Tidal Florette - A Painted Soul I

Yumi - 32

Now that Yumi's been made a reaper candidate, the lockdown on the palace has been lifted. Light pours through the windows throughout the halls and she gets to see how extraordinarily high the tower she's been given as a guest overlooks the capital. She's spent the morning watching and listening to the streets come alive. More people than she's ever bothered to imagine flood the streets. Back home, in Ukiyo, the village moved almost as a single unit. If something exciting was happening, then everyone gathered. If there was work to be done, then everyone able contributed. If there was a festival that weekend, everyone would be working to prepare for the visiting travelers. No matter what was happening, Ukiyo shared it together.

In Taikira, it would be absolutely impossible to experience everything happening at once. Even from this distant view, Yumi can see performers dancing in one street and playing music in another, but no one is gathering around them. The river of the crowd seems to pass by like there's nothing to see. Yumi can't even discern where the crowds are headed, so she decides to see if it would be possible to explore the capital a little.

Heading down the winding staircase from her quarters, the guards stationed in the space below her own seem shocked at her arrival. "Miss Koizumi! Are you alright? Shouldn't you be resting?"

Oh right, I was hurt... "I'm fine, my training makes me heal pretty quick."

The guards glance at each other as if she just told them she's the empress themself. She decides to change the subject since no one seems to believe Painted Souls are trained to heal. "I was wondering if I could take a look around the city now that Raelyn's walls are lowered."

The guard straightens up. "Of course, Miss Koizumi, we would be happy to escort you wherever you like within the capital."

"Escort? That's not necessary, I can find my way around."

He deflates slightly, "Ma'am, it's the empress' orders that you're not to be left alone."

Yumi feels a hint of panic. "Is something wrong? I'm not a prisoner here, am I?..."

"Of course not, ma'am, the empress is only concerned for your safety. Word of your presence will inevitably spread and temple loyalists are often opposed to allowing the Dawnthrone to accept any more reapers. We are the Dunereaper's personal guard, we can ensure there are no issues for you in your time outside the palace."

Yumi crosses her arms with a playful grin. "If you're Raelyn's escorts then don't you think he needs you more than me? I was able to beat him just yesterday."

The second guard covers his mouth, failing to hold back a laugh, and the first glares at him with a casual chastising in his frown. Looking back at Yumi it's clear he has no intention letting her leave alone. "The Dunereaper has no intention of leaving the palace unless accompanying you alongside us."

Again, the other guard seems rather light-hearted. "Don't you think he could have just told us that so he could run out on his own for once?"

The first leans his face into his palm with exasperation. "We're going to just trust the empress keeps him occupied enough that's not a possibility, Elio." He back up at Yumi. "Excuse our manners, ma'am, my name is Urso."

"You really don't have to call me that, I'm just Yumi... And don't make me order you not to... if I can do that."

He chuckles. "I suppose you can, as a candidate." As he stands, Elio follows and they offer a bow. Both are taller than Yumi, as most men tend to be, but Elio has a head's worth of height over his older, graying counterpart.

Yumi returns the gesture, ignoring the slight jab of pain in her side where she apparently hasn't fully healed. Looking at both of them, their green eyes make it obvious enough even before the names. "Wait... You're both Nuvian, right?"