[prp] ommatidia (leila/queen)

[cibarium]

The main nest of the Multitude was easier for Leila to find than ever. It was part memory and part instinct, with Biscuit diligently following along. The darkness ilicited a change in both their moods, though -- the lack of sunlight made things look more dull, having lost a range of colors.

Hello? she probed. I'm here for Queen.

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

What you want from Queen, came the answer from the shadows. Evidently they hadn't quite forgiven Leila's long absence from the nest, even if they weren't actively swarming at the moment.

cibarium

 

[cibarium]

I wanted to see if the recent changes in the magic have affected you, she answered, passing along images of the ritual for the new Charter. And I think I should learn more about you. I also need help understanding some of the things I've seen.

Then, she dug into a pocket and pulled out a small bundle of cinnamon sticks, which she placed on the ground. Also, I brought these. Friend had seemed to like them. They were a form of deadwood. But sweeter and spicier.

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

Queen is busy.

They cautiously covered the cinnamon sticks.

We help. What concern?

cibarium

 

[cibarium]

Leila offered up a memory of her brief question to Silk at the warg's library earlier, where the ever-busy fetch had explained that the changes in the otherworld would also affect its denizens. First, I wanted to make sure this hadn't resulted in any serious problems for you, she explained. Do you need anything to help adjust?

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

There was a feeling like laughter.

Has been seasons. We adapt already. Too late, speaker.

cibarium

 

[cibarium]

"Speaker" ?

That was a new one.

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

You think we choose you just to be friend?

When so many would be afraid to see the Many?

Needed One. You. Speaker.

cibarium

 

[cibarium]

The Multitude had been pretty mysterious about what, exactly, they wanted from Leila -- either that or something was lost in translation when the topic came up. Last time she was "Treasure"... now she was Speaker. Even though she had other things to ask, it was important to figure out what they mean first.

Speaker as in, I speak for you?

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

Yes. Serve good of Many. Already help in save the Princess. Bring her home.

There was a low hum of agreeing clicks.

Speak for Many, tell new Court of us. In exchange, friends.

cibarium

 

[cibarium]

Leila nodded slowly through the explanation. It made enough sense, and it was within her abilities. The mention of Princess, though, brought her to the other reason she was here.

I can do that. I remember the Princess... there was something about that day I was going to ask.

She offered a memory of the landscape changing as she'd walked as instructed, with emphasis on the sky ahead, impossibly dense with stars arranged in unfamiliar constellations.

Before we established the new Court we had to stop... an usurper. I was scrying to figure out his location and his plans, and I saw...

Then she presented the image of the Burning Man, with his daughters, under another unusual and vast arrangement of stars.

Are these the same? Or related in some way?

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

A thoughtful susurration of clicks.

Is a memory.

(Helpful!)

Memory of old time. Beginning seasons. Before first Charter. When stars clean, new. Travel around the dirt.

cibarium

 

[cibarium]

Leila blinked. That fit part of Friend's short answer about it: long ago and far away.

Before the first Charter, but after the first sigil? she guessed. What do you mean by 'travel around the dirt?'

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

Memory of old time,

the voices of the eye-bugs repeated.

Big orbs travel. Bring light, darkness, light. Around the dirt.

There was the sense that they thought they were bieng perfectly clear.

cibarium

 

[cibarium]

And, of course, Leila was still confused. The big orbs could have been stars, or something else, she hadn't a clue. She sat down cross-legged on the ground and thought.

Can I see more of this memory? she asked. Maybe pictures would be easier to sift through than words.

shibrogane