༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 Perhaps there will be
something that catches my
eye . 〞

Lace shrugged .

“ Perhaps not . But I’m quite
assured our trip will be most
entertaining regardless . ”

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Stillness . Closeness . Lace
slowed herself and kept quiet .
Listening only to the subtle sound
of Hornet’s heart beat .

It’s beating calmed Lace .
++

⠀⠀

[ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᵀʰᵉᅠᵛᵒᶦᵈᅠ₊ᅠ𝐒͟𝐢͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠 @soulinform]

[+] head to the side , further sinking onto the other's soft lap.

ᅠ〝ᅠSemantics aside , though. I am plenty curious on the developments happening to the ruins of my old kingdom , and I do believe you'll find marvel on it , even if long gone. I wish to show you. ᅠ〞
ᅠ

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 Oh no . You’re certainly no
prey , Spider . You are
anything but . 〞
Lace replied gently .

“ Underestimating you is the
last I’ll ever do . ”
++

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Silence . Lace’s finger slowly
trailed up Hornet’s left horn .

“ But yes . In my observation , I
heard the word Hallownest .
As you may guess , I’ve never
journeyed that way . ”

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 Madness is only a difference
in perspective . 〞
Lace replied with a whistle .

“ We both ought to know that . ”
She added , leaning forward to
whisper .
++

⠀⠀

[ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᵀʰᵉᅠᵛᵒᶦᵈᅠ₊ᅠ𝐒͟𝐢͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠 @soulinform]

[+]

ᅠ〝ᅠYou've . . . Stalked me plenty , yes .ᐣ Back when I first arrived. Researched me , and everything that constitutes my self .ᐣ I'd assume then , you'd know I come from Hallownest. ᅠ〞
ᅠ

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 Stalked you ? 〞

Lace chortled .

“ I wouldn’t call it that .
Observation , is a more
adequate term . ”

++

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Lace gently brushed her hand
across the surface of the other’s
head .

“ Unless you wished to wander
aimlessly . With nothing but my
witty and infinitely endearing
quipping to keep you
company . ”

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 Words once said are words
that can’t be taken back . 〞
Lace mused , tapping the other’s
forehead .

“ So too are words displays of
the soul . You’ve said all I need to
hear . ”
++

⠀⠀

[ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᵀʰᵉᅠᵛᵒᶦᵈᅠ₊ᅠ𝐒͟𝐢͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠 @soulinform]

[+]

ᅠ〝ᅠI assume those Carapaces long gone after they were unthreaded from the Curse had the knowledge , since they were the ones who brought me. In turn , I assume you'd be able to obtain it , if you don't have it already.ᅠ〞
ᅠ

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 I may know a path or two ,
but I won’t be able to tell
which ones to take , until
you tell me what our
destination is . 〞

++

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 That wasn’t too hard to
admit , was it Spider ? 〞

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 But you so very much enjoy it
when I mock you , don’t you ? 〞
Lace returned with a coo .

Even if she had been scolded , Lace
would have reacted the same way .
++

⠀⠀

[ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᵀʰᵉᅠᵛᵒᶦᵈᅠ₊ᅠ𝐒͟𝐢͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠 @soulinform]

[+] soft , unexpected , quiet gesture of closeness.

ᅠ〝ᅠ — those are all excuses for the actual motive. I simply wish for your company during my travels. ᅠ〞
ᅠ

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ A shiver ran up Lace’s spine when
Hornet leaned back . Head
against her thigh .

Silence for a moment , as she
processed . But she didn’t take
too long . Responding by patting
Hornet’s head .
++

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Lace clicked her tongue . Or at
least that’s what it sounded like .

“ I’m starting to feel as though
you may value my company
more than you suggest . ”

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Lace remained right where she was ,
standing in her spot and look right
back at Hornet .

Face to face , Lace gave an amused
look .

“ Careful . You’re starting to emote . ”
++

⠀⠀

[ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᵀʰᵉᅠᵛᵒᶦᵈᅠ₊ᅠ𝐒͟𝐢͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠 @soulinform]

[+] more serious and decisive tone than before.

ᅠ〝ᅠThere's yet still things for me to do there. But I intend not to go until I have for certain you're given the proper chance to follw. T'is all. ᅠ〞
ᅠ

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Lace advanced and stood behind
Hornet .

“ How very sentimental of you . ”

Lace tilted her head .

“ And to offer me a chance to
visit with you ? ”
++

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Lace cupped her hands behind
her back and beamed .

“ No doubt you did , Spider .
I was doubtlessly the only
opponent who was truly your
equal . The only dancer who
could keep up . ”

⠀⠀

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Lace chuckled again . The Weaver’s
reaction was utterly priceless .
They had sparred many , many times
before ; but this seemed to finally
take her off balance .

++

⠀⠀

[ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᵀʰᵉᅠᵛᵒᶦᵈᅠ₊ᅠ𝐒͟𝐢͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠 @soulinform]

[+]

ᅠᅠ〝ᅠ Matter of fact , I've come to reminisce fondly of the times you've attempted to vanquish me , as well. For what's worth , I quite enjoy how little breathing room there is between our strikes. ᅠ〞
ᅠ

[༊·˚— 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 @PALE_LACE]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ 〝 How very sweet of you to
say , Spider . 〞

Lace paused for a moment .

“ Has my prattle finally earned
some worth ? ”

++

⠀⠀