Location: Crystal Peak

David, the Leader of Scout Team Beta, found himself in what seemed to be a stand off between… what was that… a moth? A brown one and a green one were holding swords in a threatening manner, though the brown one looked quite a bit more professional than the green one. In response David, and his two subordinates, Chris and Matthew raised their magnetic assault rifles that gave the look of being dangerous, as the Bugs wouldn't know what their weapons could do without a demonstration, and the discharging of their weapons seemed like a good way to start hostilities.

"Chris, begin recording" Dave quietly ordered, he wanted to collect as much information as they could, that was why they were out here after all.

Chris pointed his recording device at various different points, getting a good shot of what looked like a moth statue, tents, and…. What looked to be their children cowering in a corner, they flinched when he looked at them. This caused a small increase in tensions, as the two sword wielding moths got noticeably angry.

David was about to order a withdrawal, not wanting to cause an incident and create hostilities with the bugs. However, before he did, another moth pushed its way through the two others.

It was shorter, and looked older than the others, carrying a strange looking crystal around its neck?

The old looking moth came closer, the green one tried to make a move, perhaps to stop it from getting close to the scary unknown creatures that just scaled a mountain, but was halted by the brown one. The old moth stopped right in front of David, and looked up at his pitch black visor.

Suddenly, the crystal on its neck gave off a bright flash, David stepped back, being momentarily blinded by the sudden increase in luminosity. When his vision cleared, the moth was staring at him intently, and to his shock, spoke.

PoV: Seer

Seer really hoped this worked, it should, but these beings were new, who knows how their minds or bodies worked. Luckily however, the Radiance shard worked, and she was able to communicate to these beings in a way they would understand through it. She had to be careful, some of the visions she had involving them had objects much like the ones they were carrying letting out flashes from a hole in it, and then whatever was in front of it being ripped apart.

"Greetings strange beings" Seer said, trying to give the friendliest tone she could, "I welcome to Crystal Peak, our home"

The tall being looked down at her, the featureless glass where a face was unreadable, and gave off an air of unease, even Hallownest masks let some emotions and facial expressions show, but this… glass, hid them in anonymity.

Finally the tall thing in front of the small group spoke "How am I able to understand you?"

It was a simple question, though Seer didn't wish to reveal the true nature of the shard around her neck, not yet at least.

"I used this enchanted crystal to translate words between us, it will allow for us to speak" It was mostly true, just leaving out the part of the crystal actually being a shard of her god. These beings would have no reason not to believe her, they likely had no idea who the Radiance even was. However, considering that these beings were carrying such powerful weapons, she didn't expect the question the tall beings said next.

"Enchanted? What do you mean enchanted?" The tall being said questioningly. Seer wasnt exactly sure how to respond to that, but she would try.

"It means that this crystal has been laced with a spell that allows me t-" The tall figure interrupted her "Spell? No offense, but it sounds like your trying to tell me the crystal is magical, which is completely ridiculous"

Seer was flabbergasted, how could beings with weapons so similar to the ones in her vision not know what magic was? It made no sense, what else could explain the seemingly impossible power of the flashing lights that could cut through steel like it was nothing? Not even the evil soul warriors of the Soul Sanctum could muster such power into their spells.

"What then, may I ask, power your weapons? They look so similar to the ones I see in visions of those in similar attire to what your wearing"

"Visions? The tall figure asked

"Yes, visions, you don't know this, but I am the last seer of the Moth Tribe, we peer into the dream realm to gleam visions of possible future events, some of which involved others of your kind wearing the white fabric you wear"

The tall figure appeared to think for a moment before responding.

"Hmm, well these are magnetic rifles, they use electromagnetic coils to accelerate small pieces of metal at speeds faster than sound"

Seer stared at them, she didn't understand… faster then sound, or anything else they said for that matter. What strange creatures, they didn't know magic, and yet could create such objects of power that they surpassed all but the strongest spell casters.

"Well, heh heh, I don't really understand what you just said tall ones, but come come, take a seat, let us speak, I have been awaiting for the arrival of individuals like you, I have seen it"

PoV: David

This was beyond improbable, but so were large intelligent bipedal bugs somehow evolving in the span of two centuries. David motioned for his squad mates to follow Seer, as it called itself.

They followed her to a circle of chairs at the center of the little community they had. The brown and green moths followed them with swords at the ready, clearly ready to pounce if it looked like the scout team was less than friendly.

They 6 of them took a seat, the brown and green one taking a seat at either side of Seer. David sat down with Matthew at his right, and Chris at his left, David was the first to speak.

What are your names?" David's question being directed to the green and brown moths.

The green one spoke up first.

"My name is Thistlewind, moth warrior in training" The green moth said with a mix of pride and nervousness

David turned to the brown moth, still waiting for a response. Seer broke the silence "Come now, don't be rude, introduce yourself" The brown moth grumbled. "Markoff" he said begrudgingly, clearly not happy speaking to the new arrivals.

"My name is David, to my right is Matthew, to my left is Chris, we make up Scout Team Beta"

Markoff looked up at them "Scout team? There are more of you?" the brown moth said with a tone of suspicion. "I will have you know trespassers, that we will not give up our lands without a fig-" Seer interrupted him.

"Markoff! That is no way to treat a guest" Seer turned to the scouts "He is just very protective of the tribe, most outsiders have not been good to us"

"I am sorry to hear that" Dave said sympathetically "If I may ask, what did they do to you"

Markoff spoke up before Seer could respond "Everything, they killed us, they drove us from our homes! They kicked us out of our resting grounds! WE CAN'T EVEN PROPERLY PAY REMEMBRANCE TO OUR DEAD! They then forced us up here, and every now and then, some pathetic excuse for a warrior tries but fails to finish the job! Food is low, and the cold is eating away at us." Markoff paused for a moment "As much as I try, I fear the tribe may not live too much longer"

"I am… so sorry, I know that means less than nothing, but.. I am truly saddened to hear what has happened to you" David said, once more sympathetically

"I thank you for your understanding….. Outsider" Markoff acknowledged

A cry of distress could be heard, along with what sounded like a mother trying to stop her child from doing something really stupid. "SILKWING NO STOP DON'T GO NEAR TH-"

Before David could react, a small moth jumped in front of him, jumping up and down in excitement. "Hello, my name is Silkwing, your the first nice visitors we had in a long time, whats your favorite color, what's your favorite dream? Do you like berries?"

David was taken aback, from earlier, he would have thought that the kids of the tribe would be too scared to approach them, but he guessed there would always be the daring adventurous ones.

"Hey kid, where are your parents" David asked

"My mom is over there" Silkwing pointed behind them, and sure enough, another moth was running over to them, likely the one who shouted out.

Silkwings mom ran up to her daughter, jumping over a bench, and grabbed Silkwing by the waist. She turned around startled. "I hope my daughter hasn't caused too much trouble for newcomers, I beg of you not to think ill of us for it, my daughter can be… brash at times."

David, Matthew, and Chris all looked at each other, and nodded. "No no, its fine" David said "She can stay and listen if she wants, we would be ok with it"

Seer looked at the child with amusement "If it is ok without guests, I would be fine with having sweet little Silkwing here" Markoff looked like he wanted to give a protest, but kept silent.

"I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!" Silkwing said excitedly "First, is that glass your face, or is there something underneath"

"Uhm, this is just a visor, we do have faces underneath" Chris responded, what a silly question.

"Can I see it?" Silkwing asked with great enthusiasm

"Uhhhhhhm…. Sure kid" David said, unclasping the seals that attached his helmet to the rest of his suit, a hissing sound could be heard as the suit depressurized.

"OOOOOOooooo, you look squishy" Seer, Thistlewind, Markoff, and Silkwing's mom leaned in to get a closer look.

"You don't look like any bug I have seen" Thistlewind commented

Silkwing spoke again "Can I touch your fac- hey" Seer was already across to the other bench, squishing David's cheeks. "So soft…. So warm... " Seer said, as she kept squishing David's cheeks for an uncomfortably long time.

"How does one give off so much heat?" Seer asked, a little jealous at the newcomers ability to warm themselves.

Silkwing meanwhile managed to convince Matthew to let her squish his face as David and Seer conversed.

"We are warm blooded, ma'am, it is just how our species evolved, helps in colder climates" David said, Seer still mesmerized by how their faces' looked, they gave off the feel of grubs.

"Uhm, David, a little help here" Matthew said, David looked over and saw one of the cutest things he had ever seen in his life. Silkwing was latched to the side of his head, trying to get every bit of warmth out of Matthew's cheek as she could, it was honestly really adorable.

"Ha, can you deal with it for a bit before you move on?" David asked

Matthew, looking only slightly concerned nodded his head, with Silkwing adjusting her grasp at the movement. David was about to continue his conversing when a banging could be heard to the side of them.

"They are coming" Markoff announced urgently "Thistlewind, ready your nail"

"O-ok" Thistlewind said, panic in his voice.

The announcement had caused Silkwing to run to her mother, who in turn picked her up, and ran to the farthest place she could from where the banging had come from.

Seer explained the situation to the scout team, "It is Hallownest, they want to drive us out of our last place of refuge" She didn't sound panicked, but more… saddened, it has happened before, and who knows, maybe this is when they all die.

David looked to where the sound was coming from, put his helmet back on, Matthew doing the same, and took his mag rifle off his shoulder. He ordered his squad to move to where the sound came from, safeties off.

David has his own announcement to make "Do not worry Seer, we will take care of them"