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[They gave a small nod about staying vigilant. It's unfortunate neither attempt seemed to work but they both might need to give it some time.]

[As for the question, it was something the Knight had never thought about before. To be fair, there was no reason to. They didn't exactly plan anything out this far.]

[For a moment they looked a little lost and confused. Sure, they would stay behind for their sibling, but after that...]

[The Knight glanced around the rest of the somewhat cramped room for any immediate ideas. Nothing was still coming to mind, so instead they tried turning to something else and opened up their Hunter's Journal.]

[Normally, small doodles or pointing at the map was enough to get by; but this instance was a little different. They flipped to a blank page...or an entry they never had time to fill in. Anywhere with enough open space.]

What will happen now? [They wrote down for Hornet to see. With the Radiance gone and the infected cured, there would probably be a great deal of changes.]

[Now that is the big question, isn't it?]

Much of that will depend on those here in Dirtmouth, I suppose. I suspect mnay will remain here, being neither warriors nor knowing anything else. [Maybe? Hornet hadn't really ever considered the possibility of bringing down the Radiance permanently until the vessel she dubbed Ghost appeared.

So. She hadn't the faintest idea of where to go from here. What would her mother want? What would their father want? Did they even want to consider such things?]

We could aid them if we so wished. With repairs, finding or creating a steady food supply...

[A small shrug]

Or. We could leave. Find some place else. [So many of the bugs of Hallownest had been lead to believe it was the only civilized place left. Yet the Weavers had come from somewhere beyond the waste, so that could not be true.]

[To stay or to leave...the Knight was still unsure which to go with. They had left before, but to be frank, they don't remember much of what was out there.]

[Eventually they slumped down the wall and into a proper sit, opposite of Hornet. While putting the journal away though, they did catch a glimpse of the faint mark seared on their hand; the King's Brand. The next ruler of Hallownest allegedly. They never gave any thought how much weight it had beyond opening the abyssal door. So they paused, staring at it for a moment.]

[Then raised it up to show Hornet. Of course, she had been guarding it so she must know a lot more. Would the kingdom be fine without it?]

[She looks at the mark seared onto her sibling's hand. It deemed them this land's ruler and was the only thing that could open the way to the Ancient Basin. There was a brief moment in which she wondered if leaving that door ajar was safe, but then she figured with this vessel having full control of the avoid there was nothing to worry about.

She let out a soft, almost amused hum.]

Would you enjoy ruling, little Ghost?

[The Knight froze. That wasn't what they meant, although through silence and not much else, it was obvious how that happened.]

[Quickly they lowered it, practically tucking their hand under the cloak, while shaking their head. If anyone was curious whether vessels could feel embarrassed or flustered, they might have just found the answer.]

[Besides, ruling sounds too hard and stressful anyway. Doubt they were cut out for it.]

[Now look at that. That might perhaps be the most expressive she has ever seen them. It was almost funny. She couldn't say the idea particularly appealed to her either, so she hardly blames them.]

Well, there is certainly no need to settle on a decision at this moment. We may bide our time, see how all unfolds.

[She tenses for a moment when Hollow Knight shifts and becomes very still. Her gaze falls on their much larger sibling as they turn on their side and slowly start to push themselves up before their horns bang against the top of the hut and they shift back down.]

[The movement was startling, triggering almost a fight or flight for a split second. Although once they finally registered what was happening, the Knight got off the floor and clinged to the side of the bed; sort of akin to an excited toddler.]

[...Also a nervous one too. There should be nothing to worry about with the Infection gone, but the battle was still pretty fresh in their mind. And they don't know too much what their sibling is actually like.]

[Hornet watched carefully. While she hoped they were truly free, her claw was never far from her needle in case the worst occurred. Her eyes followed as they gave a small shake of their head--a telling motion all its own--and finally looked down at the Ghost.

There was no telltale golden light from their eyes or any part of them. They shifted, pushing themselves up as much as the roof would allow on their one good arm and looked at their tiny sibling. Their mind, far from empty, was swirling in confusion and anxiety before carefully, almost tentatively they reach down to bump their mask to the top of Ghost's head.]

[They flinched, but since it didn't hurt, the Knight would allow it. They remained rather still for a moment until eventually, trying it themselves. Likely a little more challenging given the size difference. More like a tap than a bump as well.]

[The exchange was a quiet but sweet one. When the Hollow Knight turned their gaze to her. She lifted her eyes to meet theirs and not for the first time she wished she could read what was going on through the thoughts of her siblings.

While Ghost she had only met recently, the Hollow Knight...she has the vaguest memory of them. Darting between their legs as they kept vigil, swinging by her thread around their frame. She hasn't the faintest idea of how much time she spent with them, it couldn't have been long given that shortly after she became cognizant her mother was put to sleep, and they were sealed away.

A forgotten fondness rose within her at the sight of them hale, and mostly whole.]

It is good to have you with us. Welcome back.

[It was a good feeling. Something that the Knight was not all that used to. Perhaps is this what a family was supposed to be like, in some way. This would be the first time to ever experience it.]

[They were a little lost in the moment till Hornet spoke up. Remembering, and then deciding to move closer towards her. They waved their arms around towards the Hollow Knight, almost as though they were trying to say none of this would have been possible without her. Or maybe it was already obvious enough.]

[A quiet sort of warmth fills her seeing the two of them. There is a lot that Hornet is still unsure of, conflicted on, but this? Seeing the both of them is blessing she had had no hope for.

She looked towards the little knight, wondering at the gesturing.

She would need to try find a way to better communicate with them. Paper and quill was fine, but a bit cumbersome and not always practical. Perhaps a sign language of some sort? She doesn't know of any records of any still existing...

The Hollow Knight seemed to understand in any case and they bow their head further.

Hornet stood up.]

Would you like to go outside? Undoubtedly it would be more comfortable.

[If the Hollow Knight was planning to get up, then maybe the other residents should know. It kind of just occurred that they carried them here without explaining what was going on, other than needing one of the abandoned houses. Luckily there was more than enough to spare.]

[They stared at the door for a moment and then back to the taller knight. Waiting for what the decision would be.]

[Hornet similarly watched them until finally they moved forward, needing to crawl and tilt their head back so their horns wouldn't scrape the ceiling or door frame. Once outside they slowly rose up to their feet, legs trembling. They faltered and fell to their knees...after so many years of not moving, or even having the ability to control their own body their motor skills had diminished greatly.]

Easy. Slowly. There is no rush. [Hornet assured.

Much as the Knight might have thought, they were starting to draw attention but no one had yet to approach and for now Hornet was more focused on their sibling. She could explain later.

The Hollow Knight looked around before focusing on their fellow vessel and tentatively, almost as if it were afraid, reached out to them by the connection only the two of them shared: the void that resided within.]

[The Knight would have been distracted again anyway by a familiar nudge. The same kind they might have subconsciously followed some time ago. They weren't exactly sure what to do, but they instinctively rushed to their sibling's side. Were they still wounded? There probably was not enough Soul left to give, and the Knight did not consider what else it could be.]

[They lacked much of the strength, but made an effort to help their sibling up. A bit worried in their own way and yet trying to reassure them that everything was going to be fine.]

[Having their sibling close seemed to comfort the Hollow Knight and carefully they rearranged themselves so they were sitting. At least out here they could do so comfortably.

Hornet looked back to the other two, seeing they were keeping company and lifted a finger to indicate she was taking a moment. Best to get things sorted out with the other residents now. With that she went to talk to them.

Hollow raised their head to look around, taking in what remained of Dirtmouth.They had been able to look out across the kingdom for some time, but the more difficult it became to hold the Radiance in the more they had to put every effort towards that. Was this what remained? It had failed, and if not for the smaller vessel...

No, no. It shouldn't be thinking such things. Not at all. It looked towards the Knight. How were they?]

[Dirtmouth possibly wasn't the best example for how things were doing. ...Then again, it was not like the capital city was faring much better. It probably will be a shock to see how much the kingdom decayed after the Radiance took over. They will have to figure out a way to carefully address that, though it won't be easy. It's not possible to avoid either.]

[But, that was for another time. The Knight was well enough, but they had not rested since the Radiance disappeared into the void. Sooner or later it will catch up to them. For now though they were content sitting here, especially if it keeps their sibling calm.]

[Hornet returns to the two of them after a moment, and in her arms she carries some scrolls and a new quill.]

Cornifer gave these to me. [She says as means of explanation and then holds it out to the Hollow Knight. They looked at the objects with clear uncertainty. Was it perhaps too much for them to write? Perhaps. With so much of their existence being that they should never feel or think, maybe writing was too much too soon.]

I'll hold onto them for now. If ever you wish for them, you need only motion.

[And now back to the tiniest of them all]

Do you wish for anything, Little Ghost?

[Maybe they should take a scroll too. Worse case it would be helpful for later, and better than finding other things to write on. They mulled on it but then glanced over to Hollow and gave a confused little head tilt. Ah, all of this was probably completely new to them.]

[Of course, they no longer had to be the Hollow Knight, but there was no telling how much they endured to become it. Even though it seems obvious that they were never truly empty either.]

[They turned back to Hornet, gesturing towards a scroll. Actually, might make that two. If anyone should help teach the Hollow Knight how to write it might as well be them.]

[She lowered herself to the ground and offered them the scrolls and an extra pot of ink. Using these wasn't the most sustainable method of communication.]

It might serve us well to learn some sign language, even if it is one we make up ourselves. Until then, this method shall serve us well. What do you two think?

[The Knight perked up a little. Was there actually a language they learn? It seemed impossible to believe, but if Hornet really thought so...]

How do you do it? [They wrote down. Come to think of it, was it something they were doing already?]

I never had the opportunity to learn it properly but.

[She held up her hands.]

For those who could not speak or could not hear there was the language of signs in which communication happened with ones claws. Letters could be shown with specific signs, but gestures existed for entire words. I shall ask around and see if there is anyone that knows the one used within Hallownest, but we might have to come up with signs of our own.

[It's strange they never heard of such a thing before. Lemm was the first to come to mind to ask...then again, maybe not the best. But he had been keeping record on other sorts of things.]

[...Quirrel was also pretty smart, and had seen a lot too. He might have known something, but, it would be impossible to know now. But, the thought did lead to one other idea.]

Search the Archive?

[It was still a long shot, though.]

[She paused considering this. If any place would have records, the Archives was definitely the most likely place.]

That is a good idea. Would you two like to go now? Or would you rather rest? [The Hollow Knight scooted back towards the hut, which she took to be their answer. What of the Little Ghost?]

[For as exciting as traveling back to Fog Canyon again might be, exhaustion was starting to hit even harder. Even if they managed to reach there unscathed it's unlikely they would be that useful at the moment.]

Should stay here.

[But if she's still planning to leave now, they could catch up later.]

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