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mistral4543 · 01-26-2004, 10:16 PM

As they stood facing each other on the cliff, a heavy gust of wind breathed upon them, sending their hair fluttering. He was tall, muscular and brooding; she, struggling to stay as erect as he was. There was a moment’s pause before he spoke, his voice gruff and his manner stern.

”Do you know why I have brought you here on your birthday, Ji Xiang?” ~ His hands were behind his back, hiding… something, she knew not what.

”No, Teacher.” ~ She replied half in bewilderment, half in meekness ~ ”Forgive your disciple’s stupidity. Your disciple has no idea.” ~ If only she could! It was so hard, so difficult to gain his approval these days. She wondered why, what she had done, that day, or any other day for the past two years… why did he behave as if he were offended by her? Her conscience protested its innocence, and she could only look down wretchedly at her own hands, asking herself again how she could redeem herself, if she had committed some wrong unwittingly.

”It is your sixteenth birthday… child.” ~ He seemed to stumble at the last word, and she glanced up to see his inscrutable expression ~ ”Your name is self-explanatory. Your parents wanted you to hold on to your roots.” ~ He cleared his throat, before continuing ~ ”‘Ji’ being to remember, and ‘Xiang’ being your hometown.” ~ Walking up towards her, his tone became more serious by the second ~ ”It is time that you ventured out, to strike out on your own. I, after all, did just the same, at your age.” ~ His piercing gaze rested upon her paling face ~ ”But first, of course, you must return to your hometown.”

”I can’t do that, Teacher!” ~ She had blurted out before she could repackage her words, and her cheeks flamed ~ ”You know how unwelcome I would be there…” ~ The words trailed off as she stood, almost mesmerised by hypnotic stare ~ ”Your disciple will leave… leave if she must, but she begs your permission not to return home.” ~ Hurriedly, she fell upon her knees and cupped her hands ~ ”Your disciple pleads for your understanding, Teacher.” ~ Her voice was quavering; she dared not tilt her head again to meet those eyes.

”Very well, then.” ~ There was solid determination in his voice ~ ”You will go immediately now. But before that…” ~ A pause. She glanced up and saw a beautifully carved jade flute in his hands ~ ”This is for you.” ~ She grasped it, awe-stricken by the intricate design and wondered how much it must have cost – how could he have afforded such a treasure?! ~ ”It is both a birthday gift, and a farewell one. We will part ways from now on.”

She tried to shove away the massive pillar that inhabited her heart, but try as she might, it just would not do ~ ”Yes, Teacher.” ~ She was shivering, and not knowing the reason for it ~ ”Your disciple bids you farewell... for now.” ~ Holding the flute in her right hand, she performed three respectful kowtows before getting back on her feet ~ ”Do take care of yourself, Teacher. And forgive your disciple for not being able to be around to support you…”

”Enough of all that nonsense!” ~ He boomed, his face darkly irritable ~ ”You know that I don’t care for all these ridiculous ceremonies.” ~ His tone softened as he caught her wounded look ~ ”You’d best leave now while the sun is still up.”

”Yes, Teacher.” ~ She bowed and turned, never turning back…

Ji Xiang breathed softly in her sleep, occasionally turning to her sides and back.

01-26-2004, 10:16 PM	#101
mistral4543 Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: September 5, 2001 Location: House of Freelight Age: 48 Posts: 3,159	As they stood facing each other on the cliff, a heavy gust of wind breathed upon them, sending their hair fluttering. He was tall, muscular and brooding; she, struggling to stay as erect as he was. There was a moment’s pause before he spoke, his voice gruff and his manner stern. ”Do you know why I have brought you here on your birthday, Ji Xiang?” ~ His hands were behind his back, hiding… something, she knew not what. ”No, Teacher.” ~ She replied half in bewilderment, half in meekness ~ ”Forgive your disciple’s stupidity. Your disciple has no idea.” ~ If only she could! It was so hard, so difficult to gain his approval these days. She wondered why, what she had done, that day, or any other day for the past two years… why did he behave as if he were offended by her? Her conscience protested its innocence, and she could only look down wretchedly at her own hands, asking herself again how she could redeem herself, if she had committed some wrong unwittingly. ”It is your sixteenth birthday… child.” ~ He seemed to stumble at the last word, and she glanced up to see his inscrutable expression ~ ”Your name is self-explanatory. Your parents wanted you to hold on to your roots.” ~ He cleared his throat, before continuing ~ ”‘Ji’ being to remember, and ‘Xiang’ being your hometown.” ~ Walking up towards her, his tone became more serious by the second ~ ”It is time that you ventured out, to strike out on your own. I, after all, did just the same, at your age.” ~ His piercing gaze rested upon her paling face ~ ”But first, of course, you must return to your hometown.” ”I can’t do that, Teacher!” ~ She had blurted out before she could repackage her words, and her cheeks flamed ~ ”You know how unwelcome I would be there…” ~ The words trailed off as she stood, almost mesmerised by hypnotic stare ~ ”Your disciple will leave… leave if she must, but she begs your permission not to return home.” ~ Hurriedly, she fell upon her knees and cupped her hands ~ ”Your disciple pleads for your understanding, Teacher.” ~ Her voice was quavering; she dared not tilt her head again to meet those eyes. ”Very well, then.” ~ There was solid determination in his voice ~ ”You will go immediately now. But before that…” ~ A pause. She glanced up and saw a beautifully carved jade flute in his hands ~ ”This is for you.” ~ She grasped it, awe-stricken by the intricate design and wondered how much it must have cost – how could he have afforded such a treasure?! ~ ”It is both a birthday gift, and a farewell one. We will part ways from now on.” She tried to shove away the massive pillar that inhabited her heart, but try as she might, it just would not do ~ ”Yes, Teacher.” ~ She was shivering, and not knowing the reason for it ~ ”Your disciple bids you farewell... for now.” ~ Holding the flute in her right hand, she performed three respectful kowtows before getting back on her feet ~ ”Do take care of yourself, Teacher. And forgive your disciple for not being able to be around to support you…” ”Enough of all that nonsense!” ~ He boomed, his face darkly irritable ~ ”You know that I don’t care for all these ridiculous ceremonies.” ~ His tone softened as he caught her wounded look ~ ”You’d best leave now while the sun is still up.” ”Yes, Teacher.” ~ She bowed and turned, never turning back… Ji Xiang breathed softly in her sleep, occasionally turning to her sides and back.