a day once dawned

Hotaru For a moment she fears he will use her teasing as an excuse to delve into the pits of his self-doubt, the thoughts of uselessness and the scales of worth that he never views with impartial eyes. Instead he volleys the teasing of her tone back at her, and she sinks into the mire of play and antics as if they are children of half their ages. "If you're so kind as to wish it to me, then I'll take it." Tittering, amused, imagining such a circumstance coming to pass. Those who love Deimos most seem to have come to the same conclusion: if they don't keep him on his toes, tease and aggravate him, who else will? Well, considering the man's exclusive standards and short temper, likely everyone else in Caido. But she can overlook that in favor of being a pain in his ass. It makes her own life more amusing. The gentled barbs fall away to darker thoughts, to sunless days and loss and fear. He hides his flickering emotions far too well, even against her shrewd and knowing eyes. But she expects no less than what he tells her, even if it doesn't help the way her stomach still won't settle. "I know. We both love you, so I know she was scared, but I wish she would learn to have faith in us and not charge in herself." Perhaps it is their own problems that make them more willing to sacrifice themselves in place of her, but Hotaru knows he feels the same. That they'd both rather perish in those flames if it meant Kiada did not. Hotaru waits quietly as his ruminations drag long, letting the words settle in his mind, an open palm offering a shoulder, an ear, a spine that will not bow beneath the weight of his troubles. There's nothing more to say, the ball firmly held in his court, awaiting his decision. And when it comes, she conceals her surprise at his acquiescence, her brow drawing low and a soft sigh emitting from her lips at the tally that he lists. But the name he gives brings her two-toned gaze back up, something cold settling in her gut as she quickly begins to make the connections. "I do. The Golden Prince. I knew of him, met him a few times when the Throat held me there. He was a good kid. Did he...was he one of them?" The fact that Deimos had met him, had learned his name even before LongNight occurred, only further softens her gaze in empathetic response. Any loss is too much, but to know another Helovian had been here - no matter how short lived - and summarily lost...it's a blow that even she can feel.