HOTARU
A fine golden brow rises curiously at the way he words Lusea's proposed thoughts. Whether he intends for it to be leading or not, she takes the bait, shuffling closer to the table until the edge presses into her skin. "You don't seem the type to be picky with partners, but I sense something more to that. Who were you seeing previously?" She is more straightforward when she asks, not wanting it to come off as too teasing with her prior comment. There is something dark there, curling and mired beneath seaglass, a shade that exists in his eyes. One she wants to know, to hear the truth of, to lift him out of the depths of his tainted past. His thumb traces along her palm, and she returns the gentle touch, letting the silence wrap around them comfortably. Nothing but the crackle of the logs in the fireplace and the steady cadence of their breathing to occupy the space between them. Grateful that they're both alive, grateful that the other is alive. Hotaru is grateful to have met him, to have gotten her own second chance, and the feeling lingers between them before he speaks once more. "Then she knows how you feel, was able to give her own goodbye. It's more than we have gotten in the past." Though she already feels the sharp ache, the desire to run and find this daughter of Mort, to speak to Ru'in one last time. She clings to his hand to prevent herself from doing it foolishly, but at least she understands. At least Lusea had been able to say goodbye from beyond the grave.
Hotaru gives a pointed look at the glasses between them when he mentions the bar. "I wouldn't say you're drunk, but you're certainly not missing out." She squeezes his hand, wondering if they'll ever fully let go of each other through the course of the night. She's not bothered by the idea of not. "You can always come here, even if you don't want to talk. But don't expect me to be mushy all the time, I have an image to uphold." A lie, because she would do it any time he asked, but he doesn't need to know that.
I am a breathtaking mosaic
of all the battles I've won
of all the battles I've won
