feanarik

A (spoiler free) ramble about Hornet's excellent characterization.

Hornet is one-half Weaver, one-half Wyrm, and that defines a lot about who she is and how she thinks going in to Silksong.

Weavers are spiders. Instinctively they create beautiful and complex things, but only ever for the purposes of predation and control.

Wyrms are rulers. Instinctively they lead, organize, and enlighten, but only ever in the pursuit of dominance and adoration.

Hornet sees the world like a Weaver. Hornet's notes on certain items and materials throughout the game imply a mind that finds satisfaction and even amusement in the art of weaponization. She effortlessly constructs complex tools from nothing but silk and bone, and constantly innovates with new ideas and materials found on her journey... however her every act of creation serves the same ugly purpose. Hornet's composed and polite facade suppresses a predator's viscousness and a trapper's cruel creativity.

Hornet's sees people like a Wyrm. Throughout a great deal of the game, Hornet mentally distances herself from the denizens of Pharloom, even as she actively aids them. I posit that this is due to her Wyrm heritage: The Pale King spent all his life providing for and protecting his subjects in one form or another, but only once (with his own son) did he ever empathize with one as an equal (and he considered that moment his greatest failing). Likewise, I don't think empathy comes naturally to Hornet, and the game's story is largely about her (re)learning how to connect and empathize with others as individuals.

When she first arrives in Pharloom, Hornet seeks to cut down the ones responsible for kidnapping her. Not for heroic or selfless reasons, but because (like her father) she believes a Pale Being like her cannot peacefully coexist with a ruling power like them. Yet as the game goes on, we see Hornet's mindset subtly change. While her predispositions to violence and responsibility remain, there is a softening of her attitude and deepening of her motives. She remains somewhat distant, but starts caring enough to express restrained worry and relief regarding the wellbeing of others.

>>>Notice: Please read from right to left. <<<

Sorry, I forgot English comics are read from left to right when I was drawing this...

This comic also includes spoilers for Hollow Knight: Silksong.

20 pages in total.

Summary: Interactions between PK and young Hornet.

your name is Quirrel, and you wish your boss had told you she was bringing her friends, the Queen of Deepnest (!?) and That Guy who lives in the tower in the City of Tears (you know he's important, but you're not clear on what he does), to the archives today for a visit.