[ IP ] Sanctuary

& nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Seki knelt down on the stone Sanctuary floor, the red dress she had found in one of the many dozens of rooms pooling around her knees and shrouding her in its luxury. She looked around the flat terrace. The crimson-stained sun colored the colonnade with soft hues of orange and pink, chasing and opposing the blue and violet hues of the oncoming evening. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; She listened to the sound of the waves hitting the side of the cliffs and for a moment, she forgot about her journey, about lost gods, about him. All that was left was the sun shining warmly on her skin, the peace, and silence of the Sanctuary. Gods could wait. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; She bowed her head and picked at the red material under her hands, the silken fabric catching on her calloused fingertips. The sun stained her skin a golden red on top of her bronze complexion and she rubbed her fingers together thoughtfully. A tendril of hair fell over her shoulder, a rope of fiery crimson cascading down to her waist. Closing her eyes, the feeling of coolness seeped up from the stone beneath her knees. She took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Steady, like the pull of her bowstring. Release. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Unbidden images of green flashing eyes and a mischievous smile interrupted her contemplation and her eyes snapped open. Even in her mediation she couldn ’ t escape him for long. He stained her thoughts. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; The veranda was now ablaze in vibrant oranges and pinks and a passing storm, its cloud castles in the distance, dissipated into a pallet of warm hues in the sky. She turned her face towards the sun and closed her eyes, drinking in the last of the peace she knew would disappear after they left. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Soft footsteps echoed from behind the door before an audible click signaled its opening. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; “ Seki? ” a voice called from the entrance. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; “ Yes? ” 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; “ Neyina would like to speak with us before we turn in for the night. ” 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; “ I ’ ll be there shortly. ” 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Silence permeated the air for a few moments before another click resonated around her, its echos bouncing off the solid walls before fading. Seki opened her eyes and wondered momentarily what her yellow and violet ringed irises looked like in the matching sunset. Was he thinking of them right now? 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Seki sighed and stood up, reveling in the swish of the red satin fabric around her legs as she walked slowly towards the door. Simple things. The calls of the birds nearby, as they soared and swayed in the air. The feel of a stray breeze dancing over her skin. She put her hand on the gilded handle. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Searching for fallen gods and a slowly shattering world. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Tainted. Just a little, from the heart she left behind. 
 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; She opened the door. 

