There's some interesting stuff going on in this update, with -I
think- yrsillar setting up Ling Qi exploring her Boundaries formation stuff under Meng Duyi's supervision, down the line.
But before that, our cute son:
"Mmm, Gui thinks it would be okay if Miss Snowblossom was more energetic, Sister or Gui could calm her down."
"Her serene elegance is fine as it is, so says, I, Zhen."
This exchange is a bit interesting. It could be viewed as each half of Zhengui's self showing interest in complimentary opposites. The relatively placid Gui valuing a partner which is more active, and the comparatively more passionate Zhen appreciating a more peaceful demeanor. This is interesting for two reasons. One, it kind of replicates Zhengui's internal dynamic of complementary differences, only with an external entity. Two,
because of Zhengui's dual nature, he can develop similar dynamics with a truly wide cross section of beings, since he has unusually distinct aspects to put out there.
Which sounds like chaotic fun we can look forward to. Also gives some hints how future offspring might look, with their natures rooted in that kind of cooperative opposition.
The lights on the shore of Shenglu glittered in the dusktime mist like a swarm of fireflies, and their reflection danced on the serene surface of the lake. The Mist billowed out from the waterfall and the city center alike, shrouding the shore and etending its fingers out over the lake. The Sun rested on the horizon, dull and red, and the moon hung in the sky, full and heavy, its silvery surface twinned out in the lkes center.
Back to the ritual, it starts out with some interesting aspects right off the back.
Ling Qi picked dusk as the time of day. As the transition between day and night, dusk symbolizes change. Of the two daily transitions, it's the one where the moon is coming into its fuller prominence. The moon also has strong connotations of change, especially for Ling Qi and her particular brand of lunar cultivation. These elements of "change" symbolism are appropriate, considering that the purpose of the ritual was to adjust the relationship with Snowblossom, in this case deepening it.
Touching on reflection is also something we'll see again.
Edit: dusk being a boundary time between day and night can also be viewed as evoking the division/distinction between things more broadly, and meditation on the point where two things meet: the Boundary between them.
It was fine. She could add decor and elegance on her own, until their craftsmen had time to catch up. Ice bloomed along the sides the barge, patterns like rippling water and darting fish spread across the wood, some painted and carved, others a glittering mix of ice and dream, and behind her, under a a pavillion covering was an altar, on carved from rich qi rich wood, and the other cut from stone. One to remain here, one to be sunk to the lake bottom, a mirror on the surface and at the bed for great ceremonies such as this.
Here, I think, we see two approaches to a Boundary that's being defined. The Boundary between the world of water and the world of land.
The more obvious one is the sympathetic mirroring in the altars. You create a matching pair of something, one for each side of the division, to facilitate communication/effects between the two, across that barrier.
The second is a bit more subtle and relates to the decorations. They're aquatic themed, which naturally appeals to a lake spirit, but I think there's also the symbolism of man-made decoration being in the form of things that belong beneath the surface. It bridges the differences, blurs the default "natural" distinctions between the two realms.
They were both dressed in robes that took on hues of blue, layered and embroidered to resemble gentle ripples and flowing currents, Plain for now to allow addition or adjustment later. Each bore a treated wooden torch in one hand, held on the side facing the outer edge of the boat. The reagents applied to the burning ends made the torches burn a pale and ghostly blue.
This continues that pattern. The garb of the priests, and even the man-thing of tamed fire is at least dyed in the colours of the waters.
Especially as distance began to stretch, as the sight of the swarm of flickering firefly lights began to distort and dance behind them, the shore seeming to grow further away far faster than their boat was moving. The air rippled, and Ling Qi tasted lakewater on her tongue. Her qi flared, and she wrapped their little boat in her own spirit as easily as breathing. Carefully balanced, not to challenge or push against the powerful spirit, a net to filter not a blade to strike or a shield to defy.
And so when the world rippled and they sailed on now through rippling lakewater, through a copse of water weed whose strands stretched far out of sight above and below, her companions did not drown, though the both of them shivered, no doubt tasting cold moisture in the dense and cloying air that was left inside the thin veil she had made. Their boat sailed on, a tiny marble of pale mist in the depths of the lake.
Here we see the more literal manifestation of the ritual's design elements kick in. The distinction between the surface and waters blurs, the ship and its occupants floating into the depths themselves. Though not entirely physically, is my read. Man gets brought into alignment with the spiritual, and the spirit nudged awake to mortal frames of reference, so that the two sides might bargain.
The whole thing relies on a tacit acknowledgement of there being a typical separation, which can and will be returned to, which is diminished for the purpose and duration of the rite at hand. Boundaries defined and trespassed for the betterment of both parties. It's neat!
