Late Night

-Thank you so much... That really helped a lot!- -It's fine, just don't practice alone anymore you might get some bad habit difficult to fix... Or hurt again- he says pointing at my hand

-I suppose you are right...- I sigh throwing away the branch I was using as a sword

-It's way to late...- he comments looking at the moon reflecting in his eyes... Now that I notice he's actually very beautiful... -... I'm sure you do not need my help but could I accompain you back? I feel bad leaving you to walk alone this much tired-

-I don't mind- I say stopping a little looking behind toward him...

-So... Miss soldier, how is your schedule like?- -Oh... Really exciting... Waking up at dawn for some individual training... Trying over and over martial art poses with some fake duels... Finally a piece of bread to eat... More boring training with some weapons... Lunch... Studying and reciting rules all afternoon to then end up climbing a mountain, bathe, eat and sleep to start all over again the day after...

Except for these days were we come here for the choreography...-

-Sounds exciting...-

-As much as a funeral... Maybe once it was cool but now... Ah... I feel so useless, I just want to go on the battlefield and do my part...

But what about you?-

-Oh... Mine is really amazing... Placing a straw mat on some random floor of any city I end in... Dance all day hoping to get enough money to buy a steamed bun... Get back my mat and sleep...

If I'm lucky from time to time I get called in some teahouse for a more fancier event-

-I suppose we both have our own cages then...-

-What do you mean? Aren't you doing something out of the ordinary?-

-Yeah and I'm really grateful for that... But being a Noble and a woman still make a lot of difference...

I really have to work hard to gain something out there...

And im thinking this will only remain just a training for then being sent back home for some kind of made up marriage...-

-I understand... By you do not seems someone who let other decide for her... Won't you oppose to such a "destiny"?-

-I'm trying... Once I wouldn't to be honest... But it's not like I can run to the battlefield without permission...-

-Why not? If you really want that who can stop you? Even just one single person can make the difference-

-You remind me of my friend a lot...- I chuckle to myself -I promise that I will do my best to protect as many peoples as I can... But not everything is possible to us humans...-

-What if you weren't?-

-Excuse me what?- I blink twice

-If you had some more power... That would be amazing... Nobody would try to rule you-

-Mhn... Yeah that would be amazing...

If only I could managed to cultivate decently...- I murmur to myself

-Oh we have arrived... I shall thank you for all that you did today-

-It's fine- he replies still with cold voice and no smile at all

-I'll be going back then... You take care, I'll see you tomorrow-

-I'll look forward for your improvement- he wave going away

-You are way too late "young Miss"- scold me Hua with his hands on his hips as I sneak into our room...

-Uhm... I actually stayed more to practice...- I turn to him slowly closing the door behind me

-As if I haven't seen you running to that dancer!-

-Shh they are asleep don't yell at this hour...- he grabs my arm dragging me to the bed...

-Listen... Fine, whatever it is it's fine just be careful and try not to get to much attention...-

-Are you seriously telling me that...? Anyway, he just helped me practice for real don't get us wrong...-

-As if that isn't the oldest excuse ever...- he stares with half closed eyes...

-Fine let me tell you the truth... Don't you dare say a word in front of Dong or my days here are done...

I ended up hurting myself while practicing alone and he found out so he offered to help me fix my posture etc...

I cannot afford to hurt myself nor to show any scar on a Royal wedding...

Now can u sleep please?-

-Is that so? Uff I was already getting ready to be a jealous brother... You're so booooring Lai'Er!- he throw himself on the bed

-Why don't you let me be scold you sometimes but it's always the other way around ah... And I'm the oldest one!-

-I'll pretend I haven't heard...- I reply getting ready to bed

-But still... Just in case you remember being human or notice how handsome he is... Be careful... Actually be careful anyway... You're too cold it might scare him forever haha-

-Just go to sleep you idiot...- I frown digging my fave in the pillow

-Sure... Killjoy-

...

-So about your hearing...-

-Have you discovered anything?- I rush to ask

-I'm afraid not...

It seems like you hear some kind of training or battlefield, you do indeed have a strong sense and control for those arts afterall... The Qi movements are yet to be fully understood but I wouldn't exclude that what you hear has some connection to that...

In books it is said that Qi wielding Masters could resonate with one distinct element, according to what was prominent in them, even if only for a limited short of time.

Maybe this is the case, even if it's not an element but... The essence of Qi is energy flows, so it means feeling something, control it and be together as one-

-How is this going to affect me?-

-I don't know yet... I'll have to do more studies.

I don't know much about this, normally it is always related to pure energy, elements and equilibrium... Not war-

-I understand... Then I shall do my best to find out more too- I say seating down to cultivate...

...

-Where have you disappeared yesterday? I wasted my time waiting for you- asks Dong with crossed arms by the entrance of our Dormitory

-And who asked you to wait in the first place? We don't own anything to eachother-

-We have a schedule... You cannot go around messing it up only because you feel better than the others-

-Then let's make this simple... I got given a job and I'm willing to do it perfectly, no matter what it takes.

So do not wait for me anymore, I'll be staying to practice more everyday... And for anything else, if not required, we do not need to stick together-

-Are you really just practicing or maybe breaking some rule?-

-What's this now? Ha! Aren't you acting like a jealous wife or what?- I laugh before pointing my finger on his chest -Let me tell you something...

Only because you, in your own brain, consider me your rival in life... Doesn't mean that I own you any special attention, so stop sticking your nose in my life so much-

-You talk like a kid-

-Whatever-