Chapter Text
Void was a treacherous thing, Quirrel learned in a record amount of time of courting the vessel that had vanquished the infection and survived.
Upon realizing they were truly free of the need to be the hero they settled down to live with the hollow knight and the elderly bug by the bench.
They were a peculiar little thing, expressing quite a lot if one knew what to look for, and upon learning to sign they became quite talkative.
Quirrel preferred to orbit about hallownest, not often staying in one place for too long, however, the blue lake and City of tears remained one of his most frequent stops, there was something so enrapturing about that still blue water that stretched as far as the compact eye could see.
He still returned to the humble town often enough to greet his small friend and their intimidating largest sibling. When he queried about the hollow knight, who Herrah’s child referred to as Pure, and Ghost signed as Hollow, and received a clear answer.
‘Friendly, merely hurt here.’
Ghost signed, tapping where Quirrel’s heart was when mentioning the hurt.
Hollow themself spent most of their time with the nail masters and especially Mato, who had adopted the pale descendant as his own.
Mato came into dirtmouth more often after that.
All in all life was really seeming worth it.
Quirrel set down his quill and tapped the stone desk of his dwelling in the capital, the pattering of the rain against the windows and the remaining citizens bustling quietly weren’t the thing distracting him from his journaling.
The unmistakable sound of carapace on stone hit his antenna beneath his bandana. He stood and reached for his nail cautiously, only to see his little friend and the protector of hallownest barging in uninvited through his front door. Though Ghost had no qualms with going and staying as they pleased
“Ghost, protector, what brings you here?”
‘It’s Thursday’
Ghost signed simply, not paying any mind to Hornet who glared at the facets of Quirrel’s abode.
“Ah yes, I forgot, my apologies. So why did you bring one sibling and not both?”
It was quite rare to see Ghost without Hollow nearby or not alone, but just them and Hornet was something new.
“Ghost insisted I see the city now that there’s not infected bugs everywhere, I see no reason to, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“They can be quite persuasive, enjoy your visit, we won’t be long.”
Hornet gave him a suspicious look and pet her sibling’s head before jumping down the spire to the city square.
“So my friend, where are we to go, or do?”
‘Hot springs?’
Ghost suggested, Quirrel glanced at his work and clacked his mandibles together.
“Sure. The pleasure house has really improved in service since last you went, my friend.”
After paying a fee for entrance, each bug was given a robe to relax in and a small amount of pleasantries such as snacks and shell masks and scrubs for relaxation.
Ghost pulled off their mothwing cloak but hesitated on removing their second cloak,
“What’s wrong my friend?”
Quirrel asked,
‘Can’t remove my cloak’
Ghost signed as they dipped their soft void legs in the hot spring and trilled softly, one of the limited noises they could make.
“Well, the water shouldn’t damage it, it seems to be a part of you after all. Besides, it floats up to the top of the water when you swim.”
Quirrel took off his bandanna and let his antenna breathe in the scents of the bathhouse, water splashed on his shell as Ghost jumped in the hot water, without Monomon’s mask he had no defense from the warm water.
Ghost laid on their back, floating on the water as if they were a buoy. The faint melodies of a feminine bug singing filled the air if Quirrel listened for it.
“The pleasure house really is impressive, Seven pools, a new coat of paint, and perfect ambiance, wouldn’t you say?”
“No hole in the wall or thieves, much better.”
The vessel signed lazily, they seemed almost asleep, perhaps in a trance. Ghost seemed to fall asleep anywhere they could stay still in with no threats, he had seen them pass out on a bench many times during their times in the city of tears.
‘I prefer it without the corpses.’
Ghost added suddenly,
“Yes, that makes it much better.”
Ghost floated over to him, horns bumping into his belly.
“Are you alright?”
‘Sleepy.’
Was traced into his carapace as Ghost relaxed into his lap. As jarring as it was at first, Quirrel soon cast away his concerns and let Ghost sleep for the time being.
When the vessel awoke Quirrel was puzzled,
“Ghost my dear friend, did you know that you float like a ball of air on water?”
They responded by flicking warm water at his face,
“Alright! I get it.”
Quirrel laughed softly and the two spent the rest of their visit relaxing and chatting.
Hornet gave a judging glare when one city dweller mumbled about ‘damn weavers’
She gripped her nail and held back the burst of silk that threatened to spew out and whip wildly in her rage. She threw her nail and zipped off to where she left her sibling.
The apartment was empty and Hornet saw Red,
That damn archivist must’ve taken revenge on ghost. She’d kill the isopod the moment he returned. She readied her blade and set her traps about the home.
“My short friend, are you sure about this?”
‘I have more than enough geo.’
Ghost signed as they purused the expensive trinkets in a new shop.
“You certainly do, but they’re gouging the prices!”
The store clerk gave Quirrel a nasty glare as they handed Ghost a package and a small box. The vessel paid and took Quirrel’s hand to lead him out of the shop.
“So, what did you buy?”
‘Surprise.’
“Oh, I see!”
Quirrel climbed the wall and yelped as a blade nearly struck his shell.
“You bastard!”
Hornet screamed, cloak furled around her, all six eyes open in rage, Ghost popped their head up and went into action, running between their sister and friend.
‘Stop! What are you doing?’
“Little ghost? But I thought that-“
The princess of deep nest blushed and sheathed her nail, collecting her traps,
“Clearly my guess was wrong, I will go now.”
She turned to leave only to be stopped by ghost grabbing her claws.
‘Apologize now’
Hornet grit her teeth beneath her shell and glanced at Quirrel.
“My apologies for trying to kill you, I’ll take my leave.”
She jumped down the shaft and Ghost slumped, giving their full attention to Quirrel,
‘Are you okay?’
“I’m… startled, but I’m quite alright Ghost. Thank you for coming over.”
“I’m sorry for hornet-“
The pill bug took the soft void in his hands mid sign.
“Shh, it’s fine. You should head home soon, the others must miss you.”
Ghost nodded, nuzzling Quirrel’s cheek and handing him the small box from the store,
“For me?”
He asked as he took it in his hands, ghost nodded.
The tug of ribbon and pulling off the top led Quirrel to see the stunning sculpture of monomon in the archives, with himself, carved of crystal and glass, stone and tin.
“Oh ghost, I love it! Thank you!”
He hugged his short companion and cherished the chirp Ghost made.
“Ghost! C’mon, Hollow is waiting!”
The king-to-be said goodbye and leaped after Hornet, leaving Quirrel to his thoughts once more.