35 Paoxiao's Worry and Nastasia's Plan

Paoxiao was sitting in the branches of a tree nearby to Nastasia's room. His shoulders were slumped and his lips were drawn down into a drooping frown. He let out a heavy, suffering sigh; he was depressed.

It had been two months since he had finally gotten beyond the gate. Even though it wasn't in a way he would have liked, Li Yu Rong did not entirely restrict his movements. He had been allowed to walk around the town so long as he hid his appearance and held to certain rules: to avoid confrontation, to not use his abilities, and to not act outside of human norms.

Visiting the town several times, on both business and leisure, he had taken the time to ask around hoping to find information pertaining to his sister. When he mentioned that he was looking for a demon it was difficult to find a person who was willing to speak. Those that were willing, after he had explained her appearance, had shaken their heads murmuring, "haven't seen, haven't seen," before hurriedly walking away.

While Paoxiao had been extremely disappointed with his progress so far, he also found it acceptable. Humans did not live long. His sister had been taken a bit more than fifty years ago. Although the gate had been without a guardian at that time, he was young and weak that he had been forbidden by the elders to follow in pursuit.

When he finally won the elders' approval with his great strength, the gate suddenly gained a new guardian. Paoxiao, after seeing the young Li Yu Rong that should have still been in his mother's embrace, could not bring himself to be heavy-handed against the child. While he continued his weak attempts at trying to go through the gate, Li Yu Rong suddenly became such a strong opponent.

No matter what attempts Paoxiao made to get beyond the gate, that one crimson-eyed guy managed to thwart him at every turn. It was frustrating.

Yet, now that he had finally managed one of his deepest desires -all though not in the way he intended- he was still as helpless as before. Where should he begin, what should he do? Now that one problem had been solved, this even larger problem cropped up.

Paoxiao did not fear that his sister had already passed. How could one as bright and strong as his dear older sister allow herself to die, even if she was forced into this unknown realm? She was alive and waiting for him to come and find her. He may have failed her when that horrifying man had come to steal her away, but he was stronger now.

He could save her now. When found her, he would never let anyone harm her ever again!

"Paoxiao?"

Looking down at the girl that reminded him so much of his sister, Paoxiao attempted a smile despite his overwhelming sense of sadness. "Hn?" He managed to get out.

Seeing that broken smile directed at her pierced Nastasia's heart. "What's wrong?" She asked; good-natured concern tinged the question.

At first, Paoxiao had intended to shake his head and say that it was nothing. However, as he looked at her face drawn up into a worried frown and eyes sparkling with sincerity, he hopped from his branch high up in the tree. He sat down at its base, leaning against the trunk, as he decided to confide in her.

There was something very comforting about being in her presence. It was like the energy in his body calmed and felt at peace. If he could idle his days away like this, it might not be so bad.

"I was just thinking about my sister."

Frowning even further, Nastasia asked as her eyes narrowed in a sort of not understanding, confusion. "Li Yu Rong not you see her?" She did not believe that Li Yu Rong would keep a family apart, but Paoxiao was always around this Palace of the Four Gates -as she recently learned this estate was called- and rarely left. It could be possible that, due to his duties, he was not permitted to leave often for personal things.

"Will Li Yu Rong not let you see her." Paoxiao corrected, and then shook his head. "That's not it. I'm looking for her, she was taken from me when I was little, but I haven't been able to find her yet. So I'm just a bit sad." He told her honestly.

Eyes brightening, Nastasia declared. "I will help you find her." She had been wanting to do something for Paoxiao as he was always helping her with one thing or another, but she could never think of what could possibly be a good repayment.

Reaching into the sash around her robe she pulled out a folded piece of paper. "I have plan," she said, "I also need to find him." Unfolding the paper, she showed him the likeness of the man she drew after meeting him at the palace. "He speaks the same as me. He know how I can go home, maybe."

Paoxiao would have corrected her words, but the face staring back at him froze his veins solid. He was finding it difficult to breathe. Carefully, he asked. "Where did you see him?"

As she was thinking of how to explain her plan to Paoxiao properly, she did not notice the abnormality rising in him. "At the palace."

At the palace! She had run into him at the palace while he was there. His fingers trembled as he resisted the urge to rip up the image in her hands. Such hatred burned in him as he tried to suppress it, along with a chilling fear. He could never forget this face. It was burned into his retina, this horrifying man that had one day come and ripped his sister from him.

Why had that man come into contact with Nastasia? What was his aim? The thought that she could become like his sister was a very unwelcome one. Therefore, he asked. "What do you mean that you have a plan?" Then at her confused expression, he simplified his words. "What is your plan?"

Her smile was one that said she was quite proud of herself. This plan of hers was one she had gotten from the many books she's read. In all the stories centered around a past-like backdrop, be it fantasy or otherwise, when one wanted to gather information one would go to an inn or a restaurant.

Nastasia, however, figured that such establishments were probably pretty commonplace here. So, she wanted to create a unique shop that would attract a large crowd, brimming with curiosity. For the attendants of the shop, she would try to find those good at collecting and recording information. Or perhaps one who was a sweet-talker and one to listen and record secretly on the side.

As she didn't know quite yet what she wanted to do without first seeing the types of establishments around the town, she instead said. "I don't know. I go to town then I know." She told him. Reaching into her sash she again pulled out a paper. On it was the designs she had worked hard at to disguise her appearance.

Before Li Yu Rong had brought it up, she already understood that her features were vastly different from the people around her. Considering the reactions of the people, they had never seen a person like her and that frightened them. Frightened people do stupid things, so it was better to hide what made her different for now.

Thus Nastasia had already spent a few days on making a design for a wig and contacts that would be easy for Paoxiao to understand. The contacts might not be doable, but the wig should work out just fine. If it came down to it, she could wear one of those hat-veil things she had seen on a couple of the women at the palace.

Handing over the designs, Nastasia asked. "Can you make these?"

Looking over the designs he frowned a bit over the strange circular thing. "I don't know if I can do this one," Paoxiao said as he pointed toward the contacts, "but I'll give it a try. I'm sorry if it doesn't work."

Shaking her head with a smile, Nastasia waved off his apology. "It okay. If it don't work, I have more plan. Li Yu Rong will still say okay to go."

Though she knew that it might not work, Nastasia still watched Paoxiao in anticipation of the result. He looked over the design carefully, taking it in and trying to understand it to the best of his ability. Once he was sure that he had a proper idea, Paoxiao held out his hand and first tried to recreate the drawing of the circular thing placed out before him.

Ah, the first attempt failed.