[Frictions]

The sky was completely clear. Endless horizons were visible, where different birds carried out their endless work.

It was a hot day, where the sun hung impeccably. The dew had long since evaporated, and the cycle was rolling.

Cycle understood by different people, infinitely variable in the equation. But fulfilling the same purpose: To live.

They did not live by breathing, but by fulfilling different tasks; because of different reasons, mundane, ephemeral or primordial.

Primary items for society, or ephemeral for it. Like the wheel, it rolled to a gradual effect.

Composed of different pieces, for its perfect state of completion.

"'Perfection'? Obviously it is the greatest virtue, that which is achieved through the homogeneous combination of different ones. It is the knowledge entrusted by different and respectable ancestors." A man with a clean face and neat beard said, while pointing at other men.

"You are wrong, since you do not flaunt it. If it were different, you would consider the countless different perspectives in this vast world." One of the men said with a face full of smugness. He stood upright and comfortable, with his chest exposed.

"Your own argument is..." Another of the men said until he was interrupted.

"You wise and intelligent people, all of you, are wrong! Perfection... It's supernatural." An old man commented with suspense.

"Perfection is his women. Voluptuous and seductive, they cause supernatural events in me!" The old man finished with a shrill laugh, while raising his greased arms madly.

"Forgive my partner for being vulgar and ignorant... It means that they move things without touching them." Another middle-aged man, who worked with the old man, shouted.

Such an event was only separated by a street. Through which a carriage rushed carelessly, its pace hurried.

Despite the anger of the intellectuals, they could only show modesty in front of the carriage.

"Have you seen? The carriage belonged to the Avens family. It's strange, they are usually modest and not so arrogant." Commented one of the intellectual's apprentices with the well-groomed beard.

"You're right". The 'master' limited himself to only two words for a sentence, due to the anger still burning in his gut.

In fact, the Avens family was renowned for their modesty despite their position. So, it was strange.

But their surprise was still ignorant, because they did not have the chance to recognize the member traveling in the carriage in question. Who was David Avens, the patriarch of the Avens family.

Prestigious and kind, was his public image.

He had recently been missing from the public and political eye. Only those closest to him were able to see him.

Therefore, the trip he made was also strange. The direction was clear as well as its position.

He was heading towards the Liu family mansion, as another meeting was being held involving his group of three: Fan Liu, Sifu and himself.

His hand was restless, tapping excessively on the padded seat. His worn nails...

Plurality.

When they finally arrived, the mansion had not changed. His image remained intact in his memories, but he did not pay attention to the details.

He was quickly redirected to the location set for the private meeting. This time, he didn't give the servant a chance, knocking on the door just once.

Which slowly opened. The other two individuals were already inside.

The two chatted despite the new presence. Sifu was smiling, as he joined his two hands.

Fan Liu was chatting animatedly, his voice deep as he discussed various topics.

David had to pretend to cough, to say hello. With a fake smile, he offered his only hand in a fleeting greeting.

To this, one reacted surprised and the other naturally. One greeted astonished and the other, with both hands.

"Fan, Sifu; I hope it doesn't go against your interests to sit down and discuss." David said dryly, his voice raspy. As he sat down without showing any manners.

"Dear friend... What has happened to you?" Fan Liu asked, concern palpable in his words.

"Yes, I'm one-armed... I guess that will be the focus of this twilight meeting." David commented sarcastically.

He carefully observed the expressions of his two companions. His friend's concern was real, but a faint trace of his previous smile still remained on Sifu's face.

"But I'm surprised by your face... Fan. Aren't you worried about recent events?" David asked doubtfully.

"Um... Yeah, I guess." Fan Liu commented doubtfully, looking at the ground at the time of answering.

"Although Fan Liu was the one who insisted in the first instance, you were also involved, Sifu. What are your thoughts?" David asked without regret.

"You know, they call me 'Old Bamboo' because it is ancient, noble and resistant... That has been going on for two centuries. My recommendation is that we do not worry, we are cautious and logical. It is still very green, and the tea in that state "it's not to my taste." Sifu said charismatically, while drinking his labeled tea.

"You're funny... You claim to be ancient and noble, but you don't overcome the ignorance of a lowly vile. We're talking about true aristocracy, and this was because of it." David commented in a low and serious voice. His hand trembled, causing the boiling tea to fall into his hand.

Despite this, he had no reaction. His expression did not change, as he carefully observed the tea in his cup.

"You talk about logic... Well, we have played with fire and by logic, we have been burned." David said as he stood up.

"I don't know how to alter, Mr. David." Sifu said, trying to calm the atmosphere ineffectively.

"Just as my arm was cut off and disintegrated, I order that it be so with us, three crazy cats." David said sarcastically, with a laugh tinged with early madness.

When David left, neither of the other two participants got up from their seats.

Fan Liu was sweating.

Sifu maintained a very different countenance.

"Don't worry, everything will get better." Sifu said with a chilling voice.

He rose to Fan Liu's position, getting intimately close.

"I swear, I swear, I swear." Sifu repeated madly, his eyes fanatical.

"Thank you, Sifu." Fan thanked mechanically, while planting a kiss on Sifu's wrinkled forehead.