Sleep has proven to be unattainable tonight. I toss and I turn within my silken hammock, but I cannot seem to get comfortable. Is it this new life that is responsible? Gone are the days of wandering the depths all by my lonesome. Searching, aimlessly, for a solution to an unfathomable problem. I rested only when I could not find the energy to continue on. The vessel was growing weaker and there was no telling when the infection would break free, after all. I had to do all that I could in whatever time I had.
That was my life, for a good while. Then, I found the answer I'd been seeking; the little knight. Now, with the infection eradicated, I live in Dirtmouth with my sibling. My lifestyle is…vastly different. Once a loner, I now interact with several different bugs every day. On friendly terms, that is. Slaying the mind-controlled beasts of Hallownest is a different type of interaction entirely.
The map-making couple, Cornifer and Iselda, are quite the doting pair. They treat the vessel and I like children and love to find any excuse to make conversation with me. On more than one occasion, I have unexpectedly run into the two and, before I could escape, they shout my name and drag me into their merriment. I am aware that they mean well, and I do enjoy their company, at times. However, these trivial discussions and pleasantries leave me feeling out of my element.
I am, of course, very fortunate to be where I am. I never asked to be born with such great burdens upon me, and the greatest relief I have ever experienced has been lifting those very burdens and leaving them behind. I fought and struggled for this life. When I find myself feeling discontented, as I am now, I tend to become irritated as a result. The truth is very simple, however; I must learn not to be so ungrateful for what I now have.
With a change in lifestyle comes a period of adjustment. It is only natural for me to face difficulties when I am not used to this slower paced, less daunting, and more relaxing way to live. I will do what it takes to adapt, like I always have. I've already fought against my little terror of a sibling in combat, so a few sleepless nights should not even compare!
I am startled from my thoughts when the vessel falls from the bed above me onto the floor below. It peers up at me.
"Did I wake you, little ghost? I apologize."
Its gaze doesn't leave me, though.
"It is nothing. I am just having trouble falling asleep tonight."
At this, the knight draws the Dream Nail.
"No, there is no need for that. Thank you for asking before you enter my mind, but I am not having any bad dreams or such. I just feel…restless, I suppose."
The vessel appears to have an idea. It hops with excitement and pulls on my arm.
"Quit it, Little One. You do not have to run around like a servant whenever something troubles me. I can help myself. Right now, I simply need to lay in bed until I cannot stay awake any longer. It may take a few hours, but the best choice is often the simplest one."
The knight does not let up. It tugs with even more force and I'm close to falling out of my bed entirely.
"Why do I even attempt to reason with you?"
Even now, I cling to the false idea that I make my own decisions. Reality shows me that the vessel can overwhelm my own desires with sheer willpower. Such an aggravating, little thing. With a long sigh, I get up and let the ghost pull me along.
"Please, do not waste my time, Little Ghost. That is all I ask."
Because I have a sibling that cannot speak, I find myself in this scenario quite often. I never know where it intends to lead me. Sometimes, the trip is worth it, like the time it led me to Dirtmouth. Sometimes, it is…not, like the time it interrupted my training and dragged me through Hallownest for hours until we entered a long tunnel that went deep into the kingdom's edge. It was all so that we could marvel at a large, gray rock made of geo. I was not pleased.
This time, the knight and I take the stagway to the Resting Grounds. I am a bit more unfamiliar with this area compared to most. Wild creatures are incredibly scarce here and I figured there was little reason for me to patrol a location with such a small chance for suspicious activity. The vessel only leads me for a short while. It becomes apparent when we have reached our destination.
"…Hmm, this is the body of water above the city. Why is it that you wished to take me here, Little One?"
It lets go of my hand and runs toward the lake. It stops just short of the water and lays down against one of the several, large shells at the edge of the land. It looks back at me. I've known the little ghost long enough to understand that it wants me to follow suit. I also understand that it would be foolish for me to say no. I take a seat next to my sibling.
"It is quite the wonder, I will admit that much. You find this to be a peaceful place, yes? You took me here so that I might…calm down?"
It nods and takes my hand again. With a mighty stretch and an unheard yawn, the vessel snuggles into my side. No doubt, it must be intending to sleep here…
"You are such a cuddle bug. You should be grateful that I put up with all this."
But it does not react to my complaining. Without a voice of its own, the knight must be quite a good listener. It's no surprise that it can tell when I am being serious and when I am only teasing.
"Hmph…Sleep well, Little One."
Time seems to stagnate as my fight for sleep rages on. I cannot disturb the slumbering vessel who has latched onto me, which means that I am trapped in this spot until it awakens. The beautiful scenery is breathtaking, at least. Such a large body of water, within Hallownest anyway, could only be found here. There is no question that this is a sight that any traveler should see as they pass through the kingdom. Despite my pleasant surroundings, sleep is not coming to me any easier. How I wish I could stand up and scream out my frustrations or just swing my needle around for a while…
It is then that I hear footsteps. Someone is approaching us from behind, likely, from the same entrance that we used. Without thinking, I grip my weapon. If an attacker thinks they can ambush us just because we are lazing about, then they will quickly regret it.
"Do not be alarmed! I may have a nail, but I am in no hurry to cross blades with you, I promise."
It is…that wanderer. An acquaintance of the Teacher, from what I could tell. He looks at me with recognition.
"Ah, I remember you, young miss. We had ourselves a bit of a clash when I first entered this land, do you recall?"
I couldn't forget, of course. I had struck him with my needle, intending to kill. He was saved, however, when a divine power from his mask repelled my attack.
"…Yes. You carried the mask of Monomon with you. Where is it now?"
"While I still have no recollection of it, the mask was a seal that I was entrusted with. I was called back to this kingdom by the Teacher so that I could reverse that protection. With my mission complete, the seal is no more."
He walks closer and looks down at the knight and I.
"Speaking of my mission, that small one curled up against you…That appears to be my stoic companion!"
I frown. "Lower your voice. It is trying to sleep."
"Ah, my mistake. I am surprised, I must say. I would not have expected my friend to take such a strong liking to one such as you."
I let out a sigh. "Yes, well…the little knight is my sibling. Beyond that, however, I do not understand its strong attachment to me either. I am certainly not the…affectionate type."
"Though the small one is quiet, I know it is a strong judge of character. Perhaps is sees qualities in you that you do not yet see within yourself?"
"Hah, yes…perhaps."
The tall bug sits down at the water's edge.
"I hope you do not mind if I take a few moments to idle here."
"I do not, but I do wish to know what purpose you have in Hallownest now. You said that you completed the task given to you by the Teacher. What is left for you here?"
The traveler pauses briefly.
"That is a question that I have yet to find the answer to. Nothing quite captivates me like exploring does. Rummaging through this old, abandoned realm, I have observed a great many oddities and mysteries. That little sibling of yours is, likely, the greatest of them all. Even so, there are only so many things to see before you must move on. It is possible that my purpose lies outside Hallownest entirely. Time will tell, I suppose."
Engaged in conversation, time starts to move a little quicker. The bug is polishing his nail. He insists that he is not one for combat, but, being an explorer, you cannot avoid violence for long. Even one like him is forced to keep his nail sharp and ready. Suddenly, he stands up and turns to face me.
"Well, it is was a pleasure speaking with you, Miss…?
"…Hornet."
"Miss Hornet. We may not meet again, but I am Quirrel. I don't wish to wake my small friend with my chattering. I think…that I'll begin searching for this purpose of mine. It may take me far away from this kingdom, but it's the path I must tread."
He certainly does not come across as threatening. Supposedly, he is a friend of the vessel as well. Maybe it would be best if I…offer him an invitation.
"Wait a moment, please. You have mentioned that you are close with my sibling, hmm?"
"…It is difficult to say if we are 'close', but we ran into each other several times on our journeys. Sometimes we would pass without any words, but sometimes it would even enjoy a moment with me as we sat on a bench and gathered our courage. On these occasions, I did most of the talking, as I am sure you can imagine."
"Do you know of Dirtmouth? The village above the caverns?"
"Yes, it is a bleak, little town. Why do you ask?"
"The little knight and I, we live there now. If you are unsure of where to go next…perhaps you might take up residence there, even if just for a time. My sibling loves it when we have new bugs move in, and it would especially love to have another friend like you around."
"That is not a bad idea at all! The tiny one would be quite surprised to see me, wouldn't it? I...cannot promise anything, but I will go up and give Dirtmouth a look around. Perhaps there is something there for me."
"Thank you. That is all I can ask."
Quirrel takes his leave, and I am left with just an unconscious vessel. How is it that this silly, little ghost can remain sleeping through an entire conversation, yet I cannot find sleep at all!? Life can be so cruel sometimes…Although…Maybe if I close my eyes for just a little bit, I might…
Slowly, I rouse from my sleep. I cannot believe that I managed it. It felt like I would be cursed to remain without sleep for the rest of my days. I will count this as a small miracle. Where has the knight gone, I wonder? It fell asleep practically glued to me. I scan my surroundings and I see the vessel by the foot of the blue lake.
"Good morning, Little Ghost. What are you doing over there?"
The vessel turns to me and waves its hand, beckoning me closer. I oblige.
"You wish to show me something?"
Only a foot or two from the water, the knight points at the blue depths. I kneel down to peer as closely into the lake as possible.
"I do not see anything, Little One. What am I supposed to be looking for? An aquatic creature? Submerged treasure? Some sort of- Ah!"
With no time to react, I feel a force shove me from behind and it is now I who is submerged. I swim upwards and lift my mask above the surface. On land, I see the knight. It is laughing and it is outrageously dry. That something that I will remedy.
"You will wish that you had never done that, you cheeky, little vessel!"
Before I can reach the knight, however, it runs in my direction, and jumps into the air with a pitiful, tiny, belly flop. Much to my chagrin, it lands on top of me instead of the water and the impact pulls me under once again.
I come up for air and can't help but release a long sigh. "How am I supposed to enact my revenge on you if you jump into the lake yourself? You are so frustrating…"