Yěhuā
A Xiān Kè Lái Extras Collection
By: Aviantei
[Shibuya Operation – Story Storm]
25. Lotus (18)
Being back at Guizhou has spoiled me. Across Japan, Britain, and America, I was in cities. The skies were clouded, and I grew used to it. My short stay at home in the mountains reminded me of what star fronts are supposed to look like.
From the balcony at my apartment, I can see nothing other than the fact that the sky is dark, and even that's brought into question by the reflection of lights from the streets below.
I step closer to the railing and peer down over the edge. The height is nothing compared to the view from the top of the castle. My stomach has grown past lurching. Cars roll past on the roads, people push past each other on the sidewalks, and the faint murmurs of chatter reach me in the air. The smoke is drowned out in the height. I look back up to the sky as if it it's going to change anything.
It doesn't.
This is just a step, I remind myself. You have a job. Even if you can't see the stars, if you keep working, you'll be able to get closer to lightning.
I head back inside, enjoying the press of air conditioning and a cold bottle of milk before heading to bed under a starless sky.
26. Lotus (19)
I trudge behind Grandfather. I'm well exercised, but keeping pace with him is hard. Even Jun is starting to run out of breath. Grandfather Zhang hikes up the mountain trail like he's heading down the street for groceries—with much more grace than expected of his age. Despite there being a path, it's maintained by frequent treks, not any nature association, a wobbly line of dirt amongst what little vegetation that can grow at this height.
I don't show that I'm tired. I don't complain about the walk. I keep pushing forward, because we've been hiking ever since we were kids, and I can handle this.
Grandfather veering off the path, however, is different than before. I exchange a look with Jun before raising my voice. "Where are you going?"
"We," Grandfather stresses, "are heading to our destination. Stay close. You don't want to get lost in the trees."
Jun and I both pick up our pace so we don't get left behind in the foliage.
It's just a short walk left from where we were, though, and with good reason. I hold a tree branch out of the way for Jun, and she halts when she passes. I'm short enough (still) that I don't have to duck underneath it, and I lean around Jun's side to make sure Grandfather's in sight.
He very much is. As is the outcropping of rock overlooking the valleys and mountains around us. Grandfather stands within less than a meter of the edge, hands clasped behind his back. His posture holds straight. I tap Jun's side, and she breaks out of her reverie long enough for me to stand beside her.
"Come closer," Grandfather calls, voice somehow not lost in the vast amount of space before us. I take the first step, hesitating from awe over fear. Jun, having grown up in the same skyscraping castle as I have, follows. I find the lack of a railing enough to deter me from the edge, but Grandfather doesn't budge until we're within a meter of him. He turns to face us, a smile across his aged face. "As you know, we Taos have relied on nature to guide our divinations.
"While you may not take the same path as I have, you two have very much done well to preserve your sense of chi and harmony with the world. We do well within our walls to maintain a connection with nature, but it's different when you are in the wilds yourselves. Take this opportunity to connect with the world and further discover yourselves. I'll keep an eye on the surroundings."
Without further prompting, Grandfather sits down in position, closes his eyes, and begins meditating. Jun nods and sits down as well. I look again over the view in front of us, so far from any civilization, even out of view of the castle that is our home.
Taking a seat, I breathe in pure mountain air and connect to the flow of chi around me.
27. Lotus (20)
"Hey, Ghost Freak."
I flip a page in my book and try not to show I'm worried. It's been a few weeks since Jun told me about our background. I forgot to thank her, but she did reassure me, just a little. Instead of cowering from the words, I need to stand strong against it. Mother will be here soon to pick me up. When it comes down to it, nothing my classmates do can be as bad as Father.
What if they don't go away what if they just get worse?
Don't be such a baby.
"Hey, I'm talking to you," my classmate growls. I pretend to keep reading, keeping stock of my peer from the corner of my eye. I don't remember his name, or those of the two flunkies behind him. Shadows from the tree above us dance across their shoulders. They're all bigger than me, but, annoying as it is, most kids are. "Don't ignore me!"
In the spirit of not putting up with this anymore, I do the exact opposite and keep up my strategy.
The result is my book getting ripped out of my hands and passed to one of the other boys in the back. It's from the school library, so they can't go damaging it. Even they're not that stupid. I stand up, and the leader of the pack sneers. "'Bout time, Ghost Freak. Who reads after school anyway?"
I can think of a number of insulting responses to that, but Mother would scold me if she overheard. Gritting my teeth, I settle for the high road, or close enough. "Give it back," I demand, replicating Grandfather's stern tone. I'm a Tao, no matter our history, and I don't need to put up with this.
My classmate blinks in surprise. I can't blame him; it's the first time I've put up resistance. His scowl comes back faster than lightning, though. "Oh yeah, Short Stack? You gonna make me?"
His friends snicker, as if his insult is anything original. Mother still isn't here, and I'd like to get it over with before she arrives. I've kept the bullying a secret until now. No sense in bringing it up at the end. I consider my options, try to think of the quickest ending. They may be bigger than me, but it's not like I don't exercise, and Jun's been showing me her martial arts lessons in the courtyard.
"I can if I have to," I say with all the confidence I can muster. "Last chance."
"Oooh, what? You're gonna get a ghost to take it back for you?"
I throw the first punch before he even knows what hit him.
28. Lotus (21)
"Yong, this is Tao Ren, your new assistant. Tao, I have no need to introduce Lu Yong, I'm sure."
Kuang gestures to each of us in kind and takes a step back from the center of the office. A combination of research materials, family photos, and knickknacks line the shelves around us. I bow to my new superior, keeping my posture erect. Lu Yong, the leading researcher on lightning energy conversion in our company, bows in kind. I'm humbled to see the closest figure to an idol I've held in decades show such modesty.
"It's an honor to be working with you," I say, and the words are far more genuine than formality. I stand up straight again, forming eye contact. Lu Yong is shorter than me by at least five centimeters and keeps his azure vest and plain dress shirt well-kept for someone that seems uncomfortable in them. That has no effect on the brains inside, though. "I hope to be of assistance."
"You are the formal type, huh?" Lu Kong grins a bit, and Kuang nods, his own wide smile across his face. I don't squirm from their exchange of glances, but it feels tempting. "Well, I've seen your work and I've heard great things about you from Kuang over here. I'm certain you'll be great help." Lu Kong offers his hand for a shake. "Let's make some good work together, okay, Tao?"
I clasp his hand in a firm handshake. Lu Yong's callouses scratch across my own. "Yes, sir."
Lu Kong sends another amused smile to Kuang. "He always like this?" Our boss nods again. Am I just that unsociable to other people? Maybe I should relent to Heng's invitations every now and then. If Bai were present, she'd be giggling up a storm. A small plant I don't know the name to sits in the windowsill, almost laughing for her. Or that's Lu Kong's chuckle. I refocus on his words. "Well, I think we could use a bit of seriousness up here to keep us all in line. Though, you can loosen up a bit, I won't be offended." I nod, unsure of whether or not to take advantage of the permission for informality. "But, I'm sure you don't want to run your jaw on introductions all day." My new superior claps my shoulder and heads for the door. "This way. I'll show you around the labs and stuff."
When I nod this time, it's with much more conviction. I say my farewells and thanks to Kuang before following Lu Yong out the door.
[Author's Notes]
Apparently there's been some issues with uploading chapters floating around, but I haven't dealt with any of that on my end. I hope everyone else has been able to get their works up without much trouble.
With that being said, Chronic Guardian has struck again with more reviews-two this time, in fact! Thanks much for your thoughtful notes despite your busy schedule. I appreciate each and every one.
25. Lotus (18) - Ren settles into his new home in the City after college and has to accept that there's not much of a view there.
26. Lotus (19) - More Ren, Jun, and their Grandfather meditate in the mountains around their home.
27. Lotus (20) - As most children from Shaman families do, young Ren has to face bullying from his peers. This is also the turning point where he starts to become more of a bully instead.
28. Lotus (21) - Ren's promotion during Xiān Kè Lái and his new workplace.
[Shibuya Operation - Story Storm] is still rolling strong, so I suggest you check it out if you get the chance! While it may seem a bit silly to promote my own work, last year Chronic Guardian and I wrote a collab fic for The World Ends with You over on the Sauce Project Collective Account, titles Faded Lines and Future Signs. I think it's held up pretty well, so maybe check that out if you're not sure where to start.
While not intentional, this set of extras has a distinct lack of Bai. That's not the case with next week's update, so please look forward to it!
-Avi
[02.05.2018]