It was easy for a player to look and forget their origins. It was easy to look at Scout and forget that he too was born from the universe.
Scout, blissfully unaware and rightfully entertained, was absolutely ecstatic at the new supplies and surplus arranged outside his little cave.
Well, little was an underestimation. The cavern opening stretched high, a single skyward split large enough for a hermit with an elytra to fly through. It would theoretically be large enough for Scout as well, once he learned how to fly. Until then, donations had been given- some with hopes of seeing the creature. It wasn't like people were in short supply- and from what Xisuma had gathered, Scout hadn't the best ability to actively gather materials. Well, besides shrubs, leaves, and the ability to apparently draw the interest of every parrot in a hundred chunk range.
Xisuma had spread the word, only in blunt somewhat vague words. Scout is no longer a threat to our server. Scout is deemed passive and friendly, if you have concerns bring them to me.
A few people asked, only those with a vested interest. Doc couldn't help himself, after seeing a strangely human face below the feathers his curiosity had spiked. Cub and Ren equally had a lingering interest, but were able to be redirected with a bit of effort.
Stress had inquired as to what exactly had happened, and if she needed to come by to 'clobber any thick skulls' which wouldn't help. Shockingly, even Wellsknight messaged Xisuma, offering politely his personal assistance if it was ever needed.
Xisuma found himself struggling to understand and arrange all the information he had gathered over the past few weeks into a single cohesive pile. He felt that at every moment, he found a new fact that shook the foundations he had hastily built. Either his metaphorical walls were made of sand- constantly collapsing downwards, or Scout had a gift for TNT.
Original base facts all seemed too obvious or simple for him to even think about again. Scout was male, understood English, and had mysteriously been able to predict where the Hermits were going to settle eventually- which all seemed a little too ridiculously easy now.
Xisuma wasn't going to barge into Mumbo's base when the man was so clearly a wreck. That being said, he would have to have a discussion with all his hermits about spreading information outside the server. Xisuma knew that Mumbo likely never ever intended for it to be harmful, but the fact a friend from years ago knew enough about Hermitcraft preferences to accurately predict which server they would eventually settle on? Well, it made Xisuma's persistent anxieties and paranoia bubble to the surface. At this rate, he should swap his suit for one much more fierce- maybe a Dragon with hopes of somehow embodying the bold brazen strength. (Notch knows he needs it daily when dealing with his messy little family.)
Xisuma knew when a problem was beyond his somewhat capable hands. He knew enough about a wide variety of things- more than most Admins he'd admit a bit shyly. He wasn't exactly human, not even hybrid. He was a ball of 'sentient void-goo' Keralis affectionately told him time and time again. The man wasn't exactly wrong, but he wasn't exactly right.
Xisuma was a voidwalker, which some players could be but most voidwalkers kept to themselves. They dotted the endless static of the end isles, roamed out of sight and died out of sight. They were born in a haze of whispering unintelligible words that most weren't meant to hear. If servers and worlds were the bright gems of existence, then the void and walkers were the dark matter unable to be seen between it.
Xisuma of course was not particularly good at being a voidwalker, nor was he particularly good at being a player. He was, however, really good at the difficult game called adaptation and innovation. Xisuma was not born recently, he was old and his blood was filled with fizzled codes of empires and dynasties that had spawned and died far before the birth of the oldest Hermitcraft member. At the birth of this new eon, he had been greeted with friendly smiles and asked by now-legendary Devs: what ideas do you have? Too many people forgot that Xisuma, cheeky silly little shy Xisuma, had created one of the more violent brutal games still championed on Hypixel, using of all things a bloody bed.
Xisuma was innovative and adaptable. He could work just as well as the rest of them, maybe even better than other Admins. He could venture out between the stars, warily pressing towards the hideous world-eaters and leviathans that fed docile on the decaying lines of broken worlds. The void was not meant to be harmful, it gave way to gentle creatures that glowed as bright as any star or comet.
It was easy for a player to look and forget their origins. It was easy to look at Scout and forget that he too was born from the universe.
"Man, he's really going wild in there, isn't he?" Scar mused, tilting his head. Comically, Jellie, sitting quite properly on his lap, similarly tilted her head. The cat watched with a lazy sort of entertainment, tail twitching ever so slightly from where it curled atop her mighty paws.
Pearl lingered, too nervous to stand closer and too reluctant to take a seat on the bench. At some point, Impulse (likely at Tango's request) had bodily picked up a small bench and carried it across the yard to sit directly in front of the cave. It clashed hideously with the beautiful aesthetics of Boatem, but did a wonderful job of providing seating to watch a very strange creature.
Currently, Scout was entertaining himself with something that Scar could not quite identify. On occasion, a flash of purple and magenta drew their eyes before feathers faded into sight and long talons scratched on stone and clay. There were little noises as well, squeaking and echoing slightly as Scout presumably busied himself in whatever he had found fascinating. The parrots, normally sleeping and roosting in the tall vines of Mumbo's megabase exterior, chirped with shrill cries on occasion. Pearl still held some doubts that the two species understood one another.
"He's been doing that for some time," Pearl confirmed Scar's words. They watched, seeing another splay of feathers and wild reckless amusement within the cave. "He found something and has been like this since."
"He's like when Jellie gets a ball of yarn," Scar said, smiling at his cat. "Maybe he's just bored. What to do…hm…"
"If he's bored," Pearl said with a small shudder. "Grian should just come outside."
Scar's smile faltered. There was an odd tension with the use of that name- Grian. Using it around others could make them wince, could make Mumbo cry. Scout was a safe name, a simple creature now flapping around with newly freed wings and long feathers. Scout had been their friend, then a poorly mistaken monster locked in a sad place. Scar knew Scout, he had yet to comfortably meet Grian.
"Scout will come outside when he wants to," Scar said, trying not to let Pearl know just how odd saying the name Grian made him feel. "Maybe he's afraid of the sky."
"Why would he be afraid of the sky?" Pearl asked a little bitterly, crossing her arms. She drummed her fingers on her arms, tapping smudged dirt on her outer elbow. "He has wings now. He may as well come outside and stop being a ruddy bin-chicken."
"I don't know what a bin-chicken is," Scar informed his friend slowly. "And also, uh, why did you say it like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you know, all angry! You annou- wait. A-nun-... Wow that's a hard word to say."
"Annunciated?" Pearl guessed, scoffing lightly. "Well, maybe I just speak like that! Bet you didn't think of that, mister."
Pearl rolled her eyes as Scar complained, spluttering consonants. After some time, he pouted. Jellie stretched in his lap, little paws scratching softly on his skin. She yawned, displaying her long fangs and tiny serrated molars. With a long sleepy blink, she stood, stretched her back, and hopped down to vanish somewhere into the grass. With a now empty lap, Scar decided to stand instead of sit. He stretched, one hip giving a quiet little click at the movement. Pearl gave a small glance before she fixed her gaze once more at the cave opening.
"You know," Scar said, a little dry. "For him being a Watcher, you're doing quite a bit of staring yourself."
Pearl scoffed, scowling openly. "I'm just…confused. Everything is just an odd mess."
"You can say that again," Scar agreed. From inside the cave, Scout gave a loud chattering shriek that faded slowly as the creature scrambled somewhere in the back recesses. It was endearing, the same sort of childish delight a panda displayed when offered fresh bamboo. Scar would never admit it to Pearl, but he thought Scout was adorable.
"Maybe he's afraid of coming outside," Scar stated, looking up at the sky with a curious thought. "I mean, with all those Watcher jerks. Well, wouldn't it be realistic that he's afraid of being seen? I thought Etho first tricked him with a blindfold."
Pearl blinked slowly, letting out a small startled noise. "That…that would make sense. I mean, he got along with Mumbo because that man's too nervous to make eye contact. And same with XB from what I've heard."
"He's an anxiety magnet," Scar said, chuckling a bit at the end of his words. "He comes out at night- wouldn't Watcher's be able to see in the dark?"
"Oh absolutely," Pearl confirmed, staring at the cave. "Truthfully, I don't think Gri' is thinking that logically."
Scar held his tongue. He said a little casually: "what if we wait until night? We could maybe lure him out here, throw a little party?"
"A party?"
"Yeah!" Scar said, brightening up. "I can tell Impulse to bring some of his candy! See if Mumbo would like to come out! Oh, I'll get some lights and music oh, it'll be amayzin'!"
Pearl blinked before she shook her head, resigned yet fond. "Fine, fine, yes. I'll bring some snacks too, maybe some blankets. Do you know if there are supposed to be any shooting stars?"
"I'm not sure," Scar said, nearly glowing with delight. "I can call Zed and see if he knows."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Pearl said. She wiped her hands on her pants, throwing one last look towards the mountain crack. "I'll reach out to the others."
"Okay! Bye!" Scar said, waving enthusiastically. The man sighed, stretching happily whilst Scout continued to flutter about, blissfully unaware. "Oh we're going to get you a big pumpkin."
Sunset was a beautiful time of day. They gathered the small population of Boatem, setting out blankets and thin layers of slime to cushion the ground into a soft padded floor. Strips of fabrics and cloths, some directly from their bed, lay across a large square. Baskets of food and barrels of water and juice rolled to a stop on the outer edges. Impulse had brought a huge number of pillows, filling a shulker to the brim.
Scar had brought Jellie, as well as his own little things. A couple melons, with a blunt wooden axe to hack them apart. He came as well with a jack-o-lantern, lacking the typical candle inside. When asked, Scar merely winked and said it was a surprise for later.
Pearl took the step herself, making sure she arrived at Mumbo's door with blankets in her arms. His front door was unlocked, and although it took a longer time to walk along the swinging bridges instead of flying through his enormous waterfall door, Pearl didn't want to make any large noises.
Inside his base was damp and cool. The various redstone lights placed into the walls were not lit, leaving the hallway dark. There were no creepers or skeletons, the undead stayed away from Boatem ever since Scout's arrival. All of them had become a bit spoiled by this.
"Mumbo?" Pearl asked gently. She pulled a lantern from her inventory, holding it aloft. The light was warm, guiding her onwards across carpeted floors to where she knew Mumbo's main bedroom was. It wasn't that far from his storage room- and not that far from where she learned the man had been harboring Scout. She was sure- knowing Grian, he had abused that little fact a handful of times.
"Mumbo?" She asked once more, prodding herself into his bedroom. At once, she identified he was there based on the radiant heat of a single person staying in a room for extended periods of time. "Oh, Mumbo."
The man in question clearly was awake, he very awkwardly fished around for his blanket to pull over his head.
"No, none of that," Pearl scolded. She walked to his bedside, hesitating before sitting on the very edge of his mattress. Initially she was worried she had sat on one of his large legs- but once he adjusted it was clear she managed to skirt away from it.
"We're all outside," Pearl told him softly. "We were hoping you'd come."
Mumbo said, slurred and muffled below the blanket. "I don't want to."
"Well I'd love to see you," Pearl soothed. She paused, then very slowly reached out to pull the blanket down. Mumbo let her. As the blanket withdrew, she hummed softly, lulling him into wakefulness.
They sat there a few moments before Pearl gently broached the topic. "We were hoping to have Grain outside of the cave."
Mumbo flinched, turning his face back into the pillow. His hair was stringy, unkempt. Pearl was sure his moustache similarly was a hideous assortment of splayed hairs.
Mumbo said into his pillow: "Don't call him that."
"Grian?" Pearl asked, biting back a bit of an indignant noise. "Why not? It's him, it's all confirmed. Why shouldn't I call him that-."
"People change," Mumbo muttered, finally rolling. The blanket slid from one shoulder- he was dressed in his undershirt absent of his suit vest. It was clear the man had simply walked into bed and slowly shed the unnecessary fabric over the course of many days.
Pearl blinked slowly. She said, a little confused: "Well, that may be true, but it's Grian."
"No, Pearl," Mumbo said, chuckling dark and saddened. He sat up, shifting Pearl from the edge of the bed. She stood, taking a healthy step back as Mumbo came to sitting upright in his bed, clutching the fabric covering his knees. His lip wobbled, eyes red and cheeks gaunt. He said hoarsely. "That may have been Grian, but not anymore."
Pearl balked. She asked: "What are you talking about-?"
"Grian's dead, Pearl," Mumbo deadpanned, sniffling softly. "Scout isn't the same person as the Grian we remember. And maybe, maybe he'll remember things but…it isn't fair to treat Scout as if he's G."
Pearl shook her head. "No, that's Grian-."
" Grian," Mumbo shouted, voice crackling painfully. "Is dead! He died Pearl! He isn't going to just- just wake up and recognize us! He's gone! There's nothing that can be done!"
Pearl's mouth shut, she looked in horror as Mumbo once more fell into quiet sobs. The man held his head, pressing his thumbs against the hollow of his eyes. "He's dead. And I- I left him to…"
"You did not," Pearl snapped. Finally, a direction for her righteous fury. "Listen here, Mumbo K. Jumbo. You did not have any hand in that. It was messy business, but you know what? Somehow he got away, and he went to the first place he thought he'd be safe."
Mumbo wilted, looking devastated. "X is going to be so upset with me-."
"You saved him," Pearl urged. "Look- he's been all…weird. Anxious I think. He hasn't seen you-."
"Oh no," Mumbo moaned, before giggling anxiously. He slapped one hand over his face, starting to cry once more. "Oh, Scout is going to think I hate him."
"I doubt it," Pearl argued. "Look, even if…even if Grian is… dead, then why don't you let Gr- Scout know that you're okay?"
Mumbo scowled. Pearl winced a bit by the somber hostility. He swallowed thickly and said: "Pearl, I…I don't think I can look at him. Every time I see him I just think…Pearl he was begging me to help him."
"Well, you're not doing a good job of that right now, are you?" Pearl said. His mouth dropped open- briefly an expression of betrayal overtook him. She swallowed, hastily adding on with an air of displeasure: "I mean, you're laying around in bed! Poor G- Scout is off waiting for you to say hello."
Mumbo's lip quivered. "Pearl I can't- he isn't who I remember-."
"Then go outside and meet him again!" Pearl snapped. Mumbo winced, eyes wide at the sudden explosion of noise.
He looked at her, baffled and uncertain. After a small moment, Mumbo looked down, toying with his blanket anxiously between his shaking fingers.
"Pearl?" He asked meekly. "What if…what if he…he doesn't like me?"
"What? Why on Earth-."
"Because I didn't help him sooner," Mumbo explained. He gasped abruptly, shuddering and shaking through his shoulders as he began to cry once more. "Pearl he was begging me- and…and I've just been up here doing nothing and-."
"Mumbo," Pearl soothed, feeling the guilt creep into herself as well. Gently, she placed one hand on his shoulder, trying to meet his watering eyes. "I…I also…I also messed up. But…but we can start now to make it better."
Mumbo sniffed, shaking his head adamantly. His hair flopped around, his sniffles slightly louder now. "No no, I failed him I can't-."
"Start right now," Pearl urged, feeling very sad herself. "Come on, Mumbo. Impulse and Scar are waiting for us. We can just sit outside for a little bit."
Mumbo sniffled, hanging his head. Quietly, he asked: "are you upset with me?"
For not realizing sooner. For not finding him. For not bringing Grian home?
"No," Pearl said honestly, patting Mumbo on his greasy head. "I'm actually very proud of you."
"Look at who it is!" Impulse cheered, waving around a sparking torch spitting off little bits of green light. Scar looked personally quite pleased with the contraption, offering both Pearl and Mumbo an unlit torch.
"Light it!" Scar cheered, offering a well used flint and steel. "I dusted it with some copper flakes, it makes the nicest colour! Oh, but don't sniff it!"
Mumbo of course sniffed it and retched. Pearl laughed, patting him gently. Mumbo set the torch aside with a wince, wiping his nose. He knew he likely looked horrible with tearstains and red eyes, but the fresh air admittedly was quite nice.
"We have juice for you, Mister," Scar teased, plucking out a selection of three different bottles. "I have some melon juice, some berry juice, and I wasn't sure if you were feeling for something thicker like pumpkin-."
"The melon is fine," Mumbo said, coughing to try and remove the rasp in his voice. "This uh…this all looks wonderful."
Scar lit up, happily providing the drink. He bounced over- quite literally bouncing across the blankets. Mumbo blinked twice, testing the ground and found it shockingly comfortable.
"Slime under the blanket," Impulse told him, a wide happy smile lighting up his face. "Pretty neat, huh?"
"Very," Mumbo agreed, sipping the melon juice quietly. He settled himself on his knees, then flopped over dramatically once Pearl gave him a little nudge. He groaned a bit into the slime- smelling slightly of limes. The blankets felt cool on his skin, chasing away the faint sweat that still clung to him. There were no phantoms above them, the sun had set previously, and the moon was beginning to crest over the sky.
"How are you feeling, man?" Impulse asked, nodding gently. Mumbo always found that silly- you nod downwards to friends but nod upwards to others. Such strange costumes.
"I'm okay," Mumbo lied, still feeling quite terrible. "How have you all been?"
Scar rolled his eyes, smiling playfully. "Oh you know, just minin' and craftin'. I found a new spawner the other day, and managed to block it off perfectly."
"Good job," Mumbo said, looking down at his shoes. He hadn't tied them, and there was dirt on one side. The juice was nice, he couldn't quite recall when he had last eaten anything.
Pearl settled herself, stretching her legs quite happily. "Aw, it's nice to have everyone here. It's been a while!"
Nobody looked at Mumbo, but he knew that all three meant him. Mumbo felt himself sink a little further into himself.
"Well, shall I go see if our final guest wants to join?" Scar asked, standing slowly. He wiped his hands on his trousers, sprinkling little bits of cake crumbs on the ground. Jellie stealthily advanced to curl up in the warm imprint he left behind.
Mumbo felt his heart rate increase, beating frantically in his lungs. He watched, mouth turning dry, as Scar walked jauntily towards the cave.
"I- I can't-," he spluttered, starting to get up.
"You can do this," Pearl said, grasping Mumbo's hand although her eyes did not change from where she watched the opening of the cave.
The stars were shining, little bats flickering above them like redstone signals as they chased insects. The sky was gentle, no cloud in sight as Scar entered the cave. Slowly, minutes passed. Impulse tired to soothe both Mumbo and Pearl (who was very anxious despite her hasty denials) with bits of gilded melon.
Slowly, Scar emerged from the cave, looking quite pleased with himself. Illuminated only by his enormous hat of which he placed a lantern (balanced precariously on the very top), the man held a moderately sized pumpkin.
"What is he doing with that now?" Impulse asked, recognizing the pumpkin as the jack-o-lantern the man had brought initially to the party. "Don't tell me he's going to throw it…"
Scar did not throw it. Instead, the man continued to walk quiet happily with his pumpkin before he turned around and held it out. He stood there, waiting patiently with arms outstretched.
"Scar must have arms of steel," Impulse teased, watching as Scar began to sweat. Pumpkins were not light, and clearly Scar had not considered this in his equation of pumpkin experimentation.
He did not need to wait long. In the murky darkness, illuminated by the occasional light hidden below carpets, a large shape very anxiously crept out. Like an enormous nervous cat, slowly approaching an outstretched fish, Scout crawled.
Low to the ground, the enormous creature crept. With each long wing outstretched, it pulled itself forward with a body so low, it surely was scraping its belly on the ground. Long feathers flopped as he crawled, looking a bit like a very gangly enormous decorative fish suddenly on land.
Mumbo watched, mouth dry, and the first thought he recognized was: well, he's certainly awkward enough to be Grain.
"Hey Scout!" Scar shouted, lifting the pumpkin above his head. Scout froze, turning still as he presumably looked at the pumpkin.
"Oh that mad man," Pearl whispered, cluing in moments before disaster.
Scar grinned, a wide insane expression as he hurled the pumpkin up into the air. Driven by an instinct seen n some avians and most hybrids, Scout shrieked a loud thrilled noise before lunging. He didn't so much as jump forward as he did upwards, colliding bodily with the pumpkin above Scar like a large thrilled cat.
Scar cackled, lightly jogging his way back to the the blanket. The three watched as Scout bounced twice on the mossy grass, curling around the pumpkin and kicking it with enormous talons. The pumpkin exploded, unable to endure the wrath of a very curious large creature. With a sudden flare of wings and limbs, Scout scrambled and hurriedly craned his head around in search of more pumpkins.
"Over here, Scout!" Scar called, before once more cackling loudly. Impulse reached over, giving Mumbo an encouraging thump on one shoulder.
Mumbo had expected Scout to get nervous and hide- vanish into the cave once more. It's what he would have done before, the creature still was too nervous around people.
Except, against all expectations, Scout cocked his head and flapped his second set of wings before slowly advancing over. Somewhere between crawling with front legs extended and walking on bipedal legs with wings flapping. Everything was incredibly awkward and poorly coordinated, Mumbo found himself in awe.
"Aww, you're just a precious bird monster," Scar cooed, looking for another pumpkin. He failed to find one, instead presenting one of the two melons he had brought. "Here you go!"
Scout lingered back, then slowly reached out with one humanoid hand- thoroughly scarred and mutilated around the elbow. The limb didn't reach all the way, catching somehow from anatomical injury, but he did touch the melon and attempt to grab it. Being too large for one hand to grasp, Scout inched forward until both front limbs cradled the melon and he found himself standing on large hind talons.
"Good job!" Scar enthused, nodding his head vigorously.
Mumbo felt like he had been punched. How long had Scout been able to stand? Since when did he understand so much English?
Scout settled on his…ankles? Feet? Somehow, Scout balanced himself. The two main sets of wings flared, constantly jolting to maintain poor balance while the lowest tail-set simply rest on the ground. This close, being able to see Scout's torso unveiled more secrets. His lower limbs truly were avian with thick talons, vague scales across the lower leg and fluffy down feathers. Gorgeous abdominal feathers sprouted somewhere just below his sternum, arcing downwards as if he had true tail feathers and not just an oddly placed pair of wings. His ribcage was obvious, thick scarring and discolored patches from lack of sunlight. Distinctly humanoid body structure, made to walk instead of the awkward crawling.
Scout also was thoroughly fascinated by the watermelon. He sat back, like a begging cat, and pawed the fruit between his front limbs. Bending his neck downward, he lacked the flexibility of the sudden still unexplained dragon-wither incident.
"He's like a baby panda," Impulse whispered, nearly vibrating.
Scout grumbled, a low churrup in his throat before picking up the fruit and bodily smashing it on the ground. The slime did an adequate job of protecting it from actually exploding- Scout clearly did not enjoy this. With a mighty shift of his body and flapping from four wings, Scout reached out with one leg and crushed the melon in his claws.
Pearl squealed, bits of melons flying into her lap. Mumbo felt his jaw drop in surprise, Scar cackled madly beside him, catching Jellie who all but jumped into his lap.
"You naughty bird!" Impulse laughed, wiping aside bits of melon. He held one hand aloft, wagging his finger scoldingly as juice dripped down his face. "You're a menace!"
Scout cocked his head, looking at the group. It was easy to forget just how close they were- so close if Scout took one more step he'd be standing on the slime and blankets. If Mumbo reached out, he'd be touching feathers and warm skin.
Scout made a beautiful chiming noise, rattling before arcing high and shifting into somewhat human laughter. A loud giggle, emanating from a feathered protected face. Scout said, in that voice which made Mumbo's heart skip its beat: "Pesky bird!"
"Yes yes, you're a pesky bird," Scar agreed, seeming far too casual for being this close to what they had once considered a threat. "Sit down, enjoy some cake! There's no chocolate in it, I checked."
Scout cocked his head, turning around and stared. Slowly, the wings on each side of his head opened up like large ears, pointing outward with delicate little feathers. They shook slightly, unaccustomed to the movement. Scout's hair was long, unkept. Bits were trapped in the wings, others framed the human jaw. Purple feathers glimmered in the moonlight, sparkling like stars.
"Spoon," Scout said clearly, presumably making eye contact with Mumbo himself. Slowly, Scout lowered himself to resemble less of an iron golem and more of a curious horse. He crept closer, bouncing on slime as he brushed against Scar's basket and bits of melon.
"Mumbo," Scout corrected himself, voice throaty and odd. So close, Mumbo could feel the warmth radiating from the feathers, could feel the bits of dust clogging his nose that ultimately would make him sneeze. Scout tilted his head once again and asked rather clearly: "are you okay?"
Mumbo felt his chest give and his shoulders jerk. He was crying before he realized it.
Scout rumbled quietly, uncertain. Mumbo leaned forward and threw his arms around the neck of Scout, tugging him closer. Scout squawked, allowing himself to be pulled forward as Mumbo continued to cry into his neck, leaking water down across dusty feathers.
"I'm so sorry," Mumbo sobbed, shaking his head frantically. "Oh- oh heavens, I am so sorry. I- I should have found you sooner, I just- I don't know. I thought you were dead and-."
Scout stilled, then very carefully reached up with now free arms, and wrapped them around the lanky man. The grip was weak, trembling and exhausted, but Mumbo recognized a hug when he found one.
"I'm so sorry," Mumbo sobbed, clutching his once-friend close. He didn't want to let go, not again. "I am so sorry, my friend. I should have- have done something…"
"Spoon," Scout teased gently, taking a second to flop his head equally against Mumbo. They stood there, Scout wrapping his wings up to lazily cradle Mumbo happily against him. "Silly man."
"I'm the silliest," Mumbo agreed, sniffling wetly. "I'm so sorry."
Scout rumbled gently, nuzzling against Mumbo once more. Slowly, they separated, Mumbo sobbing but unexpectedly wearing a smile.
"There, that's better?" Pearl asked, lifting one eyebrow. Scout glanced at her curiously, flapping one of his little ear-wings at her before glancing around. The creature found a bit of melon, holding it between his claws gently before feeding it below the two pairs of wings still shielding his face. Based on the chirp of surprise, Scout presumably enjoyed it.
"You're looking good, buddy," Impulse said gently. Scout looked at him, flaring a set of wings for a presumed better look. They had seen the small eyes dotting the many wings Scout had, it still felt odd that each movement of his wings was to actually see them.
"I like the new arms personally," Scar said, giving a little wave.
They lay there, cleaning melon bits off of them. Scout didn't talk much, but did lay in a long stretch across slime blocks and fabric. Mumbo hadn't realized how much Scout had missed him until the enormous entity stretched a single wing to drape over Mumbo's lower legs. Impulse teased that Scout wasn't letting Mumbo escape. Mumbo wondered why he still felt so guilty.
"I needed this," Pearl confessed, letting out a relaxed sigh. "Just…laying here, with friends."
Scar agreed with a sleepy noise, his arms behind his head as a pillow while Jellie slept on his stomach. Impulse elected to lay on his side, still staring upwards at the night sky.
"Oh! A shooting star!" Scar gasped, pointing sleepily. Mumbo followed his gaze, staring upwards as sure enough, little bits of light shot across the sky.
"Scout, look," Mumbo whispered, the word feeling odd. Scout did not budge, potentially asleep. With a gentle press, Mumbo awoke the larger entity.
"Look," Mumbo repeated, drawing Scout's attention before pointing skyward. "Look at the comet!"
And.
Grian had not ascended humbly into the ranks of the Watchers. He was not blinded by awe or potential for grand revelation. Grian had smiled, withheld bitter words and his cruel thoughts as wings were sewn into the code of his being. He had thanked them, as demanded with venom dripping from his mouth, and in every way possible conveyed his utter disdain. He allowed his feathers to be shaped, limbs to be arranged. When Grian left, there was no decision to betray- he had never formed allegiance or loyalty to something so malicious. Grian had laughed as they plucked his feathers and drove thin swords into his very being, modifying his code. He laughed, cackling wild and free and they said: oh you are a wild pathetic creature, not fit for us.
Grian did not see his death as a tragedy, because he knew from the very start what would happen. He knew the moment feathers were pulled from his being that they existed only to burn.
And.
Scout stood, staring upwards as fire burned the falling rocks that pierced the atmosphere. He saw the light, bathed in recollection and said: "I laughed."
"Hmm?" Pearl asked, rolling over before she realized who had spoken. "Scout?"
He didn't respond. Slowly, the four glanced at one another before Pearl asked quietly with thick tension: "Grian?"
"I laughed," Grian repeated, voice haunted and flat. "When I fell."
"Oh," Scar said, realizing quickly that this was descending into a different sort of territory.
Grian thought: I knew the agony I would feel, burning. I knew the pain, the suffering I would endure as I chased the void to find the server I needed to- and I did it for my family.
"I laughed," Grian repeated, mystified and wondering as he watched meteors burn in the sky above them. "When I fell. I saw hope where others saw my death."
"Grian-," Mumbo started, the name catching in his throat and lodging there, staying trapped unspoken.
Scout turned, the pairs of wings on his skull unveiling like a flower. A human face, thin nose, exhausted eyes glassy and vacant with purple glimmering where there should not be any. Grian spoke, whispering: "You wonder if it was worth it, and yes. It was."
I would fall a hundred more times, for the single chance to be here with you once more.
And like that- keen intelligence and awareness. The glassy confusion returned, and wings shut themselves in exhaustion that came with knowledge.
"I'll keep waiting then," Mumbo choked out, crying once more as Scout settled himself dumb and simple on the ground. "I'll- I'll keep watch for you buddy. You take a good break, eh? Just- just get your strength back. Just- I'll keep watch."
Scout made a quiet sleepy chirp, unaware and tired. He nuzzled low, wings splaying out like an animal. Mumbo felt himself sob harder.
Impulse cleared his throat, feeling out of place. "Not to uh…you know, ruin this scene but it's been bothering me all night…does the moon look… big to anyone else?"