they say knowledge is your best weapon

Something was wrong, no one had said as much but Maki felt it. Dad had run off and he seemed worried-he hadn't even tried to smile like Maki imagined he would. Just that look of panic in his eyes, sharp and cutting like his claws. Maki couldn't even think about her stories as she sat upon the Steppe, mismatched brows furrowed in obvious worry. She couldn't really think of much at all, which was obviously so out of character in and of itself. Her head wasn't in the clouds, it felt her head wasn't even anywhere.

It was only when she saw the dark shape of Akito wandering by, purpose in his steps did it snap her out of the fog that had enveloped her. Made her blink slowly, seemingly a little out of it.

"Huh? Akito." Why was he here? Was he even allowed to be here? Those questions didn't have answers, felt like she was reaching out for information that faded into smoke just before she grabbed it. She then noticed the load he was carrying, bamboo and spices, the exact types she didn't know the name of. It looked heavy, she would have been impressed by his strength if she'd had the mind to notice just how far he'd travelled. "What's all that?"