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12-10-2016, 07:25 PM
Hotaru
and Alice
They are first greeted by a rather...snobbish looking bird, and Hotaru is endlessly amused by the expression on its tiny regal face. Alice whines, claws flexing into the sand, acid dripping longingly off her teeth. Hotaru spares a scarce glance her way, knowing she is obedient enough to stay put but unimpressed nonetheless. We do not hunt companions, Alice. You know this. All she got for her reminder was a grumble of dissent from her companion, but Hotaru knew full and well that the moody bitch had a full stomach already. She was just seeking to prove a point with her pettiness. What was more important was that a companion meant company, an equine of some sort that would hopefully accompany it in turn. She need not wait long, her eyes scanning the horizon already being met with the pale gull with the smoky limbs already striding confidently her way. Her demeanor was one of distant friendliness, her manners impeccable. Not that she was a child by any means - they were roughly the same age, if appearances were not deceiving. Though if Deimos and Albrecht could still look dashing in their old age, Hotaru didn't trust that physicality was a reliable system for determining age. Gaucho? Alice mumbled softly in her head, his name warped with disuse and Alice's own inability to speak the language with total confidence. Tis not the time to ask, Hotaru hummed in reply, settling her hound back to where she sat patiently at Hotaru's left knee. Instead she smiled, distinct eyes catching on Aithniel, vague memories stirring in her brain. Perhaps they'd passed by one another, in the northern reaches where the child had her start. Before she speaks, another comes - dark, looming as all stallions seemed to do in this land. It doesn't bother her, as she is smaller by nature and used to them towering over her. In fact he reminds her of Deimos, with his curt but rumbling tones and decibels that tickle pleasantly across her harks. She aligns her smile to him in turn, dipping her cranium in greeting. But it is Aithniel she is truly here for, and the Valkyrie lets the cloak of calm ripple around her shoulders. This is what they had journeyed all this way for, after all. "Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you, Aithniel and Volterra." She inclined her head pleasantly to both. "My name is Hotaru the Valkyrie, and this is Tiamat, our Time Mender." If Tiamat had anything to say, Hotaru paused quietly for the mare to speak it, perhaps even a friendly hello of greeting before the rosen lass continued on with the important matters at hand. "Our lands were recently visited by The Mountain That Knows, the Hidden Falls Czarina, and we decided to act in kind. The Aurora Basin wanted to reach out to you and yours before the growth of Birdsong to see how you fared, and if you were willing to declare neutrality with our herd." In times of peace Hotaru did not mind structuring alliances, but with the war the land had seen, it would not be surprising if all herds were reticent to extend such an offer. Other herds could see it as a move against them, no matter how friendly the terms or how shallow the ties that would run between them. They all had their cards to play, and Hotaru was focused on all hands on the table, just as every other lead likely was. So she would let that topic slide, just as they had with the Mountain, and simply wait. "If we have any herbs your doctors are interested in, or if you are in need of our weavers talents, we are open to trading any resources with your citizens." They had supplied banners and cloth to the Throat in the past, and it had been a beneficial trade that Ulrik had contended with back then. Winter was already winding down, but Hotaru could only imagine the colds that permeated the desert when the sun dropped below the horizon each night. "With the offer of neutrality, theft of any goods from your lands would not be feared from us, and spars would be welcome if any desired it." Here she dipped her head to Volterra, acknowledging his rank and position. If any of his soldiers desired to test their mettle against those of the Basin, the Valkyrie would have no qualms. With a slightly amused smile she turns back to Aithniel. "A bit of a lengthy speech, but we've a long journey ahead of us, and I'd not want to keep you from your own duties. Any terms are negotiable, of course. But we would like to see a friendship between our lands." Whatever the Inquisitor decided, Hotaru had to maintain her focus. The future was a distant and murky thing, and she still had the visit to the Edge to keep in mind. The Basin would not fall while her hands still held the cards, and she would spill her own blood for the sake of her family. But hopefully - she thought while she gazed upon the pale lady before her - it would not have to come to that. |
Tiamat can jump in whenever :) @Aithniel
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Plot with me here!
