Play-date with a void child and a grimmchild

[fireindreams]

Who: Troupe Master Grimm, the Knight, the Grimmchild and you.
What: Grimm requested the Grimmchild from the Storyteller and his request was granted. Now it is time for a play-date.
When: August 25th
Where: Across Enso
Warnings: Spoilers for the Grimm Troupe DLC.
Note: Both the Knight and Grimm are available to be spoken to so please let us know in your header if you would like a response from Grimm, the Knight or both of them.

[Grimm had many reasons for requesting the Grimmchild charm from the Storyteller. Despite the dangers present in this world, it was one full of life. The living prospered here and the sky was beautiful and blue. There were many curiosities here, things to learn and indulge without shame. Grimm's memories will offer the child so many experiences of eons and reincarnations gone by to be implemented as they saw fit, but there would be things here that even their predecessor has not experienced.

So many reasons but the most pressing one was the simplest: Grimm wanted to see his child again.

He had informed the Knight that their child now lived in this world once the Troupe Master had woken to the Charm containing the tiny scarlet flame in his possession. The Grimmchild had been set back to the form they first had when birthed but that was no matter for the moment. He wished to show the Grimmchild the island and the Knight had been happy enough to join them.

For those who wandered Enso at their leisure, they may stumble across the Knight playing with a strange creature that is making sounds not unlike a kitten. The Grimmchild is sentient and quite willing to approach those nearby if not approached first.

Grimm is supervising closely however, so trouble-makers may wish to be careful. But he looks more relaxed then he was when the flowers were choking the life out of everyone. It is doing his heart good, after all, to see both the Knight and the Grimmchild having fun together.]

Comments

give me ALL BUGSU

[hyperlit]

[There is a third bug-creature on the island, now, and the Drifter was not aware that there were any new arrivals. The timing is all off, in any case. Nonetheless, the creature's strange, purring sounds draw their attention. The Drifter pauses to regard it closely before glancing between the miniature, hovering insect and their own companion sprite.]

[Is there a similarity, perhaps?]

[They'll try communication first.]

contact?

[lightlessfuture]

[ The Grimmchild immediately inspects this new arrival and their strange companion, chirping and purring at it when it displays the text that allows the Drifter to communicate. They seem fascinated by both the sprite and the person it belongs to.

The Knight is far more used to this, and comes running up enthusiastically behind. At their approach, their playmate swoops low to perch momentarily on a horn.

They seem much happier now, that's for certain. Though they do tilt their head at the word they read (and comically lower the Grimmchild's perch along with it). They're not quite sure what the Drifter is asking. ]

[fireindreams]

[Grimm is also nearby and strolls over to stand beside the Knight. He took appears much happier now that he does not have flowers sprouting from his skin and a few burdens, while not removed, but shared. Understood.

Indeed there is a similarity but with Grimm close by, it is easier to see it is more a similarity to the Troupe Master rather then the Knight. But the Drifter is correct...or at least correct by Grimm's standards.]

This is our child born of the Ritual. I asked the Storyteller if they were willing to bring them back to us. They cannot speak, sadly.

[This clearly explains everything, he thinks.]

[hyperlit]

[Referencing the Ritual, yet again. The Drifter does not bother with the, perhaps, more puzzling information - our child - but instead focuses on something that is, to them, far more concerning.]

[They have heard some of what the Ritual entails, and they do not think they care for it.]

completing it here

[lightlessfuture]

[ The Knight shakes their head immediately in response (which gets the Grimmchild to lift off with a noise of protest). ]

want-to-show-them
other-places
no-ritual

[ This is a place where they can interact, without the invisible chains of a contract forged in scarlet fire. And it's true for the Grimmchild, as well.

There's other things to worry about, here, but the Ritual and all it entails is not one of them. ]

play-with-them

[ And the Knight had grown used to having the Grimmchild around, on their long journey. They did miss them. They'd like to show them new things, too. ]

[fireindreams]

Knight is correct. I have no intention of beginning the Ritual here nor is it possible. This is a land of life, not the dying embers of a fallen kingdom.

[And, as Grimm has stated before, he would not begin without the Knight's consent if it had been possible. The Nightmare King could not be reached (not without them) so there was a hard limit to begin with.]

I will teach the Grimmchild many things at the end but this place offers things I have not experienced. And now is a chance to play and have fun, to make good memories and have peaceful dreams.

[That is all. If Grimm had ulterior motives to asking for the Grimmchild charm, he would have said as much by now.]

[hyperlit]

[The Drifter looks between Knight and Grimm evenly before, at last, dipping their head in a nod. That is, at the very least, something of a relief. Not that it shows on their expression. They blink once, and move on.]

[There will be no Ritual. No exchange of blows behind the guise of some sort of theatrical dance. That is good enough for them.]

not all memories here are good
but ok

[After the month prior to this one, they very much doubt either bug needs the reminder.]

[lightlessfuture]

better-than
dying-kingdom

[ Hallownest was a beautiful place even in its dying throes. But life there was sparse, or ruined, or gone forever. Sleeping eternally.

Their experiences here have not been perfect, true. But it's certainly better than what they had, and that is inarguable. ]

want-to-play?

[ It's an impulsive little offer. The last time they'd played with the Drifter was when their sickness was...less so, for reasons they're still not entirely sure of. When that constant rattle of breath in their chest was absent. ]

if-want-to-rest
also-ok

[ They can sit and enjoy the day. The Knight has attended to what few chores they feel responsible for, and if Grimm had anything else planned, he would have said. But they'll leave the choice up to their friend. ]

[fireindreams]

It is. And one cannot appreciate the good days without the bad. I will welcome both for our child's growth.

[Dreams are better because nightmares exist. They are and always will be two sides of the same coin.

This is a land full of life and what it is, it will be. He cannot ask for more then that, given what the future holds back in Hallownest.]

You are quite welcome to join us, if you wish.

[All three of them would be happy to have the Drifter, regardless of their choice.]

[hyperlit]

play how

[They have rested...in some respects. By "rest" we mean that they passed out for almost a day once the worst of their latest illness subsided, and not really of their own volition. Now, they feel they've rested enough. Which...they haven't, but since when has the Drifter ever done anything in moderation?]

[Never. That's when.]

[So, what does play entail in this instance?]

[lightlessfuture]

[ Soccer, clearly. ]


count
run-away
hide-seek
take-turns

[ They know at least one children's game, even if they've only ever applied it to pursuing prey as they need. But they don't have a ball (or an unfortunate baldur), so this works fine. ]

[fireindreams]

Tag is also another option, although you are also free to suggest whatever you like.

[The Grimmchild is fairly thrilled with all the options presented thus far, tilting their head so they can look all three people surrounding them in turn.

And frankly, what makes both them and the Knight happy Grimm is content to follow along with. It seems in the presence of his child, the Troupe Master is a little more...mushy.]

[hyperlit]

soccer

[The response is prompt and immediate, until the Drifter realizes, somewhat belatedly...]

they do not have feet
perhaps not

[The Grimmchild would probably not appreciate the game if they could not play themself.]

[lightlessfuture]

[ Now that's a word they haven't seen before. They tilt their head curiously. ]

what-is?

[ PLEASE EDUCATE THEM ON THIS THING YOU CALL SOCCER, THEY REALLY HAVE NO IDEA. ]

[fireindreams]

[The Drifter may be surprised. Despite them noting the Grimmchild does indeed not have feet, they're still observing the words displayed on the screen before them carefully.

They are much like the Knight, in that respect. Always observing the world with a childish curiosity.]

I do not know what that game is. Is it something from your own world?

[hyperlit]

[OH YES, YES. THEY GET TO EXPLAIN THE JOYS (??) OF SOCCER (???)]

[The Drifter sets down their pack with a loud whump and starts to rummage through it until at last they emerge with a round, yellow ball. There is a happy face painted on it. This was the Storyteller's doing in bringing the ball through to them, but the Drifter does not specify.]

score goals
kick ball into opposing goal

[lightlessfuture]

[ They inspect this new object with clear curiosity. The rules of the game, such as they are, are fairly similar to what the Knight had previously done with Baldurs, but they're aware that this ball probably isn't meant to withstand nail strikes and they should be careful. ]

what-counts-as-goal

[ An alcove? An object to hit the ball with? "Into" implies a container of some kind....

The Knight is definitely overthinking this. ]

[fireindreams]

[Quite a curious object indeed. It looks like something one may find in one of Grimm's own shows, yet the way the Drifter explains it is merely scoring goals rather then anything dangerous.

The Grimmchild is content to flutter closer, poking the ball with a thin tentacle-like limb and letting out a thrilled nya when it moves slightly.

It is not that hard to entertain them, clearly.]

A place you must reach to win, I assume?

[hyperlit]

[It turns out that it can withstand strikes with the flat of their hard light blade, so...honestly, it could probably manage just fine. The Drifter rolls the ball so the smiley face faces the Grimmchild, and explains further:]

create goals on either side of field
first to 10 wins

[lightlessfuture]

[ The Knight nods. Yes, this seems reasonable. ]

any-other-rules?

[ This seems like a more complex game to them than 'catch someone' or 'hide from someone', so it's important to get all the information! And they're...curious, in truth. It's something they don't know, and the Drifter does, which means it's from their world.

They want to know more about their world, even if it's in small ways like this. Especially if it's small ways like this. ]

[fireindreams]

[The Grimmchild bats back at the ball, wanting to see if the Drifter is willing to roll it back and forward between them as they explained this new game.]

Particularly are one's abilities acceptable to use in this game?

[Not his fire or spikes (Grimm did not want to destroy the ball) but his teleportation. He was fast normally and speed appeared to be the name of the game, but Grimm's teleportation ability would cut the time in half.

Unless he is told otherwise, of course. If it is against the rules, it is against the rules.]

[hyperlit]

[Hmm. The Drifter considers that. Thinks of their own abilities, and the fact that they'd had little reason to hold back when their opponent was so devilishly talented at the game, even with the Drifter abusing their ability to chain dashes, one after another.]

cannot use hands
cannot damage ball
cannot damage each other

[lightlessfuture]

[ Well, that seems easy enough. The Knight indicates their understanding, and then goes to attend to this 'choose some goals' thing that the Drifter's talking about, searching for something suitable.

After a moment, they opt to set up some reasonably large rocks in the open space nearby, marking them with their sword to indicate their suitability. They glance over at the Drifter for approval, because hopefully they are doing this correctly. ]

[fireindreams]

[Yes, those rules are understandable. It would be no fun if the ball broke or anyone was hurt in the process of things. The rule of only being allowed to use your feet is strange but perhaps it is so there is more of a challenge involved.

All of Grimm's abilities bar his teleportation will hurt someone so it is something he'll keep in mind. The Grimmchild, meanwhile, breaks off from playing with the ball to go see what their other parent is doing. Evidently if it is something new they wanted to see it.

These memories will be both good and bad, as Grimm's own memories of the islands have been so far. But he hopes it will be a wonderful experience, a life on an island that is not the decaying kingdoms in the Grimmchild's future.]

They are both quite eager to try this game.

[Grimm is smiling as he watches the Knight and his child together. It is good this is happening, a moment of peace and a chance to breathe.]

[hyperlit]

[The Drifter inspects the goal with mock authority, but they have set up goals with far less professionalism than this. A pair of sticks thrust into the ground can be a goal, just as easily as some rocks set carefully onto the grass.]

[That is not the source of their concern. They regard the Grimmchild with their head to one side.]

how will they play