Peek: Nerves (Patreon)

Poe waits in a shortcut, watching the delvers gather, his emotions in turmoil. Is he truly prepared to be a raid boss? Will his planned raid go well? Will he break Lord Thedeim's perfect streak? Will the delvers actually fail to defeat him? Will they, instead, crush him without breaking stride?

"You are not often pensive," comments Doppler, while warming up with Slash.

"I do not often face the delvers directly," he answers, hoping Doppler will take the distraction.

He does not. The automaton scion smirks. "You are hardly facing them directly today."

Poe grumbles, wishing his flock could bear the brunt of this conversation like they will the upcoming raid. Doppler doesn't press him, mercifully, and instead returns to checking his poppers and scarabs, ensuring they're all in tune with each other and with Slash.

Poe tries to keep himself from fidgeting as he waits, going over the raid in his head. "You two are certain you wish to provide music?"

Slash nods as Doppler speaks. "Yes. The Composer likes to put on a show when he can, and music is vital for that." He smiles at Poe. "Not to mention we will be able to further enhance your flock and yourself as well. Fluffles is a hard act to follow, as the Composer might say, but I believe you will provide a memorable fight."

Poe isn't as certain, even when he feels Lord Thedeim filling the bond with pride and confidence for him. That Lord Thedeim isn't concerned only makes Poe more concerned, his mind conjuring up more elaborate scenarios for things to go poorly.

What if the rewards aren't enough? What if he doesn't prepare the delvers properly for the Betrayer? What if, in his focus on this raid, he has missed something for the upcoming raid on the ancient dungeon?

He gives an undignified squawk as the world goes white and painfully silent. It takes him a few moments to recover, blinking his eyes as he recovers from the sudden popper bursting. He glares at Doppler, who looks not the least bit sorry for what he did.

"You'll be fine," rumbles Slash, the often ironically silent scion stopping Poe before he can retaliate. "You've prepared and rehearsed for this. It's scary the first time you perform for others, but once you start... it'll just flow."

Poe wants to argue, but the explanation echoes how he first felt with organizing the expeditions. He had worried he was overstepping his bounds, then worried he wasn't doing well enough. Then at some point... the worry faded away. At first, he had quietly agonized over each expedition sent and each report received. But with time, all the worries simply ceased being relevant.

There was no backlash, no wounded or even killed delvers from the expeditions. Dangers were spotted, very few things slipped through. And what did manage to slip through was spotted by other scions. Hardly an excuse, but even now he doesn't obsess over his misses, because he has the others to help make up for him.

Even now, with himself being the target of the raid, he still has the support of the others. Doppler and Slash will be providing atmosphere. Grim will ensure the delvers survive. Teemo crafted the shortcuts, and Poppy is checking with the living vines to ensure they are properly maintained for the raid. Thing and Queen helped him with the loot. Leo helped him with his tactics.

It may be his raid, but he would be a fool to actually think he has done all of this himself. He shifts again, taking a more relaxed stance now. The pressure is still there, but now it's different. He doesn't worry about making a mistake and destroying everyone's work. With all their hard work, how could he give any less? They drive him on, rather than crush him beneath the weight of responsibility.

He hears the pedestal grind, the keys set. His worries wash away as his focus sharpens. The cries of his kin start to fill the air, Slash and Doppler both giving Poe a nod as they start their performance. Poe inhales and caws, the sound carried by the melody and directing the flock.

There is no more time for worry. His primaries twitch not with nerves, but with excitement. Now is the time for action.