Hey all! So if you pop over to my tumblr, I have a vote going on right now! It's for the next story, so if you'd like something particular, cast your votes over there!
And I know there isn't any lyrics, but the song that the royals play is Show us our homes by Eluvium. I recommend listening to it during the chapter, it's a FANTASTIC tune~
….
Trollex lounged on his bed in the place the royals had put him up in, staring at the ceiling. His only permitted visitor was Beat, who was still out reporting the current situation to the trolls on the surface. Thanks to that, he was currently alone with no hope of anything to break the silence.
Well, not quite silence really. Ever since he had gotten here, he'd been either near other trolls, or things that made sound. Even when he was alone near the barrier he could hear a faint hum from it. But right now, in what should have been complete silence, he could hear a faint melody. He couldn't place it, but he knew it was there.
He closed his eyes, trying this best to focus on it. It seemed though that whenever he grabbed for it with his consciousness, it would slip. He groaned, sitting up and trying harder to focus on it. He was about to pin it, he was sure!
That's when the door slammed open, and Dryya stepped inside, he yelped and hid beneath his covers, poking his head out just enough to see her.
Dryya was an intimidating figure, even without her crab claw blades. Her softer brown coloration offset by the darker brown patterning all along her body. Her tail was swishing back and forth angrily, glaring the young king down with her piercing dark eyes.
She stepped forward, setting a bowl of soup on the night stand. "Eat."
He glanced at the soup, then up at her curiously. He had heard clattering coming from the kitchen earlier, so… "Did… you make this for me?"
Her wings twitched slightly and she looked away. "Well, Techno trolls don't really cook much, and you looked like you were hungry. It's just soup, eat."
Trollex had to admit he was hungry… he took up the bowl and spoon, scooping some up and blowing on it a few times. When he sipped at it, his eyes sparkled. It was really good! He ate a few hasty spoonful's, they yelped, nearly dropping the soup when he burnt his tongue. "H-Hot!" He stuck his tongue out a bit, fanning at it with the hand holding the spoon.
Dryya gave him a curious look, a small smile pulling at her cheeks. "Maybe slow down a bit then, King Trollex."
He nodded a bit, offering a sheepish smile. "Sorry… but it's just really, really good! What is it?"
He didn't miss the light blush dusting her cheeks as she looked away. "Clam chowder, really easy to make… I figured you'd like it, most Techno trolls do."
He nodded, taking another spoonful after blowing on it. As he enjoyed his soup, they sat in companionable silence, Dryya staring out a nearby window as he looked her over, able to see her much more clearly now that she was sitting still, and so close to him.
He could tell she didn't smile much, and he had a feeling that was connected to her torn wing and the scar on her lower left arm. He couldn't help staring at it, wondering just what might have happened to her…
That's when she suddenly pulled her arm back, and he realized she was glaring at him. "You mind?"
He gulped a bit. "Sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable… It's just… You're always very serious; don't you ever let yourself smile? Or have fun?"
She smirked a bit, but there wasn't any mirth behind it. "Sometimes, but only with people I can trust. I'm head guard; I have to keep trolls in check, both the citizens and the other guards. And trust me, that's a full time job with a tribe locked in a bubble under water for centuries."
His eyes widened a bit. He hadn't thought of it that way… He'd been going stir crazy, and he'd only been here a week. She was born and raised here, her only access to the outside world being those trolls brought here from outside. "I… I'm sorry; I hadn't realized just how tough it must be for you all down here…"
She shrugged her shoulders slightly. "You trolls outside don't know about us until you're here, and it's too late by that point. Not that anything can be done from outside anyway. From what I got from the queen, you're important. It's why we're trying to keep you in check." She sighed. "You've been told by the royal family to stay out of the tunnels, we have cave in's almost constantly, but we can sense where they're going to happen." She wiggled her antennae a bit.
He stared at the wiggling appendages. "Wait, really? That's so cool!" He wiggled his ear fins, as though to copy her movements.
She arched a brow as she stared at his wiggling ear fins. "You really are a strange one, king Trollex…"
He smiled a bit. "You know, you don't have to keep up my title, I'm not a king here. Heck, if I can't get back home, I'll never be a king again…"
He looked down into the nearly empty soup bowl. He hadn't really thought about that. Or, well, he hadn't put it out into the world until now. From the start of this journey he had been trying to figure out a way to give his Trolls a new ruler, and… he supposed if he stayed here, that's exactly what would happen. Those remaining would choose a new ruler…
He felt his stomach knot up. He couldn't let that happen! He wouldn't leave his tribe high and dry to make such a hard choice. He was going to get everyone out of here! He set his bowl down on the end table and looked towards Dryya, who perked up a bit at his serious expression. He looked like a true king right now.
"Dryya, I'm going to free you. All of you. No more bubble, no more darkness…" He smiled. "We're going home."
Dryya knew she shouldn't get her hopes up, but… for some reason, despite his age… or perhaps that wasn't ever a factor to Trollex; she truly believed he could do it. She stood, offering a small bow to him. "If it helps my tribe and those here, I'll do what I can to help you."
He grinned widely and zipped out of the bed, spinning around the room. "Yeah! Let's get my green back and get you all out of here!"
He moved to head out the door, but was stopped by Dryya, who looked distinctly amused. "Mice try, your highness, but you're not done time out yet. The princess is supposed to send someone to fetch us once they're ready for the concert."
He tilted his head a bit, lowering slightly in the air. "Concert? I've been meaning to ask you… You say you're Dark Ambient trolls, and I assume that's your music, but… what's it like?"
She perked up a bit. "Well… How to describe it… it's… Hmm…"
It was rather clear that their music wasn't something one could easily put into words. He smiled. "Maybe we should keep it a surprise? I probably don't have long to wait anyway~. Oh! But, your tempo isn't really slow or fast, right?"
She shook her head. "No, don't worry about that. We make sure we can accommodate your unique biology."
He sighed, relieved to hear that. Then he perked up, his ear fins standing upright. "Um, wait, how did you know about that? The Techno trolls don't, all but me anyway… though I probably will still need to explain that whole fiasco with the Pop party…"
"Wait, so you guys don't tell your own trolls they could get seriously hurt with the wrong types of music…? That seems a little…. Strange to me. Wouldn't it be better for all of them to know?"
He looked down, thinking it over. "You know… I actually have no idea? My parents told me it was a family secret and I just…. Kept it that way, I guess? I'll probably stop that rule though; having others know is a lot safer, especially with the tribes mingling so much now."
He closed his eyes, wondering just how he was going to address that problem, when he heard a knock on the door. He perked up a bit, looking over Dryya's shoulder towards the front of the house. "Who's here?"
Dryya held a finger to her mouth, indicating Trollex to be quiet. He nodded, slipping out of site to hide behind a wall. She didn't think that there was anyone dangerous, but it didn't hurt to be cautious. She made her way to the door, glancing over to make sure her claw blades were nearby before she opened it.
She was shocked to find Peter standing at the door. She knew the troll well, often helping him out with his task of aiding the new trolls. He panted softly, one set of hands on his knees to brace himself, one hand on the wall, and the other on his chest. "Pete, what's wrong? Did something go wrong with one of the new Techno trolls?"
He shook his head, finally catching his breath as he stood straight again. "N-No, everyone is fine… save for the Blushe's, but I hardly blame them… But that's not why I'm here! Myla asked me to come get you and the king… it's time!"
Trollex poked his head out at that, and got a good look at the owner of the new, soft voice. He was a bright teal color, with fiery red wings and deep blue hair. "Wait, really?"
Pete let out a small shriek, nearly jumping out of his skin when he heard Trollex speak. He clutched at his chest, trying to regain his breathing again. "Y-Yes… and please don't startle me like that!" He sighed, lowering his hands again. "Myla wants you to head there now, Dryya; she said she had a few things to talk with you about beforehand."
The warrior nodded, grabbing her claw blades and strapping them to her back. She looked back towards Trollex. "I'll see you soon, your majesty. And I hope, for all of our sakes, you can pull this off." She offered a smile, and stepped passed Pete, who watched her take off before stepping inside and closing the door.
That's when Trollex floated out of the room, smiling and offering a hand. "Hi! It's nice to meet you… Pete, was it? I'm Trollex, but you know that already."
Pete smiled softly and nodded, taking the offered hand. "Yeah, it's good to finally meet you… sorry I didn't come to you right away, but of all your trolls, you seemed the most stable…"
"Stable? What do you mean by that?" Trollex tilted his head slightly.
"Oh! Well, most trolls that end up here aren't too happy about it at first… and so, it's my job as a guide of sorts to make them feel welcome, and get them what I can to make them feel better. I've been working with the Blush family the most, but… without their son; I don't think there's anything I can do…" He sighed, his wings and antennae drooping.
Trollex offered the other a sweet smile. "You've been doing that for my trolls…? Thank you, I really appreciate it. You've all been so nice to us…" He grinned wide, puffing his chest. "That's why I'm determined to get us all out!"
"Wait, really? You can do that…? I heard rumors something big was happening, but… OH! The concert! I forgot… oh no! We have to hurry, follow me, please!" He turned and ran out the door, snapping his wings open and taking off quickly. Trollex wasn't far behind, using track skip to catch up properly.
As they made their way through the air, Trollex's eyes widened. As they approached a large clearing, he could see just about every single troll within the Abyss gathered, which made for a messy sea of colors and sparkles. His tribe had always been colorful, but they often grouped up for parties based on color, but this… it was chaos!
And he loved it!
He spotted the royal family standing on a stage with Dryya, who gave a small bow before flying towards the back of the crowd. They touched down a few moments later, Trollex bowing his head slightly as he approached the royals. "Sorry for sneaking into the tunnels before, I just really needed to talk with you guys."
Vespa offered a small smile. "It is alright king Trollex; I must apologize as well… I perhaps over-reacted…"
Myla looked at her mother, completely shocked. "Mom? You NEVER apologize!"
This earned her a light flick of her antennae from her mother, who looked cross. "Mind your elders dear, respect is a royal's most valuable asset."
Trollex looked between the two, then spotted Sheo covering his mouth, clearly trying his best not to laugh at his family. He grinned widely, and giggled a bit. They reminded him of his new family on the surface, making him a bit home sick.
Myla huffed, crossing her arms before looking up to address Peter, who was still hovering in the air. "That's Pete! I appreciate you going to grab him. Now, go enjoy the music!"
Peter, who had a soft blue glow about his cheeks, gave a bow and a nod. "A-Alright, Myla. I can't wait to hear it!" And he zipped off to join the crowd, though he put himself more towards the outer edge.
The young king was abuzz with excitement. He'd get to hear a new Genre other trolls didn't even KNOW about outside of the Abyss!
Myla, Sheo, and Vespa each pulled out an instrument, and each was so different from the other.
Myla seemed to have some sort of keyboard synthesizer, which she took a moment to adjust some of the dials and setting for the song they planned.
Sheo held a style of electric guitar, which he tuned and strummed a few times to make sure it was set right.
Vespa stood with a sound mix board, similar to the critters he used for his music. He was a bit surprised to see such a variation of instruments between them.
They each looked at each other, and nodded before they began.
The song that they made was indescribable… He could already feel it starting to carry him away, and he let his eyes shut, his body flowing along with the music, as though carried by it.
As he drifted through the air, he could feel something pulling him, tugging him along an invisible path only he could feel in his heart. He could feel something within his heart, a song that had always been there, right from the start. Something that had always accompanied him, was always there if he felt lonely. Something he had never had a word.
He could feel the tribes love in their music. He could feel everything. He could even feel those outside the barrier, those he had left on the surface. His friends and family, his tribe, he felt connected to everything, if even just faintly.
And he could feel something approaching. He opened his eyes, and found that he was high up above the crowd, half way between them and the barriers apex.
He looked down at himself, and grinned widely. His heart was glowing bright green, sending pulses of light through his body as it returned color to the last of his gray. He pulled a summersault in the air, feeling whole again at last.
He suddenly felt a sharp tug on his awareness, calling his attention up. As his eyes locked on the sky above him, a swirling darkness formed in the still air.