crowspace | call me out v. 12.0

[Hornet's eyes briefly flicker towards the child, wondering if they understood, before returning to Grimm. That was their business and as it seem it would only do Hallownest good, Hornet would not impede it unless she ever came to suspect she was being deceived.

Hornet isn't entirely certain where she wants to go with her life now that both Radiance and the infection are gone for good...but for the sake of those who remain, and her mother who sacrificed so much to eek out a better life for those of Deepnest she will do all she can to see Hallownest returned to a proper civilization.]

If that is so, then I will not impede you. [And now perhaps she can reassure the others in Dirtmouth. Seems like a good number of them have been uncomfortable with the mysterious troupe's presence.]

[The child mewls something that sounds like agreement. They know about this. Their feelings are... mixed, but none of the details have been kept from them.]

You have my gratitude.

[He bows to her, a gesture of politeness rather than the reverence with which bugs once bowed to the Pale King.]

[Hornet almost doesn't return the gesture, but after a moment she awkwardly bows back. A part of her almost considered lending a hand---after all, it would only help with her own efforts too but she didn't want to go making such a decision hastily.

First she would give herself some much needed time to mourn and rest. Then she would seek out those who remained and gather them, hear their thoughts.

In that time she could also learn more of Grimm and his troupe through observation and then come to a decision.]

For now I must bid you farewell. I have much I should be doing, but chances are we'll meet again. [She nodded at him, then looked towards the child thoughtfully but said nothing.]

[The troupe remain longer than intended. This is not the first time that the other part of the Ritual has died or disappeared before its completion. It will not be the last.

Gradually, Dirtmouth adjusts to their visitors. The mapmaker strikes up a friendship with Grimm, and eventually even Elderbug seems to accept that they don't mean any harm. Brumm fills the town with music again.

Some weeks later, Grimm appears in a puff of red smoke before Hornet. Where she is in Hallownest is irrelevant, except that he won't appear in water or acid. He's extra, not stupid.]

Well met, Hornet.

[He bows low.]

[Time passed. The weight did not lift. Yet she continued on.

She had been busier than the bees of the Hive, helping those in Dirtmouth, organizing parties to seek out survivors, visiting with the different factions that existed beneath the city that was slowly gaining life.

Hornet was returning from the Mantis Village after having spoken to (and fought) the Lords that resided there. The discussion had....gone better than she had anticipated given her lineage and what their duties entailed but Hornet still felt like a toddler fumbling through such diplomatic negotiations. She didn't consider herself one for politics, despite her existence having been caused by and made for it.

The feeling of frustration from that discussion has her uneasy, but even more than that was that in recent days she couldn't shake off the feeling of being followed. Yet anytime it came upon her, she found nothing, so when Grimm majestically poofs before her as she's taken a couple steps away from the well that leads under ground she quickly scuttles back, hand going to her needle until she realizes who it is.

Unfortunately she doesn't appreciate his theatrics, but at the very least she's been convinced of his good nature.]

Grimm...

Is all well?

[He cannot stop the theatrics, Hornet. Not even for you.]

About that - I would ask a boon of you.

The Ritual that feeds my child requires the flames of battle to stoke their own fire, a dance between myself and one other. The Knight played this role, and was to play it once more to complete the Ritual.

[They no longer can. There is no need to say it.]

[A fight then. Hornet did not like to consider herself a brute, but it would be a lie to say that she didn't enjoy a good duel. That had been the much more enjoyable portion of her recent interactions with the Mantis Lords.

Even if not, the words Grimm had told her before of his purpose and reason for being in this kingdom were enough of an incentive for her to agree.]

Very well. I can grant you that. [It would only serve to benefit everyone.]

What need I do to prepare?

Only what you would to prepare for any difficult battle. I will not be going easy on you.

[She would be insulted if he did, and that's fine with him.

There is a reason it takes a battle and not simply a death. Both to stoke the flames, and to be less traumatic for everyone involved.]

Return to my tent when you are ready.

[Indeed she would be. She nods at his words, acknowledging the severity of them. This was going to be significantly more challenging than the fight she had just had with the Mantis Lords, and so she would not take his warning lightly but so was she glad that he would not demean her by going easy.

Hornet gave herself a small break to gather her energy from aforementioned fight and her travels, enjoying some solitude in the home she had claimed as her own. There was little in way of decoration seeing as how she was almost only ever here when she needed to sleep--all there was were threads of shining silk hanging from the ceiling, and the masks and weapons of her fallen siblings she had dragged from the temple.

Once she has gathered herself, feeling for how much silk she had to her, and gathering some new tools Hornet made her way to the tent. The two bugs that stood ever watch look at her as she went through and she gave them a small nod of acknowledgement.]

[The bug who usually plays the accordion is not present, making it easier to hear the sound of Grimmchild sniffling.

Hornet is spared from Grimm's need to make an entrance this time, because he's already in the main room of the tent, hugging his child close to his chest. The sad warblings are answered by his soft voice.]

Dear child, it will be alright. You're going to be magnificent.

[He knows Hornet is there, but until she addresses him, soothing his child takes priority.]

[Patience is not Hornet's greatest virtue but there is no way she could ever interrupt something like this.

She wasn't foolish or naive. Grimm had spell it out quite clearly when he explained his ritual to her.

A Ritual, that one vessel of the Nightmare King may die and the god be reborn in the next. It is time for me to pass that mantle on to my own child.

Hornet doesn't like the idea of taking a child's father from them, but if Grimm was committed to seeing this Ritual through, it was going to happen either way.

So she waits, letting father and child have this--what could be their final moment---together.]

[After a minute more, Grimmchild stops crying, and Grimm looks over to where Hornet stands.]

I apologize for making you wait, when I was the one who called you here.

[It's rude, but again: child takes priority.]

Thank you for your assistance.

It is fine. You need not apologize.

[Comforting their child is what any parent should do and Hornet is hardly going to be bothered by that. She simply nods, acknowledging his gratitude.]

I am ready.

[...]

Are you?

[She doesn't look at Grimmchild at all. Can't.]

I am.

[Grimmchild tells themself they will be brave, and disappears into Grimm's cloak. He folds them back into himself, ready to receive the flames of battle and the Heart.

This time, there will be no audience. Only him, Hornet, and the child they and the Knight helped raise.]

May I have this dance?

[But first - he bows to his partner.]

[The needle strapped to her back is slid off, but she doesn't ready herself yet. First she will bow--this time without a trace of the reluctance or awkwardness when she previously returned the gesture.]

Let us dance, Troupe Master Grimm.

[Grimm straightens, and then disappears.

He reappears almost instantly in the air above Hornet's head, bearing down on her in a flash of flame. He's fast, and most certainly not going easy on her.]

call me out v. 12.0

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a time skip perhaps?

timeskip!!

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