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After much convincing, Hornet was finally taking Ghost out hunting. It was a team effort by both Hollow and Ghost who were gentle at first but insistent at the end arguing she worked too hard and this was one way they could help. Ghost chased behind Hornet as she took them through the Forgotten Crossroads. Ghost struggled to keep up with her and it seemed she was determined to reenact their first meeting. At least this time she waited until they were next to her before turning to run again. Ghost tugged on her cloak to get her attention just before she was about to dash again. She turned her head slightly tilted.
“Do you always hunt in Greenpath?” they signed.
“Do you always hunt in Greenpath?” She repeated. Ghost nodded. Hollow and Ghost were teaching her the new language they created. Hornet was learning but occasionally double checked not wanting to miss interpret them.
“Mmm not always, I found that Greenpath tends to have better prey to hunt since the creatures tend to maintain their population far better than those with long life cycles” She imparted as she started walking “plus they tend to be more nutritious compared to those near the archives. They seem to be more water than substance” She mumbled a bit of spite hidden under her words.
They started crossing the barrier between Greenpath and the Forgotten Crossroad. The humidity started to increase and the warmth edged into both their shells. Hornet seemed to visibly relax her shoulders becoming less tight. However, her awareness of her surroundings increased; she looked at each rustle of leaves and she seemed to pinpoint every creature within a five meter radius. She looked at the ground then moved in a new direction occasionally bending down for a closer look. Ghost tugged at her cloak and she lifted her head slightly to look at them.
“What are you doing?” they asked.
“I am looking at tracks, '' Hornet said. She looked surprised by the question not expecting to be asked about what she considered to be a simple action. Ghost tilted their head oblivious.
“Oh you’ve never been hunting before?” Hornet asked, a bit dumbfounded. Ghost shook their heads.
“No, normal walk till I find something” they signed a little confused.
“That would explain why your hunts are quite inconsistent” Hornet muttered under her breath.
“Ok we will start with the basics. What are the creatures you can find in Greenpath?” she asked. Ghost knew this one. They brought out their hunting journal which Hornet looked at with a bit of a smile then a scowl as if some one had slighted her. They pointed at the creatures they had previously slayed in Greenpath. Hornet nodded.
“Good, that is an excellent start. Today we are hunting squit. Hollow has asked for them especially where would we find them” she asked. Ghost tilted their head.
“In Greenpath” they hesitantly signed. She tilted her head and nodded at the same time.
“You’re not wrong but they tend to like small caverns with acid” Hornet taught. Ghost thought for a moment. Actually that made a lot of sense, they thought and nodded at her.
“Wait they fly, why you look at ground?” They asked.
“That is an excellent question little Ghost” She encouraged and Ghost started to brighten a little bit “I am looking for their spit. They aren't particularly clean eaters, often dribbling. I am also checking if there are any common predators around, but it looks like we're the only ones” she joked. Hornet made a joke that wasn’t at another's expense. Ghost was stunned. Their sister started moving without them and they ran to catch up. Hornet moved silently as she began to move through Greenpath, Ghost spent most of their time trying to keep track of Hornet even while sneaking. Unlike last time chasing Hornet it was a lot more fun and insightful as she explained what she was doing at each stop.
Once they got to the squit nest Hornet showed them how to set up a trap. Ghost listened as well as they could however they were starting to get tired and the words seemed to drift in their mind.
“Now we wait” Hornet said, letting Ghost set up the last trap by themself. She nodded approving their work and turned to leave. Ghost grabbed her cloak and she turned around confused.
“Could we move slow? Hard to keep up” Ghost signed, realising that they were too tired to chase Hornet anymore.
“Could we move slower… ” Hornet muttered “We will slow down a little, there is a bench that way we can rest there”
Ghost nodded and followed Hornet who now walked beside them instead of letting them chase her. They tripped slightly and Hornet turned to look at them waiting for them to regain their balance before moving forward. She lifted the vines for them as they made their way through the tunnels of Greenpath. Eventually they made it to a familiar bench. Ghost started to run forward when they realised they were still holding on to Hornet’s cloak, that explained why she walked beside them. Ghost was surprised she didn’t say anything normally she was cold towards affection, often not responding well to their hugs or outwardly being annoyed particularly when in front of others. Ghost sat down bringing out their map adding some new paths. Hornet sat next to them.
She pulled out her flask of water, drank some of it then offered it to Ghost. Although they could live without water and food they still felt thirst and hunger. It also reduced their ability to heal and grow. They took the flask drinking their fill and then got handed some jerky which they grabbed greedily. Hornet nodded satisfied they were properly cared for.
Hornet started to pull out her polishing rag from under her cloak placing her needle on her lap when she went stock still. Ghost tilted there head confused. Suddenly she stood needle in hand as a humongous leafy creature swiftly engulfed the room. They didn’t even have enough time to grab their nail they just hid behind Hornet. Ghost tucked under her cloak next to the pocket with those nasty honey traps. They hugged her and they felt an arm come to hold them close ensuring their safety.
“Hello little huntress it is an unusual day to see you so close to my den and in my territory” the leafy creature said with a voice that seemed to have a devious smile behind it.
“Hello Hunter I hope you do not mind me entering your territory today” she said, still tense even though Ghost started to squirm wanting to poke their head out.
“The little Huntress still believes she needs permission, as long as you don’t take more than you can eat you are always welcome” He said and Hornet untensed moving her arm from protecting Ghost onto their head. Ghost lifted Hornets cloak up, poking their head out, staring up at the Hunter.
“Oh is that the little squib I see? I thought you grew more legs” He joked tilting his head to get a better look at Ghost. Ghost waved enthusiastically to the Hunter who waved back with his much larger hand.
“I see they have one of your books Hunter '' Hornet said, removing her hand from Ghost’s head. They just realised that they hugged Hornet without asking and in front of someone else. She wasn’t upset with them, not yet at least. Ghost turned to her confused but decided to leave that question till later. They then went to the Hunter bringing out the book.
“yes I already know you filled out the book” He smiled. Ghost shook their head and showed him the new info added from Hornet’s lessons.
“I see you are starting to add your own notes, very good” he said, placing a single finger to rub the top of their mask. Hornet tensed and squinted at the Hunter.
“I was quite surprised to find them with a filled out book without the basic skills of hunting” she grumbled.
“Little Huntress, why would I do that when I knew a certain older sister who could impart the knowledge herself?” the Hunter teased. Hornet was taken aback then she scowled at him.
“So you knew we were siblings?” she muttered. The Hunter nodded.
“You both have a similar scent that I have only smelt from you, around Unn’s shrine and in certain parts of the Queen’s garden” he teased and Hornet seemed to step back “that, and your masks are strikingly similar”
Hornet rolled her eyes and sat down on the bench, Ghost followed. The two of them started chatting about different hunting areas, changes in tunnels and a range of other hunting related knowledge most of which was lost to Ghost. Ghost listened half heartedly for about five minutes before falling asleep sitting up.
The Hunter was talking casually but after 5 minutes of Ghost’s head tilting down and slower breathing he quickly changed the subject.
“You seem happier little huntress” the Hunter said out of the blue.
“Pardon?” Hornet said a bit confused and out of touch with the change of subject.
“You seem happier” the Hunter repeated quietly placing a finger on the little squab's head patting them softly. Hornet tensed a little bit protectively making the Hunter smirk at her. As if he didn’t do the same to her when she was sleeping in his den.
“I am glad that you and your sibling are hunting together. I miss hunting with my own and didn’t want to take that from you” he said then moved to her head patted her roughly, which she grumbled at, swatting him away.
“The infection was not kind to you. I could see that when you first attacked me when I thought you were prey. It’s good that the world is treating you better” He said kindly as she proceeded to roll her eyes.
“I learnt a lot from the infection” she muttered as if trying to defend herself, to show she wasn’t weak.
“Yes maybe, but it took more than it gave little one” he said pushing the little squab gently so they used Hornet shoulder to lean on much to Hornets dismay. Hornet moved her arm slightly and Ghost proceeded to lie down using her lap as a pillow. Her arm was now hovering in the air. Where was she meant to put her arm now? The Hunter chuckled at her confusion.
“Seems you still have a bit to learn” he laughed. He gently grabbed her arm with two fingers and placed it on Ghost's head.
“Ghost deserves a better sister than I” she muttered.
“Why did they tell you that?” The Hunter asked, tilting his head, causing his leaves to rustle.
“No but I can tell,” she muttered.
“I don’t think you can little huntress” the Hunter chuckled “as I said you have a lot to learn so I don’t think you can know”
“What makes you an expert?” she grumbled.
“I have made no attempt to hide from you that I had siblings, have I not? I wouldn’t say I am an expert but if you ever need guidance don’t hesitate to visit. I do miss your company when you used to ask how to hunt certain creatures… or after you got too ambitious and reluctantly stayed for safety when hurt” He patted her on the head again gently this time. Being caught off guard by the whole conversation, she didn’t realise herself lean into the affection before she pulled away suddenly. Her cheeks became a light blue, a rare sight for the Hunter indeed.
“I should go, dinner will not catch itself, nor would I ask it to. As always you are welcome to my den little one. Happy hunting little huntress Hornet” the Hunter said and began leaving quietly.
“Happy hunting,” Hornet said, relieved that the awkward conversation was over.
Ghost eventually woke up more than a bit tired and quite groggy. They sat up looking around. Oh yer they were in Greenpath with Hornet. They turned to see Hornet sitting beside them.
“Get enough rest little ghost? The traps may have caught something by now, shall we have a look?” Hornet asked standing up. They nodded with a yawn stretched and then stood. Ghost grabbed her cloak again since she didn’t grumble at them last time and Hornet wasn’t the type to not say anything if she didn’t agree with it unlike Hollow.
They went off Ghost following behind. Ghost still felt stiff from the uncomfortable rest on the bench. During one of the rougher areas they tripped pulling at Hornet’s cloak in the process. Oh no, Hornet is going to be upset and not let them hold her cloak anymore, they're going to have to go back to chasing her. Hornet turned to them in silence, staring at them for a moment. After what felt like a bit too long Hornet reached down and grabbed Ghost hand and proceeded forward without a word. Ghost head tilted as they followed, that made sense actually she could steady herself and them easier if they fell again. Added bonus they got to hold Hornets hand, maybe she was finally accepting them as her siblings.
Hornet looked back to Ghost for a moment making sure she didn’t overstep their boundaries. Ghost was practically skipping, their eyes practically glinting with joy. Maybe she wasn’t as hopeless as she thought.
Ghost caught 3 large juice squint and one young squint. Hornet said to let the younger one go. They had enough for dinner and if we release the young one now they could catch it later when it was bigger. Ghost reluctantly let it go a bit annoyed that the first time they caught something with a trap they set up and they had to realise their prey.
Hollow was cutting up vegetables when they went home much to Hornets dismay but they seemed quite happy with the catch.
“I will be back. I am just going to change out of my hunting cloak” Hornet said and proceeded to head to her room they both nodded.
“How was your hunting trip?” Hollow asked.
“Very good, learnt lots! Hornet knows a lot about hunting” Ghost signed, bringing out the book and showing Hollow the new entries they wrote.
“She wasn’t…” Hollow though for a moment they didn’t have a sign for the word they wanted to use. They pulled out a notepad and wrote it down but Ghost didn’t know that word. Hornet came back into the kitchen now in a lighter red cloak that had seen better days. Hollow looked at Hornet and pointed at the word to say out loud.
“Hmm impatient?” she read out loud. Hollow nodded and looked at Ghost as they started making new gesture for the word deciding on a combination of “want” and “now” then taped Hornets shoulder to show her. She copied the sign a little less smoothly than them but correct nonetheless.
“Impatient?” she asked and Hollow nodded. Then went back to talking to Ghost who shook their head.
“I was struggling to keep up with her at first but we started to hold hands so I could keep up” they signed. Hollow nodded pleased that Hornet managed to slow her pace for them.
“Well you caught some good ones. It will make a great dinner” Hollow complemented.
Ghost went up to Hornet and tugged on her cloak. She turned to face them “yes little ghost” they signed for her to bend down which she did.
“Thank you for today, can we go out again?” they asked with baited breath. She nodded.
“Of course little ghost it seems the Hunter left you a bit unprepared, so I will take the role. If you don’t mind” she muttered near the end. Ghost nodded enthusiastically and wrapped their arms around her without a second thought. Hornet looked confused then looked to Hollow who laughed slightly. Hollow tilted their head to indicate she should reciprocate. Hornet slowly wrapped her arms around Ghost who nuzzled into her mask.
She then lifted Ghost up so they could see the bench “ok last lesson for today how to prepare a hunt” she said and let Hollow continue to prepare the meal as she explained what they were doing.
After dinner Ghost came and gave Hollow a hug then Hornet who did not reciprocate before they left. Hollow started to wonder why she found this sort of thing hard. Hollow thought bac to her childhood and realised that they were partially to blame, they never responded to her affection as a child.
“Little sister?” Hollow signed.
“Mmmm?” Hornet hummed as she finished off her meal.
“I’m sorry” they signed “it’s my fault”
“What for there being too many vegetables?” she teased. They shook their head.
“If I wasn’t so distant when you were a child you wouldn’t be having so much trouble now” they signed slowly.
“It’s not your fault” Hornet said without a second delay “I’m just... just unsure” she muttered.
“But if I wasn’t so distant when you were younger maybe you would know how to respond better” they signed putting their hand on the table with a bit too much force. Hornet placed down her knife and fork slowly.
“Maybe… but Hollow you know as well as I that being affectionate wasn’t an option at the time. I rather have had no response as a child, than our fa… the worm reducing our time together” she muttered.Hornet knew that they probably still blamed themself. A silence hung in the room as Hornet started to move her vegetables around her plate. She opened her mouth to say something, unable to form words before taking a deep breath and trying again.
“Hollow, I want you to understand something that is hard for me to admit. When you were… taken to the black egg I still had the other spiderlings. Do you remember Silken and Weave?” she asked as Hollow nodded, staring at her. Those were the two spiders she talked about occasionally; she often called them nest mates.
“I still had them after you left but the infection took them away in the middle of the night. I woke up to them trying to kill me. The devote had to … put them down. It took a lot for me to get over that. I then went to the hive for a while to train. But it started to collapse while also isolating themself… I was a bit lonely for a while, barely able to survive. When I finally found other survivors I started to open up again and it was a bit better. But it happened again. The infection took them this time though I didn’t have the devote to put them down. I had to do it myself” she whispered. Hollow was shocked they were about to grab their little sister to hug her to comfort her before she put up her hand stopping them and spoke again.
“This process happened 3 more times. Some became infected, rarely did someone die of old age, some betrayed me, others couldn’t stand the suffering any more and … left. I just became … numb to the idea of being close to anyone” she muttered “I don’t know what’s worse the whole experience or the fact that I can’t remember their names any more” she muttered a bit ashamed.
“Please don’t blame yourself. You did your best to allow me to have these chances so I thank you for that” she said disheartened. Hornet seemed to stare out the window for a while and Hollow knew that was the end of her tale.
Hollow got up and hugged their little sister rubbing their mask against hers which they never did when they were younger. They swore they saw the pinpricks of glowing tears start to form, but those quickly disappeared as she turned to hide her face in their cloak.
Hollow held her for a moment using one of their claws to rub the back of her head. She took a deep breath then grabbed onto Hollow’s cloak just like Ghost did. After a while Hollow relised that she had fallen asleep which was strange for Hornet but talking about the past seemed very tiring for her even the good memories seemed to get clouded. They picked her up which stirred her slightly but did not wake her completely.
Using the void they snuffed out the candles and carried her to their room. They slowly laid down.
“Promise me you won’t leave” Hornet muttered in her sleep which Hollow responded with curling around her. I promise my little sister.