Thinking about Hornet's malleable/multifaceted nature as a more external element of her character, and how she sometimes seems to intentionally reflect what (she believes?) is expected or necessary in a given social situation
(Which is a super normal thing to do I guess but still fun to consider as a characterization thing??)
Like I definitely feel that Hornet has received training in rhetoric and diplomacy, so it makes sense that she would know how to determine what a given social situation calls for. I feel like there's more but two interesting examples, I think, are her first conversations with Eva and Cardinius:
Eva: Who's there? Has someone come to free me? Or are you here to bring my end?
Hornet: I am Hornet, prisoner, only a traveller and not here to slay you.
The way she identifies herself as a prisoner while at that point she kind of isn't?? She's stuck in Pharloom but a more accurate word would probably be fugitive. I do think the wording was intentional on her part, though, because it puts her on Eva's level: Hornet isn't a threat there to hurt Eva, Hornet is a prisoner, too, leaning into the fact that she was captured.
Hornet: I have passed the relic, Vaultkeeper. Now uphold your promise and aid me with your insight.
Cardinius: Fool! Demanding of a Vaultkeeper. Hers is impudence enough to bring death… If she did not carry the scent of Weaver-spawn.
Hornet: So you know something of my ancestry, learned bug. If it gains me favour here, then I'll expect your service in full.
Cardinius: Bleg! Dead! Dead, your vicious kind are meant to be. Better methinks to stay as such… Gkkkt. But this one was taught. It shall fold its claws. It shall pass its knowledge, as much as is gleaned. Only to a first child must a Vaultkeeper defer.
Hornet: Keep safe, Vaultkeeper. I may expect your service in future, and I'd not have you pass before that task is complete.
She's really quite sharp with it. It's not like this is the only time she's sharp (in bearing), but I feel like it stands out, and I also don't think it's just her matching his energy and being rude back. Also uh, she outright says that she's taking advantage of something that will bring her favor?? But I think part of it is, she maybe doesn't have to be as demanding as she is. Cardinius itself thinks it needs to defer to her, so I'd imagine she could get what she wanted/needed if she was just firm?
But I think she's picking up on what it likely expects from a first child, and speaks to it understanding that. So she sets out her own expectations clearly, to say the least.
And then some weaker but potentially relevant conversations. This one with the Caretaker:
Caretaker: S'a strange mantle you're takin' for yourself, seeing all them bugs saved and wishes promised.
Hornet: You find it strange, sir? I've found some solace in the service, and the rewards received have proved a boon on my journey.
Caretaker: Aye! But it ain't your place now, is it? I see well what you are, Weaver'n more! It's below your station! You ain't no common sort meant for carin' on us low folk.
Hornet: I could say the same for you, who still chooses to remain cowled. You continue to pose as only a simple pilgrim. Don't you think it's past time you ceased the performance?
Caretaker: Leave off, Old One! Permit a bug their small disguise! It's been a pleasant thing to play simple. And I weren't calling for change, even if you seem insistent on bringing it!
This one is more just energy matching, I think, but it does display a certain adaptability... She responds in kind to the Caretaker's prodding, when before he comparatively rough with her, but she doesn't get nearly as harsh with him as she does with Cardinius even though I feel like the Caretaker treading on something more sensitive to her in this specific conversation. So she was like that with it for SOME reason, and consider the dialogue with the Caretaker in its own context, it's once again intentional that she plays her hand (claws?) as far as what she knows only in that moment. If nothing else, it's a rhetorical/diplomactic play of sorts.
And I'm not getting the dialogue for this but just considering a few Lace conversations. I still think it's at least a little interesting that she calls Lace "pale one" in the Cradle as opposed to "child" though Hornet does use "child" earlier in the same conversation iirc. Still she calls Lace "pale one" specifically when she tells Lace that her life was like. Something real. As part of trying to show Lace compassion. For which Hornet is called gross.
And then when they talk in the Abyss, Hornet has switched back to referring to Lace as "child" and refers to Lace's "small rebellion." I've talked about this before, but I think there are a few reasons Hornet does this, and while one of them is certainly frustration, there's also a possible component of her seeing that Lace won't respond to kindness and so trying to emphasize the fact that Lace is being foolish in the hope of getting her to back down.
Anyway as a general rule, I don't think Hornet is lying or being deceptive about what she expresses. I think it all comes from Something genuine. But she does present herself very deliberately according to her situation rather than always being purely straightforward in her approach. And I think that makes sense, for someone who was explicitly taught that others fear her or try to use her.
