Snow had already begun to curiously look around when he recalled ZaiWin's words and quickly lowered his head, making sure he stood back.
Unlike any of the other rooms, this one was full of stuff, a fact he had quickly surmised by the sheer quantity of books covering the walls. Two windows opened to the luxurious garden outside, and the floor beneath his feet was covered with a smooth, dark-blue carpet. There was also a big wooden desk with a high-back chair, and a small crystal table occupied the center of the room, surrounded by several comfortable-looking armchairs.
Quietly standing in front of the large desk, with a detached, dignified expression on her face, was a tall, beautiful woman. But the instant they were all inside, the door safely closed, a broad smile took over her face, and she dashed across the room, unceremoniously throwing her arms around ZaiWin's neck.
"ZaiWin!! It's so good to see you!!" she declared in a loud voice that made Snow take a step back. ZenTar at his side took a deep breath.
"It's good to see you as well, Jundai VinWei," ZaiWin replied, holding her so she wouldn't throw him off balance, and Snow couldn't help stare in disbelief. He actually looked happy to see her, he thought, noticing the small smile stretching his lips. He would never have thought it possible, that a cold-looking man like him would be able to show such soft expression.
"Oh! Drop the Jundai already! Or I will smack you silly!" she threatened, frowning, and he actually chuckled.
"Fine, fine. I've had enough of you smacking me around for a life time."
With a renewed smile she finally released him, her beautiful purplish-blue eyes turning to ZenTar.
"Why, Zen, is it me or do you look even more handsome?" she practically sang, batting her eyelashes at him. She moved so close to him that ZenTar had to slightly lean back so that her nose wouldn't touch his. "The blushing part, however, still remains the same, I see," she added with a warm laugh that only made ZenTar blush even deeper.
"Will you just stop it?" he chided and she drew small circles with her index finger on his chest.
"Why should I? When it's so much fun to tease you. You know? I really, really missed you too," she whispered into his ear and ZenTar went immediately completely stiff, which made her laugh again.
Snow almost backed away when those amused eyes finally found him, standing in the back.
"And the little lady? Who is she?" she asked with obvious curiosity, and ZaiWin looked back at Snow, all softness completely gone from his face.
"We have been tasked with escorting her. To tell you the truth she is part of the reason why we came," he replied and VinWei immediately pouted.
"Humph, I should have guessed! As if you would ever come visit me just because you miss me!"
Crossing her arms she marched back to her desk, her long blond hair tied at the top of her head falling down her back in large, glistening waves. Even though she was obviously of noble blood, and apparently someone important within the Temple, she still wore no jewelry, hairpins, or anything like that, her clothes the same white robes the previous men had worn.
"I'm sorry we couldn't come sooner," ZaiWin said, clearly trying to appease her. "But I've been too busy, running errands here and there."
"Errands!" she repeated, this time with a sarcastic, critical tone. "Cleaning up the Palace's shit is more accurate!" she spat, sounding angry, and Snow couldn't help gape at how easily she had cursed. Wasn't she supposed to be some kind of holy priestess?
VinWei sighed, reigning in her emotions, and glanced at Snow again.
"And yet, with all your … errands, you still found the time to come to Wei, dragging this girl with you. And you specifically made a point to come and visit me. Although I'm really happy to finally see you two heartless bastards again, unless you're here to ask me to bless your union with this girl, I can't help but wish you hadn't come," she declared, her tone suddenly as serious as her face, and her purple eyes turned to ZaiWin again. "So? Are you here to ask for my blessing?"
"No, I'm not."
She sighed, scratching the back of her head with a pained expression.
"It figures. Not only you're bad at fulfilling your promises, leaving me hanging for three whole years without so much as one message to let me know you're still alive, when you finally show up it's to drag me into one of your messes!"
"I'm really sorry."
"VinWei! It's not like that," ZenTar begun but her gaze turned to him as quick as lightening.
"You shut it, Zen! Everyone knows how good you are at coming up with excuses for him!" she snapped back, making ZenTar swallow dry. "What did I tell you, ZaiWin? Just tell them all to go fuck themselves, pack your stuff and get the heck out of this Empire! It's full of shit, anyways! It will soon drown in its own filth! What are you still doing here? Trying to clean up other people's messes, when no amount of cleaning will ever solve the problem! A rotten piece of wood can never be restored!"
"I know. But you also know that there are those who cannot be blamed for that, who are just trying to peaceful live their lives."
"Yeah! I know! I know all too well! And do you know what I call them? Unbreakable chains around your neck! You're just like my father!" she fired back and took a deep breath, the anger in her eyes replaced by resignation. "You're all just plain stupid, if you ask me. Whatever! What do you need me to do?"
ZaiWin's small smile returned to his lips.
"I only need your knowledge, hopefully nothing too complicated."
She glared doubtfully at him.
"Knowledge?! Did I hear you right? You're sure you don't need me to go and murder someone in their sleep?" she asked, genuinely perplexed, and ZaiWin chuckled again.
"No, not this time."
And Snow was the most perplexed of them all. Did he mean that that beautiful, elegant young woman would actually be able do something like that if he asked it of her? Once again, wasn't she supposed to be some kind of holy priestess?
"Hmm," she breathed, still looking suspiciously at him, and ended up shrugging. "Fine. So be it. What do you want to know?"
"All you know about Celestials."
At first impact VinWei's entire expression immediately lit up with enthusiasm, but it was quickly replaced by an even darker suspicion.
"You're kidding, right? Who are you and what have you done with my jaded, easily irritable ZaiWin?" she mocked and, since he didn't reply or denied it, a deep frown marked her smooth forehead. "You hate them all to death! You used to get all pissed off at the mere sound of their name! And now you want to know about the Tien'Elhar?"
Snow looked at ZaiWin, his heart feeling suddenly heavy. So he hated them. Better yet, he hated him. Not that he hadn't noticed the cold, harsh way he always talked to him. But to think that the reason for that was what they thought he was, and not something he'd said or done, somehow felt really unfair.
"Just indulge me."
VinWei sighed and walked to one of the armchairs, practically dropping down on it in a very unlady-like fashion.
"Have a seat. What do you want to know?"
ZenTar immediately accepted her invitation and ZaiWin looked back at Snow, his blue eyes telling him without words that he should join them.
Taking the armchair farther from them all, Snow sat down, his back very straight, making sure his cloak remained in place.
VinWei gave him another suspicious glance, her purplish eyes frighteningly astute, but refrained from asking any more questions regarding his obviously out-of-place presence.