[Wake]

Bai Longma sat under a bare tree on the outskirts of a village clinging to the side of a mountain. The air felt cold as the final dregs of winter clung on. For the past several days, he remained there in meditation, unmoving, awaiting a new purpose to enter his life. Around him, bowls of rice and sour persimmons given to him by the nearby village, all of them left untouched.

[Chris the wise]

Clutching a map, Sun Kongming wanders up to the village, looking between the simple buildings and the map in his hands he nods “this’ll do” he remarks, folding the map into his pack again.

[Wake]

For the first time in several days, Bai Longma opened his eyes and began to stand, sensing a shift in the strings of destiny. He pulled his sword onto his shoulder, turning to face the village, awaiting the moment for him to come face-to-face with whoever he felt would change the future.

[Chris the wise]

Kongming wanders through the town, attracting looks both curious and suspicious from the villagers, “I don’t suppose there’s an inn around here.” he wonders aloud.

[Wake]

The townspeople didn’t reply, simply continued to stare at him silently. Their gazes began to shift to the other side of the village as Bai Longma approached. Stopping a couple meters away from Kongming, he gave a deep bow, lowering his eyes respectfully. As he did this, several of the villagers began murmuring to themselves.

[Chris the wise]

“Ah” Kongming bows back to Bai Longma “finally, do you know of an inn around here?” he asks.

[Wake]

Bai Longma stood up straight and held his hands behind his back, “I’m unsure.” he replied with a flat voice, then walked a few steps closer to Kongming, tilting his head slightly and looking him over briefly, “What’s your business here?” He asked.

[Chris the wise]

Kongming chuckles softly to himself “I may have gotten lost, kind sire.” he bows his head again.

[Helexia]

Overhearing the conversation Ai looks at Bai, “Sorry mister but you’re out of luck. I do not think there are any inns here at all. I’ve been walking around and still can not find a thing.” she says quite tired from walking so long and feeling her hunger settle in.

[Wake]

Bai Longma glanced over at Ai, then quickly lowered his eyes and dropped to a knee, “If you wish, I have some food I can offer you.” He said, speaking respectfully, able to sense her true identity as a celestial fox.

[Helexia]

“Oh, uh, thank you!” she says bowing gratefully. “I haven’t eaten in days.” she says thinking of the last meal she had which was getting close to being a week ago or so.

[Wake]

Bai Longma nodded and turned around, beginning to walk back in the direction he came from with the intention of her following behind.

[Chris the wise]

Kongming nods and falls into step beside Ai “at least this one seems friendly.”

[Andi Wolf]

Yi was in the forest close to the village watching everything but when the others walk by he slinks deeper into the shadows.

[Wake]

Momentarily, they reached the cliff side where Bai Longma meditated previously. He sat down facing the other two with his legs crossed. He gestured to the bowls of rice and persimmons he was given previously, “Please eat.” he offered with a courteous nod and folded his hands in his lap, glancing at the others with a spark of curiosity in his eye.