daughter of hallownest.

Cotes is... different now than what Hornet remembers. No, maybe it had been this way while she was here last, but she must have moved out of the ward by then. Regardless, it had changed enough and it had been long enough that Hornet considered it re-exploring- especially since she'd been given housing here.

The area is more magical now, for lack of a better word. Hornet knows no such thing exists, but she can't help but find herself at least a little in wonder by the sights in Cotes now. She isn't sure if this makes the place feel more or less like home, like Greenpath... but she does catch herself considering returning to her old ways of simply taking up residence under a tree somewhere here. And speaking of trees...

"My Wyrm," she mutters, taking in the grand Ophiuchus tree as she approaches. She'd seen its branches overhead for some time now, but hadn't put together that the forest canopy was all from one large tree instead of many smaller ones. She gets closer now, with the intent to climb the tree-

Something makes a clumsy landing about three inches from Hornet's face. Startled, she hops backwards, grasping her needle if need be. Then she realizes it's not just any something.

hornets back!!!! she hates this!

But it doesn't take long for Hornet to figure out: if the fog has decided to roll into the city... then it's not in the forest anymore. Which means she can go in deeper now. Maybe even leave the city entirely.

She runs.

Quickly expending her allotted dashes, quickly remembering that only when she stumbles and nearly falls, she runs into the woods. She keeps moving swiftly, quietly, for what feels like forever. As much as she hates the city, the woods surrounding it are somewhat pleasant, even with the lingering mist. It's almost like she's back in Greenpath...

...Wait. Her pace slows as she takes notice of a shift in the texture of the ground. No longer hard, cold dirt, and now softer, more lush... She hears familiar noises, but the fog has started to roll in again, and she can't see too far ahead. Silhouettes of bugs just behind the fog. This is–

"Greenpath?" She mutters, in disbelief. She takes a few tentative steps forward, almost wanting to chase the bugs just out of reach. Is she home?

Suddenly, a gust of wind, and the sound of swift footsteps. Hornet looks up, watches something dash upwards into a tree. A red cloak, tattered and worn. Her old cloak. Ivory turns to face her, eyes dark, but Hornet remembers. Hornet knows the fear hiding behind that mask. She backs up instinctively– tripping over a mangled root sticking up from the ground, and falling–

Someone catches her from behind. Hornet blinks. She's back in the Mistwood. Still shaken, she cranes her neck up to see them better.

She had avoided the thought for some time. Sometimes there are lapses, times where they'd gone without seeing each other for days or maybe even weeks, passing ships in the night. But she could always find him in his room when she needed to, or finishing up his shift at the flower shop right as she was starting hers. She thought it was just that again. They were just missing each other. They'd catch up again soon. Right?

Hornet had lit one candle last year, for her mother. It seems disrespectful to not light one again, especially not after their... chance encounter here. Hornet still has a hard time convincing herself that was real. She never saw her again after that... this time, the meaning is double, she supposes, as she takes a second candle.

Approaching the lake, she remembers standing by the ocean, so sure of herself she had done it. So happy, elated to see him. They were finally free, and they were free together... Such a nice thought, if only for such a short time. She looks up at the stars, and she thinks of fireflies. Her heart aches the same way it did that night. Even now, she's still a little embarrassed to have been so vulnerable, but she still lingers in the... freeing feeling of being able to cry. She hasn't cried since then.

Hornet sits by the lake, hesitant to let either candle go. These candles aren't them, she knows that much, but she feels so strongly that these flames carry their spirits, their memories... she doesn't want to let what's left of them go.

And she feels so selfish for that. She knows that wherever they are now, it's better. She knows Herrah is resting well knowing she finally met her daughter. She knows Rung is back home, and has forgotten this place as nothing more than a strange dream. She knows that's what has happened to them, because that's what had happened to her. When she had briefly been able to return home, she had written her life here off as a dream, and it had faded entirely from her memory within a few days, and it made her feel so guilty when she came back. It's so selfish to wish they were here again, when she knows she was happy back home having forgotten, and she knows they're both happy to forget too. She knows this place is a prison. But it was a prison made better by the people she found in it. And when all those people are gone now, she...

What is there left for her?

This is exactly what she had feared would happen. That she would outlast them. Not just Rung, but Quirrel and Ghost and the Vessel and, hell, even her father. What are they all doing now? Where are they? Why must she light so many candles? Why can't she go home? What has she done wrong? What is she doing wrong?

Hornet doesn't even realize she's been crying until a tear hits her wrist, shaking her out of her thoughts. She suddenly feels very silly. There are so many other people here... How stupid of her to cry over her own situation as if she's the only one. How stupid.

She turns a corner sharply, and she hears something behind her follow, not too far behind. For its size, Hornet's being pursued closely. She isn't sure who made this specific creation, but she's not happy about it. Of course the Stars can't let them have anything nice. Hornet's got a bone to pick with whoever's responsible for this creation. It's too fast, and Hornet worries its size is more indicative of its strength.

Hornet continues down a hallway, toward the ballroom where the gala was held in past weeks. But, upon entering it, her foot catches on the threshold of the doorway, and she trips, crashing directly into–

"Jasper?" She looks up. Of course it's Jasper- it's impossible to find anyone else as distinct as her. "My apologies," she says, taking a step back from her. "I'd have been more cautious if I were not being chased..."

Almost as if on cue, Hornet's pursuer finally reaches the ballroom as well. Hornet notes Jasper's about the same size... And she seems to give the creation a look of recognition.

"Don't tell me you're the one behind this."