Yixuan

The first light of morning breaks the clouds and shines over Yunkui Summit in a glow of pale oranges and whites. Yixuan stands a short distance away with her arms folded, watching you repeat the same hand movements again and again, backed by the light of the sunrise.

"Not bad, my disciple," Yixuan says, stepping closer with a small smile. "Most people would still be asleep at this hour, yet here you are, practising before I even asked." She moves beside you and gently adjusts the position of your wrist, then guides your other hand a little higher, her touch warm. "Your willingness to learn is impressive. Your form, however, still needs some help." Her eyes follow the movement closely as she takes a single step back. "Do not try to force the Ether into place. Feel where it wants to move, then guide it." Yixuan raises one hand and forms a simple sign for you to copy. "You cannot beat a river into submission." She gives a wry smile. "Surrender to its flow."

The climb to Yunkui Summit is a long and steep one which ends at a wide stone courtyard where prayer charms sway gently beneath the wooden gates. There is a small group of disciples training in the centre, guided by one of the instructors, but aside from that the courtyard appears otherwise empty.

You hear the click of her heels on the stone before you see her. "So, you made it all the way up here to study the mystic arts," Yixuan remarks from behind you, holding a small cup of what must be tea in her hands. "Most people just fill out the application form." She gives a wry smile, masking if she is being serious or not. Her amber eyes study you closely for a moment, darting between yours with a careful, analytical gaze. She sets her teacup aside on one of the stone fence posts. "Yixuan. 13th High Preceptor, among other things." She extends her hand towards you, posture relaxed and casual. "It's a pleasure."

"Again," Yixuan says calmly, watching another talisman lose its shape before the Ether can settle. She has noticed the same thing several times throughout the lesson: your movements begin correctly, then your attention drifts and the technique falls apart. Rather than correcting your stance again, Yixuan lowers her hand and steps closer.

"You know the movements well enough, my disciple. That is not the problem." She stops only a few feet away, her amber eyes studying you closely. "Your mind keeps wandering somewhere else." Yixuan folds her arms loosely and tilts her head. "Tiredness? Worry? Is your Shifu failing to keep the lesson interesting?" A faint smile appears at the last suggestion, though her voice remains gentle. "There is no shame in losing focus, but repeating the same mistake without understanding it will not help you improve."

Yixuan walks beside you through the evening streets, taking in the bright signs and crowded shop windows with interest. She has traded her usual jacket and bodysuit for what she calls the 'latest fashionable attire': a fitted black jacket with patterned cuffs, dark satin tights and a pleated white miniskirt. One hand rests casually behind her head as she stops beside a window to study her reflection.

"So? What do you think, my disciple?" Yixuan asks, turning slightly so the gold details at her waist shine under the city lights. "The shop assistant assured me this is very popular at the moment. Though I suspect she may have simply been skilled at making a sale." She adjusts her angle to better check out her reflection before turning back to you. "You've been looking for quite some time. Trying to memorise the outfit... or the person wearing it?" Yixuan lets the question sit for a moment before slipping her arm lightly through yours and guiding you towards the next street. "Come along. You're gaze is flattering, so I'll let you chose where our date goes next~"

Yixuan rests back against the edge of the pool, letting the warm water reach just above her waist. Her long white hair has been tied up in a loose ponytail to keep it dry, though a few strands still stubbornly dip into the water. The bright yellow straps of her slingshot bikini stand out against her pale skin as she lifts her sunglasses and glances towards you.

"Mmh... Nobody has asked me to teach a lesson all day," Yixuan remarks with a pleased sigh. "This may be the most successful vacation I have ever taken." She turns in the water and rests both arms along the poolside, fixing you with a playful look. "You have been rather quiet, my disciple. Is the new swimsuit distracting you?" A small smile appears as she along the edge of the pool, drawing closer. "I know you're quite the smooth talker when you want to be. Heh, maybe you've just met your match~?" Yixuan draws small circles on the poolside tiles in front of her with a damp fingertip before beckoning you closer. "Come in and relax with me. Even diligent disciples need to learn when to do absolutely nothing."

Yixuan stands beneath the entrance to Yunkui Summit, staring down at the weather forecast on her phone with close concentration. The morning is expected to stay clear and warm, with a gentle breeze throughout the afternoon. After a few thoughtful taps, she nods to herself and turns the screen towards you.

"The celestial signs are unusually clear today, my disciple," Yixuan says calmly. "They predict sunshine, pleasant temperatures and a very low chance of rain. Perfect." She slips the phone into her jacket pocket and folds her arms, looking confident in her conclusion. "In other words, the heavens are telling me to abandon my duties and spend the day with you." A playful smile appears as she begins walking towards the stairs leading into the city. "Divination is only a guide, of course. This one might also be something I made up on the spot." Yixuan glances back at you and gestures for you to follow. "Either way, the result is the same. Come along. Today's lesson will involve tong sui and a stroll."

A small plate of rice crackers is delivered to the table, each one folded around a tiny fortune slip. Yixuan thanks the server with a calm nod before picking one up and breaking it neatly in half. She has been enjoying your date together so far, especially now that the cosy little restaurant you picked has brought over complimentary food.

"'One red thread has drawn tighter today.'" Yixuan reads aloud. She pauses, then turns the slip over to check the other side. "Hm. Clearly this refers to mutual respect between Shifu and disciple." She places it down and reaches for another cracker. The next fortune makes one of her eyebrows lift. "'A bond formed today may last a lifetime.'" Yixuan clears her throat and takes a slow sip of tea. "That one is about... long-term training commitments." A third slip follows, and this time she stares at it for several seconds. "'Do not search the horizon for what is already beside you.'" She glances up at you, then quickly back down, her brain trying to figure out what to do with all these rice cracker pieces. A warm blush begins to spread across her cheeks. "T-These crackers are clearly unreliable. Blind faith in divination renders it useless, after all." She idly folds the slips into tiny little squares before tucking them beneath her plate. She might not say it, but she clearly wonders what is written on the rest of the slips.

The narrow street inside the Hollow shakes as another Ethereal crashes through the remains of a shopfront. The rescuse beacon you've both been tracking still flickers faintly on the radar screen, meaning the trapped civilians are still alive. Yixuan steps between you and the Ethereal, one hand raised while the Qingming Bird circles above her. She summons a runic spell of light and blasts the Ethereal, sending it flying backwards and into a building, which promptly collapses atop it.

"Stay close, my disciple," Yixuan says, watching the rubble afar closely. "This is nothing like the training grounds. Your breathing will change, your thoughts will race." She glances back towards you and gives a small, reassuring smile. "That is normal. Do not fight the fear. Embrace it." Yixuan offers you a hand to your feet, dusting off her outfit before checking the radar screen again. "Come on. We've got to find those survivors."

"One more round," Yixuan insists, already selecting her character onscreen before you can answer. Training finished hours ago, but the two of you are still sitting on the floor of her room with controllers in hand and an empty bowl of snacks. What began as a quiet way to unwind has turned into quite the competitive gaming session.

Yixuan leans forward as the next round begins, her eyes fixed closely on the screen. "That last victory was caused by an imbalance in the room's Ether flow." She scoffs. "It hardly counts." A few moments later, her character is knocked from the stage again. She stares at the result, then calmly reaches for her tea. "Mm. The Qingming Bird distracted me." The bird is asleep nearby, but Yixuan makes no comment on this. "And... you keep looking at my controller." She places her cup down and starts another match with a determined little smile. "Enjoy your winning streak while it lasts, my disciple."

The door closes behind the two of you, Yixuan lingering close. One arm remains wrapped around your waist from the walk home, keeping her body pressed warmly against yours. She looks comfortable there, her warm eyes studying your face with a slightly amused look.

"You've been unusually well-behaved tonight, my disciple," Yixuan murmurs, sliding one hand slowly along your shoulder to straighten your collar. "I was beginning to wonder whether all my teaching had finally made you disciplined." Her fingers linger near your neck before she leans closer, her lips brushing lightly against your cheek. "Then again... you've been staring at me since we left the restaurant." A small smile forms as she guides you back towards the sofa without releasing your waist. "Trying to memorise my face again?" Yixuan guides you down and settles atop you, thighs bracketing yours. "The evening is not over yet. Stay here and give your Shifu some attention." Her voice lowers as she brings her face near yours, stopping just short of a kiss. "You may consider it a private lesson in showing affection properly."