she's the kind of girl you can never please
Hotaru can't help how her eyebrow rises, clearly disbelieving even as humor twitches in the corner of her lips. "A rarity, then. I shall not do them the same favor - once you're close to them, they are like burrs stuck to the seams of your undergarments," she remarks dryly, though her smile only deepens subtly in the corners to betray her affection. They are her burrs after all. Fondness is replaced with intrigue at the continued interest in her Academy, and her expression becomes more appraising. "If you are interested and they approved enough to recommend you, that is enough for me. I'd be happy to take you on as a student - we train every season, and we offer lodging, theory lectures, and a magic-oriented library." Some students preferred to live on the grounds, while others did not even reside in Halo. She doesn't mention anything about Alys' current power or control; many of her first students had felt similarly intimidated, wondering if they were good enough to attend, and so she has always left that conversation to the wayside in favor of inspiring interest first. "I was a seamstress, Kaito Clothing," she shares freely. Many have already contacted her to make their dresses for the seasonal ball, and while she runs the Academy and oversees her spa now, she hadn't been able to resist taking on the commissions.
Turning, Hotaru gestures elegantly with one hand to invite Alys to walk alongside her. "Well I hadn't started my hunt yet, I'm happy to transition to shopping instead. I can get you far better prices if I'm with you anyway." The Valkyrie is a cutthroat negotiator, and most won't even bother bartering with her anymore given their lengthy experience with her stubbornness.
Hotaru
