Hoo boi- RIP my personality consistency writing skills- --- Astrid struggled against her captor’s grasps; for mere mantis warriors, they were surprisingly strong. Nonetheless, she still tried to escape to no avail, glancing at her sister for help. The taller creature avoided her gaze, unable to look at her. They both knew the fate that was about to befall the captured bug, and everybody in the colony knew it was inevitable, but still Astrid struggled. She didn’t want to meet her father, not yet. It was too soon. After a good bit of walking, they finally arrived in the Sisters’ throne room. The tall mantids stared with disdain and disgust at the struggling criminal for a long moment before their leader stood up on her throne and spoke up. “Astrid, noble mantid of our tribe. Do you understand the reason you’ve been brought here?” As she finishes the sentence, the lead Sister dismisses the guards with a small wave. “Yes,” Astrid lies as she collapses onto the ground, panting. Frankly, the young mantid had no clue what crime she’d comitted. Yes, she’s done some odd things and said some questionable words, but none of it seemed severe enough to cause this much anger among the Sisters. Then again, she did mention the Wyrms, the Nightmare King, and the Radiance quite often… “Good. And We’re assuming you know the fate that you have brought upon yourself?” Astrid nods honestly. “Alright.” The Sister glances between the criminal and the embarrassed-looking mantid a few times, assessing the situation. “...We’ve seen how close you two are.” She sits back down. “We will give you two a few moments to say goodbye. You will be notified when your time is up.” Astrid nods, then skitters over to her own sister as the tribe’s queens discuss something. The death-row criminal bows politely to her sister, a common greeting among the mantids to their family and those of higher rank. As she stands back up, Astrid’s sibling suddenly embraces her tightly, visibly trying to hold back tears. “I-I wish- I wish this didn’t have to happen-” she mutters sadly. “I wish we could just escape-” Astrid hugs her older sister back, smiling faintly. “I know. But there’s no escaping this fate, not in this tribe. I’m so sorry...” “Y-you should be-!” She grumbles, unable to actually sound angry at the criminal. “I-I’m sick of losing everybody, and now you-” “Hush,” Astrid mutters, cutting her off. “I’ve accepted that this is happening. Please. It’ll help a lot if you accept it as well.” Her sibling growls in frustration and pulls away. Soon enough, Astrid is called back to the thrones by the scraping sound of the Sisters standing and drawing their lances. She quickly bows to them, then stands back up and makes direct eye contact with the lead Sister. “I have finished my business,” she says confidently, hiding the tremble in her voice quite successfully. “Very well. We wish you luck in whatever journey awaits you.” They all nod at Astrid as a form of speedier minor bow, and she nods back. With that, the Sisters ready their lances and watch as the lead Sister leaps off of her throne and dives at Astrid. “I’m sorry, Demure.” The criminal glances sadly at her own sister, then stares up at the lance-wielding executor, preparing herself for the darkness they all expect. --- Characters: @MicroSoftie and Team Cherry Story: @MicroSoftie PLEASE DO NOT STEAL/CLAIM THIS WRITING AS YOUR OWN.
