[Phantom picks up Lamina gently, slowly petting them.]

Lamina.... I.... I remember you had a nightmare, some time ago....

And I know you have witnessed many terrible thinhs, more than à small grub like ever should.

If you need, please talk to me about it. I will listen. And if you need, you may cry in my arms too. I will hold you. As long as you need.

And if you have no need or wish for any of these things, or if you are not ready, then know I will not force you. You may remain silent. And I will hold you silently.

“…”

Lamina leans into the pets

“It’s ok Phantom”

It stares and then blinks.

Lamina begins to scream.

All the pain and trauma pushed back onto them after being free and it HURT. It hurt it hurt it hurt it hurt.

The presence took over. Shoving Lamina out to bear the agony.

“WHO DID THIS”

[It’s been a while now. I hope they’re all ok]

[Mamas came back… Kirr’s fur was all torn an ragged… sister wasn’t with them]

[She’ll be back soon, she’s just catching up]

[It’s been long]

[She’s not coming back]

[She’s never coming back]

It is done, it is done! Quite the tedious task, but it is complete! The Silk is collected...

I hadn't known I would be able to handle it in such large amounts without something bad happen... A blessing, blessing it is that nothing went wrong!

@collector-of-pharloom

Lamina jumped onto Collector hugging them.

“Thank you..!”

“…”

Lamina dragged the sack over to Bappie

“When you get better I’ll have you meet Phantom!”

(“But what if there is no when, we shouldn’t get our hopes up”)

Sable flinched, Thistle shoving her out of front

“Do. not. do. that.”

The Moss Mothers loved Bappie, and Moss Gatherer, when they were a grub. Bappie is dead. Moss Gatherer ascended, so then there's you.

You were never worthy of their love, you were just a substitute. Something to fill the void.

Grub ran off hiding in a corner

They are back at the exhaust organ, the walls drenched black with void. A figure is standing there, just as dark as the rest of the room; holding a golden pin in its hand. Void starts bubbling from the floor, creeping towards the mossgrub

It suddenly lashes out, Lamina turning and running away. Not looking where they’re going. They stumble. Falling down… down… down…

They jerk awake with a cry. Shaking