A Stranger in Hallownest Ch. 02

The tunnels were darker here, with only glimmering purple crystals to light the way. Hornet had loathed what this place had turned into, but the majesty of the crystalline growths were always a treat to the eye. Her traveling companion had thought much of the same. While he was always on the move, he did seem to slow himself to appreciate the world around him. There was comfort in the thought that this world, technically her home, was not all so dreary to the knight.

It was still so strange to watch him move. He was a valiant creature, always focused on moving forward and not shying from any challenge. Fear could not be found in any aspect of him. A hesitation at times, perhaps, in slower moments, but never an outright fear. All of that, and yet he was so vulnerable underneath the armor that clung to him. He glanced at Hornet as they walked, clearly noticing her gaze.

"Good?" he said. His pronunciation was slightly awkward and his accent curious.

"Good," Hornet replied, nodding.

Normally, Hallownest's tunnels seemed to extend infinitely long, with only the miserable husks and feral creatures to populate its halls, but the days of travel they had spent together made the trek a comfortable one. No longer did these deathly places feel crushing, with loneliness pressing at Hornet's mind.

Their destination was the very peak of Hallownest, its crown. Hornet's partner was able to convey, with some difficulty, his desire to go above ground to get his bearings. She was curious if there would be features above ground that could serve as a marker for him. Frankly, she didn't know much of anything beyond Hallownest. The few living inhabitants were more interested in the bones of the kingdom, and even fewer traveled from outside.

The more she thought on him, the more Hornet wondered what the rest of his peoples were like. Did they, too, create grand kingdoms? They might have been workers, builders, warriors, much like those that once helped to create the carcass they wormed about in now. Unfortunate, then, that she couldn't ask. Though, at the same time, the knight didn't need any probing questions about a land now lost to him.

The pair made their way through open caverns and tight tunnels, all smattered with the brilliant crystals. Hornet's armored partner only ever slowed to examine his surroundings, or to strike down whatever foe charged at him. She was there to help, of course, but he seemed to gain some joy out of finding victory over his foes. Hornet supposed that was as much enjoyment one could gain here.

Fortunately, the path that Hornet had chosen had several side passages to allow them make their way around the jagged crystals that lined many of the tunnels. The knight's armor would likely be able to withstand them at a glance, but a fall could prove fatal. She had briefly considered going further topside, to Dirthmouth, to then take the path through the Crystal Mines from there. However, the serrated tunnel of crystals would have been impassable to his less agile form. Not to mention, those few living in Dirthmouth hardly needed a scare such as him to crawl from the depths.

Instead, Hornet had directed their path underneath. They were on the longest tunnel right before the path would curve down again, leading them right into the mines. That would be the opportune time to rest and recuperate, though they might have needed to resupply themselves on rations with a quick hunt. He seemed to like Vengefly grubs last time and seemed no worse for wear after having eaten them.

The knight was also a little more talkative as they walked. Mostly, he would speak in his own language, musing and chuckling. It brought a much needed life to the trip. Occasionally, he would drop in a word of Hornet's own tongue, making the effort to memorize simple terms that Hornet had taught him by way of pointing and naming. He would return the favor with much of the same. Of note were things like pit, armor, and insect. Hornet caught onto the words quickly, occasionally playing them in her head and mouthing them off when he wasn't looking at her.

Overall, it was a very strange back and forth between them. That hardly mattered to Hornet. It slowly occurred to her that she hadn't actually spoken to much of anyone aside from him. She might not have understood him all the time, but that was a marked improvement over a deafening silence.

Their long travel eventually brought them to the mines proper, with the knight stepping over an edge and looking down. He presented it with a hand, speaking some of his words. Hornet really only caught on the word "lady" which she assumed referred to warriors of her stature.

"Yes," she started, "it's a simple enough task." Not like he understood that. Nice all the same to reply. Hornet then opted for the one word he would know. "Wait."

The knight nodded and stepped aside, allowing Hornet to approach. She used a bit of her thread to tie it around a stalagmite. Now that she knew these sorts of drops were a challenge, it was far easier to use her silk as a rope. She presented the newly opened path, to which he nodded and made his descent. Hornet wasn't far behind him, hopping directly down and waiting for him.

As expected, the trek was no problem for the knight now. He landed right next to Hornet, hands on his hips. She was certain she could feel that twist of his face into a happy look from behind his helmet. It was hard not to chuckle at his display. He turned his attention to the grandiosity of the mine. Some more alien words came from him as he nodded.

All things considered, it was likely the knight had seen a similar place or knew of one. His armor and blade had to have been sourced from somewhere. Hornet wondered if it was perhaps even more majestic than this place. She joined in his awe, seeing the tattered remains of wooden support structures braced against uneven rocky terrain. Tracks for carts snaked off into parts unknown, while discarded crystals sat in ancient barrels next to their abandoned carriages.

Curiously, instead of moving forward, the knight ambled over to one of the barrels, pointing to the crystals inside and glancing at Hornet. She joined his side and grabbed at one of the shiny things, presenting it to him. He carefully took it into his hand and held it up. The light glinted off of it, giving off its signature purple shimmer. A curious whistling came from him as he continued to turn it about in the air. How did he manage such a noise?

Watching the knight's curiosity stirred Hornet's own interest. She grabbed a crystal for herself and did much of the same. Strange, had she ever bothered to stop to admire these things? Maybe their association with the greedy reanimated creatures had soured her to the prospect. Through his lens, however, they were quite beautiful things. He whistled again and held the crystal up to the side of his head. Hornet paused and tried something similar. She felt silly for a moment before she realized the fragment was humming in a tune not unlike the knight's whistling. How had she not noticed that before?

Hornet listened for a moment longer, soon joined by her partner's whistling yet again. She bent her mandibles a little and blew, producing a shaky but similar tone. They were all in harmony for a moment before the two came to a stop. The knight laughed, mentioning a "lady" once more and setting the crystal down. Hornet returned his laughter, lowering the crystal. She rubbed it in her hand for a moment longer before setting it down as well.

Their trek continued onward, with Hornet showing the way upward. They were already seeing the first traces of the infection that had wreaked havoc on the rest of Hallownest. In the larger caverns the pair stood in, they could see distant beasts of burden set loose to mindlessly roam the halls, imbued with the very crystals they were once tasked to transport. The knight seemed to lose a bit of his luster upon seeing them. No doubt, he knew what they were, imbued with the orange, mindless stare he had seen before. A gentle tug from Hornet broke the knight from his staring, and he nodded.

The mine had become more lived in the deeper they went. As beautiful as the fantastical minerals were, it was again, soured by the past that so desperately clung to them. The area had been cleared of corpses, since most had become the unfortunate husks that roamed about mindlessly, but their mark had not yet left this world. Small knickknacks, furniture, and bits of their written word remained. Hornet made sure her steps kept close to the knight, rooting her in some sense of comfort and companionship.

Influence from the past came to a head as the distant clink of pickaxes reached Hornet and her partner. They rounded a corner to find a trio of bugs excitedly chipping away at some of the crystal. The knight quickly looked at Hornet. She returned the gesture with a shake of the head. He sighed the moment one of them turned around to aimlessly march about, revealing more of that infectious orange deep within their gaze.

Hornet almost felt bad that the knight had to experience the world in this way, rotting and decaying, with whatever gasps of life yet remaining being hostile monstrosities, but that would have to be something to contend with for another time. For now, she nodded down another hallway, making their way around the creatures. It would be a service to release them from their mortal coil yet again, however, Hornet preferred to simply continue on for now and avoid unnecessary bloodshed. There was no need to sour the mood any more than it already had been. As they left, the knight whispered something solemn. He repeated it a few times before he placed a hand over his chest and let it drop.

Navigation had become more difficult with each room and tunnel the pair had passed through. Either they were filled with the undead, or the glorious crystals they had enjoyed were intent on killing them with their sharpened points. That didn't stop the locale from maintaining its dazzling nature. It was impressive just how much the glittering substance grew here -- how overwhelming it was. Every part of Hallownest had its own flavor, and this place was no different.

It seemed as though even Hornet's knight had to pause and let out an exasperated sigh as he looked out at the sea of crystals. Should he return where he came from, there would be a bountiful amount of tales for him to tell. Hornet could only hope that she would be part of them. At least the parts that weren't so explicit.

That aspect of their relationship hadn't disappeared from Hornet's mind. It always lingered in the back of her head, waiting to surface whenever a thought wandered too far into the lewd. Parts of her had never expected to delve into that. Hard to imagine that she would have shared intimacy with someone, especially someone that was so... alien to what she had seen before. Her eyes glanced to his hand, with her own tightening into a fist. And yet, somehow, he was the only one that felt so kindred to herself.

Hornet's musing paused as the knight hefted himself up onto a ledge and immediately turned around to present his hand. It was a wall she could scale in a single jump, and yet, the offer was given. Hornet took up his offer. He easily hefted her up, standing as she joined his side. Their hands didn't part right away, lingering on one another, feeling each other's grip tighten before gently drifting apart. Even then, Hornet focused on the fleeting sensation in her chitin.

Most of the denizens in the mines were a little more mindless than those in the rest of Hallownest. Rather than seek out whatever target seemed juicy enough to feast on, they usually moved in repeated motions, an automatic back and forth. Hornet had always assumed that was simply a factor of them reliving their old past, trudging back and forth out of an instinctual need. The knight seemed fascinated by them, watching them either scuttle or flutter back and forth. Such a rot was likely still alien to him. To watch the dead march was a new experience for her knight, or at least, Hornet hoped as much.

The very peak was still a long way's up. Hornet didn't mind the walk, but she knew her burdened compatriot might need a rest soon. Fortunately, "rest" was one of those easy words they were able to exchange earlier on in their trip. All they needed was a proper resting spot. Something nice with a bench would've been a lovely choice. A hot spring would have been even better, but there certainly weren't any around here. Not to mention it would be difficult to leave a hot spring, at least with his company.

Hornet continued to guide them forward, leading deeper and deeper into the crystalline labyrinth until they came to a new sight. The tunnel ahead, once empty and clear, had suffered something of a cave-in. Rock and crystal chunks blocked the way, with only a small hole allowing a glimpse to the other side. Hornet walked up to it, stepping onto debris to peer through the hole. She glanced back at her partner.

The knight placed his hands on his hips, looking up at Hornet. He let out a chuckle and joined her side, running his hand along the crevice. Slowly, he began plucking out bits of rock and crystal, digging his way through.

"We can go another way," Hornet said, a laugh playing along her tone.

A cheery response came back from the knight as he continued to set aside rocks and shining crystals. He at least understood that she had some apprehension. Hornet raised a hand from underneath her cloak then paused. There must have been a better way of going about this. She glanced around, eventually finding some discarded pickaxes sat against the cavern wall. Not once had she ever imagined herself doing this. Hornet picked up one of the pickaxes and strode over to the cave-in again.

The knight looked at Hornet, then glanced at the other pickaxe. He said something about a "lady" once more, shaking his head. Clearly not wanting to be left out, her compatriot quickly took up the other pick, returning to her side. With a mighty slam, he smashed into crystal chunks, producing a satisfying crack. Hornet immediately took her own swing after his, crunching through the crystals.

Oddly, the experience was becoming enjoyable. This was similar to swinging a nail, just with a different target. The two eventually found a comfortable back and forth, both picking away at the obstruction with surprising speed. They were still a little off, however, striking in awkward, hesitating motions.

That was, until, the knight began singing. The sound almost surprised Hornet, not expecting anything of the sort to come from him. She quickly caught onto why, his strikes coincided with the rhythm of his song. At a certain point, she began mumbling along with his strange words, slipping into the very same rhythm until they were working perfectly in-tune.

It didn't take long for them to clear out a small enough space for them to squeeze through. More specifically, a space for the knight to squeeze through, with his more cumbersome armor. Hornet found herself chuckling as their song came to an end. The knight patted the hole, dusting away more jagged edges before presenting it and saying "lady" once more. Or maybe it was "ladies". Hornet briefly wondered what that alteration meant before tossing aside her pickaxe and crawling through.

The knight was quick to follow, easily squeezing through with a surprising fluidity. The armor was essentially a part of him. No different from other bugs, Hornet supposed. Still, it was impressive just how easily he moved with such a sensitive interior.

Their digging had led them to another tunnel with a room split off to the right. There was a gate in front of it. Perhaps where they had once kept the extracted crystals? Hornet nodded toward the room as the knight joined her side. He nodded back and the two started toward it, shifting aside the gate to enter.

It might have once been used as storage, but any sort of valuable had long been stripped from it, leaving only wooden furniture and a metal bench behind. It crept onward, with battered supports in the distance, leading to a battered door. No one to bother them. The knight handily took up the bench, easing down onto it with a sigh. He glanced about for a moment before taking off his helmet and setting it aside. Hornet joined him, sitting next to his bit of armor.

For a few seconds, Hornet merely stared at the knight's visage. She was more than intimately familiar with it now, and it only charmed her the more she saw it. An alien creature with curious features. So soft, yet at more rigid angles. Sensitive eyes looked back, and soon, his mouth crooked into that cheerful expression. She lightly chuckled in return. If she couldn't return the expression, she could certainly show her cheer.

The knight said something containing "lady" again, and also added the word "beauty". Hornet hadn't quite gathered the latter word just yet, though he seemed to bring it up rarely when looking out at the caverns. Perhaps he was speaking of the mines they were in.

"We'll get through them soon," Hornet replied. "For now, we may rest here." She patted the bench to better drive home her words. "Rest." She set her nail against its side.

He spoke more with his unique tongue, then relaxed against the rocky wall behind the bench. Then, he began removing his gauntlets, eventually bringing his bare hands up to wipe his face. That didn't seem comfortable for his pliable and soft surface. Hornet grabbed at the hem of her cloak, then raised it to wipe at his face. His hands settled onto his lap, letting Hornet tend to him.

As she worked, Hornet noticed there was a touch of moisture on his visage. The purple light glimmering off the nearby crystals showed off more of the droplets clinging to his skin. It was oddly dazzling, though almost worrisome, as if he was boiling inside his suit of armor. He likely would have shown some sort of discomfort if that was the case. Though, being a proud warrior, he was likely capable of hiding any faults. Hornet still did her best to wipe him up, and lowered her hand again.

He said a simple phrase, which Hornet took as a thanks.

"You're welcome," she replied.

There was a pause before he, too, reached up and began to brush Hornet's face. It took her a moment to realize that he was wiping away dirt, cleaning her up. She leaned into his hands. While her head wasn't the most receptive to touch, she could still feel his fingers work against her.

This was an odd relationship, wasn't it? Two strange creatures finding a commonality in their loneliness. One from another world, the other simply lost in her own. Hornet did occasionally wonder if she had too quickly placed her trust in a man she barely understood, both in terms of communication and form. She could hardly parse what he was thinking past the way his face contorted, and the way his hands came upon her body.

But it was that touch specifically that led Hornet to relax. To others, she was a specter or an opponent. None would dare to acknowledge her with anything more than a nail or a worried gaze. Here she was, receiving a simple sharing of the senses, and that was enough to tame her. She supposed that all creatures needed the bare necessities, no matter how much more complex they pretended to be. How many times had she received such warmth in her life? It wasn't as though her birth was one of love, either, leading her life to feel mercenary in all aspects.

Hornet rubbed her mandibles together. She shouldn't be thinking of things so dire now. Instead, she should be focusing on the man before her, learning about him. She focused on the way his hand moved. He had finished wiping her face clean and was now simply caressing it, all the while talking to her. The way he spoke, it was as if he was commenting on her features. Hornet could only hope they were positive words.

The knight's hand trailed upward on Hornet's head, eventually reaching her horns. He hummed, then tapped his finger against the very tip, then pulling back and examining his finger. He let out a light chuckle. Hornet tilted her head, wondering just what was so amusing.

His next words were mostly in his curious tongue, though with the insect word for "nail" thrown in. He then tapped her horn again and repeated the word for nail. It took a moment for the implication to click in Hornet's head. The knight was likely making a humorous connection between her horns and the sharpness of weapons.

Hornet tilted her head the other way, then shook it. She failed to stifle a giggle at the idea. "Ramming one's head into another wouldn't exactly be a proper fighting style, now would it?" she replied. "And what about you?" Hornet reached forward, running a hand through his hair and across his scalp. "I'm sure this could bludgeon someone someone nicely." Though, as she said that, she began to lose sight of whatever they were joking about, simply growing curious about the strands that marked his head.

The knight replied back with a chuckle, returning his hand to Hornet's cheek. What was once an amusement turned to interest between one another as their hands went over each other's features. Hornet found herself focusing on his strange, pliable mouth yet again. The way they formed over her mandibles last time was an experience she had not yet forgotten.

Their humorous prodding became more genuine, with the knight's touch becoming more specific and tender, while Hornet found herself caressing him. Perhaps it was ridiculous to be so enchanted by this simple moment, but it was nice to simply relinquish herself to something relaxing. Hornet's mandibles parted. She ran her thumb over his lips, watching them move with her touch. The knight leaned forward, gaze calm. Was it fine, then? Hornet dared the chance, bringing her mandibles to his face and opening them wider.

Hornet settled her most intimate mouthparts against her knight's lips, already relishing the feeling of all the intricate bits of anatomy exploring one another. She was slower this time, making sure to appreciate his form. More importantly, she could feel the warm air escape from his mouth, settling into her own. It felt carnal, having that part of him ease into her like that.

This time, the knight was a little more playful with his movements. His tongue dared to push further into her mouth, still carefully nudging against them, learning every bit about her. Hornet, feeling a little devious in-turn, clasped her smaller mouthparts around his tongue, holding it in place. With her new captive audience, she began to rub her own tongue against his. The knight's eyes shut and he let out a short laugh.

Bit by bit, Hornet went over his tongue, savoring his body. She might have, admittedly, been getting far too into her desires. Some greed goaded her movements on, with her body now leaning against his. The knight's helmet clattered to the floor, but neither of them moved. Their hands remained at each other's nape, gently caressing one another. Hornet couldn't move any lower, as armor blocked her path, but the knight was not so restrained.

The knight's wandering hand came upon her insectoid abdomen. Hornet lightly flinched in surprise. He pulled his hand away for a moment but returned it once she nudged at his arm. He must have been curious about the extraneous feature. It wasn't something that all insects had, and it likely wasn't present on his kind at all. At least, Hornet couldn't imagine such a thing for his people.

Like with all other touches, Hornet had never really had anyone grace her abdomen. It was particularly taboo. A kiss was romantic. A touch could be sweet. This? It seemed explicitly sexual. That could have been an imagined taboo. It wasn't as though it was a topic that was covered during her rearing, which meant he didn't have a clue, either. Whatever the case, it was stirring something inside her to have him directly touch her like that.

The knight grew bolder with his movements, sliding her cloak aside to unveil more of Hornet's abdomen. The chitin there wasn't as hardened as the rest of her, being far more pliable -- vulnerable. Hornet could feel his hand more directly as his fingers traced across her abdomen. She briefly wondered if such a touch would be just as salacious for him. Unfortunately, that bit of his body was covered by an armored skirt. All the same, she shifted a hand lower there, prompting another laugh from him.

Hornet pulled away from her partner's tongue, allowing him to speak again. He nodded toward the gate, giving her abdomen a light squeeze. Privacy, yes, that made sense.

"As you desire, then," Hornet said. She nudged her head against his, then stood up to shut the gate. There was already an inkling in her mind where this was leading. And why not? They had their stress to unwind, and she was still eager for more, not that she would so outwardly show it. Even if it didn't go as far as before, it would be a welcome treat all the same. She grabbed at the rusty thing and pulled it closed, the grinding ringing throughout the cavern.

The sounds of clattering and unstrapping reached Hornet. She turned around to find her knight already busy peeling away his armor. He had stood up, giving her a better view of his form. There was a delight in watching him undress, yet she realized she had something of an unspoken invitation to help him this time. Hornet returned to his side and placed her hands over his, slowing him to a stop.

Hornet's eyes traced up and down his body, almost like he was a gift to be unwrapped. Where should she start first? He looked back expectantly. It was so easy for him, as all she wore was a cloak. Yes, it was so very difficult being her.

Eventually, Hornet settled on starting with his arms, deciding to work her way inward and down. His gauntlets were already off, so it felt the most appropriate. She began to undo his vambraces, then continued onward to his shoulder and torso. The knight happily helped her along, guiding her fingers to straps and other bindings.

Undoing armor, peeling away the defenses that revealed his vulnerable form, that was the highest amount of trust placed into Hornet. A gift in more ways than one. She almost wished she had some way to show the same, but she supposed that taking this task with utmost care was a return of that favor in itself.

Soon, the knight was free of his armor, left in his threaded clothes. His armor lay nearby, neatly set aside for later. Hornet ran a hand down his arm, delighting in him as usual. He returned the favor, rubbing at her other arm. His fingers came upon the hem of her cloak, giving it a playful tug. She tugged back at his own clothes.

"Give and take," Hornet replied. "Only fitting."

"Good," he replied. A stand-in for a "yes," Hornet was certain.

The knight pulled his top over his head, and Hornet did the same for her own clothes. She was markedly more nude than him, but that would change in-time. For now, they simply embraced, pressing against one another. This was how they spoke, she supposed, these moments of intimacy. Some of it was definitely a desperation to connect.

As her arms wrapped around her knight, Hornet rested her head on his shoulder, pressing her mouth against his neck. She peppered his skin with kisses, prompting more light laughter from him. He let his hands roam across her body, sliding up and down her form. The stress of the trip was already unwinding from her joints as he moved.

Thoughts returned to the knight's potential departure. Hornet wondered if this would be the last she would ever feel of this connection -- of this physical pleasure. No matter, she would enjoy it to its fullest, then. And should he leave, this time with him would last forever in her mind.

The knight began speaking again, peppering in words Hornet only had the slightest clues about. He seemed happy, though, and his phrases were short and direct. She could only hope he was enjoying this moment as much as she was. All the same, she enjoyed the way his words reverberated through him. Sometimes it felt like he was hollow with the way air moved through him.

Those exploring hands came upon Hornet's abdomen again, gently rubbing it. She nudged back at him, hand trailing down his back and into the band of his trousers. His back arched and he chuckled. The knight tugged at her, and she pushed back in turn. They hobbled backward for a few steps before he began to ease onto the ground, Hornet taking her place on top of him.

Hornet relaxed against the knight's bare chest. A warm air escaped his mouth, his muscles mellowing as she lay on top of him. Strange to think that, out of all the yearning she had done, Hornet hadn't realized just how much she missed this touch. Being deprived of such a thing for so long may have been more dour than she had realized.

The two shared a quiet gaze. Hornet gently ran her hand in circles on his chest, feeling the curious structure underneath and the hairs that grew on top. For a brief moment, she realized she must have been a special creature to him. Even beyond their bond, this world was not his own. To have a woman like her must have been a unique thing among his people. Or, she was playing up the grandiosity of it in her mind. Hornet decided that wasn't so bad, to have this little treat of specialty, she could indulge in that much.

Eventually, Hornet's hand drifted further down to her knight's trousers, fingers tapping along his belt. That prompted another laugh from him, and he rolled his eyes. What a curious expression. The knight lightly nudged at Hornet's underside. The message was clear, to get up to allow him to disrobe further. Hard to obey when Hornet was so comfortable, but she supposed it was only fair. She leaned back and watched him strip the last of his clothes, setting them in the pile next to them. With that, he relaxed back into his spot, Hornet quickly following to settle in her rightful spot.

Nudity was almost commonplace with the inhabitants of Hallownest, making the knight's own reveal a bit unique. Normally, he was buried under so much armor and clothing, so when he finally shed all of that and let himself free, it was something of a special gift to Hornet herself. She lightly pressed her hips against his, brushing up against his bare genitalia.

The knight ran his fingers along Hornet's cheek, then up to her horns again. Couldn't get enough of them, could he? Well, she had a way to poke back now, and so easily accessed, too. Hornet slid a finger down his chest, down his belly, and drew in circles just above his flaccid penis. She could feel him lightly flinch from the touch, but he wasn't discouraged, no doubt being cheeky about the whole thing.

Hornet's finger went further still, sliding down the length of her partner's rousing erection, ending at the sensitive tip. He let out a small grunt, shifting into a chuckle. The touch did indeed dissuade his prodding, but only at her head. The knight's hands shifted downward, grabbing hold of her abdomen. She shifted a little to let him grab at it, goading along this little game of theirs.

The way the knight gently and purposefully went over Hornet's abdomen showed just how curious he was about it, though he may have also been amused at her light reactions to it being touched. Either were possible with him, and both were more than welcome.

Slowly, the knight's erection grew as Hornet rubbed it with her finger. It was oddly fun to tease, another little experience she had missed out on for much of her life. Soon, his member was fully hard. As much as she wanted to string him along with touches of pleasure, the idea of stroking him was too tempting to pass up.

Finger by finger wrapped around the knight's penis until Hornet fully grasped it. He wasn't far behind in his own movements, one hand easing from abdomen to her rear, fingers nearing her entrance. The playful back and forth was another delightful angle to their new relationship. To test him, Hornet lowered her hand down to his base. He pressed back, managing to slide one of his fingers down her lips.

The little game was almost mesmerizing. Up and down. Hornet briefly lost track as to why she was doing it, merely relishing the tender touch. She managed to pull herself out of the stupor, then began teasing at his erection in other ways. Hornet shifted her palm to the head of his cock, shifting it about in her hand with slow circles. The knight responded by teasing a digit into her folds, lightly nudging against her clitoris. They had already explored one another, now they were figuring out which buttons to press.

They continued on, shifting their hands across one another in different ways, lingering when one or the other would shudder or moan. While Hornet found herself faltering at times, a loss only provided a jolt of delight.

It didn't take long for the motions to rile up Hornet, and as for the knight, he was clearly more than ready for whatever came next. She took a moment to collect herself, then slid her body entirely on top of his own, her crotch pressing up against his. He spoke a few words, his erection throbbing as he did.

Hornet raised her hips up and guided the knight's member under her groin, easing past her lips, then her anus, and finally nestling it between her cheeks. She lightly thrust against him, the tip prodding against the base of her abdomen. It was a curious feeling, almost erogenous. She rubbed the tip against it for a while longer before raising her hips again.

As the tip slid across Hornet's body again, she briefly let it rest against her anus. She paused, lightly rubbing against it. That would be fun, wouldn't it? A change of pace for the both of them. The knight tilted his head. His mouth curved upward and he said something with an inquisitive tone. Perhaps that was him wondering if she really wanted to do that. Hornet tittered. Of course she did.

Both of Hornet's hands braced on either side of the knight, raising her torso up and angling her rear toward his erection. One hand broke away to guide his member, the tip now teasing into her second entrance. The warmth was immediately overwhelming. She hadn't even considered such a thing before, and now it felt so perverted. His length twitched, almost begging for her body. There was something delightful to be wanted like that, even if in such a raw and simple way.

Working up her courage more, Hornet pressed harder until the knight's member plunged into her. She froze as he pushed in, adjusting to the new alien feeling. He sharply inhaled, erection twitching. His hand reached up to her back, gently rubbing it, easing Hornet's nerves. She didn't want to lose the playful edge, so she began to lightly gyrate her hips, not only pleasuring him but allowing herself to acclimate to having her hole stretched like that.

It didn't take long for Hornet to finally ease herself into this new sensation. She dared to press further, the knight's length sliding into her. How would he convey a playful expression? Something with a twist of the mouth, naturally. Hornet's face wasn't as malleable, but she could make the attempt. Her mandibles unfolded, awkwardly tilting with their limited range of motion to curve in the same way the knight's face did. Hornet added a giggle to her expression to better convey her attempt. Considering he huffed in amusement back, mouth widening, it seemed to have worked just fine.

Hornet continued to press until the knight's entire length was inside her. The feeling of that warmth and firmness delving into her like that made her squirm ever so slightly. It made her own expression falter for a moment, body twitching as the knight throbbed inside her. She may have pushed a bit far with this experiment. Nothing she couldn't handle, of course, just that it would take some time. With her rear braced against his body now, she began to shift her hips back and forth, getting a taste of his member rubbing up inside of her.

There was actually more pleasure in that motion than Hornet would have figured. The way the knight's tip slid along her walls brought with it its own tingle of delight that crept along her chitin and seemed to work into the gaps. Her anus continued to squeeze against the base of his penis, refusing to loosen much. At times it would flex, tightening itself around his length and making it seem all the larger for her body.

At first, Hornet assumed that her knight would simply lay there and let her do the work. However, he seemed to have a bit of teasing on the mind as well. The hand that massaged her back eased further downward, teasing onto her rear. He gave one of her cheeks a gentle squeeze, then tugged on it, and by extension her hole. The strange feeling made her mandibles jitter with the way the rim of her anus pulled against his member.

Not wanting to be outdone, Hornet's hand settled onto his probing hand, then eased further down to grab at his testicles, lightly rubbing them with her fingers. A small gasp came from him, then another chuckle. Putting on the pressure, she began to very lightly bounce on his erection. The small in and out was a tease, but also another way to get used to this.

The knight wasn't wholly deterred. His other hand wormed its way to the base of Hornet's abdomen, lightly rubbing against it. She had never realized just how sensitive that small part felt. Somehow, it felt almost as taboo as what they were doing now. From this position, he had entirely outclassed her on ways to tease. Hornet kept on lightly massaging his balls, while her other hand braced against his chest, feeling it steadily pump.

The new routine was easy to fall into, with Hornet closing her eyes to focus on the new feelings that warmly eased into her. It was then that she noticed the echo of their lovemaking -- a small, repeated smack of his soft flesh against her hardened form. Much like the springs, nothing was particularly stopping anyone from stumbling upon them. Anyone could see Hornet herself finding pleasure and companionship in a creature none of them had ever seen before.

That was a taboo in itself, wasn't it? Hornet's eyes opened again to look down at the warm expression of her partner. Her hand slid across the hairs on his chest, fingers lightly pressing against the harder structures beneath his soft hide, easing onto his neck and eventually his cheek. It was relatively normal for insects to crossbreed, but her knight? He was a special sort. No one in this vast kingdom had ever seen a unique creature such as him, and she was finding her comfort in him.

Soon, she picked up her pace, increasing the friction as she bounced up and down on the knight's erection. His hands moved away from her rear, but they didn't stop their exploration. Both of them slid up her sides, slowly and with purpose, running along ridges in her body. They came to rest on her chest, both grabbing at her breasts. Goading him on, Hornet pressed her chest against his hands. They weren't as soft or pliable as his body, but he seemed to enjoy grabbing them all the same.

Despite how greedy the knight may have been to touch Hornet, he was always gentle with his motions. Firm, perhaps, and lustful as well, but never more than a tender touch. She was torn between relishing the amount of respect for her, and encouraging his craving body. To respected was one thing, to be lusted after was another. And Hornet was beginning to enjoy the latter.

Infectious, that's what lust was. Hornet grabbed at the knight's wrist and pushed his hand harder against her. "Good," she said, stifling a groan.

The knight quickly got the idea, groping harder at Hornet. Her mandibles clacked together in delight as she sped up again. She was quickly falling into the warmth of lust, but she could hardly blame herself with how comforting it felt. She was properly bouncing on his erection now, from base nearly all the way to the tip. Another oozing warmth came from the knight, his pre-ejaculate now smearing across her insides and around her anus. It felt so crude using that as lubrication -- Hornet loved it.

Desire swelled up inside Hornet. How could she crave more? What else could she gain? Moving faster was beginning to lose its delectable allure. Hornet moaned, grinding her hips against her knight as she came down upon him. He huffed back, growing bolder with his groping at her breasts. Hornet gripped his shoulders, using his body to ride him better. That was the raw pleasure she was seeking. He let out a low laugh between his little gasps of pleasure.

Found this humorous, did he? Hornet's mandibles twisted back up into that mimicry of amusement. The knight returned her expression. Maybe the delight was getting to be a bit much for her, but another devious thought hit her. Hornet leaned forward and placed one hand on his face, using his head to stabilize herself. Desire pulled her closer against him, squishing her body against his.

"I get to have my fun, as well," she said with a titter. "Good. Very good."

The knight laughed again and let his hands fall to the side of his body. Hornet continued her bounce with a renewed vigor as she held herself close against him. Her eyes fluttered for a moment. Here she was, pleasuring herself on such a strange man, in such a crude place, in such a crude way. She soon realized that it was the perfect angle to see their lovemaking. Hornet's mandibles relaxed back into place.

Raising herself up a little, Hornet bent her head down to look underneath herself, resting her head against her knight's chest. From that position, she could easily see her body slide up and down the knight's erection. The view made her body quiver. Her bouncing slowed just so she could better watch it push in and out of her body, relishing the sight of her hole stretching to accommodate his girth. Another rush of excitement hit Hornet, dizzying her. That didn't stop her body.

Through the slap of chitin on soft skin, Hornet heard the knight's groans and grunts raise higher and higher. He must have been nearing his end, the peak. Her anus flexed at the thought of his warm seed shooting into that hole. Another jolt of delight traveled along the plates of her chitin. She needed that, her body was craving it.

Hornet came down harder against the knight. He shakily returned the favor, lightly thrusting up against her. No words needed between them, just the sounds of their bodies. Giddiness flowed through her, an excited giggle working its way past her mandibles. She pushed his excitement along, ready for his delight to shoot into her.

A prolonged groan and a hiss came from the knight's lips. Hornet shuddered, slamming her hips down, taking the entirety of his length. A heavy rope of semen shot into her -- her giggling peaking into a moan, her eyes shutting. The next one came, with Hornet's hips jerking forward and jostling the erection inside her. A whimper escaped her as her own orgasm shot through her, pushed on by the intense heat. The rope shot warmly against her insides, another jerk of the body working its way through her. Another, then another. She hissed with her partner, drawing out more of her peak. The strands piled together, dribbling down her insides. She shivered as each one made its way slowly down, an overwhelming warmth stewing within. With a soft whimper, she went slack, easing back onto the knight as his chest heaved in and out. Her hands settled onto either side of him.

The knight rubbed Hornet's back, giving her some gentle and inquisitive words. He swallowed, chuckling, then simply asked, "Good?"

"Good," Hornet replied, humming.

From this position, Hornet could hear all of her partner's soft and hardened body. The heart, the air, the moans, the joy. She knew she should have let him pull out, but she was deep in the afterglow, and wanted to keep that warmth flowing through her. Maybe it was selfish. Hornet figured she could afford to be just the slightest bit selfish for once. Not that her partner seemed to mind, occasionally twitching inside her.

Hornet closed her eyes, happy for this moment between them, relaxing further as the knight's hand came to the back of her neck to lightly rub it.

_

Some time after, Hornet and the knight pulled apart from one another. It took a bit of cleaning, but Hornet was eventually ready for the trip, being properly redressed. She looked upon the man, finding it hard to believe something so soft and kind lay underneath the cold armor that stared back at her. Comfort was found in the strangest of places, she supposed.

Hornet opened that rusty gate, allowing them to step back out into the untamed mines. Indeed, it was strange she could find comfort here of all places. She looked back, beckoning the knight on. The final stretch was soon upon them, and his quest would be at an end.

Their encroaching departure from one another wasn't lost on Hornet. It lingered in the back of her mind still, reminding her of what was to come. If the knight found some sign of familiarity above, he would no doubt leave for it, and leave her behind. She toyed with the thought of going with him as they scaled vertical shafts, nearing the peak. That wouldn't befit her. Hornet, through some inklings of responsibility, knew she had to remain here. Just in the same way he likely had a need to return home to those he called his own.

A piercing howl of wind disturbed Hornet's thoughts. It blew through the tunnel as she looked above them. The knight stopped alongside her, the darkened sky with its twinkling lights gleaming down on his armor. He looked quite stalwart, didn't he? She let that image of him linger on her mind before she presented the path upward. Already, he took to the wall with a nod and began scaling it. Indeed, he had gotten far better at that.

Hornet wasn't far behind her partner, leaping up once he had found his footing at the lip of the hole. The wind pushed harder against them, her cloak picking up as it billowed past. The knight glanced about, his visor sweeping across the glowing carved stones. His gaze landed on the prominent statue at the edge of the peak, and he made his way toward it. Hornet followed closely behind him, gazing up at the broken archways as they walked, with the stars beaming beyond them.

The wind picked up again as the knight neared the edge. He paused, looking out at the dead, gray land. Hornet joined him, finding not much of anything in the dreary expanse. The only glimmer of light lay directly below them, Dirtmouth itself. That was hardly the sight he wanted, though, was it? Hornet watched as he took a step up to the very edge.

There was no joy coming from the knight. He merely stared outward, gaze focusing straight ahead as the wind blew past him. There wasn't much of anything out there, and it seemed as though that quickly dawned upon him. Not much hope for him to find his way home, not yet. Hornet cast her gaze to the ground.

Hornet stepped up next to the knight again. Their gaze slowly met. He lightly brushed his hand against hers.

They joined hands, fingers interlocking.