mistymansion | (no subject)

H-hey now!

[Lace complained when she went up over that shoulder. How undignified! Still, as much as she wanted to she wasn't about to start flailing. If that did anything at all, it would be to send them both tumbling down.

Unfortunately it looks like she hadn't evaded the question and she goes silent because truly? She hasn't the faintest idea. Her Mother is gone and she refuses to compartmentalize all that makes her feel. Phantom is gone. She had no other family and certainly no friends and she had been ready to die for so, so long.

Really, the only connection of any sort she had was to this spider and she couldn't conceive of why...]

Why are you being so kind, spider? I've tried to kill you. Thrice.

[She's surprised to hear she has a home. Lace would have thought the moment she had shoved her mother into the void she would have been rid of this place entirely. It's not an unpleasant thought, staying with her. Hornet certainly is the only person she respects, even if her taunts might make it seem otherwise.]

You, and many others. You did what was expected of you. I hold no grudges, silk creature.

[ ...Unless Lace tries again. That would be a different story. But Hornet doubts this. She seems placated enough now.

Another jump, and Hornet unlocks a large stone door, then shoves with all her might against the imposing slab until it swings open. Out. Heat blasts her face, her carapace. Lava. Fire. She has never been so glad and so relieved to feel this smoldering intensity, all the haemolymph in her body, frigid from the Abyss, warming at once.

It had long felt as if this day would not end. She wants nothing more than to go and find her beloved Bell Beast.

Yet first--

Hornet gently deposits Lace on the ground, on her feet. Her promise. ]

I have witnessed the needless death of many bugs, and seen countless others become chained to fates they would not choose for themselves. I would not have another. Not if I can stop it.

[ She holds a hand out. An offering, here in this smoldering, deep crater. ]

I tire of leaving only destruction in my path. I wish to see you live and become something new. Would you go with me?

[Well then. Hornet was certainly a more forgiving person than she was. The next comment makes Lace defensive. Was this pity again? If there was something in it for Hornet that would have been a relief. If the pale being was expecting something in return then Lace would understand. It just didn't make sense to her.

Hornet wasn't one of those overly naive saccharine goody-goody types. She understood, even better than Lace originally thought, how nasty the world truly was. It was survival of the fittest and people either fell into the category of claimed, whether as a means of food or servitude, or did the claiming.

When Hornet puts her down, Lace just continues to stare, expression devoid of its usual false mirth. Her arms were folded and remained so for a moment when Hornet held out her hand.

Lace couldn't believe her. Not yet, anyway. Who would go out of their way for an object with nothing to gain in return? But what exactly did she have to lose? What would she do if not follow this strange bug? It would be interesting, at least, to see what would happen with the mask metaphorically came off.]

Hum. Have it your way, spider.

[She took Hornet's hand.]

Good.

[ It's said warmly. Admittedly, Hornet had not expected much resistance if any at all. Lace had nothing left to lose, at this point.

Still, she gives Lace's hand a little squeeze. She has grown fond of Lace, and an effort has been made to swallow her insults and names. She does not mind Lace calling her a spider, though. An accurate statement.

It is an attempt at a comforting gesture, though Hornet worries it's too much. She has not navigated anything like...this, in an age or two. ]

If you do not wish for my touch, I would hope that you tell me, and I will cease. Nonetheless, I enjoy touching your hand. The silk is very soft.

[ Hornet gently leads Lace along, walking with her, not pulling her or commanding her. She takes the time to look at Lace again. The stare is probably awkward, but Hornet does not seem to notice. She takes note of her brilliant white eyes, how she is round and her plush silk is inviting, unlike the cold machinery of other artificial beings.

Ah. How had Hornet ended up here? Trapped in a cage, taken to Pharloom...she hadn't the slightest clue what was in store for her. ]

There is someone I would like for you to meet, pale one. She is a large beast, but gentle. She allied herself with me long ago, and has helped me ever since. She will take us to Bellhart very fast. You, too, are welcome to travel with her as you please, if you like.

[Lace is flabbergasted at the show of affection and Hornet's candid words. She had been pointedly not allowing herself to think about it, but Hornet straight out saying she enjoyed touching her hand and making it clear her consent was important made it hard to ignore.

She had actually liked being carried. More so in her arms than over her shoulder but there had been something comforting about it. Lace had little in terms of self preservation but she could not deny how pleasant it felt to be protected...cared for.

...

Oh how revolting. She cannot believe that thought slithered into her mind.]

Worry not. I will be certain to let you know when I am displeased.

[She would make it very loud and very clear. Annoyingly so. Or maybe not. As much as she distrusted Hornet's sincerity there was only one thing she disliked and that was being called a child. That word just carried too much weight. Yet she hadn't exactly been kind in how she addressed her. Maybe if she just called her by her name...

An absurd realization suddenly hit Lace.

Yet that realization was put on a hold when the bug spoke. Lace had been so deep in thought it took her a moment to parse everything that had been said.]

Ah. Yes. That's fine. [She answered distractedly. Then it fully hit her.]

Wait. You do not mean a bell beast, do you? I thought those had died out long ago.

I do mean a bell beast. Is this a problem for you? This one has children, so evidently, there is at least one other.

[ On cue, she pulls Lace into the bell station and taps the bell with her needle. It's been a while since her beast has seen her, so she lets a grand shout loose on top of it, her call bouncing through the cavernous network of pathways.

A few seconds of silence pass. There is a great shaking and rumbling under the sea of bells before the beast emerges as a glorious eruption. Seemingly unaware of how large she is, she spins in a circle when she lands, stomping her feet excitedly. ]

Hello, good beast. There is someone I would like you to meet. [ She gestures by tilting her head, tipping her horns at Lace. ] This is Lace. She is a friend.

[ Hornet surveys the sea of bells at the floor. The mess of them is nearly impossible for any ordinary bug to trek through. What would become of these bells, now that she had felled Grand Mother Silk? They had been a grand symbol of faith and perseverance once, but now -- would any bug ever make pilgrimage to the Citadel ever again? Perhaps moss and roots would find their way through the walkways and claim the bells as their own. Perhaps they would become architecture. ]

Lace, meet beast. [ Hornet nudges Lace forward. ] If you would like to touch her snout, she will remember who you are. She has an impressive sense of smell, even better than that of a blood-sucking pest.

It is not. [Lace assured. She had simply been surprised. She had only read about bell beasts. The stations had been closed before her creation, so she thought them all gone.

Lace awkwardly steps forward at the nudge but after a brief pause reaches out a hand to pet the bell beast.]

Well, that certainly explains a lot. I wonder at how quickly you managed to go back and forth to so many places.

[Hearing her name spoken...yes. Even she could admit that was nice though she was quite taken back by being described as a friend. Was she saying that just to keep the creature in check?]

Edited 2025-10-17 21:57 (UTC)

Believe it or not, I was actually sprinting very fast. It is good exercise.

[ Hornet's attempt at a joke. Awful!

The bell beast takes quickly to Lace. It must be -- though Hornet will not speak a word of it -- because Lace herself smells a good bit like Hornet now. Ah. The idea would likely be mortifying for her.

There are no lies here. For a long while Lace was rival, then acquaintance, then friend, as awkward as it all is. Hornet hopes the behavior of her travel-beast helps get her authenticity across even if only a little. Bugs like this were always good at picking up the subconscious. Had she any secret maliciousness, the bell beast would have noticed. ]

Off we go to Bellhart, my beast. [ And up you have to go, Lace. ] Would you like a hand? Lace?

[ Ah. The name is still odd on her tongue. She hopes that Lace likes hearing it. ]

[Lace blinked and looked at her. That was such a terrible joke she assumed it wasn't one. Well. She had seen how quick and agile she was in battle so she supposed?

The beast is...cute in a way. Lace had never been allowed to have pets and unlike people there isn't really any ardor to be have for them. None operated out of malice and simply survival and there was something comforting in that, even the dangerous ones.

While not needed, she takes Hornet's hand all the same so she can settle on the beast.]

How fast does it go?

Not too fast. Since you are not used to her, we will go at a slower pace. [ Now seated comfortably, she gives her beast an encouraging pat. ] Slowly now. Take us away.

[ The bell beast coos and chuffs at her before settling into a walk. Then a light trot. Then, a quicker jog. And then--

She takes off sprinting, barreling her way through the network of tunnels at an impressive speed for such a chunky thing. ]

--!

[ Hornet is nearly blown out of her seat. What's gotten into her steed? She's never done this before. Hornet clutches Lace tight to herself with one arm, her claws digging into the bell beast's carapace, struggling to see anything past her with the force of the wind blowing her cloak in her face. ]

Slowly. Slowly!

[ The bell beast doesn't seem to hear Hornet -- or if she does, she ignores her. A thread of silk erupts from Hornet's shell and wraps around the bell beast's neck. Once it's wound tight Hornet yanks her needle back and the mount sputters to an apologetic halt, then continues at a far more reasonable trot, throwing both its riders forward with the momentum change.

Hornet's chest heaves. ]

My apologies. She is not usually like this, but she hasn't been ridden in a while. I suppose she was...excited. To stretch her legs.

[ The pace is quite pleasant now.

Dare Hornet think it is even a bit...romantic?

No. Thought discarded. It must be that hit she took to her head. ]

This is nice, is it not?

[Lace lets out a loud yelp when the breakneck speed starts and her arms instinctively go around Hornet, clinging tightly lest she goes flying off. Unfortunately at this speed there's nothing to keep her cornette from doing just that and it gets carried off into the wind, left behind in the bellway.

She screws her eyes shut and opens only, when finally, Hornet gets it back in control.

If she had a heart it would be beating right now.

Her long white hair is a tumbling mess, but otherwise she appears and just offers a dry look and response.]

Perhaps the dear is just trying to help you get rid of the excess baggage.

[Looks like Lace wasn't any better at jokes. If it was a joke. With a small sigh she relaxes, not noticing she hasn't let go of Hornet yet. Shocking as that was, Hornet wasn't wrong. The purring sounds of their mount was pleasing, as was the jingling of the bells around them.]

Just how did you find it?

[ Hornet turns to give Lace a stern look for the comment, but the sight of her--

Hornet feels a leap in her chest.

An old and ancient and dusty leap that has not stirred for so very long.

She had not -- she had not realized that Lace had-- ]

...

[ There is no way around it. Lace is beautiful. Her hair is impossibly long and gleaming and Hornet feels the loose strands of it catch the wind from their movement and tickle at her face. Lovely. She loses track of her thoughts. ]

...I found her trapped in a tangle of silk and freed her. She attacked me -- whether it was a challenge to gain her respect or she was frightened, I do not know -- but she allied herself with me soon after I bested her. As you said, nobody has used these tunnels for quite some time. She seems to enjoy it.

[ Lace is still holding onto her. Should she say something? Should she offer to go back and gather the silk Lace lost? Yet...Lace seemed just fine like this. Perhaps there was something cathartic about having her hair freed. Regardless, Hornet was pleased her new companion had begun to feel comfortable in her presence.

Hornet is learning many things about Lace. What has she told Lace of herself?

Thinking for a moment, Hornet makes a blunt and simple observation out of nowhere. ]

You do not know my name, do you?

[FUCK.]

[The fact that Lace did not know Hornet's name was the absurd realization that had befallen her earlier. She had meant to ask, then got distracted by Hornet's comment revolving around travel, and was shocked when Hornet introduced her by name.

How did the spider know that?

Well. After that she certainly wasn't going to admit she didn't know. Lace had been hoping she could figure it out once they got to Belhart where others knew her but....she was caught.

For a moment her mind scrambled to try and find a way out of this but eventually she just gave in a sheepishly admitted it:]

....no.

[ Just as Hornet had expected. It was a guess, admittedly, but an educated one. She'd never given Lace her name, and Lace had never asked for it. The interesting sudden absence of pet names had made her curious. ]

I am Hornet.

[ Spoken bluntly. Though...Hornet feels it's likely her name probably raises more questions than answers. She had the locals to thank for telling her a little bit about Lace, but Lace hadn't had that privilege, she supposed. ]

I suppose in the end it is more accurate to refer to me as "spider", though some Weaver here have shown dismay for the title, for the fact that I have only half a spider's blood. [ She's referring to the First Sinner, of course, who had referred to her as a half-breed rather than a daughter. ] I confess I have no blood of a hornet at all, though I do have the teachings of one. My needle stings as hard as any.

((ooc; btw I meant to mention when I DM'd you, if you want to take any icons from

silksentinel feel free! I got permission from all artists to make those so if you do, you only need to credit them, not me))

[That did raise questions, but thankfully Hornet provided them before Lace could muster the question.

Hornet, huh.

A pretty fierce sounding name. It suited her.

That fierceness was one of the first things to attract her. When they first met and Lace made the promise to preemptively end her suffering there had been no fear. No fear, no rage, no demands for answers.....just a simple, confident dismissal and statement to raise her pin.

And what a thrilling fight it had been. For a moment Lace had forgotten everything else in the midst of it all.]

Oh, I know that well. [She gave a small laugh at that.]

As do many in this kingdom, certainly.

[It's then that she finally realizes she had still been clinging to Hornet, and with an abrupt jerk she lets go. Embarrassing. She quickly asks a question to move on from it.]

And your other half. Wyrm, was it? Is that from which you gain your divinity?

(( that's so sweet of you! thank you for the generous offer! ^_^ ♡ ))

That is right, silken one. From my father.

[ It's too bad Lace has let go of her. No matter. Soon they would arrive in Bellhart and she would have to let go anyways. Hornet notes that Lace is being quite well-mannered this time around. Is it exhaustion? She is curious to know how she'll act after getting her footing, after a few days of Hornet's company and proximity to her. Hornet understands that at least some part of Lace is an act, but she has quite a bite to her that does seem authentic, even partially. Surely she can't stay so polite for too long... ]

In my home kingdom they say that the Wyrm are divine -- and myself, by extension. I have always been treated as such. But since arriving in Pharloom, I have begun to question the word. Here I am regarded as any other bug. Is a creature still divine if nobody worships them as such?

[ It's actually been a refreshing change to be treated this way after the stagnancy of Hallownest. Hornet is so old that there have been times entire ages have passed with nothing significantly changing in her life, ever bound to that role of a sentinel for a decaying kingdom. Pharloom has quelled the boredom rather nicely. ]

Surely you do not view me as divine. I understand I have been a nuisance in your life thus far.

Edited 2025-10-19 01:31 (UTC)

(( ♡ ))

A person is divine, or they are not. It is simply a matter of fact. Now, if your question is whether I have any fancy to worship you, you are correct. There is no chance. [She responded plaintively.

Her Mother had made it very clearly the difference between Her and those bugs born of the earth, and how all should act accordingly.]

A nuisance in my life and my death, but I suppose it has at least been entertaining.

I would not want such a pesky little bug as yourself to worship me anyways.

[ She gives Lace a small poke on the cheek. Joking. Maybe? She definitely doesn't want Lace to worship her for sure, no matter how she was raised. ]

I could say the same for you. A pain in my shell you have been, but at least you are not boring.

[ And...there were things she was glad to have experienced and confronted during her climb to the top. Some of which wouldn't have happened if not for Lace being the imp she is.

The bell beast comes to a soft halt and roars. Bellhart. ]

We are here. Come.

[ Hornet dismounts and offers a hand to Lace again. She gives her beast a good pet on the head. When they settle down and process everything that's happened, she'd like to introduce Lace to the beastlings. ]

The locals may be surprised to see you. I suggest you pay them no mind. My bell is the one up top in red.

Pesky? Why thank you!

[It's not a surprise that Hornet cared not for such things. If she did, it's quite obvious now that she could have usurped her Mother.

That's a thought that hits her suddenly, and Lace realizes both the truth and gravity of it. That outcome would have been so much easier to attain for the weaver and everyone's strings would have transferred from one idol to another.

Had Hornet chosen that path how would things have turned out? Would she have been a benign ruler or would the power have consumed her, made her like all other pale beings that demanded devotion or unleashed destruction?

Lace hops down from the beast of her own accord this time, caught up as she is in her thoughts before she forces herself back to reality]

That will be easy. [Her interactions with others outside of battle were few and far between. This whole exchange between the two of them was by far the most she had ever spoken with somehow since Phantom had been banished to the Exhaust Organ.

It certainly doesnt help she imagines they would all be terribly dull.

When they reach the surface Lace looks around, bemused.]

My. Mother did certainly quite the number to this place in her ardor, did she not?

She did. [ An understatement. Ardor. Yes, you could call it that, twisted as it is. ] This is not even the worst of it. The Abyss had leaked through all of Pharloom. Had I not cleaned it up earlier, you would be seeing a different picture.

[ Even so, Bellhart does still look disheveled. Hornet imagines there is a substantial amount of shock for the living bugs of this kingdom to process after her...night out.

Eyes. Just as she expected, there were eyes on her. All over her. On her, on Lace. Shocked to see her, shocked to see her with Lace (and not at her throat), Lace with her hair down --...

The locals of Bellhart seemed frozen in time.

Hornet ground her fangs in her mouth. She had a lot to explain and catch up on. She shot everyone a cold look, one that demanded they ask nothing of this. Not for the time being. Under her gaze, the small town obeyed. ]

Ignore them. [ With the added pressure, she repeats herself. ] You will have plenty of time to chat later, if you please. Not that you will. [ With that, she makes her way up to her Bellhome and holds the door open for Lace. For the most part her living space is impeccably clean, save for a few piles of tools and pages of writing and vials of Plasmium scattered around that she had no time to clean up. ] Come inside. The bed is yours. ...For now.

[Lace pointedly stared back at each bug that looked her way. It was an odd feeling to be watched by so many bugs in full control of their own will. What few interactions she had with others were those lost to the haunting, or ones who's light she quickly plucked.

The idea of talking to these residents wasn't particularly appealing. What exactly is there to be said? There was no fun in taunting meek people, and nothing shared between them that would make for normal conversation.

Whatever that constituted.

No. She didn't care and was much more interested in Hornet's home.

It was.........

Quaint.

Well. Not every place could have humongous and luxurious rooms like the citadel. As much of a gilded cage as that place was it had undeniable comforts that would inevitably be lost. As such she was perfectly eager to accept the offer of the bed.

She dropped down on the bed and stretched out. Not bad. She peeked an eye over to Hornet, giving an impish smile.]

Sweet dreams, s...Hornet. Undoubtedly they will be so, with my presence so close.

If I manage to sleep at all, it will be monumental.

[ Her name -- her real name -- on Lace's tongue. Strange. How strange it was, to hear that particular blend of syllables come from her for the first time. Hornet liked it. ]

Sleep well, Lace.

[ As Lace stretched out in bed, Hornet sat nearby on her little sofa in pleasant silence. There was no sound besides that of her breathing, the gentle trickle of warm water in the upstairs bath, the occasional chatter of bugs outside. It was peaceful.

Her muscles ached. She would have to lie down soon. But there was an odd feeling in the back of her mind. Had she forgotten something?

... ]

Wait.

[ She stood up and walked over to Lace, holding her hand out. ]

Your pin. Give it over. Just for the night.

[ JUST. MAKING SURE HER THROAT DOESN'T GET CUT IN HER SLEEP. ]

[That brings a laugh out of her, one more sincere than her usual. She turns over, laying her head down to rest but finds that it isn't coming. Odd considering how exhausted she is. The sound of rustling has her looking over her shoulders and she stares at Hornet for a moment....before crinkling her eyes.

That she doesn't take offense to that isn't exactly the best sign.]

Of course.

[She reaches over to where she had laid her pin at her side and hands it over to Hornet.]

Thank you. Now rest, if you can.

[ She sets her needle next to Lace's pin and wraps them both up in a tight silk bundle, enough silk that it would take her a good while to replenish. It wasn't foolproof, but pulling the threads apart would cause enough stirring and noise that it would wake them both.

Just for the night.

She settled onto her side under a blanket, but sleep did not make itself known. She thought of Lace and her mother, her Grand Mother Silk. She thought of her own mother Herrah, who had trusted the future to her.

Once Hornet felt that Lace was good and truly asleep, she stood up, took her blanket and gently draped it over her instead. Then she returned to her rest and found sleep at last. ]

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they're so cute already oh my goodness...

they aarrree

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lmfao hornet

LMAO

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1/2

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