Chapter Text
“Perhaps, Blinkous, since it was your idea to snare the brute, you should be in charge of his care,” Vendel stated matter-of-factly, pointing his staff at Blinky.
“Me? And that thing?” An expression of panic swept over Blinky’s face.
“Oh! Such an honor! Congratulations, brother.” Dictatious swooped in and shook Blinky’s hand before disappearing.
“I hate you.” The brute stated spitefully behind Blinky.
“Great grumbly gruesome.”
Blinky’s shoulders dropped, the weight of what he was tasked feeling greater than a curse.
Vendel always seemed sadistic. Ever since Blinky first met him as a whelp he quickly learned that Vendel liked to make others suffer for his entertainment, but this? He's certainly not budging on it now. Blinky’s mouth only gets him into trouble and he regrets ever speaking on the matter.
Blinky had no choice now though. It was either he cowardly runs away never to be seen again, die a violent death, or he somehow transforms the general into a respectable troll. Going the cowardly route sounded very appealing but the task would only be pushed down onto another troll. Rehabilitation it is, he doesn't even want to consider the second option. He felt himself stumble a bit. Great gronka morka. How was he going to transform a Gumm-Gumm general? Aaaaarrrg’s name has been known by many and feared by most. The few who were not afraid of Aaaaarrrg were simply idiotic. Willingly being in his vicinity is a death trap.
Whatever future Blinky’s life holds, it doesn't matter. If he documents everything he learns and gets an understanding of the Gumm-Gumm ways, perhaps he could become a prophet of his community. Better yet, aid significantly in the war. That is if he lives to tell the tale.
Blinky did not have much of a choice. Whatever his fate, if he dies violently…slowly…painfully….it will be for a good cause. Maybe Blinky should make preparations in case he has to unwillingly leave his dear brother behind.
The Gumm-Gumm had been locked away not long after Vendel assigned Blinky the task of taking care of the brute. His ears upturned and listening as he heard the Gumm-Gumm general snarling and roaring as he was placed in a cell. Since he is not going anywhere Blinky decided to gather the Gumm-Gumm’s breakfast for the next night (and a little snack for himself). As he began his search, he heard a voice call to him.
“Blinkous? Where are you going?” a voice laced with suspicion called out to him.
Blinky turned expecting some more judgment from the Dwoza trolls but relaxed his shoulders when he saw his brother standing before him.
“You are not thinking of running away from your duties are you?”
Blinky twitched at Dictatious having the gall to come up to him and say this despite Dictatious being more cowardly than himself during the altercation with the Gumm-Gumm.
“I would not leave you behind with this burden, brother. I am simply fetching his meal.”
Dictatious visibly scowled.
“I hope you are not going to fetch him his meal from our sock storage.”
Blinky’s brow furrowed.
“Yes? Why would I not?”
Dictatious sighed, sliding a hand down his face before letting his arm drop back down.
“He is our prisoner Blinky, let alone a Gumm-Gumm. He does not deserve your courtesy. He needs to understand that he is not friends with anyone here.”
It was Blinky’s turn to scowl.
“Trust me, I would rather the beast’s head be on a spike. But Vendel gave me this task, the Gumm-Gumm is my patient now. I cannot treat my patient like the Gumm-Gumm he is.”
Dictatious stared blankly.
“I believe the outsider made a point. Torturing or killing him will make us as bad as the Gumm-Gumms. I am not stooping to a Gumm-Gumm level of treatment. We are better than that, you know this brother.”
Before Dictatious could respond, Blinky had promptly turned and walked away.
A bucket of socks should suffice for the brute. He truly did not know if a single bucket would be enough. He believes that the Gumm-Gumm is a Krubera, or was. However this Krubera became a Gumm-Gumm general Blinky was not too desperate to know. Blinky knew almost every troll type and if this beast was a Krubera, he would have a massive appetite. Not to mention his amazing dark adaptation, sense of smell, brute strength, and strong, sharp teeth. It is no question why this beast was such a successful Gumm-Gumm.
He walked into his and his brother’s small den and set the bucket down along the wall closest to his side of the cave. Their cave was not perfect but it was home. The first thing seen when walking into the cave is the brother’s library. A small wooden table in the center with two chairs surrounded by shelves and shelves of books. Books are stacked on the table and books are on the floor. Luminescent crystals hung from the walls and ceilings. The brothers cared too much for their books to risk burning candles. To the right was a small entrance, in there were Dictatious’s living quarters. Blinky’s was to the left. Their rooms were almost identical. They had the same taste in furniture but not in decor. Dictatious was not one for decorating but Blinky loved making his space his own. He had many trinkets. Human items, beautiful items, and items Blinky simply finds interesting. Yet, while they both had their privacy, they preferred to enjoy each other's presence in the library. Blinky had many fond memories in this library.
Blinky already knew the task ahead was difficult if at all dangerous. This will be especially hard since Blinky would rather spit on the brute's face than care for it like it is a lost pet. But maybe with some research, he could find the first step to rehabilitating the beast. His first idea was reaching through to the brute’s heart. It seemed the most logical. He's read plenty of stories where trolls turned away their past lives for the hope of a better one.
Blinky stepped into the library, walking from shelf to shelf, and even looking through the scattered books across the floor and table. After ensuring he had enough books for this in-depth research, he sat down at the table and began to read.
Blinky had gotten lost in his books. Making trolls like you was mostly through direct kindness, but also vulnerability, and encouragement. Things Blinky would need to learn how to do. The books had certainly sparked a deep concentration and discussion with himself, he did not know at what point he had stood and begun pacing back and forth in the library. So deep in thought, so many possibilities, Blinky mumbled wildly, seemingly having a debate with himself.
“Of course! Why have I not thought of that? Oh, no... never mind that could never work. But maybe it-”
“Blinkous.”
Blinky had six eyes, yet he could not see where the books in his four hands had gone. He was too engrossed with his studies that he had not heard Dictatious enter the den, causing Blinky to violently jump out of his stoney skin with a sharp yelp. The books became airborne in the process.
“I uh- yes?”
Dictatious let out an amused laugh, placing a hand on Blinky’s shoulder.
“The sun has risen.”
Blinky’s eyes widened. Now that he looked, Dictatious looked exhausted, heavy bags under his eyes. Had he lost such track of time?
“Oh, dear. There is not enough time in the night.”
Blinky began putting the lost books back in their place, keeping a few to himself for further research.
“My apologies brother, I do hope I did not keep you up.”
Dictatious shrugged and began walking towards his end of the den when he looked over his shoulder at Blinky.
“Do get some sleep. You will need it.”
With that, Dictatious disappeared into his room.
Blinky hated to say that Dictatious was correct. With such a big night coming up, he could not afford any slip-ups simply because he stayed up all day researching. It was very tempting though.
With a final sigh, he grabbed the books and the undergarments and went to his den quarters to get some sleep before his gamble with life and death.