All Colors Are Fading

Hotaru

I know they'll be coming to find me soon
But I fear I'm getting used to being held by you

Her glass shop had been little more than rubble when she had ventured across it, and though it had not saddened her greatly, it had unfortunately ruined her plans for the day. Unwilling to waste a journey so long due to a singular inconvenience, the Valkyrie instead took her hyperfixation item of the day and had flown her way to Jack Tar Landing, intent on finding a suitable replacement for her old shop to accomplish her goal.

Glass shaping requires incredibly hot flames and embers and the proper tools to handle it. With that in mind, the only other shop that can meet those requirements is a forge, and though the Landing forge is modest at best it is an undeniable necessity in the microcosm of the port. Hotaru can't conceive why they haven't expanded given all the ships and wagons that would otherwise be stranded without their services - and the premiums they could charge for rush work - but not everyone has the drive for power and acclaim that the Valkyrie does.

"No more than a few hours," she assures, firmly in the middle of sweet-talking the owner as she stands at the entrance of the forge, softly glowing and smiling fit to strike an angel from heaven. "I'm quite experienced, so you won't have to worry about injuries. I'll compensate you as well." It's of no consequence to her given she can obtain nearly anything from anywhere with a touch of personal effort or an exertion of a connection, and she doubts the man is greedy enough to ask for anything too frustrating. In her hand, wrapped loosely in black fabric, a strange rough shape draws the forge owner's eyes - but he will have to continue to wonder, because Hotaru certainly won't bargain this. "Do we have a deal?" Her eyes are captivating and her expression deceivingly hopeful, because any hesitance can be swiftly corrected with a touch of magic if he proves too willful.

I used to sing about being free
Oh, baby, look what you've done to me