I refused to rewear the clothes that I had been brought in, as they were now filthy and torn in many places. It would not be difficult to fix, had I access to clean water and a kit for sewing – but instead these people insisted I wore what appeared to be male clothing and forsake my dignity in doing so. Maybe the woman from earlier had worn similar garments, but I certainly would not. Not for long, at least, until I was able to procure more respectable apparel, suitable for ladies. For the moment it didn't seem as though I had a choice, and included with the pile was a fresh pair of underclothing. So I changed, with my back against the door should another feel it fair to stroll in without knocking.

After this, I made sure to check the chamber for any of my personal items that may have been brought with me, but, there was none, so I then crossed over to the door and pulled it open, passing through the doorway to the hall beyond. It was busier, and far louder than I expected considering the quiet from my room, and I could not see anyone I recognised, apart from the man who I now knew as 'Zhu'. And so, I approached him.

"Zhu, was it?" I asked, however there was no reply, he didn't even bother to look at me when he ignored me. Wonderful. Well, at least he allowed me to leave me room. I began to walk forward to the centre of hall, which I could see was fantastically lit. The ceiling (or should I say, lack of), was a spider web of thick wooden beams which ran through the whole building, and the inhabitants, though all wearing similarly tailored uniforms (which were mostly black and red, though occassionally white or sandy coloured), sat upon futons and cushions of splendiferously bright colours, which at first took my breath away. Though it was my prison, it was definitely a place I could grow accostomed to.

Then I heard a voice I recognised. "Flavia!" I spun, seeing the woman who had visited me earlier picking her way through the shallow crowd to stand before me. "Welcome! To the…" She paused then, thinking, then responded in Mandarin. "YiLuan Si…?" A word I'd never heard before. She looked to Zhu, who just shrugged, then back to me, beaming.

At least she was happy; it was as if, it had been a long since she had been – the smile, though great, was tentative, and over quickly. I felt as though something had left the room when her smile vanished, and I wanted to make her laugh, to see it again. However, I wasn't very funny – it was the job of thespians who trained for many years. Eitherway, I could still feel a little empty and I knew the only cure was her grin. I just couldn't weigh up whether my embarrassment, should I fail, be worth it.

"So," I began. "You know who I am." I risked looking into her eyes when I said this (though I realised immediately it was the wrong decision), and she smiled once more, glancing to the floor, shuffling her feet awkwardly.

"Yes. I'm sorry, that was rude of me." She looked back up. "You do know who I am, though you were very young."

I spent the entirety of my early life in Italy, and I could not remember ever meeting such an exotic person there. No, the most interesting person I had ever met was my father, who I could not spend any of my later life with, unfortunately. If he had still been alive; maybe I never would have left.

Still, I shook my head. "No, I don't think so."

Again, she smiled, and my breath caught, though I had never met her before – I could see now, in the light, while we stared at each other, how exqusite she looked. I had seen beautiful women before (when you work in a place as I did, you become used to such views), but there was a different appeal to this woman's face. Maybe the lack of makeup, or bright surroundings – I could not tell at this moment, all I knew was how I felt in that moment.

Though it was fleeting, and something that took me by surprise. I was sure the feeling would pass. I felt similar emotions when conversing with some of the more popular ladies at my previous home.

"My name is Shao Jun. I met with your father, and you, when you were a child." My thoughts were interuppted, and I furrowed my brows in response. No. I would remember.

"I'm sorry, I just, don't remember."