~Moths Don't Like Being Butterflies~

Approximate Chapters Left: 30

.:Chapter 2 ~ ...Plucked and Chosen, One String from Many...:.

Sighing pure agony, Hotaru gently picked herself up off the somewhat dusty floor. Taking the forms, she quickly scanned them in memorization, laughing at times within her mind's depths, for who could believe the story she wove around her own mysteries? But then again, it certainly was a lot more believable than if she had simply started off with her true heritage and home memories. And with history? Even if she did brave the silent unspoken dare, the blasted section was by far to short.

As she passed the papers to the outstretched hand of the secretary, another of the room's occupants handed in their forms also. It was her clone. At least... in terms of soul... and eyes also now that she thought about it. The haunting , lifeless forms shaped into orbs could surely be seen as a joke by those skilled enough. But... pain, misery, agony... it was there, kept only in check by amazing self-discipline. Those eyes proved the cliche` '...not meant for mortal eyes to see.' true. But what could he have possibly been witness to? Remembering manners, she quickly looked away, fearing he had seen her gaze of contemplation. She hurried her step to the retreat of nature - outside. She greeted the wind in an embrace of understanding, before her eyes became occupied on the flight of a single, struggling moth. It seemed to not be able to take flight at all, as if gravity and sunlight had all but destroyed the poor creature's dignity for braving the new. Hotaru had always compared herself to moths, as she found them so much... more compelling, if even that word would suit the feeling.

She bent down to one knee, not caring for the inevitable dirt that would soon come to make-due on her clothing. Not that she cared anyway. As far as she knew, the world's downfall was due to propaganda - and with it all things selfish and superficial. It truly disgusted her - how one could so easily throw away another's very life or ruin a perfectly humble emotion of happiness, but yet they pampered themselves with pride, foolish hatred and misgivings. And to make matters worse, these people could never endure even the slightest smudge on a well-made shoe or a decent pair of slacks. Wasteful. Pitiful. At times, Hotaru wished to end the world's foolishness, to summon the apocalypse - and all just to prove a point.

Delicately, with more finesse than she thought she had possible, Hotaru picked up the melancholic moth, silently envying it's freedom. As she steadied the inner elegance that the moth portrayed on one hand, she readied her other hand to heal it's crumpled wing. In a burst of comforting lilac light, the healer concentrated on the small capillaries and tissues of the seemingly bland wing. When she opened her more joyful eyes, Hotaru had found that she had, in fact, done a seamless job. Silently praying for the moth's health in future days, and for no encounters with the horribly black-hearted race of 'humanity', she walked over to yet another rampant rose bush, all in bloom and intoxicating passer-by with an otherworldly fragrance.

"Their you are... please... stay safe... little moth... your the closest thing I have to a friend here... on this industry-strewn world... At least... it's amazing Mother Nature hasn't completely took her last breath..." She slightly laughed, wondering if the moth even understood her odd 'speech'. But wasn't the love of the heart and soul enough to transcend any barrier?

Feeling eyes once again watching her subtle movements, she wished to curse. Straightening herself upright and paying no attention to dusting her long skirt off, she slowly turned her body around, her eyes immune to emotion, her face relaxed into a Buddha's expression. She desperately wished she knew how long the short blonde boy had been watching her fret over a tiny moth. She could feel a blush work it's way up from her soul, but Hotaru kept her impassive face portrayed, knowing it would never appear. She was simply immune to showing any stain of red against her skin. At times she thought she had the rare skin condition of virilgo.

"I'm sorry for bothering you miss, but the secretary has already sorted out the paperwork... you are now registered to attend Gabrial High-School. She requested one of us retrieve you so that you may obtain your schedule and dome key. Oh... forgive my rudeness! I am Quatre Winner. It is most certainably a pleasure to meet you." The golden haired 'angel' bowed in deep respect as Hotaru introduced herself.

"Oh no, please forgive my rudeness, you would not of had to wait so long if I'd been paying attention. I'm Tomoe Hotaru. It's an honor to meet you." She allowed herself to strip a part of her usual facade down, to allow true emotions of content to enter her eyes. Quatre obviously had the aura of a modern paladin, and the heart's quixotic moral shown bright and true in his kind eyes. It left her heart skipping a bit, wondering if the Earth truly wasn't on a path to self-destruction.

"`Tis fine miss Hotaru! It truly isn't everyday that someone helps another less fortunate soul. You really shouldn't be quite so embarrassed about it!" His eyes twinkled in amused laughter. Hotaru quirked an eyebrow at the startlingly true prediction. Sensing Hotaru's slight discomfort, Quatre rushed to add, " I apologize if I've said anything of discomfort to you in any way. Uh, I have a knack for guessing an individuals' emotion..."

Watching Quatre slowly side over to guilt and uncertainity, Hotaru tried to comfort him with words, "Hey! Don't worry about it! It's fine... it's just... you remind me of one of my friends back... home..." The word seemed foreign in her mouth, and the only thing it accomplished was a dose of homesickness. Trying to keep her thoughts away from such displeasing memories, she continued speaking after a few seconds lapse. "You said the secretary was finished? Thank you so much for telling me!" She could feel herself genuinely smiling. Her soul sighed with pleasure, having only tasted tears for weeks on end.