"Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice."

[goddessnanshe.livejournal.com]

Morning of Monday, 3rd May
The Boy

It has been a strange time, living at the abbey, but better for me than the carnival, I think, grateful though I am to Syl for her hospitality. The peaceful industry of the place has helped me grow calm again. Calm, and determined to find a way back to what I was, so I can once again be what I should be to this community of good people.

Nanse-kam told me about his meeting with Miao, and I am very sorry I had not realised she'd carried her wound into the waking world. Such things happen rarely, but it should have occurred to me that it might have done in this case.

I have been wearing abbey robes, but I think that would look strange at the brothel, so I wear a sari that Nanse-kam kindly bought for me at the market. The drapes remind me of the robes I used to wear long ago, and it seems respectful to wear pretty clothes when visiting a friend.

The house is quiet when I arrive, and the receptionist tells me they're not yet open for business.

"It's just a friendly visit," I say. "If Miss Lei is available, tell her an old friend is here to see her." I give the name Noma, because that is what I'm using in town. My face isn't at all like the one Miao has seen, but I wonder how long it will take for her to recognise me. She's perceptive, after all.

[open to Miao]

Comments

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

It startles me when Yuanjung dismisses Tezcatlipoca so swiftly.
"Tezcatlipoca was in love with despair," she says, as though that is all that should matter. "He does not believe in salvation. And he is dead now, so in his case perhaps he was right, but I have a brighter look on the world than him. And as for Wanda... There is nothing we can do, except hope she will see that life offers better things for her than It. She knows you are here if she changes her mind, and you have your own people to care for. Concentrate on them, and on yourself."

"I know," I nod slowly, though I think of how many I have lost now too...Dorian is away, Wanda is gone, Lucien is gone. Even Luke has been away a long time. In some ways I feel terribly alone now. "...Tezcatlipoca made terrible choices, but there was kindness to him too. He gave me aid when I confronted the Morningstar, he brought me home, and comforted me as best he could. I do not..." I pause, and consider. "He was wrong in what he did, yes, but there was great kindness to him too. I am very sorry that he is dead." My wrist throbs gently, and I rest it upon the table. "In the meantime...what shall you do, Yuanjung? Do you have any idea yet how you will return to the dream?"

[goddessnanshe.livejournal.com]

Great kindness? Oh, Miao. You are sweet. Sweeter than me; but then, I was a judge. People forget that sometimes, now.

"I am glad he was kind to you," I say. "And he gave his life for one of his priests. That, I think, is the best thing he has done in a long time."

"In the meantime...what shall you do, Yuanjung? Do you have any idea yet how you will return to the dream?"

"Not yet," I say, shaking my head. "But I have been talking with my priests, and we have some ideas." I sigh. "Hopefully we shall find a way. I cannot do much for my people as I am now." I set down my cup and rise. "I have taken up enough of your time, Miao, but I am glad to have seen you. If you need to find me, I will be at the abbey." I pause. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that my - situation needs to be secret for now. I trust you."

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

"I am glad he was kind to you. And he gave his life for one of his priests. That, I think, is the best thing he has done in a long time."

Ah, that is very sad. I wonder who this priest was, what happened to him that required the life of a god to heal it. I likely will never know.

I ask if she has any idea on how she will return to the dream, and she shakes her head. "Not yet. But I have been talking with my priests, and we have some ideas. Hopefully we shall find a way. I cannot do much for my people as I am now." As she says this, she stands, and I stand with her. "I have taken up enough of your time, Miao, but I am glad to have seen you. If you need to find me, I will be at the abbey. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that my - situation needs to be secret for now. I trust you."

"You honour me with your trust," I bow my head slightly. "I am very glad that you came, Yuanjung. It was good to see you." After a moment, I come around the table, and I hope that I am not being rude as I pull her into an embrace. "Please, come and see me if you have need of anything. You are a good friend, and I wish to help any way that I can."