"My friend, Li Suyin has already done a great deal of work on the house," Ling Qi began.
"The sculptor of bone?" Xuan Shi mused, glancing around at the halls. "Her skill has bloomed."
Ling Qi nodded, pleased at the observation. "Yes, Li Suyin did very good work. But there is something that I think only your expertise at barriers can accomplish."
They entered the dining room then, the table had been set with refreshments, and one of the house servants stood nearby to serve. The girl looked half ready to faint. Ling Qi felt a little bad. Xuan Shi's gaze swept over her without pause though, only briefly stopping on the table settings before returning to the walls, where Li Suyin's work was concentrated. "A shell vault, I assume?"
"I am not familiar with the term, sir Xuan," Ling Qingge asked after the beat of silence that followed. It saved Ling Qi from having to ask the same question, though she had an inkling.
Xuan Shi paused. "...Apologies. A chamber to shelter the vulnerable when the isle goes to war."
"Yes, just that," Ling Qi said easily as they were seated. "Li Suyin designed something of the sort already, but… I don't want to spare any expense. I want the best protection possible for my family."
Briefly, her mother looked troubled, but she didn't gainsay Ling Qi. She wouldn't in front of a guest.
"It would be wrong to say that mine skills are 'the best' when so many masters stand ready within the Sect, but thy compliment is accepted," he said slowly. "However, this one's work will be… impeded by injury."
"I will be happy to assist with the work. It's not as if I can cultivate easily at the moment," she said, keeping the frustration she felt with that out of her voice.
"That would be most welcome Miss Ling," Xuan Shi said.
"I look forward to seeing your work, Sir Xuan," Ling Qingge said demurely. "But please, let us offer our hospitality first."
"Of course, Madam Ling," Xuan Shi said respectfully, dipping his head.
***
Xuan Shi had seemed to enjoy the tea. Ling Qi made a note to thank Lady Renxiang for her suggestions in that regard. His tastes in food seemed pretty simple, he had stuck largely to steamed vegetables and rice crackers, avoiding dishes with meat or fish.
"I'm curious, do you just not like meat, or is it a bloodline matter?" Ling Qi said idly as she trailed her fingers over the wall, brushing her qi against the formations worked into the wood. The characters lit with faint ghostly light.
Xuan Shi studied them intently from a pace or two behind her. "This one has always been ill equipped for the consumption of animal flesh. Though cultivation transcends such matters, the preference remains."
"Hm, that must have been hard. Aren't most Savage Seas dishes fish?" Ling Qi asked. Right now, they were just reviewing Li Suyin's work, so that Xuan Shi could plan out his upgrades. Of course, only Ling Qi, Li Suyin or her Mother could activate them, so she was assisting already.
"Many but not all," Xuan Shi replied simply.
"What sort of thing do you enjoy then?" Ling Qi asked, continuing along the wall. The panic room Li Suyin had constructed was on the ground floor, for structural and spiritual reasons. It was mostly are of decoration, and here the formations on the polished wooden walls were openly visible. It was furnished with a table and a number of chairs, as well as a few simple beds. In one corner was a preservation box containing enough food for the household to live off of for two or three days. Thick bands of polished steel ran around the perimeter as well as the corners where the wall joined the ceiling or floor.
Xuan Shi paused, considering her question. "The Savage Seas cultivates many breeds of kelp with rich flavour, The dishes which can be made from them are numerous."
That was kind of weird, wasn't kelp some kind of water weed, Ling Qi thought. She supposed that people ate stranger things though. They soon finished the circuit of the room. "So, what do you think?"
"Miss Li has done superb work with her materials," Xuan Shi said thoughtfully. "Foundation and framework alike are sturdy, and will allow significant enhancement. There will be significant material expense for such a large chamber…. This one is unsure if current stocks are sufficient."
"I will purchase what you need. Please do not empty your own supplies," Ling Qi said firmly.
"Miss Ling, there is no need-" he began.
"Xuan Shi, I don't want to keep taking advantage of your kindness," Ling Qi said, turning around to face him. "Please allow me to at least purchase the supplies."
Xuan Shi hesitated, and then tugged his hat down, covering the narrow slice of his face that was visible. "...As you say. This one can begin the outlining work tomorrow. Will the pre-dawn hours be a viable time?"
"I think so," Ling Qi said. There were other things she needed to do, helping her mother cultivate, taking part in the planning for Biyu's birthday, spending time with friends and making plans for her arrangement with Wang Chao. "Thank you again for this."
"There is no need for such repetition," Xuan Shi replied, turning back to study the walls.
"I think there is. I have been rude before." Avoiding him for months on end certainly counted. "...And I know Zhengui has been trying about your presence."
"It is only expected," Xuan Shi said shortly.
"Why is it expected though?" LIng Qi asked with a frown. "Sixiang thinks it might be some misplaced territorial instinct, but I'm really not sure if Xuan Wu are like that. Text's on their nature are scarce."
Xuan Shi didn't respond at first, tracing his finger along the curve of a painted character. "Within the shoal, xuan wu are communal creatures, caring little for territory or personal items. Conflict arises when shoals meet."
A shoal was the word for multiple xuan wu, if Ling Qi remembered right. "I thought all xuan wu were members of the Xuan though," she asked. "Or are you talking about sub groups."
Xuan Shi let out a huff of dry laughter. "The Living Isle's brood is the mightiest and most fecund shoals, but others swim in distant seas. On the coast of distant Kem in the north, and far to the west beyond the land's end, where the Great Maelstrom churns. Those more kin to thy brother once walked amongst the lands beyond the Golden Fields as well, though none now know their disposition."
"So it is something of the sort," Ling Qi said to herself. She couldn't help but feel like he was deflecting though. She could tell that there was no good in prying more. "Well, let's get out of here then, so I can let mother know that the staff can relax."
"This one apologizes for the inconvenience," Xuan Shi said wryly, turning to the door.
"I think my Mother enjoys putting them through their paces at least a little," Ling Qi said with a small smile. "She has some pride in what she has accomplished here, I think. Even if I do end up exasperating her."
"Thy Mother seems formidable and perceptive, so far as her state allows," Xuan Shi said musingly. "Miss Ling is fortunate."
"I am glad that I can provide her and my sister with comfort and safety. I am glad that I can keep them close. Is it troubling for you?" Ling Qi said, reaching for the door. "I know your uncles came to visit last year, but did your parents?"
"No," Xuan Shi replied. It was surprisingly curt.
Ling Qi winced. "I apologize for my presumption. I didn't mean to offend. Are- Do they…" she stumbled on her words. Ling Qi cursed internally, she'd gone and made a mistake again.
"Miss Ling did not offend. I do not know their faces, so there is no pain in absence," Xuan Shi replied evenly. "This one is grateful for the attention given by the honored Admirals."
Had he never met his own parents, or was not knowing their faces a metaphor for something. She didn't think he was implying that they were dead but she couldn't be sure.
"...Regardless, thank you again for your help. If you ever need anything, please let me know," Ling Qi said, recovering. She put on a light smile. "Maybe I could help you get a spirit of your own? I've had some success with that."
Xuan Shi chuckled, but it still sounded a little forced. "A tempting offer, but in that at least, this one has recently encountered some good fortune, Miss Ling."
"Oh?" Ling Qi asked. She hadn't sensed anything different at all. "When did that happen?"
"Just after our escape," Xuan Shi looked pleased. "In my meditations, a Spirit of the Liminal approached and wished to make a pact. It is temporary yet, but this one is hopeful."
"Huh, funny, didn't notice anybody around besides that jerk," Sixiang murmured blearily.
Well, neither of them had been in great condition, Ling Qi supposed. "Congratulations," she said earnestly. "I suppose I'll just have to find another way to help."
"This one does not doubt thine abilities, Miss Ling," Xuan Shi replied as they neared the door. "Farewell."
***
Ling Qi joined her Mother in the garden after Xuan Shi left, taking a seat beside her on the stone bench that overlooked the pond. She was still pondering what she had learned from him.
"Ling Qi, can you truly afford to spend even more coin on this temporary home?" Ling Qingge asked quietly, startling her.
"I- Of course Mother," Ling Qi said quickly. "Why would you even ask that. You-"
"I ask because I have been studying cultivation," her mother replied firmly. "And I have become aware of how much wealth you must need to continue growing as you do."
"You and Biyu are more important than wealth," Ling Qi replied.
"I do not doubt that," Ling Qingge replied. "But you did not answer my question. Can you afford such expenses, without harming yourself?"
Ling Qi frowned and glanced away. "...I should be able to afford this one." Numbers danced in her head, the budget of green Stones she had remaining, her month to month needs. Her savings were dwindling, given the price Xuan Shi had named for the materials.
"I haven't just been spending," Ling Qi said uncomfortably. "Bao Qian has come through, our deal has gone through and I've gotten my first income from the sales."
"Who is Bao Qian?" her mother asked with some concern.
Ling Qi blinked, had she really not…? She bowed her head in apology. "It must have slipped my mind. Bao Qian is a scion of the Bao clan, who came here to establish business with me. We worked out a deal for the sale of some of of Zhengui's… byproducts."
Ling Qingge was still frowning. "A member of a count clan came just for this? It must be quite valuable."
Ling Qi looked away, feeling guilty. "He may… also be trying to court me… sort of," she added, trailing off into a mumble.
She didn't miss the way that her mother's back stiffened at her words. "Ling Qi," she said, and the full weight of her frustration was conveyed by those brief syllables.
"It's not really official or anything," Ling Qi explained. "Well, his clan is fine with it, but they seem to be willing to play a longer game and…"
"Ling Qi please tell me that you have observed propriety," her mother cut her off with a pleading voice.
Ling Qi's eyes flew open at her Mother's implication and she gave her a hurt look. "Mother! Of course I haven't done anything like-like," she couldn't even put it into words.
Ling Qingge squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath. "I am sorry, Ling Qi. I only…"
Ling Qi frowned, looking down at her hands. She tried to see things from her Mother's perspective. It probably looked like she had been concealing something. Given everything in their lives, could she really blame the older woman? "...I understand how dangerous men can be. I do, Mom."
Ling Qingge didn't reply at first. "I hope that you do, but your interactions with that young man gave me doubt."
"Xuan Shi?" Ling Qi asked in confusion. They were friendly enough, but he was…
"Ling Qi, even I could see that he held an interest in you," her Mother chided. "Are you truly saying that you were not making use of that?"
Ling Qi gave her a horrified look. Her Mother examined Ling Qi's face, and then slowly lowered her face into her hands.
They both sat in awkward silence as the evening song of the crickets began.
"I do not think that he is the sort of man to perceive… obligation from favors such as this," Ling Qingge finally said, raising her head. "But Ling Qi, please exercise further caution in the future."
Ling Qi stared ahead at the garden pond, reviewing her memories. She still couldn't see it. Yes, he was willing to help her, and seemed impressed with her at times, but she had never noticed anything that she would take as that kind of interest, just friendliness.
She had a difficult time picturing Xuan Shi even being able to do that. The boy was too reserved.
"Breathe Ling Qi," Sixiang murmured.
She did so. Did this change anything? Some part of her wanted to scream that yes, obviously it did. "I will be more aware in the future," Ling Qi said, looking down at her hands. She couldn't really picture him as being dangerous in that way. "I… think you're right, Mother."
"It is good fortune," Ling Qingge agreed. "That this young man seems a good sort. But, this is exceptional. So Ling Qi, please tell me of this Bao Qian."
Ling Qi sighed, it was going to be a long evening.
And she still had to figure out how she was going to talk to Xuan Shi tomorrow.
[] Leave the subject alone, there is no point in making things awkward. Try to continue as before.
[] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.
-7 Green Stones
