Lace (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
threadsbare) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
mistymansion2025-09-22 08:38 pm
threadsbare) wrote in mistymansion2025-09-22 08:38 pm
weaver queen au
Terrible things are behind this cut CWs will be added as needed.
CW: baseline toxic codependent relationship, dehumanization, suicidal ideation
[Why was she still alive?
Lace felt cheated. It had been the one thing to console her after she had lost yet again to the spider. Finally, finally there would be an end to all this. Her Mother would get everything she ever wanted, and the temporary replacements that were her and Phantom would be gone and dealt with. She had fallen unconscious with envy, resentment, anguish but most of all relief in her heart.
So why was it that she was still alive? Could she not at last be given reprieve?
The sounds of battle had drawn her upward to her Mother's waking place and she had watched from a distance as the battle went on. Hah. The spider still thought she could do it. At this point Lace supposes she shouldn't be surprised. Where did this confidence come from? Was it because she too carried pale blood? Yet she was only half of one and so much younger than her Mother. It would have been so much easier if she just caved in. One way or another, her Mother always got her way.
And yet...
And yet...
The spider was winning. Lace could not believe her eyes. She was actually winning.
The silk construct clutched her pin and for a moment she almost went in there to join the fray and protect her mother on instinct but then she stopped in her tracks, and fell back to the shadows. No. This was what Grand Mother Silk deserved. This was what she deserved after everything she had done to her, done to Phantom.
Lace stayed her blade and there came the final blow.
Her Mother's scream as she collapsed rattled her but still she stayed, but as she watched it was now horror that kept her in place as she watched Silk be devoured, her beautiful form being absorbed by the spider until her body came apart completely, and all that was left was the metal of her legs, and the bracers she once wore.
For all the hatred and resentment she had harbored for her mother, hearing those agonized screams as she withered away to nothing sickened her to her core. The spider was a beast of that there was no doubt, and as Lace looked up at the cocoon that looked so much like the one that had been her mother's bed, she wondered what sort of Queen the Weaver would be.
One Lace wanted nothing to with.
What was left to her now? Only one person, and Lace feared that they too were already gone. A journey to the Exhaust Organ confirmed this fear, and Lace almost threw herself to the muckmaggots then and there. Yet even now such a death was abhorrent to her and she eventually made her way back up to the Cradle. As she did she passed many pilgrims and she had to wonder: did they have any idea of what was coming? Would their lives become better or worse from here on out? Considering what she had seen of the spider during her ascent...it seemed she would be benevolent. Perhaps it was unfair to take into consideration what she had witnessed, given that it was a battle of dominance between two deities.
Hornet had always been kind--if anything, in Lace's opinion, overly so towards the people she encountered.
She had been kind to her, which was the most ridiculous thing.
Yet she still could not help but have doubts. She supposes she always would with those of the higher caste.
She didn't know why she suddenly cared about the fate of Pharloom's citizenry, she never had before but it didn't take longer for her to come to the conclusion.
It was because this was all her fault.
If she had just accepted her fate and not freed the spider from her enchanted cage both her Mother and Phantom would still be alive. That had been an agonizing realization to come upon and so many what ifs began to fill her mind. What ifs that were now an impossibility because of what she had done.
Once more she reached that platform where the spider's cocoon hovered and she sat down, pin across her lap. Lace had no illusions about how this would go. She had never bested Hornet when she was a half breed, there was no way she would be able to do so when she was reborn.
That was fine. She will have her death and it will come as any knight's should---in battle.]
CW: baseline toxic codependent relationship, dehumanization, suicidal ideation
[Why was she still alive?
Lace felt cheated. It had been the one thing to console her after she had lost yet again to the spider. Finally, finally there would be an end to all this. Her Mother would get everything she ever wanted, and the temporary replacements that were her and Phantom would be gone and dealt with. She had fallen unconscious with envy, resentment, anguish but most of all relief in her heart.
So why was it that she was still alive? Could she not at last be given reprieve?
The sounds of battle had drawn her upward to her Mother's waking place and she had watched from a distance as the battle went on. Hah. The spider still thought she could do it. At this point Lace supposes she shouldn't be surprised. Where did this confidence come from? Was it because she too carried pale blood? Yet she was only half of one and so much younger than her Mother. It would have been so much easier if she just caved in. One way or another, her Mother always got her way.
And yet...
And yet...
The spider was winning. Lace could not believe her eyes. She was actually winning.
The silk construct clutched her pin and for a moment she almost went in there to join the fray and protect her mother on instinct but then she stopped in her tracks, and fell back to the shadows. No. This was what Grand Mother Silk deserved. This was what she deserved after everything she had done to her, done to Phantom.
Lace stayed her blade and there came the final blow.
Her Mother's scream as she collapsed rattled her but still she stayed, but as she watched it was now horror that kept her in place as she watched Silk be devoured, her beautiful form being absorbed by the spider until her body came apart completely, and all that was left was the metal of her legs, and the bracers she once wore.
For all the hatred and resentment she had harbored for her mother, hearing those agonized screams as she withered away to nothing sickened her to her core. The spider was a beast of that there was no doubt, and as Lace looked up at the cocoon that looked so much like the one that had been her mother's bed, she wondered what sort of Queen the Weaver would be.
One Lace wanted nothing to with.
What was left to her now? Only one person, and Lace feared that they too were already gone. A journey to the Exhaust Organ confirmed this fear, and Lace almost threw herself to the muckmaggots then and there. Yet even now such a death was abhorrent to her and she eventually made her way back up to the Cradle. As she did she passed many pilgrims and she had to wonder: did they have any idea of what was coming? Would their lives become better or worse from here on out? Considering what she had seen of the spider during her ascent...it seemed she would be benevolent. Perhaps it was unfair to take into consideration what she had witnessed, given that it was a battle of dominance between two deities.
Hornet had always been kind--if anything, in Lace's opinion, overly so towards the people she encountered.
She had been kind to her, which was the most ridiculous thing.
Yet she still could not help but have doubts. She supposes she always would with those of the higher caste.
She didn't know why she suddenly cared about the fate of Pharloom's citizenry, she never had before but it didn't take longer for her to come to the conclusion.
It was because this was all her fault.
If she had just accepted her fate and not freed the spider from her enchanted cage both her Mother and Phantom would still be alive. That had been an agonizing realization to come upon and so many what ifs began to fill her mind. What ifs that were now an impossibility because of what she had done.
Once more she reached that platform where the spider's cocoon hovered and she sat down, pin across her lap. Lace had no illusions about how this would go. She had never bested Hornet when she was a half breed, there was no way she would be able to do so when she was reborn.
That was fine. She will have her death and it will come as any knight's should---in battle.]
no subject
It left her with plenty of time to think, and again and again she rolled over the events of everything that had happened. Doing so allowed doubts begin to creep in her, thinking that perhaps if her mother had been allowed to be awake, she and Phantom could have reasoned with her. Perhaps they could have had a real talk. Perhaps...they could have been a family.
Yet she let her anger and resentment fester and put the spider on the path to murdering both her mother and sibling. They were dead because of her. Phantom was dead because of her. Lace knew that much like herself they wanted an end to their miserable existence, but somehow it was hard to remember that in this moment.
She just thought on how she missed them so, and how she hadn't even been able to say goodbye.
That's when she heard the cocoon crack, and she thought with the faintest bit of happiness that soon, soon she would be able to see them soon. It was a short-lived happiness, as then came the derisive thought that neither of them had anything that would continue on beyond the abominations that were their bodies.
She would never be able to see them again.
Ha.
Lace watched tiredly as the spider descended and despite everything, thought how beautiful and majestic she looked. Truly something worthy of a Queen.
And then she screamed. The scream seemed to run through every single milimeter of all her threads. It froze her in place, radiating throughout her, within, surrounding her on all sides, and reverberating long after it was over. For the first time in as long as she could remember Lace felt fear. It was in that moment that she really comprehended what now stood in front of her and when Hornet turned, she remained frozen for a moment longer.
The words that rolled out of the spider's mouth were among the last she expected to hear. While anticlimatic, she would have expected her to snuff out life out immediately. That would have been preferable over....that. She intended to keep her alive? She intended to claim her? To keep her here? That more than anything brought Lace back to her senses. No. Absolutely not. She would not become shackled to this place. Not again. She would have her release and she would have it if she had to goad the weaver into killing her.]
..heehee. My oh my, little spider, only just reborn and already you wear your greed so plainly. You really are one of the higher caste.
[With some difficulty she stood up.
Her body still carried the injuries from their last battle, most notably the gnash that had bore her nature for all to see. On her chest, slightly to the left of her core is where Hornet's needle had pierced her body. The tear shown in her clothing and in the black threads the composed the outermost layer of her body. The white silk below could be seen all the way through her back where the needle had exited her body.
Yet that seemed not the only thing wrong with her body. She could only assume it was a result of her mother's death, but her body seemed to be withering at a much quicker rate than it once did. Her clothing, ironically, seemed in better shape than her body which was now frayed. Some of the white silk within her body even seemed to have a greyish tint to it. Lace had been worried that in the time it took the spider to hatch, she would have wasted away. Thankfully not.]
You are right. I have no illusions of how this will end. [She gave a mocking bow, only proper etiquette for a fencer]
But I would challenge you all the same.
no subject
Oh!
She stalked towards Lace on four limbs, taking note of her injuries. She had bested this silk girl several times now and now she had an even greater advantage, familiar with her fighting style and stronger than ever. Yet Lace would challenge her still, knowing her death would come?
What a brave and silly little creature Grand Mother Silk had made! She was both insulted and charmed. Even with more eyes and more limbs Hornet's expression was no easier to read. She looked just as pretty and just as majestic yet even more fierce, more frightening.
But there was something about her. Something that wasn't right.
Hornet was still there, inside this creature. She wished no needless cruelty on Pharloom's own, and it was clear she felt some element of affection for Lace, but something about it was warped.
She was Pale. Really, truly Pale. ]
I understand not why you draw your pin against me so. I have freed you from your mother. She is no more. By slaying me, you would only appease her once more, even in her death.
[ Did Lace crave death delivered by her claws?
After the kindness Hornet had shown her? After the chances she had given? After the encouragement?
Then she would not die.
This would be her penance. She would live and she would be Hornet's. Is this not what she deserved? After all the fussing and annoyance she and her family had put Hornet through? She wished to be with her mother and sibling in death and not with Hornet? Her display was shameful. ]
You attack me only because I wish to see you live. All of my kindness was lost on you.
[ Still on all fours, she took her needle. She licked her teeth. Hungry. ]
Your wastefulness displeases me greatly. This was a great shame.
[ And then she lunged. Her needle thrust towards the hole left in Lace's body with overwhelming speed and force. ]
no subject
Thank you. Finally.
While it was her end she wished for, Lace still intended to give it her all. Despite how unsettling the way Hornet focused on her was, she kept herself limber.
"You attack me only because I wish to see you live. All of my kindness was lost on you."
Irritation surges through her at this. The statement isn't exactly untrue, she strongly suspected Hornet would not grant her death if she simply asked for it, but to boil down everything to just that? She opens her mouth to respond but that's when Hornet lunges.
So fast! Lace had been anticipating the attack, ready to parry it, but it's so unbelievably fast that she only just barely manages to get her pin up in time to manage solely a block. She stumbles backward from the force but keeps herself on her feet, and her pin up, glaring at the Queen.]
So you think your kindness a magical remedy that would make everything disappear? Oh how benevolent of you to bestow it to me.
[She backed up then tried to take a swing at her.]
I know not why you attempted such naive condolences over my nature, but I have the strongest suspicion it had nothing to do with me. Why offer such to a complete stranger who tried to kill you twice? I feel no spite towards this, but kid yourself not that your kindness was for my sake.
no subject
Her jaws parted. Her maw gaped directly in Lace's face. And she hissed at her, ear-splitting.
Her spine exploded with silk, so much silk, so much more than she'd ever had before, enough to wrap the planet, and she unleashed upon Lace the technique of her mother, Pale Nails, sending a flurry of silk needles after her. And as she did so, still on all fours, she grabbed Lace's pin in her maw, her teeth clamping onto it like a lock, and wrenched it out of her hands.
Then she chased.
With both needle and pin, she surged after her, trying to stab her with both, one in hand and one in jaws, furious.
She made no more words, for she had naught else to say. Lace would learn her lesson in due time, once Hornet took what was hers. ]
no subject
One nail flies through her left arm, nearly cutting it clean off and causing it to dangle precariously by a thread which eventually gave way, causing the limb to fall to the ground. Pain suffuses her body and she begins to back away rapidly, nearly stumbling as she avoids one of them. The third flies by her right leg and chips off a bit of the worn metal. Others nick all around her body, her shoulders, her hips and her hat.
This time she has nothing to block Hornet's attack, and the needle lands true on her gaping wound, tearing it open further. She cries out in pain, stumbling and falling backwards, feeling the pin stab her next.
All propriety is lost now as Lace hisses back, caring not how she manages it but she wants to hurt Hornet. None of what has happened it Hornet's fault, Lace knows this, but in this moment it doesn't care. It will be one final release before she dies to dump all the years of anger and hurt onto her so she punches with her with remaining fist and kicks underneath her, trying to angle her legs so she could stab her with their metal pointed ends. She even tries to bite her face.
All a fruitless effort with such a soft, damaged body as hers.]
no subject
Utterly charming. This brave, adorable, foolish Lace.
She takes each and every one of Lace's blows, one going into her eye and making her toss her head in pain, as soft as it is. As irritated and pissed as she is, she can't help but feel admiration. Was it admiration? Love? Lace fought as good and as hard as any other respected warrior bug Hornet had ever faced, no matter what she was made of. Hornet felt it a shame she could not see what she did.
Then all of Hornet's new limbs take Lace and pin her down to the ground tightly.
Pin in mouth, she raised her maw back, gaining momentum to slam it back down and end Lace's life for good.
Hornet braced. She swung...
...and stopped just an inch away.
She tossed the pin out of her mouth and it went flying somewhere in the Cradle. She stared at Lace, still pinning her down. All of her fur stood on end, her hackles sharp and raised. She looked enormous. Power. Power over Lace, over everyone. Sooner or later she would have to give up. ]
no subject
Ha.
That had been short. But that was fine. That she even got one blow in was something to satisfied with. Her body pantomimes that of someone breathless and her chest rising and falls with exertion, her insides scraping against the needle in her body.
She meets Hornet's gaze evenly and wonders if she had imagined where she would be when she was first kidnapped. Did she regret it? Did she see it as something good given all the power she had gained?
Already she seems different...off from that spider that had comforted her, and for all Lace's words about doubting its sincerity that makes her...sad.
With a sigh she readied herself and--
--and she stopped. Why the fuck had she stopped? Fury ignites her once more when the pin goes flying across the Cradle.]
Spider....I swear if this is pity...I will never let you rest.
no subject
A fool to challenge the Queen. Before Lace had met Hornet's skill level quite well, but surely she knew she had no chance here. Hornet could have toyed and played with her, given her some more time, but she did not like hearing Lace's awful shrieking of pain.
Lace meets her gaze so evenly. Fool that she is, she has great strength still. Great courage. Didn't Lace feel the same? They had developed something, all this time. Something between them. Some sort of bond.
It would be a waste to just throw it all away.
With her first and third pairs of limbs she kept Lace pinned, and with the middle, the limbs she'd born with, Hornet began to tenderly stitch Lace back together. Her claws weaved careful silk. Soon there was a new arm. Her needle was drawn from Lace's chest and the wound repaired until Lace was good as she'd ever been.
The touches--
-- the touches were affectionate despite the overwhelming strength Hornet now had. Her eyes softened. She made only one response. ]
You are mine, and nothing shall harm what is mine.
no subject
Yet when Hornet began to repair her, that's when the struggles began again.]
Wait. [There was finally the tiniest edge of something like fear in her voice, or perhaps panic?]
Don't.
[She didn't want to be fixed. It wasn't just because this made it abundantly clear that Hornet had no intention of killing her, but because she did not want any part of her to be composed of Hornet's silk.
Her body was still almost entirely that of her mother's silk. But her mother was dead now which meant she could no longer use it against her. For the first time ever Lace had felt like her body belonged to her and her alone. Disgusting, weak, and strange as it was, it was finally her own.
That new arm was not hers. It was Hornet's.
Yet even more loathsome than that was the way her body reacted to such gentle touches. When was the last time she had been touched by something other than a blade? Not since Phantom had been banished. It's not something she had been expecting, and her threads jump in surprise and she found her body yearning for more of that tenderness.
Grossgrossgrossgrossnononono!!!!]
Spider. Please. I am tired.
no subject
...
But she doesn't listen to Lace's request. Instead she continues to repair her, spinning silk anew. ]
I have told you many times that you may be more than you are if you wish, and you have denied me. Yet now when I concede to what you insist is your nature, you would push me away?
[ She ties Lace's wrists together. If she has to, she will wrap silk around her mouth too, her poor Lace's mouth. A cruel thing, she knows, but it is only for now. Just until she understands that this is better for her. Hornet knows how it is. She had spent countless decades denying her own nature -- her own thirst. What had that gotten her people and her kin? All that time fighting against herself, and she ended up here anyways. They were who they were. Lace could not help that she was a toy any more than Hornet could help that she was Pale.
She could, at the very least, be Pale and gentle and kind. She would shower Lace in all the attentions her own creator had never given her.
With a single claw, she touches Lace's cheek. ]
It was you who remained here knowing full well I would not slay you. You desire my attention. Come with me at my side. I will take good care of you, and you may finally rest.
no subject
I-- [She what? Hornet's words were getting under her thread. She had been so caught up in the anguish and anger of having lost Phantom, and the almost obsessive desire to meet her end she had forgotten everything else.]
I'm. [It's only a half hearted effort to resist Hornet as she ties her wrists together. The repeated comments of belonging to her she had been pointedly ignoring, but if she had said it one more time she would have snapped. Since when? Who had decided that?
She had, clearly, and she could because she was a Pale Being. What exactly was Lace supposed to do? She was just some fiber. Fiber that had failed at everything it had ever attempted to do. She was ping ponging now between hurt, anger and resignation. Was that really it? Had all she accomplished was to simply change who held her chains?]
I thought you would. I did. Why wouldn't you?
no subject
It was foolish of you to raise your pin at me, but charming.
[ Had she wished Lace dead, she would have done the deed ages ago. All she wanted was for Lace to live. How frustrating it was that she did not see this. Though...her struggle against her binds is meek and shallow and this pleases Hornet. Would she not have to stuff her mouth after all? Perhaps Lace was now beginning to understand, and she could rest at last by her side.
And now the silk returned and with it, it pulled along a great old heaving thing.
One of the cages used for the Weaverspawn Grand Mother Silk had captured.
It was dusted and cleaned and Hornet weaved a thick fluffy bedding of white silk roses.
The Weavers had made the Cradle to keep Grand Mother Silk at rest. Now the Weavers had been called back home and Hornet would reshape the place to a proper Weaver home. A den. A nest. And with it she would have her prize. ]
I quite enjoy your company.
[ A thread of silk pulled the door open, expectantly. ]
no subject
Yet was it? She had been angry when Hornet had inserted her unwanted opinion on the merit of her life, so shouldn't she be glad the spider had found reason? If she had had to listen to her endless naive lecturing about things she knew nothing about Lace might have gone mad.
Despite all this, a part of Lace still fought. While she had thought it ridiculous, she would now admit to herself that the words had been important to her: "Yours was a life, pale one. Do not confuse your unique creation with its absence." Never had such words been said to her, and never would she had imagined that any bug who knew her nature would think such a thing. Where had the warrior who held such sentiments gone? Was she really just going to roll over and condemn herself to be someone's possession again?
Why not? How freeing would it be to just let go. To just accept her role, do as told and not have to think about all this anymore? Leave behind all these thoughts of her soul, autonomy, of what she should or shouldn't do, what was right or wrong. It was like a siren call in how alluring it was and she almost...almost accepted it...
...until she saw the cage.
Lace froze like a prey cornered by a hunter at the sight of it. Hornet could clean it up, make it look so beautiful, but it was still a cage and a tiny one at that. She wouldn't be able to even stand up to her full height in it.
Slowly, Lace got up, her hands curling to fists in their constraints. Her eyes never left the cage and she turned slightly to her side, as if it were a creature she was trying to make herself a smaller target for. Briefly her eyes flickered over to the edge of the platform. Could she make a run for it? Jump off and race towards the ventrica?
No. She probably wouldn't even get a couple of feet, but the idea of stepping into that thing was terrifying. Not even her mother had ever kept her in a literal cage. How was she to get out of this? In her panic, her mind was drawing up a blank. Was the only way to bide her time? To let Hornet think had cowed her and try some other day?]
...heehee... [The laugh was a weak, strained and soft thing. Hilarious. It was so fucking funny that she was only in this position where the spider wanted to force her into a cage, because she had freed Hornet from hers.
Shakily she took a couple steps toward it. Pretend. Hold strong. Withstand it for maybe a couple of months and an opportunity would show itself. Yet when she was within arms reach she stopped, unable to bring herself to finish the trek. What if Hornet never opened that door? What if she was kept in it forever to be nothing more than a pretty little trophy?]
I....I don't. I don't want to.
no subject
The reality of their world, that some bugs were higher and some were lower simply by nature, was so utterly cruel.
Yet it would be wrong to say that she was not excited by this show of brazen defiance.
Lace was prey. ]
I present to you no other option.
[ Now the silk around Lace's wrists extended to a bar of her new cage and wrapped around it. A leash. A chain. Hornet so dearly did not want to put anything in her mouth or neck. She restrained herself. ]
Too small or too short, we shall fix your bed as needed. [ She lie down in the field of roses like a cat and groomed her limbs, looking over her shoulder. She need not be alert. By manner of silk she had full control of Lace in this Citadel from any vantage point, and Lace knew that. To emphasize, the silk tugged on Lace's wrists. ] More freedoms you will gain if you behave yourself. You chose to stay here with me, little silk girl. Accept the consequences of your choice, and come easily to my side.
no subject
She should have taken her chance down at the Exhaust Organ when she had it.
The tug made her stumble forward and she tugged back experimentally.
Strong as could be.
It's ok. It would be ok. Just pretend, take it slow, don't lay it on too thick. Hornet had just said that if she behaved she would get more freedom.
"You chose to stay here with me, little silk girl. " She really wondered at those words. Lace had chosen to stay with her? Lace would argue against it, but in her heart she knew there was some sliver of truth buried behind the false claim. Lace had liked Hornet from the start because of her fire. She came to admire her for her fighting prowess. There had always been some level of attraction, she was a beautiful bug after all...but it was her compassion that had really captivated Lace's heart. As she observed the weaver's journey via the silk flies she had scoffed, been disbelieving and even judgmental of all the times Hornet had stopped to aid in some inane wish or to comfort and offer words of wisdom to another. Yet beneath all that exterior bullshit, Lace had been awed. She'd been smitten.
Maybe she had forgone the quick death the maggots would have given her to see Hornet one last time? To die by her blade would have been so sweet and romantic.
Yet the spider she had known seemed every bit as gone as her mother and sibling.
Her eyes became filmy and without another word she stepped into the cage.]
no subject
There was compassion in them. There was love. But it was a different kindness than Lace had known before. It was kindness for the subjects she ruled over, love for her things, her trinkets.
The cage door shut behind Lace and her wrists were freed of their ties. Hornet made her way over and once again did she show Lace that tenderness. One of her limbs came through the bars and stroked at Lace's cheek approvingly; another pat her head.
She knew Lace would give in eventually. To challenge one's nature carried such great exhaustion. Now she could relax and let Hornet lead the way.
She deserved all these attentions and more. ]
Good girl.
[ The claw at Lace's cheek went under her chin now. ]
A bit snug -- fear not, we will begin crafting you a larger one immediately. Now behave yourself and as I have promised, you will gain more freedoms. You are to address me as Hornet and do as I ask. Do you understand?
no subject
...
It felt so wrong to be without it. She hoped that if Hornet kept true to her word she would have it returned to her.
Lace tensed as Hornet drew near but she raised her head to look at her, frustrated with herself for not doing more, not resisting more. As Hornet's arms reached through the bars, Lace instinctively expected some harm, but as before the spider gave her the sweetest of touches. How gentle...she would not have thought a Pale Being capable of such a touch. It tore at something in her that this was all she had ever wanted. Whether physical or merely by words, she had only ever wanted a tender love.
The doll crossed her arms over her chest, hugging herself and her cheeks colored.]
...yes, Hornet, I understand.
[No, she couldn't allow herself to be taken in. Lace wasn't even sure why she felt she had to fight. Did she still want to die? Well, certainly, but it was something more than that.
But. Hornet was being so sweet right now. If she maintained that, would it really be so bad?
She had just caged herNo. Yes. She'll figure it out. It was too much, everything that had happened. She couldn't think straight she'll....she'll figure it out.]
no subject
[ And it did. Why was it that Grand Mother Silk had neglected her child so? She was lovely. She looked perfect here in this little enclosure. Hornet would make sure a very nice one was built for her. Something big enough for her to really stretch out in with bars polished and painted a metallic black and a nameplate. Something for herself and the Weavers to look at and enjoy.
And Lace would, in time, get her pin back. If she listened.
That hand kept stroking under Lace's chin as Hornet thought to herself. ]
I will tell you what shall be now. The Weavers made this place to keep your mother asleep. I have called the Weavers back, and as they return home, I shall have it refashioned into something more...hospitable. [ Whatever the hell that meant for a spider queen. She would use it to house herself, Lace, and whichever Weavers she felt most suited to be her court.
Now as she spoke, Hornet commanded the silk around them to retrieve Lace's pin. She showed it to her, wrapped in a protective cocoon. ]
You will be given a comfortable room and your own privacy, though you are to be in the cage as I please. In time I will return your weapon to you. There will undoubtedly be bugs here that must be struck down.
I desire to inflict no unnecessary cruelty upon you. Do not make me second guess myself.
no subject
Try as she might to focus on not getting seduced by a false dream, there were several words that kept rolling over in Lace's mind.
Good girl.
This pleases me.
Very good.
The praise and acknowledgement of her efforts was like finding an oasis in a desert. It washed over her, drowning out all other thoughts and worries. So much so that at least in this moment she didn't realize all that weight that last statement carried.
No, she was deaf to it. She wanted, no, needed to hear her praise her more. She looked up at her, expression torn between pleading and confusion.]
I-I understand, Hornet.
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What was this? What was this way that Lace looked at her, her pleading face, so in need of attention and guidance?
Contentment bloomed deep inside of Hornet. I understand, Hornet. Look at how easy Lace had come crawling to her. Just look at her. She was so adorable and magnificent inside her little cage, though Hornet's heart ached to see her so as well, to do such a thing to her. This was for the best.
So she cupped Lace's cheek and stroked with her thumb, careful not to cut her with her claw. Hah. To think that just earlier she'd been kicking and snapping and striking Hornet with her pin. Now she addressed Hornet properly and spoke very little, for she understood there was little need for her opinion, since her new queen knew better than her. And since she'd fallen into line so quickly, Hornet could give her plenty of adoration. ]
Why do you carry such an expression so? Do you desire more of my attention? Unlike your mother, I have no intention to deprive you of it so. You are being obedient and excellent. Come closer to the bars, so I may caress you more as you deserve.
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[How was it that in but some scant minutes, Hornet had lauded her more than her mother had when she'd been given centuries?
Don't.
It'd be fine to give in just for a little bit, right? It's not as if she could escape now. That's all it would be. Just...just enjoy it for this moment. Ah, but some part said to resist, to cast aside such excuses. Lace ignored that voice and hesitantly inched forward getting as close to the bars as she cold. She grasped them and continued to look at the Weaver Queen.
She really was beautiful, and carried her title well. Lace opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. Was she allowed to make requests? There's one thing she had missed, had yearned for for so long.
Would Hornet give it to her?]
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She would love to put her claws all over Lace, and see her writhe in pleasure.
They are not ready yet.
But Hornet does touch her more than she had before, her reverent hands roaming down Lace's cheek to her jaw and her neck, petting, feeling, and it's all an odd mix between the way one would touch a pet, a doll, and a lover all at once.
She sees Lace's mouth open and then close. She doesn't mind a request. No guarantees she will grant it. ]
You may speak.
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In the past speaking such words would have utterly revolted her, no matter how much she yearned for it. Yet now, more than ever, she knows she needs it. She needs it because of everything that has happened, everything she has done, everything she has lost--even if it had to come from the person who responsible for some of it.]
Would you hug me?
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How adorable. ]
I would.
[ She opened the door of Lace's cage, standing ready and alert with silk if she opted to pull any sudden moves. Then she coaxed Lace to the front and embraced her with all six arms, sinking into the plushness of her body. ]
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And for a moment it felt good.
She felt so secure in Hornet's many arms. To be held in such a manner made her feel loved, it made her feel protected from all the things a sword could not fend off. She pressed her face into Hornet's chest and closed her eyes, turning away from the rest of the world and melted against her.
It brought Lace back to a time long, long ago. Some of the earliest years of her existence, the only time she could say she was truly happy. Her mother had kept her up here in the Cradle for so long, molding her to be a perfect little daughter--a child. She had been allowed little other than watering the roses, but her brightest days would be when Phantom was around.
Lace had always tried to please their mother. Phantom had always stood their ground. They had been the one to argue for her. Insisted that mother allowed her to roam, insisted that she be allowed a weapon after they'd seen how she always eyed theirs. They'd been the one to widen her world and teach her how to defend herself. They never gave into mother, and doubtless if that was not the primary reason, it definitely played a role in why they had been cast into Bilewater.
What would they think now if they saw her?
Would they be enraged that she was clinging to their killer?
Would they be disgusted at her weakness?
Would they be sad to see her being chained once more?
The latter would be the worst of all, and that realization was like surfacing after being stuck beneath the waves for so long. It felt like finally catching her breath.
She would resist this. It would be difficult. Hornet's words were like honey, her gentle touch addicting, but she would resist this. If she wanted any chance of freedom she had to play it smart, but ironically, the hug had given her what she needed to get her head on straight.
Finally she pulled away and cast her gaze meekly away, clasping her hands.]
Thank you.
[Even in death, Phantom was protecting her. She would do her best not to let them down.]
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No matter. She would learn she had no reason to put up a fight. Her life would be comfortable and easy here and she would have nothing to think about. Hornet would love her and so would the home-bound Weavers.
And so too would Lace love and praise Hornet, for her constant battle with herself and her purpose could finally be put to rest.
All in due time. ]
I will take excellent care of you. Do not fear.
[ The cage door shut again as Hornet retreated. Then behind her a large silk cocoon began to form. Her resting place, for now. ]
I leave to rest just nearby. You may call if you need me, but do not be frivolous. I wish not to put anything in your mouth, for I enjoy your voice.
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It was good timing. She could sort herself out, get her head back on her shoulders and out of Hornet's alluring words.]
I will not. [She assured. Even for something she needed, Lace would try her best to hold off. Now was the time to figure out some sort of plan.
So without another word she sat back down to rest among her roses.]
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[ She double checked the latch of Lace's cage. Triple checked. It was shut as tightly as any lock could be. As she fiddled she caught a look at the nameplate again.
Weaver, in quarter part, last of their line, staked to service.
Tracked and taken beneath the City of Steel. Eight Choristors, twelve Envoys lost to task.
There was a small silence as Hornet said nothing, turning this over in her head over and over, and then a thread of her silk erupted from her cocoon, grabbing her and tugging her inside with lightning speed. She curled up tightly within it, comfortable, and stitched the opening shut.
She slept, though there were times where if Lace cared to look, she would see six eyes staring at her through the silk. ]