& the unbalance - jungah + joy,
the wind blows differently that evening. it's heavier, as if it's carrying an unwanted weight against its own will. delicate eyebrows furrow at the thought -- things had felt off for a while, but this thought is unsettling. many years ago, jungah had learned to listen to the passing breeze and trust its secret messages, and the one she hears now weights on her stomach. trouble is coming.
turning her back on the ruins she had improvised a waterfield in, she begins the stroll back to the camp where a few of the middle ranked soldiers decided to meet ahead of the leo festival. perhaps that's exactly why she feels on the edge of her seat constantly: in close to eight years of battles, she had never seen surya back down, even if only for a month. something bad was bound to happen, her gut had been telling her. she could only pray they would survive through it.
aside from those designated to keep watch, there isn't a single soul in sight. she must had been out training much longer than planned, for the meeting had already started. arms crossed over the chest and fingers rubbing her exposed arms to fight off the cold, her feet lead her to the tent lit by a circle of torches, however, something forces them to stop. an approaching figure outlines in the west, and jungah's hand assumes battle position out of instinct. as it comes closer, she realizes it seems familiar. the way it walks, the hair, the nose... even in the dim light and the tempestian robes, the woman recognizes the other.
after all, a mother never forgets.
trembling steps are taken in her direction. though certain of the girl's identity, her eyes can't believe what they see. it's been so long, and she had already made peace with the worst scenarios about her outcome... without warning, she calls out, for once being reckless and impulsive, and completely unable to control her own emotions.
"joy?" her voice echoes. "my child?"