crowspace | call me out v. 13.0

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.

[His smile is equally broad.]

It is fetching on you as I knew it would be.

[It fits perfectly, because it was made for her and no one else. Even before she called to him, he had it prepared, knowing that one day he would return to her side.]

You're too sweet, Grimm.

[It felt so strangely right to be wearing it. Almost as if it were meant to be. Lobco doesn't believe in fate, but if this was what it had in store for her, she would have been all too happy to accept it.]

What will I be doing?

How does becoming the troupe's official photographer sound to you?

[A role well suited for her, if one he had not thought to create before her presence in his life.]

call me out v. 13.0

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