All mushrooms aren't edible

Somewhere between Qinghe and Kaifeng, the clouds were slowly dissipating over mountains, letting a few sunrays shine on a muddy trail. The rain, which had poured all morning, was now a drizzle and lazy drops were slowly falling from trees, pushed by the cold wind and gravity. Birds and scavengers were already back to business, replacing the sound of water with peaceful chirping and leaves rustling. Ahh! Nature...

A noise came from the bushes on the steep path upstream. A rabbit? A boar? A deer?

No. A large, cylindrical, soft, beige shape ejected from the fern thickets, falling on the path below. A bag. A simple, filled travel bag made with crude linen.

"Kyaaaaaaa!"

From the same bushes, something else jumped -or got ejected after a steep fall- and crashed in the mud right next to the bag, splashing some around. Something humanoid, wearing black and grey, that made string notes when they landed. What kind of yao guai or beast was that?

She'd been traveling the area, with ever careful intent, making her way within the mountain path. Her clue had been vague, so very much so that this was an ever longshot to actually make headway within her trials and tribulations within the Xuetong's matters.

Winding on a spiraling path, she paused upon hearing the noise that erupted from the bush. Her jade gaze widend, one who spent many days on the roads as she had, could often times decipher what manner of beast one was, from certain mannerisms and actions made, sounds, how they crept within the brush, the likes, -this- however was clearly no animal....it was...a bag?! Her eyes remained exmaining it briefly yet her attention was stolen twice over, shifting away toward the second unknown entity.

Startled Yulian let a small gasp escape herself ,her hand rose upward as she covered her lips some, she wore that typical red veil over her face, keeping her identity hidden away as she often did, a black circular hat held the veil aswell, and her outfit styled similar, that same dark tone, even a cape draped around her shoulders. Yulian most certainly held serious in attire, one that one would most likely not want to linger about with. One you may cross the road as to not be walking directly beside them.

She hand a hand briefly resting upon what appeared to be an ornamental hilt, fancy, yet clearly a blade that had seen use. Her eyes remained focused upon the humanoid creature, beast, whatever it was, for now keeping a healthy distance and waiting to see how it reacted moving forth before she made any true motions or shown any form of intent. "Stand and speak." The little woman stated, her tone sharp, commanding.

A low growl. Then the beast slowly raised, standing up. A muddy spirit! No, a forest guardian! No... Just... A woman, now half covered in wet soil, groaning as she was removing the mud from her face and eyes, her other hand looking blindly for the bag.

She froze when she eventually noticed the presence of the traveler, surely not expecting to meet anyone here. Or was it their serious attire and commanding tone? A fleeting moment passed between them, enough for her to blink a few times before angry shouts and... What was sounding like a bear growl could be heard from where she's just fallen.

She was....most certainly rigidly watching the other, there was something different about her, the way she was acting, throwing out the bag, then leaping out and crashing into the ground herself.

A confused expression ran across the lower parts of Yulian's lips, an almost pouty expression forming over her soft, smooth features. "You should be more careful-" She murmured but paused, the moment she heard...growls? And sounds? Coming from the direction she'd fallen, there was a sense of confusion surging through her features. "W-what did you do?!" She stated, her hand was grasped, the little mercenary looking woman's hand was taken and she was pulled along with her, as that 'run!' was stated so vividly.

Yulian kept that hawk-like gaze out behind herself, the oddity of the moment truly showing itself, her full lips pursed, she was't sure what to make of the moment. Running off from...sounds, without any visible threat, yet the sounds were -so- very vivid, clear, all she could do was let a small huff escape herself and continue to be pulled, her head lowered a little, keeping herself closeby to the other, rushing forth to match her motions as best she could, her free hand lingering on the hilt of her blade once more, just incanse whatever was following after this strange woman continued to do so.

For the moment however she remained focused fully on moving forward with her, getting to a reprieve where they could actually speak. "Run!" she shouted, jumping on her feet and fleeing from where the traveler was coming, grabbing them by their arm with her free hand, the bag ragdolling in the other, as she escaped an invisible but audible threats.

"What?! Me? Nothing!" the muddy woman shouted, still running as fast as she can, her grip tight on the mercenary's arm. "Keep your breath for running!"

Behind them, climbing down the steep trail she felt off from, three men dressed like road bandits where also running at them, some with knifes or blades drawned. But...

They weren't looking to be chasing them. Or, they were at the same time angry at the woman, and also running away from something, frequently checking behind them.

Then, it appeared, falling also from the same spot, shaking the ground as it land. Huge. Hairy. Muscular. Biped yet not human.

A mountain bear.

An angry one, dashing forward on the same path as everyone.

"Oh no, he's here..! Go away, stop following me! Go get killed somewhere else!" the woman shouted to the bandits, merely looking back.

"You little scum, when we'll catch you-- AHH!" one spat before being thrown against a tree by the wild animal.

Everything happening, was so highly peculiar in this moment, Yulian was left almost at a loss for words. Her eyes shifted back to stare at the trio of bandits in chase after them, yet...'in chase' may've not been the most correct way to state such. Her jaw dropped as she noticed the bear coming very fast afterwords. The absolute insanity of the moment, leaving her wide eyed and staring back at the scene, yet constantly being pulled away all the same. Her hand tightend against the other, keeping herself oddly secured within her grasp.

For now she took her prior words to heart, saving her breath, her eyes shifted on her front, after having seen...whatever was occuring behind her, her entire focus now was at dashing forward and away, to obtain distance, "....T-this is insane!" She whined out slightly, her furrowed brow very much showing the high stress of the shared moment.

They quickly arrived at a crossing, the trail splitting in two directions : on the left, a stiff and slippery slope was going straight down into the valley. On the right, the path was smooth, unwinding in the forest.

"In-insane? I... Will have you know... It was... A... Clever plan!" she retorted, trying to catch her breath, hands on her knees.

"I don't recall this area... Which way? Which way?! I don't want to be the bear's prey!" she pressed her new companion, maybe expecting them to be some local guide.

Having aquired some distance and having gotten away from the sudden trailings, she let her gaze shift over her shoulder briefly, taking a small gaze backwards just to see if they were still being followed, but when it was clear they had aquired atleast a little breathing room....she took that deep breath in and out and let her eyes sharply look back toward her in that moment. "You had bandits clearly chasing after you, and then a -bear- chasing after you both...This was like a comedy on stage." She sighed outward.

After giving a small few glances at the two pathes, she offered a small shrug, "This is my first time on this path too, but unless you aren't good on your feet I suggest the left path." She clicked her tongue, her eyes shifting toward the path, her hand lifting upward to gesture, "Getting lost in the forest doesn't sound pleasant for either of us." She sucked in a bit more of her breath, clearly however her stamina was quite good, she didn't look nearly as winded as one may have.

"Come." She took some command, and started to walk forward, toward the left path she'd chosen.

"It wasn't... supposed to backfire this bad.
To backfire at all. My plan is ruined, I'm sad.
I may have overlooked a few details
But at least, this time, I won't end up in jails" she sang between two deep breathing.

"I actually saved you a lots of troubles by warning you to run... I hope you're taking me to a place to have a good meal, at least! Hey! Wait for me!"

Running to them, the linen bag in her arms, she almost slipped on the way, restoring her balance at the last second by grabbing the traveler.

"You're not some... law enforcer, right?"

She kept walking forward, and onward, keeping her attentions settled upon the path ahead. A small thought flickered within her psyche for but a moment, of why she was truly out within these mountains and woods, along this path in nature. A small exhale was taken, and a solemn shake of her head given, murmuring, "I suppose this lead is dead in the wind."

She stated with a small sigh escaping past her lips before she blinked, being caught off-guard by the woman's sudden grasping of her once more. Yulian may've had a scary presence, by the way she dressed, but she was infact quite small. Standing an inch or two above five feet tall, she was easily grasped onto, and her lithe frame gasped as she used one hand to steady herself back, one hand settling back upon her. "M-must you grasp me so many t-times?!" A small little bit of a pouty whine left her lips. Perhaps a bit more of her true personality leaking out despite the imagery of at the very least a wandering mercenary of some sort.

"L-law enforcer? What do you think I am a wandering guard or magistrate? No! Of course not....Don't be silly, dear." She stated now, given the context clues having been given, her gaze shifted over toward the bag, "I'm presuming that doesn't blong to you...I'm not particularly interested in whatever you stole, just make sure I don't get in trouble for it, Mmm? I'm not your accomplice here."

"What? No! I did not stole it, I 'scavenged' it. From dead bodies. Well... I think they are dead now, if that bear did had them for breakfast... But don't worry, I won't get you involved in my business, and certainly not sharing my loot with you..." she grumbled, as if she was getting scolded, securing her bag in her arms.

"If you're not law affiliated, what have you those mountains penetrated? You don't look like a mere traveler, too fancy clothes for a melons' seller."

She lifted her gaze up and down upon the other's frame, her jade gaze watched her with ever careful intent behind it. A small hum escaped her lips, the little veiled woman kept her identity hidden, but one could tell from the small parts of her face that did held exposed, that her skin was silky smooth and well taken care of. Giving her that swift once over now that they actually had a long moment alone, Yulian pressed her arms upward and crossed them under her bust. "I don't want your loot." She stated with a small shake of her head. Though she paused...

"My...reasons for being here...?" She looked back toward her now, "They are....highly irrelavent. Consider me a melon-seller if you'd like, it'd amount to about the same. The less you know of me, the better." She stated with a small click of her tongue following it. "...I'm thinking of making my way back to Kaifeng, it seems the journey hadn't paid off like I was hoping it would." She stated, swiveling her hips a little as she stretched out, letting her eyes gaze around as she did so. "Now that you have your 'loot', where are you headed dear?"

"Ohhh, so mysterious! Fine. Keep your secrets, the reasons may be various But at the end of the day, I'll had you spat everything, that, I can say!"

She smiled, still tucking her precious loot against her, singing again.

"A Kaifeng little squirrel, in those woods just dropped-in
Though her quest was sterile, she met a wise robin
What are you looking for, far from your cozy home?
Tracking a long lost spoor, on endless roads to roam~"

Taking advantage of the small break, she put her treasure on a trunk and started untying the knot, unpacking it like a child eager to discover their new toys.

"Where? For the next time being, I will follow your steps.
Just to make sure no-one break their neck!
And I'm still hoping for a token of gratitude
I'll get one, eventually, out of your lassitude!"

Momentarily occupied by her loots, she half-dived into the bag, scavenging its content with many comments.

"Nice. Could be useful. Useless... Useless too... What is that? Eww... Why would someone keep...that?"

Her full painted lips pursed slightly as she heard her very choice of wording, a stall in her reactions, those striking jade green eyes remained watching her, a soft hum escaping herself as she twisted on her heel some. "Don't...make such procclaimations, silly girl. You're far over your head with someone like me. Just...lets make it back to the city." She stated with an amused little tut of her tongue following.

Her arms remained crossed under her bust as she looked as if she was going to keep going on her way, only to pause and let her gaze shift back over her shoulder, to settle back upon her as she noted she seemed to be singing almost like a folk-tune, her brows furrowed a little and yet another soft little giggle parted passed her lips, "You...just robbed three men, watched them get mauled by a bear, and you're in quite the spirits. You most certainly are...eccentric, Mm...?" She teased.

Twisting on her heels she shifted herself back toward the other, bringing herself a few steps away from her, enough to take a small peek into the bag, trying to decipher just what she was looking at now, purely out of curiosity. "You know, the best time to examine your 'loot' is likely when no one is watching~ You wouldn't want a fellow thief to come and snatch up your hard earnings, Mmm?" She winked toward her, though was clearly not referencing that of herself, she kept that small distance, made no motions forward, there was just the remaining little teasing smirk across her soft features.

"Eccentric, me?" she repeated, almost offended, looking at the woman from top to bottom. "Me? And what with your outfit? It isn't something suited for a walk in such places, first of all!"

"... Then... you said you wasn't interested in it!" she whined, tugging the bag in a protective attempt. "Moreover, I'm sure you won't have any use of what's inside. And, again, I robbed no one: I merely got back already stolen goods, and some not-to-be-wasted food. Maybe I will even find their original owners, that would make me a vigilante, not a felon! Also, again, I haven't watched! I fled. The bear wasn't supposed to attack! It was supposed to.... frighten them a bit. Would have they acted according to my plan, everything would have been alright and... well, maybe you'd been dead by now, or you'd been robbed. "

Closing the bag, she looked around, maybe expecting some accomplices to jump on her from the bushes.

"In fact, I haven't saved you lots of troubles. I saved your life. I expect a grand banquet in return!"

She bliiiiiinked at all of this, her jaw opened to speak but she seemed almost slightly dumbfounded once more, at a loss of how to respond. A part of her seemed amused, a part of her looked slightly challenged, and another part of her almost slightly confused by it all. She sucked her plump bottom lip, that wasn't covered by her hat or veil inbetween her teeth, gently chewing upon it as she seemed to put on a show of thought. "You...saved me did you...?" She let a small giggle escape herself, "Well then, that's quite interesting dove. Quiiiiiite interesting indeed...." Her words shared that same level of soft amusement. Slowly but surely she'd take a step forward, moving to place one hand upon her shoulder, "What type of banquet would my saviour desire, mmm?"

Her hand was softly set, not quite squeezing against her but there was most certainly a level of firmness upon it all the same, her fingers gently pressing inward, there was most certainly something odd about her grasp, as if there were more to it then the lithe, little figure of a shapely woman hidden behind her black leathers and garments. "...And what's wrong with my outfit, Mm~?" She let her gaze shift downcast, "You don't like it~?"

Ye Yu frowned, starting to feel unease. The moment ago, she was all confident, boasting around and suddenly, she was feeling a shift in their dynamic. She swallowed, keeping the bag between the -a bit scary- woman and her, using it as some soft shield.

"I-... uh... Mhh...Dezhou braised chicken, perhaps?" she suggested quite timidly. "I-... uh... No, I didn't mean... It's quite nice actually, it is just... That is not the most appropriate one to pick mushrooms after a rainy morning... Or whatever you came collecting..."

She tried to smile, awkwardly, giving glances at the hand on her shoulder.

"But if it is too much too ask, which would be a pity because I'm sure your life is worth more than a chicken, maybe... Stuffed buns, steamed buns and porridge? A some wine? ... ... With sesame crackers...?"

A small smile started to place across her lips, there was a distinct sharpness within those jade green eyes of the little black garbed woman. Slowly but surely, her hand started to ease itself before merely resting upon Ye Yu's very shoulder. "Mmm.....good." She stated softly, that hand transitioning into a small pat before lifting away from her entirely and instead crossing under her large bust some, shifting on her heels she'd look over her shoulder at her, "You're the one with all that -loot-, I think instead you should treat -me- to a meal. Afterall, you pulled me away from my task. And my task was -incredibly- important."

She pursed her lips if just the slightest bit, again her gaze looked her up and down briefly, "Braised chicken would be quite yummy, perhaps we could have some lotus wraps~." She hummed some, shifting on her heel, "We'll decide when we get there, surely." She nodded once more. Her hand gently lingering upon her hilt. "You can count your 'loot' later, my dear. You've made me absolutely famished."

"...Wait! That's not how it was supposed to work! -I- am the one asking you for a meal! I saved you! And if you're quest was that important, then you should be twice as grateful for me saving your life: dead people cannot accomplished their missions, you know?"

She grabbed her stolenfound bag and quickly joined the woman who was slowly, but surely pulling the string of their interactions.

"Moreover, I don't know yet if this loot is made of gold
Or if it's just garbage, with nothing worth to be sold...
While we're leaving the woods for the city
What you were looking for, why not telling me ?"

She shifted her gaze back over her shoulder offering her that same, soft little pout. Her hand rose upward, not to place itself upon her shoulder but to lift a single finger upward and she pressed that tip to the other's lips. There was a soft looking smile vaguely forming over her features, a bit of a grin tugging on the corners of her lips.

"Shhhh, shhhh. You don't want to know about such information, dove. Let us just say, my business always involves the work of powerful men and women, to whom you wouldn't want to interfere within, would you~?" She hummed softly and kept her finger bracing against her lip for but a few more moments.

"You will buy us a lovely meal and I will forgive you, I'll even consider you a friend~. Isn't that a grand deal to be had?" Her hand would now attempt to pull back and away, ushering her forth back onto the path, "We can make it back to the city before nightfall if we hurry, I remember a vague enough distance of where we are from the city. And I don't desire to be trapped on this mountain. So come, come, dove." Her hand gesturing forth as she moved to shift her gaze away entirely and kept her attentions forth once more.

"Mm....Why don't you tell me more of yourself? The only thing I know of you is that you have quite....sticky fingers. Perhaps you can draw a better picture of yourself."

"Better sticky than slippery..." she mumbled again after she recovered from the surprise, her mind being blank for a while after she'd been shushed in such a... gentle way. "And what make you think I am not a powerful woman myself who could use your... whatever services you're providing?" she asked in a desperate but failed attempt to regain her position, as her sentence had been delivered while being still half covered in damp soil, staining her grey and dusty traveling clothes.

"We shall see at the end of the meal
Who, among you or me, will pay the bill!
Yet don't underestimate your opponent
Or it could prove to be your very last moment~
... ...but wait for me!"

Resuming their walk towards the edge of the forest, she eventually continued to yap in verses.

"I may not look like it, but I am a famous artist
I am well-known for my wit, for I am the smartest
And my fingers do magic with my trusty instruments
From passion to tragic, my songs never are dissonant~"

"... mostly" she added after a pause, half-voiced.

Yulian let a slightly soft hum escape past her full lips as she heard the words the other said. "I think you'd rather not spend so much coin on another's services~ You don't seem to be the type that enjoys..." Her lovely jade green gaze shifted over toward that of 'her' bag. A long stare being cast it's way before she continued, "...sharing her wealth." She stated remembering how protective she was of Yulian just -watching- her rummage within.

As she turned to continue walking, she heard the verses she stated aloud, a soft pause once again given as she waited for her to finish up with the singing before she interuptted. "....You are correct in your assertion, y'know." She stated with another small hum exiting past her lips, "You have a lovely voice, I could see you up upon a stage, singing, dancing, with the other performers amongst the stage-halls..." She paused once more, letting her gaze shiftup and down upon her again.

"I must wonder why a woman of your...wit and talent, would resort to..." Her eyes lingering over toward that of the bag, that seemed to have mostly unncessary, undesirable items within, "....That. Most in your position do so because they -have- to, to survive. You have another way. I wonder what is keeping you on such a...veiled path."

"... Wait ! What with this assumption? I can totally share my wealth! I'll prove you, maybe I'll be the one paying for the meal -even if you are the one owing me something-!" she defended herself, offended. She picked up the pace, as much to vent her frustration as to hide her blushing face. Lovely voice?

Avoiding to look at that strange, all black clothed woman who was clearly not a mere commoner, she eventually admitted :

"I... Huh... Am more a storyteller for the time being
Than a true artist, on scene performing...
But you can't really get a living
From stories and watercolor paintings..."

"What about you? I told you a bit more about me,
Why don't you tell me something about you I can't see?" she asked, while they were reaching the end of the forest, the many trees slowly giving way to lands of grass and wheat fields.

As she so often did, she just let a small hum escape herself in that moment, offering but a small bow of her head in response, "I see. Well please, feel free to prove me wrong dear. I -soooo- don't believe you will." She teased back. Though she didn't linger on the subject nor stare as she was attempting to veil herself a little more, it seemed Yulian was quite understanding at the need to hide ones self away afterall, given how she normally dressed, veiled, hidden, obscured. Lost amongst the very shadows themselves.

Yet as she spoke further about what she was, she listened to each word, "Nonsense dove, if your art is good enough to make it within the homes of those with power, you will make more then a living, rest assured." She stated with a small click of her tongue, "Yet you must build your name as an artist worth seeing, worth collecting, worth pursuing first. That...is the real challenge to every artist's plight. The fame and fortune will follow, but you must be lucky, dove, to truly make your way."

She stated as she continued walking, at this point it seemed like Yulian did know full well where they were going, as she didn't seem to be lingering too much on pathes ahead, or looking around, she was following the trail, walking at a good pace, but slow enough to not interupt their talks. "...You say you are a 'storyteller', dove? Well then, instead of telling you something boring about myself, perhaps I will tell you a story of my own instead."

She continued walking, "The story is simple, about a fair little princess. And her warrior-emperor father. This is some far off obscure kingdom, no one has ever heard of or seen before, lost amongst the shadows and echoes of time, yet it was everything to this little princess..."

She paused in her words, briefly looking about before continuing her pace forward, "Their...nation....was known for it's martial prowress, they had sword-styles that were unique to their own ways, sharp, firm, true. The Little Princess was SO proud of her nation, so proud of her father. She idolized him, looked up to him in every way." She let out almost a small giggle as she said that, a tiny shake of her head also given.

"So...it broke her heart entirely when her father forbade her from learning the sword-style. He wanted another path for her, one of nurturing, healing, to help the land prosper with a kind touch, rather than an iron fist."

She almost sounded sorrowful at this part, as if it was getting a tiny bit harder to state, "She...cried and cried, but he never budged on his stance. She was made to study healing arts from manuels and teachers she didn't care for, she learned the minimum to appease her father, but in secret, she hid amongst the shadows, and watched those studying her true love, her people's martial art, that legacy sword style they held so dear....She watched, and watched, studied in secret, her passion was slowly being realized. She learned, mastered, -conquered-...and soon became one of the best about within that sword style.

"Yet...days before she was going to expose this to her father, something terrible happened. On the night of the crimson moon The kingdom had been conquered by foul snakes, her people destroyed, these sinister serpents left nothing in their wake, by ashes of death. They coiled around the very proverbial throat of the kingdom and squeezed it's life away, after injecting it with it's deadly venom. One of the very few survivors, held that little girl, barely a grown woman, left alone in the world, with no one, to share her accomplishments with, with a father she'd never see again, to show him he was wrong, to prove to him her worth. All she was left with was the regret and sorrow of the world itself, knowing she will forever be incomplete..." The words rung hollow, deeply set forth, as if she were wounded.

"So now, that Little Princess' only goal is to find those snakes, and to behead each one. Snakes are disgusting little creatures, are they not? Slithering on their bellies-because they havn't the grace to walk on their legs. For they were cursed to have no legs. Yes, that Little Princess must behead them. For their foul transgressions, dove. The story is as of yet, incomplete. If...I ever have the chance to meet the teller again, I'll let you know how it finishes."

Ye Yu listened to the story attentively, stopping when it came to its end to put her new bulky bag down. Retrieving from her own travel bag a journal, she hastily scribbled some lines, nodding alone while reading her notes.

"That would do a very good story to tale during my travel, 'The Lone Princess and the Snakes'. I hope you won't mind if I add it in my repertoire and sing it from time to time? There is such a dramatic feeling, and this open end! Will the princess find peace after killing all the snakes? Will she die, bitten in her sleep? Will she find allies in her revengeful quest? Who will be her opponents? Crude murderers? Powerful rulers? Intriguing conspirators? Will there be a romance arc in this story? A tragic ending? Or a light, refreshing one?"

Very enthusiastic at the idea of developing -or discovering- this new story, she put away her notebook and took back her bag, resuming her walk.

"Yet... I wonder what would be the next volume of this Princess's story. After she finished killing all crawling-on-their-bellies creatures. If she survives, of course. I wonder if, maybe, she will find some sort of inner peace? Maybe... Maybe she could find a new meaning in life by teaching this martial art thingy, dear to her heart? A means to... perpetuating the memory, spirit and instruction of her beloved father and nation, for them not to be forgotten?"

She was talking lightly, as if simply talking about trivial matters, looking in the distance, to the city slowly closing in.

"You should think about that. For your story, of course. People love good endings! And if you prefer another end... Well, it doesn't really matter, I'll still sing my version instead, to lords and commoners, merchants and travelers. Mhh... Should we give a name to this nation and Princess, maybe? Or should History forgets their identities, only for the story to be remembered ?"

She walked a little more quietly now that the story had been stated aloud, just listening to her responses, the questions about what kind of story she seen it as. There was a long pause in her response but she finally did so, "....I'm sure only the storyteller that told me of this tale knows the real intent. We as listeners are free to interpret however we desire." She stated with a small shrug of her shoulders, "Who knows what destiny has in store for her..."

She paused a bit more for now, waiting and listening to the next bit of what she asked, a small tip of her head being given as she heard what could be 'next' after the story. She seemed to peer over her shoulder, almost an incredulous look set upon her veiled face, confused even. There was a long moment of staring, gazing over toward her before she finally offered a small giggle. "I'm....sure she'll have a long, happy story. Full of cherished moments with newfound loved ones...." She sucked in her bottom lip, "Once she procclaims her father's blade from the snakes, it all will find itself working out. Surely...." She stated, with an oddly solemn tone about her.

Though those final bits, she'd let her lips shift into a frown, "T-this isn't MY story!" She stated with an almost defensive pout back toward the other, "I told you a few times, this was a story from that of a storyteller! I was just repeating it back, I can't make up the endings and such..." She sighed softly and shook her head a bit, "Silly, silly girl. You're lucky you're very pretty. People may get upset when you don't listen to them, it's good you can charm them back to your good graces." She said with a small 'hmph' behind her words.

Ye Yu almost choked on her saliva, coughing and dropping her bag.

"I- what?! No! I wasn't! Well I was! But not what you-. I-" she babbled in a confusing way. "I was indeed listening to you! I think? What did I missed? Of course it is not you. Of course. Like... it is not an excuse a storyteller would invent to hide her true past. Nobody does that, and nobody asks embarrassing questions 'for a friend', right?" she retorted, half-complaining, then half-laughing. "And I wasn't trying to do any... Charm! Why would... how would I even do such... Ah!"

Clearly shy now, she frantically agitated her hand in front of her face, recovering her bag and leaving on the path as fast as she could.

"Let's head over somewhere to eat before they all close, instead of speaking nonsense!" she groaned, whilst the sun was still up in the sky and the shops even not all opened yet. "But if this isn't your story, I'll have you tell me all about it with a drink, trust me! Without even using my powerful grace nor my hidden... talents!"

She let a sour expression form over her features as she heard her choice of wording, casting her a dark look over her shoulder...yet there was a hint of more to it, a gentle pinkness across her cheeks, barely exposed thanks to the veil she wore, that draped down but it was clear, Yulian held a vivid sense of embarrassment across her features, framing her lovely feminine features some as she cleared her throat, "I'm not saying anything 'for a friend'." She said with a huff to her words, shaking her head once more as she just twisted her gaze away from her with a small 'hmph' to her.

Though, seeing the other's very reactions, just how her attentions seemed to shift, and how she became shy, half complained, half laughed, she seemed to ease considerably in that moment. Her lips once again reverting to a soft, little smile as she moved to follow right on with her, moving to match her pace forth, "Now, now...I never said you were using such things -now-, silly." She giggled softly, "I just meant...in general, Mm?" She moved to follow after her, "We're luckily not -too- deep into the mountains, with a small bit of a walk, we'll be there soon. You've gotten suddenly into -such- a mood to get there, curiooous~. Do you really want to treat me to a wonderful meal this badly? Mm?"

"No, I am not!" the little bag collector argued with a pouty voice. "It is just that talking to you made me thirsty and my gourd is empty. Moreover, I can't wait to sit and put down this bag to inspect its content, that's all! There is nothing to do with you at all!"

Yet, behind her sullen attitude, a little smile was trying to make its place at the corner of her lips. She even slightly slowed down, just to make sure the Not-The-Princess-At-All would keep walking with her.

"Moreover, if I... If we arrive early, right when the shops are opening, then we are sure to get a seat, fresh ingredients and all the choices on the menu. If I am going to be treat regally by your limitless generosity, then it would be a shame not to have a feast!"

After crossing the fields, she stopped at the town entrance, observing the various streets which were gradually becoming busier and busier as people left work or, in case of those working in the restaurant trade, headed to work.

"I'll shall be magnanimous: I'll let you choose in which restaurant you want me to empty your purse while unraveling all your deepest secrets... Princess! " she taunted, hiding the fact she had no idea where to go. Left, right? Straight forward?

She kept walking forward, her first words made her openly giggle in that moment, she couldn't help it, there was an amusement springing aloud within her as she looked back at her now, from behind her veil she watched her, carefully now. "Ooooh I see, I see. How unfortunate. You're -so- very thirsty, we should hurry then. I'd hate for you to be inconvenienced any further, Miss."

Her words quietly spoken, soft, and infact sounding quite honest in the way she spoke them forward, yet at the same very time, that teasing, lingering amusement was ever present in her tone, all she could do was let her hand lift and gesture for her to continue walking along with her, "Well, let us put a bit more into our step so we can arrive in a...timely manner, mmm? Come, come. Don't dally about~. You don't want to miss the food in the early morning, at it's freshest, do you?"

The field was crossed and at the entrance she seemed to shift her attentions about and around, gaze lingering around the area with a quiet, considerable intent, letting herself take a more neutral laced stance once more. Her hand lifted as she gestured for her to follow, "Very well. I've never been here before but you can typically see what places are popular with the locals of the town from afar. They should serve us a yummy variety, I think~." She'd wander over toward a small little tavern esque restaurant, though she paused softly, her gaze shifting instantly back and once again that soft pink hue was threatening across her cheeks, a beautiful expression across her feminine features. "H-hush with that. Now come along before I simply order without you!"

Ye Yu was slowing down, now short on her breath. Failing to hide her state, she panted: "Hey... wait!... I... You're not carrying... anything! Just wait for me-.... She halted to tighten her grip on the bag, while balancing the instruments on her back. "I am soooo going to spend all her money" she grumbled, "she'll have to work there for a week to repay the owner after that! Then I'll have a new tale: "From Princess to Waitress, a true story"!".

Letting out a deep sigh, she bridged the gap left and joined Yulian at the small tavern. "W-water!" she shouted to the staff without waiting any further.

"Water, alcohol, anything that is drinkable!
Empty your cellars, take all the victuals!
Give us your best seating! The best view on the city!
Today, I eat for free thanks to the Princess's generosity!" she claimed out loud, pointing at Yulian with a small chin move, before giving her a large grin.

"Open your finest bottles, prepare your most savory meats,
She's not only generous, but she has her pockets deep!
How lucky of I am to have met her today!"

Putting down her big bag next to her, stretching wide, she whispered: "Well, Princess, let's sit and have a look at the menu, now?"

In this chess game they were having over the meal, she just took the advantage. At least, she thought she had.

She merely kept walking, keeping herself entering the establishment without a delay, allowing the other that was travelling with her to have to rush to keep up and make it inside still. She let a hand gently tap against the side of her cheek as she looked around and about, carefully so, she moved over toward the waitress or whoever was taking the orders, she...whispered something to them and then offered a small smile and bow of her head, respectful, demure in nature, ever the serious whim, yet her face was absolutely still captured under that crimson veil.

She moved to a seat near the back, away from most prying eyes, where she could be seated with her back to the wall, able to keep a watchful gaze upon the rest of the tavern itself. Though as she heard what Ye Yu was singing, her nose visibly scrunched, her pout having slowly formed over her lips, "Dove, you really must learn discretion of a story." She stated with a soft 'tsk, tsk, tsk' to her words, her head shaking once more as she rolled her eyes gently at the words.

"Yes, yes. Order whatever you like dove. I'm sure this will go perfectly as you're stating~." She looked to the waitress now, smiling as a simple bowl of white rice was placed before her, she swiftly grasped a pair of chopsticks and demurely started to eat, taking small bites in comparison to what one may expect of a warrior-esque woman such as her. It seemed she truly was raised with some kind've noble-caste in mind, yet the dish she ordered was quite plain as plain could be, nothing was grandiose of it.

She watched Yulian's order with lots of perplexity as the gap between the vast menu and what she chose was as wide as the Jianghu itself.

"A simple bowl of rice?
Are you afraid of the price?
For me, some quail eggs skewers
An anything strong made by your brewers
Please add some mushrooms, fried
And rice too, as a side!"

Clapping in her hands from anticipation, she returned her attention to her dining companion, trying to pierce the veils hiding their face.

"I am sorry but why would I?
From both of us, you're the one who looks like a spy
Also as I don't know your name
Your story's Princess and you will be the same~"

Having ordered, she stood up.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to clean myself... I am entrusting my belongings to you.... No dirty tricks!" she warned with a slight smile. She slipped between the table and disappeared for a few minutes to clean her face, hands and clothes from all the drying mud she got from her previous fall. She'd come back eventually, looking way more presentable even if a bit on the wet side now. Without all the soil and grass, without the huge bag and her hat, she appeared to be quite frail, with youthful and delicate features, betraying a past without too much hard work. The most striking detail was her two-tones eyes, always looking around, maybe for some mischief to accomplish.

"Are you going to stay behind your veils?
Are you afraid of ending up in jails
If someone recognize your face?
Is it why you chose this remote place?"

She hummed quietly, those jade green eyes lifted up and down along Ye Yu's frame as she listened to the way she was teasing her. Those soft, lightly painted pinkish red lips pursed, a gentle little blush once again started to spread across her soft features, there was a little bit capable of being -seen, but the veil did it's job in mostly obscuring it from her view. She let a small huff escape herself, just shaking her head once more, "Hush. I'm not one to over-eat, I eat what I must, not endlessly. Be a good girl, and don't over-eat just to try and run up the bill, silly girl." She sighed, her hands once again going back to small bites of the rice within the chopsticks, her eyes carefully watching her throughout.

"You spoke as if food was some universal good, that would never be scarce nor lacking. I prefer to eat, to stuff my belly until it pleads for mercy, because if today is a feast, tomorrow may be famine and who knows when we'll be able to get such a copious meal -and someone generous to pay for it-?" she retorted, eagerly jumping on the skewers just brought out. "But, judging by your attire, shortage of any kind must be a foreign word for your vocabulary."

She let a small smirk begin to play over her soft features, it was indeed clear, just by her mannerisms, her quiet, more demure nature despite the fact they sat within a lively tavern, even the darker aligned armors that she wore, and most assuredly, the detailing of the sheathed blade that sat at her backside, clearly very finely made, that she not only came from wealth, she was raised within it all the same. She didn't eat to abundance, she eat softly, with a formal-casual nature, slow, steady, never a rush. It was almost as if she was eating each individual grain of rice before her, though not THAT slowly, but the perception could show itself. "You must learn the virtue of patience, dove. You cannot just fill your belly till it bursts, that is uncouth." She stated with a small shake of her head, "And a pretty little thing like you should work on her refinements."

"Refinements is for the one that don't need to work to survive, who aren't bothered by the hard work of life, of trivial commoners' problems. Being delicate, all prim and proper is useful if you are evolving in courts and places of gold and velvet, but out there, in the fields, the mountains and the cold, it won't help much, I am afraid. But thanks, I'll remember that, next time I'll meet a grumpy bear and some bandits! Maybe I'll please them with some elegant bow!" she laughed, dismissing the advice by gobbling a quail egg like a grape, throwing it in the air and catching it on its way down. "And what such a refined and proper lady as you are doing in such low and dusty place?" she asked, pointing at Yulian with her already empty skewer stick.

She couldn't help but let that grin begin to toy over her lips once more, hearing each word she stated aloud, "Do you really not understand how grace could win the moment with bandits out in the wilderness....?" She tipped her head slightly, letting those eyes watch over her, clearly watching her every reaction to her words closely. She was interested in this, in the way she spoke, in how she reacted, and that grin that played itself across Yulian's lovely features held perfectly set across her face in that moment.Her lips and chin, were mostly uncovered by her veil, so it was -easily- -noted by Ye Yu.

"I have conned men into giving me their savings, to help, a hapless little damsel, I've made greedy bandits think a helpless girl had fallen into their laps before I slit their throats when they least expect it...." She pursed her lips again, "If you believe me some weak, little girl from the upper echelon of society, you...would be mistaken dove. I bet I travel these roads more then you do. There is no excuse to abandon yourself amongst the world. Show grace, respect, for yourself. Your ancestors. Do not just waddle about like a little brat."

Ye Yu's lips stretched into a discrete smile. She used her stick to pierce a poor, juicy, grilled mushroom she brought to her mouth, very slowly swallowing it while her eyes were not leaving the mysterious woman's red veil. She put down her improvised fork and put her chin on her folded hands, a small glimmer of interest, of challenge in her eyes.

"Oooh, do you think so, Miss Precious?
Or should I call you Princess Dangerous?
We shall compare both our journeys to see
Which one of us had crossed the Seven Seas" she sang with an almost defiant voice.

She let a small sigh escape herself. her hand lifted upward as she reached upward, gently she lifted the veil from her face some, giving her for the first time, a clear unobstructed view of her soft, and in truth, oddly quite delicate looking features. The most striking of them, were those unique,jade green eyes, that stared directly back toward her in that moment. "You misunderstood dove, if I have or not in truth is -entirely- irrelevant. My point is, I travel these roads too. I'm not some sheltered girl, hidden away, not allowed to step outside, otherwise she may suffer her father's wrath."

She stated with a small tut of her tongue, "But, I will not abandon how I was raised. Because the winds of destiny about us blow, and I desire to show my best self forward, when I cross pathes with those about this world." She grinned toward her now, a bit more amused as she allowed her veil to fall right back down over her face, once again obscuring her features. "But, I can see atleast you're getting your belly full and the like~ That's quite alright. Fill it as you desire."

"Enjoy everything in your life, enjoy each joy the day brings you, because you may lose it too. Wealth or health, friends, everything eventually come to an end...." she begins, philosophically, before adding in a more light, almost childish tone "... like this plate of mushrooms... Fortunately, in my stomach, there is still some more room!"

Now digging in her bowl of rice, she poured herself some wine too, proposing some to her still unknown host. "I still Wonder: why? Why pretending? Why trying to stick to the past? What do you try to keep alive… Princess?" .

She let her lips purse gently as she heard her words, her brow lifting once more as she settled her gaze back upon her. She listened to her words, closely, carefully still, but she seemed not to respond to the philosophy being stated at her. Instead she just let a small smile still creep across her soft pale features. Instead, she lifted the bowl back to her lips and stole a few more swipes of rice, soft and gentle still, never large bites, only those small little mouthfuls.

"Mm...hush...I'm not a 'Princess', silly girl..." She stated with a small sigh, "But...I'm not... 'clinging' to the past. The past is what defined me. When I see those who I lost in this world, in the next lift, I wish to show them I did my best. I was someone who they could know full well represented them well. I wish to walk my path with pride...To know I'll have a true place beside them once I cross the great bridge too." She stated with a small tut of her tongue, "As for you..." She stated quietly, letting her jade gaze shift back onto her, "You act as if life is so utterly carefree, that you are but a leaf in the wind, blowing wherever it may take you. Nothing keeping you here nor there, with stability or reason. Is...that the truth? Are you really so carefree, dove? Is there nothing that you hold meaning within in your very heart...?" .

Ye Yu squinted her bi-chromatic eyes slightly, as if to get a better image of her interlocutor. The low light from the room wasn't surely helping, nor the remote place they'd chosen, far from the door or any open window. "Sooo… This" she began, insisting on her word with perplexity "is the pinnacle of your very personality? The best of what you've become through challenges and encounters? The one we should remember when we will be mourning you? My… my…" she laughed again, resuming her meal with a shook of her head.

"Uncle!" she called, waving at a waiter. "Please bring me some candied peaches!". Returning her attention to her dining companion, she continued, ignoring their question: "And how should this so delicate and controlled woman be remember as? What name on her tombstone should be engraved?" .

She blinked slightly at her very choice of wording, there was a sense of confusion coming across her, but by the time she started to laugh, a small gasp escaped past her lips. Yet again there was a sense that she held an embarrassed little blush across her cheeks, as her lips shifted into a soft bit of a pout. In truth, Yulian often looked quite cute in moments such as this, a blush spread across her cheeks, her lips formed into a soft little pout. Where she normally came off intimidating or sharp, this was a vivid contrast, showing off the humanity within the soft little thing she was.

"H-hush!" She whined quietly, "Don't make such...silly comments dove. I..." She cleared her throat if just the slightest bit, "Zhuge, Just call me Miss Zhuge, that's all you need to know of me right now." She stated with a small little 'hmph' behind her words, shaking her head once more before -she blinked, her eyes widen some as she watched her interaction with the waiter, "H-how much more could you possibly eat....? You're not a fat-girl! Are you just shoveling it onto the ground...?" .

"Almost!" she laughed heartily. "You almost discovered my secret. No, no… the truth is... always keep some for later… You may live like a cricket, but don't forget to be an ant from time to time". Indeed, from the plate of quail eggs swekers, only two from the four sticks were still visible. The rice bowl was also absent from the table, as was the bottle of wine. Innocently looking at the ceiling, she smiled and softly bite her lower lip, proud of herself.

"Miss Zhuge, Miss Zhuge..." she repeated, tasting her name on her tongue.

She grabbed her guqin, which was nearby, placed it on her lap, and played a few notes to accompany her little improvised song.

"Miss Zhuge, behind her veil
Was nothing but young and frail
Many threats she could dart at you
Is she serious? I don't have a clue
Yet, I don't mind, let me only dive
In her jade eyes, while I'm still alive~"

She blinked slightly, just shaking her head, she finally finished her own bowl of rice, settling it down upon the table now, and gently moving to press it to the center. "Save some for later...? I...see." She murmured, though it was at her singing that she seemed to let a small gasp escape her once more. She cleared her throat, shaking her head almost immediately, "D-don't reference me as 'frail'! I..." She let another pout grace across her features, "Y-you can't just start singing about me as if I'm not here and add....embarrassing little phrases into it!" She stated huffily, her arms lifted to wrap under that of her large bust, "I assure you...I've not 'threatend' you once either. So you're acting silly once more. Saying silly, uncouth things." .

A large satisfied smile was now drawn on Ye Yu's face as she kept with her improvised, chanted verses:

"She was acting so fierce and proud
Always protesting out and loud
Untamed lady in refined gown
Never tell her she wears a crown!"

She let a small gasp out once more, her pout only grew, as did the sharpness of her stare, she shifted her gaze back over toward her as she moved to stand upward, her arms remained crossed under her bust, "Since...you seem to enjoy these games you're playing, how about we play one, a bit more... involved. I'm a woman who enjoys...stakes, Surely you must enjoy a good gamble aswell, given your penchant for mischief, that I've -clearly- picked up from you..."

She stated with a hum,, moving to begin circling around the table, "I will pay for the meal, that's not important here. But we'll make a fun little bet. -When- I win, you'll write an entire 'epic' for me, of my great virtues, nothing, of these bratty words, trying to make me pout and huff as you have been. Instead you'll tell the truth of the dignity of 'Miss Zhuge'." She stated, with a soft little click of her tongue. "If you win, by some chance, I'll give you some wen, or something or another. Surely you can figure something out~ Mm?" .

With a few more notes, she answered with a grin:

"Miss Zhuge was proud and fierce
Sometimes even getting cocky
Betting a kiss, a night, her horse
Until she'd found out to be unlucky~"

Visibly hooked on the proposal, Ye Yu -who still hadn't introduce herself-, asked with a playful tone: "Aaand what would be the proposed game? We know the stakes, what would be the challenge?"

She blinked slightly, "A...A kiss?" She murmured quietly, as if catching that in the middle of the verse, oddly enough she seemed to grow if just the slightest bit bashful. Afterall, this wasn't an act, she wasn't playing pretend before Ye Yu, off in a mission where her mind wasn't attached to what she had to do to get results. "A...night...m-my horse?"

She followed up, clearing her throat a little she cutely sat her big behind back down on the wooden seat and squirmed if just the slightest bit. "I...We didn't even ride here on horses..." She stated, a gentle, bashful little whine still making itself known. "I...W-we'll do a...riddle. You can ask me a riddle and if I can't figure it out, you win. If I can, I win. Simple, easy, and there will be a definitive winner and loser...F-fair?" She murmured out.

The musician's eyes were now sparkling—and it wasn't because of the flickering lights in the room. The young lady seemed caught up in the little game she had found herself playing and the stakes involved.

"Riddles, we shall play
All night long til the day
Or until mercy you ask for
Crawling low, on all four, like a ... ahem!"

She giggled. "Seems like wine is loosening my tongue a bit too much. Then, shall we begin? Princess first."

"C-c-crawling on all f-fours? I...y-you will not ever s-see me do such a disdainful thing. Shameful girl..." She murmured cutely, her lips pursed as she kept her arms crossed under her bust. "F-fine fine fine, we'll keep things simple, we'll start with an easy riddle, if you don't get this one! -you can just forfeit, surrender at the door." She nodded once more, "What is born in the light and dies in the dark?" She stated calmly, attempting to regain some of her normal wits about her in that moment, with a soft clearing of her throat.

"Never say never, who knows, maybe you'll even enjoy it!" she mocked before silencing herself to listen to the riddle, nodding slightly. After just a few moments, she answered : "Shadows?"

She blushed -deeply- at being told she'd 'enjoy' it, she gave her -such- a deep pout in that moment, glaring at her even, "N-e-v-e-r." She stated firmly before clearing her throat some, "And yes. A Shadow is the correct answer." She then motioned for her to say a riddle, "Go ahead and say one in return. First person to get it wrong will be the loser of this little bet." .

Placing a finger on her chin, Ye Yu looked at the ceiling for some time, wondering what little yet interesting riddle she could propose for the bet. "Maybe we'll spicy up the game and put your obedience at stake one day! But for now, let's keep it simple with this one, I particularily like it :

I fly without wings, I cry without eyes, Who am I?"

She remained quiet for a long moment, her head tipping lightly as she listened to her words, her eyes widen briefly, and again, that soft pinkish hue embraced across her features. Unable to help herself but expose her embarrassment in that moment, she almost seemed too captured, caught off-guard by her very choice of wording prior, "The nerve...my obedience..." She murmured with a soft pouty huff, "A cloud, dove, you speak of a cloud..." She stated matter of factly. "What can be incredibly loud in the moment? Yet doesn't need to make a single sound in the process?" She stated, trying to simply move the conversation forward, off her embarrassment and back onto the game at hand.

"Silence, cutie. Oh, don't mistaken me, I'm not giving you any order, it's my answer: 'silence', the absence of sound" she answered without even putting time into thinking, too happy to have another opportunity to mess with Miss Zhuge.

"My turn: What belongs to you but is used more by others?" she asked, now leaning a bit forward after having put her instrument away again.

"Don't you hush m-..." She paused, the realization she wasn't being hushed, just given the answer while also being cutely dubbed, 'Cutie' sunk inward, a soft gasp escaping her lips, her hand rising upward to cover her crimson painted lips with her finger tips. covering her mouth as she gasped against them. Her cheeks took on that deeper pinkish hue, this time evolving past a simple pink to a full blown red. "Huuuush....! Hush don't even say a word about it...! Just....My name! The answer is m-my name...!"

She whimpered out, she was rattled, the comments, the teases, she was losing control of the situation quickly. Her pride was one of her biggest weaknesses, and it seemed the other had found a way to get beneath that hardend exterior indeed, she remained with her face now even further obscured by her hand, blocking out that beautiful blush that adorned her features. "W-what is always infront of you, but can't be seen by mortal eyes?"

This time, the poet looked a bit puzzled, not answering directly. She thought out loud, maybe to help her thinking, maybe to check their opponent's reaction. "Always in front of me? Like... my nose? But it can be seen by mortal eyes. In front of me...". She put her hand in front of her face, trying to feel what wasn't there. "Air? No, it isn't just in front of me, it's all around. It must be something less... material, more abstract...". She squinted her eyes, focusing. "I'm not letting you win the bet that easily. Something... always in front of me... Time? Future? Is it... the future?" she eventually answered, unsure.

She let a deep set sigh escape herself, as she seemed confused, the answer being 'her nose' made her place a grin across her lips, her hand slowly dropped away from herself, "Well it was a good-..." She paused, her bottom lip being captured between her teeth as her brow furrowed gently, "Mm...?" She heard what she was moving onward within, another small gasp seemed to escape her lips as she heard her begin to work it out, a whine coming out as her plan was foiled in live time, pout fully set across her lips as she let her arms recross under her impressive bust once more, with a small huff, "Y-yeah, that's the right answer. Though I swear you answered nose already...." She stated huffily, clearly annoyed she was able to turn her answer around to the correct one, "Go ahead and ask me your next question, silly girl..." .

With a new, bright smile lighting up her face, she clapped her hands joyfully, really enjoying this little game, so much she even stood up, walking around the table to sit down right next to Yulian.

"Ohh, but! But... With a closer look, you indeed are such a cutie pie!" she exclaimed, her cheeks a bit pinkish from the alcohol she drank. "Maybe I'll indeed ask for a kiss or a night when you'll lose -becauuuuse, trust me, you'll looose-" she said, visibly starting to feel less... inhibited.

"Okay, okay, my turn...". She stopped again, thinking at her next riddle when suddenly, a flash of malice shined in her eyes, causing a large smirk to draw on her face. A face getting closer to Zhuge as she was leaning forward again, closing the distance between her and her opponent. She whispered :

"Listen closely, cutie... I'm... spread out before being eaten... Your tongue... gets me off. People loves when I'm all creamy... Who am I?" she asked, before biting her lips. "Any idea coming to your mind?" .

Her brow lifted a little bit as she watched her clap her hands and begin to slowly shift her way over toward her. While Yulian often wore her pride and centered herself forth, as if she was ten feet tall, in actuality, she was on the shorter side of the spectrum, only a couple inches above five feet tall. She had shrunk in her seat, her hands clasping together as she watched her, that plump bottom lip of hers still very much captured between her teeth, nervously chewing upon it as she cleared her throat some, as she listened to her riddle, it took her a few moments to listen, to gather it, and fully take it in.

"I...I'm not answering that! That's...crude! I w-would never embarrass my ancestors...! Y-you have to ask another question! I demand it!" She huffed, her cheeks stained an even deeper shade of red in that moment, "Pick another question or I win by default!"

"Crude? My, my, my! Why are you getting all red and embarrassed suddenly?". Ye Yu burst into a sweet laughter, poking Zhuge's nose through her red veil. "Come on, it's all natural! Or... Maybe..." Her tone shifted to a more low, confidential tone. "Maybe you're not sure of the answer because you never... experienced 'it' yet? Trust me, you should! It's... so good! Maybe I'll even have your first time of 'it' with me?"

Raising her voice to a normal level again, she continued: "Mhh... let me give you a few more hints.

People love my taste on their lips,
But they also use their fingers on me
When I'm all dry, there is no fun
That's why they keep me wet and messy"

She realized how she was appearing in that moment. It was't often people got to meet the real girl behind the veil, the real one behind the mask of vague, statue-like emotion she tended to wear. The one that held true to her real nature, not the ghost of the Xuetong that was thirsty for revenge against those that wronged her.

Instead, she was a blushing, cute little thing, hiding her face with her hand as she looked away from Ye Yu, her pouty full lips hidden behind her palm, "Hush! Stop it with this dirty riddle! This isn't fair! Y-you know I can't answer it! It's crude and naughty! You are a VERY naughty girl!" She whined out, shaking her head once more. "D-don't you understand what I do for a living? Stop turning this into a silly game, this was m-meant to be serious! Take it seriouslyyyyy...!"

Ye Yu laughed. It was a light, rather elegant laugh, like the lapping of a spring stream... or the laugh of a villain savoring her easily won victory. "But I take this very seriously", she assured the now timid tigress. With her fingertip, she lifted her veil before removing her hat completely. "You wanted to play, and I love, oh I love seeing people lose... all their composure." Moving ever closer, she whispered, "If you don't answer my riddle, it will be a victory by default. So, dear Miss Zhuge, shall I sing about how you shied away from a simple, innocent question?"

She felt her veil being lifted, her hat being removed. Normally she'd have immediately slapped her hand away, powerful, firm, decisive... yet in that moment, she was shrinking back...it was clear when she felt embarrassed, or that strong emotional pull, she was shifted from her normal place of strength. Instead her hat and veil removed from her. And now her soft, delicate feminine features completely exposed, all she could hold was her hand in front of her lips, hiding her clearly pouty expression behind those fingertips, while her deep-laced blush now held entirely exposed to the other's view.

She cleared her throat, "H-hey you...can't just...take that..." She whined softly, her pout only growing a bit more, "I...no! I...I'm not giving...up...I..." She furrowed her brow some, "I'm...not saying it. Fine...My...my...intention isn't to surrender to your foul bratty trick but, won't let you sully my name either with your -clear- naughtiness. You win." She huffed, shifting her gaze and face entirely away. Trying to hold atleast a sliver of her dignity.

"Héhéhé..." She continued to look at Yulian's jade eyes with an almost worrying appetite, before she, eventually, withdrawed back a little, giving her more space to breath.

"And this is how, Miss Zhuge, Her Highness,
In the stammering lands of her coyness,
Was defeated by a riddle, nothing but chaste.
The answer you ask? It was sesame paste!"

She burst out laughing and called the waiter again to have more wine before picking her fork in the candied peaches waiting for her, bringing one to her lips. Slowly, while keep eyes contact with Yulian, she said with a purring voice:

"I wonder what so naughty you had in mind, Miss Zhuge, to be in this state of inner agitation. Maybe I'll find out soon enough? After all, you owe me a wish now... Maybe I should ask something that, this time, will indeed make your Ancestors blush?"

She teasingly licked the peach, raising her eyebrows.

She heard those teasing gestures and words, her hand remained blocking her face as she shifted her gaze up and down along her, watching her, "Mm...? You...wait...the answer was...?" She paused a bit, there was a stung expression that crossed her soft features, her brow furrowing even more as she had clearly been tricked. "That's...even naughtier. You knew what you were implying...why you grew so close! Why you...ugh..."

She shook her head once more, her nose scrunched and her arms came to cross under her bust, in a stubborn, huffy way. "You may've won, but you won in such a naughty deceitful way, you cannot possibly feel any sense of pride in such a hollow foul, victory." She stated, tutting her tongue once more, "And no...No, I will give you what you wanted, some of my wen, my coin. That's what you're after, right?" She tipped her head some.

Ye Yu looked at the vexed girl and sneered. "Ooooh, I am so sorry, I thought you were the one taking pride in luring some bandits into trickery before giving them a deadly blow. Are you telling me you are living in fouls and shameful deceptions, you, the best of Miss Zhuge? Or did you lied, Princess?"

She slowly bite into her peach, letting a soft "Mhhhh~" escape her mouth before bringing the sugar coated fruit close to the pouty lips. "Why would I settle for money... when I can get the goose who lays golden eggs?"

She got closer again, her shoulder almost touching Yulian's.

Her brows furrowed a little at that, "I...never said what I did was full of honor...." She murmured aloud quietly, "I do what I have to...f-for reasons." She stated with a small clearing of her throat, blinking a bit as she shifted her gaze back upward toward the other's features now, her beautiful jade hue'd gaze watching as the other bit into the peach. "I already said I'd pay for the meal. I'd also given you coin to fund more of your travels... What 'golden eggs' are you hoping for, dear...? If you think I'm going to forever pay for you... because of a single, simple bet..."

She tipped her head, "I do want you to remember, I could easily free my blade from it's confines and...'accidentally' see it somewhere you I -assure- you, wouldn't want it to be...So don't...think I'm going to be your 'goose'. Laying eggs on command." She huffed quietly once more, it was a threat but also, more of a bratty expression set forth. Lashing back after she'd clearly suffered a defeat she wasn't proud of. It wasn't a real threat, nor did she seriously intend to stab her.

"Of course, everyone has their reasons. Bandits kill and rob for reason, I find bags for reasons, you... roam the country for reasons too. We all have our reasons! And that is why... I won't ask you to pay your debt immediately, even if it's a debt over a simple bet. You may not be full of honor, yet, your word are still worth something, isn't it? So I'm holding you accountable a bit longer, for... reasons!"

With a mysterious smile, she gobbled the peaches, emptied the wine and stood up. "Uncle! This pretty lady is paying for the meal! Let's go for a walk, Princess, before you 'accidentally' kill a traveling storyteller and get into troubles. You're so red, fresh air will do you lots of good!".

Retrieving her instruments and the linen bag, she staggered a bit but did not fall over and left the inn.

She felt her lips purse into a full blown pout once more, her shoulders slumped some as she heard all of her words, truth be told, she was the daughter of a noble, or at least held such a pretense to herself as one. This meant her word did mean something, at least to her. It was something she didn't like to openly break when she was't playing a part for a task at hand.

Slowly but surely she heard her speak of taking a walk, and holding onto this 'debt', this made her shiver if just the slightest of bits, "F-fine..." She murmured quietly, slowly but surely she lifted herself from the seat, from her side, she grasped a small pouch of coins, gently taking out a few taels, which...was far more then she needed to be spending, she'd place them with the waiter, and offer him a small bow of her head. The realization that Yulian -did- have a very large amount of money on her, likely would've just exposed itself. And she handed over far more then necessary for a simple meal. Likely exposing, that whole 'Goose that Lays Golden Eggs' scenario was far closer to reality than she realized. Whoever the little swordswoman was, she certainly held means. "G-give me back my hat and veil first...!"

"I'm keeping them as collateral!" she answered playfully, going outside to enjoy the last rays of sunlight.

Oddly enough, the little swordswoman almost looked mortified by this, her hand lifted upward to cover her face a little, bashful, she slowly followed after her, that pouty expression having only grown as she walked with her. "T-this is...very silly..." She murmured quietly with a whine.