crowspace | call me out v. 13.0

[When Lobco had awoken up today it was in the damnable castle.

She had almost thought the day that she was returned to her world would never come, so needless to say waking up to that man next to her had been a wretched experience. It had been a long, long time since that last happened and since then she had come to get a firm grip on everything that he had done. Fear and regret had turned to a manageable anger and resentment and so she did not cry or quake at the sight of his back.

The shrimp simply went on with the routine she had adopted those years back: get up first, prepared breakfast and lunch for the two of them, and then head on out as if going to Chlomaki's for work. She had always risen before him, and was always expected to return before him.

She of course would not. Lobco packed herself for quite the journey. That connection that she had long since severed with Chlomaki would probably now be felt by said cat and the other familiars; in all likelihood the abruptness of its end would probably lead them to think her dead, which was, quite frankly, for the best.

Lobco was to disappear completely from this world after all. She and Grimm had spoken of when this would eventually happen and how he would come for her. It was an unfortunate but simple reality that this would be the best solution for her and for all her loved ones if she simply vanished. With Grimm and Grimmchild, she had found a place that she could call home.

The past couple days have been a flurry of keeping low, keeping to the forests and sneaking by Chlomaki's home (once, just once to make sure that they had not been touched) and then dodging hunters; fortunately her experiences made it a simple enough ordeal.

It was on the eighth day when she finally felt it: a call too strong to resist, and one she would never want to. It led her deeper into the forests until she finally happened upon a cave, at the entrance which stood a single ornate torch, already burning.]

Grimm?

[Grimm is normally one to make an entrance. Swinging lanterns, wildly flickering lights, and clouds of red smoke.

Today, he simply appears before her at the entrance to the cave. No lights, no fuss.

There is no need to make a first impression, after all.]

My friend. You called for me.

[As much as he had called to her, the opposite is true as well. He felt her desire - no, her need to return to him, and had answered in kind.]

Edited 2019-12-11 13:34 (UTC)

[When Grimm appears Lobco absolutely lights up, looking brighter than even the burning lantern. It had only been a little less than two weeks since she had last seen Grimm, but somehow it feels longer, so she barely even makes a conscious decision before she's hugging him.]

And you answered. Thank you, Grimm.

[Lobco had faith eternal in Grimm, but even she hadn't expected it to be so soon. After all, there was only so much control they had over the situation with no inkling of how time worked between their worlds.]

I missed you.

[With a soft smile, Grimm hugs her in return. They had only been separated for two weeks, but after months in each other's country, two weeks feels agonizingly long.]

And I you, my dear one.

[When she finally pulls back she looks up at him and smiles.]

How have you been? Has it been long for you? [How was everything when she left? How was everything when he left. How about the Troupe and the Ritual? She had so many questions but she tried to limit herself, not wanting to swarm him all at once.]

No more than a few weeks. [So their timelines have matched up relatively closely.] The Ritual... Will need to be delayed. My time in Prismatica has seen to that.

[So for now, he isn't going anywhere.]

[...was it wrong for Lobco to be happy about that? She knew how important the Ritual was and what it meant to Grimm...but knowing that he would be around for a while longer elated her. His fated death was the only con she had seen in joining the Grimm Troupe, but anytime, even if it were only one day more with Grimm was better than nothing.

Besides, she wanted to be there for Grimmchild as well.

While curious as to what exactly caused the delay, she would ask that some other time. The shrimp cast a cautious look behind her, before looking towards Grimm again.]

...we shouldn't stay here too long. There are people looking for me.

[Death is a complex thing, as is the Ritual. Grimm would not blame her for being glad for the delay.

He nods, and turns behind him. A pair of... well. Hard to say what animal they are - giraffe weevils? - but they're wearing saddles.]

The roads between are dangerous to walk alone.

[She's more than a little surprised at the sight of them. Not that they are there but that they have saddles. Lobco knows they wouldn't be here if they didn't want to be but some instincts are still a little hard to fight.

She gives them a small bow.]

Thank you for your help.

[The Grimmsteeds bow their heads to her in turn. They are happy to help the Troupe, and to help her.]

Have you ridden?

[If not, then maybe Grimm should ride with her.]

Never. [The closest thing just came whenever she would perch on someone's shoulder which was vastly different.]

Then we'll share.

[Grimm climbs on the back of one Grimmsteed. There's enough room on the saddle for two, especially considering how tiny Lobco is.]

[Hey now.

Lobco manages to get herself up behind him. This still feels a little odd to her and she tries to shift her weight so it's as least cumbersome as possible before wrapping her arms around Grimm to have a steady hold.

She looks back towards the forest, and above the treetops. Off in the distance Satanick's castle spirals upwards towards the sky, dominating the horizon. This would be the last time she would see it. This would be the last time she would see this world in all likelihood.

Lobco felt no remorse for that...only that things came to this and for the family that she would be leaving behind. She knows she would be hurting her parents so much with this but she truly believes that it is for the best.

...]

I'm ready.

[Perhaps by some method, Lobco's family will be informed that she is safe and well. Grimm is familiar with the love and anguish of a parent, after all.

The Grimmsteed they're on starts to move at a slow, steady pace, one that even Lobco could feel assured of not falling off. Their surroundings shift and warp, the colors of the Pitch World turning to dark reds and swirling lights.

In the distance, a circus tent appears, lit by impossibly red torches.]

The caravan. Your new home.

[Grimm lays one of his hands over Lobco's, reassuring.]

[There are many times when Lobco is tempted to look back, but she keeps her gaze forward. The further along they move, the more the world changes around them the more tumultuous her emotions become. She's sad, she's ecstatic, she's nervous, she's excited; but most of all she is hopeful.

When Grimm lays his hand over hers, those calm down and she brushes his fingers with her other hand in a show of understanding and appreciation for the gesture.

She can't see too well from her position and with her poor eyesight, but the bright glow of the many lit torches is visible and gives a warm, inviting glow.

Though her confidence and self esteem had grown a lot during her time in Prismatica this was quite the undertaking. Having it finally happening brought back some of those old fears.]

Will everyone be okay with me?

They will love you, as I do.

[Grimm says it with a quiet assurance. No need for any grand praises of her character or explanations of how the troupe takes in new members somewhat frequently. There is no possible result but Lobco being adored, so that is all he needs to say.

The Grimmsteeds come to a stop outside the main tent.]

...

[She presses her forehead against his back in an affectionate gesture. His words are more than enough--she is calmed.

When they arrive she raises her head to look at the tent, vast and extravagant. It reminds her so much of their apartment back in Lunatia and she finds herself truly feeling like she's coming back home. It brings a well of emotion within her that nearly brings tears to her eyes, but she blinks them away and simply smiles as she carefully slides off the Grimmsteed.

From here she can hear the sound of music playing and her ears flicker]

Is that Brumm..?

Indeed. He has been waiting up for us.

[Of course he has - he's Brumm. Grimm is truly fortunate.

Grimm enters the tent first and speaks to Brumm softly, too softly for Lobco to hear. It's a short conversation before Brumm turns to her.]

...Welcome. To the Troupe. Mm.

[Brumm is a man of few words, as Grimm has described him.]

[Brumm! She has heard so much about him. She follows after Grimm and her antennas perk curiously when she sees them whispering.

Hmm?

When Brumm welcomes her she smiles and gives a bow of her head.]

Thank you. I am happy to be here.

[Grimm loves to talk about his crush, it's true. If Brumm heard half the things Grimm had said about him, he'd blush for days.

Brumm bows his head a little in return.]

Come inside, make yourself comfortable. What's ours is yours, now.

[She enters, unable to help but marvel. This place reminds her so much of their apartment back in Lunatia but even grander and it very much feels like she's returning home even if it's her first time here.]

It feels very, very familiar here.

I have been told I have a very particular taste in decor.

[Like their apartment, it's warm and welcoming. Unlike their apartment, there are other Grimmkin floating about. Some wave to Lobco when they spot her.]

[Lobco can't help but laugh a little at that. It was, however, very true. She waves back to them, feeling herself relax more and more.

A small table catches her eye, for one it lies on a single mask. She blinks, feeling oddly drawn to it.

It resembled the masks of all the Troupe members she had seen--stark white, with the dark streaks over each eye; not unlike the charm that Grimm had given her so long ago.]

Is this...?

For you.

[There is more he could say, about her being officially a part of the troupe and about the reason masks are so universal here - but sometimes less is more. Even Grimm realizes that.]

[She picked up the mark as if it were the most fragile treasure ever. Her fingers traced the lines and curve of the mask before turning it around to see the inside.

This really was real. This really was happening. Lobco knew how serious it was to done this mask, but she couldn't be happier. She lifted it to her face to find it a perfect fit, and only with a little adjustment was she able to secure it to her face.

She turns to face Grimm, grinning from ear to ear]

It's perfect, Grimm. Thank you.

call me out v. 13.0

grimmmm

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)