Aurelia
Maeve relenting and rewelcoming Hotaru back into Torchline doesn't surprise Aurelia. She had known there was something between the two of them, be it friendship or something more. That was Maeve's business, though. With Sunjata and Nate gone, with Aurelia gone, Hotaru had no further personal vendettas awaiting her in the sands - and so she would have likely seemed not to be a threat. Whether that would remain true with Aurelia's return, she does wonder. Did a thirst for vengeance still drive the Valkyrie? More importantly, she wonders if there is a way to undo what was done. Likely not..
I don't ever hope to have Hotaru's forgiveness. I've thought about seeking her out to apologize or... she turns her muzzle this way, that way, to ask if there is a way for us to leave it in the past, the same as I've done with you here. I don't think that would blow over well. Her gaze flickers up, toward the distant treetops half-covered in mists. But I don't hold any of it against her either. Not anymore. She had, once. She'd been furious about it. But that fury had died down considerably, quelled by too much time between and so much painful growth throughout.
As for a monster-hunting guild, Aurelia's ears prick in mild interest. She notices the way Deimios glances toward her. Shifting her weight, she sits back on her haunches and wraps her tail around her paws. Well, that's good. I wish you luck in that. Because of her previous experiences in life, Aurelia might've been good at monster-hunting. I would offer my help but, I've only just recovered. And there are other matters that I need to take care of. A sentiment much the same as his own. There is still much to do.
It surprises her when he reveals that Mildew had told him about her. I didn't know you knew Mildew, she comments off-handedly. Shaking out her scruff, she explains, I was with Remi, Ronin, and Sunjata in Hak Etme. We were looking for something important, I guess it was a relic. But I got separated from them, got lost. Somehow I ended up in Mildew's swamp. There were spirits that stalked me, drove me to madness. That, or maybe I had been hallucinating. It's hard to remember exactly what happened. But, yes, that's where I ended up. She nods once, whiskers twitching with the movement. Settling into the cool stones beneath her, she adds, I think my shifts are the only things that kept me alive out there for so long. They must've taken over when I lost myself.
I don't ever hope to have Hotaru's forgiveness. I've thought about seeking her out to apologize or... she turns her muzzle this way, that way, to ask if there is a way for us to leave it in the past, the same as I've done with you here. I don't think that would blow over well. Her gaze flickers up, toward the distant treetops half-covered in mists. But I don't hold any of it against her either. Not anymore. She had, once. She'd been furious about it. But that fury had died down considerably, quelled by too much time between and so much painful growth throughout.
As for a monster-hunting guild, Aurelia's ears prick in mild interest. She notices the way Deimios glances toward her. Shifting her weight, she sits back on her haunches and wraps her tail around her paws. Well, that's good. I wish you luck in that. Because of her previous experiences in life, Aurelia might've been good at monster-hunting. I would offer my help but, I've only just recovered. And there are other matters that I need to take care of. A sentiment much the same as his own. There is still much to do.
It surprises her when he reveals that Mildew had told him about her. I didn't know you knew Mildew, she comments off-handedly. Shaking out her scruff, she explains, I was with Remi, Ronin, and Sunjata in Hak Etme. We were looking for something important, I guess it was a relic. But I got separated from them, got lost. Somehow I ended up in Mildew's swamp. There were spirits that stalked me, drove me to madness. That, or maybe I had been hallucinating. It's hard to remember exactly what happened. But, yes, that's where I ended up. She nods once, whiskers twitching with the movement. Settling into the cool stones beneath her, she adds, I think my shifts are the only things that kept me alive out there for so long. They must've taken over when I lost myself.
keep your face always toward the sunshine
and shadows will fall behind you
and shadows will fall behind you
