The Other World

Interlude: Sanctuary

Yubaba glanced down from her balcony with satisfaction. The orange glow in the distance told her that the ferry station was still busy. Another bright spot on the water was the ferry itself, with another load of travellers. The town was an explosion of festive color. The lanterns and the neon signs flickered in the darkness as customers moved between the stalls. The wooden bridge below was crowded with patrons. It would be a good night for business.

Something drew her gaze to the far end of the bridge. Among the well-dressed and chattering spirits stood a group of swan geese in rags, looking up at the bathhouse. One of their number was injured. Two of the others held her under the arms, supporting her. They all looked the worse for wear. The crowd stepped around them, glancing at them in disgust. She would start losing customers if this continued. It would not do.

Yubaba backed away from the balcony edge and into her office. She walked to her desk where her phone sat atop a stack of books and snapped orders into the skull mouthpiece at the foreman. A stream of apologies issued from the skull's mouth. She released her grip on it, cutting off the nasally voice of the foreman, and returned to the balcony. She watched as a yuna hurried over to the group of women, spoke to them, and led them away.