Tidal Florette - A Painted Soul I

Yumi - 1

The beams of dawn shimmer through the dojo's tatami walls as Jin walks into Yumi's room. As usual, she's sitting on the floor just finishing up her painting from the previous day's Sakuhin Wakare. She's surrounded by vials of blood mixed with various substances to create different shades just as she'd been taught over the years. Yumi doesn't even notice Jin walking in. So her proud sensei just watches silently to not disturb her as she gracefully strikes through characters forming a short poem for the piece along the bottom of the canvas scroll. Clearly you spent years testing your strength, protecting all that you loved... but they never stopped coming... You never stopped fighting... And still, you lost them... And still you kept fighting... It doesn't matter I was too fast for you, it was beautiful to share those last moments with you.

Jin kneels next to Yumi gently, "He was rather intriguing. Our visitors don't usually grace me with conversation. You've captured him beautifully here, it'll be nice seeing him again when our time comes."

Yumi looks over the piece, seemingly content, "Sensei, do you think he threw the fight?"

"Yumi, you know better than to question his honor like that."

Yumi blushes, taken aback by her own words. "I know, sorry, that's an awful way of asking. I mean do you think that he came here hoping that I would be able to win?"

Jin shrugs, "He seemed very determined to prove he could defeat you. Mentioned something about returning to the mainland ready to take on the strongest of the moonlit and defend his people in Yukari."

Yumi looks at her with concern, "That doesn't seem right. It seemed like he had nothing left to defend. See it shows here in the paint, the desperation" She gestures over the abstract swirls of color in the painting.

Jin puts a hand on her shoulder, "And you ensured he wouldn't have any disgrace in those last moments and met his desperation head on. The elegance you displayed was truly inspiring my child."

Yumi bows her head. "Thank you sensei."

Jin rises back up, "Ukiyo is quite secluded on the island, some travel for months on their journey. Your foe last night, Ornson, traveled for over half a year. Fighting through moonlit just for the chance to face you. We don't need to question their motivations, the journey questions them enough."

"There was something in his eyes... I nearly missed on purpose so it wouldn't be fatal, just to see if I could understand... but that seemed selfish after sparing him once already."

"Your ability to read your opponent's soul seems to be growing stronger, child. I'm glad you haven't given up trying to get stronger."

Yumi sighs, "You taught me none of us should ever give up, but I do wish I could manage to clearly see these deeper inspirations I feel like I'm getting a glimpse of anymore. Like, more than the feeling, but the reasons." I guess the reasons don't matter too much once they're dead.

Jin motions toward the painting, "Last week you laid several children to rest in Kessaku. Their stories were short, and yet you captured them with the same beauty you did of this veteran. It doesn't have to matter why they are here, we can give all of them an eternal glory and cherish each and every one just the same."

Yumi picks up the painting, "It's ready..."

Jin stops her before she walks out of the room, "You have a kind heart my child. Never be ashamed of that. Too many warriors fall into a spiral of apathetic brutality where there's no inspiration to be found."

"What if the kindness goes too far, makes me stay my hand?"

Jin releases Yumi's arm and heads into the hall, "Trust your judgments as I do."