6/29/2026, 5:32 PM
❁
Within the same sanded path that the Empress trailed, there was a figure off in the distance. Far away enough to only appear as a spec of moving color from her point of view.
Izumi was not really shocked to see them. After all, theses lands were still technically unclaimed until their boarders strengthened further. She would just have to give them a little heads up telling them of their presence, or be prepared if the interaction soured. Not that the crane worried much about the latter — they outnumbered them.
What Izumi was shocked about, however, was the scent that flowed through her nostrils as she trailed closer. It was medicinal — familiar — aggressively so. Enough to make the crane bird stop in her tracks, brows furrowing and tail twitching. In skepticism and….anticipation. The beat of her heart raced slightly. There was no way that was her.
Aand yet it was — the reddish tint of her fur and the dull viridecence of her eyes did not lie to her as the woman finally materialized. The silk tassel that sat at her rump wagged feverishly.
"マサエ……本当に君なのか、旧友よ?"
![[Image: 54890335_EWIrkUwAqghUjLP.png]](https://f2.toyhou.se/file/f2-toyhou-se/images/54890335_EWIrkUwAqghUjLP.png)
