a day once dawned

Hotaru She knows she can only get so much admission and emotion from the man before her, her countenance calm and understanding as he shifts the conversation away from the threads that connect their self-made family. He has never been sly, duplicitous, had relied more on stoicism and indomitable power than her own twisted words and underhanded schemes. She allows it, if only because she knows he is hurting, and does not want to force discomfort on him on top of that. Hotaru curls her legs tighter, closer, and runs an idle fingertip along the rim of her teacup. "I know it will take time to gain my power back, to join you in your ventures. I've been thinking of opening a shop, creating things." Her eyes flicker up to meet his, smiles wanly. "I'll always be ready for war. It's inevitable, even here. But the day to day is so boring!" She tries to shift the mood of the room, laughing softly even as she tilts her head to partially veil her face with golden strands. "I was thinking I could create glass, structures and vessels, weapons and jewelry. And offer clothes as well. You may pull off the rugged and handsome look, but some of the people here need a lesson in fashion." Though she's surprisingly more utilitarian herself, she is still drawn to the richer sides of life. The glamour, the mystery. Not to mention the benefit of some revealing outfits when it comes to gathering information or distracting those who think with their libido instead of their brains. Instead she focuses on his own plans, nods her head in quiet understanding of his goals. Bones were surprisingly resistant to heat, perhaps they could find something to give Cera a proper burial with. She gazes into the depths of her tea, swirling it idly. "If you need help with the search or the clean up, let me know. I may not have known him here, but I'd like to help honor him." He had been one of the few kind ones, a rarity in any land much less the desert. And when Deimos confirms it, her heart sinks further, and she can't bear to raise her eyes. "He would have had sufficient reason to despise us." She had been the indirect cause of his father's death after all. And still he had been kind to her, to Deimos, to those who had ruled the land that was at odds with his own for so long. "Maybe...maybe he is finally at rest. With his loved ones. Or perhaps he will get a second chance, as you did. He of all people would have earned it." Deimos had as well, in her eyes, but she knows he likely does not share her thoughts on that matter.