The Hopeful and the Humble

A soft breeze rustled through the trees, sweeping Nodoka's hair up as she walked back from the coast. The road was basic and undeveloped but flat, a steep embankment on the left rising into a thick vaguely tropical woods. There was an odd sense of solemnity, lingering in her bones, dull as a physical ache. She hadn't returned to Mistral for cheerful reasons after all.