Stone glowed a brilliant white light as spindly chitinous fingers weaved brass colored string around an assortment of blue gems, all movements steady and even. The surroundings were quiet pardon the rush of a blue waterfall flowing and the gentle flapping of butterfly wings in the background. Serine was the word to describe it, soothing the mind and allowing clear thoughts to flow through one's head like a river. Perfect for the profession of Artisans and Craftsmen, allowing a deep focus while they work on their crafts, maximum proficiency with little to no distractions

Joni's face was scrunched up as her digits danced and weaved in between the fine linings of the azure gemstones, coiling the brass string around itself to make sure they fit perfectly. While Joni herself knew the finished product wouldn't turn out perfect, she wanted this to be as close as possible. It was going to be her last gift before she passed, whether it'd be someone she knows, or a random stranger, she would still want a piece of her to remain. And besides, Joni could not remain herself, for she was slowly withering away; while Lifeblood had an incredible healing prowess, even able to rival the likes of soul magic, it couldn't heal everything. And no matter the amount of the liquid she consumed, her sickness will not go away.

And that's why she had left Hallownest as quickly as she did once the banishment of Lifeblood came to be. She relied on the substance too much to be suddenly cut off from it. The circumstances of her survival would drop to dead zero, and obviously she couldn't be the only one barred from the law. So it was between a couple of choices, either live in a place that the City sentries wont patrol, or leave Hallownest. She chose the latter option seeing that she couldn't survive in places such as those. The Mosskin of Greenpath is known to be very territorial, and suddenly migrating with all of her plants would be seen as disrespectful to their 'Mother'. And then there was Deepnest, which she didn't want to talk about.

So, collecting all of her plants and crockery, she fled the kingdom to live in the howling cliffs, where she had also learned the art of charm making through a wandering shaman. And the rest is history.

So far, her stay here has been significantly less stressful than it was in Hallownest. Working, paying bills, buying food while having to bear the weight of a sickness literally withering her insides, it was better like this where she had nothing to stress for other than food, which was conveniently easier to get than she expected. The LifeBlood market had apparently skyrocketed since its banishment from Hallownest. So the measly request of some non-perishable food for some of her now 'exotic' magic liquid was an easy deal for them. And since she had a supply that could last many times of her own life, she had no problem with things like that and mainly stuck to what she liked.

And, Joni would admit, she has gotten hung up on charm creation ever since the wandering shaman she had met had taught her how to forge them. It was just interesting, and so strangely symbolic. She could craft a charm forged from her will, something that would be remembered and not buried under a layer of ash and dust.

It would be her blessing, one that would linger onto those who would recall her in memory.

She sighed and put down her crafting kit, storing the supplies away in a pouch along with the charm, which was stored in a separate container. Joni placed the items inside of her work bench and rose from her seat, stretching her muscles as she walked over to a counter adjacent to her work bench, a few yards away from the waterfall that produced the ambient sound she liked. Rolling open a drawer, she pulled out a container full of the heavenly fluid that kept her alive, popping that cap open and taking slow sips of the LifeBlood. It was peaceful, just listening to the background noise of water sloshing while drinking her Vitality juice.

Then, it was not so peaceful, for the sound of feet hitting the moss covered floor rang out through her home.

Joni's first instinct was to panic, hence the fact that this area of hers was technically on the border of Hallownest. She didn't know if that counted as being in Hallownest by technicality, after all she was literally underneath the King's pass, intercepting trade with her own stock so she could buy food. But anyone has yet to come and investigate, even after all the people she has come in contact with are trying to make their way into Hallownest. But now for this to happen? She didn't know what to do once she was properly evicted from the Kingdoms entrance, if that is she isn't immediately executed.

She dreadiy stared in the noise's direction, fear hormones unwillingly being released as she waited for her inevitable fate. A figure, extremely short, made their way towards her, taking even strides towards her. But what made her really freeze up was their red eyes that seemed to stare into her very core. They didn't look to hold a weapon; maybe they were a mage? Well, it wouldn't change the outcome either way, just a mere observation.

But, what had did, was when she was able to see her opposed executioner's face, which was round with youth, alongside their eyes. Crimson fuzz coated the exterior of their shell, though only on the top half; the rest was a pure porcelain white pardon, a scarlet mark swirling out in a pattern unknown to her across the bug's left eye.

A spike of relief flooded her system, the cold feeling seeping into her veins and relaxing her tense muscles.

It was only a grub, one that most likely wandered into her sanctuary by mistake. They were certainly too small and young to be one of hallownest's guards. Though that does beg the question, how can a hatchling such as themselve make it so far without a guardian protecting them. It looks as though they haven't even been through their first molt yet! Shame whoever left a child that didn't even look a month old at her front step.

Joni did not let her frustration bleed onto her expression, simply wearing a smile as she approached the tiny insect, trying her best not to look frightening. Well, it was both for the grub's safety and hers as well, specifically eyeing those pointed claws on the end of their little hand.

"Hey," she called, hoping to get some sort of reaction from their crimson eyed stare, but her efforts were in vain, but that did not deter her from trying to call out again.

"Hey, -do you know HallowScript?" Joni inquired, hoping to get some sort of reaction from the word.

And surprisingly, they shook their head in response. It was a good sign since it was confirmed that they were at least knowledgeable of the concept of language, while they might be outside the kingdom, they were still within range of the Pale King's field of understanding, or whatever it was called. But it did set her back a couple steps, she'd have to teach them how to speak first things first, and make sure that they were going to be safe while venturing Hallownest. She cannot within good reason send them into foreign territory without any preparation to go off. And she had to figure out what they would need to eat too, just any random stuff won't do, what if they have an unforeseen allergic reaction? And she-

Oh Butterfly, she was going to be a parent now, wasn't she?

She froze at the thought. But, for Joni, she has a lot of time in her hands, besides charming making, she didn't do much besides eating, sleeping, and waiting outside to catch a wandering trader selling some food. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad taking care of a grub, teaching sounds fun, and a little helper would be nice, her deteriorating state made it a bit tougher for her usual routine.

She mentally sighed in resignation, standing up from her couch while backing up slightly, a gentle smile tugging on her shell. She gestured for them to follow with her arm, and they reacted almost instantly, following her deeper into her azure lit cave. Joni walked up to a chest, navy blue in color, and flicked up the lit exposing some supplies, specifically sheets and blankets.

Joni was thankful that she had an extra sense to pack some extra blankets when she left Hallownest. She had wondered once, when she would be able to use the spares, but she was glad she did, just never had she expected this situation to come of it.

She led them over by the waterfall, laying down a fuzzy sheet that took a circular formation while ushering the grub towards the center of it, urging them to sit down. Joni carefully wrapped a much fluffier, more comfortable sheet around their small frame, making sure they had enough space so their spiracles could breathe properly.

Joni looked at her little five-second nest and she cringed, going back and to lay a blanket over their fuzzy shell without blocking their vision. Butterfly, she really needed to get a parenting book some time in the future, maybe she can pick one up from the long line of traders that usually gather out in The Kings Pass. Though she would have to linger out on the outskirts in case any guards decided to do a light patrol across the area.

She was shaken out of her thoughts by a sudden weight leaning upon her frame. Looking down, she saw the grub limply laying against her, black voids replacing their crimson eyes. She would have thought them dead if she didn't hear the beating of their little heart within their chest.

Joni smiled a real, genuine smile at the little thing wrapped up in her arms, she could get by this.