Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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- Third planet from the star named Sol
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Yrsillar calls for a tiebreaker if we're still tied after the vote closes, and whoever posts first to break that tie (if you've already voted it doesn't count unless you're switching) wins.
EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
Insert Tally
MooGoesCow21
Just Listen to me....
- Location
- US Washington
[X] Zhengui who shared some of her combat roles. (Increase group combat synergy
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
Turn 11: Arc 1-3
"So, Miss Xia, do you think you would like to see a demonstration of some of their abilities?" Ling Qi asked politely.
"That seems agreeable, Miss Ling," Xia Lin said. Her brief moment of confusion disappeared behind professionalism again.
"I have not had a chance to see your spirit's growth either," Meizhen mused. "Excepting Hanyi's performance of course. Which was impressive."
Hanyi beamed up at Meizhen.
Xia Lin looked to Meizhen askance, but it was Ling Qi who answered the unspoken question.
"Hanyi has begun singing at local concert halls, I would be happy to invite you at some point," Ling Qi said.
"I will consider it," Xia Lin replied.
"You should definitely come, and buy a recording carving too! The prices are really good," Hanyi agreed cheerfully. Ling Qi supposed she couldn't expect Hanyi to be subtle yet.
…"Perhaps," Xia Lin said, before turning back to Ling Qi. "The demonstration?"
"Right," Ling Qi said, coughing into her fist. "Zhengui might be the best to start with. Am I right in assuming that you prefer the front lines Miss Xia?"
"I am a vanguard," Xia Lin replied with a touch of pride. "My role is to drive into enemy formations and disrupt their cohesion and group arts so that the main force's assault is more effective."
Something like that did sound useful when fighting the Cloud tribes, Ling Qi mused. "Well, how about that. I think Zhengui and you will be a compatible front line. Little brother, what would you say your role is?"
"I, Zhen am the center of attention, who enemies cannot ignore even as Big Sister freezes and breaks them," Zhen said, arching his body proudly. "I, Zhen am very tough."
Ling Qi struggled to keep herself from laughing at his preening.
"Zhen should not forget, Mister Avalanche says that we are t-" Gui closed his eyes in intense concentration as he worked to recall something. "Terrain Manipulation and Hard point Generation Specialists."
He looked so proud of himself for remembering the whole thing.
Off to the side, Meizhen had begun to ask Hanyi about her plans for future performances and potential wardrobes. Ling Qi was thankful that her friend would keep Hanyi from feeling left out.
"A valuable skill set indeed," Xia Ren said, glancing Ling Qi's way. "Although I have heard that Miss Ling is hardly as fragile as her skills might imply."
"Well it's not all her," Sixiang said. "I am pretty good at making sure nothing nasty sticks to her."
"But I am proud of my endurance yes," Ling Qi continued cheerfully. "All the same, every foe who Zhengui occupies is one less diverting my focus from offense and controlling the battlefield."
"I can see the efficacy," Xia Lin admitted. "Particularly with the Young Mistress' power backing it up."
"Lady Cai has not often had the opportunity to fight with us," Ling Qi admitted.
"Gui thinks it would be fun though," her little brother agreed cheerfully.
"With any luck, it will remain so, off the training field," Xia Lin said, though Ling Qi could tell that she didn't believe it. Ling Qi couldn't blame her. Their destination was well off the map, far from lands that any imperial cultivator had even tentatively tamed.
"We can definitely hope for it," Sixiang said brightly. "Plenty of spirits can be brought down with a quick tongue and a little cajoling too," Sixiang pointed out. "Every confrontation doesn't have to end in blades."
"Perhaps," Xia Lin said noncommittally. "Just the same, wild spirits are not the same as those with a close connection to humanity, barbarian or otherwise. Some violence is inevitable."
"Not untrue," Ling Qi said, giving Sixiang an internal nudge. "In any case, would you care to test some of Zhengui's constructs for yourself, Miss Xia?"
Xia Lin gave a small smile as her halberd vanished from her back and appeared in her hand. "Naturally, if Zhengui is amenable," she said, giving the weapon a casual twirl before bringing it to rest on her shoulder.
Zhengui was of course, always happy to show off.
Although they didn't have a proper spar, Ling Qi was glad to see her little brother was continuing to grow more adept with his terrain manipulation. His reactions were improving a great deal, and his ability to coordinate multiple vectors of his ramparts and barriers was still improving. Beyond that though, Ling Qi got her first good look at Xia Lin's abilities.
She was very fast, fast enough that Ling Qi was unsure of whether she was faster.
Ling Qi could feel the masterful flows of the wind in her steps and every twisting movement of her body and spear. Xia Lin was wind and metal, and her halberd pierced through whatever it's blade touched, leaving gaping wounds in the underlying qi constructs of Zhengui's structures that left them struggling to regrow.
That they did regrow at all seemed to impress Xia Lin all the more.
They parted ways a short time after, and Ling Qi thought that it had gone well. If they encountered difficulty on the road, she was more confident than ever that they would be able to handle it quickly and without trouble.
For the second time in as many days, Ling Qi found herself waiting outside of the Sect village. This time, there was no great entourage this time though. Now she waited beside the large inn that marked the towns outskirts where she had once gone to meet Xiao fen for the first time. Leaning against the wall, she kept half an eye on the road and watched the foot traffic as vendors and market stalls began to creep back into the open space where the White Plume's had arrived yesterday.
"I'm surprised Renxiang had you come out here alone," Sixiang said.
<I get it,> Ling Qi mused internally. <The offer came through me, she's letting me build on the appearance of doing a favor.>
"Hm, I feel like it could be taken as an insult, but I figure she knows what she's doing," Sixiang admitted grudgingly.
<There is a chance of that, but I think she knows the importance of seeming like she's willing to play the same games as everyone else. If people think they can influence her decision through her retainers then there is more reason to take us seriously, you know?> Ling Qi mused as a laborer passed by her, balancing a long wooden beam on his shoulder. He never even glanced her way. She didn't want to disturb anyone after all.
"Are you saying that you can't influence her?" Sixiang asked, giving the impression of a raised eyebrow.
Ling Qi didn't reply at first. <Not in the way that people will probably think.>
In this one instance, she might have been able to convince Renxiang to reject the offer, because of the stakes and her prominent role in events. Outside of this, she considered most of her influence on Renxiang to lay in matters outside of politics.
"Self care you mean," Sixiang said idly. "That girl is gonna put herself in an early grave or an ugly path left on her lonesome."
Sixiang was being uncharitable, but Renxiang was too hard on herself.
"Well, anyway, I feel something likely coming up the road. Probably your guest going by the feeling," Sixiang whispered.
Ling Qi tilted her head toward the northern road, and felt the whisper of wind through marsh weeds in the air, and the faint ripples on a pond reflecting a starry sky. A moment later, a carriage came around the bend. It was a plain thing as noble carriages went, polished black wood with a flash of silver about the wheels. It was pulled by a pair of stout horses with silver gray fur and long untrimmed manes.
She watched as it rolled past, other traffic on the road clearing out of its way as the darkly clothed driver guided the horses toward the Inns stabling grounds. The driver was despite his hidden face and mysterious form covering robes, just a second realm cultivator. Probably from a servant clan of the Meng's. She watched as the man parked the carriage and stepped down to confer with the owner of the building.
One short conversation later, and the darkly dressed man was knocking politely at the carriage door. From here she could hear him murmur. "We have arrived, Young Master."
He stepped back and the door slid soundlessly open. The young man who stepped out was tall, perhaps even a centimeter or two taller than her. He wore robes of dark blue and black, heavy layered things that shrouded his figure as well as any woman's gown. Despite that from his proportions and movements she could see he was whipcord thin.
He had a handsome if somewhat effeminate face, and his shoulder length hair was chestnut brown. As he reached the bottom of the carriage steps, he reached up with one gloved hand to adjust the narrow half spectacles that rest on his nose. Ling Qi caught the glimmer of qi that flashed in the silvery lenses. They were a pretty potent talisman.
He glanced toward her, and met her eyes directly.
Ling Qi smiled without shame. It wasn't like she was actually trying to hide. It would have been disappointing if he had missed her. She waited until he had dismissed his manservant to stable the horses before she approached.
"Sir Meng, welcome to Argent Sect," Ling Qi said politely, clasping her hands and bowing her head.
Meng Dan bowed in return. "Baroness Ling. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
He had a pretty soft and feminine voice. If his grandmother hadn't specifically used male pronouns Ling Qi might have been a little unsure of his gender. Naturally, Ling Qi didn't voice the thought.
"The pleasure is mine, Sir Meng," Ling Qi replied. "Did your journey go well?"
"It passed without troubles," he replied, smiling pleasantly. "Bandits are hardly a common problem these days."
Ling Qi cocked her head a little. She wasn't sure if he was trying to imply something. "Her Grace's rule has been most beneficial, hasn't it?"
"It has," he agreed easily. "I hope to see matters continue improving. The Emerald Seas has long been in a nadir, historically speaking."
"I suppose you would know," Ling Qi said. "Do other scholars of Blue Moon agree?"
"Heavens no," he replied with a chuckle. "We spend near as much time shouting at each other as we do keeping the Library tame."
Ling Qi blinked, knocked off script for a moment.
"It is a common misconception that history is a simple recounting of events," Meng Dan said easily, removing his spectacles to polish them on a corner of his robes. "When in truth, it is a war of perceptions."
"One which I would hope is grounded in facts," Ling Qi replied, finding her rhythm again.
"Of course, but facts are funny things," he chuckled. "I naturally believe my interpretations are correct, but so do my peers, and a skilled orator can make facts mean anything they like. Ask that muse that I can feel behind your eyes."
She got a feeling of a helpless shrug from Sixiang. Ling Qi narrowed her eyes. They were communicating with someone, but who…
Ah, she understood. Ling Qi was not the only one with the voice of a moon phase in their head. "It seems we have both neglected to introduce everyone involved in the conversation," she said lightly.
"I am sure that you are aware that most people do not bother," Meng Dan said. His small smile never faded as he replaced his glasses.
It was easy, Ling Qi thought to arrive at the conclusion that he was amused by her, but she didn't think that was right. No, the impression she got was that Meng Dan was a little amused at everything.
"Prolly not far off," Sixiang mused.
"Well, as peers, let us not be rude," Ling Qi sid aloud. "Sixiang, introduce yourself."
The air at her side shimmered, and Sixiang faded into view wearing an androgynous face. "Hello there! I gotta say, it was nice to meet a cousin again."
"The feeling is mutual," the soft spoken voice that whispered over Meng Dan's shoulder was barely audible. A face shimmered in the air there like the reflection of the moon on water. Ghostly pale, with long black hair in two braids bound by silver ribbons that framed a soft female face. Distinctively, her eyes were hidden behind a tightly bound strip of black silk. "This Yinhui greets cousin Sixiang and Scholar Ling alike."
"I don't think anyone has ever called me a scholar," Ling Qi mused.
"I doubt one with no interest in the past would have spoken as you did at court," Meng Dan said lightly.
"The Keeper cares not for the orthodoxy of methods," Yinhui murmured, fading away. "Scholar Ling is one of hers, in the end."
"Hm, I think she's more Grandmother's type, but you Hidden gals are always the possessive type," Sixiang chuckled, fading away in turn.
"Interactions between the phases are always fascinating," Meng Dan chuckled. "But enough, would you care to come inside Miss Ling? I presume we are to bandy words longer still, but I would rather do so with a cup of fresh tea to soothe my throat."
"Of course," Ling Qi said, falling in a step behind him. Where to push the conversation though…
[] Discuss matters of the Weilu and their relations to the people around them.
[] Discuss matters of the hill tribes and the other pre imperial peoples of the South Emerald Seas.
"That seems agreeable, Miss Ling," Xia Lin said. Her brief moment of confusion disappeared behind professionalism again.
"I have not had a chance to see your spirit's growth either," Meizhen mused. "Excepting Hanyi's performance of course. Which was impressive."
Hanyi beamed up at Meizhen.
Xia Lin looked to Meizhen askance, but it was Ling Qi who answered the unspoken question.
"Hanyi has begun singing at local concert halls, I would be happy to invite you at some point," Ling Qi said.
"I will consider it," Xia Lin replied.
"You should definitely come, and buy a recording carving too! The prices are really good," Hanyi agreed cheerfully. Ling Qi supposed she couldn't expect Hanyi to be subtle yet.
…"Perhaps," Xia Lin said, before turning back to Ling Qi. "The demonstration?"
"Right," Ling Qi said, coughing into her fist. "Zhengui might be the best to start with. Am I right in assuming that you prefer the front lines Miss Xia?"
"I am a vanguard," Xia Lin replied with a touch of pride. "My role is to drive into enemy formations and disrupt their cohesion and group arts so that the main force's assault is more effective."
Something like that did sound useful when fighting the Cloud tribes, Ling Qi mused. "Well, how about that. I think Zhengui and you will be a compatible front line. Little brother, what would you say your role is?"
"I, Zhen am the center of attention, who enemies cannot ignore even as Big Sister freezes and breaks them," Zhen said, arching his body proudly. "I, Zhen am very tough."
Ling Qi struggled to keep herself from laughing at his preening.
"Zhen should not forget, Mister Avalanche says that we are t-" Gui closed his eyes in intense concentration as he worked to recall something. "Terrain Manipulation and Hard point Generation Specialists."
He looked so proud of himself for remembering the whole thing.
Off to the side, Meizhen had begun to ask Hanyi about her plans for future performances and potential wardrobes. Ling Qi was thankful that her friend would keep Hanyi from feeling left out.
"A valuable skill set indeed," Xia Ren said, glancing Ling Qi's way. "Although I have heard that Miss Ling is hardly as fragile as her skills might imply."
"Well it's not all her," Sixiang said. "I am pretty good at making sure nothing nasty sticks to her."
"But I am proud of my endurance yes," Ling Qi continued cheerfully. "All the same, every foe who Zhengui occupies is one less diverting my focus from offense and controlling the battlefield."
"I can see the efficacy," Xia Lin admitted. "Particularly with the Young Mistress' power backing it up."
"Lady Cai has not often had the opportunity to fight with us," Ling Qi admitted.
"Gui thinks it would be fun though," her little brother agreed cheerfully.
"With any luck, it will remain so, off the training field," Xia Lin said, though Ling Qi could tell that she didn't believe it. Ling Qi couldn't blame her. Their destination was well off the map, far from lands that any imperial cultivator had even tentatively tamed.
"We can definitely hope for it," Sixiang said brightly. "Plenty of spirits can be brought down with a quick tongue and a little cajoling too," Sixiang pointed out. "Every confrontation doesn't have to end in blades."
"Perhaps," Xia Lin said noncommittally. "Just the same, wild spirits are not the same as those with a close connection to humanity, barbarian or otherwise. Some violence is inevitable."
"Not untrue," Ling Qi said, giving Sixiang an internal nudge. "In any case, would you care to test some of Zhengui's constructs for yourself, Miss Xia?"
Xia Lin gave a small smile as her halberd vanished from her back and appeared in her hand. "Naturally, if Zhengui is amenable," she said, giving the weapon a casual twirl before bringing it to rest on her shoulder.
Zhengui was of course, always happy to show off.
Although they didn't have a proper spar, Ling Qi was glad to see her little brother was continuing to grow more adept with his terrain manipulation. His reactions were improving a great deal, and his ability to coordinate multiple vectors of his ramparts and barriers was still improving. Beyond that though, Ling Qi got her first good look at Xia Lin's abilities.
She was very fast, fast enough that Ling Qi was unsure of whether she was faster.
Ling Qi could feel the masterful flows of the wind in her steps and every twisting movement of her body and spear. Xia Lin was wind and metal, and her halberd pierced through whatever it's blade touched, leaving gaping wounds in the underlying qi constructs of Zhengui's structures that left them struggling to regrow.
That they did regrow at all seemed to impress Xia Lin all the more.
They parted ways a short time after, and Ling Qi thought that it had gone well. If they encountered difficulty on the road, she was more confident than ever that they would be able to handle it quickly and without trouble.
***
For the second time in as many days, Ling Qi found herself waiting outside of the Sect village. This time, there was no great entourage this time though. Now she waited beside the large inn that marked the towns outskirts where she had once gone to meet Xiao fen for the first time. Leaning against the wall, she kept half an eye on the road and watched the foot traffic as vendors and market stalls began to creep back into the open space where the White Plume's had arrived yesterday.
"I'm surprised Renxiang had you come out here alone," Sixiang said.
<I get it,> Ling Qi mused internally. <The offer came through me, she's letting me build on the appearance of doing a favor.>
"Hm, I feel like it could be taken as an insult, but I figure she knows what she's doing," Sixiang admitted grudgingly.
<There is a chance of that, but I think she knows the importance of seeming like she's willing to play the same games as everyone else. If people think they can influence her decision through her retainers then there is more reason to take us seriously, you know?> Ling Qi mused as a laborer passed by her, balancing a long wooden beam on his shoulder. He never even glanced her way. She didn't want to disturb anyone after all.
"Are you saying that you can't influence her?" Sixiang asked, giving the impression of a raised eyebrow.
Ling Qi didn't reply at first. <Not in the way that people will probably think.>
In this one instance, she might have been able to convince Renxiang to reject the offer, because of the stakes and her prominent role in events. Outside of this, she considered most of her influence on Renxiang to lay in matters outside of politics.
"Self care you mean," Sixiang said idly. "That girl is gonna put herself in an early grave or an ugly path left on her lonesome."
Sixiang was being uncharitable, but Renxiang was too hard on herself.
"Well, anyway, I feel something likely coming up the road. Probably your guest going by the feeling," Sixiang whispered.
Ling Qi tilted her head toward the northern road, and felt the whisper of wind through marsh weeds in the air, and the faint ripples on a pond reflecting a starry sky. A moment later, a carriage came around the bend. It was a plain thing as noble carriages went, polished black wood with a flash of silver about the wheels. It was pulled by a pair of stout horses with silver gray fur and long untrimmed manes.
She watched as it rolled past, other traffic on the road clearing out of its way as the darkly clothed driver guided the horses toward the Inns stabling grounds. The driver was despite his hidden face and mysterious form covering robes, just a second realm cultivator. Probably from a servant clan of the Meng's. She watched as the man parked the carriage and stepped down to confer with the owner of the building.
One short conversation later, and the darkly dressed man was knocking politely at the carriage door. From here she could hear him murmur. "We have arrived, Young Master."
He stepped back and the door slid soundlessly open. The young man who stepped out was tall, perhaps even a centimeter or two taller than her. He wore robes of dark blue and black, heavy layered things that shrouded his figure as well as any woman's gown. Despite that from his proportions and movements she could see he was whipcord thin.
He had a handsome if somewhat effeminate face, and his shoulder length hair was chestnut brown. As he reached the bottom of the carriage steps, he reached up with one gloved hand to adjust the narrow half spectacles that rest on his nose. Ling Qi caught the glimmer of qi that flashed in the silvery lenses. They were a pretty potent talisman.
He glanced toward her, and met her eyes directly.
Ling Qi smiled without shame. It wasn't like she was actually trying to hide. It would have been disappointing if he had missed her. She waited until he had dismissed his manservant to stable the horses before she approached.
"Sir Meng, welcome to Argent Sect," Ling Qi said politely, clasping her hands and bowing her head.
Meng Dan bowed in return. "Baroness Ling. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
He had a pretty soft and feminine voice. If his grandmother hadn't specifically used male pronouns Ling Qi might have been a little unsure of his gender. Naturally, Ling Qi didn't voice the thought.
"The pleasure is mine, Sir Meng," Ling Qi replied. "Did your journey go well?"
"It passed without troubles," he replied, smiling pleasantly. "Bandits are hardly a common problem these days."
Ling Qi cocked her head a little. She wasn't sure if he was trying to imply something. "Her Grace's rule has been most beneficial, hasn't it?"
"It has," he agreed easily. "I hope to see matters continue improving. The Emerald Seas has long been in a nadir, historically speaking."
"I suppose you would know," Ling Qi said. "Do other scholars of Blue Moon agree?"
"Heavens no," he replied with a chuckle. "We spend near as much time shouting at each other as we do keeping the Library tame."
Ling Qi blinked, knocked off script for a moment.
"It is a common misconception that history is a simple recounting of events," Meng Dan said easily, removing his spectacles to polish them on a corner of his robes. "When in truth, it is a war of perceptions."
"One which I would hope is grounded in facts," Ling Qi replied, finding her rhythm again.
"Of course, but facts are funny things," he chuckled. "I naturally believe my interpretations are correct, but so do my peers, and a skilled orator can make facts mean anything they like. Ask that muse that I can feel behind your eyes."
She got a feeling of a helpless shrug from Sixiang. Ling Qi narrowed her eyes. They were communicating with someone, but who…
Ah, she understood. Ling Qi was not the only one with the voice of a moon phase in their head. "It seems we have both neglected to introduce everyone involved in the conversation," she said lightly.
"I am sure that you are aware that most people do not bother," Meng Dan said. His small smile never faded as he replaced his glasses.
It was easy, Ling Qi thought to arrive at the conclusion that he was amused by her, but she didn't think that was right. No, the impression she got was that Meng Dan was a little amused at everything.
"Prolly not far off," Sixiang mused.
"Well, as peers, let us not be rude," Ling Qi sid aloud. "Sixiang, introduce yourself."
The air at her side shimmered, and Sixiang faded into view wearing an androgynous face. "Hello there! I gotta say, it was nice to meet a cousin again."
"The feeling is mutual," the soft spoken voice that whispered over Meng Dan's shoulder was barely audible. A face shimmered in the air there like the reflection of the moon on water. Ghostly pale, with long black hair in two braids bound by silver ribbons that framed a soft female face. Distinctively, her eyes were hidden behind a tightly bound strip of black silk. "This Yinhui greets cousin Sixiang and Scholar Ling alike."
"I don't think anyone has ever called me a scholar," Ling Qi mused.
"I doubt one with no interest in the past would have spoken as you did at court," Meng Dan said lightly.
"The Keeper cares not for the orthodoxy of methods," Yinhui murmured, fading away. "Scholar Ling is one of hers, in the end."
"Hm, I think she's more Grandmother's type, but you Hidden gals are always the possessive type," Sixiang chuckled, fading away in turn.
"Interactions between the phases are always fascinating," Meng Dan chuckled. "But enough, would you care to come inside Miss Ling? I presume we are to bandy words longer still, but I would rather do so with a cup of fresh tea to soothe my throat."
"Of course," Ling Qi said, falling in a step behind him. Where to push the conversation though…
[] Discuss matters of the Weilu and their relations to the people around them.
[] Discuss matters of the hill tribes and the other pre imperial peoples of the South Emerald Seas.
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Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
- Location
- New Brunswick, NJ
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
A new husbando candidate takes the field! This one's got moon swag and nerd cred, but does he possess 「ＡＢＳ」?
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Whipcord thinness does not preclude the possibility of「ＡＢＳ」
I have hope!
Xia Lin is a dragoon and i love her forever now
- Location
- being near locations is my passion.
yrs is so mean, to suggest two but only allow one! :'(
do they not care for the feelings of greed they have induced with their other writings!?
do they know of our desire for both, and delight in our torment?!?!?
cruelty! cruelty most aware and wilful say I!
@yrsillar
Sixiang's report, if you please.
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BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
She has mastered the power of 「L E A P」
This doesn't really hurts. It sounds like Xia is focused on moving fast and hitting quickly. It is a skill LQ possess, but not she focuses that much on improving. The fact that we are about equal to Xia in speed means that with mist and such, we could probably beat her
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Speaker4thesilen
Superpower: Common Sense
- Location
- Noneya Business
I feel like the latter option is more connected to the mission, if only because we know so little about who we're out to meet.
And I'm worried that voting so obviously for 'the Weilu option' would look like pandering.
And I'm worried that voting so obviously for 'the Weilu option' would look like pandering.