we are just bodies of the faithful stacked dozens by the roadside
The hurt is an inevitability, and Hotaru is selfishly grateful that Morgan betrays little of it visually. She bears each word silently, quick mind plucking necessary information and spotting loopholes as needed, but otherwise remaining still and poised in her chair. She abandons it then as Morgan's words draw to a close, rounding it and placing her hands on the backrest, bracer still held in protective formation - Hotaru would like to think the best of Morgan, but the betrayal goes both ways here.
"It is not a threat. It is a command from a Goddess - I came here, pregnant and vulnerable, and chose to tell you instead of hiding it from you. That is the only kindness this situation allows me." And it is a great one, even if Morgan does not see it that way. They could just as easily have stormed in and knocked her out without a word of explanation - killed her even, were they different people. "An election is not out of the question. The people of Halo deserve to choose their replacement, yes - but only after you have been removed. For all Halo is ruled by the people, it is also a land created in origin by the Old Gods. This is the only middle ground." There's an idea to apologize at the end of that, but why? What would it achieve? It would not lessen the burn of betrayal and anger on both sides.
Glancing at the door as Morgan's attention is drawn to it, Hotaru then glances down as star-wolves glitter at her sides. Silent guardians of the night, they appear like a sign from Safrin herself - only in reality, it's her daughter that brings them to the fore. Raising a brow to Morgan as her gaze moves from them to the Warden, as if saying 'see?', Hotaru tilts her chin higher. "No threats, we have told you everything in fairness to you. Violence...well, that depends on you." Her pale eyes are hard and flinty in a way the Warden has never been privy to. For all her pregnancy, Hotaru finally appears as the woman she is - bloodied and reigning champion over lands she has toppled many times before in the past. "We intend to escort you out of Halo magically. No harm necessary. Will you do so?"
It is the ultimatum.
- - -
Hotaru gets up and moves around to stand at the back of the chair, bracer still held before her belly. She poses the ultimatum to Morgan.
"It is not a threat. It is a command from a Goddess - I came here, pregnant and vulnerable, and chose to tell you instead of hiding it from you. That is the only kindness this situation allows me." And it is a great one, even if Morgan does not see it that way. They could just as easily have stormed in and knocked her out without a word of explanation - killed her even, were they different people. "An election is not out of the question. The people of Halo deserve to choose their replacement, yes - but only after you have been removed. For all Halo is ruled by the people, it is also a land created in origin by the Old Gods. This is the only middle ground." There's an idea to apologize at the end of that, but why? What would it achieve? It would not lessen the burn of betrayal and anger on both sides.
Glancing at the door as Morgan's attention is drawn to it, Hotaru then glances down as star-wolves glitter at her sides. Silent guardians of the night, they appear like a sign from Safrin herself - only in reality, it's her daughter that brings them to the fore. Raising a brow to Morgan as her gaze moves from them to the Warden, as if saying 'see?', Hotaru tilts her chin higher. "No threats, we have told you everything in fairness to you. Violence...well, that depends on you." Her pale eyes are hard and flinty in a way the Warden has never been privy to. For all her pregnancy, Hotaru finally appears as the woman she is - bloodied and reigning champion over lands she has toppled many times before in the past. "We intend to escort you out of Halo magically. No harm necessary. Will you do so?"
It is the ultimatum.
- - -
Hotaru gets up and moves around to stand at the back of the chair, bracer still held before her belly. She poses the ultimatum to Morgan.
HOTARU
