Rift- Hotaru's Tales, by Emily Hempstead
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Kawano Hotaru
AKA: Haru-chan
Age 24 (Birthday: December 4)
Height: 5'3''
Weight: 126 lbs
Appearance: Hotaru is girlish and tiny, with round, small features. Her eyes are dark yet bright, and she often smiles. Her hair is cut short, with some length framing the sides of her face, and is streaked with color, usually fuchsia/magenta.
Hotaru-chan's Diary!
==>Hello diary! Today I ran a drive at school to help with the war effort. They are recruiting again, and the class lost three members. I am sad to see them go, but it is necessary. Grandfather will protect them and bring them back to us one day.
==>Eun Hee asked me today,
'What will they think if I became a soldier?'
I told her 'Of course they would be surprised. But you love this planet as much as they do.'
She compared our peers to an anthill. 'It is full of small minds directed under one.'
Such a system works, I pointed out, and she nodded, but she said also that there are different colors of ants, like red and black, and they didn't like each other.
She doesn't need to be so obvious with her metaphors. I know people don't like her because she looks like an Earther; I only need to look around to note that. Her hair is beautiful, though: like the dust of Gongen. She's like the soul of this planet.
==>It turns out that was not a rhetorical question! Eun Hee joined the military today! I was so amused by everyone's looks that I hugged her in the hall and didn't care who saw!
As you can see, I'm proud.
==>Today I saw the cherry blossoms,
floating to the faint grass.
The blue of the moon was glass.
==> File: [Haru-chanLetter3]
I write to you from my bunk on the ship. The planets are lined beautifully, and the view from here of Gongen is enough to last your poetic thirst for eons. Though from what you sent last I'm not sure you could do it justice. (I kid.)
I suppose you're wondering why I'm writing when our last talk was just mere hours ago, and that was via comlink. I'm not sure why I feel the need to write. Perhaps I want you to wake and first thing see this letter on your moniter, so that I will be on your mind all the day. I'm so evil, you know!
There's absolutely no sound at all out here. No one is shifting, no even one. There is the sound of my self, of course, but other than that, silence. I'm certain you'd also find that suitably romantic.
It's all rather like that trip we took once out here with your parents. Soon we'll go out again and it won't be so silent out here.
==> File: [PoemsforEunHee3]
A few of my poems got selected for a small magazine! These are the ones. From the tone, the magazine seems to be romantic, but I was only thinking of you. ~*u*~
The silent rain falls
cold and damp like the people's words.
Yours, however,
have the tenor of stars.
My heart is lonely like
a fish alone at the end of the waterfall
which swims unceasing.
Our hearts are two stones who fell together
and landed in the same puddle.
==> File: [EunHeeLetter5]
The feelings I hold on news you sent of Hiroyuki are not necessary to explain. You know how it is. We've known him for so long. To find him gone makes the space even more empty.
Imagine I am hugging you now. I surely will when I return, but for now rely on this.
I promise I'll come back to you.
==> My work under Eun Hee's father ensures I hear most about her activity. But it seems that recently she was assigned to something not even Seong-san knows. I pray she returns. I pray it so much. Perhaps I'm pining away.
==> “Would that my mother might live a thousand years
Would there were on this earth no final partings.” (Tales of Ise 84)
Born the daughter of Kawano Hideki, heir of a vacuum empire, and Takaki Susan, a Maverick, Hotaru was born to a very well-off family. Hideki was very strict and respectable, and Susan, though amused by his need to be so proper, decided settling down was a whole new adventure and could be fun. Hotaru's father was always expectant that she get good grades, behave well, and dress appropriately. Her mother ensured that fun was actually included in it, especially because of her daughter's naturally cheerful and exuberant personality.
Through school, Hotaru was well known for her popularity and campaigning. She often took representative duties upon herself, and got good grades as her father wished. She was class representative often during her educational tenure. After graduation, she entered the military with her two best friends, Hiroyuki and Eun Hee. After only a year, Hiroyuki was killed in action, and Hotaru began to worry for Eun Hee's life. It was not three years later that Eun Hee died mysteriously, with evidence that the death was not honorable. Hotaru proceeded to devote her life, with the encouragement of Eun Hee's father, to revenge on those who killed Eun Hee.
==> File: EunHeePortait[image]
==> Today I dyed my hair with streaks so Father would not be so mad. He doesn't much like this sort of thing. I tried to get something like Eun Hee's color, but it turned out much darker, almost magenta.
The time here holds transience
The clouds of stars shine dull above the lamplight.
==> Seong-san has sent me on a mission. I say he sent me only because officially I am investigating for him, though I come of my own volition. I am joined by Eun Hee's half-brother, Young-Soo. He is very much like her, but his hair is the same drab black as my own. He is even more driven than I am, it seems.
Fitting. We grew up with her at our side.
==> I first held a gun when I was five years old, when Kaa-san handed me hers and began teaching me 'the art of weaponry'. She said I had to learn to defend myself. Her training regime taught me how to run, how to get stronger. I'm definitely not the best yet, but I'm good, even with my lack of experience. I'm small, but hardy.
When she handed me that weapon. 'You are small, but your heart is not.'
I've kept that bolter at my side. Now it will avenge Seong Eun Hee.
Shaking at the door
Voice withheld
Trying to think of even one word
'Who am I?'
For my gain I sacrifice others.
==> The goal now is to find Kalingkata.
He seems to be the only one aware of the situation, and from his blog I can sense what seems the truth. Young-Soo and I are looking others as well.
==> There was no purpose to my ends. Of course Eun Hee is still gone. And her brother is now gone as well. He was sacrificed for no purpose, or for a purpose that had no real goal. Yes, they are gone now, but their purpose had more point than mine.
My anger dissipates.
I slept badly. It is easier to be myself around these people, but even that part of me feels the grit. The blood is on my hands. I almost wish I never would have taken this route.
==> File: [KalingkataImage]
==> File: [Report6]
((Transcript removed))
The beam roared over them, searing her skin. She recoiled, feeling the energy pour over her, but not connecting, as if a void had opened around her and sucked up the bolt. Natsu fell at her feet, his clothes singed. The man gawked at them.
Shield? She thought.
==>I seem to have developed some sort of power.
It takes a faint pinkish glow, sometimes purple, and it seems to work as either protection or outright blocking of obstacles.
I have heard about this happening, after the Rift. It seems I have become something special.
==>The Heirophant is killed.
Seong family, can you hear? Can you hear my uncertainty?
“You will be returning?”
“I will not,” Hotaru said.
“It seems your rank has increased.”
“Mercenary doesn't seem much of a rank.”
He laughed. “You are a kizen now. Perhaps it is better.”
“I am of more use on the field,” she said.
“Hmm. Are you?”
She nodded. “I can't give up on these people. We know something now.”
Relationships
Kichida Hiroyuki: Hotaru and Hiro-kun were the rambunctious types, tempered only by Eun Hee. They got along very well.
Seong Eun Hee: Eun Hee was in many ways Hotaru's direct opposite. Tall while Hotaru was small, with copper hair and light eyes, Eun Hee's cynicism and sarcasm brought Hotaru closer to earth. Subdued and extremely serious and dry compared to her friends, Eun Hee was a great damper to Hotaru's more ridiculous urges. She could most often be found chiding Hotaru gently, usually with a smirk or a serious face. Eun Hee was much more subdued emotionally than Hotaru, but was less capable of hiding her anger. The relationship was one of great friendship, which built steadily over the years. In reality, there was a deep romance between the two that both were mostly unaware of, which could be considered Hotaru's first love. After school, they both decided to enter the military, Eun Hee as a soldier. When she died, Hotaru was of course distraught. The death is still very fresh on her mind.
Jade: Jade's first appearance was very soon after Eun Hee's death, and something in the face and the bearing was similar enough that Hotaru threw herself into the relationship. Clutching for Eun Hee in this new girl, she deluded herself into thinking that they were friends, when really they were more just acquaintances, and Jade was a spy. The trust and friendship left inside Hotaru was extended, to the point where Hotaru didn't want to believe Jade was a traitor. When it was finally realized, a great horror entered Hotaru's heart and still hasn't let itself go. She became torn between sickness and anger at the thought of what unwarranted trust she gave someone from the Cartel.
Natsu: Hotaru had much respect for Natsu. She appreciated his relatively usual personality, considering it in comparison to the rather strong/eccentric surrounding characters, and his profession as well as his Gongen roots made for a high quality man in her view. He was part of her inspiration to undergo medical training, and they had a relatively good relationship. His arrogance and superiorty complex, however, have grated on her, and she will often refuse to assist his more immoral dealings.
Shadow: At first there was a deal of fear and respect held for Shadow. As time passed, Hotaru realized the assassin was not cold-blooded and began to really trust and respect her. She would never stand against her in a fight, though. Upon learning Shadow's tale, Hotaru did her best to make things easier for everyone on the crew, Shadow especially.
Tatsuya: At first charmed by his exuberance, Hotaru was steadily more annoyed with Tatsuya's stupidity. Her disdain for him was cemented by her representation in his film, as a silly young girl. She will always hold this in a bitter place in her heart.
Elodie: How cute! Fun to shop with, but really, leave her to her own devices. Hotaru holds nothing against her, at the moment. She's rather protective of Elodie, actually, due to everyone's weird taking advantage of her and blaming her for murder and stuff.
Ameratsu: Why is he so drunk? Sigh. Let him do as he wants, as long as he doesn't interfere. Note to self: DON'T ACCEPT MOONSHINE
Kalingkata: Hotaru finds Kalingkata fascinating. In many ways his apathy strikes her as cool, since she's very prone to caring. His ability to not care (especially about things like her dyed hair or mistakes) draws her to him. She only wishes she could manage that degree of deadpan. Her first thoughts were that he was a false conspirator, but it was when she realized he could help with her attempts to discover the truth behind Eun Hee's death that she began to respect him. Considering his past, she felt a great deal of sympathy for him. Her trust in him grew steadily as time passed, becoming more of a camaraderie. His actions on Venus impressed her greatly, and she relies on him more than she lets on. She is also amused by his knowledge of pop culture, and enjoys playing shooters. Upon learning his real name, Sang Ki, she tentatively calls him Ki-san; since he seemed okay with it, she uses it with great excitement.
Binaohan: A friend from medical school. Very boring and ordinary, and really very desperate to stay with Hotaru, as she accepted a few dates for a few weeks.
Tam Fei Yen: An admirable friend. Her calmness and seriousness are welcome in the manic world of Maverick space. I wish she'd stop listening to Natsu so much though.
Celeste is one of the oldest members of the group. Hotaru doesn't feel particularly close to her, but her presence is something of a given.
Something snapped.
She raised her bolter and shot, blowing out his kneecap. He howled and doubled over, clutching his leg. Hotaru advanced and put the gun to his head.
“Who are you? Where is my father?”
He looked up at her, eyes wide. “...Malcom... There's only one thing to do,” he said, gasping. He fumbled in his shirt and pulled out a detonator.
She almost laughed as she snatched it away, and held it back for Shadow to take. “Shut up. What are you doing here?”
She wasn't prepared for the lunge. She stumbled out of the way and turned to find him flat on the ground, Shadow perched on his back. The ninja passed the detonator to Jade, who was just kneeling before him.
“Who are you and why are you here?”
He had five seconds before Hotaru took out his other leg.
She remembered Sparky, and then a lot of light. For a while she was dazed beyond comprehension, and everyone seemed so busy that they hardly noticed her. She opened her eyes and looked around, the electricity still swimming through her veins. The scene had already ended; their bodies were strewn around the room. She swallowed the horror and the bile down and ran to the others, who were leading the hostages out.
She wanted to hug her father, but no doubt he would have found it embarrassing. She stared at him and smiled and smiled.
Hotaru was particularly shaken by Jade's betrayal. Because Jade reminded her of her old friend Eun Hee, who died merely weeks before Jade and Hotaru first met, Jade became something of a replacement. That is, unnerved by the group, searching for revenge, and assuming that Jade was as scared as Hotaru herself was, Hotaru clung to her. The friendship was of course not fully reciprocated, as their true personalities and goals are mostly incompatible. Hotaru deluded herself into assuming that they were allies.
Hotaru liked most people in the group, but particularly trusted the core of Smile Time, taking especially to Kalingkata because of his similar story of loss. It was primarily she who wished Jade to be inducted, completely unaware that she was Cartel. Upon learning that Jade was traitorous the whole time, it was like losing Eun Hee all over again, but this time everything previously was a lie, and there was no one to claim revenge.
Hurt and still reeling, Hotaru buried herself in her studies, deciding to do a bit of research on the people around her. (How much she discovered is still uncertain.) Could she trust them? It seemed the core of Smile Time was the only thing she could really trust, but she still withdrew herself from it for a while. After all, the group was surely full of secrets.
There was a greater degree of ordinary inherent in school, and Hotaru jumped into it. When asked by a class mate to go on a few dates, she accepted, despite being completely uninterested in the classmate himself. For some reason, she was reluctant to let most people know about the relationship. She became very bored with it, and broke up with him just before Hiroyuki appeared.
Hotaru's father has of course taken precautions to prevent another kidnapping. His wife in particular has started carrying a gun even in the home, though she hasn't told him because of how disapproving he'd be of it. Of note, Hotaru's hair got cut very short.
Just after exams, and Hotaru's 24th birthday, Molly Donovan contacted Hotaru asking for private medical assistance for her siblings. Considering the general, small-time nature of Hotaru's medical training, it is acceptable for the time being. This began more earnest communication between Molly and the young medic. Perhaps there is hope for a new friendship, this time sincere? Certainly Fei Yen has been a welcome peer.
Certainly, if Jade turns up again, things might end badly...
==>Today I gave myself a tattoo. I shall not say what it is, but it was Eun Hee's favorite. I have this in remembrance of her, true, but I also note that, because of the second identity situation, I don't have much choice else. I will tell only the people I trust implicitly about it, so that this is one aspect of myself that cannot be copied.
The Tale of Binaohan and Hotaru's First Date that She did not Realize was an Actual Date
It would have been better to just say that something had come up and sorry, but she couldn't. Binaohan would have understood, right? He would have sighed and nodded and she would not have been here bored out of her mind. It wouldn't have been boring with Ki-san.
Hotaru shook the thoughts away. It was unfair to Binaohan to think things like that. After all, she spent enough time with Ki-san as it was. She had to shake more thoughts away—everything always seemed to wrap back around to him, and that made her feel a bit guilty since Binaohan was looking at her with such... admiration. She cleared her throat and smiled.
“Binaohan-san,” she said.
He smiled. “Yes?”
“What to you do for fun?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Studying is fun.”
She raised her eyebrows back. “Don't you have any favorite shows, or?”
“Or? I don't watch much. I work in my father's clinic on the side.”
“Admirable,” she said. But didn't he do anything else? “No sports or games or...?”
“There's not much time for that,” Binaohan said, very seriously. “You know the war is escalating.” His eyes became softer. “I've heard about you, of course.”
Hotaru lowered her eyes. “I know.”
“You're very lucky you're alive right now. I never would have pegged you a front-line fighter. It's good you chose to move off the field, honestly.” Binaohan smiled. “What would I do if you never came back?”
A bit too forward, Hotaru thought, blushing, but she said nothing at all. His face was too sweet. Maybe if Ki-san-- She took a drink from her glass. None of that.
“I am very lucky,” she said. Lucky enough that she was allowed to do so much as she wished. Perhaps the government merely lacked the resources at the moment to expend much effort on her. Or maybe, like her, they didn't realize exactly what she could do.
Perhaps she could ask Ki-san about... nothing at all because she was supposed to be paying attention to the guy she'd been asked on a date with!
“How's the tea?” he asked.
She smiled. “It's good.” They were sitting in a cafe, the afternoon sun shining brightly. She looked through her eyelashes, down at the flowers lining the cafe's edge. It must have been cute, because he was grinning when she looked back.
“Hotaru-chan,” he said. “Thanks for accepting my invitation.”
“We're friends right?” she said carefully.
He looked disappointed, but carefully so. “That's why I invited you. Hotaru-chan, I'd like to be more.”
She looked carefully first at his eyes, then at his hands, and last into her tea. “Binaohan-san.”
He smiled. His ordinariness was astounding. For some reason she thought again of Ki, and how he always seemed so bored, but never boring. Binaohan was, honestly, more boring than anyone she'd ever met. It wasn't exactly fair, to date him, but how she wished she could have someone who smiled for her and would stay put without being in danger.
She didn't dislike him, either.
“Ki-sa--” She cut herself off and shook her head. “I will. Binaohan-san.”
She returned to find Kalingkata at his computer, coffee in hand. His dog Deigan looked up and cocked its head to the side.
“Do you need more coffee?” Hotaru asked.
“It's fine.” He didn't bother glancing back, as his game was occupying his attention. She turned quickly and went to her room, and set her mouth to a smile. Sang Ki may not have cared at all, but that was no reason not to smile.
No. No. No no no. She laid down her scalpel and let Fei work, and accidentally spread blood over her sleeve. She had enough trouble with the crew members, and she didn't need anymore emotional problems. Natsu rushed by her with a body in tow; she hardly saw who else was with him. She was focused on his words.
“I won't help you,” she snapped. Her head was filled with a string of curse words. “Make Fei do it. I will never help you torture someone.” She returned to the patient, who had shrapnel from the hull buried in his torso.
I will never help you Natsu. This is absolutely the last straw.
Ow.
Such a small word coming to mind after such an event would have been hilarious if her head wasn't splintering with pain and blood wasn't pouring from her skull. She'd fallen when the Grav had been turned off. More like she'd faceplanted at the speed of the ship, her shield just managing to stop what could have been a skull fracture or worse. That thing was stupidly useful.
The front of her shirt was soaked with blood from the cut where her head had connected with the floor. Fei-san was at her side in hardly a second.
“Thanks Fei,” she said, blood dribbling where she'd bit her mouth.
It took some time for her head to stop hurting so badly, for her limbs to stop aching, for everything to stop spinning. A bruise was forming across what had landed, which meant all of her.
“It's no problem. I bet you anything Sparky's behind this.”
“Is everyone okay?”
Fei's forehead wrinkled. “Those with mag boots should be but... I don't know about the crew.”
The horror dawned on her. “Oh my god, the crew. Fei, the crew.” She stood up, almost falling over, and stumbled to the investigation.
==>Perhaps the scope of the situation seems not to warrant such an admittedly un-dramatic statement. But I assure you it did. Like cherry blossoms falling on the red sands, like waves pulling both away--mono no aware was child's play compared to this.
I do not wish to speak of it. I had enough thought of it in my sleep.
No one could have done this from their side. Who could have been stupid enough to turn off the Grav for any good reason? True, good was subjective when it came to Electric Mayhem, but sheer void of moral and logical thought behind this was too insanely massive to be anything from her silly crew. They did kill. Of course they did, and they never stopped.
Her hands were shaking.
Still they were shaking. They only seemed to steady when she held a gun or a scalpel. Why did it have to be that way? Couldn't they be steady when she held a hand, or when she sat by Ki-san and just melted in his presence?
And so she arrived at his room and knocked. Deigan looked through as the door opened.
“Ki-san, I'm leaving.”
Kawano Hotaru
AKA: Haru-chan
Age 24 (Birthday: December 4)
Height: 5'3''
Weight: 126 lbs
Appearance: Hotaru is girlish and tiny, with round, small features. Her eyes are dark yet bright, and she often smiles. Her hair is cut short, with some length framing the sides of her face, and is streaked with color, usually fuchsia/magenta.
Hotaru-chan's Diary!
==>Hello diary! Today I ran a drive at school to help with the war effort. They are recruiting again, and the class lost three members. I am sad to see them go, but it is necessary. Grandfather will protect them and bring them back to us one day.
==>Eun Hee asked me today,
'What will they think if I became a soldier?'
I told her 'Of course they would be surprised. But you love this planet as much as they do.'
She compared our peers to an anthill. 'It is full of small minds directed under one.'
Such a system works, I pointed out, and she nodded, but she said also that there are different colors of ants, like red and black, and they didn't like each other.
She doesn't need to be so obvious with her metaphors. I know people don't like her because she looks like an Earther; I only need to look around to note that. Her hair is beautiful, though: like the dust of Gongen. She's like the soul of this planet.
==>It turns out that was not a rhetorical question! Eun Hee joined the military today! I was so amused by everyone's looks that I hugged her in the hall and didn't care who saw!
As you can see, I'm proud.
==>Today I saw the cherry blossoms,
floating to the faint grass.
The blue of the moon was glass.
==> File: [Haru-chanLetter3]
I write to you from my bunk on the ship. The planets are lined beautifully, and the view from here of Gongen is enough to last your poetic thirst for eons. Though from what you sent last I'm not sure you could do it justice. (I kid.)
I suppose you're wondering why I'm writing when our last talk was just mere hours ago, and that was via comlink. I'm not sure why I feel the need to write. Perhaps I want you to wake and first thing see this letter on your moniter, so that I will be on your mind all the day. I'm so evil, you know!
There's absolutely no sound at all out here. No one is shifting, no even one. There is the sound of my self, of course, but other than that, silence. I'm certain you'd also find that suitably romantic.
It's all rather like that trip we took once out here with your parents. Soon we'll go out again and it won't be so silent out here.
==> File: [PoemsforEunHee3]
A few of my poems got selected for a small magazine! These are the ones. From the tone, the magazine seems to be romantic, but I was only thinking of you. ~*u*~
The silent rain falls
cold and damp like the people's words.
Yours, however,
have the tenor of stars.
My heart is lonely like
a fish alone at the end of the waterfall
which swims unceasing.
Our hearts are two stones who fell together
and landed in the same puddle.
==> File: [EunHeeLetter5]
The feelings I hold on news you sent of Hiroyuki are not necessary to explain. You know how it is. We've known him for so long. To find him gone makes the space even more empty.
Imagine I am hugging you now. I surely will when I return, but for now rely on this.
I promise I'll come back to you.
==> My work under Eun Hee's father ensures I hear most about her activity. But it seems that recently she was assigned to something not even Seong-san knows. I pray she returns. I pray it so much. Perhaps I'm pining away.
==> “Would that my mother might live a thousand years
Would there were on this earth no final partings.” (Tales of Ise 84)
Born the daughter of Kawano Hideki, heir of a vacuum empire, and Takaki Susan, a Maverick, Hotaru was born to a very well-off family. Hideki was very strict and respectable, and Susan, though amused by his need to be so proper, decided settling down was a whole new adventure and could be fun. Hotaru's father was always expectant that she get good grades, behave well, and dress appropriately. Her mother ensured that fun was actually included in it, especially because of her daughter's naturally cheerful and exuberant personality.
Through school, Hotaru was well known for her popularity and campaigning. She often took representative duties upon herself, and got good grades as her father wished. She was class representative often during her educational tenure. After graduation, she entered the military with her two best friends, Hiroyuki and Eun Hee. After only a year, Hiroyuki was killed in action, and Hotaru began to worry for Eun Hee's life. It was not three years later that Eun Hee died mysteriously, with evidence that the death was not honorable. Hotaru proceeded to devote her life, with the encouragement of Eun Hee's father, to revenge on those who killed Eun Hee.
==> File: EunHeePortait[image]
==> Today I dyed my hair with streaks so Father would not be so mad. He doesn't much like this sort of thing. I tried to get something like Eun Hee's color, but it turned out much darker, almost magenta.
The time here holds transience
The clouds of stars shine dull above the lamplight.
==> Seong-san has sent me on a mission. I say he sent me only because officially I am investigating for him, though I come of my own volition. I am joined by Eun Hee's half-brother, Young-Soo. He is very much like her, but his hair is the same drab black as my own. He is even more driven than I am, it seems.
Fitting. We grew up with her at our side.
==> I first held a gun when I was five years old, when Kaa-san handed me hers and began teaching me 'the art of weaponry'. She said I had to learn to defend myself. Her training regime taught me how to run, how to get stronger. I'm definitely not the best yet, but I'm good, even with my lack of experience. I'm small, but hardy.
When she handed me that weapon. 'You are small, but your heart is not.'
I've kept that bolter at my side. Now it will avenge Seong Eun Hee.
Shaking at the door
Voice withheld
Trying to think of even one word
'Who am I?'
For my gain I sacrifice others.
==> The goal now is to find Kalingkata.
He seems to be the only one aware of the situation, and from his blog I can sense what seems the truth. Young-Soo and I are looking others as well.
==> There was no purpose to my ends. Of course Eun Hee is still gone. And her brother is now gone as well. He was sacrificed for no purpose, or for a purpose that had no real goal. Yes, they are gone now, but their purpose had more point than mine.
My anger dissipates.
I slept badly. It is easier to be myself around these people, but even that part of me feels the grit. The blood is on my hands. I almost wish I never would have taken this route.
==> File: [KalingkataImage]
==> File: [Report6]
((Transcript removed))
The beam roared over them, searing her skin. She recoiled, feeling the energy pour over her, but not connecting, as if a void had opened around her and sucked up the bolt. Natsu fell at her feet, his clothes singed. The man gawked at them.
Shield? She thought.
==>I seem to have developed some sort of power.
It takes a faint pinkish glow, sometimes purple, and it seems to work as either protection or outright blocking of obstacles.
I have heard about this happening, after the Rift. It seems I have become something special.
==>The Heirophant is killed.
Seong family, can you hear? Can you hear my uncertainty?
“You will be returning?”
“I will not,” Hotaru said.
“It seems your rank has increased.”
“Mercenary doesn't seem much of a rank.”
He laughed. “You are a kizen now. Perhaps it is better.”
“I am of more use on the field,” she said.
“Hmm. Are you?”
She nodded. “I can't give up on these people. We know something now.”
Relationships
Kichida Hiroyuki: Hotaru and Hiro-kun were the rambunctious types, tempered only by Eun Hee. They got along very well.
Seong Eun Hee: Eun Hee was in many ways Hotaru's direct opposite. Tall while Hotaru was small, with copper hair and light eyes, Eun Hee's cynicism and sarcasm brought Hotaru closer to earth. Subdued and extremely serious and dry compared to her friends, Eun Hee was a great damper to Hotaru's more ridiculous urges. She could most often be found chiding Hotaru gently, usually with a smirk or a serious face. Eun Hee was much more subdued emotionally than Hotaru, but was less capable of hiding her anger. The relationship was one of great friendship, which built steadily over the years. In reality, there was a deep romance between the two that both were mostly unaware of, which could be considered Hotaru's first love. After school, they both decided to enter the military, Eun Hee as a soldier. When she died, Hotaru was of course distraught. The death is still very fresh on her mind.
Jade: Jade's first appearance was very soon after Eun Hee's death, and something in the face and the bearing was similar enough that Hotaru threw herself into the relationship. Clutching for Eun Hee in this new girl, she deluded herself into thinking that they were friends, when really they were more just acquaintances, and Jade was a spy. The trust and friendship left inside Hotaru was extended, to the point where Hotaru didn't want to believe Jade was a traitor. When it was finally realized, a great horror entered Hotaru's heart and still hasn't let itself go. She became torn between sickness and anger at the thought of what unwarranted trust she gave someone from the Cartel.
Natsu: Hotaru had much respect for Natsu. She appreciated his relatively usual personality, considering it in comparison to the rather strong/eccentric surrounding characters, and his profession as well as his Gongen roots made for a high quality man in her view. He was part of her inspiration to undergo medical training, and they had a relatively good relationship. His arrogance and superiorty complex, however, have grated on her, and she will often refuse to assist his more immoral dealings.
Shadow: At first there was a deal of fear and respect held for Shadow. As time passed, Hotaru realized the assassin was not cold-blooded and began to really trust and respect her. She would never stand against her in a fight, though. Upon learning Shadow's tale, Hotaru did her best to make things easier for everyone on the crew, Shadow especially.
Tatsuya: At first charmed by his exuberance, Hotaru was steadily more annoyed with Tatsuya's stupidity. Her disdain for him was cemented by her representation in his film, as a silly young girl. She will always hold this in a bitter place in her heart.
Elodie: How cute! Fun to shop with, but really, leave her to her own devices. Hotaru holds nothing against her, at the moment. She's rather protective of Elodie, actually, due to everyone's weird taking advantage of her and blaming her for murder and stuff.
Ameratsu: Why is he so drunk? Sigh. Let him do as he wants, as long as he doesn't interfere. Note to self: DON'T ACCEPT MOONSHINE
Kalingkata: Hotaru finds Kalingkata fascinating. In many ways his apathy strikes her as cool, since she's very prone to caring. His ability to not care (especially about things like her dyed hair or mistakes) draws her to him. She only wishes she could manage that degree of deadpan. Her first thoughts were that he was a false conspirator, but it was when she realized he could help with her attempts to discover the truth behind Eun Hee's death that she began to respect him. Considering his past, she felt a great deal of sympathy for him. Her trust in him grew steadily as time passed, becoming more of a camaraderie. His actions on Venus impressed her greatly, and she relies on him more than she lets on. She is also amused by his knowledge of pop culture, and enjoys playing shooters. Upon learning his real name, Sang Ki, she tentatively calls him Ki-san; since he seemed okay with it, she uses it with great excitement.
Binaohan: A friend from medical school. Very boring and ordinary, and really very desperate to stay with Hotaru, as she accepted a few dates for a few weeks.
Tam Fei Yen: An admirable friend. Her calmness and seriousness are welcome in the manic world of Maverick space. I wish she'd stop listening to Natsu so much though.
Celeste is one of the oldest members of the group. Hotaru doesn't feel particularly close to her, but her presence is something of a given.
Something snapped.
She raised her bolter and shot, blowing out his kneecap. He howled and doubled over, clutching his leg. Hotaru advanced and put the gun to his head.
“Who are you? Where is my father?”
He looked up at her, eyes wide. “...Malcom... There's only one thing to do,” he said, gasping. He fumbled in his shirt and pulled out a detonator.
She almost laughed as she snatched it away, and held it back for Shadow to take. “Shut up. What are you doing here?”
She wasn't prepared for the lunge. She stumbled out of the way and turned to find him flat on the ground, Shadow perched on his back. The ninja passed the detonator to Jade, who was just kneeling before him.
“Who are you and why are you here?”
He had five seconds before Hotaru took out his other leg.
She remembered Sparky, and then a lot of light. For a while she was dazed beyond comprehension, and everyone seemed so busy that they hardly noticed her. She opened her eyes and looked around, the electricity still swimming through her veins. The scene had already ended; their bodies were strewn around the room. She swallowed the horror and the bile down and ran to the others, who were leading the hostages out.
She wanted to hug her father, but no doubt he would have found it embarrassing. She stared at him and smiled and smiled.
Hotaru was particularly shaken by Jade's betrayal. Because Jade reminded her of her old friend Eun Hee, who died merely weeks before Jade and Hotaru first met, Jade became something of a replacement. That is, unnerved by the group, searching for revenge, and assuming that Jade was as scared as Hotaru herself was, Hotaru clung to her. The friendship was of course not fully reciprocated, as their true personalities and goals are mostly incompatible. Hotaru deluded herself into assuming that they were allies.
Hotaru liked most people in the group, but particularly trusted the core of Smile Time, taking especially to Kalingkata because of his similar story of loss. It was primarily she who wished Jade to be inducted, completely unaware that she was Cartel. Upon learning that Jade was traitorous the whole time, it was like losing Eun Hee all over again, but this time everything previously was a lie, and there was no one to claim revenge.
Hurt and still reeling, Hotaru buried herself in her studies, deciding to do a bit of research on the people around her. (How much she discovered is still uncertain.) Could she trust them? It seemed the core of Smile Time was the only thing she could really trust, but she still withdrew herself from it for a while. After all, the group was surely full of secrets.
There was a greater degree of ordinary inherent in school, and Hotaru jumped into it. When asked by a class mate to go on a few dates, she accepted, despite being completely uninterested in the classmate himself. For some reason, she was reluctant to let most people know about the relationship. She became very bored with it, and broke up with him just before Hiroyuki appeared.
Hotaru's father has of course taken precautions to prevent another kidnapping. His wife in particular has started carrying a gun even in the home, though she hasn't told him because of how disapproving he'd be of it. Of note, Hotaru's hair got cut very short.
Just after exams, and Hotaru's 24th birthday, Molly Donovan contacted Hotaru asking for private medical assistance for her siblings. Considering the general, small-time nature of Hotaru's medical training, it is acceptable for the time being. This began more earnest communication between Molly and the young medic. Perhaps there is hope for a new friendship, this time sincere? Certainly Fei Yen has been a welcome peer.
Certainly, if Jade turns up again, things might end badly...
==>Today I gave myself a tattoo. I shall not say what it is, but it was Eun Hee's favorite. I have this in remembrance of her, true, but I also note that, because of the second identity situation, I don't have much choice else. I will tell only the people I trust implicitly about it, so that this is one aspect of myself that cannot be copied.
The Tale of Binaohan and Hotaru's First Date that She did not Realize was an Actual Date
It would have been better to just say that something had come up and sorry, but she couldn't. Binaohan would have understood, right? He would have sighed and nodded and she would not have been here bored out of her mind. It wouldn't have been boring with Ki-san.
Hotaru shook the thoughts away. It was unfair to Binaohan to think things like that. After all, she spent enough time with Ki-san as it was. She had to shake more thoughts away—everything always seemed to wrap back around to him, and that made her feel a bit guilty since Binaohan was looking at her with such... admiration. She cleared her throat and smiled.
“Binaohan-san,” she said.
He smiled. “Yes?”
“What to you do for fun?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Studying is fun.”
She raised her eyebrows back. “Don't you have any favorite shows, or?”
“Or? I don't watch much. I work in my father's clinic on the side.”
“Admirable,” she said. But didn't he do anything else? “No sports or games or...?”
“There's not much time for that,” Binaohan said, very seriously. “You know the war is escalating.” His eyes became softer. “I've heard about you, of course.”
Hotaru lowered her eyes. “I know.”
“You're very lucky you're alive right now. I never would have pegged you a front-line fighter. It's good you chose to move off the field, honestly.” Binaohan smiled. “What would I do if you never came back?”
A bit too forward, Hotaru thought, blushing, but she said nothing at all. His face was too sweet. Maybe if Ki-san-- She took a drink from her glass. None of that.
“I am very lucky,” she said. Lucky enough that she was allowed to do so much as she wished. Perhaps the government merely lacked the resources at the moment to expend much effort on her. Or maybe, like her, they didn't realize exactly what she could do.
Perhaps she could ask Ki-san about... nothing at all because she was supposed to be paying attention to the guy she'd been asked on a date with!
“How's the tea?” he asked.
She smiled. “It's good.” They were sitting in a cafe, the afternoon sun shining brightly. She looked through her eyelashes, down at the flowers lining the cafe's edge. It must have been cute, because he was grinning when she looked back.
“Hotaru-chan,” he said. “Thanks for accepting my invitation.”
“We're friends right?” she said carefully.
He looked disappointed, but carefully so. “That's why I invited you. Hotaru-chan, I'd like to be more.”
She looked carefully first at his eyes, then at his hands, and last into her tea. “Binaohan-san.”
He smiled. His ordinariness was astounding. For some reason she thought again of Ki, and how he always seemed so bored, but never boring. Binaohan was, honestly, more boring than anyone she'd ever met. It wasn't exactly fair, to date him, but how she wished she could have someone who smiled for her and would stay put without being in danger.
She didn't dislike him, either.
“Ki-sa--” She cut herself off and shook her head. “I will. Binaohan-san.”
She returned to find Kalingkata at his computer, coffee in hand. His dog Deigan looked up and cocked its head to the side.
“Do you need more coffee?” Hotaru asked.
“It's fine.” He didn't bother glancing back, as his game was occupying his attention. She turned quickly and went to her room, and set her mouth to a smile. Sang Ki may not have cared at all, but that was no reason not to smile.
No. No. No no no. She laid down her scalpel and let Fei work, and accidentally spread blood over her sleeve. She had enough trouble with the crew members, and she didn't need anymore emotional problems. Natsu rushed by her with a body in tow; she hardly saw who else was with him. She was focused on his words.
“I won't help you,” she snapped. Her head was filled with a string of curse words. “Make Fei do it. I will never help you torture someone.” She returned to the patient, who had shrapnel from the hull buried in his torso.
I will never help you Natsu. This is absolutely the last straw.
Ow.
Such a small word coming to mind after such an event would have been hilarious if her head wasn't splintering with pain and blood wasn't pouring from her skull. She'd fallen when the Grav had been turned off. More like she'd faceplanted at the speed of the ship, her shield just managing to stop what could have been a skull fracture or worse. That thing was stupidly useful.
The front of her shirt was soaked with blood from the cut where her head had connected with the floor. Fei-san was at her side in hardly a second.
“Thanks Fei,” she said, blood dribbling where she'd bit her mouth.
It took some time for her head to stop hurting so badly, for her limbs to stop aching, for everything to stop spinning. A bruise was forming across what had landed, which meant all of her.
“It's no problem. I bet you anything Sparky's behind this.”
“Is everyone okay?”
Fei's forehead wrinkled. “Those with mag boots should be but... I don't know about the crew.”
The horror dawned on her. “Oh my god, the crew. Fei, the crew.” She stood up, almost falling over, and stumbled to the investigation.
==>Perhaps the scope of the situation seems not to warrant such an admittedly un-dramatic statement. But I assure you it did. Like cherry blossoms falling on the red sands, like waves pulling both away--mono no aware was child's play compared to this.
I do not wish to speak of it. I had enough thought of it in my sleep.
No one could have done this from their side. Who could have been stupid enough to turn off the Grav for any good reason? True, good was subjective when it came to Electric Mayhem, but sheer void of moral and logical thought behind this was too insanely massive to be anything from her silly crew. They did kill. Of course they did, and they never stopped.
Her hands were shaking.
Still they were shaking. They only seemed to steady when she held a gun or a scalpel. Why did it have to be that way? Couldn't they be steady when she held a hand, or when she sat by Ki-san and just melted in his presence?
And so she arrived at his room and knocked. Deigan looked through as the door opened.
“Ki-san, I'm leaving.”