Yrsillar Wrote:"Our honored guest Sir Lin asked not to be disturbed, and the sensation emerged from the chamber… No one has dared check in further," said a man who she was quite sure was the manor's majordomo under Renxiang, and whose name she really should learn. He wore simple white robes lined in the Cai's crimson, and he bowed to her with exacting precision, awaiting her response.

Ling Qi observed the dense dark qi which shrouded the room like a bubble, containing the rose gold dawn that was Lin Hai almost completely. Her teacher was very forward, and not a little inconsiderate.

"I will take care of all matters of hospitality here. The other guest is merely our other security, provided by the Duchess, greeting their brother disciple," Ling Qi replied. "If Lady Cai has not already been informed…"

"She is touring the preliminary construction by the lakeside," the man inserted helpfully into the pause she left.

"Then do send her a messenger informing her that her mother's disciples are present for a visit," Ling Qi finished.

"Thank you, Baroness Ling. This humble servant shall convey your words to the staff and to our lady."

Ling Qi could tell that the majordomo was somewhat annoyed with her for her mad dash through the manor, but he was far too professional to let it appear on his face or in his posture.

"Thank you for your prompt corralling of the rumors. Now, I will attend to our guests. Please convey my well wishes to the staff."

It wasn't done to outright apologize to the staff, at least not ones whose relationship to her was impersonal, but there were ways to convey the intent through the web of imperial etiquette.

He bowed once more and left her to it.

Ling Qi opened the meeting room door and stepped inside.

Shu Yue sat across from Lin Hai at the table, looking more human than they had at any point since the party they had been introduced at. The strange proportions of their limbs and the jagged spidery joints they had shown before were nowhere to be seen. Instead, their pale white face was an oval in a sea of black hair and robes that would nonetheless properly fit an extremely tall person.

TheInkredibleKaptainKaiju Wrote:BAINE's mission control begins to piece together the mystery of Echo's seeming insight into their plans.

tealruby Wrote:Not a letter for Green Lantern this time. Instead, it’s for Hermione Granger, as it’s her presence that is requested for a special ceremony happening this year.
“Plenty of notice! So no excuses you’re off naffing about on another bloody planet or whatever, got it?”

Yrsillar Wrote:"What is her name?"

"She does not have one just yet. I think it would be best for you to decide on it with her," Lin Hai said warmly.

Ling Qi closed her eyes, hand resting against cool smooth silk. She focused on the slow rippling eddies of dark qi from the awakened dress. It was as both air and water, light and flowing, tinged with the taste of metal, like the silver reflection of the moon above. Feeling that and the vibrant excitement that made that qi ripple with the eagerness to not only please Ling Qi, but to show off herself…

"Qiyi," Ling Qi decided, speaking the name aloud.

Lin Hai’s mouth dropped open.

Qiyi! Me! Best!

"She is quite beautiful, but is that name not a little…" Lin Hai trailed off, rubbing his forehead.

There was a rough sandpapery rasping sound, and Shu Yue's shoulders shook.

"Fine Silk, a fitting name for a partial sibling to Precious Turtle. You do hew close to your chosen theme." The unsettling rasping of the gangly shadow’s laughter whispered up from the darkness between floorboards like many voices.

"Shu Yue…" Lin Hai sighed. "Well, it is your choice, and she does seem happy with it."

Ling Qi tilted her chin up, unable to hide a smile. Honestly, it would be a lie to say she didn't somewhat enjoy the reactions to her naming sense at this point.

Yrsillar Wrote:"Do you see the wells? I, Zhen, have already made arrangements with Miss Snowblossom. There is much water under the earth, but much of it is filled with fire and poisonous to the mortals. This wise young lord saw to it that only clean reservoirs were pierced."

"Many forget that not all waters are sweet nor able to be cleansed with only an hour bubbling over a fire," Meng Duyi said agreeably, trailing at Zhengui's side. "Still waters especially are often poisonous in one way or another. It pleases me that this has been watched for. It shall make the mining in the region dangerous though, if there is truly so much fire under the earth."

"The stinky air that goes bang when there is a spark, yes," Gui grumbled.

Ling Qi grimaced despite herself, remembering their early experiments with creating gardens.

Meng Duyi stroked his beard. "It is not only the burning which is dangerous. When air stoked with fire ignites and burns itself out, a hollow is left. Emptiness rushes to be filled, and what once rested around and above will collapse inward. However, this is not as bad as a sustained burning under the earth, which may taint lands for generations. In the same way, land too saturated with water will sink all that rests upon it. One must be careful of the balance of elements beneath their foundations and in their soils. So, too, may opposite elements clash…"

"Miss Snowblossom is nice, even if Gui thinks she is a little clammy."

"Hold your insolent tongue, foolish Gui," Zhen hissed. "She has been most kind in showing us how to weave fire and water. Next, you will say Big Sister is bad because she is cold!"

"Big Sister is brisk! It is different!"