The skies are black with lead-filled rain
a morbid painting on display
a morbid painting on display
Propriety has no place in this veritable shithole of a day, and if it earns her a brother in arms for the moment then she'll color his entire world with the array of swears in her vocabulary. Instead she merely gives a distinctly unladylike grunt of agreement, too tired for words even if they would garner her more respect or whatever it is that melts the prickles from the man's face. Deigning instead to follow where he leads, the shuffle of boots and hooves in snow the only sound to accompany their travels. For quite some way, it seems, as time stretches on in winding ribbons that she loses track of far too easily. "Your idea of a stroll seems to be pretty out there," she comments drily, more of a grouse about the weather and general awfulness of the day than his directions or the time it takes to find shelter. It's certainly not his fault.
The offer to scout ahead makes her subtly straighten, too well trained to tense visibly. She's aware of how easily he can abandon her here. She has survived worse, and is completely unbothered by the idea of harnessing her lightning to set fire to an entire collapsed house if it means keeping herself and Atlas warm for the night. So, worst comes to worst...
At least he offers his name and a way to track him down. Easily a lie, though he seems to easily irritated to be so sly. VlamVloed at least she knows. Because of course she does, it's Sunjata's bar. "Come back and I won't have to hunt you down to call you a 'useless asshole'" she bargains instead, but nods in acceptance all the same, watching him transform and fly off summarily. And then it's just her and Atlas. Their bond is still so new, and yet no weaker for it. Exchanging measures of comfort and assurances in the only wordless way they have as they await Rance's return.
Return he does, thank the Gods. Though the prospect of another half an hour is daunting - an understatement to say the least - there's simply no other choice. "Well I've got the shortest legs in the land, so I'm not hopeful about those odds." Giving a wry grin that's a mere shade of her normal charismatic, vipress smirk. It does take a little over the proposed time before they find the shelter, and she immediately sends Atlas in first before moving in behind him. The unicorn folds its spindly legs beneath itself, laying down on the dry earth devoid of snow and cold. She sets to work ripping up old, dry wood that has not leeched water from the snow above, and then with a strong strike of lightning sets it ablaze. The shrieking crackle of her magic makes it clear she's no commander of fire, but it gets the job done. Heat, for all of them. Only then does Hotaru lay up against Atlas, careless of the wet hair as she tries to share some warmth. Tired heterochromic eyes finding Rance in the half-dark. "Thank you. I am indebted to you." Perhaps they will be more fond of one another by morning's light, but if not well there's plenty of room on each side of the fire to stay out of each other's way.
The offer to scout ahead makes her subtly straighten, too well trained to tense visibly. She's aware of how easily he can abandon her here. She has survived worse, and is completely unbothered by the idea of harnessing her lightning to set fire to an entire collapsed house if it means keeping herself and Atlas warm for the night. So, worst comes to worst...
At least he offers his name and a way to track him down. Easily a lie, though he seems to easily irritated to be so sly. VlamVloed at least she knows. Because of course she does, it's Sunjata's bar. "Come back and I won't have to hunt you down to call you a 'useless asshole'" she bargains instead, but nods in acceptance all the same, watching him transform and fly off summarily. And then it's just her and Atlas. Their bond is still so new, and yet no weaker for it. Exchanging measures of comfort and assurances in the only wordless way they have as they await Rance's return.
Return he does, thank the Gods. Though the prospect of another half an hour is daunting - an understatement to say the least - there's simply no other choice. "Well I've got the shortest legs in the land, so I'm not hopeful about those odds." Giving a wry grin that's a mere shade of her normal charismatic, vipress smirk. It does take a little over the proposed time before they find the shelter, and she immediately sends Atlas in first before moving in behind him. The unicorn folds its spindly legs beneath itself, laying down on the dry earth devoid of snow and cold. She sets to work ripping up old, dry wood that has not leeched water from the snow above, and then with a strong strike of lightning sets it ablaze. The shrieking crackle of her magic makes it clear she's no commander of fire, but it gets the job done. Heat, for all of them. Only then does Hotaru lay up against Atlas, careless of the wet hair as she tries to share some warmth. Tired heterochromic eyes finding Rance in the half-dark. "Thank you. I am indebted to you." Perhaps they will be more fond of one another by morning's light, but if not well there's plenty of room on each side of the fire to stay out of each other's way.
This is the night that young love died
Buried at each others sides
Buried at each others sides
