#for safety a seal { subversion p2 }

[hallowknighted-blog]

{ @needlenailed }

Ghost has no idea what’s going on.

They remember a shell-splitting pain in the dead of night, a feeling that they were going to split open and release their shade at any moment, a tremendous internal pressure that made them want to scream--but, of course, they could not, as they had no voice. They remember the world going dark, something that doesn’t happen often for them, true unconsciousness. They remember the horrible noise their phone started making.

They only caught about half of what the voice on the phone told them because their mind is racing and for some reason they can’t get it to stop as easily as usual, they can’t push past the overwhelming memory of having emotions, of another life, of living within white walls and then leaving them abruptly to a chorus of shouting, looking over their shoulder to see their older sibling’s big dark eyes watching them leave helplessly.

It’s not the same sort of feeling as when they were turned into a normal bug over the holidays. This life is only half-remembered, and this time, they were one of the humans, the creatures they still know so little about.

They’re on the verge of simply shutting down. They have to do something.

And so they go through their phone and find the one person who’s always managed to keep her head in a crisis, because they want to know she’s okay, a certain protectiveness born of both of their lives. Maybe she’ll be able to help.

Problem is, they’re not exactly the most coherent.

[to: 🕸️] [from: 👻]

[text]: arre yuo there are you ok

[text]: lassst nighr felt like broken

[text]: phone saysds two ofme andi rememmbber beign like the hyumanas

[text]: but i dont understadnddd

[hallowknighted-blog]

needlenailed‌:

notquitepurevessel‌:

Human Hollow lets out a distressed tone– they hated seeing their little sibling like this…! They’re not going to leave them. Not at all. Never.

They glance with distress at the ‘copies.’ They want their sibling to be safe– they can deal with this pain– it was most of their life up to this point. But not Ghost’s….

Human Hollow blinks, as some new sound has reached their ears. Is that… screeching…?

True Hollow nods at their Ghost. Yeah– their human alter is deep in panic. That would be wise. You know yourself best, even if it’s a different y– wait. What’s that?

True Hollow also heard screeching in the distance. It sounds… not unfamiliar??? They pad to the cave mouth and stick their head outside.

…Sibling, we have Hornets inbound. Our sibling looks…. irate, I think?

Hollow retreats back inside, sitting the middle of the cave entrance so anyone wanting to get past will have to squeeze by one of their sides.

@needlenailed​

Hornet of Hallownest wonders, with a sort of detached horror, if this how she would have reacted had she been stricken with the plague. The human, Hornet Deepweaver, was rational enough when the true Hornet found her, but she soon complained of a headache and grew frightened to the point of bolting, making a run for the newly de-fogged region of Yesteryear. It’s been a protracted chase since then - both have speed and stamina in abundance, and while Deepweaver has the advantage of apparently having been this way before, the bug Hornet has experience forging shortcuts through forests, and can come unscathed out of long falls and patches of briars that would leave a human crippled or bleeding.

Deepweaver, panting, dashes through a long fissure in a half-fallen courtyard wall appearing suddenly out of the mist. There’s something screaming in her head, just like the bug - the other her? - had asked about and if the two aren’t connected she’ll eat her quarterstaff, provided she can ever get back home and find it again. She doesn’t know what’s going on, but the small sharp footsteps behind her have not let up, not even for a second, if that Hallownest Hornet is still chasing her then she must have a reason, she must want to kill her, she must–

The human makes a decision.

Spotting a sturdy-looking branch on the ground, she suddenly stops and turns, whipping the branch up into a guard position. To her credit, the true Hornet on her heels reacts in time to lead with her - is that a giant toothpick? Whatever it is, it meets Deepweaver’s improvised weapon with a crack of wood on wood, and then they’re fighting and what few thoughts the human could force through her brain are driven out by instinct, adrenaline, and a kind of deep and powerful rage that seems to come from somewhere outside herself.

With a traditional Deepnest battle-cry to match the volume of the human Hornet’s wordless shout, the former Protector of Hallownest pushes her duplicate back, into the ruined city proper. A pang resonates through her chest at how very similar this looks to Greenpath, or certain parts of the City of Tears, but no - no time for that, only for two quick blocks and a lunge, and sweep to the side to turn back the human’s predictable sidestep and downward counterstrike.

Without warning, Hornet Deepweaver pushes the bug into a bind, using her slight height advantage to bear down on the other’s toothpick. The true Hornet finds herself pushed one step back, then two, then-

The ground crumbles from beneath her feet. She only barely manages to grab at that rubbery string with her magic, whipping it around the human’s ankle to drag her down as well. The human screams in surprise and fury, though the drop is not long, nor is it a free fall - the pair of them tumble down a steep dusty slope, branches tangled in jumprope and cloak, toothpick splinters caught on a coat button until they roll to a stop in the tunnel below and extricate themselves from each other.

“What - who - shut up!” Hornet Deepweaver snarls, half to herself as she clutches her head again with a grimace of pain, half directed at -

“Hollow!” The true Hornet’s birth-cursed sibling sits blocking the tunnel’s entrance with their enormous horns. She has to make her situation clear to them as fast as she can.

“She is - me, from Spirale in some other place and time, yet I cannot think but that the Light’s taken her - her tears bear no tint of plague, but her fear and anger, her broken mind - those are not of herself, Hollow, she has dreamed!”

Both Hornets hardly notice the other three before throwing themselves at each other again, in some wood-bladed, desperate mockery of nailplay.

@hallowknighted​

...True Ghost is more than familiar with that particular brand of yelling, and they tense up halfway as they reach for their double. Human Ghost raises their head a bit off of their sibling’s arm and looks around in confusion, obviously not recognizing it--until they hear another scream and leap to their feet, fists clenched.

Neither need to be told who’s coming, as the two Hornets tumble into the tunnel with them. Human Ghost snatches up the scrap metal again, gradually approaching the combatants as if wanting to jump in and aid their sister. True Ghost stiffens at Hornet’s words and violently shakes their head, though they don’t know if their Hornet can see.

If the true Hornet thought her double was infected, she could kill her, and according to the message, then both of them would die. Ghost wouldn’t let that happen.

But they had to worry about their own double leaping into the fray and possibly overpowering the true Hornet themself. True Ghost quickly runs towards their double, and Human Ghost whirls to face them with wide, frantic eyes. True Ghost knows their toothpick won’t do much, but they pull it out anyway. They just need to serve as a distraction.

Sibling Hollow! A wave of urgency is projected with their mental words to their sibling. Grab the human! They must be stopped before they kill each other!

> @notquitepurevessel​

[hallowknighted-blog]

the-owl-boy‌:

TO: Friendly Ghost! FROM: Otus!

> They’re a knight? > That’s really cool!! > Are you one too?

> I’m worried about you, too.

> If, if oyu need any help, I’m here for you okay buddy? I’ll fly you anywhere!! > ♪

> I hope nothing bad happens to you or anyone

[text]: sort of [text]: not really [text]: like to think i am

...Someone worried. About them. That’s...that’s new. That’s very new. 

[text]: thank you

[text]: should be ok going to help siblings [text]: but the same goes for you

[text]: stay safe and let me know

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Human Hollow frowns, brow creased with worry after processing their Ghost’s panicked signing. Plagues aren’t usually cured by killing the infected? Quarantining them, yes, but not straight-up slaughter???

Ghost, that makes no sense. If we were sick, I said IF, killing us would just make it spread more. It makes no logical sense.

Human Hollow rests their hand on Ghost’s shoulder, and taps their head against human Ghost’s with a smidge of force– not enough to hurt, but enough to hopefully get their attention.

If you are scared, I will go first. If it will let us get some sleep without Her screeching in our minds, I’ll stand amidst them.

True Hollow lowers their eyes. It seems this alternate them has more courage…. They were willing to stand up to things. Hollow… is not. Hollow would be terrified and running in this situation. They type one sentence and show their phone to  the human Ghost.

yoiu die we die why woiuld we want haerm you stuill familllly

The part of Human Ghost’s brain that’s still being rational knows it makes very little sense, but there's a much louder part drowning it out, like a constant screaming in their head that’s overpowering everything else. A pressure inside of them that’s making their head ache and chest hurt. They drop the scrap metal again, wrapping their arms around themself and rocking back and forth, until their sibling starts signing again and their eyes fix on them in hroror.

They shake their head wildly, reaching out and desperately clinging to them, burying their face in Hollow’s arm. They don’t sign, but the message is clear--please don’t go, please don’t leave me here, please...

True Ghost steps back, rather surprised at their double’s reaction. They don’t think they’ve ever been quite so panicked. It seems the sickness spoken of has progressed much further in their own double. They turn their head towards True Hollow.

...The sickness...I believe it has harmed the other me beyond reason. Worry about your double and I will try to handle mine.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

True Hollow returns their sibling’s look, before shaking their head.  I know that Infection well, sibling. This… while similar, it is not it. I saw not a speck of orange in my copy’s eyes. Just… exhaustion. Exhaustion lets things slip, Ghost. I was Exhausted of keeping Her sealed.

That’s all they have to say on the thought. They raise their head to glance at Human Ghost, nodding to them before typing.

oiur radiunce was a god fath no palke king seald away inreturn she cause great plaguie sympotoms ssimilar your state keyt difference makre it not same is no oranger stuifff on bodyu

Human Hollow flinches upon reading about orange stuff. And the Pale King. Forced me to wear orange. Said it was ‘in’. Hate that colour now. Hate eyeshadow.

Their Ghost is panicking again. Human Hollow runs their hand through their hair.

True Ghost is...going to have to eblieve them, they suppose. Hollow’s the authority on the infection, even with as much of it as Ghost themself faced. Their mission would have to proceed as before.

They wait for Hollow to write out their message, but when Human Ghost reads it, they seem to become agitated again, leaning heavily on their sibling even as they’re pet. They stay still a moment, then shake their head, frantically signing.

‘Not sick. Not sick. Not sick. You lie. Go away. You lie.’

True Ghost tilts their head down a bit, thinking, before writing another message.

“yes sick” “why would we lie”

“here to help you” “need to get you to safe place” “then you wont be sick anymore.”

Human Ghost shakes their head again, gritting their teeth, their hand going to their forehead briefly.

‘You want to kill us. Fix us by killing us.’

They turn to Hollow with frantic eyes.

‘They will kill us.’

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Human Hollow lightly rests their head on top of their siblings, thinking. They tried to block those dreams, but was it a great light being tormenting them? They thought it was just Helena.

Something not him prods at the back of their mind. They finally look at it. And regret it instantly. It’s… Helena in her stage costume. As the Radiance. Flowing white dress and that god-awful feathery boa slash fake wing contraption.

…For some reason, she’s asking them to kill the bug-things before them. Using a voice that just makes them uncomfortable….

Human Hollow snaps out of it when someone flicks their head. It’s… their copy. Who promptly grabs their chin and stares into their eyes, forehead pressed against their own.

A few moments later, true Hollow lets the copy go. Human Hollow shakes their head before finally responding.

I guess. Dream of… not-family. Helena. Radiance. Wants me kill you two. Wearing that fucking awful boa. Thought I set it on fire when I ran.

True Hollow tilts their head again. What is a boa? Wait, phone.

rasdiance area briught yes

Very. It was a stage.

Human Ghost goes rigid as the taller vessel reaches forward, Their free hand takes up their piece of scrap metal and smacks True Hollow with the flat of it, glaring at them in warning. It doesn’t seem to do much, but they keep it in their hand for now, gaze darting between the vessels.

Meanwhile, True Ghost’s insides begin twisting in dread, and they feel the looming threat of falling back into their old way of handling the infected, without thought, despite the fact that they can’t see the physical signs. To True Hollow, the anxiety comes off of them in waves.

Could it be?

True Ghost turns to True Hollow, craning their head to meet their eyes.

I remember. Helena is their version of Her. They do not look infected, and yet...What are we to do? The message said that if we kill them...

Human Ghost, frustrated at seemingly being ignored, takes their arm from around Human Hollow and starts signing.

‘Why do you want to know?'

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Upon human Ghost’s request, Hollow removes the sword from their back and tosses it a ways down the cave entrance. It’s still in retrievable range, with the use of a Dash.

Upon true Ghost’s questioning glance, they just shrug. They have no idea what to either– Hornet’s the one who actually talks. They think. Does she talk? Focus.

Seeing Human Ghost’s reaction to true Ghost’s message, they’re going to lean over to give it a read. (It’s more a loom than a lean. The’re getting there.)

I think that’s panicking them, Sibling. Would you frighten if agitated, and told you were sick? I would.

Human Hollow glowers at true Ghost, a rhaspy sound leaving their throat. It immediately stops as they cough a bit. It’s what they get for abusing their throat with trying to speak. Ow.

They might have used human Ghost as a bit of a squeeze toy while they were stuck coughing. Sorry, Ghost.

Once their breathing is stable again, then sign a few more things to the room in general. Not sick. But. Bad Dreams. No Sleep. Sharpens fear. You two…. bit spooky.

True Ghost shifts awkwardly on their feet as their sibling’s message comes through, and they take their phone back, peering at their own words. Hm...maybe so. They’re bad at this. Even if the two humans are some version of themselves, they still have emotions, where the vessels don’t. True Ghost can’t relate.

True Ghost glances up at the rasping noise and the signing, and what the human Hollow says seems to agitate them further. They step forward to get a better look, but Human Ghost snarls at them, stopping them in their tracks.

True Ghost looks up at Hollow, a wave of worry passing from them.

Bad dreams.

They quickly erase their old messages and type out a new one, holding out the phone again.

“what bad dreams” “light?” “a great light being?”

Human Ghost bites their lip, looking nervously at their sibling. Light and shouting have featured heavily in their dreams, but they’re not sure if it’s the same light these strange creatures are talking about...

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

True Hollow stays back, sitting down on the ground with a bit of a flump. Hey, they’re heavy.

Human Hollow observes the two Ghosts interacting with a wary eye. Their Ghost is awfully twitchy. Well, they are as well, but… they’re skilled at ignoring it. Probably a bit too skilled…. It was a bit useful, once in a rare while.

They raise their good hand to quickly spell a few things for their sibling.

It true. Big one, same face scar, same hurt arm. Well, arm gone, but still a mirror of me. Look small one– same up pointing head bits.

True Hollow tilts their head. They… understood that, mostly. Where did those false memories– ah. Hours staying up late and reading things, they think? The memories not theirs are getting fuzzy. 

A few things are typed on their own phone.

if woirry we are, im wiolling to tosss my woods nail asidre

Big one has same phone issue I do.

Human Ghost stares at their sibling, eyes full of doubt, then glances between them and their other self. True Ghost helpfully taps their horns again, and Human Ghost’s hand goes to their own hair, their expression growing ever more distressed.

‘Yes. Put that away. What do you want with us?’

Human Ghost puts one arm around Human Hollow as soon as they’re done signing, clutching them tightly like some kind of lifeline. True Ghost hesitates, glancing back at their own sibling. How...how were they meant to explain this?

No one in this group is good with words.

“want to help” “you should not be here” “it is making you sick”

“we can send you somewhere else” “safe”

Human Ghost recoils upon reading the words, shaking their head violently as if to deny it. They’re not sick, they’re not.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Human Hollow blinks a few times. This is… almost the most panicked they’ve ever seen their sibling.

(Memories not theirs are triggered in Hollow’s mind upon seeing the spooked human Ghost. Their hand is already moving before they can stop it.)

Both Hollows rest their good hand on Ghost’s head, pausing for a moment before looking at each other.

An irritated exhale leaves the human one. A sense of ‘this is my sibling, not yours.’

The true Hollow retracts their hand, ‘eyes’ lowering to the ground. 

Human Hollow is content to stay here. They can deal with… other, bug-like selves. Just so long as they can keep their Ghost in a one-armed hug– with their siblings’ arms free, of course.

The vessel steps back at the reaction...and then there’s that odd mirrored reaction from both Hollows. The vessel is pretty sure they feel a twinge of amusement at it. The more they get to know their sibling, the more they like them.

True Ghost doesn’t immediately try to approach with the phone again, and Human Ghost’s eyes seem to bore into them both with suspicion, doubt, and fright. The human is trembling badly, even in their sibling’s hold, and veins are visible on their neck. And yet...not a speck of orange, on either of them.

Human Ghost shakily sets the scrap metal down to sign something, and to the vessel’s surprise, they kind of understand it.

‘Who are you?’

...Must be some of the memories carrying over, of them being taught how to speak with hands (by--the Seer? They’re pretty sure it was the Seer. How odd that they’d think of her.) The vessel doesn’t quite trust themself to be able to actually respond with their hands properly, so they cautiously hold out their phone for both of them to see.

“we are you” “we are not here to hurt you”

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

The human Hollow flinches away from Ghost at first, as they’re wary of all strangers. But… something about this little being seems kinda familiar. While squinting at the phone as it’s too bright (They’ve been down here for a few hours now) and glaring at Ghost like a wary cat while they approach.

Then the strange bug-thing… stops. A few feet away from them. That’s… nice. Also nice that they wave to them. …Those horns look a bit like Ghost’s hair. Wait. That… other massive bug thing that split from them in the night– they split from it?– looked similar.

Speaking of massive bug things, there’s the creepy being now. Hollow scrunches into an even tighter ball and, for lack of a better word, growls at it. Well, it’s more like an attempt at growling.

The non-human Hollow just tilts their head, before nodding. A hand emerges from under their cape, and flips up the ragged other side, revealing their damaged shoulder. They point to their copy, then to themselves, gesturing that they are one and the same.

Human Hollow is a bit wary about all this– and the voice in the back of their mind is getting louder, urging them to kill– but they’ll… wait a bit. Ghost… should help this situation out. They pick up a rock and fling it down another passage, clatters echoing slightly.

Ghost is encouraged when their human sibling doesn’t immediately try to run, and lowers their phone a bit as they notice the other squinting. Okay, maybe now they can get close enough to be able to show a message on their phone...

They stop and look back to the real Hollow, deciding to let them ‘speak’. The message that the two are the same person seems to get across well enough, but--wait, why did they throw that rock--

There’s scrabbling down the tunnel, and someone with pale skin, white hair, and a childish face practically appears next to the human Hollow, eyes wide with what Ghost thinks is fear. The human’s hand is trembling, clutched far too tight around what looks to be a piece of rusted scrap metal. Ghost can hear their quick, panicked breathing.

Two tufts poke out of the newcomer’s messy hair, straight up and curved on either side. Like horns. Ghost reaches up to touch their own.

Yep. This is them. It’s...odd, seeing themself like this, but they push the feeling aside. They tap something out on their phone, and try to approach...

Their human self bares their teeth, brandishing the scrap metal with one hand and tugging hard on their sibling’s arm with the other, jerking their head back down the tunnel in a clear gesture of we need to leave right now.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

The running is a mindless activity. That, in itself, is almost relaxing. That’s good– Hollow has a feeling they’ll need their nerves for what’s up ahead.

They hear Ghost’s guidance to follow the river, and they dash along side the banks– to come to a screeching halt, deep gouges from their legs in the dirt below, as they spotted a cave entrance off to the side. They would hide there. They are probably hiding there.

Here. Underground. Safe, dark, and familiar. You… should probably go first. From the memories-not-mine, the other me is less spooked by smaller beings.

They will raise their hand, waiting for Ghost to hop onto it before lowering them to the ground. They can fit, as it’s a large entrance hidden by vines– but again, they’re not trying to scare themselves.

(They remember that terror. The terror wrought from indifferent father and gaudy ‘mother’.)

Hollow will follow a few feet behind Ghost, and stay hunched up to appear smaller.

Inside the cave, their human self is doing exactly that, except also sitting on the ground and rocking back and forth a bit while whimpering. Fear has gripped their heart and soul.

The dot marking their position is right on top of the dot marking the copy; they’ll get no more information from the phone. Ghost hops onto the offered hand, then to the ground.

They nod in acknowledgment, though they’re not sure whether their own appearance won’t startle the human. Many humans seemed unsettled by them, which Ghost supposes is only fair. The void is seen as something terribly unnatural, even in Hallownest.

Ghost slowly approaches the cave, pushing back the vines with a calculated amount of rustling so they don’t startle the person within. The cave was larger on the inside, and went in deep; apparently, some kind of natural cave that happened to link up with an underground area of this ruined place. 

They hold up their phone to provide some light and--there. They look so strange and unfamiliar, and yet Ghost’s memories tell them that this is the one.

Ghost peers into the strange human’s eyes in search of the infection’s telltale orange, taking slow and careful steps forward, trying not to scare them away. They raise their free hand in a gesture of peace and stop a few feet away, looking about.

...There’s no sign of the copy Ghost at the moment, but Ghost is sure they have to be nearby. For now, they’re just going to see what the human Hollow does.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Then let us depart. They are probably getting frightened, if a copy of Her is in their minds.

Seeing as they already barreled though the window to get into Ghost’s room, It is much easier to depart. Ghost will probably feel the wooden sword that Hollow as as a replacement weapon as they are assisted up their back. The sad thing is that it’s probably a better weapon than their old and decrepit Nail.

Outside, they rise to full height, and take a quick look around. It seems several other residents are getting flustered and worried about this crisis. But they can be curious later. For now, they have a singular task: Escort Ghost to your Copy, and convince them to be sealed.

Will you navigate for me, Ghost? If they are our copies, then they should likewise be together. I shall pause once we get close to where I think they will be.

With their thoughts stated, Hollow crouches, a leg sliding back against the paved ground. They might not have Ghost’s crystal gadget thing, but what they do have is very long legs– and a lot of strength to put behind them.

Hollow takes off flying, the city blurring behind around them as they run.

Ghost takes a moment to enjoy being tall, using their new vantage point to get a better look at the other citizens nearby. It seems everyone got the same message, if the tension in the air is anything to go by. 

They nod once, a quick pulse of affirmation, as they take one hand off a horn to dig their phone back out to keep an eye on the map. An advantage of ‘communicating’ in the way they do is that the information will be fairly easy to pass on. They settle and brace themself as they feel their sibling crouch and...

Wow, Hollow moves fast. Ghost is actually kind of startled for a moment before they get used to it, briefly turning their face up as if to catch the wind rushing by. They wonder how they fought and defeated someone with such raw power...though they remember the state Hollow was in when the two met in the city. Perhaps it’s not such a surprise.

(They remember a human’s broken arm and frightened eyes.)

They look back to the phone and begin guiding their sibling in the direction of the little glowing dot. The other foreigners of the city are too preoccupied to accost them, despite the display they’re probably making, and the city’s come and gone in what seems like a flash. There’s a lot of not very much for a while, and then hills and mountains come into view, along with a river. The tops of buildings can be seen.

Here, it should be here. Follow the river.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Stick together…. Yes, it is fitting that they do. Void and Void, working as one– as it should be, probably. They think.

Hollow…? Hollow to be my name…?

What do they think of that….? It is their role, yes, but– it is also who they are, even if they are not purely hollow. Even after all this time, it still fits. The Void itself is… a lack of things, yet everything. 

…Yes. I am Hollow, as you are Ghost. This is a… name, yes? Where Hollow used to be part of my role, it is now me.

Time is fleeting. They can hear a faint whisper in the back of their mind, one that makes them shudder as it’s faint but similar to Her. Only Similar.

We should go. I can run fast, but would you be insulted if I carried you? …Asking is part of being considerate, is it not?

Until they get a response, they will be content to remain in contact with their sibling. It is… soothing, after years of being ‘alone’.

For a moment, Ghost’s afraid they’ve dredged up something painful--that despite their other self referring to their sibling in this way, it was unwarranted. It was hardly a name of pride.

But their sibling seems to take it in stride, and Ghost is glad for it. They’ve found having a name is quite empowering, in a sense. A mark of an identity. Something that they have never had, but bugs did. Claiming a name...it was like claiming a life. A wave of pride radiates out to their sibling.

...but, right, they have a job to do. Ghost holds the contact a moment longer, before pulling back and nodding, stuffing their phone back into their cloak and taking up their toothpick to sling across their back--it’s not much of a weapon, but it’s better than nothing.

It is good that you asked, and I would not be insulted. We will get there much faster that way.

They walk around Hollow and nudge them in the back, silently asking to be helped up. Once they’re lifted enough to reach, they brace themself between Hollow’s large horns.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

I… think it was Her. I was too in pain, too panicked, to tell. It could be some form of… imposter.

A way to find their other selves… that was good. If it is them, they can probably force some form of sense into them. That would make things easier, they think.

I do not want to perish either, sibling. I have only… I have only just begun to live.

Commence awkward phone fumbling. Where is the other them? South. Far South. A ruined city, apparently. That’s… familiar. Probably where they would hide in a such a situation.

Far South. I could run there quickly, but you write on these things far faster than I. If your copy is in a similar area, I would ask for your aid once more.

Hopefully it was just a fake--they didn’t need to deal with Her on top of everything else.

(It’s odd. The statue they saw of her at Hallownest’s Crown depicted a moth, and yet the only image they have in their head of her is from their other life, of a very loud and gaudy woman. It’s a bizarre disconnect.)

Yes...yes, they want Hollow to get a chance to live. Ghost may not have had much of a life, but they were learning more and more that they’d gotten a better chance at it than their sibling. After taking a glance at the other’s phone, Ghost stands up as tall as they can, putting their hands on Hollow’s shoulders and pulling them in so their heads are touching.

Of course I will help you. Without hesitation. It is our nature to stick together. I will try to contact Hornet, and once this is over, then we can help her. 

A moment of hesitation, uncertainty.

...Sibling Hollow? That...is what the other me called the other you. I do not know if you would like that to be your name, as Ghost has become mine.

Names aren’t something they would’ve been allowed to have, with what they were. But...things were different now. They want their sibling to know that.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Honestly, just their sibling leaning on them is helping…. Familiar things, that’s… that’s what they need. Familiar things. Ghost is familiar. Darkness is familiar. Small spaces are also kinda familiar.

I heard. I… saw, last night. The pain in my shell woke me– us– woke me up. I saw human me. They were scared, as I was. They ran. They were… as broken as I am.

Hollow tries to back out from under the bed– plan failing when their horns get stuck on the underside. Drat.

Some careful shuffling, and lifting up the bed with their hand, Hollow is free once more, now sitting in front of Ghost.

Find…. Find ourselves. Ourselves when scared, and…. Loosing themselves.

Hollow lowers their head to stare into Ghost’s eyes.

I saw Her in my other’s eyes. I saw myself reflected, as though I was fighting myself in the Egg. If… if we are to find and save them… we need to act sooner than later.  …Should we get sister pale– sister hornet?

It’s a bit difficult for them to parse what Hollow’s trying to tell them. The mutual panic is likely muddling things up between them, so they try to calm themself as best they can. Block out all of this emotion.

...It’s a lot harder now than it used to be.

They try to help Hollow out from under the bed, but it seems they’ve got it themself. They reach out to grab their sibling’s wrists tightly.

Her?

A flare of panic from their mind, though they try to quiet it.

Yes. Yes we must go soon. The voice said our other selves are slowly dying. If they die, so do we. I--I do not want to be destroyed.

Hornet thought they were dead when they first met. It’s the first Ghost has acknowledged that...no, they wouldn’t want that. Especially not a true death.

Ghost fumbles for their phone and sorts through applications until finding the one spoken of, holding it up to show Hollow.

I am trying to talk to sister Hornet. No answer yet. But this shows me where the other me should be. You should be able to find the same thing on yours.

On the screen is a map, with a glowing dot far south of the city.

[hallowknighted-blog]

notquitepurevessel‌:

Too many thoughts, too many memories, memories not theirs, help help help heLP HELP–

Hollow, after somehow waking up inside their assigned room, had read the alert message and promptly had a panic attack as two different sets of memories regarding both the Pale King and the Radiance have flooded their mind. They know which one they are but– but they feel all the fear of their other existence??????? It’s way too much right now????????????????????

So, after causing some pretty gratuitous damage to the apartment (Thank you horns, for making damage impossible to avoid. Rip about three doors and a good chunk of ceiling.) And a bit of running while screaming over Void Empathy, they find where their sibling is residing.

…And promptly dive in through the window, causing even more property damage before they manage to shove their head under Ghost’s bed, where they calm down a bit as it’s dark and small and family is near by.

Little Savior…. Ghost… What are we supposed to do…? Too many thoughts in my head, I feel like I’m going to break– I feel like when She was sealed inside me…!

@hallowknighted

Ghost ‘hears’ their sibling before they arrive, like a pressure building up inside their shell only adding onto their own panic. But they have to try and calm down--Hollow’s likely even more freaked out than they are, given what Ghost can faintly remember about their other life.

The screaming gets ‘closer’ and closer until their sibling flings themself through the window. Ghost is sitting on their bed, and doesn’t flinch, carefully hopping to the ground and moving to sit next to the part of their sibling’s lanky body sticking out from under the bed. They lean against Hollow, but can’t manage any comforting vibes this time, hand clutched tight around their phone.

It does give them some comfort to sense Hollow thinking of them by their chosen name.

It’s still hard for them to even form coherent thoughts to push over to Hollow, but they manage after a few moments of tense silence.

Quiet, sibling. Quiet. Did you hear the message? There are other versions of us here, ones who are like the people here. I do not understand it, but we must find them...