[GRO] Anguis Serpen - Teen

[Hivestuck]

For as large and sprawling as the city of New Hemisect was, the grasslands surrounding it were even more so. Grassy plains rolled out into the distance, speckled with trees and foliage, and occasionally splashed with the clean-cut edges of a resident troll’s lawnring. Foggy mountains and highland trees ran the most distant edges of the plains, far beyond where a troll could travel in a night’s time by foot.

A gentle, but persistent breeze shifted the grass from side to side, causing a ripple effect in the far hills. It was warm and the air was heavy, signaling a rainstorm would soon be headed towards the city. Until then, the sky was only brushed over with a thin layer of clouds, leaving the occasional star to peek through the coverage.

There were of course plenty of well-trafficked main roads running in and out of New Hemisect. However, there were also a spiderweb of worn dirt paths branching out all across the plains leading to and from various hives and landmarks. At the edge of one of these trails stood one Anguis Serpen.


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PeanutButterpies

 

[grayseasons]

The plains were the same as ever, tall grass rippling slightly in the wind, peaceful and free from the usual bustle of the city. It was steady, comforting, rare stability in the usually chaotic life that happened. It was why he was here now, wandering one of the worn down paths, he supposed. Finding peace in something that had been here since his childhood and would continue to be here long after he was gone, granted that the planet didn't get destroyed or something.

It was a mostly reassuring thought.

Anguis used to come out here when he was younger, Dragondad trailing behind him. Forera didn't like coming out to the plains unless there was a reason for adventure, so it was a way to get some time by himself for awhile. He'd read books while laying in the grass, Dragondad always nearby and keeping an eye out for danger. If he tried hard enough, he could probably remember the path that he always took, the only one Dragondad had ever let him take. But it wasn't what he was here for and anyways, the path probably overgrown by now. His visits had slowly tapered off into nothing as he had found other things to do and lost interest.

In fact, the last time he had been here was with Forera, chasing after some musclebeast that she had heard was out here. They hadn't caught it, of course, she was only armed with her scalpel and he was just a kid, his lusus wrapped around his arm as he had desperately tried to keep up. She had just grown, gotten her growth spurt and he had been so mad about it too. That night was... it was something he treasured, as silly as it sound. It probably wasn't that important to her but to him it was special.

Or it had been anyways. He had been so- so stupid to think that everything would have turned out alright like they had thought it would have been. They had even joked about her losing her legs and here they were, a hand gone! She was upbeat about it, but he still felt so bad every time he so much at looked at it. He was the older brother, he was supposed to protect her.

Anguis trailed off the path he was traveling, moving to a patch of grass to lay down and stare at the cloudy sky. So much had happened recently, it was hard to think about it all. He had just been running, trying to move on that once he had time to stop and take a breath, it came onto him all too fast. Wearily he brought one of his hands in front of his face, staring at the thick black band around his wrist. The punishment pits weighed heavily on his mind, something that had been his biggest downfall.

Before that, everything had seemed so inconsequential. They had just been roaming around an area, gathering whatever they could find. It was fine, the group of them, they only had to worry about security bots. Then there was that fight and the.. the pits. He had been ripped from Forera, just freed without any chance to be able to save her. It was wrong, wrong, wrong! He had... he had to protect her. He was the responsible one, it was his job. Right?

He choked back a sob, letting his arm fall over his eyes. She was alright now, Vulpin.. Vulpin had saved her. He had to thank him, Anguis owed so much to him for saving his twin. He hadn't been able to do anything, just run around and look for her. But that was behind him now, he could do better now. He had to.

But there was the question of how. The rebels... the rebels had gotten him into this whole mess. It wasn't their fault entirely but they had contributed it and if that was just the start, he didn't want to go any further. The government itself was absolutely out of the question though. The tattoos on his wrist proved that notion clearly, the black ink hiding the numbers that had been printed on there.

It was odd, he thought, to realize that everything he had known was absolutely wrong. The rebels, they'd always been painted as bad and the government good, easy shades of black and white to read. He hadn't always believed it, had realized the rebels had a cause (although he was not ready to join it) and the government wasn't perfect. But it had been a general starting point, a steady solid in his life. But that had been quickly shattered, made him realized that he couldn't trust either easily, and he didn't know what to do.

Was he supposed to throw away all that had happened and just join one? That didn't feel right and Anguis frowned, rolling over in the grass onto his side. He couldn't imagine it going well in any scenario, even if he was accepted easily in. Not to mention Forera. He didn't want to leave her behind, but did she even want to join a side?

His mind wandered back to that time they'd been here, laying on the grass like he was now. The night had been clearer and he remembered her laugh, they ways she had answered him so easily that "We'll always be together. I promise, bro!!". He had believed her then but now, now he was a little more reluctant. Would they together? He wanted to believe it, but now it all seemed so unclear. What was even right in the world anymore?

He sighed, rolling back onto his back to stare at the few stars that had begun to peek through the clouds. That was the question, wasn't it? He just had to figure out how to answer it and then, then he'd know what to do. Whenever he'd had a question, he'd just usually turn to his books but all the books in the world couldn't answer this. But... other trolls. They had experience, knowledge, things that he didn't have but could learn from. Everyone was kind of a walking book, right? Full of information that was unique to them, even if it was a little biased. He could just ask them. That would work, right?

He gave a strangled giggle, laughing at the absurdity of the thought. Sure, it would work just like that, just walk up to a troll and ask. That wouldn't end in utter disaster, not at all!! But even with it being so absurd, it was a small solution. Something to fall back on, if he had to. Not that he would, seeing that how every troll was a possible enemy, but it was there.

Besides that, he still had some time to sort it out, some time to trust that every troll wasn't out to get him or Forera. His tattoos were covered and she was. Well. She was smart and she had Vulpin and him if she needed them. Really the worry was just for him and he was sure it was probably covered. Anguis just needed to lay low for awhile.

Getting up with a grunt, Anguis dusted himself off and started the trek back towards the hive. He wasn't entirely content with everything, but it was a start and like Dragondad said, once you had a start you could do anything. He could prove that he could protect himself and Forera, that he could figure this all out. It was something and to him, that was enough.

Hivestuck