Daughter of Hallownest (NSFW) (CANCELLED)

Wandering

Hornet strolled through the ancient, crumbling cliffside, completely alone except for the constant attack of the fierce wind blowing from beyond the kingdom, and the dim light shining from cracks in the stone walls and ceiling far above. Her whole world had always been totally isolated from the surface, as any other resident of Hallownest. The Howling Cliffs were the closest she or anyone she knew had ever come to the surface, and the farthest they'd ever wandered from Hallownest. Hallownest was an ancient, crumbling kingdom that had suffered a plague years ago wiping out its residents and leaving only the occasional scavenger like herself in the enormous, crumbling land. The Howling Cliffs were the boundary of the world they knew. Well, technically, they were just outside of Hallownest, right outside the King's Gate. That gate had been sealed off ever since the plague began, but in her years as a lone wanderer she'd found a way around it. Hornet often came here simply to wander and reminisce over a time long gone. 

The light came from cracks in the cave walls, and the great wind blew in from somewhere out beyond, where she had never gone. The inside of the kingdom was always isolated, protected, safe. But the Howling Cliffs were the only place that was uncovered, open, exposed. Like herself. Sometimes Hornet would be self-conscious of her outfit. She wore a simple red shawl that fell from her neck to her legs. It carried several marks and emblems of Hallownest, symbolizing her royal heritage, of which she was most likely the last. However, ever since she was a child, the dress had gradually worn out and become somewhat tattered. Despite that, she had chosen never to switch it, having worn it all her life and not really having any other clothing anyway.

The tatters in the cloak did often reveal some of Hornet's body though, especially when swiftly traversing the kingdom by running and swinging acrobatically, which was how she always got around. And although bugs were generally much less taboo about their bodies, her cleavage when traversing the world did discomfit and nag at her from time to time. However, she pushed away the unease any time it appeared. After all, there wasn't usually anyone to see her in the vast, empty world besides thoughtless, crawling bugs. So why should it matter what she wears?

There was that recent incident with the sentient bug at the King's Gate. The kingdom held crawler bugs, which lack higher thought. Sentient bugs, on the other hand, were the main inhabitants of the kingdom that lived in civilized homes and ate at tables. Hornet had fought a sentient bug attempting to enter Hallownest, claiming to be only a peaceful explorer. The awkwardness of her cleavage had manifested itself stronger than ever during that battle. It was her first fight with an intelligent bug in years, and her first interaction at all with an intelligent bug since months ago when she had bought a charm from a shopkeeper. This bug at the gate was a strange, masked fellow. His mask was familiar somehow, although she couldn't put her finger on it. He fought valiantly enough to intimidate her slightly, and she yielded him entry to Hallownest.

Explorers are fine, but if I find him causing more harm to this already suffering kingdom, I'll hunt him down again, she had thought. Hallownest had suffered enough over these years, and she wasn't going to let another reckless scavenger in it to destroy more ruins and kill more innocent bugs. This was her kingdom, and she felt an obligation to defend it, even in its ruinous, ancient state. At least she could help the kingdom rest after its years of liveliness, and perhaps even heal over time.

In another burst of self-consciousness as she trudged along the cliffs, Hornet decided to face the issue head on. Nobody is here to see me! I'm practically all alone in this kingdom. I go for weeks without seeing a single bug. Why should I care what I wear? Besides, it doesn't matter if a bug is exposed. When the kingdom was alive, plenty of bugs would go about their lives without any clothes at all! I should be completely content with this shawl I wear. Convincing herself to snap out of it, Hornet waved the conflict out of her head and continued on.