Chapter 170: Arc 4, Act I, - 15: Matters of Family
From the leaves of shrubs to the tallest trees, droplets of water bounced and battered from above. Every drop of the morning rain echoed its own voice, all together gurgling a symphony of white noise.
Not uncommon weather for the city of Cravolta and yet it had gained the attention of the Thundering Blade. The sound of the storm and chaos hummed a sweet melody the blonde could not look away from.
Through each window down the halls, atop the balconies and through the lush gardens—the blindingly violent rain gave a white glow as Jotou yawned into a smile.
"There’s that smile," Hotaru’s voice broke Jotou out of her trance. "What has you all chipper?" Hotaru’s ear bent.
Jotou glanced back to the windows, more Royal Guards and staff whizzing back and forth in the morning. "It’s cold; pleasantly cold.
I wouldn’t mind if the Sun never shined again. The storm, the wind, the rain—I like it too much. And I just feel good about today; ready to take on whatever the world throws at me," Jotou looked back to the redhead.
Hotaru hummed softly, "Things are looking up. Let’s hope everything with the council goes well." Hotaru squinted before reaching for Jotou’s head.
"Hey, what’re you-" Jotou dodged slightly.
"Hang on will you?" Hotaru held the tie keeping the blonde’s ponytail together and tucked all the loose strands into it quickly, "There."
Jotou blushed, catching a whiff of the redhead’s sea-dandelion scent. "Okay, there’s people passing by, don’t just do that..."
"Oh, am I embarrassing you?" Hotaru gave a close-lipped grin. She then poked Jotou’s cheek, "No makeup? We’re going to an important meeting."
"I have no clue how to use half the things on that vanity, so I’d rather go to the briefing without looking like I dipped my face in paint cans."