[Tatsuhime, comes the voice of the mother. she carries long sleek fish which she has set down upon a wide leaf. come and eat with me. her heart hurts. it hurts because tatsuhime will never know the snowy mountains and deep plunging blue of her mother's home. it hurts because she is preparing to hand her daughter to the empress. they will see one another, but kaede will no longer be the focal point of this young life. her smile is maintained, a strong facade. we have been given a very great opportunity, you and i and our family. claws cut the trout. she adds a sprig of lemongrass.]

Tatsuhime, comes the voice of the mother. she carries long sleek fish which she has set down upon a wide leaf. come and eat with me.

her heart hurts. it hurts because tatsuhime will never know the snowy mountains and deep plunging blue of her mother's home.

it hurts because she is preparing to hand her daughter to the empress. they will see one another, but kaede will no longer be the focal point of this young life.

her smile is maintained, a strong facade. we have been given a very great opportunity, you and i and our family.

claws cut the trout. she adds a sprig of lemongrass.

Oh, mama!

She was in wonder, bounding to their wǔfàn below the white chest of her mǔqīn. White fish meat had soft blush pinks, with such a rosy line down the middle. A most wonderful lunch for the two in the most beautiful place she had ever known.

Yes, indeed, yes! Isn't it most beautiful here, mama? A dreamy sigh, pulling in the soft paws to her chest and thinking of the skies which had glittered golden sunlight when they found their new dynasty. The obliviousness of a child, the sweet relief of knowing nothing other than the warm love of a mother and rough sweetness of a brother. They were inseparable, and they would always be.

Today, yes, mama, I found a butterfly. I took his wings, mama, and I put them upon my ears. Two greenbird wings from a male were put to the back of the girls ears. She showed them off and sat pretty, swinging her neck from side to side with a prideful smile! Yes, she knew they were pretty!
..Tatsu was hungry!

Chī chī chī! Eat, eat, eat! But only after her mama ate first!

[little tatsuhime is a dreamer, and at present she is not listening. kaede smiles at her daughter's fanciful words, turning her head to admire the glittering bits of decoration which framed tatsuhime's face nicely. mother slices fish into a meal for her child. tatsu has first taste, and her mother laughs softly. she urges more roe into the girl's portion. the empress wants you to serve her as a personal handmaiden. you will live close to the royals and you will have many chances to ascend high in this dynasty. a pale paw reaches to cup tatsuhime's cheek. you will spend your days with the empress, learning all that you can. now, tatsuhime, what do you think of this? her straight back and soft tone say that this is an honor best not rejected. is it not wonderful, my butterfly girl?]

little tatsuhime is a dreamer, and at present she is not listening.

kaede smiles at her daughter's fanciful words, turning her head to admire the glittering bits of decoration which framed tatsuhime's face nicely.

mother slices fish into a meal for her child. tatsu has first taste, and her mother laughs softly.

she urges more roe into the girl's portion.

the empress wants you to serve her as a personal handmaiden. you will live close to the royals and you will have many chances to ascend high in this dynasty.

a pale paw reaches to cup tatsuhime's cheek. you will spend your days with the empress, learning all that you can. now, tatsuhime, what do you think of this?

her straight back and soft tone say that this is an honor best not rejected. is it not wonderful, my butterfly girl?