Chapter 14
Runyu sat cross-legged, straddling two Realms. He was physically in the Heavenly Realm, centered over the giant yin-yang inlaid on the floor of the foyer of Zifangyun Palace. Spiritually, he was in the Dream Realm. He had locked on to the spiritual signature of the mortal girl from the Osmanthus grove and was summoning her. She was easier to find this time, his scale acting like a beacon inside her Inner Dan.
The girl materialized in front of him on the pier. Her small face lit up with joy and wonder as she took in her surroundings. She looked at him and smiled broadly.
"Runyu!" she exclaimed joyfully. "I am so glad I got to come back here."
Runyu smiled back at her, and then gestured for her to sit across from him on the pier. She casually squatted down, hugging her lower legs, her chin resting on her knees.
"I've brought you here to ask you a question" said Runyu.
The girl's expression turned inquisitive, her head tilted to the side.
Runyu continued, "I am in need of a servant to cook and clean for me, and to cultivate plants. Would you consider working for me?" he asked.
The girl's eyes widened as she sucked in a breath and held it, her mouth open. Runyu was afraid she had stopped breathing, before she let it out with a long sigh and her face fell.
"What is wrong?" asked Runyu with concern.
The girl looked down at the pier with a sad expression.
"Truthfully I would be honored to come and work for you" she said wistfully. "However I am not able to make that decision for myself. I haven't even reached marriageable age yet. I won't until after the Spring Festival which is in six months!" She placed a lot of emphasis on the last two words.
"You would have to get permission from Mother" she continued, "but that is impossible, because you are imaginary and this is a dream" she finished matter-of-factly.
She then said quietly, under her breath "I must be very afraid of marriage to invent these dreams."
Runyu suddenly became aware of how this must look to her. The Mortal Realm was largely shielded from intrusions of magic. There was an understanding among the Immortals not to flaunt magic there.
The girl's chin quavered as she began to sniffle, a few tears leaked out of her golden eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
Runyu felt alarmed. He had never had much luck with consoling crying women.
"There, there, don't cry" he said, holding his hand out to pat her head awkwardly. "I'll get permission from your Mother" he promised.
She looked up at his face. "You will?" she asked hopefully, her expression doubtful.
Runyu nodded.
"I should warn you, Mother seems pretty set on the idea of a marriage for me" the girl said ruefully.
"I'll take that into consideration" he laughed, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "There now, don't be sad. Tell me your name" ordered Runyu.
"My name is Huang Li-Hua" she introduced herself, holding her hands clasped in front of her and bowing her head politely.
"Really?" asked Runyu dumbfounded. That was too appropriate.
"Yes" responded Li-Hua, insulted. "What's wrong with my name?" she asked.
"No, no, don't misunderstand!" Runyu pleaded. "Your name is perfect for you. Your surname 'Huang' means 'yellow', and your given name 'Li-Hua' means 'beautiful flower'. Also it sounds like the word 'Guiha' which means 'Osmanthus flower'. The Osmanthus produces flowers that are small and beautiful, like you, and they are yellow, like your rare golden eyes" he explained. He omitted the fact that the first time he had seen her she was surrounded by Osmanthus blooms.
"Is your Mother prescient?" Runyu asked in awe.
Li-Hua looked confused. "I don't know" she responded.
"I mean, can she see the future?" Runyu asked again.
"Oh!" exclaimed Li-Hua with understanding."The villagers say she can. She is the wise woman of Manjuelong Valley. Her name is Zhou Loa-Nu."
Runyu was taken aback. He would have to carefully consider the best way to approach this woman. He had thought he could just pretend to be a mortal nobleman, but now he wasn't sure. She may be able to see through his artifice.
"Are you okay?" asked Li-Hua, concerned.
Evidently he had been quiet for too long.
"I think Mother will like you" Li-Hua reassured him. "You are a dragon" she stated simply.
Runyu nodded.
"You ARE a dragon!" she shouted with glee.
Runyu leaned back, startled.
"I wasn't sure!" Li-Hua exclaimed. "Can you show me your dragon form?" she pleaded, shifting down onto her knees and holding her hands up in prayer. "Please, please please" she begged.
Runyu felt apprehensive. He didn't like showing his dragon form. Too many years of hiding what he was had scarred him.
"PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE" she continued to beg.
Runyu swallowed hard. "Why is it so difficult to say no to this girl?" he wondered. Her little face was too cute as she scrunched her eyebrows together like a dog pleading for scraps.
"All right, all right" he agreed reluctantly. He closed his eyes and let his tail form. It slithered out onto the pier, at least 3 meters long. He opened his eyes, dreading what he might see in her face.
Her face was transfixed. "You are so beautiful" Li-Hua breathed.
"No one has ever told me that before" Runyu responded quietly.
The girl looked startled by that admission. "How is that possible?" she asked incredulously. "Look at your gorgeous scales! They look like Mother-of-Pearl. You're a Pearl Dragon!" she exclaimed with delight.
Runyu gave a small laugh, feeling bashful.
"But where is the rest of you?" Li-Hua asked excitedly. "Shouldn't there be horns on your forehead, and a long face like a camel...?" her voice petered out.
Runyu's expression darkened. He explained, "When I was a young dragon, the lamella scale under my throat was removed. It made this part of my body permantly man-shaped."
Li-Hua looked horrified. "Who would do such a terrible thing?" she asked vehemently.
Runyu lowered his gaze, ashamed and unable to tell her.
"I am so sorry" she apologized. "I have caused you pain" she choked, full of remorse. Hastily she dried the tears on her face with her sleeves.
Runyu didn't know what to say. He had never been faced with compassion. This was the last place he would expect to receive it.
Finally he cleared his throat, "it's like an old battle wound" he said gently. "Long-healed, but it still twinges a bit on occasion. Please don't concern yourself about it anymore" he cajoled her.
She nodded in acquiescence.
"Would you like a hug?" she asked him timidly.
Runyu considered it. He actually might like a hug. The only other hug he had ever received after early childhood was on their last encounter. He remembered the feeling of being cradled in her arm, a surprising warmth had spread through his chest at that time.
He nodded. She smiled and held out her arms. He leaned over at the waist, placing the side of his face against her shoulder, snaking his arms around to grasp her waist. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, placing her chin on top of his head. He could hear her heartbeat. It was very soothing. The warmth he remembered from last time spread through his chest again.
Softly she began to hum an ancient lullaby, squeezing him tightly and rocking him from side to side. It felt like a bubble was expanding in his chest, filling a hole he hadn't realized was there. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation, losing his concentration.
The Dream Realm dissolved. He was alone again on the cold marble floor of Zifangyun Palace. The warm fullness disappeared. The loss felt like pain. He stared into the darkness, unseeing, clenching his hand over the ache in his chest.