The lights dance above her, like girls in pretty dresses dancing about the sky, giggling and twirling in their youth, entertaining those below who stare in awe at their beauty above. She stares into their glowing auras and smiles, the chatter surrounding her dim now but no less inspiring as those who attended the party fade away into the distance. Her skin still hums with activity and the mask she wears, and she laughs to herself as she imagines this night as a masquerade - her long silver gown, the embellished mask around her eyes, hiding all but her bichromatic gems from those who gaze upon her elegance. They cannot touch her, here. The only who holds power and sway over here on this night is Aisling, who cradled her conflicted heart in her small, tender hands.

But she will not think of that, not now where eyes are still upon her. Not when she knows how those thoughts will affect her.

She bids her goodbyes on musical notes, speaking to all those of note as she retreats to her silent, empty cavern. The blue glow of her stone is the only light in the cave, but she does not see his shadow as her hooves click softly to announce her arrival. Alice is not with her here, and the frost rests in her soft nares, hiding him from her detection. She rolls her shoulders, seraphic smile dropping to something serene but exhausted. Only then does she glance up and see his shadow against the stone, and nearly jolts from her skin in surprise, even as the recognition is instantaneous.

"Thranduil!" her voice squeaks in surprise, the name falling off her tongue like it had rested there for all the hours that had gone past since they'd last seen each other. The terrible noise of surprise dissolves into soft laughter, and she shakes her head at his antics. "Were you lurking here hoping to scare me?" she chided playfully, waltzing forward to bump her soft muzzle at his own, something loving behind the flirtatiousness of her countenance. But they are so far past that now, after he had come to her, bloodied and tired, professing his love at last. So she comes forth into his golden aura, slipping in beside him, lips and teeth nibbling gently along his spine and angling her hips attractively, cornering him into her lair.

"Did you enjoy the festivities?" she whispered, not bothering to question his arrival. It didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that he was here, now, and Hotaru refused to waste any of the time she had left with him.

OOC thingies here