Amaranth: A Dream

[idolpro]

Once, there was a maiden...

...whose battles called her far from home.
She slew the thing she feared most, and conquered the land that feared her.
As she fought, far away, she knew her children needed guidance.
She knew they faced tyrants.
She knew they faced fear.
In her homeland, things were broken.
So, she held up her hand before the sun, and cast a shadow on the world, and drowned the troubles of her home in darkness.

"Survival's a long reach," she said.

Comments

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

[ Honestly, seeing these people really hits home that Amaranth and Persephone aren't just "sort of on the short side." By the standards of this village, they are really, really short. ]

Good morning, Lucifel!

[ ...Oh hey, one of the guards is giving you a bow. She smiles at you with the ease of familiarity. ]

I trust your mother is well?

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[maidenheaven]

[ they're very small and he's barely under normal ]

—Good morning!

[ with a reflexive smile, a little bow of his own head ]

Ah, yes. Naturally, she's as healthy as can be.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

Of course, of course. I think General Amakura considers it almost part of her duty to put the rest of us to shame with her fitness, even after all these years of peace.

Be sure to give her and your second mother my regards, and tell her the other guards are looking forward to the next time she joins us for training.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[maidenheaven]

. . . Of course, I'll make certain to do so.

[ there's a pause ]

Ah, actually—

Might you happen to know where my older brother is? We were to meet here at the gates, but I've yet to see him.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

[ The guard

pauses

a moment. Then she smiles again. ]

We all owe a great deal to the shrine maiden. Your family must be very proud.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[maidenheaven]

. . . Naturally. I could only hope to be like him.

[ examining the guard's face, her words, her posture, reaction ]

You haven't seen him then, I suppose.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

The shrine is a sacred place.

[ She smiles, sympathetic but vague. Though nothing about her appearance has changed, and her posture remains at ease, there's a lack of focus in her eyes when speaking on this topic. ]

We are all grateful to the shrine maiden for his role sending our prayers to the River God. Your family must be very proud.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[maidenheaven]

Naturally.

[ . . . ]

Then, please excuse me. I should return quickly.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

[ echoing, still cheerful ] Naturally.

[ Now that you think on it, you realize that you know the way, because of course you do. Your mothers' farm is just outside town. ]