As strong as the seas are stormy.</style>
After a successful trip to the south, the shadows ever her companion and easily underestimated wit the thorn of entry she clasped beneath her breast, the dame sought only to return to the northern reaches of her home. Perhaps present to her Lady her wins and spoils of the shadowed past time she assumed when granting herself and Arya time apart. Déodat was a benign father despite his disposition towards strangers, though Hotaru had found his gruffness to be an admirable aspect regardless as their companionship- for they were too broken and impartial to ever consist of a proper relationship- had slowly budded after Arya's birth. As much as Hotaru loved the little filly- and nobody could dare to doubt that love, for it burned like a thousand suns that scalded all who stupidly questioned it- she was also young and powerful, with a greed for life and what it could give to her. Being an active Phantom was her only pleasure, personal and entirely selfish. The gleaming trinket woven, gold and amber, in her tail was merely the first of her multiplying prizes. Adornments, captives- grinning as she thought of the mutt Confutatis whom she had enslaved despite the efforts of all others- they were notches on a post of her worthiness and cunning. Perhaps she despised at times, descending so firmly from her incubator's position in life, but Hotaru had denounced all those of her blood. She cared little for the potential influence her womb-carrier had spread to her.
Cold snow flurries were her homecoming kisses, whisking away the sullied thoughts with brighter cheer of a successful snatch. Only the eager desire to see her beautiful, witty daughter lay glowing like a pulsing orb inside her breast, warm and tangible. Arya, her darling, her perfection in a world of ruination. Death itself could not part her from her daughter's side, and her love would create chasms in the earth were the weight of it removed from her husk. Fire and pride glowed in the little lass, and Hotaru couldn't have been a happier mother. Young she may have been, when she had mated the Corporal, but a sick sense of justice had also lingered. Oh, Rae had sought her prince all her life. And Ru? Poor, ugly, gangly, silent, shadow-faced shy Ru had been the one to snatch the real prince. Handsome and titled. But no regrets lingered in her consciousness. No she may not love Déodat, but they held an amiable partnership raising Arya, and she still held close to heart the banter they initiated between one another. He was a fine man, one she proudly called the father of her spitfire daughter.
Icy fingers drew her away from abnormally wandering thoughts, and upon the shift of wind along the southernmost border came the soft young scent of sage reserved only for her daughter. Any unease was squashed by Odette's warm musky scent, and the accompanying tang of her bonded. Pleasure lifted beautiful features and arched bones into the elegant craft they were, delicate ankles lifting from the tundra snow to jog light and easy towards her little family. Muscles warmed and purred with the usage, hardened from some friendly sparring with the fiercely attractive Rhiannon. Snow fractals exploded from the soft mounds, fresh and powdery and pleasant as the beautiful huntress sought her daughter's scent. When their forms came to light, solidifying on the horizon, her pace slowed. Puffs of crystalline air clung to pale muzzle exuding warm air, and as she approached the deep rumble of Déodat's voice- though she was unable to discern the fitted words- it became clear that the other figure before them was new and strange. A swifter approach was necessitated, for she trusted the Corporal and his undeniable skills but motherly instincts were baseless and not so easily swayed. And from her nearness came Arya's voice, and Hotaru could not help a laugh that died and shriveled like poison on her lips as she came to their sides and saw the devil standing on her doorstep.
Despite the twitch of her lip, desiring to curl and chase her bitch of a twin from the snowy mountain- and hopefully down the rocky cliff for good measure- Hotaru had more finesse than that. Sometimes. So instead she approached with all the lethal grace she owned, sliding beside Déodat, comfortably close to share his body heat in a motion even strangers employed in the Basin family. Such weather was bearable after all if you got over the necessity for closeness away from the springs. Her face was beautifully frigid, carved from ice, and she bitterly wondered if her so-called twin had ever seen her without her tresses shielding her pale ivory eye. Hotaru was no longer the trembling stepstool beneath Raeden's hooves. No, she was far more powerful than her pathetic slut of a sister. And even though a tiny part of her still loved her, still wished to mend the bond Raeden had rejected from day one, it was that reason that she had lost hope in that tiny particle of a stupid wish.
"Indeed I could, my huntress." Smoothly she interjects, voice like satin over a silver dagger, polite but with the promise of a swift death at the hands of verbal assault. Slides right over Déodat's apology, if only because she hates her sister enough to find a measure of smugness in Arya's brash declaration. Leaning elegantly she arched her fine strawberry neck to press a hopeful greeting kiss to her daughter's cheek, smile turning soft and loving for the little flame alone. A small smile given in silent greeting to Déodat as well. Vanishing the instant she reclaimed her previous position, eyes hard and posture perfect, prideful and strong. Vitality was glowing through her frame, and she felt no longer like the ugly duckling standing in front of her twin. No, she had metamorphosed too, and she could rival her twin step for step these days. No more was the silent slave she had been in the past.
"Hello, Raeden. I see you're not still glued to our incubator. Good for you. Now. Speak your business or leave." Despite the relative pleasantness of her voice it is mocking, and her words curve to a sharp point prepared to slice and cut her foolish arrogant sister. Leave the kindness and patience to Déodat. Hell, even let Rae become a Basiner. Hotaru would grit her teeth but in the end? Raeden was too stupid and prideful to ever try to seek her out, and Hotaru's life wouldn't change even with her twin in the herd.
It was a surprisingly bitterly amusing realization.
Turning to Déodat she smiled softly at him. "This is my twin sister Raeden." it was directed at both her daughter and her sire, explaining away the fierce filly's initial comment upon their appearances. Was that reasoning enough for the Corporal for her own uncouth behavior? She wasn't one to apologize for things she didn't regret after all. But if she slid a little closer, hoping for a little companionship from the stallion and the little pup she adored like her own bonded, well who was to say? Certainly not she.
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Muse'splosion!!! Not sure on the verdict of her stealth but if it passes she'll be wearing armor this post whether I edit or not <3
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