Untitled

[slayeroforanges]

Momma Seer told me this one...

Once upon a time, there was a moth god named Lumen. Lumen was not the creator of the moths, but rather a separate deity inspired by them to take a physical form similar to theirs. Lumen did not invent the dream, but he did innovate it, coming up with various things that brought the moths joy and protection- the dream nail was originally his work, but this was ultimately forgotten. As Lumen continued to win over the moths, their creator, the Radiance, grew increasingly envious. While the moths loved the Radiance, Lumen was humble and entertaining, so they found themselves relating to and bonding with him to greater levels. The Radiance allowed this to stoke her paranoia, beginning to fear that Lumen, and in turn that perhaps everyone, was out to turn the Moths away from her. With no family or therapy of any sort, this paranoia reached a climax when a small group of moths declared that they were going to leave the moth tribe to worship Lumen in the ancient basin. The radiance not only denied this claim, but she also took her refusal to the extreme and finally decided to cut the head off of the wyrm. She took a mortal form (something that, unlike Lumen, brought her much frustration), jumping Lumen in his sleep and stabbing him to death. Lumen's body died, but in the dream, he lived on. Lumen sank into the darkness as he slowly processed what had happened to him. Lumen was consumed with spite, with hatred, with wrath and disappointment that it had all ended like this- so pathetically, so pointlessly. Lumen hated the gods; he hated the moths, he hated the light, and more strongly than all 3 before, he hated good. Heroism. All the kind, decent things that had abandoned him. Finally, after spending that time stewing in those negative emotions and festering in the darkness, Lumen made a decision.

If he could not rule with peace? He would rule with chaos. If he could not embrace the moths? Then all would know Lumen's twisted love. If he could not guide his children with love? He would bind them with fear. If he could not be the king of dreams? Then he would be the king of nightmares.

[slayeroforanges]

Lacenet would still exist if Lace were a man, but it might be smaller.

An uncommon but somewhat toxic point that I have seen brought up before is the idea that Yuri is the only appeal, and most Lacenet shippers would give it a wide berth if Lace were a man. This is incorrect. (For me, at least.)

The appeal of Lacenet is the brat-and-responsible-person dynamic and the healing that comes with Lace being in a healthy relationship, alongside the angst and hurt that can be written through such a process. If Lace were a male, indeed, I suspect some people would find Lace less sympathetic, and as a whole, the number of Lacenet shippers would probably decrease, but there is much more to Lacenet than just Yuri. I'd still ship Lacenet no matter what gender Lace or Hornet is; who's with me?

[adragonthatwrites]

Consider; the fact the Brat in the relationship is male and the Responsible one female could potentially make the ship even more appealing to some.

[slayeroforanges]

Exactly, that's the point. It wouldn't just fade away if that one thing was changed! People would find new ways to enjoy lacenet.

[slayeroforanges]

Lacenet would still exist if Lace were a man, but it might be smaller.

An uncommon but somewhat toxic point that I have seen brought up before is the idea that Yuri is the only appeal, and most Lacenet shippers would give it a wide berth if Lace were a man. This is incorrect. (For me, at least.)

The appeal of Lacenet is the brat-and-responsible-person dynamic and the healing that comes with Lace being in a healthy relationship, alongside the angst and hurt that can be written through such a process. If Lace were a male, indeed, I suspect some people would find Lace less sympathetic, and as a whole, the number of Lacenet shippers would probably decrease, but there is much more to Lacenet than just Yuri. I'd still ship Lacenet no matter what gender Lace or Hornet is; who's with me?

[fandom-and-plothooks]

Lace being "a brat" as featured in common Lacenet dynamics is honestly distending her character to fit the feminine archetypes for such. Male-Lace's fandom interpretation naturally drawing from the masculine analogues would be almost guaranteed to be in the "punk" space, given her violence on bystanders for entertainment and violence on authority figures out of spite for limited agency aforementioned distension mostly glosses over.

Given the amount of complaints about power dynamics in Pharloom I've seen, this could actually go quite well since he'd be a clean audience-insert for "burn this mess to the ground" contrasted against Hornet who's familiar with how bad that gets, how actually running things works no matter how much of her doesn't want to, and possibly even "clean" regime-change depending on how her parents' respective claiming of power went.

I'm not aware of any "stock" shipping dynamics in the Tumblr-adjacent space that interface with this well at all, though. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "well-off manager lady/teacher cleans up a bad boy into a respectable husband" framing for older-woman younger-man relationships, and similar concepts feature in deeply traditional relationship advice I've heard, but I have not come across it myself.

[slayeroforanges]

Simple words for Tarzan here?

[slayeroforanges]

Lacenet would still exist if Lace were a man, but it might be smaller.

An uncommon but somewhat toxic point that I have seen brought up before is the idea that Yuri is the only appeal, and most Lacenet shippers would give it a wide berth if Lace were a man. This is incorrect. (For me, at least.)

The appeal of Lacenet is the brat-and-responsible-person dynamic and the healing that comes with Lace being in a healthy relationship, alongside the angst and hurt that can be written through such a process. If Lace were a male, indeed, I suspect some people would find Lace less sympathetic, and as a whole, the number of Lacenet shippers would probably decrease, but there is much more to Lacenet than just Yuri. I'd still ship Lacenet no matter what gender Lace or Hornet is; who's with me?

[slayeroforanges]

I don't know how this ended up in my inbox, but ok. Tumblr probably did something weird again

[slayeroforanges]

About my beloved au....

https://archiveofourown.org/series/5481026

Pharloom In Shadow is not the first of its kind, by any means, but I like to imagine that I am the first thus far to venture as deep into it as I have. I am a vampire-centric, and it dismayed me to see that, despite Grimm existing, not much vampire content is in this fandom, so I sought to rectify that. There is one other vampire au I saw, which was an abandoned, 1-chapter grollow oneshot, so I won't act like I am wholly unprecedented, but they didn't write quite as much as I did. I won't say much, to not spoil you at all, but mind the tw in the tags and in the series description. Don't worry, those triggers were not written in a sexualizing context, and I did my best to write them as respectfully and reasonably as I could, but, not being a victim of it myself, I can only imagine the true horrors of sexual abuse. On a more positive note, I tried to have something for everyone! Lacenet fans, while more slow burn than some stories, this is indeed a Lacenet story, and I did my best to write the ship effectively, though I had no proper council. Whump fans? We got someone suffering in practically every chapter! Vampire fans? This is a vampire-centric au! Lore nuts? Fairly complicated worldbuilding. Good worldbuilding? Be the judge of that. Come one, come all! All I ask is that you comment and maybe kudo if you like it.

[witness-our-waking]

Are you a lesbian, or do you just hate men? There doesn't seem to be any male weavers.

"we do not desire a partner fool. and we have no hate for the male kind, we would gladly take some as our children.

No begone before we crush you"

There was no time to react and the slayer was promptly crushed by many falling rocks.

[slayeroforanges]

*Weakly crawls from the rubble* "B...But then... is there a reason there seem to be no male weavers?"

[tenyardstowitchyard]

Dreamers

To protect the Vessel, the Dreamers lay sleeping. Through their devotion, Hallownest lasts eternal.

hollow knight pale king white lady hornet

[neekody]

Lace

[violetdawn001]

Silksong Changeling AU

Saw a crazy AU where Hornet got kidnapped by Grand Mother Silk who bought herself some time by leaving behind a Changeling in Hornet's place...except the fact the Changeling instantly exposed herself because Hornet is such an unique child.

I never saw any developments regarding the Changeling, only Hornet fighting the brainwashing from GMS. So here we go!

Of course, Hornet would get rescued. I mean, you kidnap baby Hornet and you get the Weavers, Hallownest, AND the Hive all gunning for you. And I don't want to find out the hard way why Vespa, the Queen of Bees, has the name Wasp.

As for the Changeling, nobody knew what to do with it. Some, like the Weavers, were disgusted by it and wanted it destroyed. If you know anything about my writing and comics, the child Changeling isn't getting destroyed but rescued and adopted by Watcher Dad.

So Hornet and this Changeling will get a chance to grow up loved.

Apparently, Hornet was named "Pale Gift" when she was little (that's weird for me considering a fanfic I wrote pre-Silksong giving Hornet a name before she got her name Hornet. That name was Grace due to the name meaning "Unmerited Gift".) As such, I named the Changeling Hannah, which also means Grace but is far softer than both Hornet and Grace.

Hannah and Hornet had this annoying dynamic where they could pass as twins but weren't twins. Considering that Hornet is a princess, that is a dangerous situation. I mean, Hannah was introduced to Hallownest as a swap-in Hornet and that nearly got her killed. Even when rescued by Lurien, everyone whispered how Hannah could at any moment try to take Hornet's place again.

So Hannah grew up trying to be anything but Hornet.

At first, it was easy. The fandom has pretty much agreed on how Hornet was absolutely a feral child. So Hannah worked on being the perfect, obedient child. Given her naturally sweet personality, Hannah could easily stand out from Hornet.

But then Hornet actually took her manners classes seriously. She practiced her dances and attacks to the point she always moved gracefully. Hornet found dresses and jewelry that were cozy for her and didn't hinder her movement. In other words, Hornet grew up and grew into the person she was supposed to be: the Daughter of Three Queens.

Hannah was furious, though she did well to hide it. She was the polite one; she was the dancer; she was the one who put thought into her appearance!

At first, Hannah tried to be rude and dismissive. That didn't last very long considering her sweet nature, seeing the consequences of being disrespectful, and a stern talking by her adopted father. Instead, Hannah focused on looking completely opposite of Hornet. Hornet wears red; Hannah will wear blue. Hornet's horns will be uncovered, so Hannah will always wear her blue veil. The Weavers never have embroidery on their clothes; Hannah showed off the finest embroidery from the City's finest tailors.

Hornet noticed by this point that Hannah was trying to be opposite of her. Knowing how Lurien's coat of arms was silver, Hornet always wore gold or bonze jewelry so Hannah could always wear her father's City of Tears emblem. (Hannah will never know what Hornet has done.)

So yeah, hope you have fun reading this. And a blessed thanksgiving to you and your family.

[slayeroforanges]

Thanks for expanding on my concept! I love Hannah! (Platonically)

[violetdawn001]

Tis my pleasure!

You were the one who gave the funny prompt of how the Changeling immediately gave herself away by being too sweet to be Baby Hornet. I had to expand on the concept when I kept scrolling and couldn't find anything else on the Changeling.

I'm so happy you love Hannah! She was so much fun to design.

[slayeroforanges]

I made this au to subvert the usual "Gremlin changeling who hates their parents and wreaks havoc" trope by making the "Changeling" be genuinely good-hearted and not actually want to cause chaos. (But chaos happens anyway due to the nature of their birth as a diversion to avoid war.)

[violetdawn001]

Silksong Changeling AU

Saw a crazy AU where Hornet got kidnapped by Grand Mother Silk who bought herself some time by leaving behind a Changeling in Hornet's place...except the fact the Changeling instantly exposed herself because Hornet is such an unique child.

I never saw any developments regarding the Changeling, only Hornet fighting the brainwashing from GMS. So here we go!

Of course, Hornet would get rescued. I mean, you kidnap baby Hornet and you get the Weavers, Hallownest, AND the Hive all gunning for you. And I don't want to find out the hard way why Vespa, the Queen of Bees, has the name Wasp.

As for the Changeling, nobody knew what to do with it. Some, like the Weavers, were disgusted by it and wanted it destroyed. If you know anything about my writing and comics, the child Changeling isn't getting destroyed but rescued and adopted by Watcher Dad.

So Hornet and this Changeling will get a chance to grow up loved.

Apparently, Hornet was named "Pale Gift" when she was little (that's weird for me considering a fanfic I wrote pre-Silksong giving Hornet a name before she got her name Hornet. That name was Grace due to the name meaning "Unmerited Gift".) As such, I named the Changeling Hannah, which also means Grace but is far softer than both Hornet and Grace.

Hannah and Hornet had this annoying dynamic where they could pass as twins but weren't twins. Considering that Hornet is a princess, that is a dangerous situation. I mean, Hannah was introduced to Hallownest as a swap-in Hornet and that nearly got her killed. Even when rescued by Lurien, everyone whispered how Hannah could at any moment try to take Hornet's place again.

So Hannah grew up trying to be anything but Hornet.

At first, it was easy. The fandom has pretty much agreed on how Hornet was absolutely a feral child. So Hannah worked on being the perfect, obedient child. Given her naturally sweet personality, Hannah could easily stand out from Hornet.

But then Hornet actually took her manners classes seriously. She practiced her dances and attacks to the point she always moved gracefully. Hornet found dresses and jewelry that were cozy for her and didn't hinder her movement. In other words, Hornet grew up and grew into the person she was supposed to be: the Daughter of Three Queens.

Hannah was furious, though she did well to hide it. She was the polite one; she was the dancer; she was the one who put thought into her appearance!

At first, Hannah tried to be rude and dismissive. That didn't last very long considering her sweet nature, seeing the consequences of being disrespectful, and a stern talking by her adopted father. Instead, Hannah focused on looking completely opposite of Hornet. Hornet wears red; Hannah will wear blue. Hornet's horns will be uncovered, so Hannah will always wear her blue veil. The Weavers never have embroidery on their clothes; Hannah showed off the finest embroidery from the City's finest tailors.

Hornet noticed by this point that Hannah was trying to be opposite of her. Knowing how Lurien's coat of arms was silver, Hornet always wore gold or bonze jewelry so Hannah could always wear her father's City of Tears emblem. (Hannah will never know what Hornet has done.)

So yeah, hope you have fun reading this. And a blessed thanksgiving to you and your family.

[slayeroforanges]

Thanks for expanding on my concept! I love Hannah! (Platonically)

[headsmashing]

Exactly two seconds before disaster.

This is the remake of a fanart I did not share bc it was ugly af (under the cut)

[slayeroforanges]

Neither is ugly.

[2ho-4h]

wip

[bluwails]

Am I the only one who thinks the broodling is one of the saddest NPCs in Silksong? She's just a little girl, and she's already completely resigned herself to filth and captivity. She doesn't understand that the flies are just fattening her up to be more useful... she just thinks they are being nice to her.

OMG No.

Yes the Flies are in what is considered damnation across generations that can only be lifted by the next ruler or from them removing themselves from the ideation that they (as the current generation) is far from the generation that was damned and free themselves. but thats far from what is being spoken about rn.

THE BROODLING IS NOT TRAGIC.

the broodling is not the saddest nor does she resign herself to her situation. far from it even. She freaking excited! Equating her to some tragic being of circumstance is far from what happened.

she's like the fluke hermit!

she has taken up the mantle of broodmother.

"I want to lay a lot of pretty eggies! So tell the big ones, bring me more food!"

"-They bring me plenty of food, so they must want plenty of eggies. And plenty they shall have, if they're nice to me! Hee hee!"

[slayeroforanges]

But could she be anything else if she wanted to? No. You don't have to be crying and slumped against a wall as sad music plays to have resigned yourself to this fate. The fluke hermit was an adult free and wandering when she ended up becoming a mother. The broodling is just a piece of a bigger, crueler system. Do you think she would be allowed to say no to the flies who want her to fatten up and lay all of their eggs? Of course not. And of course, she's "excited" to be a broodmother. She has been indoctrinated by the other flies. Yes, the part about laying eggies is perfectly natural for a brood-bearing young one like her, but it's not about the eggies, it's about the fact that she has given up on being anything more than that, and has resigned to living in filth and darkness.

[bluwails]

warriorssurvivalandstuff said it best as a tag (I wont @ them to give them peace of mind) Thank you for phrasing it better for me. :D

The proper way of saying it is that the broodling is living in ignorance. much like keeping up traditions the broodling can blindly keep it going or force a change. so the broodling has a choice that she can enforce. the system and judgments placed on the flies is dying if not long dead. so her fate is not seal unless she wills it, which is a choice unto itself.

Her role, like many in HK universe, is not just given- it's claimed.

But I genuinely think this comes down to your inability to to accept that she’s happy and genuinely flourishing in unsettling role in a system that was built against her and because she's the new broodmother, she now has the power to not only change her condition but to change the future for those after her. She has choices, she can make demands and its clear from her quotes shes not afraid to make them.

I do not deny the the cruelty of the system- but i deny that, that cruelty defines the broodling.

[slayeroforanges]

But... how could she make the choice? Who could expose her to freedom and allow her to choose based on that? Do you believe her bigger brothers exposed her to enough worldly knowledge for her to make the call on whether or not being a broodmother is something she wants? Probably not. The choice for who Broodling is was made as soon as her predecessor was dead, and her lack of a name or in-game function beyond telling Hornet to bring her more food only enforces it. But perhaps you are right on that part. The broodling is happier than I initially believed, but that doesn't mean her situation is less tragic than I believe it is. She simply doesn't see it as tragedy. Just the way she has always been.

[bluwails]

In both HK and SS Characters often accept horrifying roles willingly and that happiness and horror frequently coexist as two sides on an ever flipping coin. But after rereading this I realized that we view one's agency, tragedy and opportunity differently.

the broodling can be tragic because she is new to a system meant to keep the cycle of suffering going. And cant see her part in said system. and may( most likely) perpetuate it. You view her ability, her chances, to be happy tragic.

but the broodling can also not be tragic because she finds joy and relishes in the power she has where people see horror. I find that one's situation may be tragic but they can find fulfilment within troubled times. we cant tell someone when not to smile in their shitty predicament (pun intended).

change can be willed by outside pressure- forcing one to evolve or be left behind. But that is the point. One must decide to change. If one is satisfied will they change? or will they change BECAUSE they are satisfied?

I look to the idea of a brighter opportunities because the broodling will be satisfied. what could stop her except herself? after all she is the one in charge of the "eggies" now.

[slayeroforanges]

Okay, but I ask, if Broodling didn't want to breed, if she didn't want to be locked in the slab, if she didn't want to become so fat that she would eventually struggle to fly as her mother did, what would she be able to do about that? She's certainly an optimistic little girl who's trying to make the most of her dreary situation, but that situation is still far from a happy one.

[bluwails]

That is my point exactly.

because the system she was born into is failing/failed, unlike her predecessors, she has the ability to make that choice!

the sin?

physically, long paid.

the Judges?

Long passed.

there is nothing holding her but herself.

So while her situation is tragic, her perspective isn’t—she’s living in the tragedy, but she’s not crushed by it. She NOW has that freedom to do what she likes BECAUSE shes the new broodmother. The tragedy is in the system, not in how she experiences it.

[slayeroforanges]

I thought her naivety to it was tragic, does she look like she knows her eggs will grow into violent thugs who cage people for looking sinful? Would she even know it when or if they do, being in her room all day eating food and popping out eggies?

[bluwails]

youre speaking as if their future is determined. that change isnt possible. Youre damning them before any has come to be or has an opportunity to change and experience ( like you so desperately want them to do).

Youre speaking much like the bugs that have damned them. as we know, as of act 3, GMS the OG weavers and those that helped uphold their regin over the citadel are GONE. nothing is stopping the broodling and the flies from changing but themselves.

and even if they dont, wouldnt she be proud that they are doing their job successfully?

[slayeroforanges]

Ok, but change has to come from somewhere. The flies have been hunting sinners since the slab was built. How will the broodling or someone else motivate them to change their views on sinners? Hornet probably could, but she never shows any desire to do anything but kill the flies. So, to cut to the chase, Where do you think the broodling shall learn mercy that none of her relatives have?

[bluwails]

With the old judges/weavers gone, the rigid hierarchy is gone. Change might come organically. she doesn’t have to be taught morality in a textbook sense. or If she enjoys her role and the flies obey her, she already has leverage. She could accidentally or intentionally shape outcomes differently than her predecessors, simply by exercising her influence. like i stated earlier

"One must decide to change. If one is satisfied will they change? or will they change BECAUSE they are satisfied? I look to the idea of a brighter opportunities because the broodling will be satisfied. what could stop her except herself?-"

[slayeroforanges]

Ok, that's the one problem. What do we have to suggest that Broodling has any sway over her kin? She does mention giving them eggs if they are nice to her, but her standard for them being nice is just them feeding her, which the flies are already planning on doing anyhow. Plus, look at their needolin dialogue. The servants who respect their leaders show it, the skarrs, even haunted continue to think of Karmelitta and her song, the only living karakan we can find still thinks about his lord, the ministers eagerly admire the devotion and faith of the conductors. But the flies? Asides from the fresh flies who have quite literally just been born, they make no mention of mommy in their song, focused solely on their own suffering and filth and hatred for sinners.

[bluwails]

shes the broodmother.

[slayeroforanges]

Being a mother doesn't give you innate control over your offspring.

[bluwails]

Am I the only one who thinks the broodling is one of the saddest NPCs in Silksong? She's just a little girl, and she's already completely resigned herself to filth and captivity. She doesn't understand that the flies are just fattening her up to be more useful... she just thinks they are being nice to her.

OMG No.

Yes the Flies are in what is considered damnation across generations that can only be lifted by the next ruler or from them removing themselves from the ideation that they (as the current generation) is far from the generation that was damned and free themselves. but thats far from what is being spoken about rn.

THE BROODLING IS NOT TRAGIC.

the broodling is not the saddest nor does she resign herself to her situation. far from it even. She freaking excited! Equating her to some tragic being of circumstance is far from what happened.

she's like the fluke hermit!

she has taken up the mantle of broodmother.

"I want to lay a lot of pretty eggies! So tell the big ones, bring me more food!"

"-They bring me plenty of food, so they must want plenty of eggies. And plenty they shall have, if they're nice to me! Hee hee!"

[slayeroforanges]

But could she be anything else if she wanted to? No. You don't have to be crying and slumped against a wall as sad music plays to have resigned yourself to this fate. The fluke hermit was an adult free and wandering when she ended up becoming a mother. The broodling is just a piece of a bigger, crueler system. Do you think she would be allowed to say no to the flies who want her to fatten up and lay all of their eggs? Of course not. And of course, she's "excited" to be a broodmother. She has been indoctrinated by the other flies. Yes, the part about laying eggies is perfectly natural for a brood-bearing young one like her, but it's not about the eggies, it's about the fact that she has given up on being anything more than that, and has resigned to living in filth and darkness.

[bluwails]

warriorssurvivalandstuff said it best as a tag (I wont @ them to give them peace of mind) Thank you for phrasing it better for me. :D

The proper way of saying it is that the broodling is living in ignorance. much like keeping up traditions the broodling can blindly keep it going or force a change. so the broodling has a choice that she can enforce. the system and judgments placed on the flies is dying if not long dead. so her fate is not seal unless she wills it, which is a choice unto itself.

Her role, like many in HK universe, is not just given- it's claimed.

But I genuinely think this comes down to your inability to to accept that she’s happy and genuinely flourishing in unsettling role in a system that was built against her and because she's the new broodmother, she now has the power to not only change her condition but to change the future for those after her. She has choices, she can make demands and its clear from her quotes shes not afraid to make them.

I do not deny the the cruelty of the system- but i deny that, that cruelty defines the broodling.

[slayeroforanges]

But... how could she make the choice? Who could expose her to freedom and allow her to choose based on that? Do you believe her bigger brothers exposed her to enough worldly knowledge for her to make the call on whether or not being a broodmother is something she wants? Probably not. The choice for who Broodling is was made as soon as her predecessor was dead, and her lack of a name or in-game function beyond telling Hornet to bring her more food only enforces it. But perhaps you are right on that part. The broodling is happier than I initially believed, but that doesn't mean her situation is less tragic than I believe it is. She simply doesn't see it as tragedy. Just the way she has always been.

[bluwails]

In both HK and SS Characters often accept horrifying roles willingly and that happiness and horror frequently coexist as two sides on an ever flipping coin. But after rereading this I realized that we view one's agency, tragedy and opportunity differently.

the broodling can be tragic because she is new to a system meant to keep the cycle of suffering going. And cant see her part in said system. and may( most likely) perpetuate it. You view her ability, her chances, to be happy tragic.

but the broodling can also not be tragic because she finds joy and relishes in the power she has where people see horror. I find that one's situation may be tragic but they can find fulfilment within troubled times. we cant tell someone when not to smile in their shitty predicament (pun intended).

change can be willed by outside pressure- forcing one to evolve or be left behind. But that is the point. One must decide to change. If one is satisfied will they change? or will they change BECAUSE they are satisfied?

I look to the idea of a brighter opportunities because the broodling will be satisfied. what could stop her except herself? after all she is the one in charge of the "eggies" now.

[slayeroforanges]

Okay, but I ask, if Broodling didn't want to breed, if she didn't want to be locked in the slab, if she didn't want to become so fat that she would eventually struggle to fly as her mother did, what would she be able to do about that? She's certainly an optimistic little girl who's trying to make the most of her dreary situation, but that situation is still far from a happy one.

[bluwails]

That is my point exactly.

because the system she was born into is failing/failed, unlike her predecessors, she has the ability to make that choice!

the sin?

physically, long paid.

the Judges?

Long passed.

there is nothing holding her but herself.

So while her situation is tragic, her perspective isn’t—she’s living in the tragedy, but she’s not crushed by it. She NOW has that freedom to do what she likes BECAUSE shes the new broodmother. The tragedy is in the system, not in how she experiences it.

[slayeroforanges]

I thought her naivety to it was tragic, does she look like she knows her eggs will grow into violent thugs who cage people for looking sinful? Would she even know it when or if they do, being in her room all day eating food and popping out eggies?

[bluwails]

youre speaking as if their future is determined. that change isnt possible. Youre damning them before any has come to be or has an opportunity to change and experience ( like you so desperately want them to do).

Youre speaking much like the bugs that have damned them. as we know, as of act 3, GMS the OG weavers and those that helped uphold their regin over the citadel are GONE. nothing is stopping the broodling and the flies from changing but themselves.

and even if they dont, wouldnt she be proud that they are doing their job successfully?

[slayeroforanges]

Ok, but change has to come from somewhere. The flies have been hunting sinners since the slab was built. How will the broodling or someone else motivate them to change their views on sinners? Hornet probably could, but she never shows any desire to do anything but kill the flies. So, to cut to the chase, Where do you think the broodling shall learn mercy that none of her relatives have?

[bluwails]

With the old judges/weavers gone, the rigid hierarchy is gone. Change might come organically. she doesn’t have to be taught morality in a textbook sense. or If she enjoys her role and the flies obey her, she already has leverage. She could accidentally or intentionally shape outcomes differently than her predecessors, simply by exercising her influence. like i stated earlier

"One must decide to change. If one is satisfied will they change? or will they change BECAUSE they are satisfied? I look to the idea of a brighter opportunities because the broodling will be satisfied. what could stop her except herself?-"

[slayeroforanges]

Ok, that's the one problem. What do we have to suggest that Broodling has any sway over her kin? She does mention giving them eggs if they are nice to her, but her standard for them being nice is just them feeding her, which the flies are already planning on doing anyhow. Plus, look at their needolin dialogue. The servants who respect their leaders show it, the skarrs, even haunted continue to think of Karmelitta and her song, the only living karakan we can find still thinks about his lord, the ministers eagerly admire the devotion and faith of the conductors. But the flies? Asides from the fresh flies who have quite literally just been born, they make no mention of mommy in their song, focused solely on their own suffering and filth and hatred for sinners.

[bluwails]

Am I the only one who thinks the broodling is one of the saddest NPCs in Silksong? She's just a little girl, and she's already completely resigned herself to filth and captivity. She doesn't understand that the flies are just fattening her up to be more useful... she just thinks they are being nice to her.

OMG No.

Yes the Flies are in what is considered damnation across generations that can only be lifted by the next ruler or from them removing themselves from the ideation that they (as the current generation) is far from the generation that was damned and free themselves. but thats far from what is being spoken about rn.

THE BROODLING IS NOT TRAGIC.

the broodling is not the saddest nor does she resign herself to her situation. far from it even. She freaking excited! Equating her to some tragic being of circumstance is far from what happened.

she's like the fluke hermit!

she has taken up the mantle of broodmother.

"I want to lay a lot of pretty eggies! So tell the big ones, bring me more food!"

"-They bring me plenty of food, so they must want plenty of eggies. And plenty they shall have, if they're nice to me! Hee hee!"

[slayeroforanges]

But could she be anything else if she wanted to? No. You don't have to be crying and slumped against a wall as sad music plays to have resigned yourself to this fate. The fluke hermit was an adult free and wandering when she ended up becoming a mother. The broodling is just a piece of a bigger, crueler system. Do you think she would be allowed to say no to the flies who want her to fatten up and lay all of their eggs? Of course not. And of course, she's "excited" to be a broodmother. She has been indoctrinated by the other flies. Yes, the part about laying eggies is perfectly natural for a brood-bearing young one like her, but it's not about the eggies, it's about the fact that she has given up on being anything more than that, and has resigned to living in filth and darkness.

[bluwails]

warriorssurvivalandstuff said it best as a tag (I wont @ them to give them peace of mind) Thank you for phrasing it better for me. :D

The proper way of saying it is that the broodling is living in ignorance. much like keeping up traditions the broodling can blindly keep it going or force a change. so the broodling has a choice that she can enforce. the system and judgments placed on the flies is dying if not long dead. so her fate is not seal unless she wills it, which is a choice unto itself.

Her role, like many in HK universe, is not just given- it's claimed.

But I genuinely think this comes down to your inability to to accept that she’s happy and genuinely flourishing in unsettling role in a system that was built against her and because she's the new broodmother, she now has the power to not only change her condition but to change the future for those after her. She has choices, she can make demands and its clear from her quotes shes not afraid to make them.

I do not deny the the cruelty of the system- but i deny that, that cruelty defines the broodling.

[slayeroforanges]

But... how could she make the choice? Who could expose her to freedom and allow her to choose based on that? Do you believe her bigger brothers exposed her to enough worldly knowledge for her to make the call on whether or not being a broodmother is something she wants? Probably not. The choice for who Broodling is was made as soon as her predecessor was dead, and her lack of a name or in-game function beyond telling Hornet to bring her more food only enforces it. But perhaps you are right on that part. The broodling is happier than I initially believed, but that doesn't mean her situation is less tragic than I believe it is. She simply doesn't see it as tragedy. Just the way she has always been.

[bluwails]

In both HK and SS Characters often accept horrifying roles willingly and that happiness and horror frequently coexist as two sides on an ever flipping coin. But after rereading this I realized that we view one's agency, tragedy and opportunity differently.

the broodling can be tragic because she is new to a system meant to keep the cycle of suffering going. And cant see her part in said system. and may( most likely) perpetuate it. You view her ability, her chances, to be happy tragic.

but the broodling can also not be tragic because she finds joy and relishes in the power she has where people see horror. I find that one's situation may be tragic but they can find fulfilment within troubled times. we cant tell someone when not to smile in their shitty predicament (pun intended).

change can be willed by outside pressure- forcing one to evolve or be left behind. But that is the point. One must decide to change. If one is satisfied will they change? or will they change BECAUSE they are satisfied?

I look to the idea of a brighter opportunities because the broodling will be satisfied. what could stop her except herself? after all she is the one in charge of the "eggies" now.

[slayeroforanges]

Okay, but I ask, if Broodling didn't want to breed, if she didn't want to be locked in the slab, if she didn't want to become so fat that she would eventually struggle to fly as her mother did, what would she be able to do about that? She's certainly an optimistic little girl who's trying to make the most of her dreary situation, but that situation is still far from a happy one.

[bluwails]

That is my point exactly.

because the system she was born into is failing/failed, unlike her predecessors, she has the ability to make that choice!

the sin?

physically, long paid.

the Judges?

Long passed.

there is nothing holding her but herself.

So while her situation is tragic, her perspective isn’t—she’s living in the tragedy, but she’s not crushed by it. She NOW has that freedom to do what she likes BECAUSE shes the new broodmother. The tragedy is in the system, not in how she experiences it.

[slayeroforanges]

I thought her naivety to it was tragic, does she look like she knows her eggs will grow into violent thugs who cage people for looking sinful? Would she even know it when or if they do, being in her room all day eating food and popping out eggies?

[bluwails]

youre speaking as if their future is determined. that change isnt possible. Youre damning them before any has come to be or has an opportunity to change and experience ( like you so desperately want them to do).

Youre speaking much like the bugs that have damned them. as we know, as of act 3, GMS the OG weavers and those that helped uphold their regin over the citadel are GONE. nothing is stopping the broodling and the flies from changing but themselves.

and even if they dont, wouldnt she be proud that they are doing their job successfully?

[slayeroforanges]

Ok, but change has to come from somewhere. The flies have been hunting sinners since the slab was built. How will the broodling or someone else motivate them to change their views on sinners? Hornet probably could, but she never shows any desire to do anything but kill the flies. So, to cut to the chase, Where do you think the broodling shall learn mercy that none of her relatives have?

[bluwails]

Am I the only one who thinks the broodling is one of the saddest NPCs in Silksong? She's just a little girl, and she's already completely resigned herself to filth and captivity. She doesn't understand that the flies are just fattening her up to be more useful... she just thinks they are being nice to her.

OMG No.

Yes the Flies are in what is considered damnation across generations that can only be lifted by the next ruler or from them removing themselves from the ideation that they (as the current generation) is far from the generation that was damned and free themselves. but thats far from what is being spoken about rn.

THE BROODLING IS NOT TRAGIC.

the broodling is not the saddest nor does she resign herself to her situation. far from it even. She freaking excited! Equating her to some tragic being of circumstance is far from what happened.

she's like the fluke hermit!

she has taken up the mantle of broodmother.

"I want to lay a lot of pretty eggies! So tell the big ones, bring me more food!"

"-They bring me plenty of food, so they must want plenty of eggies. And plenty they shall have, if they're nice to me! Hee hee!"

[slayeroforanges]

But could she be anything else if she wanted to? No. You don't have to be crying and slumped against a wall as sad music plays to have resigned yourself to this fate. The fluke hermit was an adult free and wandering when she ended up becoming a mother. The broodling is just a piece of a bigger, crueler system. Do you think she would be allowed to say no to the flies who want her to fatten up and lay all of their eggs? Of course not. And of course, she's "excited" to be a broodmother. She has been indoctrinated by the other flies. Yes, the part about laying eggies is perfectly natural for a brood-bearing young one like her, but it's not about the eggies, it's about the fact that she has given up on being anything more than that, and has resigned to living in filth and darkness.

[bluwails]

warriorssurvivalandstuff said it best as a tag (I wont @ them to give them peace of mind) Thank you for phrasing it better for me. :D

The proper way of saying it is that the broodling is living in ignorance. much like keeping up traditions the broodling can blindly keep it going or force a change. so the broodling has a choice that she can enforce. the system and judgments placed on the flies is dying if not long dead. so her fate is not seal unless she wills it, which is a choice unto itself.

Her role, like many in HK universe, is not just given- it's claimed.

But I genuinely think this comes down to your inability to to accept that she’s happy and genuinely flourishing in unsettling role in a system that was built against her and because she's the new broodmother, she now has the power to not only change her condition but to change the future for those after her. She has choices, she can make demands and its clear from her quotes shes not afraid to make them.

I do not deny the the cruelty of the system- but i deny that, that cruelty defines the broodling.

[slayeroforanges]

But... how could she make the choice? Who could expose her to freedom and allow her to choose based on that? Do you believe her bigger brothers exposed her to enough worldly knowledge for her to make the call on whether or not being a broodmother is something she wants? Probably not. The choice for who Broodling is was made as soon as her predecessor was dead, and her lack of a name or in-game function beyond telling Hornet to bring her more food only enforces it. But perhaps you are right on that part. The broodling is happier than I initially believed, but that doesn't mean her situation is less tragic than I believe it is. She simply doesn't see it as tragedy. Just the way she has always been.

[bluwails]

In both HK and SS Characters often accept horrifying roles willingly and that happiness and horror frequently coexist as two sides on an ever flipping coin. But after rereading this I realized that we view one's agency, tragedy and opportunity differently.

the broodling can be tragic because she is new to a system meant to keep the cycle of suffering going. And cant see her part in said system. and may( most likely) perpetuate it. You view her ability, her chances, to be happy tragic.

but the broodling can also not be tragic because she finds joy and relishes in the power she has where people see horror. I find that one's situation may be tragic but they can find fulfilment within troubled times. we cant tell someone when not to smile in their shitty predicament (pun intended).

change can be willed by outside pressure- forcing one to evolve or be left behind. But that is the point. One must decide to change. If one is satisfied will they change? or will they change BECAUSE they are satisfied?

I look to the idea of a brighter opportunities because the broodling will be satisfied. what could stop her except herself? after all she is the one in charge of the "eggies" now.

[slayeroforanges]

Okay, but I ask, if Broodling didn't want to breed, if she didn't want to be locked in the slab, if she didn't want to become so fat that she would eventually struggle to fly as her mother did, what would she be able to do about that? She's certainly an optimistic little girl who's trying to make the most of her dreary situation, but that situation is still far from a happy one.

[bluwails]

That is my point exactly.

because the system she was born into is failing/failed, unlike her predecessors, she has the ability to make that choice!

the sin?

physically, long paid.

the Judges?

Long passed.

there is nothing holding her but herself.

So while her situation is tragic, her perspective isn’t—she’s living in the tragedy, but she’s not crushed by it. She NOW has that freedom to do what she likes BECAUSE shes the new broodmother. The tragedy is in the system, not in how she experiences it.

[slayeroforanges]

I thought her naivety to it was tragic, does she look like she knows her eggs will grow into violent thugs who cage people for looking sinful? Would she even know it when or if they do, being in her room all day eating food and popping out eggies?