Winter Pass

The days and nights like this were spent rather lucratively too as traveling on foot brought many dangers they would have never encountered otherwise. Shao Dai Lu had gained more experience in a close combat situation verses beasts, while Shao Dai Ling became enlightened on how to deal with certain species more effectively. Once in awhile he would still be forced to take out his rifle to cover Hao Feng and Dai Lu, otherwise his eyes were bright with more energy than before. Finding such a fresh experience outside the protection of others exhilarating and refreshing gradually growing stronger. Hao Feng, though not as adept or quick to accumulate experience as the seemingly tireless twins.

Still managed to catch up with their progress, finding more than a few loopholes between the twin's methods and consulting them on how to fix their bad habits as well as his own. He offered valuable insight the twins lacked, as they never had a peer to party or train with on most days. Before they knew it, more and more airships started to appear in the sky making the haggard but enlightened youngsters relax their vigilance more. Even if they didn't say it, they had long grown tired of sleeping in the woods with a lack of proper cleaning products. They weren't fussy, but these pass few days had been almost unbearable as the lack of a proper water source contributed to them going sometimes more than a few battles rolling in all sorts of foul things in fights which got too messy. 

Dai Lu almost lost her composure at one point, making Dai Ling and Hao Feng feel sorry for the only woman in their group who was enduring wordlessly. And although using the talismans to create water was a option, none of them were proficient in controlling this element. Though theoretically water should have been an easy to control element, in reality it required immense concentration as a single slip could lead to it dissipating into vapor or steam. Hao Feng's limit was a few cups of water every couple of hours before being unable to conjure more. Shao Dai Ling refused to even attempt it, as he knew his own limits with water arts. With the least amount of talent in conjuring Dai Lu doing it was out of question, leading to their miserable appearance when getting through the capital check point. 

With civilians from mediocre to poor status also trying to pass through, the dirty trio stood out and were somewhat avoided. "Pass?" The capital guard did his best to not have a change in expression when the three came up to his post, but Hao Feng who was about to hand over their student passes still saw the man's brow twitch when he came closer. "...." Dai Lu who pulled her blanket out who knows when, wrapped the fabric over her face a bit more seeing his reluctance to be in close proximity to them. Her cheeks under the dirt and dried blood warming with shame despite her indifferent outer appearance. Dai Ling, no matter how gentle he was still embarrassingly nodded a thanks to the guard who had done his best to remain neutral before pulling his reluctant sister through the gates. 

The emotionally damaged Hao Feng almost wanted to cry when he was also dragged away by Dai Ling who headed to the nearest hotel to rent rooms for them to clean up. When out of earshot Hao Feng finally expressed his sorrow to the similarly embarrassed siblings looking tearful "You guys also saw it?" "...Lets freshen up first before speaking, hmm?" Seeming to want to soothe their companion Dai Ling could only try and change the subject and comfort him in this way. You mind as well say you also think I look and smell terribly!!! Don't think Hao Feng didn't how the twins also stood a fair distance away from him too, only daring to pat him without lingering long. 

Seeing his somewhat accusing look Dai Ling smiled helplessly "A man should be proud of his natural musk, there's nothing to be ashamed of." "Sir Shao your words cut deeper than the look of disgust the guard gave me." Dai Lu's pursed lips pull a subtle smile as she glances over at Hao Feng's deadpanned expression. Although reluctant at first, the hotel lobby assistant still let the smelly trio in after seeing the amount of credits spent for three rooms and the polite attitude of the man leading them in. Without much words of parting they hurried into their prospective rooms to clean up. Dai Lu having hot water for the first time since leaving the valley breathed in deeply and took her sweet time enjoying the luxury of running water. 

It was also the first time she thought about that mysterious valley since leaving and she couldn't help but wonder about the dragon and benefactor. Were they well? Winter seemed harsh in that village, and their only shelter was a few logs of wood in a decrepit old shrine basement. Lost in her thoughts thinking of the man who came and went like a ghost at that time, Shao Dai Lu still found it rather magical. It was only when she scrubbed three layers of grime and left her skin as pink as a newborns did she sigh contently and sort thorough her spacial bracelet throwing her old suits away as she planned to buy new ones now that they arrived to civilization. Peering at the busy capital outside her room, she took comfort in the bathrobe provided by the staff silently observing this place she had been born in but had forsaken for so long. 

The buildings around them were large and towering, occasionally she saw patrol cars zooming pass her window above the main traffic below. It was so busy and lively, just like when they had been forced to leave all those years ago. Without knowing why, a small voice in her heart admitted she missed the company of the quiet deity who tolerated her presence in his lonely yet peaceful village. Was her benefactor and sir deity lonely at all living in that forgotten valley? His bronze eyes were cold, but his hands were ever careful when leading her from the cold plaza to a warm flowing river. Or whenever he delivered her meals and clay pot of water. She couldn't help asking herself why such a gentle soul choose to stay in an isolated valley all alone when he could clearly spread his wings beyond the mountain tops.

Who could hate such a tolerant and powerful gentleman? Or was it that he hated the presence of other people so he choose to be alone with no one but a noble dragon to accompany him? The contrast was so harsh it made her heart twinge before she was interrupted by a call from her brother. She sighs softly before answering her brother patiently, seeing he had also washed up looking ready to head out. "LingLing." "You're still not dressed? What's wrong? Are you feeling ill still LuLu?" Worried about his strangely sedated sibling Dai Ling made to leave right away to her room but was stopped by Dai Lu who didn't want him to fuss. "No it's nothing, I was just sorting through the things in my bracelet and lost track of time. I'll be down in a moment." 

Pulling out something at random from her bracelet to show him, Dai Lu was confused when her hands touched something familiar yet not. Both siblings held various different expressions when she hesitantly pulled out a tattered shabby looking piece of cloth cut from the exact same fabric as their suits. Dai Ling's expression was complicated and deep, while Dai Lu was purely baffled "Pfft...What a strange person." Her soft giggle and easily lit eyes when holding up the fabric was captured by her sibling surprising him somewhat. Not noticing her brother's strangeness Dai Lu, in a better mood made to end the call and get up to get ready. "I'll only be a few minutes LingLing, you and Hao Feng can look up places to have a meal and shop in the meantime." 

It was a bit before he could react to her little smile of fondness because of another person, not only that but it was a man. "Dai Ling?" Blinking out of his daze Dai Ling met Hao Feng curious gaze with a friendly look "It's nothing, she'll be down in a few minutes. Do you perhaps know of any good restaurants nearby we can fill our stomachs with before we shop for our things?" Hao Feng being asked this was startled for only a second before he also remembered the twins hadn't been to the capital in a very long time and must not be familiar with the latest trending places. So with the air of a local he started listing popular places that served good food seeing if any of them tickled the other's fancy. 

They settled with a Zhejiang restaurant that wasn't too high end yet was popular for their local and fresh ingredients. Though Dai Lu disliked light foods, she knew Dai Ling liked it and she nodded along planning to order a plate of dongpo pork and sliced lotus roots for her own sake. Hao Feng had no opinion, as long as the food wasn't unpalatable or had green onions he didn't care much. Now that they cleaned up, the three youths attracted more eyes for different reasons. The gentle spring-like Dai Ling and the unsmiling unapproachable Dai Lu held magnetizing auras. Hao Feng in contrast was a bright person who wasn't overwhelming meshing perfectly with the mild tempered twins effortlessly. 

After filling their stomach under subtle glances occasionally due to their similar features and narrow matching grey eyes, as twins were a rather rare sight in person. Especially decently looking twins such as these two. Hao Feng then dragged them to a mall where lost in a crowd of people they drew less lingering glances. Dai Lu critically examined the clothing on the rack in front of her, sometimes asking for Dai Ling's opinion and sometimes not. Hao Feng stood with Dai Ling off the side feeling like a proper third party to the sibling love being displayed before him. Noticing his drifting gaze Dai Ling nudges him subtly when Dai Lu walked over to another rack after handing over the ones she wanted for Dai Ling to hold. 

Whispering so as to not attract her notice "If you have a place you want to go you can go do it while we are here. LuLu won't be done here for quite a bit as she has to refill her wardrobe since we brought nothing with us from the lower city. We can all see each other again at the academy scoring event." Hao Feng hesitated, but knowing he still had lots of gifts to buy and such for his own family after returning to the capital. He sent the distracted Dai Lu a look but noticed she had already perceived their conspiracy and sent him an amused glance and small wave of farewell first. Thus, scratching his nose he embarrassingly waved back and gave the twins a small bow for their company and understanding. Exchanging device numbers with them before hurrying off to do his own share of shopping. 

"What an unexpectedly amusing fellow." Dai Ling comments jokingly letting his sister almost snort at him, sending him a look in return before quietly going back to her shopping. Seeing a particularly pretty skirt Dai Lu contemplates, checking the size and eventually heading to the dressing room with a few other items she took back from Dai Ling's arms. The size was a bit small, but she had also lost a bit of weight from eating less than nutritional meals in the woods so maybe she would fit? Even if she wouldn't be able to wear it for a few days she was reluctant to pass over the knee length red butterfly skirt. It was rare she could have the chance to own girly things without worrying over if she would have the opportunity to wear it before she outgrew them. 

As she was changing into the skirt and admiring it swaying back and forth in front of the mirrors, her lips quirk up lightly at her reflection. She didn't look too bad in it. If she fit it with a short sweater it would look nice, pleased with herself she wanted to show off to Dai Ling. However, as she made to open her door, across from the woman's dressing section she heard the door opening on the male's side. With a waiting area as well as two thin walls separating them, it wasn't hard for her to hear the exiting person's voice. He seemed to be accompanied by a store assistant as the flattery spilling from the clerk's lips seemed enthusiastic when complimenting the individual. 

"Although we don't have much popular brands in store, Junzi pulls off this series of clothing really well. Junzi's temperament is noble and gives off an even more impressive figure in this outfit, this little person has never seen a better looking model for these clothes." He was respectful, and spoke unnaturally for a modern clerk yet it was the serious but low hum of the other which made all of fit somewhat. Like a trembling metal fork the hum tickles her eardrums in a weird familiar manner. "Mmn." "??" Confused by her own reaction, Dai Lu hesitated leaving the dressing room. It seemed that she wasn't the only one attracted by his hum, as the clerk layered more flattery and honey after receiving acknowledgement even offering to show him various accessories in the store personally. 

Not knowing why, her heart shifts in a panic and Dai Lu without the previous equivocation when she first heard his voice she hurriedly exits to chase the familiar hum. Turning the corner sharply and crashing into another person entering. "What's your problem?!" "Sorry." In a fluster Dai Lu apologizes curtly whilst hastily leaving the scene as the priority lay in the person who was quickly leaving. "Wait!" The woman gave a frustrated call after seeing the crazy woman take off around the corner. Even leaving a stunned but quick to react man chasing after her worriedly. "Dai Lu!" Left in the dust, the scowling woman stopped in her actions of meaning to call security mid dial. Snapping her head up in the direction the two ran away appearing somewhat disbelieving. She murmurs in a distracted manner the name the man called out. "Dai Lu...?" 

Her assistant hearing the commotion rushed over in time wearing an expression of concern after encountering her miss in a daze. "Heiress Duan!! Is everything alright?!" Duan Yuqin felt complicated in her heart, filled with many questions and indecision as her subordinate came checking her person to see if she had been hurt. Waving off their help Duan Yuqin impatiently dismissed her concern "It's nothing, just a little incident and they already apologized....Situ go to sister Xinya and give me a list of recent arrivals in the capital with the surname Shao." "Dai Lu stop!" Catching his sister's arm he was baffled when she actually tried shrugging him off to continue running after whoever it was she was after. 

Tightening his hold so she wouldn't succeed, Dai Lu sent her brother a look of frustration but Dai Ling was stern and unmoved. "LuLu what's gotten into you? Explain to me so I can help you, you're not acting like yourself." His sister was never one to lose her composure over nothing so easily, let alone taking action without telling him first. Knowing she was acting out of sorts too, Dai Lu still couldn't get that person's face and voice out of her head. That humming still stirring something in her body she found hard to explain, like a shallow lake rippling it's way deeper and deeper into her mind without a clear source. Impatiently trying to look over and listen for that person's voice again only to see a few curious customers peeking back at her or walking across her vision ignorantly. 

"..." Knowing she had lost the other, she bit the inside of her cheek subtly annoyed with the heavy drop of disappointment within the pits of her stomach. "LuLu." Hearing her sibling call for her again Dai Lu sent him a shake of her head appearing neutral despite her inner feelings. "Sorry LingLing I thought I saw, I thought I saw someone I knew." Unsatisfied with her explanation but also knowing this wasn't the time nor place to discuss her oddity Dai Ling fell silent as the suspicion in his heart grew stronger.