NO CELESTIAL / dick grayson

thirty, unforgiven

IN THE END, Remiel handed reins over the situation to Shan Ling, who was far more capable of dealing with it than she was at the moment. Instead Remiel followed her around, meeting members of the sect and trying to figure out the way things worked.

Damian came back with the rest of Shan Ling's people, hauling with him most of Shan Heng's operatives. Almost immediately after, he was gone again, along with Yu Lan, allegedly to make sure they hadn't missed anyone.

Remiel decided she wouldn't ask.

Dick stayed around with her, charming people with his slightly strange Mandarin, asking questions and murmuring to her in English about anything interesting. He was simultaneously helpful and also irritating.

She met some of the elders. The bearded man was called Xu Lo. The elderly woman was called Fan Yinglin, and was noted to be one of the most skilful martial artists of her generation, despite not even having any power over qi. They were, Shan Ling discreetly pointed out, people whose support would be crucial.

They seemed to like her so far, though. Xu Lo seemed impressed and a bit fearful regarding Remiel's League affiliations. Fan Yinglin was a lot more blunt.

"You had Shan Heng tied up on the floor. That's enough proof for me."

Remiel rather thought Yinglin's support had a more sentimental reason behind it. She kept looking at Remiel with this rather grandmotherly, proud smile on her face. She'd mentioned having taught her father. That was likely why.

But it couldn't just all be appeasing the elderly. Remiel was led to the newer recruits, the people who had only just come to the sect. The sect was mysterious, but not completely a secret. There were new recruits who came in, people interested in the martial arts. These people Remiel was more able to converse with.

There were, no doubt, people here who still felt loyal to her uncle. They may not act upon it, and they'd hide it, but they would also not feel any ounce of support for her. If her uncle seemed to show the slightest sign of making a return, they'd turn against her in an instance.

That, Remiel had already decided, would be Shan Ling's job.

Remiel, quite frankly, could not be bothered. And Shan Ling seemed to already be realising what Remiel wanted and didn't want to care about. And she seemed rather happy with it.

It didn't seem like Shan Ling craved leadership. But there were certainly aspects of the sect she wanted control over, to make changes in, as she threw out idea after idea regarding recruitment of new members, how to spread the sect more internationally, and ways to improve the mountain itself. Remiel told her, in less frank terms, that she was free to do anything that she felt would be an improvement.

Shan Ling nodded with satisfaction.

Quite frankly, in Remiel's head, this was a dream come true. Shan Ling was exactly the type of person she needed in charge when she herself was elsewhere, whether in Gotham or Hong Kong. And no matter what, even if she did end up deciding she'd kick Remiel out, she'd still do whatever was best for the sect.

Remiel wouldn't feel guilty for ruining the sect, or destroying their peace in any way.

She wondered what Bruce or Seraphina would make of all this.

Actually, she really wanted to talk to Seraphina.

So, when most of the day had passed, Remiel asked Shan Ling quietly if there was a way to contact the outside world. They needed to contact Cecily and Daniel too.

Turns out, there were landline phones. Remiel dialled Daniel's number first. The boy was relieved, calling for Cecily, and they quickly compared notes and made plans for how to continue.