I lend everyone my ear, but nobody my heart
and I sure would like to change that, but I don't know where to start
and I sure would like to change that, but I don't know where to start
“I wish I had such a magic,” she admits quietly. “You’re not the only one I’d use it on if I did. I’d say we need therapists, but I don’t think anyone is fully qualified to handle the shit we’ve seen and done.” A snort of laughter leaves her.
Quieting at his certainty, Hotaru’s lips twitch when the question is turned back against her, her own response just as quick. There is little to consider. “I miss my original home land. The Voice’s was not the first portal I fell through before I came here. But I wouldn’t trade Caido for anything - I found at least some of my family here from Helovia, and I cling to them as tight as I can.” Idly her hand rises as if to scoop the stars from their ocean of black, fingers spreading wide as her countenance softens with grief. “I only wish my children were here with me.” The one who made it she had been too late to save, to interfere in Caido’s cruel ways. But that’s not something she is willing to put on Ronin’s shoulders after finding out about Aoife.
Distracted by the movement of cloth and wood as Ronin shifts and straightens, Hotaru snatches her hand back and mimics his pose, eyes drawn to the flare of light and heat along his fingers with ill-concealed awe. “Oh, that’s right. You did mention being a ‘burning bird’.” Huffing a laugh she turns to face the Star more fully. “I can’t partially shift, but if I did entirely you’d end up with a lap full of mountain lion instead of anything impressive. The urges are still hard to contend with.” Sheepishness creases her smile, recalling her sudden new desires for fish and how she had stolen one from Aino’s merchant table - incurring a harsh debt for her rash decision and fickle cat nature.
Quieting at his certainty, Hotaru’s lips twitch when the question is turned back against her, her own response just as quick. There is little to consider. “I miss my original home land. The Voice’s was not the first portal I fell through before I came here. But I wouldn’t trade Caido for anything - I found at least some of my family here from Helovia, and I cling to them as tight as I can.” Idly her hand rises as if to scoop the stars from their ocean of black, fingers spreading wide as her countenance softens with grief. “I only wish my children were here with me.” The one who made it she had been too late to save, to interfere in Caido’s cruel ways. But that’s not something she is willing to put on Ronin’s shoulders after finding out about Aoife.
Distracted by the movement of cloth and wood as Ronin shifts and straightens, Hotaru snatches her hand back and mimics his pose, eyes drawn to the flare of light and heat along his fingers with ill-concealed awe. “Oh, that’s right. You did mention being a ‘burning bird’.” Huffing a laugh she turns to face the Star more fully. “I can’t partially shift, but if I did entirely you’d end up with a lap full of mountain lion instead of anything impressive. The urges are still hard to contend with.” Sheepishness creases her smile, recalling her sudden new desires for fish and how she had stolen one from Aino’s merchant table - incurring a harsh debt for her rash decision and fickle cat nature.
Hotaru
