A gentle draft of sea breeze blew over the island that morning, the sky still dimly lit while the sun shied away from an appearance. Neither Yoshi nor Kaguya had come back from their travels north, and had Yoshi’s new (and very blue) friend. She couldn’t help but feel a little anxious — while it was everyone’s duty to uphold the pack with orders carried out by her word, there was always a lingering chance that her judgment was lapsed. After all, their family was never built for the harshness of the north, and it had been quite some time since the Empress had visited the lands herself. Last time the crane had been there, she nearly froze to death.

For now, however, she did not worry nor fret. Knowing herself, if she did not put trust in her cousin to complete the task she’d given, she’d be obsessing about it until he came back. The woman had duties of her own to attend to after all — one of which was figuring out why the ocean breeze had brought a foreign scent towards the mainland of the Dynasty. The Empress’s muscles drew taut as she stretched her legs, standing up and heading out to investigate it at once. From how close they were, Izumi didn’t even have to go as far as the shores — yet how did a stranger manage to get past the patrols?

Her lilac gaze narrowed in suspicion as she closed in on what appeared to be a younger, brunette woman. She carried various plants upon her back — plants that belonged to this island…

I will have to ask you to cease.

The empress announced as she approached the woman. You are foraging resources on my Dynasty’s lands. Early within daybreak and past our borders. Her tone was absent of severity, but stern — as stern as she needed to be so that the woman had more awareness of the situation. Her gaze met their own, impassive and observant. Seeking what she could not see — yet.

What business do you have here?