Private Roleplay 〔❁〕There's another day to come

Izumi felt sick

The empress noticed these changes in the weeks following their leave from verdant's grace. A diplomatic retreat, but a retreat no less. Not having to monitor territory or keep track of things was more relieving than she'd like to admit — one might even say she could get used to mingling with other packs from now on. Things between her and Osamu were still relatively strange, but having the opportunity to spend time with her clan members was something she'd been grateful for. The specifics could wait.

At first, the cranebird chalked it up to eating something weird during the wedding. She'd indulged herself within the plentiful food and drinks from the islands, so there was bound to be something that didn't agree with her stomach. Yet it couldn't have been normal for the nausea and grogginess she'd experienced to extend from days to weeks.

A though came to her mind just then.

Poison? Had she been poisoned when not being careful?

Izumi was not an easily fretful woman, but doom did have the tendency to creepy upon her shoulders when her own thoughts drowned her. She needed to see someone to confirm — she needed to see a medic.

Junna,

She'd approached the young medic rather unceremoniously. Hurried was her pitch and lack of a proper greeting. A manner that surprised even Izumi, as she usually had no issue with her own composure. Yet she felt a mess.

Tend to me, please. I need your help….

A rare moment of desperation within her voice — and the furrowed crease in her brow.

Junna had settled in well, something like purpose kindling in the empty marrow of her bones. She'd only been here days, perhaps weeks—one could never know with their head buried beneath leaves and varying herbs alike. But it felt long, long and yet not at all. She had yet to speak to their chief medic, the Chiryōchō, and she had heard of the woman's name only in passing. A ghost, she wondered if she might be, elusive enough to be considered a blessing that swept about the grounds.

Fraughtless thoughts, she knew, but the woman had her sights set. Pride beginning to plume like smoke within her chest; that was where she'd work to be, where she would wind up if she continued to be her best. Her movements had never stilled, even as the presence of her Empress seemed to startle her, worry and fear exuding from her in waves. And then, something else...something beneath it all. She could not place it, nor had she the time to, as Izumi's hurried murmurs set her head ablaze.

Junna's own voice came soft, probing but calm. My Kōgō, Izumi, breathe, my dear. You come to me in a fright; what has happened? For it must be something dire, something had truly gone awry for her to be sought instead of Masae. Or perhaps it was the opposite, and not truly dire at all. Junna's stomach seemed to churn, but she remained attuned to the words of her empress. Perhaps there was a skirmish at their borders, where the sea crested upon their beaches. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. The young woman could hardly compose herself as she sat before her elder, sympathy etched within seriousness.

Give me more to do. She could have pleaded, but it was with silence that she waited, still trying to discern what scent mingled with what usually was wisteria petals and the essence of the sea.