Woke Up Underwater

I was brought up as a southern belle
I grew into the queen of hell

Out on the beach, Hotaru takes up plentiful space with an eye-catching massive beach towel that is egregiously large considering the petite woman perched in the center of it. With winter on the horizon and the knowledge she will be spending some time in Halo to greet her new niece or nephew - whether she is needed for help or just to introductions - it's only fitting she sneak in some sunbathing time while she's capable of it. King's End has modest beaches, but nothing can possibly compare to Torchline's control of the market. It's simply a bonus that it allows her the option to visit Flora too.

Her soft glow is scarcely discernible beneath the height of the afternoon sun, but she's admittedly still a striking figure as she sits leisurely reclined on one arm while reading with another. A romance book that she scoffs at every few minutes, unimpressed by the trite nature of the current plot. Tossing it to the side when one passage ruins it entirely for her, Hotaru winces when her new strength sends it a little too far - past even the boundaries of her massive towel - and she grumbles slightly as she stands to retrieve it. It may be garbage, but that doesn't mean it's worthy of littering.

You were just a little stowaway
That stabbed her way to save herself

Loathe the way they light candles in Rome
But love the sweet air of the votives

"I got it!"

The voice is that of a devilishly handsome young man, wayward page of romantic literature clutched in his strong hands. Shirtless, his tanned skin gleaming beneath the sunlight, he appears an Adonis risen from the surf. Salt still clings crystalline to his luxurious mane, jet-black and cut short and perfectly wind-tossed. He extends a hand down to the demigoddess, smile vibrant as the sun on the sea and eyes like copper, glittering and warm as he takes in her voluptuous form---

Or so the scene might have been described, were this one of Hotaru's books.

In truth, the boy who offers Hotaru her page is less sunkissed-Adonis and more hometown-athlete-wholesome. He's even got a shirt on, unbuttoned though it may be. Still handsome, but with an air of almost bashfulness as he hands the paper back. "There you are, Ma'am."

Hotaru, of course, is devastatingly beautiful, especially in a bathing suit. It would be a lie to say that Koa doesn't notice (and maybe blasphemy?), but for once the presence of a gorgeous woman does not set him at ease. No, today the Dragoon is too preoccupied with organizing his thoughts because aw fuck this is Flora's mom and they've never really met.

Koa Carpenter

Hurt and grieve but don't suffer alone
Engage with the pain as a motive