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.
- Location
- The Space Between
I was thinking it'd be badass for Su Ling to get an Uncle Skelly Blood Domain Weapon like us, but having her Domain Weapon be her OWN blood?! That's even more badass.
As for Renxiang's tribulation, it was probably trying to understand Liming or, as Veekie said, completely misunderstanding the point of rebelling and getting chewed out by Liming. I guess we'll be hearing about the rebellion of our lady liege fairly late in the turn. That works out, because it's funny.
This Turn LQ has:
Hung out with prospective sisters
Assisted her friend in unpacking trauma related to their mom, who they plan on fighting
Thought about the future as the Matriarch of a young clan
if the theory about conversing with Liming is true, Renxiang will have:
Hung out with a prospective sister (Liming, half sister on her mom's side)
Going to talk to Ling Qi about assisting her in her plans to fight her mom
Thought about the her future as the Matriarch of a young clan
As for Renxiang's tribulation, it was probably trying to understand Liming or, as Veekie said, completely misunderstanding the point of rebelling and getting chewed out by Liming. I guess we'll be hearing about the rebellion of our lady liege fairly late in the turn. That works out, because it's funny.
This Turn LQ has:
Hung out with prospective sisters
Assisted her friend in unpacking trauma related to their mom, who they plan on fighting
Thought about the future as the Matriarch of a young clan
if the theory about conversing with Liming is true, Renxiang will have:
Hung out with a prospective sister (Liming, half sister on her mom's side)
Going to talk to Ling Qi about assisting her in her plans to fight her mom
Thought about the her future as the Matriarch of a young clan
EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
Boy, this takes me back. I haven't seen that art in such a long long while.Ok, so I have to admit my vision of Su Ling is pretty much straight from Megatokyo- does anyone else have a preferred image for her?
Last edited:
- Location
- UK
This made me think back to the last time we heard Suyin shout, and my mind went to her Outer Sect public challenge. Against the girl who took her eye.
I'm not even sure if she shouted then, or if she only used a formation to simply blast everyone in the Outer Sects ears with her words. She must be really upset.
Well, that or she didn't have the patience to dig out the old formation to chastise Su Ling and Ling Qi with. Which we should be thankful for, because the alternative sounds horrifying, painful and embarrassing in equal measure
- Location
- The Star Kingdom of Manticore
Li Suyin would be the girl to invent howlers.Well, that or she didn't have the patience to dig out the old formation to chastise Su Ling and Ling Qi with. Which we should be thankful for, because the alternative sounds horrifying, painful and embarrassing in equal measure
As anybody with multiple younger siblings knows, bratty little sister roles has no cap
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Yeah and once they "grow out of it" they just revert to bratty whenever they want to.
Another one for the Isekai Suyin pile
- Location
- Russia
Man-eating fox incorporated.
TimEd
Meteor maker
She probably has a completely new (probably more manly looking) set of items now that her father is focusing on her training.
The painting thief
- Location
- United States of America
The Painting Thief
Darkness changed the forests around the Sect, Yan Jianyi thought. From familiar to troubling. Sounds were louder, sight was less useful, easily avoided roots became dangerous stumbling blocks. She remembered Grandmother's stories about curious young girls who crossed a house's threshold to explore the darkness, only to be robbed of spirit by the things which lurked in shadow, cursed to be a walking husk tormenting the living. A sober reminder that dangers lurked where one could not see them, even if she had taken the first steps to becoming an immortal. But, as she moved her feet around root and her head around branch, it was also true that the night provided advantages that daytime did not. It was easier to avoid being trailed for one. Easier to go unnoticed by her roommate. Easier to be sure that the prize which she had noticed upon the heights of a cliff overlooking the Sect would be hers and not taken by some leech who just followed others. Like her roommate.
Breaching the forest's edge, she noticed that despite her best efforts she was not alone on the cliff face. A shadowy figure sat upon a stool with a painting easel. They faced towards the dropoff, letting moonlight illuminate the scene that was being brought to life with paint and brush. Yan Jianyi stepped closer, her slippers barely making a sound upon the short grass that stubbornly clung to the ground. Upon the canvas was the sect housing at night, but burning and crumbling. Bright fires cast sharp shadows in every direction, and winding through the shattered remnants of the sect buildings, like some colorful snake, was a parade of spirits and demons. They wore clothing in a mockery of humans, bright and colorful and clashing. Each carried a blazing torch, or a brazier between them, and every single one was caught in the midst of dancing. Reveling in the destruction. A faint impression of the mountain's heights could be seen in the background, but it was being consumed by a massive storm with lightning flashing inside of it, revealing darker shapes and creatures within.
Another step forward proved to be a mistake. Whirling around, the figure held a dagger to her throat, cool steel contrasting with the fiery line of pain it caused. A tanned face stared at her, with long black hair, steely silver eyes, and a very male adam's apple. She was alone, at night, with a man, who was holding a knife to her throat. Every one of her muscles tensed as Yan Jianyi spun away from the knife, using one of her arms to increase the energy of the spin and the other to shove the knife-wielding aggressor away. That hand met only shadow.
Completing the spin, she raised her hands and placed her feet in the martial stance that the Sect had spent so much time drilling the past few months. Only to blink in surprise as the man reformed from the night back on the stool, only this time facing her with a quirked eyebrow.
"My apologies," came a smooth voice from the man, "I didn't notice anyone had joined me this fair night and reacted badly when suddenly startled. My name is Ling Yewan, might I have yours?"
"Yan Jianyi, and that is a terrible way to greet a young lady attempting to introduce herself."
"I wasn't aware young ladies attempting to introduce themselves approached so silently and stealthily."
Yan Jianyi tilted her head inquiringly, "Yet I greeted you warmly when I broke the forest's edge. Are you perhaps hard of hearing, or were you so focused on painting that all else fell away?"
"I'm certain if you had introduced yourself properly, I would have heard."
"Says the man who introduces himself to a lady with barred steel to the throat; I'm not sure you know what a proper introduction is."
Setting his face in his hands, Ling Yewan groaned. "I already apologized for that, shall we not treat it as water under the bridge?"
"Only if the water is frozen," Yan Jianyi replied primly, "and you'll notice that I have not accepted your apology." Brushing her fingers across the thin red line across her throat, she added, "and I may never forgive you if this scars."
"You are a cultivator, it will not scar. Unless you want it to?"
"Hardly. Although a reason to never forgive such an odious man as yourself is tempting."
"Really? Well, then I should spare the fair lady more of my odious presence." With a flourish, Ling Yewan made the brush, stool, and easel disappear into the air. "I hope," he continued, "that you find just as much success in your search this night as I have." With a simple bow and a smile, he vanished in a bolt of silent darkness, deeper and blacker than a forest's shadow on a moonless night.
Letting out an explosive sigh, Yan Jianyi collapsed on the ground. Wiping her miserably sweating hands on the grass to dry them. She stayed there for a moment, just letting the cool wind blow against her face. After her heart stopped racing and her legs stopped jittering, Yan Jianyi stood up and began to search the cliff's edge for the glint she had spied the day before. The bastard Ling probably already got it if his parting remark was anything to go by. But, to her surprise, it was still there. A small bag of woven silver containing a pill case holding three pills that glimmered in the dark. There was also an elixir in the bag that was surrounded by a scent of freshly tilled earth. Slipping the bag into one of the pouches on the inside of her robes, she turned and attempted to make swift time back to her housing. It wasn't until she had stepped under the eaves of the roof that she noticed one of her earrings was missing from her ear.
Daybreak, however, brought more concerns than just a missing earring. An uproar started in the male half of the sect housing which quickly consumed the entirety of the mountain. A noble from the Celestial Peaks, who had conveniently made some very public and disparaging remarks about various clans from the Emerald Seas, found that all of his belongings had been subjected to theft. Pills and talismans, elixirs and trinkets, spirit stones and jade slips. Even his storage ring, the rumor mill murmured, had been stolen from his finger. The brat demanded that every house be searched only to find some easily identifiable talismans from his hoard were in the houses of his nominal allies. To the man they each proclaimed their innocence, which was ignored by the rampaging noble. To say the social fireworks were spectacular was an understatement. Duels were announced, vile accusations were levied, letters were likely written home about the situation. Plots and factions in the making shattered like rotten wood. Chaos steeped into everything, something she took full advantage of. She reveled in adding fuel to the various fires, of small cons breaking ties between steadfast allies. Through it all, Yan Jianyi felt an echo to that painting she saw. Of ruin and revelry. And of a dark storm approaching.
A/N: @yrsillar another omake for the omake throne! I have vague recollections that there won't be an update today, so here's an omake to read. I know it is not nearly as good as having an actual chapter, but I hope that you'll get some small amount of fun if you read it. I certainly had fun writing it!
Darkness changed the forests around the Sect, Yan Jianyi thought. From familiar to troubling. Sounds were louder, sight was less useful, easily avoided roots became dangerous stumbling blocks. She remembered Grandmother's stories about curious young girls who crossed a house's threshold to explore the darkness, only to be robbed of spirit by the things which lurked in shadow, cursed to be a walking husk tormenting the living. A sober reminder that dangers lurked where one could not see them, even if she had taken the first steps to becoming an immortal. But, as she moved her feet around root and her head around branch, it was also true that the night provided advantages that daytime did not. It was easier to avoid being trailed for one. Easier to go unnoticed by her roommate. Easier to be sure that the prize which she had noticed upon the heights of a cliff overlooking the Sect would be hers and not taken by some leech who just followed others. Like her roommate.
Breaching the forest's edge, she noticed that despite her best efforts she was not alone on the cliff face. A shadowy figure sat upon a stool with a painting easel. They faced towards the dropoff, letting moonlight illuminate the scene that was being brought to life with paint and brush. Yan Jianyi stepped closer, her slippers barely making a sound upon the short grass that stubbornly clung to the ground. Upon the canvas was the sect housing at night, but burning and crumbling. Bright fires cast sharp shadows in every direction, and winding through the shattered remnants of the sect buildings, like some colorful snake, was a parade of spirits and demons. They wore clothing in a mockery of humans, bright and colorful and clashing. Each carried a blazing torch, or a brazier between them, and every single one was caught in the midst of dancing. Reveling in the destruction. A faint impression of the mountain's heights could be seen in the background, but it was being consumed by a massive storm with lightning flashing inside of it, revealing darker shapes and creatures within.
Another step forward proved to be a mistake. Whirling around, the figure held a dagger to her throat, cool steel contrasting with the fiery line of pain it caused. A tanned face stared at her, with long black hair, steely silver eyes, and a very male adam's apple. She was alone, at night, with a man, who was holding a knife to her throat. Every one of her muscles tensed as Yan Jianyi spun away from the knife, using one of her arms to increase the energy of the spin and the other to shove the knife-wielding aggressor away. That hand met only shadow.
Completing the spin, she raised her hands and placed her feet in the martial stance that the Sect had spent so much time drilling the past few months. Only to blink in surprise as the man reformed from the night back on the stool, only this time facing her with a quirked eyebrow.
"My apologies," came a smooth voice from the man, "I didn't notice anyone had joined me this fair night and reacted badly when suddenly startled. My name is Ling Yewan, might I have yours?"
"Yan Jianyi, and that is a terrible way to greet a young lady attempting to introduce herself."
"I wasn't aware young ladies attempting to introduce themselves approached so silently and stealthily."
Yan Jianyi tilted her head inquiringly, "Yet I greeted you warmly when I broke the forest's edge. Are you perhaps hard of hearing, or were you so focused on painting that all else fell away?"
"I'm certain if you had introduced yourself properly, I would have heard."
"Says the man who introduces himself to a lady with barred steel to the throat; I'm not sure you know what a proper introduction is."
Setting his face in his hands, Ling Yewan groaned. "I already apologized for that, shall we not treat it as water under the bridge?"
"Only if the water is frozen," Yan Jianyi replied primly, "and you'll notice that I have not accepted your apology." Brushing her fingers across the thin red line across her throat, she added, "and I may never forgive you if this scars."
"You are a cultivator, it will not scar. Unless you want it to?"
"Hardly. Although a reason to never forgive such an odious man as yourself is tempting."
"Really? Well, then I should spare the fair lady more of my odious presence." With a flourish, Ling Yewan made the brush, stool, and easel disappear into the air. "I hope," he continued, "that you find just as much success in your search this night as I have." With a simple bow and a smile, he vanished in a bolt of silent darkness, deeper and blacker than a forest's shadow on a moonless night.
Letting out an explosive sigh, Yan Jianyi collapsed on the ground. Wiping her miserably sweating hands on the grass to dry them. She stayed there for a moment, just letting the cool wind blow against her face. After her heart stopped racing and her legs stopped jittering, Yan Jianyi stood up and began to search the cliff's edge for the glint she had spied the day before. The bastard Ling probably already got it if his parting remark was anything to go by. But, to her surprise, it was still there. A small bag of woven silver containing a pill case holding three pills that glimmered in the dark. There was also an elixir in the bag that was surrounded by a scent of freshly tilled earth. Slipping the bag into one of the pouches on the inside of her robes, she turned and attempted to make swift time back to her housing. It wasn't until she had stepped under the eaves of the roof that she noticed one of her earrings was missing from her ear.
Daybreak, however, brought more concerns than just a missing earring. An uproar started in the male half of the sect housing which quickly consumed the entirety of the mountain. A noble from the Celestial Peaks, who had conveniently made some very public and disparaging remarks about various clans from the Emerald Seas, found that all of his belongings had been subjected to theft. Pills and talismans, elixirs and trinkets, spirit stones and jade slips. Even his storage ring, the rumor mill murmured, had been stolen from his finger. The brat demanded that every house be searched only to find some easily identifiable talismans from his hoard were in the houses of his nominal allies. To the man they each proclaimed their innocence, which was ignored by the rampaging noble. To say the social fireworks were spectacular was an understatement. Duels were announced, vile accusations were levied, letters were likely written home about the situation. Plots and factions in the making shattered like rotten wood. Chaos steeped into everything, something she took full advantage of. She reveled in adding fuel to the various fires, of small cons breaking ties between steadfast allies. Through it all, Yan Jianyi felt an echo to that painting she saw. Of ruin and revelry. And of a dark storm approaching.
A/N: @yrsillar another omake for the omake throne! I have vague recollections that there won't be an update today, so here's an omake to read. I know it is not nearly as good as having an actual chapter, but I hope that you'll get some small amount of fun if you read it. I certainly had fun writing it!
TimEd
Meteor maker
Ahh, an overachiever. Maybe Ling Qi's Thunderdome shenanigans spread to her decendants.
- Location
- Finland
By hard work and dedication, may we yet acchieve half of what the grand mattriarch acchieved by accident.
- Southern Emerald Seas Ling clan saying.
Snake and Spider 8
This was, Bao Qingling had to admit, satisfying to a degree. She stood ramrod straight, arms folded behind her back in the study of her elder brother's travel manse. The decor dripped with gold and jewels gaudy as ever, offensive to her senses. Her brother, Bao Quan sat behind his desk, looking down at the contract she had presented to him.
Visually he was a vague blob of bright reds and greens and glimmering metal to her attenuated vision, but to her real senses he was the same towering cloud of decadence she had always known him as. The endless clinking of coin mingled with joyful laughter; the scent of rich and fattening foods and mind altering elixirs of the highest quality drifted in the air. Rich silk, jade and gems, a thousand other luxuries and pleasures sparkled and tempted.
But for one barely discernible instant, the noise and furor had stilled, shock had overtaken the overbearing presence that was her brother. Bao Qingling's expression remained a blank mask, but on the inside? Yes, it was impossible to suppress a little satisfaction.
"This is a remarkable achievement, Little Qing," Bao Quan said. He sounded so pleased she might have even thought him truly happy for her, if she was not familiar with her own clans ways. "The Bai so rarely choose to deal with outsiders to such an extent. How in the world did you acquire such a good relation with this young miss?"
Bao Qingling very carefully did not think of certain thing, but instead focused her surface thoughts upon their joint projects. "We have a number of hobbies in common, which has allowed me to forge a personal connection. Having interacted with Bai Meizhen at length. I believe I can confirm the rumors of the Lady Suzhen's faction seeking wider ties in the Empire."
"Wonderful," Bao Quan chuckled. She was sure he was stroking his beard with those fat jewel studded fingers of his. Hopefully she could escape this meeting without her hair being ruffled by them. "Exchange and prosperity bind people together, and lower strife. I am sure even Father will be pleased by this Little Qing. I will approve this contract right away. Do you require any start up funds?"
It galled her a little that she did in fact, need some financial aid. Her projects were well compensated by the Sect, but she had always sought interesting projects over the most profitable ones. She bowed stiffly, clasping her hands in front of her. "If my elder brother would be so kind, some eighty green spirit stones will allow a smooth beginning of operations. The salary for guards, procuring certain reagents, the cost of spacial rings and containers rated for higher quality items, pill furnaces which could withstand the intense toxicity of some of the ingredients she would be working with, these things all added up.
"A trifle, I shall provide from my own fortune, and we need not bother the wider clan," Bao Quan said cheerfully. Objectively it was a fortune she asked for, Bao Qingling knew, enough to empty the coffers of a lesser clan. But, they were Bao. "And it will give me an excuse to talk with my dear little sister more often."
Bao Qingling put on a smile, it was more practiced than it used to be, but she had no doubt that most would tell her it was more of a grimace. "Thank you very much, Elder Brother, I will not disappoint the clan."
"You won't," he sounded thoughtful and perhaps a little melancholy. She was uncertain what angle he was pursuing with that tone, but her Elder Brother had always gone over the top with his projection of affection. "Little Qing, it has been a long time since you have visited home. The Seven Suns feast is coming in a few months, would you care to return? I can easily arrange transport."
So that was it, Bao Qingling knew there would be at least one string attached here. The thought of returning to the gleaming halls of the clan, surrounded by masks and noise and brightness made her stomach turn. That it would mean giving up some of the limited time remaining with Meizhen at the Sect was merely a bitter addition. "I will attend, if Elder Brother thinks it important."
He was silent, a beat longer than was polite. Bao Qingling grimaced, she simply was not capable of mustering the appropriate enthusiasm. A break in the little game of etiquette.
"No, just a whim. You have a profitable venture to set up, Little Qing. I'd rather not get in your way," Bao Quan chuckled.
"Thank you for your understanding Elder Brother," this time her bow was a little less stiff. He must have rethought and considered the damage she would likely do among their cousins with her presence. Best for everyone that the defective daughter of the clan head be kept out of sight.
"No worries," Bao Quan said thoughtfully, drumming his fingers on the desk, a sound like coins on stone. "You are happy here, are you not, Little Qing?"
Bao Qingling stared at him for a moment, brought up short by the non sequitur. "I find my current conditions satisfying."
She thought the shifting colors indicated a nod, and the door behind her drifted open, signalling that she could go.
The tournament seasons could not end fast enough.
Her aunt stood before her in the mirror, looking down at her with a hint of undisguised affection in her eyes. Bai Meizhen had rarely felt so honored.
"My niece," said Bai Suzhen, with a tiny acknowledging nod. Bai Meizhen felt the older woman's eyes sweeping over her no doubt taking in the imperceptible changes of a years cultivation and growth. "I have heard good things about your progress."
"I am humbled by such words," Bai Meizhen said, and it was no polite embellishment, to be praised by the one who she so looked up to left a warmth in her chest only rivalled by her more private moments with Qingling. "I have only strived to follow the words you left to me."
Bai Suzhen's eyes drifted half shut for a moment, and her thin lips quirked upward. "And yet, none of your cousin's have delivered to me reports of such good relations, and so few complaints. You had a word with young Xiao Fen about restraint?"
"Yes," Bai Meizhen agreed. "Please do not feel too harshly towards her. "The strange situation of the Sect is harsh for a Viper so loyal as she."
"A few insulted coin counters in the peaks is no issue," Bai Suzhen dismissed. "Particularly when you have established rapport with so many… worthies of the young generation, even leaving the heiress aside. You have surprised me however, with this contract you have proposed."
Bai Meizhen straightened up, making her expression businesslike. "Despite their inclinations the Bao remain one of the largest players in the Emerald Seas, particularly with the soft boycotting measures in place under the Meng."
"I am glad to know that you have investigated that matter," Bai Suzhen said warmly. "Still it is not done for a Bai to rely on an outside contractor. Some would say that worrying over cost and efficiency ahead of the superlative quality of the clan's resources is an insult."
"But I do not believe you would say that, Aunt," Bai Meizhen replied without pause.
"You are as ever an exceptional niece," Bai Suzhen said. "Yes, normalizing outside contracting is important. I commend you. Simply be aware of the knives which are being measured for you."
"Always Aunt Suzhen," Bai Meizhen replied, dipping her head. Although, she wondered, would it truly be a terrible thing not to return to the Lakes? A scandalous thought, but what was there for her? Compared to here, with her prestigious apprenticeship, her friends and her lover?
Bai Suzhen looked at her with a slightly troubled expression. "...Bai Meizhen, know that the intrigues of our cousins will come under control soon enough. I look forward to walking with you on the shores of Lake Hei one day."
Bai Meizhen flushed, it was no shame to be read so easily by a cultivator as mighty as her aunt but it was shameful to allow embarrassing thoughts to the surface. "Of course, Aunt Suzhen. I meant no insult, it is only that I have built so much here in the time I have had."
Her Aunt sighed. "It is easy to forget how long two years is to a girl of your age. I meant no chastisement. In the end… in the clan of our future, it will be necessary that some Bai must come to live amongst others in the longer term."
Left unsaid was the faint discomfort with that even her Aunt felt. Bai Meizhen felt like she should agree and understand but… did she really feel such any longer?
"But that is enough serious business for now," Bai Suzhen dismissed crisply. "I have cleared thirty minutes of my schedule today. I would like to hear of your years ventures from your own mouth, not mere paper. My handmaiden will have prepared you tea and refreshments. So come, sit and tell your aunt of your days. I have a particular interest in your business partner and her character."
"Thank you Aunt Suzhen," Bai Meizhen said. Indeed in the corner of the room, the murderous shadow of her aunt's black viper, tone of the most terrifying of their number in all the province, loomed over a wheeled tray brimming with the finest tea and sweets in the Thousand Lakes, some still twitching even.
It was terribly ridiculous, and she hid her smile behind her sleeve as she found a seat before the mirror. "I suppose it began with my desire to indulge my hobby in alchemy…"
Visually he was a vague blob of bright reds and greens and glimmering metal to her attenuated vision, but to her real senses he was the same towering cloud of decadence she had always known him as. The endless clinking of coin mingled with joyful laughter; the scent of rich and fattening foods and mind altering elixirs of the highest quality drifted in the air. Rich silk, jade and gems, a thousand other luxuries and pleasures sparkled and tempted.
But for one barely discernible instant, the noise and furor had stilled, shock had overtaken the overbearing presence that was her brother. Bao Qingling's expression remained a blank mask, but on the inside? Yes, it was impossible to suppress a little satisfaction.
"This is a remarkable achievement, Little Qing," Bao Quan said. He sounded so pleased she might have even thought him truly happy for her, if she was not familiar with her own clans ways. "The Bai so rarely choose to deal with outsiders to such an extent. How in the world did you acquire such a good relation with this young miss?"
Bao Qingling very carefully did not think of certain thing, but instead focused her surface thoughts upon their joint projects. "We have a number of hobbies in common, which has allowed me to forge a personal connection. Having interacted with Bai Meizhen at length. I believe I can confirm the rumors of the Lady Suzhen's faction seeking wider ties in the Empire."
"Wonderful," Bao Quan chuckled. She was sure he was stroking his beard with those fat jewel studded fingers of his. Hopefully she could escape this meeting without her hair being ruffled by them. "Exchange and prosperity bind people together, and lower strife. I am sure even Father will be pleased by this Little Qing. I will approve this contract right away. Do you require any start up funds?"
It galled her a little that she did in fact, need some financial aid. Her projects were well compensated by the Sect, but she had always sought interesting projects over the most profitable ones. She bowed stiffly, clasping her hands in front of her. "If my elder brother would be so kind, some eighty green spirit stones will allow a smooth beginning of operations. The salary for guards, procuring certain reagents, the cost of spacial rings and containers rated for higher quality items, pill furnaces which could withstand the intense toxicity of some of the ingredients she would be working with, these things all added up.
"A trifle, I shall provide from my own fortune, and we need not bother the wider clan," Bao Quan said cheerfully. Objectively it was a fortune she asked for, Bao Qingling knew, enough to empty the coffers of a lesser clan. But, they were Bao. "And it will give me an excuse to talk with my dear little sister more often."
Bao Qingling put on a smile, it was more practiced than it used to be, but she had no doubt that most would tell her it was more of a grimace. "Thank you very much, Elder Brother, I will not disappoint the clan."
"You won't," he sounded thoughtful and perhaps a little melancholy. She was uncertain what angle he was pursuing with that tone, but her Elder Brother had always gone over the top with his projection of affection. "Little Qing, it has been a long time since you have visited home. The Seven Suns feast is coming in a few months, would you care to return? I can easily arrange transport."
So that was it, Bao Qingling knew there would be at least one string attached here. The thought of returning to the gleaming halls of the clan, surrounded by masks and noise and brightness made her stomach turn. That it would mean giving up some of the limited time remaining with Meizhen at the Sect was merely a bitter addition. "I will attend, if Elder Brother thinks it important."
He was silent, a beat longer than was polite. Bao Qingling grimaced, she simply was not capable of mustering the appropriate enthusiasm. A break in the little game of etiquette.
"No, just a whim. You have a profitable venture to set up, Little Qing. I'd rather not get in your way," Bao Quan chuckled.
"Thank you for your understanding Elder Brother," this time her bow was a little less stiff. He must have rethought and considered the damage she would likely do among their cousins with her presence. Best for everyone that the defective daughter of the clan head be kept out of sight.
"No worries," Bao Quan said thoughtfully, drumming his fingers on the desk, a sound like coins on stone. "You are happy here, are you not, Little Qing?"
Bao Qingling stared at him for a moment, brought up short by the non sequitur. "I find my current conditions satisfying."
She thought the shifting colors indicated a nod, and the door behind her drifted open, signalling that she could go.
The tournament seasons could not end fast enough.
***
"Aunt Suzhen," Bai Meizhen said, bowing low before the full-length mirror placed carefully on the thick carpet in front of her. A resplendent device, it's frame was a single piece of contiguous jade, ethereal and white, carved into intertwining serpentine bodies.Her aunt stood before her in the mirror, looking down at her with a hint of undisguised affection in her eyes. Bai Meizhen had rarely felt so honored.
"My niece," said Bai Suzhen, with a tiny acknowledging nod. Bai Meizhen felt the older woman's eyes sweeping over her no doubt taking in the imperceptible changes of a years cultivation and growth. "I have heard good things about your progress."
"I am humbled by such words," Bai Meizhen said, and it was no polite embellishment, to be praised by the one who she so looked up to left a warmth in her chest only rivalled by her more private moments with Qingling. "I have only strived to follow the words you left to me."
Bai Suzhen's eyes drifted half shut for a moment, and her thin lips quirked upward. "And yet, none of your cousin's have delivered to me reports of such good relations, and so few complaints. You had a word with young Xiao Fen about restraint?"
"Yes," Bai Meizhen agreed. "Please do not feel too harshly towards her. "The strange situation of the Sect is harsh for a Viper so loyal as she."
"A few insulted coin counters in the peaks is no issue," Bai Suzhen dismissed. "Particularly when you have established rapport with so many… worthies of the young generation, even leaving the heiress aside. You have surprised me however, with this contract you have proposed."
Bai Meizhen straightened up, making her expression businesslike. "Despite their inclinations the Bao remain one of the largest players in the Emerald Seas, particularly with the soft boycotting measures in place under the Meng."
"I am glad to know that you have investigated that matter," Bai Suzhen said warmly. "Still it is not done for a Bai to rely on an outside contractor. Some would say that worrying over cost and efficiency ahead of the superlative quality of the clan's resources is an insult."
"But I do not believe you would say that, Aunt," Bai Meizhen replied without pause.
"You are as ever an exceptional niece," Bai Suzhen said. "Yes, normalizing outside contracting is important. I commend you. Simply be aware of the knives which are being measured for you."
"Always Aunt Suzhen," Bai Meizhen replied, dipping her head. Although, she wondered, would it truly be a terrible thing not to return to the Lakes? A scandalous thought, but what was there for her? Compared to here, with her prestigious apprenticeship, her friends and her lover?
Bai Suzhen looked at her with a slightly troubled expression. "...Bai Meizhen, know that the intrigues of our cousins will come under control soon enough. I look forward to walking with you on the shores of Lake Hei one day."
Bai Meizhen flushed, it was no shame to be read so easily by a cultivator as mighty as her aunt but it was shameful to allow embarrassing thoughts to the surface. "Of course, Aunt Suzhen. I meant no insult, it is only that I have built so much here in the time I have had."
Her Aunt sighed. "It is easy to forget how long two years is to a girl of your age. I meant no chastisement. In the end… in the clan of our future, it will be necessary that some Bai must come to live amongst others in the longer term."
Left unsaid was the faint discomfort with that even her Aunt felt. Bai Meizhen felt like she should agree and understand but… did she really feel such any longer?
"But that is enough serious business for now," Bai Suzhen dismissed crisply. "I have cleared thirty minutes of my schedule today. I would like to hear of your years ventures from your own mouth, not mere paper. My handmaiden will have prepared you tea and refreshments. So come, sit and tell your aunt of your days. I have a particular interest in your business partner and her character."
"Thank you Aunt Suzhen," Bai Meizhen said. Indeed in the corner of the room, the murderous shadow of her aunt's black viper, tone of the most terrifying of their number in all the province, loomed over a wheeled tray brimming with the finest tea and sweets in the Thousand Lakes, some still twitching even.
It was terribly ridiculous, and she hid her smile behind her sleeve as she found a seat before the mirror. "I suppose it began with my desire to indulge my hobby in alchemy…"
Sigh.
I think Qingling is being rather uncharitable, here. It seems to me that Quan has, over time, developed many tools for being pleasing to those he's making contracts with - but those tools serve him poorly when dealing with Qingling, and while he's at least somewhat aware of that, being aware isn't the same as having tools suitable for purpose.
I think Quan and Suzhen are both facing the reality that their little swans won't forget being scorned as ugly ducklings by their peers and be happy at the idea of returning to visit the duck pond - even if it is to set a new pecking order.
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
Yeah, obviously this is a misread, Quan is looking out for her and rescinding the invitation that politeness demands she accept.
The way Qingling is interpreting Quan's words and invitations reminds me a lot of how she was desperately trying to rationalize Meizhen's interest in her before they started dating.
From I can tell, Quan genuinely cares for her little sister and wants her to be happy and fullfilled, even if he tries some somewhat misguided attempts to bring Qingling back to the Bao family itself as well as their ways.
Qingling is being a bit too cynical. Would it truly so bad to reconnect with her family? Though I might have a biased view, as we only know Quan and Qian, who are both great. The rest of her family, specially her parents and female cousins, seem terrible.
Meizhen is truly adorable. If she is so happy of being praised so, how will she react when Suzhen announces her intention of adopting her. Luckily, she will have her doctor girlfriend nearby to resuscitate her.
Finally, "The Seven Suns feast". Does anyone else think that Bao Qian may invite us to this? Will we have the option to vote it into a plan in a couple months?
I'm all for furthering our ties with the Bao, but this could may us look even more as his unofficial fiance.
I'm not sure we want to go down that path yet.
From I can tell, Quan genuinely cares for her little sister and wants her to be happy and fullfilled, even if he tries some somewhat misguided attempts to bring Qingling back to the Bao family itself as well as their ways.
Qingling is being a bit too cynical. Would it truly so bad to reconnect with her family? Though I might have a biased view, as we only know Quan and Qian, who are both great. The rest of her family, specially her parents and female cousins, seem terrible.
Meizhen is truly adorable. If she is so happy of being praised so, how will she react when Suzhen announces her intention of adopting her. Luckily, she will have her doctor girlfriend nearby to resuscitate her.
Finally, "The Seven Suns feast". Does anyone else think that Bao Qian may invite us to this? Will we have the option to vote it into a plan in a couple months?
I'm all for furthering our ties with the Bao, but this could may us look even more as his unofficial fiance.
I'm not sure we want to go down that path yet.
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ImperatorV
The Laughing One
- Location
- The Voyaging Realm
Quan: It'd be nice if my sister would come home for the holidays...
Quingling: Ick Ick Ick.
Quan: On second thought, nevermind.
Quingling: Clearly, he must be PLOTTING!
Quingling: Ick Ick Ick.
Quan: On second thought, nevermind.
Quingling: Clearly, he must be PLOTTING!
Unfortunately there's not really any resources for "helping your autistic niece thrive in trader and court politics" in the emerald seas.
Considering that she'd have absolutely zero support or understanding when dealing with her issues (for a variety of reasons, including nobody around her knowing what she needs and her being incapable of communicating what she needs) yes it would be that bad lol.
Considering that she'd have absolutely zero support or understanding when dealing with her issues (for a variety of reasons, including nobody around her knowing what she needs and her being incapable of communicating what she needs) yes it would be that bad lol.