Hotaru
It may never be truly cordial - certainly not in the current season - but Hotaru’s smile glows warmer to see Ronin lift his empty hand in an echo of her own gesture. She’ll never cease to respect him, no matter the strangeness of it from the outside. She’s happy for them - both of them. And they all have many thanks to give for the love between the two. Not just for how it has shaped the history of Caido but for its culmination leading to tonight’s return of lost souls. Remi and his all-knowing gaze can surely see the sentiment as it flickers, naked and vulnerable in the wake of Rexanna’s presence ripping down the veils she normally hides behind. When his eyes meet hers she takes the quiet understanding she finds there to provide just enough strength to slip air back into her lungs and ground beneath her feet. Her raised glass lowers, but her smile is smaller and full of gratitude when she breaks Remi’s gaze to find Melita’s.
“No no darling, I’m saying you’re allergic to other people’s emotions. I know you have plenty of your own - they’re not exactly subtle.” She grins at Melita in a way that’s all vixen teeth and approval for the Honeybee’s loud, honest nature.
Not unlike the nature of her daughter - and her son, happily towed in Flora ‘s wake. Hotaru’s arm comes gracefully around the Doubletake, long hair trailing sunlight across the living blossoms that press between them, sweeping Enzo into her other arm to cradle them both. Each one granted a hand that sweeps through their hair, fixing misplaced curls and stray particles of sand. She balances their weight fully, allowing the twins to rest bodily on her as if they’re babes again. Such are the benefits of godliness. “It is, isn’t it? Your fathers will be insufferable,” she sighs mournfully, hiding her smile by dropping a kiss on each twin’s forehead. “You’re lucky your sister has more brain than you Enzo. A hello at the end of the night? There’s no excuse for poor manners, not - even - being dead.” She cuts pointedly and preemptively through his rising voice, petulance crushed with a wry, lifted brow.
But she is not immune to how tonight feels. Flora’s peace harmonizes with her own, and the Valkyrie brings her children closer still so she can bend her head between them, concealing the tiny diamonds on her lashes that betray her overwhelmed heart. “I love you both so very, very much. I am so proud to be your mother - and so happy to have you both here tonight.” The Valkyrie murmurs her love into the trio of their tilted heads, placing idle kisses on any piece she can reach.
Flora had it right. It really is a perfect night.
“No no darling, I’m saying you’re allergic to other people’s emotions. I know you have plenty of your own - they’re not exactly subtle.” She grins at Melita in a way that’s all vixen teeth and approval for the Honeybee’s loud, honest nature.
Not unlike the nature of her daughter - and her son, happily towed in Flora ‘s wake. Hotaru’s arm comes gracefully around the Doubletake, long hair trailing sunlight across the living blossoms that press between them, sweeping Enzo into her other arm to cradle them both. Each one granted a hand that sweeps through their hair, fixing misplaced curls and stray particles of sand. She balances their weight fully, allowing the twins to rest bodily on her as if they’re babes again. Such are the benefits of godliness. “It is, isn’t it? Your fathers will be insufferable,” she sighs mournfully, hiding her smile by dropping a kiss on each twin’s forehead. “You’re lucky your sister has more brain than you Enzo. A hello at the end of the night? There’s no excuse for poor manners, not - even - being dead.” She cuts pointedly and preemptively through his rising voice, petulance crushed with a wry, lifted brow.
But she is not immune to how tonight feels. Flora’s peace harmonizes with her own, and the Valkyrie brings her children closer still so she can bend her head between them, concealing the tiny diamonds on her lashes that betray her overwhelmed heart. “I love you both so very, very much. I am so proud to be your mother - and so happy to have you both here tonight.” The Valkyrie murmurs her love into the trio of their tilted heads, placing idle kisses on any piece she can reach.
Flora had it right. It really is a perfect night.
through her, in a rush of musk and saffron
beauty falls into disarray
beauty falls into disarray
