lepidope

Light of The Rebellion

Matias didn't move, just as promised, but he also didn't talk. He glared at the wall, occasionally looking towards the bug to see if it would move– or attack him. It did neither, nor did it look like it would do either at any point, but he nonetheless anticipated it. He eventually felt his shoulder return to normal, no discomfort of any sort when he moved the joint.

"Thanks," he mumbled, not even looking Iris in the face as he rose to his feet.

He gave one more peep to the bug for good measure.

Nothing.

"Okay," he huffed, "I'm going back to bed. Hopefully I keep my shoulder this time."

Light of The Rebellion

Matias's hateful stare was now directed at Iris, the shove squeezing an "Oye!" from his lungs. His eyes narrowed at her threat; he couldn't help but scoff.

"Knock me out and you'll only give yourself more work," he sneered, "but fine. I won't move. Christ."

The bug remained in its corner, the bickering becoming background noise to it at this point. It tapped the sides of its helmet, causing it to beep softly.

"Entering torpor," a gentler robotic voice chimed from the helmet.

Right after, the helmet's lenses flickered off, and the bug's body fell limp, a very slow movement at its chest being the only sign that it was still alive.

Light of The Rebellion

As much as he could without his shoulder aching, Matias folded his arms.

"'Comrade', eh? So there's more of you freaks?"

"YES," the bug signed, "BUT REFRAIN FROM REFERRING TO MY KIND AS SUCH. IT IS DEROGATORY."

"Oh, please. I can only imagine what you look like under that stupid mask. Freak."

The bug fell silent.

"Anyway, you don't look like you're going away any time soon, but you better scram when this is all over. And stay out of my way. ¿Entendiste?"

The bug remained quiet.

"What? Did your translator stop working?"

"NO. I JUST HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY TO YOU."

The bug began hobbling off to a dark corner in the other side of the room, Matias observing from a distance. The bug's wings opened slowly as it descended, allowing it to sit and cross its legs.

"W- Well," Matias stuttered, "me neither."

Light of The Rebellion

With Midnight's motion, the bug began hobbling over to Matias, head lowered, boots creaking, breath heavy. Matias's body was erect and wary as he watched the thing approach him. He looked towards his teammates, stammering as he saw them just stand there.

"Uh... Hello? Do you not see that thing coming? Are you just gonna let it kill me?! Hello?!"

The bug towered over Matias now, observing him like one would an animal from a distance. Much like an animal, Matias huddled back and grit his teeth.

"Back off!" he hissed, "I'll smash you with a book, you stupid–"

"I'M SORRY."

Matias paused, straightened his back, and blinked rapidly. He looked at the giant moth like it grew a head.

"... What?"

"I SAID I'M SORRY."

Matías furrowed his brow at the creature, his confidence slowly recovering.

"Sorry for what? Almost killing me and stalking me for a week straight?"

"YES."

Matias only looked even more confused at this point. His eyes darted towards his teammates again, gauging if they too could believe what they were hearing. He then glared back at the bug.

"Well, sorry's not gonna cut it. And like hell you're joining us. I don't care what the boss says. No way."

The bug didn't respond. It only stared at Matias like it was about to bite his head off and plant eggs into his spine, or something equally horrible. At least that's what Matias thought.

Light of The Rebellion

"Oh!"

Matias's back stretched out as he leaned down, glaring deeply at Bane and showing his whites.

"So now you're defending the thing that shot me! Real classy of you to think the boss is stupid enough to–!"

What sounded like a jetpack blared in the open air, followed by a familiar clicking.

Matias's face froze right where it was.

The door creaked open, and in came a long, slender antenna, followed by the rest of the moth's head. It peered at the group, only barely moving from where it stood.

"HELLO."

Light of The Rebellion

Matias was about to argue back before Iris broke them apart. Instead, he scoffed and side-eyed Bane, his eyes still on fire.

"Yeah," he said, "knock it off."

It was then that the front door slammed shut, making Matias look towards the noise. While he couldn't see who was coming in from here, he had his inferences.

"She better have squashed the damn thing. Then she'll be perfect."

Once inside, the bug took a moment to observe the interior. Its lenses flickered again, making a small series of clicks and beeps as the bug scanned its head wherever it could. It stared for a good ten seconds at what appeared to be the guest room, its antennae swaying.

Questions and Answers

I don't, I just wait for them to talk to me... I'm really boring to talk to

Do you own a virtual reality headset?

the alphabet game. lol

Osteoporosis

Light of The Rebellion

Matias sat up more, his eyes meeting Bane's in a confused attempt at bravery.

"Don't 'kid' me," he growled back, "I'm well about to be forty soon. You have to admit that she's slipped a few times anyway. Nobody's perfect, dog man."

The bug landed on one knee, head lowered. It got up slowly, one arm wrapped around its ribs. One quick flick of its crumpled wings later, it looked up at Midnight.

"REPAIRS ARE NOT NECESSARY," it signed, "A SIMPLE REST WILL MEND MY INJURIES. BUT PLEASE PICK UP MY WEAPON. I CAN'T BEND OVER AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO ME."

It wrapped its arm back around and started hobbling towards the house.

Light of The Rebellion

Matias's body rose from the mattress, his eyes wide and baffled. He had to blink twice to process what he just heard.

"Uh... and you're making that assumption why, exactly? Look, she's stupid, but do you really think the boss is that stupid?"

He shook his head, grumbling.

"That thing is dangerous and can't be reasoned with. Like hell it's joining us."

On the contrary, the bug nodded.

"OUR DEAL IS SETTLED ONCE YOU RELEASE ME FROM MY BINDS."