Hotaru
Hotaru smiles indulgently, but doesn't respond to the initial sentiment. Seren seems uncomfortable enough already, and clearly building up courage - interrupting that would likely only make it more difficult for the girl to get the words out.
As they come, Hotaru doesn't let herself react visibly, projecting a calm she only partially feels. There is a lot to the story, and she hums softly when Seren's words fall to inevitable silence, ensuring some sort of sound is present to assure Seren that her words are being considered and not forgotten in some sort of apoplectic rage or whatever it is the demigoddess fears.
"When you spoke to me about me becoming Warden, you said you feared I would make things personal. So let's talk about it, hm?" It is spoken kindly, in a manner closer to mentoring. "Here are the facts, free of any emotional entanglement: Deimos is my General, and was involved in the fire that destroyed the Advocates. That means I would be sending him into a potentially fraught scenario, especially as I as both a woman and a Warden only have Aurelia's worst moments to judge her personality on. Though he's his own man, it is also my duty as his Warden to protect him - so I am initially not inclined to have him go at all, even if I did approve her presence here." One hand comes to rest habitually on the swollen precipice of her stomach, reclining back against the desk, the fingers of her other hand tapping gently against the wood as she thinks.
"He and I are also still banned from a land she now rules. In fairness, why should I allow her into my own land? We have not discussed the formal ties between Halo and Torchline. It would put myself and all of Halo at a disadvantage at best to allow her here, and at worst would give her the opportunity to cause great harm - not that I'm assuming so, but these are considerations a ruler must contend with." Hotaru doesn't think Aurelia would have the guts to do anything, especially with Deimos, Ronin, and Seren present - and being so far afield from the city - but all she knows of the Fireheart is her rashness, her desire for revenge. "Furthermore, if I allowed it on the basis of it being your quest, it would show blatant favoritism to you - especially considering you are not a Halovian citizen." And Hotaru would not make her be one, not if it wasn't what she desired, and certainly not after encouraging the girl to adventure to her hearts content.
"So, where does that leave us? Even if I were to involve Noah for fairness, these are hurdles he would have to consider as well." Expression gentle and patient, Hotaru gives a small smile, hoping Seren has not taken any of this negatively, and gestures for the girl to speak her mind.
As they come, Hotaru doesn't let herself react visibly, projecting a calm she only partially feels. There is a lot to the story, and she hums softly when Seren's words fall to inevitable silence, ensuring some sort of sound is present to assure Seren that her words are being considered and not forgotten in some sort of apoplectic rage or whatever it is the demigoddess fears.
"When you spoke to me about me becoming Warden, you said you feared I would make things personal. So let's talk about it, hm?" It is spoken kindly, in a manner closer to mentoring. "Here are the facts, free of any emotional entanglement: Deimos is my General, and was involved in the fire that destroyed the Advocates. That means I would be sending him into a potentially fraught scenario, especially as I as both a woman and a Warden only have Aurelia's worst moments to judge her personality on. Though he's his own man, it is also my duty as his Warden to protect him - so I am initially not inclined to have him go at all, even if I did approve her presence here." One hand comes to rest habitually on the swollen precipice of her stomach, reclining back against the desk, the fingers of her other hand tapping gently against the wood as she thinks.
"He and I are also still banned from a land she now rules. In fairness, why should I allow her into my own land? We have not discussed the formal ties between Halo and Torchline. It would put myself and all of Halo at a disadvantage at best to allow her here, and at worst would give her the opportunity to cause great harm - not that I'm assuming so, but these are considerations a ruler must contend with." Hotaru doesn't think Aurelia would have the guts to do anything, especially with Deimos, Ronin, and Seren present - and being so far afield from the city - but all she knows of the Fireheart is her rashness, her desire for revenge. "Furthermore, if I allowed it on the basis of it being your quest, it would show blatant favoritism to you - especially considering you are not a Halovian citizen." And Hotaru would not make her be one, not if it wasn't what she desired, and certainly not after encouraging the girl to adventure to her hearts content.
"So, where does that leave us? Even if I were to involve Noah for fairness, these are hurdles he would have to consider as well." Expression gentle and patient, Hotaru gives a small smile, hoping Seren has not taken any of this negatively, and gestures for the girl to speak her mind.
My baby wants me all of the time
But whenever we're kissing I'm rolling my eyes
But whenever we're kissing I'm rolling my eyes
