Chapter Text
A young vessel, covered in a uniform with golden details, a small chain attached to a brooch with the symbol of the king, three horns, one long and curved at the end and two smaller ones. They looked stressed, looking around with a frustrated look as they muttered to themselves.
"Ghost, you better show up!" They order in a loud voice waiting for that Ghost to appear and obey the order, "I'm tired of your pranks, we're not little anymore, especially you!" they cross their arms tapping their insect foot.
They were running out of patience, Ghost was missing often, and as an event planner, Darian needed to see that everything was organized, and having to look for Ghost when they disappeared from their important appearances was their least favorite task.
"Why are you screaming child?" Darian nearly jumped at the presence of a sweet voice just behind them, meeting pale-faced member of the court Isma. "Shouldn't you be preparing your siblings for the unveiling of the knight's statue?" she asked tilting her head gently to the side with her hands clasped in front of her sluggish body.
Darian snorts crossing his arms, "I would be if my sibling just didn't disappear out of nowhere!!" they complain loudly again, making the knight laugh from under one hand. "Anyway, you're right, I need to focus on this important event, so I can't waste time with nonsense like that!" they say walking politely past her and down the hall.
"Whatever I'll tell you where they are." Darian looks at her and with a grateful look they nod and make their way down the hall. Isma waits a bit, looking down the hall before chuckling and going to a tapestry-draped corner, "They used to be your little brats." she says in a playful tone, revealing Ghost, the least developed vessel among the others, therefore the smallest and quietest, under the covers next to another hooded insect, their bodyguard and a knight in training, Tiso.
"This one is very annoying," Tiso says coming out of hiding and dusting himself and Ghost off, "thanks kind Isma, if it wasn't for you we would have been caught!" he said in a confident tone but when he noticed that Isma's smile was in her rare intimidating smile he stopped smiling.
She stares at them for a few seconds before sighing, "You two are abusing my kindness," she crouches down to their level, "I can't defend you forever, you both need to stop wanting to leave without permission." Tiso crosses his arms a little embarrassed at being scolded by Isma.
"Okay, okay..." the ant paused before sighing, letting his arms hang loose, "Just... just don't put it on my record, okay? I promised master Xero that I wouldn't get into trouble with any of you... " he tries not to sound like he's begging. Isma smiles and moves out of the way for them.
"Just don't take too long to attend the ceremony," she gets up in a serious tone, maintaining the posture she used to intimidate Tiso, "you know it's very important to the king." she looks at Ghost who just stared back at her before looking down. "Si have fun, little Ghost." she pats their heads as she walks past them, "Hollowest is full of secrets and mysteries," she reaches the end of the hall but turns towards them, "I highly recommend Greenpath, it's beautiful when the moss grows in the light." she says with a smile before turning into the next hallway and leaving.
"Ok, Ghost" Tiso draws the attention of Ghost who looks at his companion and goes down the corridor, "we're going to have to go a long way to get to Greenpath," he pauses putting his arms around the back of his head, "How about the Do we explore Kingdom's Edge??" the ant blinks putting his hands on his hips blinking at the vessel from which he looks at him, and without saying anything they confirm with their heads moving on.
The little vessel made a point of checking behind their backs, checking that their precious nail was with them. They already had an idea of what they wanted to do.