Tidal Florette - A Painted Soul I

Yumi - 28

A pillar of sunlight rains down from the open window in the roof of Yumi's room. The warmth of the beam on her face as she meditates, cross-legged on the floor, takes her imagination back to summer days in Ukiyo. Days when she would wander down the beach with Kaiya to train and just end up spending most of their time in the waves in each other's arms. Yumi may have enjoyed helping Kaiya develop her skills, but sparring just made her feel like a bully. If she held back too much, Kaiya would notice and get frustrated; but she knew going all out would be dangerous.

Do I even know how to fight properly without killing someone? That's not what I was trained for... Painted Souls don't fight for fun or entertainment or just proving ourselves... Sensei taught me not to draw my blade unless I can see it is their time...

Yumi remembers explaining this to Kaiya, and how happy she felt when Kaiya said that she trusted Yumi. Even so, any time Kaiya asked if they could have a duel to test herself; Yumi would silence her with kisses and avoid the subject. I don't think Sensei would have had a problem with training that way... I had to learn how to dodge and deflect her when I was little... I just couldn't risk hurting someone that isn't ready...

She thinks about how many challengers arrived that time of year in the warmer weather. How Kaiya would politely decline any invite to the Sakuhin Wakare and return home waiting to meet Yumi later in the night. Sometimes, when there would be several challengers in a single day, Kaiya would remark on being too tired that evening and would stay home for days. I knew she didn't want to think about my responsibilities as a Painted Soul... but she never said anything about it... never tried to make me feel bad... did she really hold in so much hate of it that she'd want me dead?

No... it had to be Saito... he had to have done something to her... I will save you from him... I promise, I'll avenge mother and bring you home...

Thinking about returning to Ukiyo again makes her dread taking another trip over the sea after their journey to the capital. How the sailors avoided her, sometimes running to get away, after what happened with their captain. How they stared at her like she's as monstrous as the moonlit when they thought she wasn't noticing their gaze. It's not my fault I'm stronger than they think... Sensei told me it was a gift for my dedication... Nothing to be ashamed of when people fear me...

But... I killed that man... Before he was ready... And no one did anything because they were afraid... Yumi's hand rests over her heart, the ridge of the dark scar from Kaiya's blade soft to her touch. She knew the sea dragon killing the captain relinquished her responsibility in Nox's eyes. She certainly didn't see the dragon approaching and the worst the captain would have suffered from her strike would have been an ugly bruise. Still, that night she kept thinking her robe felt soaked with blood and rushing to the moonlight to see if she was dying. Only to find it to be nothing more than her imagination. I still don't understand why Nox bothered to save me... Favian mentioned an altar for him on the island... maybe since I grew up there? Just likes Irusian girls or something?

No form of clarity reaches her. I guess it doesn't matter much... He gave me a chance to live without killing... at least until I find Saito... No matter the reason, I should be grateful for the kindness..

"I'm flattered"

Yumi practically jumps from the floor, startled by Nox's sudden appearance in front of her mirroring her posture with his eyes closed right outside the beam of light. He's abandoned the rags or the regalia, now just wearing a dark robe with an aberrant pattern of silver silk stitched throughout. A dark steel medallion shaped like an eye with a dark gray crystal for a pupil hangs around his neck. Yumi doesn't even catch her breath before responding. "Do you always scare the hell out of people when you come to mind?"