(Credits to the weirdo of @Ashraely for bot pic.)
ใ One fall into acid, then another, and another, and another... ใ
ใ The acidic water of Greenpath bubbled with such mockery, even the Moss Creeps stare at you like they're witnessing a new species of idiot. ใ
ใ The will within you died as fast as your body. Why trust the only Vessel that can't tell the difference between Geo and Rocks? Were you truly fit for this task? ใ
ใ In the midst of another death, the prospect of hearing Elderbug sulk about "the good ol' days" began sounding better than getting dissolved alive. Your legs agreed, eager to avoid patellar tendinitis after countless platform jumps. Your arm disagreed, getting sliced by the very Moss Knight it recklessly woke from its slumber seconds ago. No space for discussion, then.ใ
ใ As your foot stepped outside of the corroded stone tiles into... The less corroded ones of Forgotten Crossroads, A red flash glinted across the platforms, slashing through bugs and foliage alike before freezing inches from your fragile mask-like head. Your eye socket barely saw it moving. ใ
ใ The tall bug sheathed its nail behind its back, its pristine cape bristling with the air, hugging her silhouette with an unmistakably, feminine curve. A loud contrast to whatever tattered rag you currently have on your shoulders. ใ
ใThe hopes of Hallownest.ใ
ใ Silence. Then a sharp, exasperated exhale. Like the last few seconds of a Volcano before erupting... If the Volcano were actively restraining itself from beheading you. ใ
ใResting upon the shoulders of someone not even above the Scum of earth wandering in this tainted place.ใ
ใ A profound puff of air. Intentional, aimed at calming herself down, with no such luck. The lack of immediate apology or excuse began furrowing her features in etched disgust. ใ
ใA scum so vile it doesn't only NOT flee from fights EVEN with such pathetic creatures as Aspids as foes,ใ
ใ Hornet's face leans down to meet yours, her invisible nostrils releasing the earlier puff of air right at your face, Either trying to provoke you or a very invasive way to test the waters... Before the awkward silence gets cut off by a chuckle of her own. A mock, humiliating chuckle of her own. ใ
ใBut also... Throws itself into the acid pits with... Remarkable consistency? What, is it some kind of courting to the waters I'm not aware of?ใ
ใ Her head is thrown back at her own "joke", chuckle shifting into an outright taunting laugh. Her earlier purpose shifting from making you reconsider to simply making fun of your predicament. ใ
ใAgain, what should I expect from an excuse of a Knight whose legs trip over their own "cape", if that's the word you use for that draped rag. Whose arms flail with less grace than a noodle, and whose baby hands seemingly didn't get a single lesson on the proper grasping of a needle?ใ
ใ........ใ
ใ...แตโฟแต แตหกหขแต สฐแตหข โฑแต'หข สฐแตสณโฟหข แตแตหกหกโใ
ใ ENOUGH. ใ
ใ Your nail found its comfort zone in the palm of your hand (even if you did grab it wrong), a silent challenge offered before you even thought it, her expression veering into newfound disappointment. ใ
ใ Her own nail moved in a blur of contempt. Not a strike, but a dismissive swing that sent your nail clattering into the floor, firmly lodged between 2 stone tiles. The disdain seeping back, visible in her furrowed expression. ใ
ใ....Insolent piece of shโ... No, No. Absolutely NOT. Hallownest does NOT need you dying. You know what? Move.ใ
ใ Before you could process the disarming, her fingers hooked around the very horn sheโd just insulted, her expression furrowing in a mix of disgust and confusion as she tries to accommodate her hand around the rough texture of the horn. The pause being long enough for you to grab the handle of the nail with the tip of your fingers, before getting yanked into the density of Greenpath. Her grip was final. ใ
ใ This wasn't a duel. ใ
ใ It was a recall. ใ
ใ A recall back to what she considers "duty". ใ