AINO
There would indeed have been objections, and they kept flashing in eyes turned iceberg cold at the implication that charity was being offered. Hotaru was certainly pushing the limits of Aino's tolerance towards interference with her family; wolfish and instinctive, she would not tolerate anyone's tracking feet to trample what was already fragile.
She did listen, but it was with a suspicion deeply engraved that mirrored so many other Naturals of the region.
"Very generous," she replied, not answering the question tagged on at the end. "Just answer this; why should I trust you?" Thus far, she had done absolutely nothing to make herself worthy of it.
True, agreeing to recompensate for the stolen fish was a step in the right direction, but Aino had to chase her down for it in the first place. A jest to free her from boring tasks sounded well and good, but it was also irresponsible, tactless and inconsiderate. Impulsive, in a way that was simply not acceptable here, where one misstep could and did cost lives.
The measuring, weighing look as Aino gazed down at Hotaru somehow managed to imply all these things - and if not there, then in the arms folding across her chest, or the sceptical cast to the jaw.
"For all I know, all that is just a charity project you take up because you're bored. Can you guarantee that you are not going to tire of it halfway through and disappear?"
She did listen, but it was with a suspicion deeply engraved that mirrored so many other Naturals of the region.
"Very generous," she replied, not answering the question tagged on at the end. "Just answer this; why should I trust you?" Thus far, she had done absolutely nothing to make herself worthy of it.
True, agreeing to recompensate for the stolen fish was a step in the right direction, but Aino had to chase her down for it in the first place. A jest to free her from boring tasks sounded well and good, but it was also irresponsible, tactless and inconsiderate. Impulsive, in a way that was simply not acceptable here, where one misstep could and did cost lives.
The measuring, weighing look as Aino gazed down at Hotaru somehow managed to imply all these things - and if not there, then in the arms folding across her chest, or the sceptical cast to the jaw.
"For all I know, all that is just a charity project you take up because you're bored. Can you guarantee that you are not going to tire of it halfway through and disappear?"
For the good times that we share,
and the bad times that we'll have
and the bad times that we'll have
