From Dusk til Dawn

Belated Introductions

Joining Mo Yuan the following morning, Bai Qian entered the Grand Hall.  Taking in the bowed Disciples who had gathered at Mo Yuans request she couldn't help but notice how young some of them looked, nor did she realize how many there were as the younger ones brought up the rear behind her, children who were under training with the hope of being accepted as Disciples.  

Not many of the children made the cut, as Mo Yuan was exceptionally strict in his selection of new Disciples, it could take decades before he accepted any of them if at all.  And as he watched her enter from his dais, his eyes also casually swept over the entrance of the children behind her having already noticed one who would be sent home at the end of the day, though for what crime, no one but himself knew.

Not all of his Disciples were chosen this way, many of them were hand picked directly from their own lands for different reasons, others like Chang Shan were adopted or rescued and raised within Kunlun.  And as they all watched her make her way to the front, Mo Yuan suddenly stiffened a fraction as a look he had seen many times over the years swept across her face, one he normally saw in the younger children before mischief erupted.

Coming to a sudden halt in the middle of his Disciples she spun around so fast, the children behind her stumbled against each other to not only avoid hitting her, but to also quickly bow at her feet ending up in an uneven heap on the floor, some of them almost on top of the one in front.

Erupting into gales of laughter she clasped her hands together as the hilarity of her prank had even Mo Yuan smiling against his will, which was joined by muffled giggles from his younger Disciples, though the sigh that came from Die feng along with the stone cold face was completely missed, as the children quickly realigned themselves into a more orderly line in front of her.

Bringing her laughter under control she lowered herself to sit on the floor in front of them, before ordering all of them to sit up, which they did immediately.  Speaking directly to the children while ignoring Mo Yuan and his Disciples she introduced herself as Gu Gu, which she insisted they call her, before suggesting they all play a little game.

Standing, she made her way to the front, then giving Mo Yuan a wink she turned back to his Disciples who she ordered  into a line with the little ones alternating between them,  something that Die Feng was not happy about.  Looking up at Mo Yuan, their eyes met, but he said nothing as he waited to see what she had in mind for them all.  Conceding, he too joined the line taking up the head place as the senior Disciple, only to be hauled out and thrust into the middle by Bai Qian much to his embarrassment which was made worse by the giggling coming from his own juniors, and as Mo Yuan said nothing, he had no choice but to comply.

Once they were all line up she had them all turn to the side facing her, then starting at the beginning of the line, she asked Mo Yuan to introduce the first child to her, which he did, giving his full name, rank and number.  

Then turning to the child smiling, who smiled back, she asked him to introduce the Disciple next to him.  "I would like his full name, rank and number as Shifu gave for you." she said keeping the smile on her face as the child looked at the Disciple next to him.

Giving his name, rank and number as she requested, she smiled before turning her attention to the Disciple himself.  Xiang Ru, please give the same of the child next you." she asked, and as her intentions became clear, she noticed the shuffling of feet coming from the Disciples, whereas the children remained confidently still as they all turned to the left to prepare themselves for when it was their turn.

Down the line she went, with each one introducing the one beside them, and as they went,  Mo Yuans Disciples became painfully aware of their lack of knowledge regarding the younger children, all of them unaware of the childrens names or rank, only being able to give their numbers.