Foot Steps in the Wind

[Miyako]

This'll be a light thread and is currently solo for the moment, unless someone would like to join. However, if someone would like to join, I'm limiting it only one other person, and someone with a reason for being in Akashima (please pm me before hand so we can work it out). Also, I don't plan on posting too often on this (unless someone else joins). It's just for a change of pace until someone would like to poke in.

A side note, I forgot that this character was intended for first person only, both as practice and experimenting. And for fun.


"When love is pure and true between two souls, death grieves when it must separate them before their time. So much so, that death may turn its eyes away."

-An Old Akashiman Legend


Summer. Hot sun, warm winds, and fragrant grasses. All of these things characterize summer, but the most important for me are the state of the roads. Dry and easily traveled and other than a bit of dust, I can’t complain. It's easy to take rests along the road during summer as well, something I need to do often when walking long distances and not nearly as enjoyable in the winter cold or spring and fall rains.

A soft breath escapes me as I settle down upon a sloped stone by the side of the road. Shortness of breath that I hope to have cured one day. Thankfully, the stone sat beneath the shade of an old evergreen oak that stretched its strong branches out to capture the rays of a high noon sun. Had it been the other way around? I'd have caught fire or something similar to roasting as I never fair well in direct sun. Something I learned young.

Some distance away, I could make out the fields of a typical southern Akashiman farming village in the direction I had been travelling. A smile crept onto my lips at the possibility of a place to stay for the night. It would be the usual trade of a few songs from my shimasen for a meal and a couple of stories for a small guest room. The thought lightened my spirits some, helping me to finally stand again, ready to travel.

A sudden breeze brushed past me towards the village, rippling both the water of the rice fields and unripened grain. It was then, that I narrowed my only eye, sure that I saw something riding upon the wind. Another gust soon followed, kicking up dust that blinded me, making me blink my lids furiously. When the dirt settled, whatever I saw was gone as well.

A quiet whirring sound drifted down to my ears. Instantly I grimaced as I looked up to spying a translucent blue shape gliding about. “Speaking of spirits, I almost forgot. Summer also means when spirits are most active.” The shape showed no notice to my presence, and simply continued to glide about in the tree’s shade.

Smiling, I heaved another small sigh and began walking one step at a time towards the village.

[Miyako]

By the time I reached the village edge, my legs were exhausted, the sun was beginning to roll behind the western treeline and I realized the "village" was actually a town. I had unfortunately assumed the place to be a small village, and had not expected a large town with extensive crop fields. I figured it must have supplied the neighboring area with foodstuffs, but at the current moment? I just wanted to rest.

Luckily, there was a wooden bench outside the town gate where my tired legs could find a moment's reprieve. There was already a woman upon the bench and upon spotting me, she shifted herself so that a seat could be shared. I gave the usual greeting of a bow and a quick, "Good evening, Elder-san."

The woman smiled with a few teeth missing from her bottom row, yet even then, her smile was radiant as any child's. She was an old woman, now that I had the time to take in her features. Hair that was once as dark as night ran with streaks of gray. Deep lines of age had chiseled away at her face and hands, but her posture was straight and proud. I envied that, as my body tended to slouch unless I had the support of a chair or wall.

But her eyes were what caught my attention. They were tired eyes that stared at some place far away beyond the hills and trees where the sun now sank. I had seen the look before in my own grandmother's eyes; the kind she had while waiting for my grandfather.

Nevertheless, the silence between me and the old woman never felt strange. I was content to rest and watch the setting sun, and she? She was content to hope and wait for a man who would never return.

[Miyako]

Shadows crept along the streets as the sun faded away and soon, lanterns were lit along the main road of the town to illuminate the path for weary travelers and townsfolk alike. The soft hum of fire motes that danced before the flickering flames drew my eyes to them only briefly as I walked. The eternal battle of the fire spirits with local moths for a fire's light was something I had grown used to.

Nearby laughter from inside a building caught my attention as it mixed with the sounds of chairs scrapping the floor and bottles clattering together. The sign above the door read as Blossom Road Inn and dispelled any lingering hesitations I might have had about the establishment. Carefully, I brushed aside the white noren and uttered softly as I entered, "Excuse my intrusion." A few patrons turned to my direction with at most a curious glance while the keeper at the desk bowed to me and I returned the gesture in kind.

"Welcome. Are you looking to stay for the night?" the keeper asked as he looked me over a moment. His eyes played over my dusty robes and the small cabinet I shrugged off my sore shoulders. Noting my shimasen he added, "Or perhaps you could trade a song or story? Forgive me if I am imposing, traveler-san."

I smiled and felt a surge of relief wash over my mind. Broaching the subject of performing for service had always been tricky. Owners varied and typically preferred coin to tales or music. "I'd be happy to, innkeeper-san.

The innkeeper laughed and shook his head. "Please, call me Karou."

I managed a small chuckle of my own as I bowed my head slightly to agree with his wish. "Please call me Miyako then, Karou-san."

[Miyako]

"Young miss, please play us another song!" Cheers of approval and agreement erupted from the patrons around the room. I couldn't help but notice that the small room had gotten progressively more crowded. Looking to the innkeeper for help provided none as the man only shrugged before turning his attention to another pair of guests entering.

The grimace lasted on my face for a second before I offered a smile to those watching me. It was flattering to be asked for another song when I considered myself my ability to be lacking. "I wonder..." I began as my fingers plucked a few strings with a grin. "I might be a bit tired for another song."

A bearded man near the front shouted, "A story about you and your travels then, young miss!"

Laughter rang from the crowd as someone yelled out, "She's looks younger than your daughter, Yoshiro! What kind of stories are you hoping for?"

"You shut up!" the bearded man yelled back with some indignation as others laughed as well. Even I managed a small chuckle at the villagers' good mood. Hearing my quiet laugh, Yoshiro broke into an embarrassed grin and joined in as well. "How about it, young miss?"