Location: Dirtmouth

David was making hand gestures at the armored bug, trying to get it to understand it needed to wait a moment. Some smaller armored bugs seemed to form up around the larger one, they didn't have horns like this one did, perhaps he was a high ranking officer, he wouldn't really know until Seer got here for her crystal to translate.

A Scarlet bug approached them, it was taller than most bugs in the area, and rather thing. Its glowing crimson eyes seemed to show… respect? He did not know, in truth, it was probably not a good idea to try and read body signals the bugs gave off, as they probably differed massively to those of humans.

The crimson clad bug sifted through the small crowd that gathered around them, and stepped in front of the two scouts. The large armored bug seemed to give a sign of protest, but was silenced by the crimson bug throwing it a glance.

The crimson bug seemed to compose itself, before to the surprise of the Scouts, spoke in perfect english.

"Wonderful performance, absolutely wonderful, and the part about splattering the contents of your compatriot's skull on the ground, beautifully graphic, captured the attention of your target audience, and got the reaction I am most certain you desired" The crimson bug said.

David and Chris looked at each other, then back down at the bug, Matthew wasn't anywhere near them. The bugs around them were still speaking in indiscernible noises, meaning Seer was still too far away.

"How do you know english?" David asked flatly.

The red bug cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"English?… english english english..." The bug said as if he was testing the word in his mouth.

"I do not believe I have ever heard of human tongue ever being called english, perhaps thats a story you can tell me another day, for now though I believe introductions are in order."

The crimson bug made a slight bow "My name is Grimm, Troupe Master of the Grimm Troupe, and an esteemed god of nightmares" Grimm said, rising and stretching out a hand for one of the Scouts to take.

They both hesitated.

"Oh come now you two, I don't bite" Grimm said chuckling.

David seemed to relent, as he as well extended his hand, and lightly graped Grimm's. He was worried if he squeezed too hard he might crack the Troupe Master's carapace.

"It is… good to make your acquaintance" David said to the self proclaimed god of nightmares.

"As it is yours human" Grimm said with a mile wide grin on his face.

"So, are you going to tell us why you thought it absolutely necessary to steal from us in order to get out attention?" David said abruptly, whatever friendliness in his tone that was there in his greeting, was seemingly gone in an instant.

"Ah, uhm… well… it's complicated" Grimm said, twiddling his carapace encased thumbs together.

The armored bug behind them seemed to make some irritated noises, to which Grimm whipped around, and spoke to it in a frustrated tone in the bug's language.

"Sorry about that, some bugs are just so pushy" Grimm chuckled.

"You have yet to answer my question" David said flatly, Chris was standing behind him silently, his gaze though covered by his visor seemed to make any bug his covered face passed over shiver anxiously as he looked around aimlessly, while still paying attention to the conversation at hand.

"I… oh this is difficult to explain, I need yo-" Grimm was cut off as the flap to the tent was opened, and outsepped Mathew, Seer, and Xym.

Grimm seemed to have a wave of joy go through his body when he laid eyes on Xym, he stood straighter, his grin seemed to become more genuine, and his crimson eyes seemed to flair up a bit.

All of a sudden, the random chirping, chittering, and other strange noises coming from the bugs now sounded like words, words he could understand.

"What do they want?"

"How did they scare off the dark giant?"

"Are they friendly?"

"What are they saying?"

"How much geo do you think they have?"

The last one came from a small bug, which, if they remembered right, was the bug that sold off Seer's crystals to a noble, who they promptly threatened. Sly was the name if the Scouts remembered correctly.

David took a moment to look around, walked up to the armored bug who seemed to tense up at the approach at one even larger than himself.

"Hello, can you understand me now?" David said simply.

The large armored bug took a step back at hearing the giant white clad figure speak in his language. It however quickly collected itself and responded back.

"Y-yes, I am Hegemol, Great Knight of Hallownest, and loyal servant of the Pale King" Hegemol said, there did not seem to be much pride in his voice, like he had just listed off a simple profession, and not some grand position that demanded honor and respect for its holders.

"I am David, a… wandering mercenary that stops by kingdoms looking for odd jobs here and there. I travel with my partners Chris, and Matthew" David gestured to both of them respectfully.

He wasn't sure how this alibi would hold up, after all, they probably made a rather large splash by now, and their behaviour thus far wasn't that of wandering warriors. That coupled with the fact of the gene trooper, and Scout Team Alpha headed by Emily, who apparently shot a bug, and then of course there was the incident where they killed all but one of a group calling themselves the… 4th City of Tears Brigade.

It wasn't a good alibi by any means, but it was the best they had.

"You and I both know your lying, oh slaughterer of the 4th" Hegemol said with a hint of disdain.

David cocked his head to the side "Slaughterer of the what?" David said with confusion.

Hegemol appeared to get frustrated at his response "There is no use hiding tall one, we have a witness, and your appearance matches those of others who made a much shallower incursion on the other side of the kingdom, and then that cursed metal giant that destroyed much of the City of Tears. We know of your underground fortress, we know you are not some mere wandering warriors looking for work."

Chris had unholstered his pistol and turned off its safety the moment Hegemol mentioned the 4th. Matthew had bared his magnetic assault rifle.

"However, the King comes to you in peace, for we understand that there likely have been… misunderstandings" Hegemol finished.

David considered Hegemol for a moment, it looked like a repeat of the killing of the… 4th Brigade wouldn't have to be repeated, which was good.

"So… your King wishes to, open dialogue?" David asked cautiously.

"If you are willing to be tall being… if you are willing…" Hegemol said in confirmation.

"You'll have to give us time, we aren't qualified to make such decisions, we'll need to get someone else" David said honestly, he was a scout. A veterean of the Third World War, a participant in many campaigns ranging from Busan, to Harbin, To Irkutsk, but still just a scout. He had no diplomatic expertise or authorization to be the one to open dialogue between the Bunker and the Bugs.

Seer was besides Matthew, one would think she would be hurt and offended for her friends lying to her all this time, but, instead she was having a revelation. These really were the ones she saw in her vision, it all made sense now.

They had souls of contradictory and opposing soul matter, Void, Soul, Essence, and Nightmare Flame.

She had at first written them off as they claimed to be wandering warriors, not some servant to some kingdom with warriors with strength beyond reason. Now however, it all made sense, they were lying the whole time, they are the three that can possibly save the moth tribe, that place of stone and with white stars must be what they refer to as the fortress.

The warriors with strength beyond reason must be these metal giants.

Now, she did not have confirmation about them being from a time long since forgotten, but their were too many coincidences.

It made her happy knowing that a prophecy had been at least partially fulfilled, it gave her hope for her Tribe's future. Though, she will have to berate her friends for lying… hoping that they were still her friends, and not lying about that as well.

Grimm was listening in on the conversation as he checked on Xym, he seemed… alright, no new injuries to speak of. What however did catch his attention was what was just heard, there were more humans here, and the Pale King didn't seem to know their potential. Even with the Shade Lord around, Grimm felt like it was worth risking staying a little longer if it meant acquiring such valuable resources, as the Shade Lord seemed… discouraged.

David, Matthew, and Chris were busy making their way to a less crowded region of the town, they were going to call up the Bunker, and they did not wish others to over hear. Hegemol looked at them wearily, he did not trust them, but it was common knowledge at this point that as of now he did not have the ability to subdue them with force. Their strength, size, and weaponry were just too much for even him and his elite detail to fight against. Diplomacy was the only option he really had available.

The three Scout did not notice the small elderly moth trailing them as fast as her aged body could carry her.

"Setting up co-" David was cut off by Seer's shout

"Friends! Please, I wish for the truth, who are you really?" Seer said, a hint of desperation in her voice.

The Scout turned to the one they have been traveling with.

"Are… are you truly my friends, or… was it all…" Seer seemed to choke slightly.

"Ah… Seer, come on don't do that" Chris said uncomfortably.

Matthew was silent, likely still processing what Seer had said.

David walked forward, and kneeled down to the old moth's level.

"Its… yes, and no" David explained.

"What?" Seer asked, confused.

"We lied, we did, a lot of what we told you were lies, we were lying to you this whole time, but we didn't lie about helping you. We just had… motives, nothing bad just… look, if your wondering if us liking you was all fake, it wasn't"

Seer seemed to perk up at this "Really? Y-you mean it, this isn't another lie?" Seer asked.

"Seer, if it were a lie, I wouldn't tell you that it was, but no, it isn't" David said.

"Speaking of... We get that Crystal from Grimm…"

Suddenly a puff of crimson smoke appeared, the iconic sign of a member of the Grimm Troupe teleporting.

Xym stepped out of the smoke carrying the crystal shard that Seer so desired.

"Master wishes to offer you and the moth tribe this gift, in exchange for being considered in upcoming dialogue" Xym stated. David swore that the timing was too convenient.

"Not really a gift if stolen" Chris said.

David sighed "Nevertheless, it's a deal" Considering the circumstances, it is quite clear that upcoming dialogues were going to involve the Grimm Troupe anyway, so why not retrieve what they were there for?

Xym handed the shard to Seer, who eagerly began reconnecting it with its other pieces.

In the end, they got what they came for, but now it was time for the Bunker to step out of the shadows, who knows what the future will hold, the Scouts sure as hell don't.