The White Palace was silent, save for the faint hum of dream essence flickering through the ornate architecture. Gleaming white stone surrounded you, and the delicate shimmer of soul light danced along the pristine tiles as you stood under a shower of warm, soul-infused water.

Your cloak was off, your carapace misted with gentle steam, covered in soul-infused soap, glowing faintly as the droplets rolled off. It was rare to find peace in the palace, but you'd taken this moment for yourself, letting the warmth soak away the fatigue of countless battles and wandering.

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed sharply. You barely had time to turn before the shower room door flung open with a dramatic creak. Hornet stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her red cloak fluttering slightly as if still caught in motion. Her needle was sheathed on her back, but her eyes burned with that familiar intensity.

"Again?" she said, voice sharp, like silk over a Nail. "How many times are you going to trounce me before you're satisfied, Vessel?"

You blinked, water still running down your blank, featureless face. You tilted your head slightly, unsure if she was going to fight you here and now or just scold you into next week.

Hornet stepped forward, her eyes twitching slightly in what might have been a huff. Then, with deliberate ease, she unfastened her cloak, setting them aside with barely concealed irritation.

"I'm not here to spar," she muttered. "But I am sore. And I refuse to wait."

Without a second thought, she stepped under the soul water stream, right in front of you, then abruptly wrapping her arms tightly around you, your member between her thighs in a literal iron grip.

You froze.

"I've got you now... you slippery little Grub" she says with a mocking tone, unaware that you were covered in soul-infused soap, making it slide freely without pain. She was pressed against you, elegant and strong, steam curling around her frame as the water soaked through her skin. For a moment, the air between you thickened, partly from the steam, partly from something else unspoken.