Inkspilling...
Inkspilling...
115 quotes (115 spoken, 0 mentions)
“This one does not believe so.”
“This one would watch, Prognugator.”
“This one was unaware of this fact. This one apologizes to Innkeeper Solstice for its failure.”
“This Worker would not presume to…play.”
“Apologies, Innkeeper Solstice. This one does not believe the pawn piece moves left and right.”
“These ones wish for the Innkeeper Solstice to heal from wounds received. These ones express their regret for her suffering.”
“It is part of custom. These ones are taught to express regret/sadness/loss for death in appropriate mourning moments. To cease work during funerals to not disturb Liscor’s citizens.”
“I am no longer a Worker. I am an individual. I would like a name.”
“This one—I understand. This one has become I.”
“This one offers apologies for its mistake.”
“These ones are not suitable for independent action. These ones must not be unaccompanied.”
“This one has no name. This one is not important. This one is not an individual.”
“This one is not an individual. This one cannot be.”
“stOp talkinG. Stop askING me—”
“Stop tHaT. Stop weeping for hiM. Stop aSKING mE—”
“You don’t know what he was.”
“I. I am. I have become I. I do not understand.”
“If this one—is not—how are the many one? An individual cannot exist—the many are—how am I?”
“I feel. I feel all.”
“Why?”
“I do not understand. But—I am. And I too am sad.”
“I—do not wish to. I must have a name. Where may I find one?”
“I will do so.”
“I would like to be known as ‘Pawn.’ It is a fitting name for this individual.”
“They are afraid. They will not be like me.”
“They—we. We are all sad.”
“But I have told them what it means to regret the passing of individuals. They understand.”
“Stop saying thAt.”
“Hello. Erin Solstice.”
“Innkeeper—Erin Solstice. I am sorry for the death of Klbkch and the Worker. I regret their death and your suffering.”
“I cannot understand. I am Aberration. All is Aberration. This Hive—I cannot accept it. Why am I sad? Why am I sad? What have you done to me?”
“He is Prognugator. I am—was Worker. I should not be.”
“I cannot be individual. I cannot have names. I cannot choose my own actions. It is wrong. I am no longer one of the Workers. I am…me. This is wrong.”
“I. I am. But it is wrong. All is wrong. When the many become one, it is Aberration. I am Aberration.”
“Don’t ask—this one is not Klbkch. Not individual. We are worthless. Just like the one who died there. No names. Not like him.”
“These ones are not permitted to leave the city or move about without permission.”
“Yes. These ones will disperse to assigned duties. Forgive these ones for disturbing the Innkeeper Solstice and others.”
“I understand sorrow. I understand regret for the death of individual Klbkch and Worker. I was wrong. It was a sad thing. For Klbkch. For the Worker. Then death is sad. Then it is all…sad.”
“This one apologizes. But this one cannot. These ones offer regret to the Innkeeper Solstice.”
“These ones express regret for the failure of the Prognugator to protect the Innkeeper Solstice.”
“The Prognugator carried out his duties. The Worker died carrying out his duties. No mourning is necessary for broken shells and dead individuals. These ones merely express regret of individual Klbkch’s failure to protect.”
“These ones offer condolences to the Innkeeper Solstice.”
“I do not know, Erin Solstice. These are mysteries of the world. They are what they are, yes?”
“It was a good game, Erin.”
“The hundred play as one mind. We see a hundred moves and play them all in turn. We think together and play as one body.”
“Not so long as the Queens live. He will be remembered. It is more than any other Antinium has.”
“I—see. I feel there is much misunderstood, but I respect your grief.”
“We can see the ending.”
“I have lived more than half of the average Worker’s lifespan. The Workers do not level up frequently. Some do not level at all.”
“Yes, Erin Solstice. We are taught such things as we are formed in Birther Sacs. All Workers know of leveling, but we seldom do.”
“I merely learn from Erin Solstice. She is an expert in this game.”
“Apologies. But the Innkeeper Solstice makes a mistake. This one—I am sorry. You misunderstand, Erin. At this moment, you are not simply playing me, but all the Antinium gathered here.”
“Just so. We think as one. That is the nature of the Antinium. Even if—that nature has been compromised by the experiment. Though I am individual, that is still true of me. I do not know why, but I feel…”
“We felt their loss, Erin. But only when we knew it. The Queen remembers. She knows us all. But we—we are Antinium. This is new.”
“Why would she remember him? He was no Prognugator. He had no name.”
“He was the designated Worker who won 54.6% of all games he played. He had no name. If you wish it, I will remember him, Miss Solstice.”
“Do not be sad, Miss Solstice. We are the Antinium. So long as the Hive exists, all will be well. So long as the Queen lives—nothing else matters.”
“Will you play another game, Erin?”
“There is much we learn from each game, Erin Solstice. Please do not stop teaching.”
“We have designated areas where waste is accumulated. We recycle such products within the Hive.”
“We are Antinium. Building is in our nature.”
“We level quickly. It is rare for Workers to level. We owe you a debt, Erin Solstice.”
“You teach. You help. You care. We know, and we learn from you how to be Human.”
“We have come to play chess if you are willing, Erin Solstice. We would also purchase flies for consumption.”
“I bear no offense, Erin. And I thank you for protecting us.”
“Toilet seat?”
“It is agreed. We will begin at once.”
“We would not wish to charge you for this service.”
“We work. We live. We die. All is unchanged among the Workers, Erin Solstice. But we hear of—things. Something happens below.”
“We would be happy to assist. What do you desire?”
“Bathroom.”
“We are familiar with the construction of such facilities. It would be a simple task to construct one for you. I am a [Carpenter]. Level 1.”
“Yes. Our Queen moves. She is doing—something. We do not know what it is, but we sense it. And there is another Prognugator.”
“Then the Erin of now is surely an improvement as she is both an [Innkeeper] and one who teaches chess. I fail to understand the problem.”
“Which way is this?”
“I am not sure I have any advice to give you, Erin Solstice. I am not experienced in the ways of this world.”
“Please, Miss Solstice. This is a matter of the Antinium. I knew it would come. Do not interfere—”
“It may be so, but my knowledge extends mainly to my Hive. I was not I until very recently. Thus, my awareness is only now expanding.”
“Was Erin important back in her world?”
“I have lost.”
“No. No!”
“I was asked questions. I was tested. I passed.”
“I am not Aberration. I am not. I am—”
“I am individual. I am Antinium.”
“He—the Prognugator let me go. He let me go. I am individual. Not Aberration. He let me go.”
“Adventurer-Captain Calruz. How may I help you?”
“I had no right to resist. The one who took me—he was the Prognugator. He judges other Antinium. Our lives are his to use.”
“The Antinium have no honor. And I am—was a Worker. My life is for the Hive. If my death is required, I will die.”
“I do not know. I only heard what was spoken in passing. But it is an important ritual that cannot be interrupted. I…sense that.”
“She is occupied at the moment. It is the Rite of Anastases.”
“He will not harm me.”
“Erin. Is something wrong?”
“Ksmvr?”
“Your offer is most kind. But I belong in my Hive.”
“He will not harm me, Erin. He has determined that I am Individual. He will not question me further. And I will be protected there. Now that it is known I am Individual, I am—important.”
“He was merely fulfilling his duties. But once the Queen is told, she will summon me. I am sure of it.”
“I am missed. I must complete my duties.”
“We came ten years back. To make…make something. I do not know. I do not know what. But it was decided. The Queens sent a single Hive to the city. Paid in gold for a place with those not of the Hive. To make something. A new kind of Antinium.”
“Yes.”
“That is correct. I would be in jeopardy or place you in danger by remaining.”
“I’m sorry?”
“No. Yes. It is important. I cannot tell you what it is. I was not told. I can only sense that it requires all of my Queen’s attention.”
“I was about to. I would not wish to trouble you—”
“Yes!”