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The morning and a snowflake laden breeze snuck into Huntara and Perfuma's bedroom through the balcony's open door. The big woman shivered before reluctantly letting go of Perfuma and carefully getting out of bed. Quickly, quietly, she strode to close the door. As she pulled it, shut the tiny, potted bioluminescent mushrooms that were set around the room brightened again. She thought they were kind of cute; there were a pair of dark blue ones that flanked the balcony door, purple ones on the bedside tables and a rosette pink one that shone onto the hallway door. She crossed back to her and Perfuma's bed. When she had settled back under the warm blanket, she sighed softly. Perfuma turned to face her, the sharp line of her chin softened by the steady purple glow. After a few faltering seconds, she whispered. "I love you, Perfuma."
Even before she'd left the Horde and joined that band of mercs, no one had ever accused her of being good at expressing things. Being the Strongest in the Crimson Waste was about keeping control of loud and violent drunks by being louder and more violent. In the Waste, being emotional or compassionate meant that you were weak. Here, in Plumeria, you could show them and still be strong.
Just the other day, she'd found an injured fawn while doing perimeter check in the morning. Worriedly, she'd gone to pick the little creature up. Its fur'd been matted with dried blood, and its big brown eyes'd been dull with pain. It had barely even picked up its head to look at her. The voice in the back of her mind, which had sounded oddly like Ibi, had sneered at her to put it out of its misery. Instead of listening to it, she'd told the voice to shut up and taken the fawn to Flowers so that she could try to heal it. Thanks to the blond Princess' herbal knowledge, the little scrapper had survived, she currently shared a stable with one of the draft horses.
Huntara found it refreshing not having to suppress most of her emotions. Perfuma'd said that her aura had gotten much brighter since she'd come to Plumeria. Of course she still didn't fully understand auras but it sounded like a good thing. A soft smile crossed her lips as Perfuma snuggled against her chest. When she finally went back to the Crimson Waste, she'd have to make a few changes. Like buy some flowers to remind her of Perfuma.
Maybe offer to teach the others meditation? It couldn't hurt for them to open up a bit, even if only to themselves.