she's been avoiding the main hall , ever since the portraits had been hung . too many eyes weighing down on her , suffocating . but knowing this can't last forever , and as activity around the palace meets a lull in the night , suzume finally goes to try meeting their gaze . which proves successful , at first , but as she trails over to the young chakris , there's a familiar , deeply - detested sting on the inner corners of her eyes . by the time she reaches the emperor and empress ( she assumes ) , their portraits are but blurry outlines . she turns on her heel , rushing out of the room with so little awareness that she nearly collides with @classiqals @espionisms @balteren @bxrnfrxmashes in the process . no one was supposed to be here . she shoots them a withering look , but in that very moment , the first tear rolls down her face . immediately , she turns her head with a sniff , swiping at her cheek . " excuse me . "
