[PRP] Break in, break down (Tamiya x Larque) [fin]

[kamileunaire]

Larque frowned with consternation as she explained what needed to be done, still confused about the entire process. As a little greenblooded urchin, he knew little to nothing about her strange religion, only that it wasn't wise at all to cross highbloods. That's what Mantismom had told him, anyway. Respect was key with highbloods, even if some of them acted like huge brats sometimes. This one certainly wasn't acting like a brat, but even though he didn't appreciate the way he was being treated, he knew it was warranted after he'd (unwittingly) broken into her hive.

"Aah...??" He wanted so badly to ask why, but all he could do was stutter as the tip of the weapon was placed on his chest, twisting slowly beneath the girl's lusus again in nervous anticipation of what was coming. Why she thought he needed protection, he could not fathom. How could she protect him? He had his lusus for that. The thin thread of fear and respect kept him from trying to interrupt her, though a chill ran down his spine when he wondered if it were some sort of strange execution.

And there she went, lifting the strange pipe, and boy did it look heavy. Heavy enough to crush his skull in, perhaps? He bristled, and startled to struggle again, despite her comment about remaining unscathed. "N-no, no, please---" His whimpering crescendoed as she stalled, and as the weapon came down, he finally fell silent. Not dead, of course, but completely out cold, just as she had intended all along.  

[Sypon]

What happened next was quick and silent. Kabukidad lightly stepped off of the child and bounded back into the darkness of the hive. Tamiya watched him go, considering his move as an affirmation, and then rushed to the boy’s side. He was breathing. Thank the Messiahs. Tamiya couldn’t think of… The alternative.

He would wake soon. The purpleblood rushed to her respiteblock and grabbed one of her many spare snuggleplanes. Tamiya ran cold – and at this time of night, the wayward troll might need it. She brushed his hair out of his eyes and felt his forehead. Wonderfully warm and alive. Tamiya mumbled a prayer and blinked the stubborn tears out of her eyes. Kabukidad returned shortly. Wrapping Larque carefully in the comfortable spread, she assisted him onto her lusus’ back and held him steady. The two made their way out of the hive without words.

The night was still young, but it felt like ages since Tamiya had awoken and her rituals had been disturbed beyond repair. She’d remember this for… A long time. She exited the hive, feeling an unwelcome rush of cold air on her skin. It was good that the boy was covered in the blanket. The two traced Larque’s steps back to his point of origin, and then beyond. Tamiya placed him sitting upright against a shady oak – one of her childhood favorites. She cleared her throat, but Kabukidad cut her off with a warning growl. The lusus, perhaps? It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

Tamiya and Kabukidad quickly padded away from Larque, as fast and silently as the two could manage. She had a long night of mending ahead of her, but Tamiya was already exhausted. Her only relief was knowing that – somewhere – the greenblooded boy was safe. She clutched the whistle around her neck, and disappeared with her curious lusus back into the eternal shade of her hive.  

[kamileunaire]

Though he would not know until later, Larque was indeed alive and well. The little greenblood made no response at all to being moved or jostled or wrapped up, and only stirred slightly when they deposited him beneath the tree. He would be out for a while yet, though he would certainly not remain out in the open...

Tamiya and her lusus couldn't have left at a better time. A distraught hiss slithered through the air as something big drew near to the tree. With her antennae waving, the gigantic mantis was more upset than she had been for a long while. Where had he gone? It wasn't like him to run off like that, and not even have the decency to send out the safe-sign. The little fool had become distracted, perhaps...or maybe he had perished. She had been patrolling a slowly growing circle around their hive, until - yes!! She perked as she caught his 'scent'. He was near, possibly alive....

Mantismom scuttled off quickly, determined to find her charge. After rounding a half-constructed building, she was rewarded with the sight of his tiny form curled beneath the tree, and she compressed herself angrily, emitting another low hissing sound. She used one forefoot to turn him over, when her feelers picked up other strange 'smells'. Other trolls. She shifted her head up to look around. Something had happened...but there was nothing to do about it now. She quickly gathered up her youngling and turned to retreat, where he could recover in the safety of their hive.