Against all odds, even in the midst of chaos and ruin as fugitives and refugees alike trickled into Helovia, Tallsun arrived. As Lady of the Time God’s domain, she’d never doubted that it would come around. Time did not stop for the workings of the world, after all. Still, it came almost as a surprise. A belated realization that the air was warmer, the rains fewer, the ground dry. Even the Basin lands seemed to rejoice beneath the weather change, one of their most prosperous seasons yet as grass shot high on the tundras and warm winds melted away the harshest of the chill. There was still much to do, to consider. The tasks of a Lady never really ceased, but she’d slowly grown into her skin as time went on. For a mare that always perpetuated arrogance and vanity, Hotaru was unsure whether she was worthy of the spot at times. She longed to speak with Ophelia, who had evaded her at every turn, a white wraith that she chased as often in her dreams as on the recent battlefields. Her mentor had left her stranded with no footing to speak of, and yet somehow Hotaru was managing. She wanted to know the reasoning, however. Why her? What had Ophelia seen in her that made her ask Deimos to promote Hotaru in particular? What had Hotaru ever done to finally garner that coveted spot of respect in her mentor’s eyes, only to have the Forsaken turn and walk answerless away from her?
 
Where answers were not forthcoming in her personal life, she instead sought them out on a professional basis. Hotaru knew of Ashamin’s meetings, was proud that he showed effort in hosting them where others failed to do so. Her heart was still mangled with pain and indecision after facing her Goddess, and she didn’t know where she should turn except to her one confidant. The lady was reluctant to call him friend, not that he did not deserve such a title with his valor and quiet, unassuming, understanding nature, but because she felt as if she’d taint his purity with the easy sickness of her nature. She’d lost herself somewhere along the line, and didn’t know where else to find any answers, a route to take to understand who she was and what she was meant to be doing. The Basin had always resounded in her heart, but she could not ignore the constant indecision in her breast. It needed to end.
 
So though she was no scholar, she appeared at the meeting with Alice by her side, ever faithful and billowing little curls of insidious black-tinged purple smoke. She was there to listen and participate as much as she was there to provide a regal face to draw more interest in the subject, to support her friend Haruspex in his endeavors. And perhaps because of a little curiosity on her own end as well.
 
“Hello, Ashamin,” she greeted warmly, tongue curling delightfully around the syllables, standing elegantly not far from his side. Hotaru watched as the other two approached, sharing greetings of their own, and kept her tongue still for lack of words to say to them. Instead a brief nod was awarded, one hind leg cocking comfortably as she awaited Ashamin’s wisdom and guidance.