"You overestimate the collective intelligence of two bumbling men." It's a gentle tease, more amused than anything, but she remembers well the days of having to guide Deimos through the annoying red tape of negotiations and flattery. He was more of a 'bulldoze through it, ask questions later' type, while Hotaru was a long-game player. It had been an effective pair for ruling, but it exasperated her at times, and she loves to nettle at him for it.
A tinge of discomfort and regret settles like a fine layer of snow on her shoulders at Jigano's wistful smile, the softness of his tone. She has performed a misstep somehow, and it's one she can't navigate, unaware of what minor part of the phrase had triggered him. Instead she hums softly in acknowledgement of his words, but does not press. Not now. Instead she simply leans back and stares at their progress so far, one ear tuned to Jigano as he muses aloud.
[say"It would certainly be easier to pull," she agrees warmly. That's one less thing for her to worry about. When he directs her to where to chop, she merely nods in acquiescence, more focused on the work than any kind of banter she would have normally struck up. Her axe swings in long, arcing strikes, precise and powerful despite her minute frame. It was easy to fall into a rhythm, to lull herself into the physicality of the work, until she feels a foreign weight drop onto her shoulders.
Hotaru immediately freezes, taking rapid stock of the situation and turning her head slowly. There's far too much movement for it to be snow or debris from above, and sure enough as she cranes her neck she sees scales and a wriggling body. Holding very still, she takes a calming deep breath and calls out to her partner. "Jigano, I appear to have made an unexpected friend. Care to help?" She keeps her tone soft and level, only loud enough to be heard lest she startle the poor thing. Hotaru doesn't know what snakes are venomous in this new land, and she certainly doesn't want her boob to be the one to find out.
A tinge of discomfort and regret settles like a fine layer of snow on her shoulders at Jigano's wistful smile, the softness of his tone. She has performed a misstep somehow, and it's one she can't navigate, unaware of what minor part of the phrase had triggered him. Instead she hums softly in acknowledgement of his words, but does not press. Not now. Instead she simply leans back and stares at their progress so far, one ear tuned to Jigano as he muses aloud.
[say"It would certainly be easier to pull," she agrees warmly. That's one less thing for her to worry about. When he directs her to where to chop, she merely nods in acquiescence, more focused on the work than any kind of banter she would have normally struck up. Her axe swings in long, arcing strikes, precise and powerful despite her minute frame. It was easy to fall into a rhythm, to lull herself into the physicality of the work, until she feels a foreign weight drop onto her shoulders.
Hotaru immediately freezes, taking rapid stock of the situation and turning her head slowly. There's far too much movement for it to be snow or debris from above, and sure enough as she cranes her neck she sees scales and a wriggling body. Holding very still, she takes a calming deep breath and calls out to her partner. "Jigano, I appear to have made an unexpected friend. Care to help?" She keeps her tone soft and level, only loud enough to be heard lest she startle the poor thing. Hotaru doesn't know what snakes are venomous in this new land, and she certainly doesn't want her boob to be the one to find out.
