Wang Lan Biyu slowly opens her eyes showing a hauntingly pale color after she saw a thatched roof above her head rather than the ceiling of the room she remembered sleeping in. Her expression twists for a single moment as she counts within her heart to ten, closing her eyes tightly. Though her face was pale there was not much change, and unless one looked closer they wouldn't be able to see her hands trembling at her side as well as the subtle stuttering of her lashes. Still yourself. She soothes her mind which had been thrown into disarray.
Nevertheless, when she opened her eyes the same thatched roof filled her vision. Lan Biyu held her breath at the same time her heart shook with fear. No. It is the same, why isn't it going away this time?! Lan Biyu's face grew increasingly pale as each second passed with no change to her surroundings. Sitting up abruptly the slightly quivering girl looks around the broken-down room, her breathing becoming more rapid like a rabbit corned by a predator the more she looks. The familiar sound of dripping water from merely one of the numerous holes in the hay roof into a beaten-up wood bucket in the center of the room.
In the only corner where no water invaded was a chair made of rotting wood that looked like it would fall apart any moment, on it was a single piece of red clothing. Not needing to turn her head, she looks to her right only two steps away near the entrance that was merely covered by what seemed to be a makeshift cloth of worn down and unwearable clothing stitched together poorly. It was so pathetic it couldn't even stop the wind and rain from entering, but it was better than nothing. The room was so small she only needed to take a single step to reach for whatever she needed. A chilling breeze lifts the "door" freezing her very core as she sharply exhales habitually, feeling the cold stun her momentarily.
The calm within her shook with how real everything felt, her eyes dim like fireflies dying in the night. The memory never failed to haunt her, but she had become complacent... She had forgotten, was that why it came back to haunt her at this time? Because she had failed to recall it and desired something against her nature? Had she sinned against the heavens and this was their way of telling her she could not obtain that selfish wish?
The void in her heart grew larger, it was like a vortex attempting to swallow her whole making it hard to breathe like she was being suffocated. Her pretty face quickly becomes void of emotion, like a puppet without string, a puppet without a soul. Just like before. She was dull and lifeless as she stood and faced the door just in time for that hauntingly familiar voice to call out to her. His voice was young and vibrant, warm and lovely, lovely like the sun on a beautiful day, lovely like a thick blanket in the middle of winter.
Lan Biyu's lifeless eyes flicker momentarily with various emotions, her hands unconsciously becoming fists as she wanted to take a step back from the door and that voice...Hui. The person came closer to the hut calling out her name again, "Chao Bai!" Hui. Lan Biyu opens her mouth to answer out of habit but stops herself by biting her lip until they turn red with effort. The girl's expression twists once more in a struggle to not lose herself in the memory. Her legs shook when that shadow stood at her door respectfully not entering, he was cautious to not enter until she awoke. "Bai'er are you still sleeping?"
His shouting from before now was quiet and soft, his tone careful and gentle. Her eyes blur for a moment, as she was unable to stop her mouth from opening and speaking the same words every single time. Wang Lan Biyu. You are Wang Lan Biyu, you are just a snake. You are just a snake. "Idiot, shouting so much in the morning and you still expect me to be asleep? Am I like you who sleeps till the sun peels the scales off my skin?"
His hearty laugh outside fractures the steel that encased her heart, and the chant in her mind cuts off abruptly rendering her stupid. Lan Biyu bit her trembling lips. "Bai'er you are not very cute when you've just woken up." She gave a shaky hum, forgetting what she was chanting just moments ago that seemed to have disappeared the moment she heard him laugh and shake her whole world upside down once more. The shadow's hand rises and brushes the "door" out of the way as he enters without her permission. Like it was very natural, he towers over her allowing the girl to look into his face and hold her breath at the rush of emotion entering her heart making it flutter painfully. The handsome youth was grown up now, after going through his shedding the handsome man smiled down at her in a lively manner.
His silver eyes like those of all their clan shone brilliantly down at her with something inside so breathtaking she still couldn't understand them or why they were so focused on herself alone. His silver hair fell against his cheeks flowing past his shoulders showing how careless and lazy the person was, he did not even bother tying it up before rushing to her side. The hair framed the handsome face, high cheekbones, heroic features, straight nose, perfect jaw, and slanted eyes giving off a seductiveness that mesmerized others. If he were a real human, he would spread much doubt in the hearts of others. "Hui.." Lan Biyu chokes staring up at his attractive face seemingly having trouble looking away.
He could not see the complex expression on her face, she cleared her throat saying her lines very softly like she was afraid of scaring away this illusion. Her shaking hands rose to brush the hair from his face and shoulders as she scolded him. "Hui, you fool. You forgot to tie your hair again this morning." The man's eyes soften with her actions and the illusion lowers his head cheekily to rub noses with her intimately, replying to her nagging with a flattering comment. "Bai'er is the best, only you know how to care about me." Lan Biyu's eyes water as his breath brushed against her face, and the familiar scent of morning dew like her own envelopes her senses numbing her person.
Letting her get a close-up of this face was dangerous to her heart. Lan Biyu couldn't stop the flood of tears that fell down her tender face startling the man. "Bai'er?!" He shows a panicked expression and stops playing to wipe her tears for her clumsily. He was also very careful with his hands to not hurt the more fragile hatchling. How careful must he be so as not to hurt her? Their kin was not able to naturally hold back their strength...How much had he practiced alone to be able to touch her without hurting her after he had shed? How much had this fool held back for her sake?
His concerned expression fills her whole vision, his mouth frantically opening and closing asking her what was wrong. "Bai'er! Bai'er what's the matter?! Are you upset that I woke you up? Are you mad that I didn't tie my hair? Don't cry don't cry!-"
"-I won't do it again! I'll never do it again so don't cry! I'm sorry!" She allows his unnaturally warm hands to wipe her tears, not even attempting to stop him from touching her and only watches his rapidly changing expression attentively. She strained to pull a tiny smile on her face much to his worry, "Yes, I'm mad at you. I'm very mad, Senior Brother Hui."
Her voice was shaky, seeming not to be true to the current topic but he did not notice. Hui breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her smile but still took a handkerchief from his pocket to carefully wipe her wet face. Seeing that familiar tattered piece of cloth cut at her heart again but she held back her choked cry. His voice was soft and coaxing "I promise not to do it again so don't cry anymore, ok?" Looking into his silver eyes she saw his sincere anxiety for herself and she gave him a softer smile. "Mn. Sit down, I'll brush your hair for you."
His face brightened and he obediently sat on her sad excuse of a bed without showing disgust or disdain. He even hums with satisfaction on his face "Your bed smells like you." Her vocal cords refuse to cooperate with her so she could only hum a congested "Mm." Standing behind him she ran her hand through his hair lightly, treasuring the familiar but fleeting feeling each strand that lay along each finger gave her. Every strand tickled her heart and fell like flowing water she couldn't catch as they slipped from her fingers back onto his bright red clothes.
Her eyes were tinged with nostalgia as she took as much time as possible to brush his hair and tie it into a simple ponytail that swung with each movement he made. The door shifts again from the violent wind outside rushing over them and threatening the vision. However, unlike just a few moments ago it no longer bothered her; As long as he was by her side she could never feel the cold. "Let's go, the Lord called our batch to the field this morning. Perhaps he'll finally permit us to leave the nest today!" His eyes shone with a hint of eagerness, but Lan Biyu after "venting" didn't respond with the same enthusiasm as he did.
She merely attempts to mentally prepare herself instead and as Hui made to turn and leave with his hand in hers Lan Biyu doesn't stop him. She had tried before, but it never worked. Instead, she engraves his strong and lively back into her mind. Remembering his warm hand holding on as tightly to hers as she did his. Remembering that broad back dressed in a bright red that lit up that grey void she lived in.
Her lips trembled and struggled to open as he led her outside the hut which she knew would be the last peaceful moment they would be together. "Hui." She calls, but Hui does not turn around. Of course, he wouldn't. Of course, they wouldn't turn around. That callous hand in hers felt so real, so alive, she squeezed his hand feeling the turmoil in her heart increase with each step out of the battered place they called a nest towards the training fields.
This person she had tried too hard to bury in the back of her mind and heart wasn't real, he wasn't real. So why...Why does it still hurt to see him? Lan Biyu strangles the half sob that had threatened to break loose. Lost as she was in her thoughts before she could fully recover. The large stone doors that appeared before her sent a wave of terror and anguish through her heart as they loomed over both their heads intimidatingly. Made of solid silver shaped into two large looming serpents with their fangs exposed towards the nestlings who approached them. Though they weren't real, they still made her stiffen and refuse to take any steps closer.
Nonetheless, her feet and Hui comfortably walked towards those doors she had learned to dread and fear. A flicker of panic flutters through her eyes as she mutters internally, it isn't real. Against her wishes, her body still froze up, and her heart still races with trepidation. She wanted to move, her muscles strained to escape but Hui's hand in hers held on firm, like being caught within a snare tied so tight it resembled iron chains. Lan Biyu's eyes widen with naked fear as Hui's hands raise to touch those gates. She felt those terrifying silver snakes' eyes burn as they stare down at the two soon-to-be adult spiritual beasts.
Like lasers setting fire to her scalp Lan Biyu's skin felt uncomfortably cold and clammy as she broke out into sweat due to her anxiousness. Her breathing increased erratically yet Hui never let go nor hesitated to open those doors. Do not! The doors open a sliver as Hui turns to smile and laugh at her pulling her inside but all she could do was look on in horror and scream internally. Don't go in!! Don't! HUI!
His silver eyes curve up as he smiles at her, her vision blurs further as her legs she can no longer control seem to have turned into jelly obediently following him against her will. Lan Biyu's look of horror was ignored as if he could not see it and he pulled her out saying in a laughing voice. "Why are you giving me that look? Don't worry, as soon as you finish your first shed too we'll both live in the same wing and finally be declared adults." No...Her eyes filled with tears again but he couldn't tell and went on smiling as he pulls her out further into the fields.
The dirt beneath their feet stirred with each step of their slippers, his wide-sleeved red robes shaking with his enthusiastic laughing as his whole body seemed to radiate joy and vigor. He went on warmly with a dreamy tone while facing forward with a smile on his face, ignorant of the future that awaited them. "And then, once we're both adults we can go outside and travel the world together." Lan Biyu couldn't open her mouth to speak, it was as if they were sewn shut. She could only stare at him with watery eyes. Hui...
Hui didn't look at her but she could see his cheeks flush slightly red as he went on, not daring to turn around and see her reaction. "And while on our travels..... maybe we can even leave An Xing realm, we can pose as husband and wife. Haha! It'd be the perfect cover, don't you think?" He laughs rubbing the back of his neck, although awkward he confidently turns to look her in the face with a bright smile and flushed cheeks. His grin was silly, loving, and so charming and sincere she could see her reflection in his eyes.
The child within them was dressed in bright red, just like him, yet unlike her watery eyes, the girl was wearing a frown with a hint of annoyance on her face as if he were being ridiculous. Yet she could obviously see the girl with holding a smile after hearing his words. Lan Biyu chokes when she feels and saw the girl in his eyes shake her head, her mouth opening of their own accord. "Senior Brother don't tease me." As Hui goes to rub their noses again with a chuckle, Lan Biyu looks over his shoulder, with dismay, anger, and horror at the black snake with his fangs wide open and large enough to swallow a whole house that appears behind him from his shadow.
"NOOOO-!!"