"Good afternoon. Am I visiting at a bad time?" I asked, stepping into the courtyard.
"Not at all. Do come in, Miss—Ayami," Mr. Mumei-shi replied, already seated with a book in his hands.
The shrine's walls and gardens exuded a calm deliberately removed from the pulse of society. I sank into the quiet.
"May I see Miss Hazel?" I asked, taking a seat.
"We just had lunch; she should be finishing tidying up soon," he said, eyes returning to the book. "You're welcome to make yourself comfortable until then."
After a brief period of quiet reflection, Hazel appeared, carrying a tray, her expression tired but composed.
"How are you enjoying life here in the province?" I asked, easing into small talk.
"It's quite all right," she said, sipping her tea.
"Well," I ventured, gauging her reaction, "I just wanted to see the face of the savior of this province. The government thanks you… though there's little we can offer as reward, given the not-so-recent war." I paused, taking a sip of my own tea.
"No thanks are needed." She glanced around the courtyard. "A friend asked for help. I did what I could."
"Oh," I said softly, "then I hope we can be friends, too."
She gave a faint shake of her head—subtle enough to pass as casual, deliberate enough to be noticed.
"And little Zinnia—she was just as helpful, I hear, from my colleague," I pressed, trying to keep the conversation light.
The sun poured down in warm rays, painting the courtyard gold.
"Ah… thank you," Hazel murmured, a touch guarded.
"Would it be possible to meet her?" I asked, eager to see the child whose reputation preceded her.
"No! She's currently taking her nap," Hazel said firmly, though not unkindly.
There's more beneath the surface here. I can feel it.
"Oh… perhaps another time," I said, letting it drop, noticing again how still the shrine felt.
"Ah, you're still talking," Mr. Mumei-shi said as he returned, taking his seat. "Quite the friendship-building exercise, I see," he added, glancing at Hazel.
"I should take my leave; I have an engagement," I said, standing.
"Did I ruin it?" he asked lightly, returning to his book.
"Not at all," I replied. "I merely wanted to make the time to thank Miss Hazel."
As I left, a soft thud echoed behind me. I ignored it and returned to the carriage.
"Well? Anything?" I was asked as I climbed aboard.
"Nothing of substance," I said. "She does like helping friends."
"We are making friends with her, then?" he asked, the carriage beginning to move.
"Did you get to see the new gold-core cultivator, though?" he pressed, adjusting a pin on his uniform.
"No, I wasn't given the opportunity," I said, flexing my hand lightly. "What's her elemental path?"
"Water. And fire beats water," he teased, a grin tugging at his face.
"Think she'd agree to a sparring match?" I asked, voicing a thought only half-formed.
"There's a possibility," I murmured, watching the scenery drift past. The afternoon sun warmed my skin, and something new—curiosity, maybe even a promise—growing quietly inside me.