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Hornet had been resting in her home the bellhome gifted to her when she heard a frantic knocking at her door. She had been reminiscing at the time. Her fight with Phantom had left her drained, both physically and mentally, and she hadn't been able to help the connections she kept drawing between the silken child and her youngest sibling. She had been hoping that she would be allowed a moments respite. She had been wrong.
Holding in a sigh, Hornet had dragged herself out of her bed and opened the door to a very frantic Pavo.
"Ms. Hornet!" He whisper-yelled. Hornet held back her grimace, only now realizing the headache she had. "I'm so very sorry to bother you, but there's a bug asking after you and I had wanted to know if you were expecting any visitors." He seemed worried. Which Hornet would say was fair. He was one of the few bugs she told of her capture by the citadel. And a bug asking after her was not a great sign.
Hornet frowned, before shaking her head. "No Pavo, I am not. Although I have made many a friend in my travels here," none that either wouldn't know she didn't like being disturbed in Bellhart, or even knew where she spent her time to unwind. "Would you describe this bug to me? Perhaps I may be able to determine if I need to leave or not."
Pavo gave a shaky nod. "They were a small bug, at first I had assumed them to be a grub with how small they were. I had only realized my mistake when I saw the large nail on their back." Hornet straightened up. It couldn't be, could it?
"Tell me, does this bug have a shell as white as mine with a cloak seemingly made of plants?" She hopes this is who she thinks it is. Because if it isn't, Hornet feels she may break down. And with relief, Pavo nods.
"Yes! That is exactly right. So you do know this bug Ms. Hornet?" She nods back.
"I believe so. If you would be so kind as to take me to them Pavo, I would be much appreciative." Pavo's nervousness seems to have fallen away from him.
"Right this way Ms. Hornet. I wasn't sure if they were friend or foe so I had Reed distract them in case you needed to get away." Hornet nods, glad that Pavo was willing to take care of her, even if he couldn't fight.
It wasn't long before they came to the hallway where Reed usually patrolled. He was regaling his company with a story of one of his finer hunts. And Hornet couldn't help but be grateful that said company was enraptured and facing away from where Hornet currently stood. It was them, It was really them.
How funny, they had come just as Hornet had felt the homesickness start to ache. Just as they came to Hallownest just when it had gotten to the worst of the infection. She witnesses as Reed stalls in his story, looking at Hornet. And that was all it took for Ghost to turn around. And Hornet crumpled to her knees.
"Hello Ghost, did you know I needed you right now?" She spoke softly, opening her arms. And that was all it took for Ghost, her home's savior, her sibling, to barrel into her. They were shaking with quiet sobs, keeping her close. She returns the favor, keeping her little sibling close to her chest. She stands up, legs shaking but overall able to carry her and Ghost's weight. She nods to the two bugs. "Thank you, for looking out for me, but I will take it from here. I'll be in the bellhome if you need me." Hornet doesn't wait for a response as she climbs her home and collapses back in her bed. She doesn't think Ghost is going to let go of her right now. And to be perfectly honest, she doesn't want to let them go in turn.