After a while, things hummed into harmonious quiet. The world softened its edges for awhile, to let everyone at ease. If it was a blessing or a distortion of how to really see things, she didn't know. And at this moment didn't

care, the effect of the calming did that. Tsuai sat back in her seat, and thought quietly about the world, which seemed to be popular discussion of late. The biggest question was of course: What are we? What is this? Is it all real or

are we going to wake up one day and have a good laugh over that crazy dream? It didn't seem possibly, but a lot of things didn't until they were pointed out by someone. Someone else always noticed the things you didn't. Ugh, that

wretched dependence people have.

Everything sharpened again after not so long, and everyone snapped back into awareness of the situation.

"Now," someone said, and took a deep breath, "We all know the problem?" The room nodded dully; this conversation was getting old.

"A solution would be nice." Tsuai added dryly.

Someone shot her a look, but continued on, "We must leave, and soon. The threat is getting too near, and we are extremely unprepared." There was a murmur of agreement, "And in this, another question arises. Where are we to go? We have lived here as long as the oldest man can remember, and many times longer. We know of no other lands. But we do know this: the world is dangerous outside of our small haven, if you would call it that. And we are not properly equipped for that inevitable danger."

"If we are not equipped for that, we might not even have enough to leave, and start over." Tsuai offered. Another look was shot at her.

"We'll have to prepare as much as we can, and even if it isn't enough, it would be better than getting killed, admitting defeat." She could tell that the speaker didn't want to admit that she had a point. Getting angrier by the second at this meaningless banter, Tsuai spoke up again:

"Oh, so running away is better!" There was an edge to her voice that wasn't there before.

"Would you like to be removed, Tsuai?" This was her mother, speaking for the first time in the meeting, a shadowed, hollow woman in the corner, "...This daughter of mine." She said, shaking her and murmuring a

remark.

Tsuai ignored her mother's comments and addressed her friend instead,"Onna, can you believe what you are hearing! Enemies are bearing down our gates and meanwhile, inside those weak barricades, a young girl is being scolded for proposing a plan for saving the town!" At her words, the whole room erupted.

"Yah! And what suggestions have you made, really?"

"All you've been doing is adding cynical comments!"

"We're the one's who're providing help! Your just shooting them down!"

Tsuai stood up and rolled her eyes, "My, my, my, my. I didn't know everyone was so tightly strung. And hmm, maybe I shot down all your comments because none will work! There is nothing more I need to say, so you can provide failing strategies as you will, without my presence." She strided away, a field of patterned skirts.