Empress (A Tickle Commission)

Giving Shelter

"Mei, look!" Cao Lee called out. She and Meiling were well within their walk to the village center. They had taken the casual route there, stopping by several distinct locations that Meiling found quite charming and peaceful. A small clearing off of the main path was home to a thriving bed of white flowers. They waved and shifted like a cloud, soft and innocent. Meiling had called the spot her Mother's Perch. Across from it was the family tomb where a shrine to her mother looked over the flowery splendor. Meiling stopped on their way into town to pray and honor her mother, as well as to show Lee the family tomb. Lee had honored her by praying by her side.

Beyond that, Meiling took Lee by a stream that trickled down a rocky slope. It cut through a patch of flowering bamboo, leaving the spot feeling especially secluded. The music of the woods was tranquil, yet lively. Yuanji, still posing as Cao Lee for Meiling, drank it all in, knowing she never would have had the chance to experience such natural beauty back at the palace. And in the center of it all, the very heart of the love she had for such wondrous blessings, was Meiling. Meiling guided her through it all, showed her more than she ever had before, taught her more about life than any writings she had been made to read, and brought her into the world anew and astonished.

"Look at you," Meiling commented. She led the pair down the path of solid stones and broken twigs. Meiling looked back to see Lee attempting what she had shown her in crane-style kung fu martial arts. Lee stood upon a large flat stone and tried to balance on one foot. Meiling watched Lee smile as she tried out the pose she had demonstrated for her earlier that day. Lee wavered a little and giggled, both knowing that she was doing poorly but entertained at how much fun Lee was having attempting it anyway. Lee stumbled a little in her pose and started falling off the rock. Meiling came to catch Lee, holding her across both arms effortlessly. Lee looked back, her face warming.

“Hehe, sorry,” Lee said. Her hair had loosened a bit, painting thin black strands down her ivory face. Lee’s complexion was still so pale from a life confined within stone walls. Meiling’s was darker in contrast, a rich tan face held a smile that could part the clouds above. 

“Don’t be sorry,” Meiling said, holding Lee draped over her powerful arms without any sign of strain. “You’re learning. Falling is a part of it.”

“And at least I have you around to catch me, right?” Lee asked. Meiling’s face grew flushed as she grinned and looked down.

“Y-yeah, always,” Meiling said, softly. She lowered Lee carefully and started down the path again. Meiling tossed back her shorter, cherrywood hair. Her stride was strong and confident as usual, as if every step was a deliberate move in the right direction. Lee brushed out her long, red tunic and followed by her side. She glanced down at Meiling’s feet. The previous days of getting closer to Meiling had made for many enjoyable experiences exploring her unorthodox attraction to them. There, on the path, they were covered by a pair of low cut slippers made of straw and bamboo. Lee liked how they moved, how graceful and powerful they seemed performing even the most common of tasks, and yet uncovered appeared to her as precious jewels to a miser. Just looking at them made her feel warm inside. Meiling would often catch her staring and take it as a silent compliment. Lee pulled her eyes away from them and brushed her hair back behind her ear. 

“You going to teach me how to fight?” Lee asked. Meiling scoffed playfully.

“Well, there’s more to it than that,” said Meiling. “But I suppose I could.”

“So I can be as good as you one day.”

“Ha, I’m sure you could, if better,” said Meiling. She started off back down the path. “Maybe tomorrow we can start defensive martial arts, but you’re still learning the basics.” Lee followed her closely.