Hotaru
nothing's fair in love and war
For all his glacial features that reveal nothing, Hotaru can almost sense the contemplation of escape that rampages through his mind. It’s both amusing and saddening, that the man she so cares for is so reluctant to indulge in a bit of relaxation. Still, it makes it all the sweeter when he instinctively reaches to take her hand. Leveraging him up out of the chair and not feeling him rip away to go sprinting for the window or some other nonsense is a greater victory than she has felt in some time. Invasions that lead to newly acquired kingdoms? Meh. Successfully getting Deimos to relax? It’s a high better than cocaine. For all his posturing and pouting, Hotaru seems to light up from the inside at his praise, fair cheeks flushing pink with pride. Even better is the reluctant interest he shows, and she tugs gently on his hand, walking backwards towards the showers and the bath in its own separate room beyond. Not letting go lest she give him the chance to run. “Oh, many things. The heat and thickness helps ease aches and pains, the ash and silt removes dead skin, and in particular volcanic ash helps remove impurities and soothes irritations from wounds and abrasions alike.” Hoping the soothing, informative tone of her voice will lull him as she guides him forward, she pauses only to tilt her head at him, loose bun flopping to the side. “Would it be easier if I joined you? We could use it as a time to simply talk.” An illusion to conceal the idea of this being a vacation, a word known to cause conniption fits in men like Deimos. Someday Hotaru would find a cure for that malady, but for now she has to be wily.
