Cynics were not hard to find, as Alys well knew; it was the believers who were rare, like diamonds in the rough. Especially in Halo, where folk were slow to trust outsiders, just as Tal had warned her. So to find Hotaru so engrossed, so enraptured - it was a balm to Alys's troubled soul. She'd been worried about making a name for herself here, if no one would give her a chance, but Hotaru was proof that people who would understand her craft did exist. She just had to find them.
But finding new clients was the furthest thing from Alys's mind as she gripped her companion's hand. As Hotaru was showing vulnerability and strength in trusting Alys, so too was Alys showing vulnerability and strength in supporting Hotaru. This mutual filling of one another's needs was foreign to the young woman, but it would become a moment that she would treasure.
Sometimes I do not wish to be. Alys simply squeezed her hand, the look on her face wholly nonjudgmental at the confession. To admit such a thing aloud spoke to a special kind of bravery, and Alys's esteem for Hotaru rose several notches. But before she could offer any kind of encouragement, Hotaru was speaking again, turning the tide of the conversation away from herself. Alys accepted that. It was hard to open up so, especially to someone you've just met. She was not offended in the least.
Instead, she hummed thoughtfully. "I wouldn't call it intimidating," she said finally. "It is an honor and a privilege to See people clearly."
But finding new clients was the furthest thing from Alys's mind as she gripped her companion's hand. As Hotaru was showing vulnerability and strength in trusting Alys, so too was Alys showing vulnerability and strength in supporting Hotaru. This mutual filling of one another's needs was foreign to the young woman, but it would become a moment that she would treasure.
Sometimes I do not wish to be. Alys simply squeezed her hand, the look on her face wholly nonjudgmental at the confession. To admit such a thing aloud spoke to a special kind of bravery, and Alys's esteem for Hotaru rose several notches. But before she could offer any kind of encouragement, Hotaru was speaking again, turning the tide of the conversation away from herself. Alys accepted that. It was hard to open up so, especially to someone you've just met. She was not offended in the least.
Instead, she hummed thoughtfully. "I wouldn't call it intimidating," she said finally. "It is an honor and a privilege to See people clearly."
alys glasse
waiting for the right mind to drive insane
