#[ on v unrelated notes i just might beat up daylights savings grrr ]

[tribus-mantodea]

[ Silk and stone. ]

something as both tiny compensation for the lackluster doodle queued for tomorrow as well as “if I didn’t get this out of my system I think it’d haunt me until I did.” I’ll tag this as the AU, but maybe I can pretend it happens in my own whacky little canon verse anyways orz

WC: ~ 700 | a tiny interaction between a lord and a child

Each of the four ruling Lords had their own formidable character. And if a challenger daring enough died by their claws, then it proved they had no business attempting the labyrinth that was Deepnest for whatever inane reason they had. Their territory, their rules; the King had no interference further than their truce. As such, seldom did they make exceptions for treating those who’ve yet to earn their respect formally.

Like the unruly cub pointing a needle at the Fourth Lord's face in the private clearing of their training grounds.

"Shortie."

Was he that short? His features crinkled at the address as he leaned against a dummy made of sinew and shrooms, carefully crossing his arms. “What,” he said. Saw her cock her head with the quiet tapping of hidden appendages.

"Are you strong?" She lowered her nail, somewhat.

"Assuredly."

Straightening her posture as if imitating another, she lifted and flailed with a cry, “Fight!”

...His deadpan stare had swiftly extinguished her spirit. Was a proud warrior supposed to be an entertainer? He’d have humored it if she was older, but he couldn’t imagine it being too enjoyable as things stood now. The mantid leaned forward and off of the dummy. "Our youths would be better suited to spar with you."

She stilled. Looked away with a near pout. "Not really."

"How so."

"Bad. Weak?” Hornet kicked at stone, bounding then to flourish at spores. “They're like tiktiks."

Strange; his daughter once held the same sentiments even if she respected their kin. The mantid decided to leave her to her thoughts and amble away to a barrel. (She snapped-perked up, trotted after.) He struck at the top with a blunt end and peered into it for a moment, glancing at the child now by his side who’d gained renewed interest. Hm. There’s nothing exciting to be found here, he thought as he scraped the insides, gathering one of the many pink-resilient mushrooms. It was dropped at her feet and bounced-bounce-bounce-settled.

Hornet looked down, prodded at it to see if it would move. It did not. She pulled back her arm and pierced it quickly. Kept it in place with one foot as she glared, treating the object like a pin-cushion. Took a minute before asking, "Will you tell them?"

"Well, will they give reason to?" he sneered. Just thinking of the Hallownest bugs that failed to have the decency to respect their customs irritated him. Were they terms not negotiated well enough? They certainly were, so if this tiny bug with the heart of a warrior wanted a little retreat, the Lords could care less about any of their thoughts on these little harmless interactions.

She hummed to that and continued to stab at the mushroom without pattern. Hornet seemed content. Yet in the beat passing, she soon shook her head and stopped (rather disappointedly, if there was anything to go by the silent sigh of her shoulders). Patted debris off of her shawl and grumbled, “I should go.”

“And is that your obligation or what you want to do?”

“I don't wanna—” she flicked her weapon— “want to. But..."

Crouching down, he draped one arm over a knee and tapped the ground with the other. "Then they can come get you themselves if you’re needed. Like the other times."

"What if they don't need me?"

His mandibles clicked. "Herrah will."

And that was that. Supposing that the child could work out her own issues in due time, he watched her resume her stab-work with a thoughtful hum, distant lifted-shining claw of a warrior catching his eyes. His tilted head and their nod was signal enough that indeed, someone had arrived to retrieve the little soul. Unfortunate. If the dramatically lowered blade swipes were anything to go by, it was the teacher’s pet pillbug.

"They're here?"

The Lastborn regarded her. Had offered the flat end of his foreclaw and she, after a moment of consideration, would clamber up and onto his shoulder, her needle never scratching metal or sinking through cloth. He waited for her to settle comfortably before answering, "The smaller one is."

Hornet lightly tapped the side of his mask. "You."

"You’re also small.”

"Not for long.” Pointing to the ceiling, she swung her many legs back and forth. “I’ll be the tallest sibling. Tallest hunter."

He snorted.

[ hornet proceeds to wonder if it’s acceptable to stab quirrel like the mushroom from earlier since both things look squishy /joke ]