idolpro | Amaranth: A Dream

Entry tags:

!ideal world

Amaranth: A Dream

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.

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[ It's unclear if there was ever a bridge at all, though surely at some point there must have been? Across the wide gulf of the rushing river, though, you can see another pair of stone posts, the same shape as these.

These ones also appear to be carved: each one has a design depicting a large seed from which sprouts a blossoming tree. There's perhaps a familiar quality to the look of the carved seeds: those bulbous centers, and the sharp spike beneath. ]

[Hm. For now, they'll leave it alone, and head to town.]

[ On to the town! It seems there's a market today. There are fathers holding their children's hands as they walk together, sometimes joined by mothers as well. A few guards are posted, but they seem notably relaxed, as if their presence is mostly a formality.

The people here are generally dark-haired, but skin and eye color varies greatly. They're also quite tall on average; 5'8" is the short end of the scale, here.

As you come to the gate, one of the guards calls out to you— ]

Cardinal Chases Dawn! Good morning! If you're here, then I'm sure General Amakura isn't far behind.

[ She winks. It's cheesy. ]

[Cardinal smirks indulgently.]

I'm just running an errand. How are things here?

[ She's been indulged! She grins. ]

Another good harvest, from the look of things!

[ The guard straightens, then, and glances to her partner, who comes to join you, posture equally upright.
In the tone of giving a formal report: ]

Though it is early yet, the farmers report their crops are growing strong. With the River God's blessing, they will continue at their current pace. Our blessed peace is well-secured.

[ then, without missing a beat— ]
Battlefield reports are likewise positive. The General's troops keep Sange Village safe and secure. Victory is in our grasp, so long as we continue to fight with conviction.

[Cardinal considers this, then raise an eyebrow at the guard.]

Peace is never well-secured so long as humans have war. Don't forget that while Sange feels security, the General's reach only goes so far.

[ The guard

pauses.
For a moment, she seems to look at something past you, instead.
But then she's just fine! It's fine. ]

Our peace is unbroken.

[ She says it as though answering some different, more suitable question.

Is it just your imagination, or are the buildings of the town less pristine-looking? ]

[That seems like not a coincidence. Cardinal gives a curt not do the soldier as they head further into town.]

Stay alert, soldier.

[ The both guards give sharp, professional nods in return.
Even so, some tension seems to relax from them now that the matter's been dropped. The town, too, shifts back to its original appearance, like dough reforming after being slightly stretched.

It's... a really cute, town, honestly.
Extremely low-tech compared to Tokyo-F, but the people look happy. Farmers and merchants trade and sell to one another, but even that exchange seems almost like a formality: no one seems anxious to save enough coin, or worried about how much they can afford.

People smile at you and dip their heads in friendly but respectful nods. Every so often, you can catch sight of a child tugging at a parent's sleeve to point you out. Look, it's really them!

Here you are extremely cool and everyone thinks you're so great. Nice. ]

[Nice. Cardinal considers their options.]

On second thought, why don't you walk me home? Catch me up on all the gossip.

[ The guard stands at attention, already at your side. ]

It would be my honor.
What would you like to know?

[ She takes you away from the town on a road going east, towards the sun. It seems that many paths here are alongside irrigation streams, and this one is no different. ]

Is everyone getting along? The General and I are gone so often, I'm sure some people must be trying to expand their authority.

[ a laugh ]

Lord Noriyo doesn't put up with that kind of crap—ah, if you'll pardon my language, Commander. I don't think Okudaira Noriyo plans to die for a hundred years! She's stubborn enough for it, for sure.

[ It's said with fond admiration. ]

'Course, Viridian won't give up fight, either! Thank the gods we have our peace.

Tell me more about Viridian. I'm curious what people think of them.

Ah, well. You know how General Amakura fought them off when they first warred against us—or Tsubaki Province, more like, but conquering Sange is part of that. They're a wealthy and powerful province, and Tsubaki's army did much of its fighting outnumbered.

All those sacrifices were not in vain, though. We earned this peace.

Earned? You make it sound like we already have it well in hand. The fighting's still going. Tsubaki province is still in danger, and sacrifices are being made even as we speak.

We're....

[ the guard's voice chokes up, like she's struggling to form the words ]

....safe.

[ And in the distance, every cherry tree in the village turns to charred black branches and petals of ash.
The earth makes a kind of awful grinding wail, and back at the gate you see it crack.

Turn back to investigate, or continue east, toward's what is presumably Amaranth's home? Or you could follow the guard, who has taken off running south. ]

Edited 2020-08-08 23:53 (UTC)

[... Selfishly, they want to see their home. Cardinal keeps heading that way. ]

[ Here it is still peaceful. ]

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Amaranth: A Dream

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