HOTARU
She's in a long black coat tonight
Waiting for me in the downpour outside
Waiting for me in the downpour outside
Everything goes to hell within moments of the sun setting. Nobody notices Rexanna slipping out, though Hotaru furrows her brow at the displaced boards and replaces them immediately. A little more difficult when having to be quiet, but she won't leave any exit unguarded. It's only as she's dusting off her hands that the screaming starts. Rending the air in dual tones, child and woman, and before she even comprehends who is calling she is sprinting down the halls to the only remaining door. Maybe something in her recognizes the voice, the cadence of the tone, but her heart rabbits in her chest nonetheless. How has something already gone wrong? Did they miscount? Had someone slipped out of the door she'd just nailed shit again?
Her feet slide against the floor as she goes skidding across the hardwood, eyes lifting to the door and the stalwart guardian she knows will be there and -
All breath is stolen from her in one fell swoop. She would recognize that spill of dark hair anywhere. That moonlight skin and a face always laughing, tittering and smirking. Always so full of life and love. Her knees go out from under her before she even takes a step, because Bastien's wails are the only confirmation she needs. Long before Zuriel approaches. Long before Deimos moves forward to gather a second body.
She's gone. Gone forever this time, no portals or magic to bring her back. Her soul as lost as her own son's.
There will be no reunion. There will be no more late nights spent tangled in each other's arms, smiling and laughing, brushing noses and holding hands. There will be no more reminiscing, no hidden secrets and inside jokes.
Her sister is dead.
The first friend she'd ever had. The cloaked dagger that had hidden behind her throne, always loyal. The first true love Hotaru had ever known, free of the taint of romantic entanglement and heartbreak. Gone. As simple as that.
What was the last thing Hotaru had said to her? She recalls the smooth, cool skin beneath her lips mere hours ago as she'd kissed Rexanna's cheek. She only finds the salt of tears upon them now, as she hunches over on her knees and moans a wounded, aching noise that never seems to end. Pulling itself from her eternally until there's nothing left to give, leaving her hollowed out inside. She curls into herself upon the floor, tears staining her cheeks as her shoulders shudder with a grief she cannot express. Unwilling to rob this moment from Bastien, no matter how badly she desires to hold her sister's hand. To reach out and cling to something of hers, even if the soul that made the woman herself is gone.
Atlas stands protectively overtop her, Hotaru's grief overwhelming his going mind. All he knows is that she hurts, and he has no way to heal it.
Her feet slide against the floor as she goes skidding across the hardwood, eyes lifting to the door and the stalwart guardian she knows will be there and -
All breath is stolen from her in one fell swoop. She would recognize that spill of dark hair anywhere. That moonlight skin and a face always laughing, tittering and smirking. Always so full of life and love. Her knees go out from under her before she even takes a step, because Bastien's wails are the only confirmation she needs. Long before Zuriel approaches. Long before Deimos moves forward to gather a second body.
She's gone. Gone forever this time, no portals or magic to bring her back. Her soul as lost as her own son's.
There will be no reunion. There will be no more late nights spent tangled in each other's arms, smiling and laughing, brushing noses and holding hands. There will be no more reminiscing, no hidden secrets and inside jokes.
Her sister is dead.
The first friend she'd ever had. The cloaked dagger that had hidden behind her throne, always loyal. The first true love Hotaru had ever known, free of the taint of romantic entanglement and heartbreak. Gone. As simple as that.
What was the last thing Hotaru had said to her? She recalls the smooth, cool skin beneath her lips mere hours ago as she'd kissed Rexanna's cheek. She only finds the salt of tears upon them now, as she hunches over on her knees and moans a wounded, aching noise that never seems to end. Pulling itself from her eternally until there's nothing left to give, leaving her hollowed out inside. She curls into herself upon the floor, tears staining her cheeks as her shoulders shudder with a grief she cannot express. Unwilling to rob this moment from Bastien, no matter how badly she desires to hold her sister's hand. To reach out and cling to something of hers, even if the soul that made the woman herself is gone.
Atlas stands protectively overtop her, Hotaru's grief overwhelming his going mind. All he knows is that she hurts, and he has no way to heal it.
singing "Baby come home" in a melody of tears
While the rhythm of the rain keeps time
While the rhythm of the rain keeps time
