#pickle posts

When given a choice in Silksong, Hornet defaults to "Yes" whereas in Hollow Knight the Knight defaults to "No"

For Hornet this makes sense. She has an incredible drive; it's her nature to pursue and conquer challenges and, in her words, "claim what advantage (she) can" by helping others.

But for the Knight?

PICKLE HAVE PHONE

GIFT FROM BAMBAM! IS MINE NOW HELLO!

The Pale Kings philosophy of "no cost too great" always intrigued me because it seems to fundamentally go against his nature as a wyrm. There's no reason for him to devote so much energy to saving his kingdom; He easily could have just left and started a new kingdom, it would be far less of a hassle than dealing with the infection and his new subjects would be none the wiser, but he doesn't. Hornet is in this same situation too, she grants wishes and helps pilgrims even when it isn't her place to do so. They both can't seem to resist helping others despite it being "below (their) station," as the Caretaker says.

(It's pretty deep into act 2 when Hornet admits that she finds solace in helping others rather than doing it exclusively for the tactical advantage, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the same (arc) the Pk went through.)

And so they help others, they try to save the kingdoms from the grap of a higher being, but in the end their plans fail and it gets others hurt. The Hollow Knight couldn't contain the infection, and the void soaked tendrils threatened to pull Pharloom into crumbles.

Most of the bugs of Pharloom embrace the inevitable of the end, they accept what is to come and do nothing to change their fate. In this same state of mind, devoid of hope, the Pale King took his court and palace into the dream world to hide in shame.

And this is what sets Hornet apart: despite her mistakes, despite the entire world believing her mission is folly, she persists. It is her perseverance that sees Pharloom saved. It's just one more way that Hornet forges her own path rather than following her predestined fate.

You would not believe your bones

If 100 cicada exoskeleton(e)s

Scream at the world as I try to sleep

Cause they'd fill the open air

And tear eardrums everywhere

i do wonder. what drove it to save hornet's life in the sibling of the void ending?

(Referencing this post) When I said drive, I was more trying to highlight the difference in Hornets and the Knight's dispositions rather than their willingness to enact change.

Hornet, to use her own words, is dominant. Throughout Silksong there are multiple characters that immediately recognize her as an agent of change (the chapel maid, the caretaker, etc), and even then most recognize her as something special.

For the Knight on the other hand, it's rather rare for them to be recognized as anything noteworthy; And yet, despite others' misgivings, they were still able to destroy the heart of the infection (at least in Silksong's timeline.) While the Knight is unassuming, they are, by no means, passive.

I think "drive" might not have been the best word I could have used; They both seem to share a proclivity for change. Even though the Knight doesn't have Hornet's assertiveness, they are both incredibly strong of will to enact their own endings.