Post by PrincessParu on Mar 3, 2013 23:29:07 GMT -5
The flickering light of the lamps that hung from the ceiling of the cave had attracted a truly monstrous red and white carp spirit to the surface of the river. Parsee watched it from the alcove underneath the bridge where she spent most of her time. A cup of tea steamed on the low table beside her, but she ignored it for now in favor of examining the carp. It must have been ancient; it was almost as big as she was. It was also a perfect specimen of godan kohaku koi: moon-white in body with five distinct red splotches on its back.
Whomever had bred the fish must have been proud indeed, and Parsee began to feel the familiar prickle of envy as she looked at it. She had never had the time or the space to cultivate a fish-keeping hobby, had never had the opportunity to produce such a beautiful animal. The bridge maiden tore her eyes away from the carp and closed her hands tightly around the cup of tea. "Go away," she hissed under her breath. "No one wants you here."
The fish spirit was gone when she looked back. Parsee let out a long sigh and took a sip of her tea. The envy had faded when the fish disappeared, and now she only felt a slight twinge of remorse. She had little to do down here besides waiting for travelers (or so she had convinced herself), and it might have been nice to look at something besides the dark waters of the river.
It was very boring down here. For a moment she entertained the thought of going to visit the Komeiji's. They had never been anything but civil to her, and sometimes Satori would lend her a book or two to help pass the time. No, no, no. She couldn't leave the bridge. Not right now. Someone could come by, someone she didn't know, and that just would not do.
Whomever had bred the fish must have been proud indeed, and Parsee began to feel the familiar prickle of envy as she looked at it. She had never had the time or the space to cultivate a fish-keeping hobby, had never had the opportunity to produce such a beautiful animal. The bridge maiden tore her eyes away from the carp and closed her hands tightly around the cup of tea. "Go away," she hissed under her breath. "No one wants you here."
The fish spirit was gone when she looked back. Parsee let out a long sigh and took a sip of her tea. The envy had faded when the fish disappeared, and now she only felt a slight twinge of remorse. She had little to do down here besides waiting for travelers (or so she had convinced herself), and it might have been nice to look at something besides the dark waters of the river.
It was very boring down here. For a moment she entertained the thought of going to visit the Komeiji's. They had never been anything but civil to her, and sometimes Satori would lend her a book or two to help pass the time. No, no, no. She couldn't leave the bridge. Not right now. Someone could come by, someone she didn't know, and that just would not do.
