I'm just around the corner from Lan's room when I crash into someone.
"Awh Sowry Big Brother I wasn't paying attention." I apologize picking up the little wooden box off the floor besides me. I must have knocked it out his hands while running. I look at the green lotus shaped lid. I cant help but feel drawn to the small box I touch the sparkling top wondering how it was made.
I jump up pulling his arm for support. Geez what's this guy bench? He looks like he's only a few years older than me ..how is he this muscular?
Ha! So cute is he blushing? I feel up his arm. "Hey Flowery Big Brother do you train already? Oh and where did you get this? Its beautiful I'd like-." Arms reach around me, carrying me to a respective distance away from the boy before setting me back down.
"Emel I was only asking about his jewelry box!" I scold my guard.
"Sorry Young Master, the Princess was in a hurry to see General Yun's daughter forgive my negligence." Emel smiles dangerously at the boy. Ignoring the face I make at him, he steps in front of my view of the handsome big brother.
Oh Wait that's right Lan'er! I curtsy tossing the box towards him. "Sorry Flowery Big Brother." I laugh staring at the shock and embarrassment on his face ha! Adorable and make my escape.
Lan's door was half way open so without thinking about it I jump-kicking in Lan's door. "Lan'er I'm home." I sing upon entering.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Two other girls were at the table with Yun Lan.
The Young Miss of the Chang family, Chang Aoi was holding a white fan to her face that hid half her features, while her eyes looked at me shining with laughter.
Lan'er looked at me then at Zhi Ruo before casually propping up her chin under her hand, raising her eyebrows. Her lips curved upwards in a mischievous manner.
"Ruo it seems like the rumors I've heard, of your.. fondness for imported teas are true." The other girl Zhi Ruo looked at Yun Lan with red rimmed eyes feeling aggrieved.
"Not to the point of bathing in it Lan'er!" Zhi Ruo was wearing the same uniformed white robe with dark blue academy crest on the belt as the other girls; however hers was dripping wet? Covered in tea? Oops I probably shouldn't have kicked the door open.
Her servant glares at me while silently escorting Zhi Ruo to get a clean set of clothes. "Sorry Lan I really should have knocked first." I scratch the back of my head apologizing.
"Don't worry Princess, Ruo was just showing off her fondness of tea." Chang Aoi speaks on my behalf. "Haha Shinah don't worry Ruo was just praising how well I made the tea. Who knew she'd decide to bathe in it. Ahh never mind that. Why don't you join us." Lan holds my hand pulling me her spot. "Have some tea I made it myself." She says with a puffed up chest.
How cute. She hasn't changed, well of course not. I was the one who changed.
I spend the afternoon catching up with my cousin and her friends. I learned that they'll be leaving this fall after Aoi's sixth birthday to Eda the Capital City of The Spirit Crystal Kingdom to try and activate their Direct Line before going to the academy.
Magic is broken up into three main different levels of projection; Spirit Essence, Spirit Element and Spirit Energy.
In order to project magic, your direct line must be activated. Most children have their direct lines activated by a master, who knows how to guide Qi through meridians, opening up a channel to your direct lines inner pool. After its activated you can officially learn pull in Qi through your meridians through the process of cultivating.
Once cultivated enough you'll be able to sense the essence of spirit energy and be able to manipulate it, for example to keep yourself warm or for boost in strength or minor magic uses.
Then once you mastered feeling spirit essence, you can learn to differentiate between your element and others. Then you can practice using your element both offensive and defensively.
Most children get their Direct Line activated between the ages of six-ten, not everyone is able to activate their direct line so after the age of ten if your direct line isn't activated then the possibility of being able to cultivate is nearly impossible.
So no matter where Direct Line Activation Masters are taking in disciples, it's always over crowed with those hoping that would be their lucky chance.
After tea we go for a walk in the garden. I find out that Zhi Ruo parents are nobles from the Spirit Crystal Kingdom, visiting Auntie and Uncle to talk about combining families through marriage of their eldest daughter and my cousin.
Also that Aoi's mother is here requesting help from Auntie Fei's dress shop to personally make a dress for her birthday.
Only after promising to see each other again did Lan and I, lead the girls to their carriages bidding them and their family goodbye.
I quickly grab Lan and ditch my guard. We run into the garden and pull Lan in for a hug, rolling her underneath me while we wrestle in the grass. "Oh Master Tea maker ~I bow~ who's tea is so great ladies from all near by kingdoms come to bathe in! Tch can you be anymore of a bully! Poor Lady Ruo almost cried, if word gets out everyone will think I bullied her."
I hug her tightly giggling playfully. "Stupid Lan'er why didn't you tell me you were having guest today! Hey! Hellooo ..I'll beat you silly if you continue to ignore me." I yell when I don't receive a response. I look up at Lan and she's looking past me with wide eyes.
I turn around to see what caught her attention. I see my cousin and his friend sitting at a table playing Go. I see a familiar face playing up against my cousin. I grab Lan'ers hand and I walk up to the table.
My cousin stands up and bows in a gentlemanly fashion. "Shin'er -cough- Your highness how are you." He smiles gently at the both of us. While Flowery Big Brother stands and bows hiding his embarrassment.
"Hi Cousin! Are you playing Go with Handsome Big Brother here? Ehh your losing? I was just showing Lan'er the grass over here. You know it's much brighter over here than her courtyard I truly feel like the flowers bloom beautifully over here." I cast Flowery Big Brother a cheeky smile, when I feel someone lifting me up.
"Oh Emel there you are. Well Bye Cousin. Bye Flowery Big Brother." The boys are dumbfounded by the warning glare Emel flashes before walking out his courtyard.
Lan runs after my guard laughing wildly behind us as soon as were out of her brothers sight.