Departure Beneath the Rising Sun
The next morning, in the open space before the wooden house of Amethyst Summit Division, Selena had already been waiting for a long time.
Over the ridges, early sun spilled thin gold across the sky. Between clusters of tall bamboo, fog moved slow - twisting near old wood stairs before fading into morning's hush. A soft cold touched her face, sharp on delicate skin. Stillness held her there, unaware.
Up straight she held herself, strands of silver-white falling behind like light on water. A robe, crisp and white as fresh frost, hugged her frame gently at the middle, fastened by a ribbon soft as sky. Each gust tugged lightly at the edge, lifting it just enough to show limbs that moved with slow grace. With every small motion, air curled near her skin, lingering as if drawn close.
Before sunrise, she opened her eyes. Hours passed while the sky lightened slowly above her.
Waiting.
