Let's talk about... Domains. Here's Ling Qi's in its capacity for direct material influence in events at the moment:
Domain Effect: Allies in a scene with whom Ling Qi has at least four ranks of positive relation receive a one rank bonus to Spiritual Avoid, Armor and Combat Perception(Boosted Rank cannot exceed Ling Qi's), So long as at least one such ally is in the scene with Ling Qi she receives a half rank bonus to resisting or avoiding effects which would induce immobility or helplessness. In addition, when within a space Ling Qi considers to be 'hers' she receives a half rank bonus to Social Perception.
This suggests to me some interesting dynamics with how it might interact with the coming scene. Currently, neither Zeqing nor Hanyi qualify for any of these effects. hanyi doesn't even have an official rating at all, though I assume that's mostly from lack of relevance; I'd tentatively put it at a 2. Zeqing is at 3 and the kind of event that it is has so far resulted in increases, so she could very well hit 4 during the chase and have bonuses kick in, the ones for avoiding immobility or helpessness being quite useful. Not that the numbers really mean much besides being a shorthand for more relevant factors, where the question looms: is Zeqing an
ally in Ling Qi's mind, in this scene?
I would argue that she is. Ling Qi set this event off
for Zeqing's benefit. Zeqing who, though Ling Qi is fond of Hanyi, it is that she is taking on the risks for. It's not her only motive. She's
also trying to help Hanyi, but helping Hanyi also helps Zeqing. It's also resolving to meet Ling Qi's own resolutions and face danger for the sake of those she cares about, but that obviously requires that her motivation primarily be about assisting Zeqing. The Winter's Muse is the fulcrum to the coming sequence, and she remains a friend, a mentor, and I would argue "ally" as far as Ling Qi's Domain cares.
So it's interesting that the effects of the Domain will manifest themselves in evading the grasp of the ally she seeks to help, while she safeguards a person who yet falls short from her Way's aegis. The Domain
could apply to Hanyi, via two rationales that I can see at the moment, but I wouldn't hold my breath. There's no pressing necessity for Ling Qi's Domain to cover Hanyi for the scene, after all.
The first is that the event's context and visceral responsibility Ling Qi feels, both in meddling to kick it off and the very real mortal peril faced, simply catapults Hanyi to the appropriate stratum of emotional intimacy. It's plausible, but a bit cliche and, well, I don't think the fundamentals are in place for
Hanyi's side of the relationship to justify making that leap. Besides, it stifles room for further bonding(and monopolization of our social link votes).
The second possibility is that Qi's Domain shelters Hanyi out of
vicarious regard for the needs of Zeqing, operating under the logic that shielding Hanyi from Zeqing's meltdown protects Zeqing herself. This is the more
interesting possibility because it should still require mutual emotional intimacy, but if Ling Qi is operating through the Zeqing-centric rationale, then so could Hanyi, and there's a recent angle that makes it kind of workable: Harmony of the Dancing Wind. A music perception art that examines the connections between people is the kind of tool that might plausibly allow for such a fleeting vicarious connection in extenuating circumstances. It plays looser with the mechanical side of things, arguably, but narrative supremacy is a thing,
the thing really, and of the two it doesn't leave a lasting bond gain hanging around awkwardly high. Even without Domain shenanigans, Harmony could be good for keeping Hanyi safe. Hmm. And if our hands are occupied, we have to sing. Vocals breakthrough pls.
In any case, piggy back rides are cool and it feels in Ling Qi's character to take on a more direct supportive and protective tactic considering the situation's urgency. This should be a lot easier moving forwards if we manage to gain her confidence anyway, and it's not really the time to not have confidence in our persuasive chops. Succeed or fail, it's good to make the attempt forthrightly. Also, carrying Hanyi should emphasize the importance of training Strength, which is my secret ulterior motive.
