she's the kind of girl you can never please
The woman's scowl seems not to affect her willingness to share, so Hotaru chalks it up to embarrassment and has the decency to conveniently avert her eyes so as not to catch Alys in the act. Quite accustomed to such measures after a year or two as Talyson's friend, constantly navigating his social blunders and endearing (to her) bluster. "Most Abandoned in the Grounds hid their status, it's true. One of our Wardens - Evie Wordsworth, you'll definitely know her name - didn't reveal herself until long after the barrier fell. It can be very lonely." As one of the oldest families in the Grounds, Evie's Abandoned status had been even direr a secret, and Hotaru is privately glad the woman had found Deimos of all people to love. Hotaru and her brother could not be more open and proud of their power. Hopefully Alys would learn that in time too, and find community - whether in Hotaru, the school, or elsewhere. The first step is Alys remaining for longer, and Hotaru's smile is bright and unexpectedly sincere at the ready agreement. "Now I have even more reason to find you a good wardrobe!" She is more than willing to bribe and barter Alys into staying longer. As for her secrets to whittling her way into everyone's graces...well, was she not doing the same with Alys already?
Taking the wide opening Alys gives her to blatantly appreciate the woman's appearance, Hotaru turns and taps elegant fingers against her lips, considering the Seer from an artistic perspective. "Burgundy would look wonderful against your hair. You can have neutrals and blacks as your base layers, and colorful exteriors - it protects you from long-range hunters mistaking you as prey, and allows you to accessorize with color without clashing with your underlayers." Taking a small stroll around Alys to see her from all sides and with different shadows cast across her face, Hotaru hums consideringly. "Really any gem shades would look great on you. Dark sapphire blue, emerald greens..." trailing off as the man returns, Hotaru turns to the ready made cloaks on the table and immediately - and familiarly - begins to grab the lighter, more pastel shades to stack in a discard pile at the end of the table. With one hand she waves Alys closer, eyes still stuck on the cloaks. Picking up the burgundy one, she turns and holds it out to Alys without even glancing at Estus. "Try this one, love. There's a long mirror in the corner over there."
Hotaru
