The exhaustion in the beautiful femme's voice inspired an echoing laugh from the Valkyrie, a tired kinship extending between the pair of them. A bond forged in shadows and sharp eyes, motherhood and independence. If they were both not accounted for, perhaps Hotaru would have felt more for the golden lass than simple appreciation and friendship. Her mind glanced around the sore, tender memory of Rhiannon, and she quickly shifted her whispering thoughts away from that. They were already talking of such heavy material, she did not need to torture herself any further with memories of what could have been. What almost was. 

Distraction comes in the way of a name, and Hotaru's brows arch high in surprise across her beautiful face, lips curling into a surprised "oh". How intriguing, that one of her closest and most loyal had bedded the King of another land. She is conflicted, both wanting to ask how she fares as a friend, but wary of potential issues that could arise from her fraternization with another herd. Instead she lets her lips fall into a playful smirk, for she does not want to be the Lady of the Basin here with Rexanna beneath her parents' tree. She simply desires to stand in her own skin as Hotaru, as a friend. Alice's approval glows like fireflies, vague shapes and feelings in her mind and heart. 

"Why Rexanna, you vixen you," she teases, a wink sliding easily across her pretty features. "Quite an accomplishment," she laughs, but it is all in good fun, lighthearted jesting that she lets fade easily into a small, sincere smile. "I pray he treats you well, my friend." And those two simple words say so much more than Hotaru will ever speak aloud, and she hopes Rexanna will be aware of the true meaning behind them. Perhaps take comfort in the sisterhood Hotaru extends, a promise that if she is ever in need, the Valkyrie will be there for her. 

It seemed the Thief would be there for her as well, if the soft way Rexanna promises to hold her secret safe speaks true. Hotaru's shoulders sink with the relief of finally telling someone, of handing a small piece of the burden to someone else. The gratitude in her dual-colored gems is unmistakable. "Thank you, Rexanna." Her silence meant more to Hotaru than anything else, and that she had not judged the woman for her failure against Ampere and Tingal...well, it made her feel like less of a failure herself. 

A grin slides across her face as Rexanna firmly promises that in the future, hell will rain down upon their enemies for the wrongs committed against them. "And I will aid you in any endeavor you take against the coward that gave you that," Hotaru purrs, eyes glinting with the scent of blood. She could be patient. The time would come when they would triumph over all others in their paths. But for now, they were mothers, and that would always come first. 

Even if the subject of their children's fathers was...risky. Hotaru knew Rexanna had birthed Ashamin's first son, and so she dropped her ears almost apologetically, unsure of the relationship between the two. But surely it would not be an issue if the Thief was pregnant by Tembovu? Beta loyal. Alpha more important than mates. Alice's conviction and trust in Rexanna gave Hotaru the courage to speak her answer plainly. 

"Ashamin, actually," she murmured softly, unable to keep the tremor of love from her voice. "Him leaving...it has not been easy. I pray he'll make it to their birth." She loved him so deeply, and yet he had departed the Basin, where her throne lay. Sometimes he felt miles away, even though he was not far physically. It had begun to take its toll on Hotaru's emotions, though she blamed most of it on the hormones. 

OOC thingies here