Spirits dance down the line of humanity, balancing precariously between life and death. With no cause for concern, souls wander aimlessly along preordained lines speckled with trials and tribulations. Toe the line and you'll get by. Step out of line, and the ground will give way beneath you.

Down and down into the depths below, where the worlds beneath will devour the soul and corrupt the heart.

At least, that was what a man had told her many years ago.

For Akazawa Saki, she honestly didn't care about the depths of such philosophical thoughts and theories. She had more important things she needed to do.

The fall air was cool against the flesh as she made her way through underbrush and over twisting tree roots. The light was pleasant against the oranging foliage of forest trees overhanging, speckling the landscape in earthen hues. The lands seemed to almost glow as winter's reaches grew closer to fruition.

Birds sounded their musical calls, leaves rustled and twigs snapped underfoot, as was the flow of life in the forest.

And as Saki silently scaled the large mass of tree roots at the top of a hill, she looked around to take in her surroundings.

Grey eyes scanned the landscape, set in a tanned face framed by long tresses of raven hair left loose to sway in the breeze. While otherwise mild in appearances for a swinging twenty-something woman, Saki's ensemble of earthen hued linen pants, leather boots, gloves and black turtle-necked shirt had her blend in with the fall hues of the forest remarkably well. A simple steel longbow hung from Saki's grip as she turned her head towards the faint sounds of a bird's chirping in the distance, and the quiver of steel-tipped arrows rattled briefly as she continued her journey onwards.

Saki peered down at a lone piece of parchment in her free hand, with ink lines depicting the visage of a rare parrot with long tail feathers and an ornately crafted gemstone clasp secured around it's right leg. Her gaze shifted back towards a shuddering bush a few meters up ahead, where a particular, musical chirping escaped a creature from within its foliage.

The flittering of scarlet feathers caught in the morning light, glistening with the specks of dew through the foliage.

Saki's steps crept ever closer, soundless against the forest floor. Her breath shallowed until it had ceased entirely, where she stood on the balls of her feet and coiled herself into a crouch. Her bow was gently set on the ground, along with the parchment as she readied herself to pounce.

Another musical chirp mixed with the forest air, combined with the final glimpse of an amethyst stone set in gold.

It was her sign, and within an instance, Saki threw herself forward to catch her target before it could react.

Panicked screeches and the lashing of talons rung through the forest as Saki gently lifted a scarlet bird matching the one of her parchment sketch in every detail from within the foliage. It's distraught state was understandable, but for Saki she merely rearranged her hold of the bird so that one hand gently held its wings tucked away. The bird was small enough that if she tried, she could wrap her hand around its middle, and her fingers would meet.

'Now now, Sir Reginald.' A soft and rather peculiar whisper of a voice escaped Saki as she pulled a simple hand-crafted box of paper-mache from within her rucksack and opened it up. 'You've been a naughty boy. Your poor mistress has been worried sick about you.'

The screeches continued right up until Saki had gently released the bird into the box, and shut the lid.

The hum of Saki's voice hung in the air as she secured the lid of the box down with twine and opened the breathing holes in the side. While it was not unpleasant, her voice was eerie against the forest air, and it reverberated as if spoken from within a cavern. Like a broken whisper, it was as if her voice had never existed in the first place.

A slightly more content chirp escaped the bird affectionately named Sir Reginald as it gazed out from within the paper-mache box, and a small laugh escaped Saki as she gently tucked the box against her side and lifted her belongings from the ground.

'Hang tight, I'll be getting you home very soon.'

The countryside of dense forest foliage was a complimentary contrast to the warm stone work and red tiled rooftops of the capital of Clarines, Wistal. A comfortable and welcoming atmosphere filled the city, and all life was abundant. The people were prosperous and greatly amicable in contrast to some of the other countries in the world.

A pleasant smile was still bright spread across Saki's face as she wandered along the streets with just one destination in mind - the home of the bird gently nestled within his temporary home at her side.

Nobody cast any peculiar glances towards the woman dressed in sombre and inelegant clothes, nor did they even pay her much mind at all. As if used to her rather scruffy attire, they continued on their way as if she didn't stand out in the least.

She lead the way through the many streets, leading uphill towards a particularly expansive mansion at the highest parts of the city. Two guards stood at their station at the front of the expansive place, and upon her approach, raised their spears in warning.

'Halt!' The younger guard with blonde features commanded with a rather severe look written across his face. 'You are trespassing on private property! State your business!'

Tresspassing, huh? She hadn't even stepped off of the street, yet.

'Actually, I am here on business.' Saki spoke as loudly as she could, and while she had noticed, she pretended the vivid wince across the guards' faces never appeared. 'My name is Akazawa Saki, the one contracted to the search and rescue of one Sir Reginald, belonging to the daughter of the Baron.'

A curious look flashed across the blonde's face.

'You have the bird?' He questioned, suspiciously.

'Indeed I do. He's right in here.' Saki agreed, lifting the box a little to emphasise her point. 'I was instructed to deliver him in person.'

'Right, good work.' The other guard, a brunette, commended her as his companion coughed rather suspiciously. 'We will take it from here, if you will pass the bird to u--'

'I'm afraid I can't do that.' Saki spoke politely as she side-stepped the attempted grab from the brunette, which of course didn't fail to earn an indignant squawk from Sir Reginald within the box. 'The instructions given were very specific about returning Sir Reginald to the Baron's daughter so the bounty could be paid directly.'

'We will ensure that the bounty is mailed to you!' The blonde snapped as an irritated glare flashed across his face. 'Now please release the bird into our custody!'

And as soon as the guards lifted their spears and directed them at Saki, the pleasant smile across her face disappeared to make way for a severe glare, which did not fail to startle the younger guard.

'Very well, then I will just take this fine creature elsewhere.' Saki spoke coolly as she moved to step away. 'I was already given instructions to do so, during the event that my passage is not guaranteed.'

'You will do no such thing!' The brunette guard responded with a sneer.

'Then shall I let him out right now so you both have no opportunity to steal a bounty owed to somebody else?' Saki offered confidently.

'Then you will be tried for the abduction and loss of private property belonging to the noble house of Be--'

'WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!' Came the roaring shout of a remarkably deep voice, causing both guards to let out a terrified yelp.

Saki lifted her gaze with a small smirk as a tall and rather well dressed man of oranging features came marching right across the front courtyard. Clad in blues and greys, the man with a stern neutral face and the visage of a lion strode with the very air of importance. A livid expression was written right across his face as he leered at the two guards who had made a frantic attempt at withdrawing their spears from Saki's general vicinity.

'My, good afternoon, Lord Reinhart.' Saki responded with a cheerful smile.

'Miss Akazawa.' Reinhart acknowledged her briefly before turning his severe gaze back upon the guards. 'You two! I could not help but overhear the threats you have issued upon a guest of Lord Baron Begonia! I would love to hear your explanation into the matter!'

'A-A guest of Lord Begonia?!' The two guards practically shrieked in horror. 'You mean this commoner?!'

Ah, lovely. Condescending entirely based on her clothes and appearances.

Not that she wasn't already expecting that to begin with.

'You will hold your tongues!' Reinhart practically seethed in outrage. 'I will not tolerate the crude arguments of guards who have stooped to extortion not one minute ago!'

'But--'

'SILENCE!' Reinhart roared, silencing the two guards within an instance. 'While I will not be dismissing you right this instance, I would not expect to be welcome back here again, if I were you.'

The two guards were silent, shocked entirely as they watched Reinhart turn his gaze back to Saki and motion her inside.

'If you will, Miss Akazawa.' His gruff invitation was all Saki needed to walk right past the two shell-shocked guards and enter the grounds beyond.

It was such a beautiful exchange of words, and one that Saki had not minded witnessing in the least. She didn't bother to look back at the two, and continued with her head held high.

Saki was lead across trimmed and intricately maintained lawns, through gardens and into the west wing of the main estate. Corridors of grandeur and glitz stood out proudly, displaying treasures and collectibles, with servants and maids working hard to ensure everything was spotless for their overlords.

The sight was familiar enough for Saki that she hadn't even spared them a glance as she followed along after Reinhart's long strides.

Sir Reginald twittered pleasantly from within its box as it seemed to recognize some of their surroundings.

Eventually, Saki was lead through a door, which opened up into an indoor aviary room, combined with plush leather armchairs and tables and all the glamour and glitz expected of aristocracy. A guard already stationed within the aviary room closed the door behind Saki, while a servant residing within motioned for her to sit down in one of the arm-chairs.

'Was the plan successful, Lord Reinhart?' An aide to the lion-like man questioned pleasantly as his master dropped himself into the armchair on the opposite side of the table to Saki.

'Yes, she was able to antagonize them well enough.' The man barked back dismissively, though he did cast a look to the aide in mention. 'Get me a drink.'

'Certainly, My Lord.'

Saki didn't hesitate to adopt a pleasant smile as she gently set Sir Reginald's box onto the table, earning the lion-like man's immediate attention.

'Oh, yes. We certainly cannot afford to forget about this.' Reinhart remarked as he leaned across to lift the box, where he peered at the scarlet-feathered bird residing within. 'Yes, that is indeed the Young Lady's broached cuff, excellent work. You have certainly saved us a great deal of trouble retrieving this for us.'

'Not at all, I am sorry I couldn't have found him earlier.' Saki responded, honestly.

'Nonsense, three days is a mere trifle when faced with the possibility that the Yound Lady's favoured pet could very well have been lost for good.' Reinhart responded seriously as he gently handed the box to one of the guards. 'And I must also thank you for assisting with that other job just now. As you can imagine, the presence of any opportunistic guard would bring ill-favor to the Begonia Family name. Your assistance in that matter -however unintentional- will not go unrewarded.'

Wordlessly, Saki cast the man a thankful smile as she tipped her head forward in understanding.

There was a discrete wave from Reinhart towards one of the attendants in the room, and within a handful of seconds, two pouches of coin and a wax-sealed envelope atop a silver carry tray was procured from what may well have been thin air. Without a sound, the tray had been discretely set atop the table in front of her, where both pouches were then opened up to show their contents authenticity.

'I trust that I can count on you if ever we require your discrete assistance in the future.' Reinhart spoke.

However, his tone conveyed that this was not a request.

Never the less, Saki inclined her head in a firm nod.

'Very well, then you may leave.' Reinhart dismissed.

And without a word or response beyond her casual move to tuck her reward into her rucksack, Saki rose to her feet and followed one of the guards out.

Servants and maids watched like ravens over a carcass as Saki was lead through the intricately cleaned corridors and halls. Their eyes scrutinized her for any hint of gossip or news they could get their hands on. And yet, as Saki was lead right past an ornate glass cabinet with decorative swords and chalices displayed within, the corner of her lips lifted in a wry smile as she glanced over the display..

Somebody had forgotten to clean the hinges and polish the furnishings, something that Saki knew would never be overlooked by the scrutinizing eye of a superior. The person in charge was going to end up with a long lecture if they were caught spying on guests over completing their duties.

And she could only entertain herself with the wish that it was the most unpleasantly sneering woman of the group that earned the brunt of such a punishment.

The sun had begun to dip low in the skies as the Begonia Estate gate shut behind her with a gentle click, stretching out towards the later afternoon with its oranging hues and warmth combined.

Saki's arms lifted to bury her hands in the pockets of her pants as she turned to head uphill, towards the castle standing at the highest point of the great city.

Whispers of passers by echoed from behind as Saki walked past, harsh whispers of concern and theory.

'Isn't that the Omen...?' One voice whispered just loud enough for her to hear, questioning a companion as they watched Saki's departing form. 'What business does she have with the Begonia Family?'

'I don't know...' Another responded seriously. 'It's best not to ask questions.'

'It's bad luck to get involved with her!' Another whispered frantically.

And yet, Saki found herself unable to care in the least.

Her eyes fell upon a glimpse of scarlet through the faces of cityfolk and their gossiping ways. A woman with uncommon hued hair and equally as unique green eyes walked confidently through the streets, with a lively smile as she scanned over a piece of parchment in her hands. A young man of raven locks and rather cat-like eyes spoke with her as he kept equal stride with her. Upon recognizing the woman's clothes to be of the Court Herbalists attire, Saki felt a small smile tug at the corners of her lips as she looked away.

'That's right, I've got to place another order, tonight.' She spoke soundlessly.

A melody bounced within her head as she picked up the pace, unaware of the eyes that fell upon her back as the townsfolk continued their gossip.

--=[Submitted 17th March 2018]=--