Threads 114-Intermission 4

There was a dull thunk as Ling Qi’s head struck the surface of the table.

“Quit sprawling over my table,” Su Ling grumbled.

Ling Qi cracked one eye open, peering at the girl sitting across from her. “Aren’t friends supposed to be more sympathetic to this kind of thing?”

“I don’t even know where to start with what you told me,” Su Ling said bluntly. “I don’t get it. from what you said, the guy is the most harmless sort around. Besides, don’t you have other folks you can talk to about this kind of thing?”

Meizhen was currently deep in collusion with Bao Qingling. She had checked. Suyin was busy with the elders, and Cai Renxiang… Ling Qi made a face. She wasn’t going to try and talk about this with Cai Renxiang. “I’d think you of all people would understand where I’m coming from,” she moaned sitting up. Su Ling was, after all, the one whose past was most similar to hers.

Su Ling gave her a hard look, her pointed ears twitching. Then, deliberately, she bared her teeth, the fangs of a predator. “I’ve never worried about that particular thing,” the girl said a moment after, and her sharp black nails clicked as they drummed on the table. “A bunch of assholes with torches and clubs deciding to get rid of the monster once and for all? Sure, but not what you’re talking about. Never really had a thought for my virtue.”

Ling Qi looked at her friend. “I guess you’ve never really been completely helpless,” she said. She hadn’t really thought about the difference in their conditions.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Su Ling said. “Just that I’ve never really had that fear. After all, my mother’s the monster. My dad was the victim.”

“That’s one thing I’ve never understood,” Ling Qi said, leaning back in her chair. “Why do you care about your father? You never met him, obviously.”

Su Ling shrugged. “Maybe he woulda been a drunk or a layabout, maybe he woulda been the best dad ever. I’ll never know, will I? So fuck that bitch for taking him.”

“You really have to watch that language, Baroness Su.”

“Don’t you start,” Su Ling replied darkly, making a disgusted face. “I have no idea how I’m supposed to deal with that.”

“Pretend that you know what you’re doing, and study like mad in the background,” Ling Qi suggested.

“Speaking from experience?” Su Ling asked dryly.

“Yep,” Ling Qi replied with a grin. “Seriously though, congratulations, Su Ling.”

“Yeah, yeah, I never thought I’d make Inner Sect.” Su Ling sighed.

Ling Qi patted the other girl’s hand in commiseration.

***

Ling Qi stretched her arms overhead, enjoying the light of the early morning sun. The twinge in her back had faded, and she was once again approved for cultivation. Sitting atop Zhengui’s back as they trundled down the mountain path, she found that she was actually looking forward to this gathering.

Below, she could see the brightly colored pennants marking out the edges of the grounds Wang Chao had rented out. It seemed like the setup had gone well. Most of the field was left open for cultivation activities and sparring, but a small pavilion had been erected at the far east end, which would contain tables laden with refreshments and a few temporary meditation chambers for those who needed privacy for some cultivation.

She had, on Cai Renxiang’s advice, helped with the planning for that part. She could already see a half dozen odd disciples, including Wang Chao, clustered near a sparring circle, having a discussion. There were a few spirit beasts already present as well, a pair of dogs, a big tawny mountain cat, and a preening eagle. The only one which stood out to her was the horse-sized shaggy black mountain goat that she knew belonged to Wang Chao.

The other beasts gave the creature and its tall curling horns a wide berth.

“Are you excited to get some exercise, Zhengui?” Ling Qi asked.

“Yes!” Gui agreed, but she couldn’t help but notice that his cheer was a little strained.

“I, Zhen, doubt that there will be much to learn here,” Zhen scoffed.

“Don’t be like that. We’re here to work together and meet some new people,” Ling Qi scolded. “Just remember that we’re here to enjoy ourselves, too. You’ve earned some fun, you know?”

“It would be fun if Hanyi was here,” Gui grumbled.

Ling Qi frowned. “I know, but she is very inspired right now.” Hanyi had been withdrawn since their return, and she was hard at work composing something. Ling Qi didn’t want to interrupt her because she recognized that sort of fugue.

<We all take different things from the Dream. For what it’s worth, I think letting her be is the right decision,> Sixiang whispered.

“Please, Zhengui, let’s try to enjoy ourselves, okay?” Ling Qi asked.

“Zhengui will try,” he replied, but he didn’t seem enthusiastic.

She hid her frown, trying to think of what else she could say, but soon, they were no longer alone.

She glanced up as she felt someone approaching from one of the other paths. It only took her a second to recognize Alingge, the girl she had met at Luo Zhong’s party. She was dressed much the same as always in a surprisingly scant combination of tunic and skirt, but she had replaced her white fur cloak with one of darker red. She rode on the back of a tawny female deer fitted with a saddle but lacking a harness.

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“Ling Qi,” Alingge greeted as her mount cantered up beside them. “Honored Zhengui, it pleases me that you emerged from your hunts unmarred.”

“It pleases me, too,” Ling Qi said wryly. “It looks like you’ve been busy. Is that a trophy?” she asked, nodding to Alingge’s cloak. It looked to be made from the pelt of one of the cloud barbarian’s horses.

“Yes, my deployment was successful as well,” Alingge agreed. “The raiders did not pass us.”

As they spoke, Zhen had met the eyes of Alingge’s mount, and they appeared to be having a staring contest. Zhen preened, looking proud and fierce, but Alingge’s companion merely looked placid.