Shimamaki Village was a quiet place, usually, given to a little period of bustle every morning when the markets opened, but otherwise quite the sleepy little town. Located on the island of Hokkaido near the ocean, its primary resource was fish, and there were plenty to be found. It had been a stable place for many years, safe from territorial aggression by other regions due partially to its remote location. Of course, it also had a reputation of being exceedingly well-guarded, by the occupants of the large castle to Shimamaki’s immediate north. There lived the lord of all Hokkaido, and his household.
One member of that household, well-known to much of the town, was currently happily tucking into lunch within the village’s sole inn and restaurant. Reiko, dressed in a modest brown kimono and practical tabi and geta, hardly would have drawn much notice, were it not for the extraordinary fineness of her youthful features. As it was, the worst of the awkwardness had long since faded, and she was taken to be merely the very lovely daughter of one of the lord’s servants.
That was undoubtedly for the best.
Delicately lifting a mouthful of rice into the air, she was momentarily distracted by the arrival of yet another group of people, this a family of four, who took the last available table on the inn’s lower floor. She almost felt bad for taking up a table by herself, but Sayuri was not with her today, and as such, she had use for only one of the two cushions at this particular area. Well, at least all of this meant very good business for Tsuyoshi, the innkeeper, and his family. The weather outside was absolutely beautiful today, the climate having entered mid-spring with a healthy vigor. The blossoms were in full showing, and the fish were plentiful again after a hard winter. It was sorely-needed good news for the town. While the Fujiwara family of aristocrats kept the town afloat when it could not sustain itself, the villagers were proud people, and preferred it when their food was supplying the lord, as it most often did in return for his protection.
She didn’t have the heart to tell them that the lord scarcely noticed either way. He was certainly in no danger of starvation from fish shortage. And only throwing all of his money into the ocean could possibly spend it fast enough to ruin him.
Chewing thoughtfully over the rice, she smiled and waved to Chizu, Tsuyoshi’s youngest daughter. She was only about five, and liked to wander around the inn during mealtimes and talk to people, most of whom indulged her with patient warmth. Reiko was among her favorite people, but today it would seem that she was distracted by the bright blue of Mori-san’s new kimono, and so Reiko would be eating her meal in relative peace.
Ayla, however, was outside of the small restaurant, rolling her shoulders back in a nonchalant fashion. Dressed in a simple white kimono, she bore no shoes and simply appeared to have been a weary traveler. Nearly a week into living in the place, and already Ayla was bored. Aram had the luxury of playing the simple doctor to the village, however; she had no such luck. She wasn't exactly a people person, and took on simple jobs as any mercenary would. Today, however, saw no such luck in finding such work. She took a soft breath, and before she could take another step, her stomach released a small growl. She raised a brow at herself, and then glanced towards the contents of the restaurant.
"Might as well," she spoke to no one in particular. The aroma, when she entered, immediately flooded her senses, and a grin covered her face. Perhaps she could partake and listen in on the conversations around her. It would be a good spot to sort out information and, perhaps, find a job for herself. The only problem, though, seemed to be in the restaurant's occupancy. It seemed they were at their limit. There were, in fact, two available spots, however; she was less inclined to believe the men at the first table would take kindly to her sudden appearance. Instead, she went to place her meal order, and made her way toward the other available table, where a young woman sat.
"It was either this one, or that one over there," she spoke to the young woman, sitting down and flicking her thumb over her shoulder towards the previous table. "Personally, it would matter little either way, but as it is, I think I would enjoy your company more," she continued, allowing a small smile to cross her face. That, and she was less likely to make a scene. She didn't want to explain why a group of human men were in a bloodied pile to Aram. He'd only scowl at her, but say nothing.
Reiko blinked several times in quick succession when an unknown woman sat down in front of her, explaining the decision with a terse gesture behind her. Leaning to the side enough to see around the lady, the young woman noted that the men in question were actually several of the fishermen, a rough-looking lot. “Oh, that’s just Kosaburo-san and his sons. They look a bit… mean, but they’re actually quite kind.” Or, at least they had been to her. There wasn’t really anyone in the town who caused too much trouble, though there were a few people who were unfortunately too fond of sake and had to be watched in case they drank too much and didn’t make it home some night.
Realizing how her statement might be taken, she paused, smiling very slightly and turning a faint shade of pink. “This one didn’t mean you couldn’t sit here, though. I’m happy to have someone to keep company with, actually.” Reiko thought she knew everyone in town, however, and this woman certainly wasn’t one of the villagers. She would certainly remember meeting someone like her.
The lady sitting in front of her was absolutely beautiful, there was no denying that. She had porcelain skin even paler than Reiko’s, and hair to match, a most extraordinary snowy color. It reminded her of how Tsuya’s looked, when he did that strange thing she didn't like. But there was something different about her scent—she was definitely not one of Reiko’s kind. Ruby-red eyes met crystalline blue ones, and she felt a slight stab of irrational jealousy, pushing it aside as quickly as it had formed. She was rarely one to hold onto such things, though she felt them like anyone else.
“This one has not seen you about before,” Reiko confessed, setting her chopsticks down momentarily. “This one's name is Reiko Hino. Might you be a traveler of some sort?” She was admittedly curious as to how someone so unusual-looking had come to be in Shimamaki, but then… the people here were used to seeing strange-looking folk by now. Practically the lord’s whole family was incredibly beautiful and oddly-hued. This woman was not one of them, though—Reiko knew that without having to ask.
Ayla simply continued staring at the young woman, who had now introduced herself as Reiko Hino. Oddly, the name sounded familiar, as if she'd heard it before. For one reason or another, Ayla could not remember why, and chose to let it go. She'd remember eventually if it was important. She mused the question over lightly, trying to find the best way to say what she wanted to. "You could say that," she finally admitted, taking a sip of from the cup of water provided to her earlier. "My brother and I just moved here, about a week ago now," she continued, setting the cup down and returned her gaze to Reiko.
"I doubt we will be here long. We do not stay in one place for too long," considering that she might accidentally maim someone. Though, that wasn't her fault, really. Aram, however, had decided to uproot them and move, to all places, Shimamaki. Why, he did not say. She wasn't one to question her brother's motives, however; it did irk her a bit to have to just suddenly move. "Ayla," she spoke, "I'm afraid is the only name I have to give," since she was without a surname. It was one of the things their creator did not bestow upon them, and perhaps for good reason. She didn't know, nor did she care to know.
"Reiko, is it?" she questioned, her tone taking a lighter tone to it. "You seem to know this village fairly well, right?" she continued, leaning over slightly to prop herself on her elbows. "I haven't seen much of the village quite yet, would you care to show it to me? It would keep most of the attention off of me if I had a cute little guide," she questioned, the smile turning into a mischievous grin.
Reiko cleared her throat, slightly awkwardly, considering the odd… compliment? She figured it was a compliment, anyway. When her unease had subsided a little, though, she nodded her head. “This one would be happy to show you around, Ayla-san.” And she really would. She had come into the village this morning from a desire to get away from home, after all, and any chance to prolong her time here was welcome, especially when the company was interesting.
“But this one would recommend finishing lunch first. Tsuyoshi really does make amazing food.” Even as she was speaking, Ayla’s order arrived at their table, Tsuyoshi’s wife Emiko the waitress placing it before Ayla with a friendly smile and a short bow, along with a word of greeting for Reiko.
When both had finished their food, Reiko paid for the order, with a smile and her insistence that it was a welcoming gift, and the two had made their way outside, Reiko realizing that Ayla was a bit taller than herself, but only perhaps by a couple of inches. It made walking next to her rather easy, because their strides were about matched. The first stop on the tour was the marketplace, not far from the inn. “You might have already noticed, but it’s really busy here in the mornings,” she advised. “Less so in the afternoon, though it will pick up again as people come by to get ingredients for dinners. The village makes most of its money in the fish trade, and we trade with other towns in Hokkaido for fabrics and the like.” There were, of course, also farmers in the surrounding area, and so they didn’t usually want for rice or vegetables or tofu, either.
“This street is usually the one they decorate for festivals, too. It’s the widest one, and basically everyone in the village can fit comfortably along it.” She smiled softly, recalling the paper lanterns in festive colors from the last Tanabata. “We don't have a temple here, but the castle keeps a couple of priests on retainer to provide any religious services that people need, and the last lord has a shrine dedicated to his memory a few miles north of the castle. People sometimes pray there.”
She chose not to mention that people meant herself and basically no one else.
She couldn't refuse the younger girl, even if she wanted to, and allowed Reiko to pay for the meals, before being chauffeured off into the village. She listened when the girl spoke, letting her words and descriptions take root while glancing in no particular direction. She would like to see a festival one day. The last one she had seen was over a thousand years ago, and it had been the one she and her brothers had witnessed for their victory. Since then, she and Aram hadn't stayed long enough in any one village to witness a festival. Perhaps this time around, they could at least see one. Maybe she'll suggest it to him, later?
Fishing as a way of life? She could fish... with her arrows. Maybe that could be a way of work here, since it seemed to flourish? She wouldn't have to risk being exposed to anything, but then again, she wouldn't be blowing off steam either. A conundrum for another time, at least. Instead, she chose to focus on the last statement. "Personally, I do not believe in anything. Religion is... useless," she stated, turning to glance at Reiko. "But I suppose there is something I believe in," for what kind of fool would she be not to? Her father was a god, was he not?
"This previous lord, you speak of, must have been a generous lord. Not many have shrines in remembrance to them," or at least not the most favorable ones. That, she could attest to. How many lords has she seen rise and fall? Today, if she were to mention at least one of their names, no one would remember him. "Perhaps I should visit this shrine to see for myself, one day," she spoke, shaking her head softly. Another time, perhaps. "Tell me, what is it exactly you believe in, Rei-chan?" she inquired, changing the subject. It would be interesting to see what these people believed in, if they believed in anything.
Honestly, the topic of the previous lord was not something Reiko wanted to linger upon, and so she was glad when the conversation took a more innocuous turn. Perhaps most people would not consider religion an uncontroversial topic, but it was much better than talking about the rest. “Believe?” she echoed, tilting her head slightly to the side as she directed them off the main road and into the residential areas. The houses were all roughly the same size, small but cozy rather than run-down, the thatching on the roofs well-maintained and fragrant.
There were a few children playing a game in the street, something that involved a ball and a lot of running. For a moment, she stopped to watch them, humming a thoughtful note in the back of her throat. “This one supposes I don’t really know. Growing up, I… this one's father was everything. He might has well have been a god, in this one's universe. Ever since he died, I guess I haven’t ever believed in anything else quite the same way. This one has brothers, too, but I think sometimes that they’re just as lost as this one is.” She smiled softly and shook her head. Troublesome, they were, but she loved them all dearly.
“This one supposes... I believe that people can change things for the better, can make the best of their own lives. This one doesn't know if that requires the help of a god or not, but if it gives them the hope they need to believe that something else is out there, watching over them like my father watched over me, then… this one can’t blame them for wanting to believe.” She laughed softly. “This one is sorry, Ayla-san; I did not mean to be so serious!”
Ayla tried to frown, to give Reiko a solemn expression, however; she seemed to fail at it, and merely chuckled lightly. "I guess, in a way, we are all lost children, then," she responded, allowing the soft chuckles to reside. If she could believe that, perhaps she would be a good advisor to Aram? He needed a change of views. "I do believe there is still more to this village you haven't quite shown me, little one," she stated, drawing attention away from Reiko's apology. "And, you should never be sorry for being yourself, even if you were being serious," she replied with a grin. "Now, which shop has the sweets?"
One member of that household, well-known to much of the town, was currently happily tucking into lunch within the village’s sole inn and restaurant. Reiko, dressed in a modest brown kimono and practical tabi and geta, hardly would have drawn much notice, were it not for the extraordinary fineness of her youthful features. As it was, the worst of the awkwardness had long since faded, and she was taken to be merely the very lovely daughter of one of the lord’s servants.
That was undoubtedly for the best.
Delicately lifting a mouthful of rice into the air, she was momentarily distracted by the arrival of yet another group of people, this a family of four, who took the last available table on the inn’s lower floor. She almost felt bad for taking up a table by herself, but Sayuri was not with her today, and as such, she had use for only one of the two cushions at this particular area. Well, at least all of this meant very good business for Tsuyoshi, the innkeeper, and his family. The weather outside was absolutely beautiful today, the climate having entered mid-spring with a healthy vigor. The blossoms were in full showing, and the fish were plentiful again after a hard winter. It was sorely-needed good news for the town. While the Fujiwara family of aristocrats kept the town afloat when it could not sustain itself, the villagers were proud people, and preferred it when their food was supplying the lord, as it most often did in return for his protection.
She didn’t have the heart to tell them that the lord scarcely noticed either way. He was certainly in no danger of starvation from fish shortage. And only throwing all of his money into the ocean could possibly spend it fast enough to ruin him.
Chewing thoughtfully over the rice, she smiled and waved to Chizu, Tsuyoshi’s youngest daughter. She was only about five, and liked to wander around the inn during mealtimes and talk to people, most of whom indulged her with patient warmth. Reiko was among her favorite people, but today it would seem that she was distracted by the bright blue of Mori-san’s new kimono, and so Reiko would be eating her meal in relative peace.
Ayla, however, was outside of the small restaurant, rolling her shoulders back in a nonchalant fashion. Dressed in a simple white kimono, she bore no shoes and simply appeared to have been a weary traveler. Nearly a week into living in the place, and already Ayla was bored. Aram had the luxury of playing the simple doctor to the village, however; she had no such luck. She wasn't exactly a people person, and took on simple jobs as any mercenary would. Today, however, saw no such luck in finding such work. She took a soft breath, and before she could take another step, her stomach released a small growl. She raised a brow at herself, and then glanced towards the contents of the restaurant.
"Might as well," she spoke to no one in particular. The aroma, when she entered, immediately flooded her senses, and a grin covered her face. Perhaps she could partake and listen in on the conversations around her. It would be a good spot to sort out information and, perhaps, find a job for herself. The only problem, though, seemed to be in the restaurant's occupancy. It seemed they were at their limit. There were, in fact, two available spots, however; she was less inclined to believe the men at the first table would take kindly to her sudden appearance. Instead, she went to place her meal order, and made her way toward the other available table, where a young woman sat.
"It was either this one, or that one over there," she spoke to the young woman, sitting down and flicking her thumb over her shoulder towards the previous table. "Personally, it would matter little either way, but as it is, I think I would enjoy your company more," she continued, allowing a small smile to cross her face. That, and she was less likely to make a scene. She didn't want to explain why a group of human men were in a bloodied pile to Aram. He'd only scowl at her, but say nothing.
Reiko blinked several times in quick succession when an unknown woman sat down in front of her, explaining the decision with a terse gesture behind her. Leaning to the side enough to see around the lady, the young woman noted that the men in question were actually several of the fishermen, a rough-looking lot. “Oh, that’s just Kosaburo-san and his sons. They look a bit… mean, but they’re actually quite kind.” Or, at least they had been to her. There wasn’t really anyone in the town who caused too much trouble, though there were a few people who were unfortunately too fond of sake and had to be watched in case they drank too much and didn’t make it home some night.
Realizing how her statement might be taken, she paused, smiling very slightly and turning a faint shade of pink. “This one didn’t mean you couldn’t sit here, though. I’m happy to have someone to keep company with, actually.” Reiko thought she knew everyone in town, however, and this woman certainly wasn’t one of the villagers. She would certainly remember meeting someone like her.
The lady sitting in front of her was absolutely beautiful, there was no denying that. She had porcelain skin even paler than Reiko’s, and hair to match, a most extraordinary snowy color. It reminded her of how Tsuya’s looked, when he did that strange thing she didn't like. But there was something different about her scent—she was definitely not one of Reiko’s kind. Ruby-red eyes met crystalline blue ones, and she felt a slight stab of irrational jealousy, pushing it aside as quickly as it had formed. She was rarely one to hold onto such things, though she felt them like anyone else.
“This one has not seen you about before,” Reiko confessed, setting her chopsticks down momentarily. “This one's name is Reiko Hino. Might you be a traveler of some sort?” She was admittedly curious as to how someone so unusual-looking had come to be in Shimamaki, but then… the people here were used to seeing strange-looking folk by now. Practically the lord’s whole family was incredibly beautiful and oddly-hued. This woman was not one of them, though—Reiko knew that without having to ask.
Ayla simply continued staring at the young woman, who had now introduced herself as Reiko Hino. Oddly, the name sounded familiar, as if she'd heard it before. For one reason or another, Ayla could not remember why, and chose to let it go. She'd remember eventually if it was important. She mused the question over lightly, trying to find the best way to say what she wanted to. "You could say that," she finally admitted, taking a sip of from the cup of water provided to her earlier. "My brother and I just moved here, about a week ago now," she continued, setting the cup down and returned her gaze to Reiko.
"I doubt we will be here long. We do not stay in one place for too long," considering that she might accidentally maim someone. Though, that wasn't her fault, really. Aram, however, had decided to uproot them and move, to all places, Shimamaki. Why, he did not say. She wasn't one to question her brother's motives, however; it did irk her a bit to have to just suddenly move. "Ayla," she spoke, "I'm afraid is the only name I have to give," since she was without a surname. It was one of the things their creator did not bestow upon them, and perhaps for good reason. She didn't know, nor did she care to know.
"Reiko, is it?" she questioned, her tone taking a lighter tone to it. "You seem to know this village fairly well, right?" she continued, leaning over slightly to prop herself on her elbows. "I haven't seen much of the village quite yet, would you care to show it to me? It would keep most of the attention off of me if I had a cute little guide," she questioned, the smile turning into a mischievous grin.
Reiko cleared her throat, slightly awkwardly, considering the odd… compliment? She figured it was a compliment, anyway. When her unease had subsided a little, though, she nodded her head. “This one would be happy to show you around, Ayla-san.” And she really would. She had come into the village this morning from a desire to get away from home, after all, and any chance to prolong her time here was welcome, especially when the company was interesting.
“But this one would recommend finishing lunch first. Tsuyoshi really does make amazing food.” Even as she was speaking, Ayla’s order arrived at their table, Tsuyoshi’s wife Emiko the waitress placing it before Ayla with a friendly smile and a short bow, along with a word of greeting for Reiko.
When both had finished their food, Reiko paid for the order, with a smile and her insistence that it was a welcoming gift, and the two had made their way outside, Reiko realizing that Ayla was a bit taller than herself, but only perhaps by a couple of inches. It made walking next to her rather easy, because their strides were about matched. The first stop on the tour was the marketplace, not far from the inn. “You might have already noticed, but it’s really busy here in the mornings,” she advised. “Less so in the afternoon, though it will pick up again as people come by to get ingredients for dinners. The village makes most of its money in the fish trade, and we trade with other towns in Hokkaido for fabrics and the like.” There were, of course, also farmers in the surrounding area, and so they didn’t usually want for rice or vegetables or tofu, either.
“This street is usually the one they decorate for festivals, too. It’s the widest one, and basically everyone in the village can fit comfortably along it.” She smiled softly, recalling the paper lanterns in festive colors from the last Tanabata. “We don't have a temple here, but the castle keeps a couple of priests on retainer to provide any religious services that people need, and the last lord has a shrine dedicated to his memory a few miles north of the castle. People sometimes pray there.”
She chose not to mention that people meant herself and basically no one else.
She couldn't refuse the younger girl, even if she wanted to, and allowed Reiko to pay for the meals, before being chauffeured off into the village. She listened when the girl spoke, letting her words and descriptions take root while glancing in no particular direction. She would like to see a festival one day. The last one she had seen was over a thousand years ago, and it had been the one she and her brothers had witnessed for their victory. Since then, she and Aram hadn't stayed long enough in any one village to witness a festival. Perhaps this time around, they could at least see one. Maybe she'll suggest it to him, later?
Fishing as a way of life? She could fish... with her arrows. Maybe that could be a way of work here, since it seemed to flourish? She wouldn't have to risk being exposed to anything, but then again, she wouldn't be blowing off steam either. A conundrum for another time, at least. Instead, she chose to focus on the last statement. "Personally, I do not believe in anything. Religion is... useless," she stated, turning to glance at Reiko. "But I suppose there is something I believe in," for what kind of fool would she be not to? Her father was a god, was he not?
"This previous lord, you speak of, must have been a generous lord. Not many have shrines in remembrance to them," or at least not the most favorable ones. That, she could attest to. How many lords has she seen rise and fall? Today, if she were to mention at least one of their names, no one would remember him. "Perhaps I should visit this shrine to see for myself, one day," she spoke, shaking her head softly. Another time, perhaps. "Tell me, what is it exactly you believe in, Rei-chan?" she inquired, changing the subject. It would be interesting to see what these people believed in, if they believed in anything.
Honestly, the topic of the previous lord was not something Reiko wanted to linger upon, and so she was glad when the conversation took a more innocuous turn. Perhaps most people would not consider religion an uncontroversial topic, but it was much better than talking about the rest. “Believe?” she echoed, tilting her head slightly to the side as she directed them off the main road and into the residential areas. The houses were all roughly the same size, small but cozy rather than run-down, the thatching on the roofs well-maintained and fragrant.
There were a few children playing a game in the street, something that involved a ball and a lot of running. For a moment, she stopped to watch them, humming a thoughtful note in the back of her throat. “This one supposes I don’t really know. Growing up, I… this one's father was everything. He might has well have been a god, in this one's universe. Ever since he died, I guess I haven’t ever believed in anything else quite the same way. This one has brothers, too, but I think sometimes that they’re just as lost as this one is.” She smiled softly and shook her head. Troublesome, they were, but she loved them all dearly.
“This one supposes... I believe that people can change things for the better, can make the best of their own lives. This one doesn't know if that requires the help of a god or not, but if it gives them the hope they need to believe that something else is out there, watching over them like my father watched over me, then… this one can’t blame them for wanting to believe.” She laughed softly. “This one is sorry, Ayla-san; I did not mean to be so serious!”
Ayla tried to frown, to give Reiko a solemn expression, however; she seemed to fail at it, and merely chuckled lightly. "I guess, in a way, we are all lost children, then," she responded, allowing the soft chuckles to reside. If she could believe that, perhaps she would be a good advisor to Aram? He needed a change of views. "I do believe there is still more to this village you haven't quite shown me, little one," she stated, drawing attention away from Reiko's apology. "And, you should never be sorry for being yourself, even if you were being serious," she replied with a grin. "Now, which shop has the sweets?"