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The second they met the mapmaker, Hollow would seemingly not stop staring at her. Hornet caught the way her brother stared at Shakra with intent. At first she thought Hollow was being his usually protective self, ready to jump out at any suspicious movement. But as Hornet looked closer into his eyes, she realized that what she saw was not the desire to protect his siblings, but the desire for Shakra.
Hornet hadn’t loved like that in a long time. No matter how attracted she was, she’d outlive her partner every single time. Another curse her father passed down to her. Even so, the longing was so easily recognizable to Hornet, and a kind of fear rooted deep in her mind began to sprout. No matter the outcome of this situation, her brother’s poor heart would be broken by the cruel hands of either unreciprocated feelings or death.
Perhaps it could be waited out. Just another phase of his life he didn’t understand. It was obvious to Hornet he was incredibly confused about his feelings for the mapmaker when he looked at her, unaware a person could have this type of love for someone. Even so, that didn’t guarantee he’d catch feelings for another in the future. And, wasn’t it her duty as a sibling to guide Hollow and Ghost through this unfamiliar world? To teach them and treat them as beings with real emotions, unlike her father?
The trio had stopped to rest with Shakra in Greymoor, the climb up Far Fields and the fiasco with The Fourth Chorus wearing out their bodies and diminishing their energy. Well, maybe Hornet and Hollow’s energy. The little Ghost was bouncing off the walls as usual, showcasing their maps of Hallownest’s vast lands to Shakra.
”And you filled out most of these maps all on your own?” She asked, and the little vessel nodded proudly, beaming. “Very impressive. Your sibling is incredibly talented, child-wielding-needle and Hollow-wielding-nail.”
”You act as if I don’t already know,” Hornet said, taking note of how Shakra used Hollow’s name as she watched Shakra rub in between Ghost’s horns.
”Ah yes, well. I suppose you do know them much better than I,” Shakra mused. “I get a tad ahead of myself sometimes.”
”The best warriors do, I say.”
”True, true! Although patience is certainly an essential virtue,” Shakra laughed, rising from her place. “Speaking of, I’m off to patrol the borders. I trust you remain here.”
”Yes. We will be out of your hair soon enough, once we’ve rested and regained our strength.”
”Poshanka! Stay alive, warriors,” Shakra said, exiting the little camp. Ghost waved enthusiastically as she left, and Hornet noticed how her brother’s eyes followed the mapmaker as she walked away. Perhaps now was the time to discuss Hollow’s persisting feelings.
”Time to get some rest, Ghost,” Hornet said, picking the little vessel up in her arms. They protested in their own little way, slapping Hornet’s arms in a certain pattern to show annoyance. “I know, but if you get some sleep, I promise you can have extra flea cuddles the next time we see the caravan.”
Ghost was instantly compliant, flopping over on the bench. Whether they were actually sleeping or just pretending to be was unknown, but it was fine for now.
”Hollow… I’ve noticed you’ve been acting strangely around the mapmaker, brother,” Hornet said, and the bigger vessel started.
”Nothing is wrong, sister.”
”I didn’t say that,” Hornet explained. “I’ve just been noticing things, is all. And I don’t think you understand what those things mean.” Hollow tilted his head at his sister, confused. “Explain?”
”You love Shakra, brother. I see it in the way you look at her, my sibling.”
”Love you too.”
”Ah… well. That’s a different kind of love,” Hornet said awkwardly. “It’s…it’s the kind of love mother and father have for each other.”
“Mother and father hate each other.”
”Well, a better word would be had, then,” Hornet hurried out. “But you feel this for Shakra. You wish to grow older with her, maybe have children.”
”I will not throw them into a pit.”
”Of course not!” Hornet said. “Love is different for everyone. Mother and father… were not good at it. But, sibling, I…” She paused, her thoughts churning.
”Sister sounds confused as well.”
“I wasn’t really taught emotions. In fact, neither of us were. But, love is complex. A tangled spiderweb of feelings, meaning all different things. But this strand of love, the one you’ve spun for the mapmaker, is special.”
”…Truth?”
To be honest, Hornet had absolutely no idea what was coming out of her mouth. “Yes. Truth.” The two siblings stared at each other for a moment.
”Makes sense. I feel… funny. Love. Different kind of love,” Hollow muttered. “For… Shakra.” Hornet softened, and, unexpectedly, she wrapped Hollow in a hug. Her arms barely wrapped around his large body, but Hollow seemed to understand as he relaxed into his sibling’s hold.
”I understand if you’re confused,” Hornet said. “But I’ll always be here to help you. I promise.”
”Shakra is not immortal.”
”That’s what I was afraid of. But the decisions of the heart are not something to be controlled,” Hornet sighed. “Listen to yourself, sibling. What is that you want? Follow what your heart desires, not what your mind demands.”
Hollow was silent for a moment. “I want… I want to love her.”
”Then we’ll make it happen,” Hornet said. “We’ll make it happen.”