The Crimson Lotus

[Guest]

So-Sul walked through the streets of Xing. She was a ghost among the country, but she did work in it's interest. A personal hand of the Emperor, and yet, she was off the books. Her objective was to learn about the teachings of the Clans so far, being a Sapling herself, she needed to see the purity of her craft. So far, they were lacking not in teaching, but resolve. The arts were slipping into obscurity, behind the veil of Alchemy. Some viewed Alchemy as an equal, others as a superior. This logic was flawed. What greater power was their, than the power given to oneself. The land gives so much and even then these people can't hear the pain of it. She closed her eyes as the lights of Xing exploded within her mind. She could see them all, and even more their connection to the Dragon's Pulse.

She stopped and opened her eyes, to see a tea shop. Just the thing to calm her mind. She needed to plan her next objective before work beckoned her to come and pay attention. She stepped inside and looked about, greeted by a few lovely ladies in the process. She sat at a table alone and awaited her Black Tea to arrive. She placed a hand under her chin and closed her eyes, waiting...waiting...waiting...

[Guest]

It seemed again, fate had pulled her to help in the world. An odd sort of side job she had was doing assorted other jobs. Little did she know most people got paid for it, while they convinced HER it was just voluntary work. She, instead was doing their work as a free hand. Most people would frown upon this, but Lian insisted anyways. It was in her nature, a busy body that had to help if she heard the slightest whimper or whine. Two of their workers had called off and they were down staff, so when she offered, they didn't hesitate and taking her to the back and dressing her up like a doll. The longest amount of time involved her sitting and getting circled. Her hair had a brush taken to it, sort of roughly and the pins stuck her once or twice, which made her jump. They had too much fun in it. When it had been completed, Lian sat in a bit of a confused daze. There were frills on her wrists and waist. The hem of her dress and the sewn in 'smock' were all white frills over a dark purple dress. On her head sat the frills of a white headpiece and i all was accomplished by flattering red bows, one on her lower back and the other around her neck. All of this was accompanied by her high-heels, with about two inches on them, strapping with black and purple over her toes.

Not long after, she was handed a tray and ushered out of the kitchen. "Give this to table three." They stated, while giving her a wink and a playful shove. Lian stumbled and swallowed nervously. She could do this.. if she could figure out which table was table three. The light purple eyes of hers swayed from table to table, unsure where to even start. All of the tables looked the same and as far as she could tell they weren't even numbered. Determination covered her face and she walked right up to the nearest table, then looked all over it for the number. Peering over top, peering underneath. The patrons gave her a rather confused look, but laughed nonetheless at her silliness. "Table three is over there, honey." A kind old man sitting nearby would point.

"Oh!" She smiled and bowed to the man, for once managing to hold the tray. It had taken some getting used to the high heels. Unfortunately, someone had better plans and slipped a foot in front of her. Lian, being naturally clumsy and unobservant as she was, tripped and fell to her hands and knees, tray and teacup all over the floor. Tea bled onto the tile and Lian gave a panicked face. "I-I oh no!" She hurried to the puddle of tea and rushed in trying to scoop the tea back INTO the cup. Not that she'd give the floor-tea to the patron, but it was an attempt to help clean the mess. Her motion stopped when the brush of a hand was felt. The man who had tripped her laughed, pretending to push her dress back down. Oh the whole situation was catastrophe.

The manager was called and of course had a stern talking to the man, before turning to the female patron at the table. "I truly apologize, she's in training. We'll get you a new cup made as soon as possible." He bowed twice before hurrying back to the kitchen and clapping his hands. Lian slowly staggered to her feet and brushed off her dress. "I-I'll get you some napkins." Naturally, she bowed again and then spoke another two apologies. Oh she felt terrible for the mess.

[Guest]

To be or not be: at ultimatum or rival tensions mounting, negotiating acceptable trade-offs validates our unique perspectives to reflect what each lacks for a balanced voice of truce. When we're together I'm beside myself, so I concede mutual vested interest, incentive or opportunity to my other half for valued consideration. For only by the power of self-respect in reciprocal vulnerability, need and compassion do 'me and thee consummate we.' The rest is all a dance on the sidelines of Cinderella Pandering or prohibition, or around a Bermuda Triangle of bottom line temptation to cheat by provocation, promiscuity, or shame. But here at the gate of impasse, I still have a choice and my pride.

So-Sul moved with such quickness, it was unnatural. She grasped the man's wrist and spun it behind his back, pushing strongly on his arm So-Sul whispered calmly into his ear. "I'd advise you to apologize, pay your bill, and leave quietly." As soon as head's turned to see the commotion she let him go, her speed and strength secured his cooperation. She quickly pushed her skirt down and returned to her seat. She looked at the young lady, gorgeous and vibrant. "Ma'am, what is your name?" A smile crossed the lips of So-Sul, looking on the delicious woman. How could such a woman work in this dump? Perhaps she may be interested in joining her. At any rate, Xing was about to get very interested very quickly.

[Guest]

A yelp and a whimper had fallen from the mouth of a man. His gripes and groaning heard on mostly deaf ears as a majority of the cafe just looked away. Once the patron was done with him, the man muttered an apology to Lian and hurried out the door without so much as a good bye. Lian sulked only slightly, having been only able to flash a meaningless smile, before her eyes were cast back to the speaker.

"Ma'am, what is your name?" Lian found her hand lifted to point to herself. Bashful eyes rested on the face with timid tenancies. 'M-Me?" She stammered in her soft lilt of a voice. The light purple of her eyes would reach the form of the lady before her. Lifting slowly, they met her eyes and red colored her own cheeks. The finger of her own softly tapped on her chin, while her body was held in a coy posture. Soon, a smile formed on her lips. "I-I'm Lian Dan.. Han." She hesitated, remembering she had to add in the last part now. She was part of a new family, so her full name was longer than before. Although it was fairly bulky in length, she found it easy to remember, coincidentally, which in turn made her feel good, special and cared about, even though she knew no one in her clan besides Wei.

Lian hurried and grabbed some napkins, giving another whispered apology. Her hand extended, softly and gently to the woman, offering her peace offering of a cleaning material before speaking again. "I'll pay for your next cup of tea, okay? It's the least I could do!" Naturally, she was insisting upon the woman. A yes or no didn't matter. Lian was going to pay for it if she had to fight tooth and nail.

[Guest]

"Lian...Dan Han" So-Sul muttered. "Simply exquisite. My name is So-Sul Kwon Fang...but I bear no allegiance to the Fang Clan. A pleasure to meet a beauty of such magnitude in such a humble Tea Shop." The color of this woman's eyes, coupled by hear gracious features was enough to make So-Sul envious. Oh how her finger longed to stroke the supple flesh of this woman, and yet that felt so forbidden. So-sul stretched her hand forward, and grasped the young lady by the hand. Moving in swiftly, her gentle lips pressed against Lian's hand, and in that moment she gently pulled the napkins free. "Perhaps, instead of paying for my Tea, you could join me? I'd be willing to compensate you for your time loss, and if it's a matter of personnel..." Aiki walked in the room. A woman wearing a kimono, and rather large platform sandals strolled up to So-Sul. "This woman here can fill in for you, until we finish our chat. She is highly skilled in service, and is rather attractive, I doubt your boss would mind too terribly if you took a break for a few minutes. So what do you say, Lady Dan Han?"

Aiki stood with her arms at her side, surveying the room. Tea Shop. She began downloading all relevant information needed. Manufacturing costs, lighting, heat, water, tea leaves, shipping costs, advertising, and cost of inflation. She had registered how to properly secure tips, from a customer service guide collected from 600 companies around the globe. She downloaded recipes on how to prepare tea, and even learned what is best served with which teas. She stepped out of her large shoes, and took the tray from Lian. She spun elegantly, and moved quickly to begin the woman's tasks. Entering the kitchen and pouring Tea's systematically based upon the time the order was placed and when the Tea would be finished. She quickly began serving multiple teas to several tables, while smiling, and referring complimenting treats or foods that accent the taste of the teas. Aiki was afterall, state of the art technology, as well as So-Sul's personal attendant at the moment.

[Guest]

"Lian...Dan Han. Simply
exquisite. My name is So-Sul Kwon Fang...but I bear no allegiance to
the Fang Clan. A pleasure to meet a beauty of such magnitude in such a
humble Tea Shop."

"A-Actually-" She started, but stopped as the woman seemed to be more interested in something else. The Humble Tea Shop was not the name of the shop, but the woman probably already knew that. Lips pressed to Lian's hand and her face burst into a fire of flaring red. Wh-what was she doing? This woman? Why was she- "U-Uhm.." Anything Lian had wanted to said vanished seemingly into nothing. Her violet-silver eyes wide and shaking almost wildly in the low light. It was one of the circumstances where Lian was unsure how to respond. Part of her wanted to run away from the unknown, her cowardice showing, but the other half was glued by intrigue.

"Perhaps, instead of paying for my Tea, you could join me? I'd be willing to compensate you for your time loss, and if it's a matter of personnel...This woman here can fill in for you, until we finish our chat. She is highly skilled in service, and is rather attractive, I doubt your boss would mind too terribly if you took a break for a few minutes. So what do you say, Lady Dan Han?"

And now she was volunteering random people to do her job? Lian felt a sting of guilt to even consider it. "B-But I couldn't possibly-" It wasn't like she had a choice. Soon the tray was taken from her and Lian was staring empty-handed to the woman inviting her. "I-I guess I-i could maybe.." Her shyness fluttered in the hesitant breaths she had between words. She barely knew this woman and she wanted so badly for Lian to join her, how could Lian say no? Guilty eyes looked over, before she looked back at the woman.

[Guest]

So-Sul smiled and withdrew herself slightly, she was very used to being pushy, but this one didn't seem to respond well to it. She listened as she fumbled over her own words. Perhaps she was being too pushy, even for being a stranger her demands were quite rude. She sighed, and stood up quickly. She dropped her gaze, and bowed deeply. "I apologize if I placed you in a difficult position, I just wanted to speak to you. Please forgive my selfishness." So-Sul kept this bow before entering the second stage of her apology. "If...if I am a bother I will leave immediately." Truthfully, So-Sul had no idea what she was thinking. The sudden longing overtook her and her rational thought escaped her, or perhaps it was just simply in her nature to be pushy and straightforward. Either way, this method would not work forever, she needed to change.

[Guest]

"I apologize if I placed you in a difficult position, I just wanted to speak to you. Please forgive my selfishness. If...if I am a bother I will leave immediately." Lian blinked once, then twice. In response to the woman bowing, she bowed in turn. Did it make sense for her to? No. Did she do it anyways? yes. Lian just DID things. There was no sense to her own little nonsensical madness. It was pure reaction that Lian had seen the woman bow and took it as a need to bow in turn. She straightened herself up and smiled gently, with timid tenure. "I-I no.. it's no problem. I-I was just worried was all." Her fingers moved to her waist where she clasped them. An obvious fidget showed her shyness and uneasiness with a situation she couldn't exactly understand. She tugged quietly at her frilly cuff before she could look up at the woman. "I-I just didn't want them overworked is all."

Her eyes avoided the woman's, not out of fear or shame, but a coyness about herself. She couldn't stand it for some reason. It was really hard for Lian to make eye contact. "You really are no bother. Th-they seem to have everything okay, now." Lian nodded slowly, managing a smile of hers. Despite her natural aversion to actual conversation, she showed her emotions very well.

(I apologize for the wait)

[Guest]

So-Sul straightened up, and pushed her glasses back up her nose. It was at this moment her brow furrowed. Her Qi was dense. Having substance meant it was in the practice of being used. The first step to Alkahestry is tapping into the Dragon's Pulse as to not draw from one's own Qi, but hers was dense like those that use Qi Manipulation or Qi Assault. Those that use their own Qi as a weapon toward others had dense Qi, while those who did not had other attributes. "You wouldn't happen to be an Alkahestrist would you?" So-sul blinked surprisingly, even though she didn't answer yet she knew the answer. It was at that moment, that Aiki brought So-Sul a cup of tea, to which she accepted and took a sip slowly. Aiki spun away in her unique shoes, the way she moved easily in them was unnatural, and yet awe inspiring.

So-Sul held the cup and saucer in her hands as she remained standing for the moment. Examining this woman a little more closely than before. This fact didn't change much, So-Sul still wanted to know this woman, but it did change the level of conversation they might have. For now, she relaxed letting the notion of another Alkahestrist in front of her slip from her mind. She lowered herself back into her chair, and set the cup down. Crossing her legs, she grew comfortable once again. Noticing the girls aversion to eye contact, such an act only made her that much more intriguing.

[Guest]

"You wouldn't happen to be an Alkahestrist would you?" Lian blinked and looked up at the woman. It took her a second to recognize the question, and then Lian smiled sheepishly "Y-Yes.." That was all she could manage under her shy exterior. In the back of her mind she wanted to know what gave her away, but she didn't have the courage to voice that question. Lian simply stood there, softly playing with the ring on her each middle fingers. Twisting them, feeling the engraving as she simply let her mind wander. What to? She could barely remember. The young woman was lost in her own mind for a moment. The world around her was nothing but a vague fog to walk through. It was only the cluttered sound of the dishes that brought her attention back. She then moved her hands to the cup before her and gently cupped it.

Finally she got a bit of courage and managed to ask "Is that bad?" Beneath the table, her legs crossed then pressed tighter together. It was most uncomfortable to wear a dress like she had on, but at least she didn't have to wear something tight.

[Guest]

A simple and concise answer. An honest type. Those were always the easiest to read, they couldn't hide behind lies. She took another sip from her tea, she glanced at Lian's posture. Her habits, her eyes, and ultimately her Qi. Lian simply stood there, softly playing with the ring on each of her middle fingers. Most likely the source to her Alkahestry. If so, then they would inscribed on the interior of the band to prevent the prying of eyes. Smart. The benefit of having a removable pentagram was the ability to hide it in plain sight, however, should it be discovered it was simple to destroy. "Is that bad?" So-sul smiled.

"No, not at all. Merely an observation. Your Qi doesn't move as it would someone who used Alchemy, nor for those who couldn't use either. I merely saw the difference and decided to ask about it. You see, I plan to teach Alkahestry at it's purest in Xing, but first I must prove my superiority over the other Clans and establish my own school." She took another sip of her tea, and glanced her over once more. She lowered her cup slowly, and then asked a rather personal question. "Would you mind telling which school you practice?"

[Csilla Angelis]

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