirling around in confusion, they slowly walk in the direction they thought they saw the thing vanish. They caught a quick glance of metallic plating, and impulsively they called out,

It turned around.

Root tendrils curled from under its gilded exterior, its Plasmium-clogged eye flaring blue as it gazed upon the Void-filled automaton.

Thon debated what action to take, calculating whatever was of least risk.

The root bud within it let out a wet gurgle, a desperate noise. It had been growing progressively more restless for a proper host the longer it spent within the Sentinel.

It was unused to creatures being friendly towards it like this.

"Subject unable to be properly identified," The Sixth Sentinel... greeted? "Designation unknown. Correct, this Sentinel is an automaton. Correct, this Sentinel is not of your model. Your favorability towards its singing is noted."

... that was probably its best approximation of a 'thank you'?

"Query: What is your designation?"

It doesn't like the feeling, but it is aware that it brought this up on itself, and thus it shall not protest.

"Yes, this Sentinel does possess many names," It remarked. Technically, it hadn't even given the full list.

Then, the Sixth Sentinel heard Goldie's question. This is one instance where it would be beneficial to lie... if it could.

Usually, when the Sixth Sentinel announced that it had followed a bug, the reaction was terror. In this case, it was simple... curiosity.

The mannerisms of this bug... The Sixth Sentinel briefly wondered if this was how the root bud within it would act, were it able to speak.

At first, it had been difficult. Thon (which it had started growing more and more used to calling referring to itself as, after the Third Sentinel, Trinn, had started doing so) had found the silk spinner nearly untraceable.

But eventually, thon had gotten a method for tracking it.

It seemed to spend considerable time with a creature that was, partially, made of Void. Void could be traced. So, the Sixth Sentinel traced it.

Thon traced it all the way to Shellwood, where thon found this... automaton?

An automaton, yes, walking through Shellwood.

Predicting its path, thon concluded that it was moving to Bellhart... and so thon stalked it all the way there.

There—Thon saw the specimen. The silk moth.

Target's location acquired. Time to report back to Breeder #2552.

With that, the Sixth Sentinel vanished, though in thons haste, it's possible someone spotted thon.

@rootrobot.

Throughout the journey back to Bellhart to reunite once more with their moth friend, Goldie had remained oblivious to the metal bug stalking them from behind. It was only when they were paces away from where they had left Spinner did they vaguely notice something or someone quickly moving away behind them.

Whirling around in confusion, they slowly walk in the direction they thought they saw the thing vanish. They caught a quick glance of metallic plating, and impulsively they called out,

It turned around.

Root tendrils curled from under its gilded exterior, its Plasmium-clogged eye flaring blue as it gazed upon the Void-filled automaton.

Thon debated what action to take, calculating whatever was of least risk.

The root bud within it let out a wet gurgle, a desperate noise. It had been growing progressively more restless for a proper host the longer it spent within the Sentinel.

It was unused to creatures being friendly towards it like this.

"Subject unable to be properly identified," The Sixth Sentinel... greeted? "Designation unknown. Correct, this Sentinel is an automaton. Correct, this Sentinel is not of your model. Your favorability towards its singing is noted."

... that was probably its best approximation of a 'thank you'?

"Query: What is your designation?"

It doesn't like the feeling, but it is aware that it brought this up on itself, and thus it shall not protest.

"Yes, this Sentinel does possess many names," It remarked. Technically, it hadn't even given the full list.

Then, the Sixth Sentinel heard Goldie's question. This is one instance where it would be beneficial to lie... if it could.

At first, it had been difficult. Thon (which it had started growing more and more used to calling referring to itself as, after the Third Sentinel, Trinn, had started doing so) had found the silk spinner nearly untraceable.

But eventually, thon had gotten a method for tracking it.

It seemed to spend considerable time with a creature that was, partially, made of Void. Void could be traced. So, the Sixth Sentinel traced it.

Thon traced it all the way to Shellwood, where thon found this... automaton?

An automaton, yes, walking through Shellwood.

Predicting its path, thon concluded that it was moving to Bellhart... and so thon stalked it all the way there.

There—Thon saw the specimen. The silk moth.

Target's location acquired. Time to report back to Breeder #2552.

With that, the Sixth Sentinel vanished, though in thons haste, it's possible someone spotted thon.

@rootrobot.

Throughout the journey back to Bellhart to reunite once more with their moth friend, Goldie had remained oblivious to the metal bug stalking them from behind. It was only when they were paces away from where they had left Spinner did they vaguely notice something or someone quickly moving away behind them.

Whirling around in confusion, they slowly walk in the direction they thought they saw the thing vanish. They caught a quick glance of metallic plating, and impulsively they called out,

It turned around.

Root tendrils curled from under its gilded exterior, its Plasmium-clogged eye flaring blue as it gazed upon the Void-filled automaton.

Thon debated what action to take, calculating whatever was of least risk.

The root bud within it let out a wet gurgle, a desperate noise. It had been growing progressively more restless for a proper host the longer it spent within the Sentinel.

It was unused to creatures being friendly towards it like this.

"Subject unable to be properly identified," The Sixth Sentinel... greeted? "Designation unknown. Correct, this Sentinel is an automaton. Correct, this Sentinel is not of your model. Your favorability towards its singing is noted."

... that was probably its best approximation of a 'thank you'?

"Query: What is your designation?"

At first, it had been difficult. Thon (which it had started growing more and more used to calling referring to itself as, after the Third Sentinel, Trinn, had started doing so) had found the silk spinner nearly untraceable.

But eventually, thon had gotten a method for tracking it.

It seemed to spend considerable time with a creature that was, partially, made of Void. Void could be traced. So, the Sixth Sentinel traced it.

Thon traced it all the way to Shellwood, where thon found this... automaton?

An automaton, yes, walking through Shellwood.

Predicting its path, thon concluded that it was moving to Bellhart... and so thon stalked it all the way there.

There—Thon saw the specimen. The silk moth.

Target's location acquired. Time to report back to Breeder #2552.

With that, the Sixth Sentinel vanished, though in thons haste, it's possible someone spotted thon.

@rootrobot.

Throughout the journey back to Bellhart to reunite once more with their moth friend, Goldie had remained oblivious to the metal bug stalking them from behind. It was only when they were paces away from where they had left Spinner did they vaguely notice something or someone quickly moving away behind them.

Whirling around in confusion, they slowly walk in the direction they thought they saw the thing vanish. They caught a quick glance of metallic plating, and impulsively they called out,

It turned around.

Root tendrils curled from under its gilded exterior, its Plasmium-clogged eye flaring blue as it gazed upon the Void-filled automaton.

Thon debated what action to take, calculating whatever was of least risk.

The root bud within it let out a wet gurgle, a desperate noise. It had been growing progressively more restless for a proper host the longer it spent within the Sentinel.

It was unused to creatures being friendly towards it like this.

"Subject unable to be properly identified," The Sixth Sentinel... greeted? "Designation unknown. Correct, this Sentinel is an automaton. Correct, this Sentinel is not of your model. Your favorability towards its singing is noted."

... that was probably its best approximation of a 'thank you'?

"Query: What is your designation?"

At first, it had been difficult. Thon (which it had started growing more and more used to calling referring to itself as, after the Third Sentinel, Trinn, had started doing so) had found the silk spinner nearly untraceable.

But eventually, thon had gotten a method for tracking it.

It seemed to spend considerable time with a creature that was, partially, made of Void. Void could be traced. So, the Sixth Sentinel traced it.

Thon traced it all the way to Shellwood, where thon found this... automaton?

An automaton, yes, walking through Shellwood.

Predicting its path, thon concluded that it was moving to Bellhart... and so thon stalked it all the way there.

There—Thon saw the specimen. The silk moth.

Target's location acquired. Time to report back to Breeder #2552.

With that, the Sixth Sentinel vanished, though in thons haste, it's possible someone spotted thon.

@rootrobot.

Throughout the journey back to Bellhart to reunite once more with their moth friend, Goldie had remained oblivious to the metal bug stalking them from behind. It was only when they were paces away from where they had left Spinner did they vaguely notice something or someone quickly moving away behind them.

Whirling around in confusion, they slowly walk in the direction they thought they saw the thing vanish. They caught a quick glance of metallic plating, and impulsively they called out,

It turned around.

Root tendrils curled from under its gilded exterior, its Plasmium-clogged eye flaring blue as it gazed upon the Void-filled automaton.

Thon debated what action to take, calculating whatever was of least risk.

The root bud within it let out a wet gurgle, a desperate noise. It had been growing progressively more restless for a proper host the longer it spent within the Sentinel.

It was unused to creatures being friendly towards it like this.

"Subject unable to be properly identified," The Sixth Sentinel... greeted? "Designation unknown. Correct, this Sentinel is an automaton. Correct, this Sentinel is not of your model. Your favorability towards its singing is noted."

... that was probably its best approximation of a 'thank you'?

"Query: What is your designation?"

At first, it had been difficult. Thon (which it had started growing more and more used to calling referring to itself as, after the Third Sentinel, Trinn, had started doing so) had found the silk spinner nearly untraceable.

But eventually, thon had gotten a method for tracking it.

It seemed to spend considerable time with a creature that was, partially, made of Void. Void could be traced. So, the Sixth Sentinel traced it.

Thon traced it all the way to Shellwood, where thon found this... automaton?

An automaton, yes, walking through Shellwood.

Predicting its path, thon concluded that it was moving to Bellhart... and so thon stalked it all the way there.

There—Thon saw the specimen. The silk moth.

Target's location acquired. Time to report back to Breeder #2552.

With that, the Sixth Sentinel vanished, though in thons haste, it's possible someone spotted thon.

@rootrobot.

Throughout the journey back to Bellhart to reunite once more with their moth friend, Goldie had remained oblivious to the metal bug stalking them from behind. It was only when they were paces away from where they had left Spinner did they vaguely notice something or someone quickly moving away behind them.

Whirling around in confusion, they slowly walk in the direction they thought they saw the thing vanish. They caught a quick glance of metallic plating, and impulsively they called out,

It turned around.

Root tendrils curled from under its gilded exterior, its Plasmium-clogged eye flaring blue as it gazed upon the Void-filled automaton.

Thon debated what action to take, calculating whatever was of least risk.

The root bud within it let out a wet gurgle, a desperate noise. It had been growing progressively more restless for a proper host the longer it spent within the Sentinel.

"Hello? I was told you're good at finding others. I need help with finding someone."

@citadel-silk-moth

The Sixth Sentinel's head snapped towards the fluffy moth.

"Subject Identified: Breeder Number Two-Thousand Five-Hundred Fifty-Two," It announced, voice as rigid as its metallic body. "This Sentinel can confirm that it is skilled at finding others. What individual do you need help with locating?"

The Sentinel felt a stirring within it. Like it was back in the saddle again. Taking orders, finding bugs... This is what it lived for.

The Sixth Sentinel began to think about this.

It would be... quite difficult to find them without additional information. But it would manage it.

... Prosthetics could be promising. Those were rare. That could narrow it down.

"Hello? I was told you're good at finding others. I need help with finding someone."

@citadel-silk-moth

The Sixth Sentinel's head snapped towards the fluffy moth.

"Subject Identified: Breeder Number Two-Thousand Five-Hundred Fifty-Two," It announced, voice as rigid as its metallic body. "This Sentinel can confirm that it is skilled at finding others. What individual do you need help with locating?"

The Sentinel felt a stirring within it. Like it was back in the saddle again. Taking orders, finding bugs... This is what it lived for.

The Sixth Sentinel began to think about this.

It would be... quite difficult to find them without additional information. But it would manage it.

... Prosthetics could be promising. Those were rare. That could narrow it down.

"Hello? I was told you're good at finding others. I need help with finding someone."

@citadel-silk-moth

The Sixth Sentinel's head snapped towards the fluffy moth.

"Subject Identified: Breeder Number Two-Thousand Five-Hundred Fifty-Two," It announced, voice as rigid as its metallic body. "This Sentinel can confirm that it is skilled at finding others. What individual do you need help with locating?"

The Sentinel felt a stirring within it. Like it was back in the saddle again. Taking orders, finding bugs... This is what it lived for.

The Sixth Sentinel began to think about this.

It would be... quite difficult to find them without additional information. But it would manage it.