MELITA
Unaware of the trials and tribulations forged along Hotaru’s mind, she continued tending to the ash and soot, occasionally making tiny piles and then orchestrating designs in the soft layers. Some of the sun. Some of the earth. Some of pumpkins, to which Fangorn growled in earnest. Some of dragons, wings unfurled and free – though none that would resemble her uncle. Only thereafter, when the topic shifted, did her features too, and the carefree, childish ministrations ceased.Instinct recoiled and snapped, impulsive decisions and weights yearning to break free. To say she didn’t know where she was either. To say that no one had ever pressed or deigned or directed her where to go.
Except that wasn’t true, and hadn’t been for some time, no matter where her love for relatives bloomed and blossomed, where kin strayed, where opinions differed. The fire in her belly roared and for a moment she wondered what it would be like to be so firmly detached along middle grounds. Was that freedom, or stupidity? “My loyalty is to Ludo,” she said instead, swallowing down a measure of something that hurt and sizzled and burned all the way down her throat. Maybe what it meant to Nate. “I promised it a long time ago.” But she shrugged her shoulders, unaware if she had enemies or adversaries, if they would hurt her to get to her uncles (doubtful that Sunjata would even care). “Aren’t we all targets in some way then? Does it even matter?”
This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight
