[RQ] How the times change

Hotaru

I know that I should have told you that I would die
Just to hold you

It had been difficult to break the news to Sah and Soleil, and it would be harder still to tell Luka and have it be clear that he'd been the last to know, but Hotaru can't help but be grateful that among the mixed bag of reactions she has received lately that theirs has been understanding. Sad, of course, but that is to be expected, and the weight it places in her chest is one of honor to have earned their love so wholly.

"Ready," she assures with a small smile, and says nothing when Soleil's hand sneaks into her own, merely squeezing it and holding on tight as they begin the short walk to the Citadel shrine.

The freshness of the news makes Ru quiet as she ruminates on all she is thankful for, holding her small collection of offerings and keeping pace with the Lovi's with what remains of her focus. Attuned as she is to Frey, she can't help but say her thanks directly to her herald; for all they have done for Halo, yes, but also for being a constant in her own life that had led to meeting these wonderful people.

The shrine is familiar, neatly decorated with gifts and offerings from countless Halovians, and seemingly always radiating a preternatural sort of comfort. Kneeling on the various cushions around the base, Hotaru guides Soleil down beside her, and reaches her free hand out to Sah to invite him to do the same. Only once they are all nestled comfortably does she begin to retrieve her offerings, placing and readjusting them in front of herself. "If we are to make King's End inhabitable soon, that also means it will be a new settled region for you to explore," she mentions to Soleil, hoping to breathe a bit of optimism and light into an otherwise somber - but deeply appreciative - moment.

And if I just had my shit together I could be with you
But I'm too high on paranoia