my held breath fills the room with blood
hurting in ways I can't describe
Hotaru waits for the girl to compose herself, patient despite the cold seeping wet and invasive through her pants as she kneels in the snow. It is a lesson all must learn, from the smallest bug to the mightiest man. There is no way to rush through it.
When Seren moves forward on legs like a fawn’s, Hotaru watches silently as the young woman moves down to the snow beside her. The words that are shared have her pale brows rising on her forehead. “Eight seasons? How do you know?” Had Safrin told her? It seems both too soon and far too long considering the mounting tensions. But is that not how war always feels?
Focusing instead on the two carcasses, Hotaru points out the white bone showing through. “Everything can be used, even once the meat is consumed. Bones can be used in all sorts of ways. Jewelry, combs, fish hooks, needles. They are not as strong as metal in terms of piercing, but they do not rust, and can weather far more with proper care.” Her finger moves to point out the organs she hadn’t consumed, the ones that would make most humans sick as well. “Organs are either left for scavenging animals, or they can be kept chilled to use as bait for larger fish. Certain organs when properly dried and treated can also be used for other things: water bladders, guts can be used for string instruments, and other very tough strings. Some can even be used for bow strings.” Again she moves her hand to the blood-stained white pelt.
“The pelt is too small and damaged for much use, but I can use these two to make warm lining for children’s shoes.” Her hand drifts to her belly, wondering if perhaps she should use these pelts for that exact purpose to show Seren what the sacrifice could achieve. “The pelt is obviously the most useful of any animal - leather, furs, furniture, clothing. But even the oils and fats are of use - skin moisturizer, lip balm, hand lotion, wax, or even to make soaps and candles.” Shuffling in the snow, she presses a hand over the untouched crown of the hare’s head, stroking the ears reverently. “They have fed us, yes. But we can do so much more to show our appreciation. As we always, always should.”
When Seren moves forward on legs like a fawn’s, Hotaru watches silently as the young woman moves down to the snow beside her. The words that are shared have her pale brows rising on her forehead. “Eight seasons? How do you know?” Had Safrin told her? It seems both too soon and far too long considering the mounting tensions. But is that not how war always feels?
Focusing instead on the two carcasses, Hotaru points out the white bone showing through. “Everything can be used, even once the meat is consumed. Bones can be used in all sorts of ways. Jewelry, combs, fish hooks, needles. They are not as strong as metal in terms of piercing, but they do not rust, and can weather far more with proper care.” Her finger moves to point out the organs she hadn’t consumed, the ones that would make most humans sick as well. “Organs are either left for scavenging animals, or they can be kept chilled to use as bait for larger fish. Certain organs when properly dried and treated can also be used for other things: water bladders, guts can be used for string instruments, and other very tough strings. Some can even be used for bow strings.” Again she moves her hand to the blood-stained white pelt.
“The pelt is too small and damaged for much use, but I can use these two to make warm lining for children’s shoes.” Her hand drifts to her belly, wondering if perhaps she should use these pelts for that exact purpose to show Seren what the sacrifice could achieve. “The pelt is obviously the most useful of any animal - leather, furs, furniture, clothing. But even the oils and fats are of use - skin moisturizer, lip balm, hand lotion, wax, or even to make soaps and candles.” Shuffling in the snow, she presses a hand over the untouched crown of the hare’s head, stroking the ears reverently. “They have fed us, yes. But we can do so much more to show our appreciation. As we always, always should.”
my heart bends and breaks
so many, many times
HOTARU
