The Steppe is vast and cold, and Hotaru does not anticipate company when this trail is so infrequently traversed. Though the land had been thrown into chaos with the string of murders orchestrated by the Moon Goddess, the denizens had all but forgotten the innocents left to rot. Though they had been turned into trees to stand vigilant and immortal against the night, Hotaru could not help but wonder how long it would take for the Goddess' wrongs to be forgotten. Did anyone even recall the body count? The names of the murdered, much less the histories? Hotaru had been so intimately involved with keeping the murderer from discovery...she would never forget the bodies that lay at her hooves, the agony of having to destroy evidence from the bodies of her own parents and Stella. And so she would retreat to this tree for the sake of remembrance, penance. Her guilt was her own, for nobody had ever discovered that she had been the one concealing the evidence. And self-flagellation was a better alternative to escaping from the memories with no consequences at all. 

Rexanna coming, Alice murmured into her drowsy, distant mind. While Hotaru slipped into the ever-flowing stream of her thoughts, Alice was an ever-attentive guardian. She would allow her mistress the respite she clearly desired - needed, if the pair were to be honest with themselves - and she would ensure Hotaru remained safe at the same time. But the woman approaching was of no real danger to them, especially with fondness Hotaru felt for the golden lass. She was not one to make friends, and yet Rexanna was slowly but surely growing on her as their interactions grew in number. Perhaps it was because they were kindred spirits, or some cosmic plan at work, but Hotaru always felt at ease in the Thief's presence. 

Pale face turned to regard the approaching woman, eyes falling to her rounded, sunny sides. A wry grin overtook her lips at seeing the mare in a similar state. Tis the season, she huffed to herself, amused. A little slinky creature slid down to the snow between them, and she and Alice regarded it curiously before she deigned to respond. Rexanna's concern was touching, and it helped warm and soothe the aching, raw edges of her heart. 

"Yes, everything's fine Rexanna," she murmured kindly, heaving herself unsteadily to her hooves with Alice's help. Her huge belly swayed, and though she was exhausted constantly as they sapped at her energy, she proffered her muzzle to exchange scents with the beautiful maiden. As she withdrew, the Lady gestured towards the tree at her back. "Merely hoping for guidance from my parents during this time," she laughed, a tinkling sound despite the tired tones at the edges, clearly referring to her pregnancy. 

With a discerning glance at Rexanna's sides, she smiled, something commiserating in her mis-matched gaze. "How is it going for you?" If there was anything she could do to aid the loyal fae, Hotaru would not hesitate to complete it. Perhaps it would even draw her own mind from the turmoil of the present, and help the pair of them at the same time. 

OOC thingies here