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]

[ 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. ]

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[deicider]

[Nice. Cardinal considers their options.]

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

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

[ 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. ]

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[deicider]

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

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

[ 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.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[deicider]

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

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

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.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[deicider]

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.

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

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. ]

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[deicider]

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

Re: BEGIN: The Road to Sange Village

[fallingflowers]

[ Here it is still peaceful. ]