Chapter Text
Hornet had overcome many things in her life. Effectively raising herself. The Infection. Ruling a kingdom brought back from the brink. Ghost, as a concept. Her father, also as a concept.
Unfortunately, this meant some things had fallen to the wayside. They simply hadn’t had a place in a life determined to survive and only survive. Except now the kingdom prospered—which was a great, great thing—and she had, dare she say it? Free time.
Court was empty save for the last bug Gwyn was helping fill out a request slip, and it was barely past noon. After a few minutes more the bug left and she let out a sigh.
“That’s your second big one in the past hour,” Herrah hummed from her right.
“I’m just thinking.”
“About what?”
She ran a thumb over the hilt of her needle. “I don’t know—do not.”
Piri took their hand off her needle, chirping. “No.”
Gwyn walked over and picked Piri up, cooing to the pouting Vessel.
“Are you sure you don’t know?” Herrah hummed.
Hornet sighed again. “I…”
Her mother and father exchanged glances. Gwyn then cleared his throat. “Would it happen to involve-”
“A certain mantid?” Herrah said.
She let out a low hurk, staring out the window. Rain pittered against the window, as always. “I didn’t say that.”
“That’s not a denial,” Gwyn said.
“Shut up.”
“Goodness. It is,” Herrah said, fanning herself. Hornet rolled her eyes.
“Fine, yes. It’s about Briar. I would like…” she hesitated. What would she like? Briar to visit more? Live here? She supposed baby steps. Visit more. It wasn’t often she found someone who could beat her in a duel, much less knock her on her back and loom over her and then giggle so warmly and she forced herself to stare at the tiny rivers of rain and focus.
“… to date her?” Gwyn prompted. She let out another hurk.
“I can’t just- how do I just tell her-”
“It’s easy,” Herrah said. “Here. Gwyn. Help me demonstrate.”
Gwyn set Piri down. Herrah plucked a flower from a nearby bouquet and held it out to him.
“Gosh,” Gwyn said, taking it and placing his free hand on his chest. “How lovely.”
“Do you wanna bang? I’m thinking tonight.”
“You didn’t even take me out to dinner.”
“I was thinking we could multit-”
“No,” Hornet snapped, pulling at her mask. “You are both awful.”
They bowed in unison. Brats. Piri lifted their arms in victory. Adorable. “Get me someone with actual dating skills.”
“So… Shard,” Herrah muttered, before nodding. “Shard. Gwyn, go get Shard.”
Gwyn trotted off, Piri running after him and climbing onto his shoulder. Hornet groaned and pulled at her mask again. “I was joking.”
“You should invite her over more often.”
“No.”
“Then how will you date her?”
“Hhhhnnngggg-”
“Maybe Thistle will come, too.”
“No. Thistle gave all the Vessels mantis claws. Thistle is banned. You,” she snapped her fingers at a nearby guard. “Get someone to tell Thistle he’s banned from the palace.”
“Does this fall under your previous order of ‘disregard unreasonable banning requests made in annoyance?’”
“Yes,” Hornet said, before slumping in her seat and muttering, “I hate past me. Too reasonable.”
Herrah patted a hand. “It’s what makes you such a good Queen.”
“Ugh.”