not the future i expected
02-14-2021, 11:21 AM
Kamikiyo could feel the skin beneath the woman’s pelt shiver at her words, and for good reason. It was a dark skill for a healer, and many she knew wouldn’t even entertain the idea, but she’d felt it valuable and even important to make sure she provided the option to any and all. The situation many women found themselves in could be precarious and their freedom dependent on having only themselves to take care of. Yes, she felt like she was doing a great service. She didn’t deserve the nickname Kamikiyo.
When the thanks was given, a simple nod of her head was given in acknowledgement before she moved to the side and literally out of the other’s fur. The next offer was one she hadn’t expected and she paused once more, unsure of whether or not she should. But, it was her impression that the Empress knew nothing of her identity or where she was from, and if she did she was a damn good actress. After a moment, she nodded, “I think I shall take your offer. Thank you for your graciousness. I have three companions with me, a macaque and two Akitas who are back setting up what we had planned to be camp. I would like to return to retrieve them, if allowed. If not, to at least let them know where I will be.” The woman would pay particular attention to the other’s response. If she was allowed to get her companions, she’d feel much more comfortable with her thoughts that the other wasn’t a threat. If not, she’d be sleeping with one eye open.
Suddenly, she remembered she hadn’t even offered her name. “My apologies for my poor manners, my lady. My name is Kiyo,” she offered with a smile. She purposefully left out her last name because, as far as she was concerned, she had none. She’d run away and left that life behind, floating around on a groundless tether. A little over middle aged, Kiyo should have been settling down with grandchildren, but that happy life wasn’t hers to have. Her only child was dead and, along with him, her heart. Now, all she hoped for was a quick and painless death somewhere down the road not at the paws of her husband.
When the thanks was given, a simple nod of her head was given in acknowledgement before she moved to the side and literally out of the other’s fur. The next offer was one she hadn’t expected and she paused once more, unsure of whether or not she should. But, it was her impression that the Empress knew nothing of her identity or where she was from, and if she did she was a damn good actress. After a moment, she nodded, “I think I shall take your offer. Thank you for your graciousness. I have three companions with me, a macaque and two Akitas who are back setting up what we had planned to be camp. I would like to return to retrieve them, if allowed. If not, to at least let them know where I will be.” The woman would pay particular attention to the other’s response. If she was allowed to get her companions, she’d feel much more comfortable with her thoughts that the other wasn’t a threat. If not, she’d be sleeping with one eye open.
Suddenly, she remembered she hadn’t even offered her name. “My apologies for my poor manners, my lady. My name is Kiyo,” she offered with a smile. She purposefully left out her last name because, as far as she was concerned, she had none. She’d run away and left that life behind, floating around on a groundless tether. A little over middle aged, Kiyo should have been settling down with grandchildren, but that happy life wasn’t hers to have. Her only child was dead and, along with him, her heart. Now, all she hoped for was a quick and painless death somewhere down the road not at the paws of her husband.