[se] rhythm is nothing

Encountering Alys on the Tundra had effectively taken Hotaru's hunting day from her, and so it is that she goes further afield today. It has been a few years now since she lost most everything - her companion, her lovers, her land, her child - and yet the solitude of her own feet across the crackling grass never stops feeling out of place. Things are easier now. Not brighter, but perhaps more predictable. More certain. Her hunting days are merely proof of the rigid schedule she now keeps. And so of course it must be that as she ruminates on this, she finds her schedule disrupted for the second time this week in the exact same way. Company in the Greenwing is less unexpected given the more plentiful game, but recognizing the distant figure is more so. The only reason she even manages it is by idly shifting her eyes, hawk pupils slitting and dilating until Noah's familiar figure is close at hand despite the distance between them. She hesitates for a moment. Cordelia's pregnancy has been too hard for her to take to visit the man very often, and she can't say she enjoys the woman very much on a personal level either. Last season she had dropped off all of the twins' old clothing to their doorstep without sticking around to chat. Aware it would be too painful. Because of it, the temptation to turn around is high, but she thinks of the way Noah had carefully written 'all my love' on his letter and feels momentarily ashamed for her weakness. She has not been as supportive of a friend as she should be. As she could be. So Ru tightens her grip on her holstered bow and changes direction to intercept the demigod, a small but sincere smile lighting her face as they become close enough to converse. "How far along are you in your checks?" she calls out, hoping there is still time to join him. the valkyrie