tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25641471500925974872024-03-28T21:26:08.822-05:00Cherry Blossomselliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-65647137444681626372024-03-28T09:42:00.002-05:002024-03-28T09:42:24.439-05:00To begin again<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO2kjbKvv2CP6sI59zWnPYwaa-h2OpLRjzMeMzbRWrlfOoUEltUGpR4c2xrfEF5w9FbIgEMc3ZKORbSzGbPuMmp9UPuEWShbMroIx3m3BSDpBWQ96lZJaQUF_w71UdjrUUC58HidHJo-w0mAG5fPPHhE70YiRmrM0gH6XBv6VDU-BhOIf42XagL2avkU/s645/Screenshot%202024-03-28%20093434.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="640" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO2kjbKvv2CP6sI59zWnPYwaa-h2OpLRjzMeMzbRWrlfOoUEltUGpR4c2xrfEF5w9FbIgEMc3ZKORbSzGbPuMmp9UPuEWShbMroIx3m3BSDpBWQ96lZJaQUF_w71UdjrUUC58HidHJo-w0mAG5fPPHhE70YiRmrM0gH6XBv6VDU-BhOIf42XagL2avkU/w526-h529/Screenshot%202024-03-28%20093434.png" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have neglected this story for quite a while. I have a hard time creating a set for this Wuxia story. Still, I have had great fun on this journey. Hopefully, I will keep this story going. Even if I have great lapses..perhaps giving my characters more time to cultivate..hehehehee...Yet, you won't find any great deities..just semi-devils, shapeshifters, ghosts and a demi-god or two.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p> ChaCha's patience was wearing thin. How much longer were they going to be here.</p><p>"What's wrong with you?" Milo smirked about the matter. "I thought you hated traveling?"</p><p>Oh, he'd made do being at the village. He was good with the commoners. He'd worked plenty with metal and knew his way around horseshoeing and the like. Yes, he'd settled. She supposed. </p><p>She envied him some. She pressed her lips silently, what could she say.</p><p>"It was the Beggars Sect you had your mind set on. Remember?" She looked him in the eye. Had he forgotten about that certain someone?</p><p>"Well, if he's there, he wouldn't know, now would he?" He reminded her too, this time here gave her plenty to do finding the medicinal plants to dry, to study, to organize. It was a good time to cultivate her mind. She would be worthy to those who needed her someday. Perhaps, it was a long way from being a princess, but wasn't she better off?</p><p>ChaCha couldn't help but frown. That was another life, but there was a loss she couldn't quite get rid of, even now. What had become of her? It made her chest weak with sadness.</p><p>"Now come on," he drew her in as if he needed her. After all, hadn't they committed to each other out in the woods. They were one now. They were like any other out there in the world. Just taking one day at a time.</p><p>She coughed back and looked him in the eye, "But what's next?"</p><p>"Well, let's send Qing in. She could be the key to getting into the sect," he said he hated the thought they were just bandits now up to no good. Perhaps his old friend was a captive there. "She'll have Cheng by her side. He wouldn't let anything harm her."</p><p>Just then a knock came to their humble home far from the pavilions and the city. To their surprise, it was someone from the Beggar's Sect.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-68757547974416618532023-01-22T00:00:00.004-06:002023-01-22T00:00:00.234-06:00everything happens for a reason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfCpn3yhpUbGrQq9IFDMCRPMoH1XDJDowcOjbFmzBRO1s3y4DDoht-iL5sunx6sM8TXOlICLC-zgamlY1T7GjV_aclx0E-mDjyT3iz9GhFGHEEiBmNanWPam9vEvIlJMXTEAKO6gr5PYUspN-FCQlY4jbuNNaIcfM1WpN9E-qKKt0klhjMg-c1RPn/s773/youarecapable.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="773" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfCpn3yhpUbGrQq9IFDMCRPMoH1XDJDowcOjbFmzBRO1s3y4DDoht-iL5sunx6sM8TXOlICLC-zgamlY1T7GjV_aclx0E-mDjyT3iz9GhFGHEEiBmNanWPam9vEvIlJMXTEAKO6gr5PYUspN-FCQlY4jbuNNaIcfM1WpN9E-qKKt0klhjMg-c1RPn/w597-h496/youarecapable.png" width="597" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Qing felt stuck. She had no answers for everyone. It hurt even more that everyone was so angry. As if it was all her fault for all that had happened. Still, no one was there to help her figure this out.</p><p>Maybe, whoever she was now had to have something to do with the guard. Maybe the guard knew who she was.</p><p>"How did you come up with that?" Naturally, Cheng was a smart mouth about it. She couldn't decide if he was playing with her or just plain rude.</p><p>"I dunno," Qing sighed. She did confess she'd had strange dreams. Dreams about the guard.</p><p>"Oh really?" Cheng was ever so close as he sat next to her while she was in her bed as if he already knew her secrets. "Enlighten me?" That smirk of his only made her dislike him more. She wanted to slap him silly.</p><p>"I don't know," bitter tears emerged. "It's like I'm drunk or something. I can't understand it. I want to." She shivered, worried she'd changed into someone else, but of course, she hadn't.</p><p>"I just didn't know having this skill would be such a disease," he squinted as if he wanted to understand her plight. "I mean, I had an aunt who was always messing with people. She could stir up trouble when least expected. She always had everyone at each other's throat, but she was the kind who could just leave and we wouldn't hear from her for years, and then she'd show up and we'd wonder if she was..you know, who she said she was." Chen shrugged. He took her hand and clasped his fingers through hers. "I want to give you a new name, you know." He smiled. "I really think you are so lovely..I mean, you're just cute at the moment, but you know what I mean."</p><p>She would try. Was he saying that he thought more of her than what he saw on the outside? Still, she knew how he was. He was someone just to toy with her. Perhaps.</p><p>"Do you think your appetite has changed or anything?" He then asked. She shook her head, no. She was still on bed rest, but she was restless.</p><p>"I'd ask if you'll like to fly with me, but I know they'd be angry if we did that," Cheng sighed. He kissed her then as if that alone would suffice. And she kissed him back as if her world might change. However, her body didn't.</p><p>It was only a distant thought of who she'd been, maybe he liked this new face and body better than he imagined. Still, she didn't care. It was enough that he was here and they were together. In her room. Alone.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-65494916565069022182023-01-08T00:00:00.012-06:002023-01-08T00:00:00.227-06:00Where your fear is, there your task is<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo9x-MSyw59q6YIsE409tsUGtqCc9eoWGBNs4daBDN89BPYcpcLkvNTy-4ZEHufYkMdOXCCrHmvimk1BLILHb7o6xIRfF4IJL12O_ea1PXZgGn5oukfr_La65PUn_4s6r5nvqdV0i2IOyXjGvPv7MYwiP3bcZGYuV1nZqXBB3EeDyD1dqjH3nWt5h/s653/changcherries.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="592" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo9x-MSyw59q6YIsE409tsUGtqCc9eoWGBNs4daBDN89BPYcpcLkvNTy-4ZEHufYkMdOXCCrHmvimk1BLILHb7o6xIRfF4IJL12O_ea1PXZgGn5oukfr_La65PUn_4s6r5nvqdV0i2IOyXjGvPv7MYwiP3bcZGYuV1nZqXBB3EeDyD1dqjH3nWt5h/w481-h531/changcherries.png" width="481" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>"Who in the hell is this!" Milo couldn't control his temper. They'd traveled all this way with the fake guard hidden under covers back to Qing's place above her boutique. Somehow, he thought they could make sense of this if they got her home and she was in familiar surroundings. But instead, they got an entirely new person. This time a little twig of a girl. </p><p>Milo winced hard as he gasped. For a moment they had so many good intentions of taking over the Bagger's sect, but now. He sighed, this would not do. He shook his head.</p><p>"Let me see," of course, fierce Cheng pushed him aside to see just what he was talking about. He glared at the girl on the bed. He didn't look much happier than Milo. He called for ChaCha to take a look. She was speechless.</p><p>Then War came for a look. </p><p>"Whatever you do, stop changing," he ordered Qing. ChaCha went to get a mirror. Maybe it would help Qing figure out who she'd conjured up this time.</p><p>Qing only gasped. She said she didn't know.</p><p>"Maybe someone from when you were young. Like a cousin or a friend," ChaCha said. Qing pressed her lips tight. She recalled no one.</p><p>"Maybe this is best," Cheng decided. "We..we just couldn't let you go like the guard to that sect. I don't know if..if I could protect you."</p><p>Milo laughed at that.</p><p>"What?" Cheng glared at him as if he was ready for hand-to-hand combat. Milo smirked.</p><p>"I don't see you running in to do anything, Mr. Know-it-all who spent months in a cave learning crap, I bet." Cheng snapped.</p><p>Milo only batted his eyelashes as if it might be a dare.</p><p>"Let's just see what you got," Milo practically snarled. Cheng was becoming a real prick in his book.</p><p>Of course, ChaCha jumped in before they could get into a match of any kind.</p><p>"You fools, this is no time to start being children. Stop it!" She told them and War agreed with her. He told them he had a fire started. Now if they could get some help peeling onions, carrots, and potatoes. He's already killed a couple of rabbits on their journey here.</p><p>"She needs to eat," War pointed to Milo and Cheng. "You two need to simmer down."</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-92063792296528503592022-12-18T10:07:00.001-06:002022-12-18T10:07:57.192-06:00And all I ever knew, only you<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tK2aaT5-PJp9udAv9DRDyQrNgvMfIw4UkzeOVxtQ2xpLJU4rzp5bsEdvfwrtQEN7-Jfe42neEb_gzOWsM1NMCCg_DQgfNI3MoO7KOqR92u4cLqfX6jlmYp_nRLBQmCKvmgDy2YM2hxP6cIWM5y-Qdmvurale-vl91xj28XBkrtfDTpICDKYt8COa/s672/goodreamcherry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="672" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tK2aaT5-PJp9udAv9DRDyQrNgvMfIw4UkzeOVxtQ2xpLJU4rzp5bsEdvfwrtQEN7-Jfe42neEb_gzOWsM1NMCCg_DQgfNI3MoO7KOqR92u4cLqfX6jlmYp_nRLBQmCKvmgDy2YM2hxP6cIWM5y-Qdmvurale-vl91xj28XBkrtfDTpICDKYt8COa/w520-h512/goodreamcherry.png" width="520" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Qing woke up looking like Cheng with a bad cough.</p><p>"Am I OK?" She looked to ChaCha who shook her head, no. She suspected it would be so.</p><p>"If I only had a mirror," Qing looked at her blankly.</p><p>"Didn't bring one," ChaCha shrugged. She said they were in a hurry. "We thought we might never see you two again.</p><p>Qing nodded as if she understood her dilemma. She closed her eyes and thought of her brother.</p><p>"Did I change?" Qing wanted to know when she opened her eyes.</p><p>"No," ChaCha told her she was still Cheng. "How does this work?" All along ChaCha thought it had to do with makeup and changing one's voice.</p><p>"It's the imagination," Qing explained while she took the warm sweet potato porridge that ChaCha brought her from the fire where steam buns were cooking and a rabbit stew was simmering. </p><p>"It's a lot like a great recipe, I guess," Qing told her. "I just have to remember all the ingredients, but I just can't at the moment."</p><p>ChaCha told her she needed to get her strength back.</p><p>"If only I wouldn't think of Cheng so much," Qing had only ever let herself think of her brother, and she hadn't seen him in ages. Who could she focus on now? Why had she let herself become Cheng? Of course, there was no one to converse with about the matters. She was on her own now. She couldn't even think of what her late grandmother told her about this skill. It was a skill after all. It was to be used when necessary. Otherwise, she needed to leave it alone.</p><p>Even now, she tried to remember what her grandmother looked like. It was best to be old and wise, she thought. But that didn't happen either.</p><p>"You just need to rest." ChaCha consoled her. Oh, Qing knew what Milo would think if he found ChaCha hugging Cheng.</p><p>"It'll be fine," Qing pushed her away. Funny, the only person she really truly remember was the guard. And she didn't even know his name, but it didn't stop her from changing her whole body makeup from Cheng to the martial artist they'd fought together only yesterday.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-18404590911718251452022-12-04T10:53:00.002-06:002022-12-04T10:56:41.006-06:00No Longer watering people who don't want to grow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T0AmpNoubATK2_dYVHNx2v6-UUrzjcNPtDxp3c7bGjqnDlTGvBAbp14SdS5iVfTNyZsMKAsj1lu1V9NwF58VDAYCUwoIArINKeZamqBYYvZ7BtPzdlSu5gTPHzI6w2BX9MMCy6jpLjtkRcZn6mAgsY8Iz8UuhyZvL3MsiSkOqP-DVJFkdkeEgtHr/s696/lifeisanaccorn.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="696" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T0AmpNoubATK2_dYVHNx2v6-UUrzjcNPtDxp3c7bGjqnDlTGvBAbp14SdS5iVfTNyZsMKAsj1lu1V9NwF58VDAYCUwoIArINKeZamqBYYvZ7BtPzdlSu5gTPHzI6w2BX9MMCy6jpLjtkRcZn6mAgsY8Iz8UuhyZvL3MsiSkOqP-DVJFkdkeEgtHr/w550-h548/lifeisanaccorn.png" width="550" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> "Oh, you make me want to kick you through the roof!" Truly Milo thought Cheng was a dufus. Someone still laid near the fire unchanged. Of course, Milo was talking to the real Cheng.</p><p>"What were you thinking!" Milo's teeth gnashed. This was all wrong. This was not the covert affair he imagined. They would be friendly with these beggars. They would use their wit, not storm the place.</p><p>"It was an accident," Cheng shrugged, but Milo could see his sly smile. Milo shook his head, no.</p><p>"Look what's become of Qing!" Oh, if he'd had a sword in his hand he would duel him, but both were too tired to think of that.</p><p>"What about it?" Cheng sounded as if she'd snap out of it. "Even if she doesn't. Imagine the surprise." He made light of it. About then supper came of stewed rabbit and apple dumplings. Of course, Cheng chowed down like a misfit dog.</p><p>Milo only grimaced as he hugged himself hard. Seriously, he was losing his appetite just watching him.</p><p>"Tell me about this guard, you fought with," Milo wanted to know everything.</p><p>"Just the usual," Cheng licked his lips as he drank the meaty broth from the bowl. "He's no demi-god."</p><p>"And neither are you," Milo's scowl was small but just as cold as he could be. He looked away then to the stars outside the cave. He had no idea if they would be safe here.</p><p>"What? You think I'm just common, don't you?" Cheng shot him a look that Milo was just too arrogant for his own good.</p><p>"You don't know anything," Milo practically growled back. "You're an idiot. Use some common sense." Milo tapped his index finger against his temple.</p><p>Cheng had nothing to say, but he enjoyed the apple dumplings immensely.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-30076008717858150872022-11-14T10:40:00.000-06:002022-11-14T10:40:42.362-06:00off we go into the unknown<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZtRJDK4qav1ibc5hc7Tlo_9PnRRyBWNazi_QV1G6e7WMXtMS62LmF-TFkTLVC-kMqNtqVDRwZLW8jWI3nPsH0QgeDwXfUXevX4WVLdQlCEGa4JL1a7PYgkjTfN26V1_sRpgyWedpaMAzsdsevUkBLlCseaBw4Yhn92ER04Z3_vc6MEIKYWMAI11d/s683/cherryblahs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="683" height="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZtRJDK4qav1ibc5hc7Tlo_9PnRRyBWNazi_QV1G6e7WMXtMS62LmF-TFkTLVC-kMqNtqVDRwZLW8jWI3nPsH0QgeDwXfUXevX4WVLdQlCEGa4JL1a7PYgkjTfN26V1_sRpgyWedpaMAzsdsevUkBLlCseaBw4Yhn92ER04Z3_vc6MEIKYWMAI11d/w527-h511/cherryblahs.png" width="527" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Was ChaCha dreaming? Or were there two Chengs? </p><p>Milo and War were at the cliff with ChaCha when they landed. They'd hoped those two would find their way there, but they weren't counting on it. It was just a hideout at checking out the sect from down below.</p><p>They caught up with them. Of course, they were surprised.</p><p>"What were you thinking?" Milo was furious with Cheng and Qing who was still Cheng. Before he could say much more Qing's Cheng dropped in a faint.</p><p>Of course, ChaCha made over that Cheng and Milo gave her a look that she wasn't supposed to care about, but she did. </p><p>"We both need sleep," Cheng assured them. At least they did have a camp nearby they could get to for food and lodging. </p><p>ChaCha thought they should go back.</p><p>"Where are we going to go back?" Milo insisted their funds were short. It was best to camp.</p><p>ChaCha shook her head, no. She thought Qing needed proper care. "We could go back to her place."</p><p>"You know, they are hunting for us, don't you?" Milo scowled back. He said they'd be fine here. ChaCha only wished he was right. But they could find them here too. It felt as if they were practically naked in their surroundings.</p><p>War spoke up then as if he could read her mind. "I found a cave not so far from here. Let's stay there."</p><p>Milo crossed his arms as if he hated the idea. "If we must," he finally agreed to move their camp. Naturally, Cheng picked up Qing's Cheng over his shoulder.</p><p>ChaCha winced. What if she didn't change back? She sighed wondering if they had any scrolls with them that might would help. She'd left with lots of notes from the other cave. But it was hard to make sense of them. </p><p>She watched War take down the tent and put out the fire as if they'd never been there. Onward they went to hopefully a hideout that would protect them.</p><p><br /></p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-45271504241645553302022-11-06T08:33:00.001-06:002022-11-06T08:33:38.179-06:00Tomorrow will be too late<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MaKdf8x68ibOr7I3zJzkamnADPjohLwoctPM9JceJiS6vuKa5ubTHjqOmwqy6F34nFPNE-Zq1mIQCM_LCiFtpDAR7x3klGxsSJM-tMgG-_9eU2oOTawEWUNbMrKJvQIQ8B-H_Sv3GsJMWFBEjBgGJ3RvrHi9xxc_72G0AZq3ex-Mh4lYSzbQc9Lf/s648/heatison.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="647" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MaKdf8x68ibOr7I3zJzkamnADPjohLwoctPM9JceJiS6vuKa5ubTHjqOmwqy6F34nFPNE-Zq1mIQCM_LCiFtpDAR7x3klGxsSJM-tMgG-_9eU2oOTawEWUNbMrKJvQIQ8B-H_Sv3GsJMWFBEjBgGJ3RvrHi9xxc_72G0AZq3ex-Mh4lYSzbQc9Lf/w537-h537/heatison.png" width="537" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>For a moment, Cheng was sure he looked up and saw his petite Qing on the roof. Although, he shook the thought that she was his. After all, they'd dueled through the night just practicing their martial arts techniques. </p><p>He sighed, not sure what to expect next. Of course, someone would be there ready for a swordplay full of finesse. He was lean and looked just about as seasoned as Cheng. Their swords clanked. Both were of worthy caliber to keep their wits about them. Yet Cheng was tired. He wasn't certain he could keep up. </p><p>In the next moment, he saw himself on the other side of this swordsman. Although his swiftness wasn't anything to Cheng's speed, Cheng knew it was Qing in disguise.</p><p>"What are you doing?" He wanted to shout, but there was no way he could ask now. This fight was on. Just when he thought it might be over. They would be in another struggle. Qing's Cheng sliced the sword into the guard's back clothing. Suddenly the guard took note.</p><p>"Shit," Cheng said under his breath, thinking this was his own fight. He couldn't let Qing get hurt. He flung his sword at him. The guard was having to fight both of them now. They brought him to the ground like a twin team.</p><p>Cheng pressed his lips tight thinking it would be best to slice his throat, but Qing told him in thought. Not to kill him.</p><p>Cheng's eyes lit. "What the hell is going on?" She was in his thoughts now. This could not be happening. But they headed in a flying run toward the rooftop and onward toward the mountain behind the sect. Surely they would be safe there. </p><p>A few moments later they made it to the cliff overlooking the sect.</p><p>"What were you thinking?" Cheng looked at himself.</p><p>"It was the quickest thought. I really didn't know," Qing looked a little sheepish. Cheng only grinned and shook his head. Oh, he'd always wanted to kiss himself. It was now or never.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-74912626143486189362022-10-31T10:38:00.001-05:002022-10-31T20:47:07.516-05:00A line is a dot that went for a walk<div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":sx"><div _mstaria-label="174122" aria-controls=":vn" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":vn" class="Am Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":st" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 275px;" tabindex="1"><span _msthash="30810" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="23089443">"What have they done?" Milo scavenged the path they took. It was easy to trace with the cherry petals path. He shook his head no as ChaCha followed through the air along with War. They were on the path of the Beggar Sect.</span><div><br /></div><div _msthash="114855" _msttexthash="13744926">"Didn't we tell him the Beggar Sect was not what it seemed?" He crossed his arms after he landed on a branch in a high tree. He was heavy in thought about what to do next.</div><div><br /></div><div _msthash="114856" _msttexthash="4871165">ChaCha sat next to them swinging her legs back and forth as if it might be music ready to pounce.</div><div><br /></div><div _msthash="114857" _msttexthash="18881317">"Stop that," he told her. "This is no time for games. We have to find them." He scowled back at her, but she just watched him as if she knew to keep quiet. She couldn't tell him anything he didn't know.</div><div><br /></div><div _msthash="114858" _msttexthash="24153870">"Back in the day, they would have greeted us with open arms. Now it's like a cloak of darkness." He was certain the sect had changed. They weren't the humble and worth bunch they used to be, taking in orphans and stragglers. </div><div><br /></div><div _msthash="114859" _msttexthash="23071984">"I'm pretty certain the shaman I spoke of is there. I'm sure he's there against his will." He told ChaCha about the rumors that were brewing throughout the valley. This gang liked dark martial arts. It could be scary.</div><div><br /></div><div _msthash="114860" _msttexthash="7255950">"Why didn't you tell me?" Now ChaCha was in a pout as her fingers grasped the branch harder as she sat there next to him.</div><div><br /></div><div _msthash="114861" _msttexthash="15269722">"I didn't want it to be true." He was closed mouth. All they could do was rescue Qing and Cheng the best they could. But he was afraid they might need an army to achieve that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLslMVBKbFIkLfHQTzWKIgA8Smf8bsYYTycCrsXNGdKY4YAYwU8zyaZpyiLbUDCGW14w7lp5IV8K0MWQTZquB6a10GIaHu-G38lMyeo0J2_usNFe4bI-fjEpJxAN16-H-o7WuKQPjlGuCaLerYJzd6qgvBGK42MjnPPq1PJrulz6gI4NjlbhB5bC9k/s677/scarymushrooms.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="677" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLslMVBKbFIkLfHQTzWKIgA8Smf8bsYYTycCrsXNGdKY4YAYwU8zyaZpyiLbUDCGW14w7lp5IV8K0MWQTZquB6a10GIaHu-G38lMyeo0J2_usNFe4bI-fjEpJxAN16-H-o7WuKQPjlGuCaLerYJzd6qgvBGK42MjnPPq1PJrulz6gI4NjlbhB5bC9k/w513-h507/scarymushrooms.png" width="513" /></a></div><br /><div _msthash="114861" _msttexthash="15269722"><br /></div></div></div>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-14235340029606181732022-10-23T15:01:00.003-05:002022-10-23T15:05:06.726-05:00When you've had enough of an all nighter<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeBq-w0zCsEkkRwje8aQrlxdfHUiOBmmubU1y3oRJ_LZrwL8DLuP6KUOTz4CaUPF6HC51G4-PK_vunSZ5gmyvRh7vpm3lYom50vqyLtNqqoQcIbOSRGfPY4G0iCFjUPq8cBUi8K7t1GsBL6tc30zHOymtvzd5TheEKuFDserR7W3M0Yw9NRgnN5Ft/s772/makingup.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="772" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeBq-w0zCsEkkRwje8aQrlxdfHUiOBmmubU1y3oRJ_LZrwL8DLuP6KUOTz4CaUPF6HC51G4-PK_vunSZ5gmyvRh7vpm3lYom50vqyLtNqqoQcIbOSRGfPY4G0iCFjUPq8cBUi8K7t1GsBL6tc30zHOymtvzd5TheEKuFDserR7W3M0Yw9NRgnN5Ft/w537-h468/makingup.png" width="537" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Was the sun rising? How long had they been at this dancing with swords, leaning in with grips of their swords in the moonlight? It was exhausting but no way was Qing going to let up. After all, she was disguised as her brother Fiction. She couldn't let Cheng think this was tiring.</p><p>Oh, he laughed enough with a gritted smile. But she didn't let him win. No, it was Fiction, she was certain of it..did not let him win, twisting, spinning, clanking their swords as if this might be the end. Only to be in a tug-of-war of some kind heaving through a starry night. </p><p>But the stars were gone. Here the sun was exposing a new day. Qing sighed. She looked him in the eye, but just as she was about to hit the ground they landed on a roof. Unfamiliar, of course.</p><p>She winced hard. They'd made it to the Beggar's Sect. This could not be good.</p><p>"What?" Obviously, he knew her grimace was bad news.</p><p>"We need to get out of here, you idiot," Fiction/Qing informed him.</p><p>"Why?" He was too mischievous for his own good. Qing hated his smart smile and so did Fiction.</p><p>"Stop it, come on." She didn't know how they could get back in the air again. They would need a running start. Maybe if they went a ways back and started a run...</p><p>Before she knew it, he fell off the roof.</p><p>"What are you doing down there?" Fiction looked over the edge. Naturally, Cheng hopped up and looked at Fiction as if he needed to be there too. Fiction shook his head, no. But Qing knew she could not leave Cheng all by his lonesome.</p><p>Was this what he'd meant to do all along? Get them inside the Beggar's Sect?</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-74181934272012118682022-10-16T08:33:00.001-05:002022-10-16T08:33:17.877-05:00let the fox run<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44ZdmtRl87jcCWcNUBSIlVSiXVNYrCR7kO-K25KOeBNuQp7k4jJt2JaxuCGcBXwvBueKSEVfdN4oyEDzcLDO-OFuw8X7epgblHG5Csq5GVkanTxoQAr8qOuazKdVh-xvpIXqbBq_kmfxYcup7-DH7MlgXv1FoQh7NMyvd3pA_LCJ-IH4lAKyaah2j/s751/truecharacter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="751" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44ZdmtRl87jcCWcNUBSIlVSiXVNYrCR7kO-K25KOeBNuQp7k4jJt2JaxuCGcBXwvBueKSEVfdN4oyEDzcLDO-OFuw8X7epgblHG5Csq5GVkanTxoQAr8qOuazKdVh-xvpIXqbBq_kmfxYcup7-DH7MlgXv1FoQh7NMyvd3pA_LCJ-IH4lAKyaah2j/w545-h482/truecharacter.png" width="545" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Milo quickly got to the roof but it was too late. Finally, Cha-Cha followed and War came to.</p><p>"What were they doing?" He winced hard as if it might be all his fault. "Doesn't Cheng know we have to work together?" He crossed his arms and looked down at the scattered tiles in the moonlight.</p><p>"He's young," War reminded him. "He's just a kid, but he's been in warfare a good part of his life."</p><p>Milo only sighed and shook his head. "But no telling where they are now." He thought of the worst. What if that sect captured them. They weren't that fantastic.</p><p>"Oh, they couldn't have gotten that far," War didn't think, anyway.</p><p>"I hope you're right." All he had wanted was a good night's rest. Was that too much to ask for. He looked back at Cha-Cha. Why was she reading? If only he didn't have to share a room with her, but no way could he sleep with War. That snor of his was obnoxious.</p><p>"Which way do you think they went?" Milo sighed.</p><p>War pointed. there was a trail of leaves. At first, he thought he should chase after them. But maybe they would come back if they let it alone. There were some things those two had to find out on their own.</p><p>"Maybe they're in love," Cha-Cha chimed in.</p><p>"What!" Milo scowled. "You are reading far too many romances. I don't think this was love. This was Cheng trying to make a good impression."</p><p>"Exactly," Cha-Cha shrugged.</p><p>"No way, could those two be lovebirds," Milo shook his head no.</p><p>"Oh, he's a flirt all right," War sounded as if he knew. "He's looking for something."</p><p>"Is he?" Milo rolled his eyes at that. "He just wants to fight. He might as well be a tiger showing off his pride." Milo hoped Qing/Fiction stood her ground, but he hoped it didn't get them into trouble.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-63094582689542845162022-10-09T14:52:00.000-05:002022-10-09T14:52:32.110-05:00Nothing like the smell of old books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHiwe6PCCCyXsgejzinS3c_g00QAapN6IRHbrAFB5lCaLa5HjWaH4dtI_748cwNkJo4ScrlyISVl7YHdIrEA0R3pJoRo2Q1VKDH-wKd2fLrNur05lVxqXsbAUkGOglY6xRgiQ5w9MkSUNPwjPbVx__BAzsD-SKcjO7EOb42qlxgWyhg4hWOaOJOe8/s795/cherrycha.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="795" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHiwe6PCCCyXsgejzinS3c_g00QAapN6IRHbrAFB5lCaLa5HjWaH4dtI_748cwNkJo4ScrlyISVl7YHdIrEA0R3pJoRo2Q1VKDH-wKd2fLrNur05lVxqXsbAUkGOglY6xRgiQ5w9MkSUNPwjPbVx__BAzsD-SKcjO7EOb42qlxgWyhg4hWOaOJOe8/w595-h498/cherrycha.png" width="595" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> It was true. Cha-Cha was quite the procrastinator. But hadn't she been through enough already? All she wanted was a peaceful time in bed with a good book. Would that be too much to ask for?</p><p>Just as soon as she was finally getting into a real romance novel, she heard something. A shaking noise from above. Before she knew it, she was certain she heard some flying tiles. Perhaps.</p><p>"What is that?" It kept going. The sound of feet. Dancing? Perhaps plowing off the roof.</p><p>She winced and got out of bed. She went to wake Milo who was asleep on the floor. </p><p>"What?" He sighed as if she'd awoken him from a good dream.</p><p>"Can't you hear it?" She asked.</p><p>"Hear what?"</p><p>"The roof," she pointed.</p><p>"Is there a storm?" He got to his feet.</p><p>"I don't think so." She looked toward the ceiling. He crossed his arms in thought.</p><p>"Who would do such a thing?" How could she not know?</p><p>"Cheng!"</p><p>He hurried. He would get to the bottom of this. Really, Cha-Cha wasn't sure if she should stay or should she go. Well, of course, she followed. She hoped it wasn't intruders. </p><p>"You better get War to go with you," she then whisper shouted. No telling what was happening.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4NavwuQatF05MCU6iSh7oSMERX67wUDMa3FOTN8m46KfXZeqzC6ADRFUNw2BwhtxJb4vKHqayb0v-0Xda4vww341yhATvTSrSQLCg0fYqS-HGRnXGEE8dY-Fh7Yu_EWkd5Kg7oXbyZjpkIxfq698Lca5XQtY4ZTG5P8VoLy3EQ-t48Rq-BBqoG-i/s692/chencheng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="506" height="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4NavwuQatF05MCU6iSh7oSMERX67wUDMa3FOTN8m46KfXZeqzC6ADRFUNw2BwhtxJb4vKHqayb0v-0Xda4vww341yhATvTSrSQLCg0fYqS-HGRnXGEE8dY-Fh7Yu_EWkd5Kg7oXbyZjpkIxfq698Lca5XQtY4ZTG5P8VoLy3EQ-t48Rq-BBqoG-i/w397-h543/chencheng.png" width="397" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Cheng hadn't had this much fun in ages. Of course, it was only sparring. Nothing too tiring. But to fly about in the moonlight in one on one hand combat was all he'd yearned for. He needed this. It helped his attention. It made him feel young again. As it was battles could make you old. If it wasn't the waiting it was tending to the wounded. </p><p>He didn't want to be a doctor. Although, he'd stitched enough up in his time. Of course, it was just as much a mind game. But to be back into the field of martial arts was what made him feel alive. And Fiction aka Qing was not letting down. It was as if she was determined to show him what she was made of.</p><p>He was certain they could truly help each other even with a game of combat. Yes, he'd been truly full of angst and now he felt as if this was right where he was supposed to be as they twisted and twirled in mid-air, landing back on the roof from time to time. It was never a dull moment.</p><p>But then he knew it couldn't last long.</p><p>"Someone's coming," Cheng said. They took to the tops of the trees, letting the leaves fall like rain. "Come on, let's get out of here." Off they ran from one top of a tree to the next. They were flying before he realized they didn't even need the trees anymore. It was as if they were already on their way to a new adventure.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-43907072540709136462022-10-02T14:25:00.005-05:002022-10-02T14:25:59.513-05:00What would you know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bmK1tNrs9mYJXB5ffVZhGwRLAozWeV5Ml0-IkfAaSelApJJlYhmD3MTbye94uve6-8VmE_XbUYtbNzMo91xrCTlpwAX_tEz3D81Jupf1FssCtE1dE3Ze8DfDBOiL5ah6E7eppAGRqYplsR3AvF8-J4vMXaY3WJbhoSKKp1zoBZVvWNAcgvku3MM0/s675/moonlightrun.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="663" height="559" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bmK1tNrs9mYJXB5ffVZhGwRLAozWeV5Ml0-IkfAaSelApJJlYhmD3MTbye94uve6-8VmE_XbUYtbNzMo91xrCTlpwAX_tEz3D81Jupf1FssCtE1dE3Ze8DfDBOiL5ah6E7eppAGRqYplsR3AvF8-J4vMXaY3WJbhoSKKp1zoBZVvWNAcgvku3MM0/w549-h559/moonlightrun.png" width="549" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Oh, what was she getting herself into? Qing suffered through dinner. Yes, she was a kind hostess with the mostest. Or so it seemed. Always there at every beckoning call. As it was she didn't eat. There was no time. And now to rush to tidy up. Honestly, she felt a little woozy about the matter.</p><p>What did Cheng want? Was she to show up like her brother, Fiction the archer? She guessed she'd raised suspicion of him from the very beginning when Milo and his squad got here. She'd heard rumour they were a talented bunch. But she hadn't really seen anything that would really matter. </p><p>Yes, she'd introduced them to Fiction. Although, she thought it was a mistake now. They didn't trust her. But she had given them food and lodging. Didn't that count for something? And this punk Cheng showed up out of nowhere.</p><p>She was nervous. No way did he mean anything romantic about calling her out into the night. He might as well be a bully, she thought. With a sigh she closed her eyes and transformed into her brother Fiction. She took a look in the mirror to see if it were true. Well, it was the best that she could remember him. That is.</p><p>Lord knows, he might have a limb missing by now or his face might not as been as pretty as it once was. She tried not to think of his hardships on the border. Oh, she hoped he was alive and least she could keep him alive, at the moment.</p><p>She set out to the court yard. Sure enough, Cheng was waiting on the rooftop as Qing had suspected. She got a running start and up in the air she went to make a graceful landing in the moonlight.</p><p>"Well..well, you came as Fiction," Cheng's smart smile made him all the more devilish.</p><p>"And?" Qing/Fiction crossed arms as if this dude better not be trouble.</p><p>"Where did learn all this?" Cheng wanted to know which actually surprised Qing.</p><p>"My parents of course," Fiction informed him they were part of the Hidden Valley Sect which didn't exist anymore.</p><p>"Hidden Valley?" Cheng shrugged. "Never heard of it." He practically snickered, but then surprised Qing/Fiction that his own mother had such secret powers as she did.</p><p>"So?"</p><p>He shook his head, no. Cheng said he took after his father and his people. "My aunt is..well..was Milo's mother."</p><p>Fiction winced. What? Cheng was Milo's cousin.</p><p>"Does he even know?"</p><p>"I haven't brought it up," Cheng was smug. "I want to show him my worth, you know." He took a stance then and tossed his fan to Fiction. "I hear you do rather well with a fan, but..is it when you're only Qing?"</p><p>Fiction practically gave him a snarl. Well, he'd have to show Cheng a thing or two. So the battle commenced on top the roof in the moonlight. Like a dance of pride, neither would back down.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-31908047731173872882022-09-25T18:14:00.007-05:002022-09-25T21:16:00.496-05:00Easy come easy go<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJCeg-z3UhoHvgPBnZKuCo74a6WqLzLjRmEGhvZkpb4XxVTUULWzcqpl3Y5TxDC8ixKN4e3eVn9JxgTbEnLj4_MvJFMu0Du91mg5oMcV2mVfRYnBRAunm729PwKxZ7zQ9jhWbuWtC3JLhmI0mLZ85CoPQ2qP34hhVBFkpyrvzgZVmg4mkIlF6us7B/s712/takethemastheycome.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="712" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJCeg-z3UhoHvgPBnZKuCo74a6WqLzLjRmEGhvZkpb4XxVTUULWzcqpl3Y5TxDC8ixKN4e3eVn9JxgTbEnLj4_MvJFMu0Du91mg5oMcV2mVfRYnBRAunm729PwKxZ7zQ9jhWbuWtC3JLhmI0mLZ85CoPQ2qP34hhVBFkpyrvzgZVmg4mkIlF6us7B/w547-h513/takethemastheycome.png" width="547" /></a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> "So what do you say?" Cheng asked. Obviously, he'd caught Qing off guard as she was setting the table for supper. She went out back to the kitchen and fetched the stew from the cauldron. </p><p>"About what?" </p><p>Cheng knew he'd caught her interest.</p><p>"Oh, just some sparing I guess," he shrugged already making himself at home taking a crisp onion and biting it like an apple. </p><p>"Sparing?" She looked at him as if that was out of the question.</p><p>"Do you think you'll be any good if you're disguised as your brother?" Chen wanted to know.</p><p>She swelled a frown and took a step back.</p><p>"Oh, you want to know how I know about that, do you?" He teased her with a smile but went back to his onion as if he'd have to wait for the others to eat. "I have my ways." He put his index finger to his lips as if for her to keep quiet.</p><p>Her stunning dark eyes just looked at him as if maybe he really was a semi-devil after all. </p><p>"I'm only here to help." He told her. "Just think about it."</p><p>"What do you plan to do?" She winced.</p><p>"Build an army, what do you think?" he said while she went to get the steamed buns full of pork and chives. He picked one up even if were still steaming. It was as if he couldn't feel the heat. He smelled it. "Spicy too." His smile was quick.</p><p>Qing pressed her lips tight, as if she was still thinking. She poured wine as if the supper needed to go on.</p><p>Cheng waltz toward her as if he knew a dance or two. "Meet me after dark," he whispered in her ear.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-34437906522429192282022-09-18T07:42:00.000-05:002022-09-18T07:42:39.856-05:00It's on..time to make the magic happen<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDxlXIGTasB9DC8QOk7NWXcLXXeyRu__Qz-ZBvCZQfOknOpDsRuKxcwgOW9obQJhhDUkLmssveEZl4CgcGlmKFXLoVEHjUda-Jz0Zw1p-xibsFv7xKmhJSGUtCBmKAAPxYyYRWm7OmXCy7ZFLThHxQ_rQHUIZefRU6VV30CaNugus5iJLKT7z0pHa/s676/ownit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="610" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDxlXIGTasB9DC8QOk7NWXcLXXeyRu__Qz-ZBvCZQfOknOpDsRuKxcwgOW9obQJhhDUkLmssveEZl4CgcGlmKFXLoVEHjUda-Jz0Zw1p-xibsFv7xKmhJSGUtCBmKAAPxYyYRWm7OmXCy7ZFLThHxQ_rQHUIZefRU6VV30CaNugus5iJLKT7z0pHa/w489-h542/ownit.png" width="489" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>"I've come to fight," Cheng said as soon as he found Milo all by his lonesome. It was a warm sunny day. The wind was from the north. It was a great setting. It wasn't like they would kick each other off a cliff. Just a golden wave of grass prevailed.</p><p>"To fight?" Milo winced as if he'd never heard of such a thing.</p><p>"I've been dreaming it for a while now," Cheng was serious. His sword could easily be guided at his fingertips. "You need to fight."</p><p>"Fight?" Milo still looked at him as if he'd lost it.</p><p>"It's what we do," Cheng explained. "Friend or foe. We fight."</p><p>"Are you really a friend or just a foe?" Milo shot back. Why hadn't Cheng asked War to fight him?</p><p>"I would be too easy for him," Cheng said about War. "But you, we're on the same playing field."</p><p>Milo sighed as if he didn't know what to make of Cheng. Of course, Milo didn't even have his sword. </p><p>"I guess we'll have to do it another day then," Cheng turned away from him, letting the wind blow his hair away from his face. Really, it was a good day to fight. It was best to have nature's obstacles in the way. </p><p>"You're serious about this?" Milo acted as if maybe it was just a ploy of some kind.</p><p>"You know, you need me," Cheng didn't know how to simplify it anymore. "We need each other. So we fight."</p><p>Milo hugged himself as if it was far from his thoughts at the moment.</p><p>"Look, when you take on the beggar's sect, remember, they have their poisons," Cheng told him.</p><p>"Poisons?" Milo winced hard as he came closer to Cheng.</p><p>"You're only thinking of medicines," Cheng knew. "You best think of the poisons on their swords and how to get the antidotes."</p><p>"What would you know?" Milo tilted his head as if Cheng might be full of it.</p><p>"They have their masters of poison. How do you think they've survived for so long." They walked then as if they would go back into town. It was as if Milo was out of touch with what these sects were all about. Sure they all had a little martial arts under their belt, but it was so much more. </p><p>"How should we go about this, then?" Milo wanted to know.</p><p>"We need to find us a friend, first." Cheng nodded.</p><p>"I was thinking exactly, the same thing," Milo told him. Cheng smiled back at him. His sword was now in the sheath on his back. </p><p>"Care to do a little hand-to-hand combat?" Cheng then asked.</p><p>"If we must," Milo sighed as if Cheng would not give up. And he wouldn't.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-24041418942546736612022-09-11T10:19:00.000-05:002022-09-11T10:19:06.166-05:00When you focus on the GOOD the Good gets better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu34RmMLXYyn7wkbQlDsj-uEwSWuGSvW0Jcov57v7bdXWVDHeZf59FgUlBC7xAErSnBUBpFICesJEMjsCsWs917-fZfRy-JjqB55Qq5DZgLEd0zSsA7e-EeQm_tURK4WSn41VYuX7XHeTMqWiTkXcbU4QDtZcARo-jAxqffzY3-XBhCwaQV_-zi4f/s782/awarrior.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="782" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu34RmMLXYyn7wkbQlDsj-uEwSWuGSvW0Jcov57v7bdXWVDHeZf59FgUlBC7xAErSnBUBpFICesJEMjsCsWs917-fZfRy-JjqB55Qq5DZgLEd0zSsA7e-EeQm_tURK4WSn41VYuX7XHeTMqWiTkXcbU4QDtZcARo-jAxqffzY3-XBhCwaQV_-zi4f/w569-h491/awarrior.png" width="569" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> "Have you ever heard of such a thing?" Milo wanted to know, hoping War could explain. After all, he'd seen so many things.</p><p>"I never heard of such matters," he shook his head, no. After all, he'd been in a war of one kind or another most of his days. "let's not dwell on it."</p><p>"But..but.." Milo couldn't help himself to think about what Cha-Cha was capable of conjuring up. Did he have a witch of some sort on his hands? Never did it cross his thoughts that she had this kind of power. Of course, at the moment she'd gone off to bed and hadn't protested in the least.</p><p>Cheng ate a good meal of pork and sacked out after what was the last of the rice wine. He was no use at the moment in their living quarters.</p><p>"What's worrying you the most?" War smirked. "You think she's got a flame for this childhood friend, is that it?"</p><p>"No..no..no," Milo swore it not to be in his thoughts. "It's just a little frightening, you know." He winced hard.</p><p>"When have you ever been frightened, old friend?" War was laughing at him.</p><p>Milo sighed. Thinking of all the horrible things that had happened to him over the years. It was a wonder he was still here. Then to meet Cha-Cha. Really, he wanted to settle down with her. But it was all so impossible. Yet, he was a wanderer which made him even wonder more. He shook his head, he couldn't explain it. </p><p>"I think he is who he says he is," War could tell him this much. "He will be an asset."</p><p>"An asset?" What was War going on about?</p><p>"Yes, there will a come a time, that we will have to fight," War told him.</p><p>All Milo could do was to hope they could procrastinate just a bit longer. Honestly, he didn't like it. Not in the least bit and yet it felt like a destiny he could not avoid.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-80204538826338032762022-09-04T17:00:00.001-05:002022-09-04T17:00:55.125-05:00Trust the timing of your life<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fq-Zg0BEE0wXa9EX-GEfIipxQjDSAIYrvIc6HQ5fSnYKuIFydXOBlugMEw8cybEFT_3GF1SxPDNXmANe2Lf4bABWisYTYgWRgqTPQiAeUD-Bak6fu4FX2ZxYDYbnfBUQ8JG3xC-ZqIZaGK07DilOooIzehwBEPXgSmkBZmiumS24g2NS5FpACSyi/s697/chengnchacha.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="697" height="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fq-Zg0BEE0wXa9EX-GEfIipxQjDSAIYrvIc6HQ5fSnYKuIFydXOBlugMEw8cybEFT_3GF1SxPDNXmANe2Lf4bABWisYTYgWRgqTPQiAeUD-Bak6fu4FX2ZxYDYbnfBUQ8JG3xC-ZqIZaGK07DilOooIzehwBEPXgSmkBZmiumS24g2NS5FpACSyi/w564-h543/chengnchacha.png" width="564" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Naturally, they had to see who was in the petals of cherry blossoms. Milo gave a quick inspection. Yes, he was alive. A little out of it, but he clutched his sword as if it were their baby, or pride and joy.</p><p>ChaCha tilted her head and made a face as if it couldn't be or just a grimace.</p><p>"What's wrong?" Milo looked at her.</p><p>"Oh, I don't know," she sighed taking a step back. It wasn't long until the distant traveler awoke and pushed up on his elbows. He looked a bit shocked.</p><p>"ChaCha?" he looked so surprised and she drew a slight frown as if it couldn't be. She looked away.</p><p>"Were you thinking of him?" Milo questioned, looking ChaCha over as if she had a lot of explaining to do.</p><p>ChaCha hugged herself hard. "Maybe." She shrugged but looked away as if she didn't know it was magic.</p><p>Milo shook his head as if he didn't know about this power of hers.</p><p>"It's me," the stranger finally said as Milo helped him to his feet. "Cheng."</p><p>"I know." But ChaCha didn't smile.</p><p>Cheng explained he was a childhood friend of ChaCha's. His father had been a guard for her father. Thus, he'd lived in the castle and they'd played together at an early age. Still, ChaCha looked so sad. Milo thought she might cry. He put his arm around her as she sighed heavily.</p><p>"I..I was so afraid you were dead." ChaCha then blurted. "I..I knew I would never see you again." She nursed her bottom lip. She knew it was all the queen's fault. Not her own.</p><p>"She never liked that I had any fun. And..and you were like sunshine on a rainy day, and she hated you for it." She sounded as if she was the one who had put him to such punishment.</p><p>"Don't be so sad," Cheng told her. "I was always meant to be a soldier. I trained on the border for the last decade or so. I'm a swordsman now." Still, he didn't know how he exactly got here. He'd been fighting at the front in a swordplay of clouding dust.</p><p>"Well, you're here and we plan to help you stay with us," Milo decided. He said they needed to head back. He was sure Cheng was starving.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-49621347584486170262022-08-28T15:11:00.000-05:002022-08-28T15:11:03.477-05:00Nothing makes a person more productive than the last minute<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi0kibOyaWOk5ruLAHThtR--pbc0YMDnbqs8cjyTN90XFRo68f-6HrM7UZbZ6pT-kl8SCNadYCgBiYXRW2wvJIaNxOjL4-Je62gKeyoAJWu6aZY3JaMI8JoxTo1fcwVPDHu4_RDI3omLxlVZbOGwXWE6q5Ab86SCefWzjuTlRd3IZ1ZgvHwUeDBzc/s762/itwillcome.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="762" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi0kibOyaWOk5ruLAHThtR--pbc0YMDnbqs8cjyTN90XFRo68f-6HrM7UZbZ6pT-kl8SCNadYCgBiYXRW2wvJIaNxOjL4-Je62gKeyoAJWu6aZY3JaMI8JoxTo1fcwVPDHu4_RDI3omLxlVZbOGwXWE6q5Ab86SCefWzjuTlRd3IZ1ZgvHwUeDBzc/w538-h483/itwillcome.png" width="538" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>ChaCha wondered just how long it took to make a plan. She thought Milo was procrastinating.</p><p>"Oh, you don't even know the meaning of the word," he snapped back as if plotting had its own rhythm. "Did things happen that fast back in the palace?"</p><p>"Well?" She winced as she sat on the branch with him. It was true, crazy things happened with the queen from time to time. She was always sending someone to their death. Usually, servants, she was tired of. Father never let her have a hand in any of that. He would always let them go, but the queen would never know. In fact, he sent them to another country. </p><p>Oh, she hated to think of violence, but still, she thought they could be doing something instead of sitting here in the middle of the cherry blossoms.</p><p>"I wonder if there might be another way, you know, to find out about Old Sands. Did he live somewhere else when you were a kid? Maybe somebody might know something." She didn't say this out loud, just a thought to prod that brain of his.</p><p>He looked at her as if why hadn't he thought of that.</p><p>"There is a valley, but it's the valley of sorrows," Milo said when he looked at her. She sensed he hoped not to go there.</p><p>"Why can't we?" She wanted to know.</p><p>"It's haunting," he said. "They say the ghosts of forgotten tribes cry there."</p><p>"Well, you lived there, didn't you?" She didn't like his excuse.</p><p>"Maybe if I went on my own," he shrugged.</p><p>"Oh, you aren't going alone." She shot him a look. "I'm going where ever you're going."</p><p>He sighed. She knew he could read her mind. This was why he was procrastinating. About then, what appeared to be something falling out of the sky, barely missed the tree they were in. They heard a soft thud. There was someone laying in the flood of pink petals on the ground.</p><p>"Well, that's unusual," ChaCha looked to Milo.</p><p>"Yes, indeed."</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-81399355329646897462022-08-22T09:52:00.002-05:002022-08-22T09:52:53.027-05:00Among the blossoms<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvKPHxsuknFZJ9rte0g0HwK8zXv4OyqTCjwv-vOwrUmyaxje0B97404vXZ00xzFF2GeKU1gMgIyqI7Y0V2JJBmvkRGdk7ni6w_kTjI5ntDrkx56KMIaUZVIgpC2Ll-vlmwmp-Lwg2vqlcvPVlkL_MO5UfDGZKSeS7k4V7TcV8QpDf9uB3Btas7x5p/s685/wildflowers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="662" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvKPHxsuknFZJ9rte0g0HwK8zXv4OyqTCjwv-vOwrUmyaxje0B97404vXZ00xzFF2GeKU1gMgIyqI7Y0V2JJBmvkRGdk7ni6w_kTjI5ntDrkx56KMIaUZVIgpC2Ll-vlmwmp-Lwg2vqlcvPVlkL_MO5UfDGZKSeS7k4V7TcV8QpDf9uB3Btas7x5p/w512-h530/wildflowers.png" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Milo didn't want it to sound like a plan yet it was. They'd have to spy on the Beggar's Sect before they showed an interest in it.</p><p>"I don't know what you're up to?" ChaCha made him feel a bit unreasonable, but she seemed to be second-guessing him lately. It wasn't that way when they first met. Milo looked at her out of the corner of his eye, wondering what had changed. Sometimes, she was so considerate of him and yet not so much at the moment. </p><p>"Why so much doubt?" He wanted to know. Of course, they were doing a bit of an exercise among the cherry blossoms on the outskirt of town. It was always a good thing to fly about with ease. And especially to be ready for the unexpected. Was it all that fangirling she did with the figment of her imagination? Was he supposed to feel some sort of sympathy about this little digression? Maybe she missed him? The archer. But Milo would not dare ask. Still, he almost tumble out of the sky at the thought of a nightmare it could be. Oh, he knew he had other things to tend to.</p><p>"I don't know why you even care so much about the Beggar Sect," ChaCha shrugged as if he was hiding a big secret.</p><p>Milo sighed. He found a pink tree of blossoms to drop to the branches of. He waited for her to sit next to him, but she sat in the tree opposite of him as if she had her reasons.</p><p>"Well, you said you were interested in medicine," It was all for her. Now he felt as if she could care less. But he spoke of the medicine man then. "I remember him well. He was amazing and helped so many during starving times." In fact, Milo stayed with the young man a short while as a child and learned a bit about herbs and old medicines one could find off the land. True, it wasn't much, but Milo was grateful for those childhood days. His name was Old Sands now. He'd come to be a part of the Beggar's Sect when the leader fell ill.</p><p>Milo couldn't imagine any of the oldtimers being alive, but it was possible. He hoped it would be true.</p><p>"It's just... we can't just walk into the sect," He then told her. "From what Qing has said, the sect is only pretending to be beggars when they actually aren't."</p><p>"That's rather absurd, isn't it?" ChaCha winced, but she came closer then as if she might trust him after all.</p><p>"Times are hard, maybe these businessmen have fallen, but I doubt it." Milo nodded.</p><p>"So much pretending going around, you know." </p><p>ChaCha festered a frown and hugged herself. </p><p>"Who knows, Old Sands might be long gone. Worse yet, what if he's not right in the head." Milo was even lipped about it.</p><p>"How could you say such a thing about the master of remedies?" ChaCha looked at him as if he didn't have enough faith.</p><p>"But anything is possible," he told her it could be hopeful just as much as being dreadful.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-30935722094990868802022-08-14T16:44:00.000-05:002022-08-14T16:44:02.785-05:00Something to think about<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJel6xuq2Fmr3acDFRVia5y-xhpn11U2JJz7JrTjBS-T8Xt352q8-bi7YQFkS69tvn-Y4-RoH9Cxn4vB2RV0u3rQZrXOukZmdrysJwV_5QXIY85KffCckor2Qzu_Gx4vog-VA6ef9G1F6oMV2t-o7Facbh8eBxOv1s9LWdWPYLUZ9Y33JELgMMtJU/s712/livinadaydream.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="712" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJel6xuq2Fmr3acDFRVia5y-xhpn11U2JJz7JrTjBS-T8Xt352q8-bi7YQFkS69tvn-Y4-RoH9Cxn4vB2RV0u3rQZrXOukZmdrysJwV_5QXIY85KffCckor2Qzu_Gx4vog-VA6ef9G1F6oMV2t-o7Facbh8eBxOv1s9LWdWPYLUZ9Y33JELgMMtJU/w565-h537/livinadaydream.png" width="565" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Qing gave them food and lodging. She said they would be safe above her makeup shop. Of course, ChaCha didn't quite believe her.</p><p>"She's a mistress of disguises," ChaCha looked at Milo as if he needed to fix this. "How does someone obtain such a talent?"</p><p>Milo only looked at her a bit baffled and popped a grape in her mouth that was from the dining table in their lodging. There was a room for the two of them to sleep and War made himself at home on the bed in the livingroom.</p><p>"Some of this kind of thing is passed on from one generation to the next," War gave her a shrug. "Some, just never find the awakening in one's inner self while someone like Qing definitely does it with such style."</p><p>"Don't tell me you want to learn tricks like that?" Milo winced with a sigh. "I find it to be a rather dark martial art." He shook his head.</p><p>"Well, yes, if you take advantage of it, it could get you in a mess of problems," War nodded. He grabbed some walnuts and slid them through his fingers as if it was a natural talent of his to relieve stress.</p><p>ChaCha poured tea as if maybe she was on to something, or just to prod some information out of either of them.</p><p>"Do you think she remembers her true self?" That was the question.</p><p>Milo sighed as if it was best not to know. "She did say she was posing as her brother, but he's gone to the border to fight. She hasn't seen him in ages. He might look different now."</p><p>"Different?" ChaCha winced as if she didn't know what he meant.</p><p>"We evolve you know," War let a smile slip. "With age."</p><p>"Yes, a few bad meals under our belt to make it worse," Milo made a face of disgust and then laughed.</p><p>"Oh, and the wine, too much wine," War shook his head. "It can make you old before your time."</p><p>"I don't even know what you two are talking about?" She looked as if she could kick both of them. They weren't being serious at all. "What would happen..if..if.."</p><p>"What? One of the disguises doesn't wear off?" Milo asked. ChaCha nodded. They both looked at War since he knew a thing are two about disguises and spying and such.</p><p>"Oh, I've never heard of such a thing," War chuckled, but Milo had a feeling he knew the repercussions of disguising too much.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-9281926365598182562022-08-07T15:00:00.003-05:002022-08-14T15:51:38.068-05:00In the midst of it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDylX1w66KOY6ntjMSm9fT12gbMV86E7_SSCsZ9dWpLVaaZIKxegnOsdA3sTImFX4qVQi7j4f0284Kw2TnjjVjvIo8RhHYo_vspsYpWe3U6Z5_qGj8ayHxX9eegxhcpO-aJniyg97-8lWKBmUmtoMoKb353DcejPpqBhm5lRi0dl7OA1711S0U9x4c/s790/cannotavoid.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="790" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDylX1w66KOY6ntjMSm9fT12gbMV86E7_SSCsZ9dWpLVaaZIKxegnOsdA3sTImFX4qVQi7j4f0284Kw2TnjjVjvIo8RhHYo_vspsYpWe3U6Z5_qGj8ayHxX9eegxhcpO-aJniyg97-8lWKBmUmtoMoKb353DcejPpqBhm5lRi0dl7OA1711S0U9x4c/w620-h523/cannotavoid.png" width="620" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> "Just what have we got ourselves into?" ChaCha wasn't sure what they should do next. Was the man a woman? A man in disguise? Oh, she was having second thoughts about Chinese Operas. She gritted her teeth. </p><p>Of course, Milo put his finger to her lips and told her to just wait.</p><p>They would let War go in first. See if he could figure what she was up to.</p><p>"Do you see something you like?" Of course, she sounded like a real lady of the establishment. She knew the degrees of skin tones and what sort of lippy was in season. "Perhaps you have a sweetheart," she smiled.</p><p>Of course, War smiled back and that's when he sprung out the fan as if it was rather warm in the place. And she did the same as if they could play. And they did.</p><p>Snap, snap, snap. Like a dance that quickened by the displays and almost through the curtains. Before Milo and ChaCha could figure out the next step, War and the woman were in mid air in this little trist of play.</p><p>"What has gotten into him?" ChaCha was stunned.</p><p>"Hopefully, not love." Milo remained even-lipped.</p><p>"I swear, he's met his match-"</p><p>"Or, he's letting her win," Milo spoke up as he leaned toward ChaCha with a yawn. She only nodded as she watched. </p><p>Finally, their fans were stuck. It was a bit of a tug of war. Milo and ChaCha settled to the floor and came through the curtains.</p><p>"Haven't you two had enough of this?" He asked looking up at them.</p><p>"Have we?" War asked.</p><p>The woman looked down at Milo and dropped to the floor ever so elegantly.</p><p>"I was expecting you, not the horse," she looked at him.</p><p>"I wasn't expecting anything," Milo told her. "What do you want?"</p><p>"Your help of course," she told him.</p><p>"Really?" He looked at her out of the corner of his eye as if he didn't quite believe her.</p><p>"Don't go to the Beggar's Sect," she told him. "It's not what it seems."</p><p>Milo grimaced as if that was not the news he wanted to hear. </p><p>"Are you a friend or a foe?" ChaCha wanted to know. She hugged herself, wondering if there was anything easy these days in this world.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-27501034004063005542022-07-31T15:23:00.000-05:002022-07-31T15:23:14.245-05:00little games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWJtQHOs2DW0w5B2o0hIHlnSiauULEOcoKNYTNTX0iLFt1akbBoFIDDrCZXvsZ_4tCmuu-OUaeZ1zZSULHIpQ3dkZYUGMYzA79SLhoRifNFfgNCGCLSDr4PcnP-y0ezSZsXw5wPxoyrU2VfB4f5YfyKO8D9j0FNlNrhNNM-B3K_VLYSGRgiLMX9_G/s712/pumpit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="706" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWJtQHOs2DW0w5B2o0hIHlnSiauULEOcoKNYTNTX0iLFt1akbBoFIDDrCZXvsZ_4tCmuu-OUaeZ1zZSULHIpQ3dkZYUGMYzA79SLhoRifNFfgNCGCLSDr4PcnP-y0ezSZsXw5wPxoyrU2VfB4f5YfyKO8D9j0FNlNrhNNM-B3K_VLYSGRgiLMX9_G/w521-h526/pumpit.png" width="521" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Milo didn't want any more problems. Couldn't they at least find a good place to stay for the night before they headed to the Beggar's Sect? Why was it that trouble followed him? Was there a sign on his back?</p><p>"Well, at least you aren't crazy after all," Milo looked down at ChaCha as if he wasn't as worried as he was, but evidently someone was leading them to this place, but who?</p><p>Milo gritted a smile as they stepped forward into the shop. Instantly, the archer was gone.</p><p>"What happened?" ChaCha looked at him.</p><p>"Don't touch the goods," he told her it could be poison. </p><p>"Poison?" ChaCha grimaced. But the makeups were in such beautiful packaging. It was so enticing. She told him all this with her mind. He did not let go of her hand as he raised the bright red curtain to the left and then to the right as if someone must be watching them. </p><p>At least, War could protect them. Maybe, but as he looked at his friend Milo knew War was counting on him. </p><p>War went to the door, but there was no way out. </p><p>"Great, I love this kind of thing," Milo winced as if whoever was up to these shenanigans lived above the shop. He could sense them from here. He pulled ChaCha behind the curtain. They floated above just a bit so their feet wouldn't show.</p><p>"Doesn't it hurt?" She asked.</p><p>"What?" He turned to her.</p><p>"You know. This?"</p><p>"Are you in pain?" He asked. They were a few inches off the ground.</p><p>"No." </p><p>Milo shook his head. Really, she was like being with that little sister who loved playing twenty questions. "Just be quiet." </p><p>Finally, the woman in white appeared. Of course, she was beautiful. Why wouldn't she be with so much face makeup to play with? It looked as if it had all been a lost cause, somehow. And it made Milo smile all the more. Finally, a semi-devil who had less power than he did.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-81625239160676974912022-07-24T13:45:00.000-05:002022-07-24T13:45:23.366-05:00It's not an everyday thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvIqKN6ResxPFpC6vZYbCw9vZYf7updNLdJ8FrpibD1W1j2HsrOsLku41V1sgqViSTZVahH2sch-zGbbpqxf95P1i_qPLZSx2Lo5EOqrWVDfrR6D5mUdJfJmbQ4wqqw6X-2IIxYs0iZE6HBbnnOjfxy17Z-LkS6ixH6D2X6e7vijj95gdusCUJq1I/s657/loveafool.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="657" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvIqKN6ResxPFpC6vZYbCw9vZYf7updNLdJ8FrpibD1W1j2HsrOsLku41V1sgqViSTZVahH2sch-zGbbpqxf95P1i_qPLZSx2Lo5EOqrWVDfrR6D5mUdJfJmbQ4wqqw6X-2IIxYs0iZE6HBbnnOjfxy17Z-LkS6ixH6D2X6e7vijj95gdusCUJq1I/w601-h599/loveafool.png" width="601" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> ChaCha couldn't think when the spell broke. Maybe it was on the street. Oh, she was so close to going somewhere with this Fiction character. They were just about to go into the makeup boutique. Of course, she'd always wanted to go to one of those but never had a chance. </p><p>To find the perfect blush and a foundation perfect for her skin was only a dream. Back at the palace she never got these kinds of choices. They were always made for her. Was that why she was so intrigued with him? After all, he spoke of Chinese Opera. Why did she have to be so enamored with an actor?</p><p>ChaCha looked at him wide-eyed now as they were about to go into the shop. She grabbed Milo's arm as if she might somehow fly away with Fiction.</p><p>"This is my husband, you know," ChaCha informed him. "We want to know what you're really up to."</p><p>"What?" Fiction looked a bit baffled. "What would I be up to? You look like a hick by the way you dress. I just assumed you needed a bit of culture."</p><p>ChaCha grimaced back. What did she think she needed?</p><p>"He's playing a game," Milo looked down at her and smiled.</p><p>"A game?" ChaCha squinted harder. How cruel, she thought.</p><p>"But you like the makeups, don't you?" Fiction was a bit of a salesman, after all. "Sister Zhang runs the place."</p><p>Milo looked at him as if he might think she was behind this. Maybe her makeups were more than met the eye.</p><p>"Well, shall we?" Milo lead the way, but ChaCha protested as she pulled him back.</p><p>"But what if..what if it's a trap?"</p><p>Milo only sighed. "We'll know when we get there." He pointed out. Milo did want to meet this sister of his.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-39891163098951074012022-07-17T10:12:00.000-05:002022-07-17T10:12:26.034-05:00Not my cup of tea<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWoClJwAJRCv32imQ9ORXfj6E8I0lLs3hxx_hJnpu649j0EKsFFM8JUrsanpz9WCfAKkFrgXhPpEBlJ1HksCzB40QmBzFP1x-Z5SEUVf5b-TgApErTYRrRRtAWTV4gjRpo0aQ-bJBXqJJmZkhJVYN8ZDreCrkv4_1wuIBlGRityLY_c8pNbVeqHMR/s852/cherryblossoms14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="852" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWoClJwAJRCv32imQ9ORXfj6E8I0lLs3hxx_hJnpu649j0EKsFFM8JUrsanpz9WCfAKkFrgXhPpEBlJ1HksCzB40QmBzFP1x-Z5SEUVf5b-TgApErTYRrRRtAWTV4gjRpo0aQ-bJBXqJJmZkhJVYN8ZDreCrkv4_1wuIBlGRityLY_c8pNbVeqHMR/w559-h441/cherryblossoms14.png" width="559" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Milo looked over at War who couldn't take his eyes off the stranger in the corner.</p><p>"Do you know him?" Milo wanted to know before the wine could even be poured into bowls.</p><p>"I know of him." War's gaze did not look to Milo who took his cue as if something was off. "He's an archer."</p><p>"An archer?" Milo almost broke a laugh. "Is that all?"</p><p>"Oh, he gets around. He knows a few things." War was straight-lipped as he took a sip of wine. Soon the braised pork came with roasted vegetables and rice.</p><p>Milo's stomach grumbled. He would eat. Nobody was going to hurt his appetite. It didn't stop ChaCha from adoring the sweet wine and of course, she ate her rice ever so delicately with her chopsticks, but he put a chunk of meat along with a carrot and some cabbage on her bowl of rice. She didn't look amused.</p><p>"Later, you'll thank me." He told her. She was practically in a pout but she ate.</p><p>Before they were finished, the archer came over standing next to ChaCha as if she might be for the taking. Of course, Milo gave him the eye, but he didn't stand up. Although, the archer caught his attention.</p><p>"Are you of some importance?" Milo finally let a question slip. Honestly, he wanted to avoid him. It couldn't be a good thing. Could it?</p><p>"Do I look that important?" He wanted to know with an impish grin.</p><p>Milo practically gnashed his teeth but he poured himself a bowl of wine instead.</p><p>"What do you want?" Milo said as he sipped his rice wine.</p><p>"I think we've met," the youngster said. Although, Milo had no idea of his age. Perhaps he was ancient but in disguise. </p><p>"I highly doubt that." Milo remained stoic while ChaCha let out a giggle. He reached to put his hand over her hand. Why he wondered, did she have to be such a fan girl who possibly needed to be fanned at the moment? She couldn't stop looking at the frilly archer.</p><p>"I would like to take your sister out. Perhaps a little walk around the market. She might love the opera," He grinned back at ChaCha.</p><p>Milo knew for certain he would be wrong to say no. "Well, I'll have to accompany you." Milo wanted to know his name. He did have a name, didn't he?</p><p>"Um, they call me Fiction. I lost my name some time ago. It's just Fiction." He grinned.</p><p>"Fiction?" It made Milo nauseous at the thought. What sort of powers did this sort possess?</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-69691711922171612792022-07-03T15:55:00.000-05:002022-07-03T15:55:34.543-05:00now that we are here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYizp1cjFho6b-bmlU33It-BIcNBixfrvJplDB3bsRDC1AGfMcpkZaMVffuJNjveWNAuP9Gfw601BFXOEtmnszBmZGeP2rTv15yezNx1tnFrJ8bCCplRbMoyAeUoMQDY3HFoN2X4Mno29YnXqrMNR-zkWPl7FlQoLtvsEZJsvZVAtaI30fzqkEOBb/s745/girlyoullbeawo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="745" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYizp1cjFho6b-bmlU33It-BIcNBixfrvJplDB3bsRDC1AGfMcpkZaMVffuJNjveWNAuP9Gfw601BFXOEtmnszBmZGeP2rTv15yezNx1tnFrJ8bCCplRbMoyAeUoMQDY3HFoN2X4Mno29YnXqrMNR-zkWPl7FlQoLtvsEZJsvZVAtaI30fzqkEOBb/w577-h561/girlyoullbeawo.png" width="577" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Oh, ChaCha could feel the excitement as soon as they got through the gates. It was so thrilling to actually be out and about. People buying vegetables and wares in the market. It had been forever since she'd been in a crowd. She even felt happiness in her step as she was eager to see what was for sale. But of course, Milo put his hand out in front of her.</p><p>"What are you doing?" His voice was stern. She didn't remember him so firm. She could not move. ChaCha sighed back.</p><p>"I..I only want to look," she said and she noticed how his smile curved.</p><p>"Of course, you do." His sigh was a hint that they didn't have the money to just buy anything.</p><p>"Let's find a place to eat," War said as if that was the thing to do so they followed him down the path of the market people until they found a tavern.</p><p>Milo turned to ChaCha, as if she better let him do the talking.</p><p>"What?" She festered a frown.</p><p>"You're to keep quiet." He told her. She nodded as if she knew she was supposed to go along with this, but it had been so long, couldn't he see she yearned to live in the village. She wanted to shop. She needed to shop. She showed him her shoes then.</p><p>"Don't you think I need new ones?"</p><p>"They aren't that bad." Milo was his solemn self. War only smiled.</p><p>"We'll look for some after we eat," War told her. Of course, her stomach grumbled as if asking where was the food. ChaCha gave him a nod as she followed both of them to the table they were taken to on the second floor of the bustling establishment.</p><p>Just as she was seated, she saw him across the busy room. For a moment, she couldn't take her eyes off of the stranger. He was so decorated that it made ChaCha smile without hesitation.</p><p>"Don't look at him," Milo informed her. "Look away."</p><p>"But why?" She whispered back.</p><p>"He's an imposter," he told her.</p><p>"He can't be." She squinted with delight. "He looks so important."</p><p>"I don't think he is." Milo frowned. ChaCha rolled her eyes at that. Really, she couldn't help but wonder if she was supposed to know him. After all, she was a princess. She was still a princess, wasn't she?</p><p>Milo took her hand. "Stop watching him, it will do neither of us any good."</p><p>She sucked in a breath. The rice wine was brought in bowls. Of course, she was the first to drink it.</p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2564147150092597487.post-65715376021895039122022-06-26T13:30:00.001-05:002022-06-26T13:30:42.290-05:00the bitterness of love<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrbsCoMAXywnSUukpVXq-wJNcfR0EkRlVtWvfR8WBvi1PW514EZrDkyrWhh8z5k68SeT7HTvAmQnENCWLyFamcJtekerdX_UGD2pu0GDHwOaRglkX99wIPJsuSX30TxK-lqjWRWRqLazDnGVj5Dovfw1J28twpswm9l4USMO7F0gZPtoRqqbS_HTI/s782/energycherryblossoms.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="782" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrbsCoMAXywnSUukpVXq-wJNcfR0EkRlVtWvfR8WBvi1PW514EZrDkyrWhh8z5k68SeT7HTvAmQnENCWLyFamcJtekerdX_UGD2pu0GDHwOaRglkX99wIPJsuSX30TxK-lqjWRWRqLazDnGVj5Dovfw1J28twpswm9l4USMO7F0gZPtoRqqbS_HTI/w594-h501/energycherryblossoms.png" width="594" /></a></div><p><br /></p>In a blink of an eye, the horse became War, who looked refreshed without a gray strand in sight, even younger than before.... but of course, the semi-devil was not with him.<p></p><p>Milo hated to ask. He looked to ChaCha, who was happy to see the warrior. </p><p>"It's good to see you," Milo finally extended a hand in friendship. War only smiled and took both his hands.</p><p>"You were afraid you would see me, again, weren't you?" His smile was faint. Evidently, in spite of a new youth, he'd almost lost it all.</p><p>"What happened?" ChaCha asked as they stood together under the old tree.</p><p>"She wanted her home back," War told them. "But, it was too much to ask for." He talked of Rin's home. They'd had to cross the valley of death. As wretched as the trip was, she still managed to suffice. And once she did make it to the palace she summoned those she knew to help restore her power. And since they'd been happy to see her they had obliged.</p><p>"She was just like I remembered," he was teary-eyed. Evidently, the feud with her sister was just as it had been. After all, Rin's sister was the queen.</p><p>Milo squinted trying to make sense of it all. How could someone like War love such a hateful winch? Well, it was on the tip of his tongue and he could sense ChaCha wouldn't let him say it. </p><p>"But..but they fought like it was no tomorrow," he sighed. "I thought they would somehow make up by chance, but that's not how it works."</p><p>"I'm sorry," but he really wasn't. He was glad Corrine was gone. He just hated her control. Didn't War understand people like her, didn't change?</p><p>"So did anyone survive?" ChaCha asked how it ended. </p><p>"Somewhere in the heavens, I suppose," War looked to the skies as he spoke of Rin and her twin.</p><p>"More like hell," Milo said ever so quietly.</p><p>War only chuckled as if he was probably correct. "Oh, she was unloveable," he nodded. "Quite the challenge for an old dude like me, but it doesn't matter. You love them anyway." War did his best to smile about the tragic love of his life who never really gave a damn about him, until now. "She hopes I have better luck with love this time around, but I'm not looking for it." He shook his head, no.<br /> </p>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854933369544818739noreply@blogger.com9