See the rain through one eye

5

"Your highness crown prince! Your highness crown prince!" A bubbly voice calls. Xie Lian turns around. Mu Qing by his side turning with a roll of his eyes while Feng Xin only sighs tiredly. "Im sorry you two, we can go home soon." The god whispers.

"Lord wind master!" Xie Lian smiles going to hug the other his elegant clothing billowing out from behind him. A crown sat delicately on his head in front of a long flowing ponytail.

"Your highness! I saw you at this years mid autumn banquet, you looked so elegant next to the emperor! And 989 lanterns?! Wow!" They gushed happily. "Next year for sure you'll beat the emperor in scoring, we'll soon have to cancel you out of the ranking at this rate." Xie Lian laughs waving his hand flustered.

"My lord you exaggerate, and-" Xie Lian peers around the god. "Oh hello." He says softer. Then pinching his brows. "Have... have we met before?" Shi Qingxuan looks between the two. "Ming Yi! You've met his highness and didn't tell me!" They whine. "No fair! I want to be his highnesses best friend."

Xie Lian's two deputies splutter at that. "Ah how sweet but you know my two friends here can't be beaten in ranking, much like the emperor in the lanterns."

Xie Lian can practically hear Mu Qing's eyes rolling. And thinks he picks up a hush whisper of Feng Xin telling him to stop rolling his eyes.

"Ah but you're..." Xie Lian says expectantly. "Ming Yi." The other says. "Earth master."

Xie Lian furrows his face frowning. "Huh, I could have sworn we've meet before." He says.

"Perhaps I remind you of an old friend?" The earth master says clearly wanting to end the conversation. "Perhaps," Xie Lian muses. "What was that guys names..." he turns to Mu Qing. "Mu Qing what was that mans name, the one who dressed in black, he like to eat and was he friends with a fellow in... red?" Xie Lian asks straining his brain.

Mu Qing scoffs. "Your highness, the palace hosted many guest how am I supposed to remember he who can't be describe?"

"He?" Xie Lian says. Then face brightening. "Ah yes! That's it! He Xuan, that was his name." The he laughs. "Ah he was... nice." Xie Lian says hesitantly. Ming Yi is stood comically still.

Feng Xin splutters from his post. "Your highness!" He chides. "He Xuan is not your friend! He's a ghost king, and the most powerful one at that!"

Xie Lian at least looks sheepish. "Oh." He says deflating. "I guess I got the wrong name?" He laughs.

"I'm sorry, 800 years takes a toll on one's brain. Perhaps I was only dreaming of such a man."

Ming Yi nods slowly but Xie Lian notices his face twist slightly. "I'm afraid I'm not too familiar with the three ghost kings your highness."

Xie Lian sighs. "Neither am I clearly i thought there was four of them." Then turning to Shi Qingxuan. "Was there something you needed wind master?"

The girl brightens. "I wanted you to say hello but also ask for help..." they scratch their cheek sheepishly. "Help?" Xie lian echos. "What's the matter are you alright?"

The god waves her hands about. "I'm fine! Perfectly fine! My followers have just been praying for protection from a strange situation, it's very fuzzy as if I'm loosing the connection I want to help and sort this out but I'm not a martial arts god and my fighting skills are mediocre at best. I thought maybe you could help me figure it out and offer a power boost? You are the most powerful god here!"

"Second."'Xie lian says quickly. "I am second to the emperor. Not first."

"We all know your power store exceeds his." Mu Qing mumbles before being elbowed by Feng Xin.

Xie Lian's smile strains. "Don't let him hear you Mu Qing. I am second only to the emperor and that's the way he likes it yes?" He says turning to the deputy.

Mu Qing puts his head down. "Yes sorry."

Xie Lian waves him off. "Anyway Shi Qingxuan I'd be happy to help. Simply come over for tea and we can discuss the details. But I'm afraid I can't host you tonight."

"That's wonderful! Thank you your highness!! Ming Yi isn't this great!?"

The Earth master grunts as the other clings onto him. "Xie Lian's brows furrow slightly. "Something wrong your highness?" Shi Qingxuan asks seeing it.

Xie Lian snaps out of it laughing awkwardly. "Oh it's nothing. I just seem to have a bad feeling. As of these mix signals are a trap for you. One set by someone who knows your personality." He glances at the taller god. "But surely no one close to you would want to hurt you. Besides I'll be there even a ghost king would have a hard time." He smiles.

Ming Yi seems to glare slightly at Xie lian before sighing. "I too would like to request your help."

Xie lian looks over. "My help? What's wrong?"

Ming Yi steps forward slightly. "I must request to discuss it in private tomorrow if you may."

Xie Lian nods slowly. "Of course." He's getting some crazy déjà vu.

Then smiling tiredly. "Now if you two will excuse me I'm afraid I'll have to retire for the night."

"Of course thank you for helping your highness have a good night!" Shi Qingxuan waves. "Yes sleep well your highness." Ming Yi bows. "Thank you..." xie Lian says walking off generals in toe.

"Did you see the way Earth master glanced at his highness?!" Feng Xin whispered as they walked. "Right? What was up with that. And wanting a private audience? This is more than sketchy." Mu Qing agrees.

"I seem to already know what he'll ask of me." Xie Lian say. "I fear I know what he's after and no matter what I do I don't think I can stop him."

The two generals look at each other. "Are you alright Xie lian?" Mu Qing says as he opens the palace gate. "Just tired Mu Qing. Sorry, Ming Yi just looks so familiar yet fuzzy it's giving me a headache."

Feng Xin closed the gate nodding to the other. "I'll prepare a calming bath, I'm sure Feng Xin can help you undress without ripping any of your clothes." He says shooting an annoyed glance. "Sorry I'm not as delicate as you. How am I supposed to know silk is so fragile! It's so impractical."

"And a luxury his highness deserves!" Mu Qing scoffs. "So be gentle and shut up."

"Did i mention I have a headache?" Xie Lian says giggling.

The two shut up flustered.