Dev Shadows of Atrisia

[Junko Ike]

When she finally slowed, her body felt grounded, her mind clear, her spirit balanced. She stood in the center of the room, her posture relaxed, her gaze soft, the Force settling around her like a second skin. Junko remained in the center of the room for several breaths, letting the last traces of movement fade from her limbs. The morning light had shifted again, warming from pale silver to soft gold as the sun climbed higher beyond the garden wall. The shadows lengthened and softened, stretching across the tatami in gentle gradients. Xifang watched her with the calm patience of a creature who understood the rhythms of her day as well as she did.

His tail flicked once, a slow, deliberate motion, before he lowered his head onto his paws and closed his eyes. The quiet rumble of his breath filled the room, a steady counterpoint to the faint rustle of leaves outside. Junko inhaled deeply, feeling the warmth of the light settle across her skin. Her body felt balanced, grounded, the lingering hum of the Force still flowing through her in soft, steady currents. She moved to the low table and poured herself a cup of tea from the small pot the attendants had left earlier. The steam rose in a delicate ribbon, carrying the scent of roasted barley and a faint hint of plum blossom. She lifted the cup with both hands, savoring the warmth against her palms before taking a slow sip.

 

[Junko Ike]

The flavor was gentle, grounding, a perfect complement to the quiet of the room. She sat for a moment, letting the tea settle her further. The indigo veil rested beside the pot, its surface shimmering faintly in the morning light. She touched it lightly, her fingers tracing the smooth fabric. It felt cool beneath her touch, almost alive, as though it still carried the memory of the dancer's hands. She folded it more neatly, smoothing the edges with deliberate care, then set it aside. The veil was a reminder of the previous night's performance, of the subtle threads of connection woven through the evening. But now, in the calm of her room, it felt like a quiet punctuation rather than a lingering question.

After finishing her tea, Junko rose and crossed the room to the window. She slid it open, letting the cool morning air drift inside. The garden beyond was bathed in soft sunlight, the leaves shimmering with dew, the flowers opening slowly to greet the day. A small stream wound through the garden, its surface catching the light in delicate ripples. The sound of water flowing over smooth stones added a gentle melody to the morning, blending with the distant calls of birds. Junko rested her hands on the windowsill, inhaling deeply. The scent of jasmine and fresh earth filled her senses, grounding her further.

 

[Junko Ike]

She stood there for several minutes, letting the quiet of the garden settle into her. The Force flowed through the space, weaving through the leaves, the water, the sunlight. She felt its presence like a soft hum beneath the surface of everything, a constant, steady rhythm that connected all things. She closed her eyes briefly, letting her awareness expand outward, brushing against the edges of the garden, the palace, the city beyond. She did not reach for anything specific; she simply listened, attuned to the subtle vibrations of the world around her. When she opened her eyes again, the light had shifted once more, deepening into a warmer gold.

She stepped back from the window and closed it gently, then turned toward the center of the room. Xifang lifted his head, watching her with calm blue eyes. She approached him and rested her hand lightly on his forehead, her fingers brushing the soft fur between his ears. He rumbled a low, contented sound, leaning into her touch. She smiled softly, then moved to gather her things for the rest of the day. She changed into a slightly more formal robe, the fabric a deep, muted blue that complemented the gold of her skin. The robe was simple but elegant, its lines clean and deliberate, its sleeves long enough to move with her but not so long as to hinder her.

 

[Junko Ike]

She secured it with a wide sash, then adjusted the double‑helix of her hair, ensuring the spirals remained balanced and the beads properly aligned. The bells chimed softly with each movement, their sound delicate and crystalline. When she was ready, she stepped toward the door. Xifang rose and stretched, his massive form unfolding with slow, deliberate grace. He shook his fur once, sending a ripple of light across his coat, then padded toward her. She slid the door open and stepped into the corridor, the morning light spilling across the polished floor. The palace was fully awake now, its attendants moving with purpose, their steps soft but steady.

The air was warmer, touched by the scent of fresh flowers and the faint aroma of breakfast being prepared in the kitchens. Junko walked with measured steps, her posture straight, her movements fluid. The bells in her hair chimed softly with each step, blending with the quiet sounds of the palace. Xifang walked beside her, his presence a steady, grounding weight. They passed through several corridors, each one opening into a new stretch of hall bathed in warm light. The palace's architecture guided their path, its lines clean and deliberate, its spaces open yet intimate. As they approached the central courtyard, Junko paused. The courtyard was filled with sunlight, the stone tiles warm beneath her feet.

 

[Junko Ike]

A small fountain stood at the center, its water sparkling in the light. The sound of the water added a gentle melody to the space, blending with the distant calls of birds. Junko stepped into the courtyard, letting the sunlight settle across her skin. She inhaled deeply, feeling the warmth fill her lungs, then exhaled slowly. She stood there for several moments, letting the quiet of the courtyard settle into her. The Force flowed through the space, weaving through the sunlight, the water, the stone. She felt its presence like a soft hum beneath the surface of everything, a constant, steady rhythm that connected all things.

She closed her eyes briefly, letting her awareness expand outward, brushing against the edges of the courtyard, the palace, the city beyond. When she opened her eyes again, the day felt fully begun. Junko stepped out of the courtyard and into the adjoining hall, the shift from open sunlight to filtered interior light creating a gentle transition that felt almost like passing through a veil. The palace's architecture was designed with such transitions in mind spaces that guided the spirit as much as the body, easing one from contemplation to movement, from stillness to purpose. The air inside was cooler, touched by the faint scent of polished wood and incense that had burned earlier in the morning.

 

[Junko Ike]

Her bells chimed softly as she walked, their delicate sound blending with the distant murmur of attendants beginning their daily routines. Xifang padded beside her, his massive form moving with the silent grace of a creature who understood the rhythms of the palace as intimately as she did. His presence was a steady anchor, a reminder of the bond they shared one forged not through ownership or command, but through mutual respect and years of companionship. He glanced up at her occasionally, his blue eyes calm and observant, as though reading the subtle shifts in her energy. Junko rested her hand lightly on his shoulder as they walked, her fingers brushing the soft fur in a gesture of quiet acknowledgment.

They passed through a series of interconnected halls, each one opening into a new stretch of corridor bathed in warm light. The palace was fully awake now, its attendants moving with purpose, their steps soft but steady. Some carried trays of tea or breakfast, others tended to the gardens visible through the open windows, their movements precise and practiced. Junko returned each bow with a slight incline of her head, her expression serene. She appreciated the quiet efficiency of the palace staff, the way they moved through their tasks with a sense of reverence that matched the atmosphere of the place.