Black Gravity

Chapter One: Reasoning

When she walked, they watched.
When she spoke, they listened.
When she cried...? They laughed.

Suhi never belonged in Guchozi. She knew that. Everyone around her had lighter olive skin and silky black hair, and the women spoke with such daintiness and poise. They wore such beautiful clothing and had such big homes that one house was already its only village. These families ruled Guchozi, owning their own land but the Emperor oversaw all.

Meaning no one other than the Emperor had true right to kick Suhi out so she stayed. It wasn't by choice but it's not like she knew where to go.

789 E.C— Gochozi.

"Sunohara Suhi!" Shouted the matron as she yanked open the sliding door to march in. The woman was red in the face and ears as she stomped into her concubine's room.

"Yes, Ma'am?" Suhi innocently looked up to him from her book.

"You absolute fake! Don't give me that look! You kicked out another customer!! My customer! Unless you have forgotten, you work for me meaning you do your job!" The Matron's voice screeched and Suhi flinched. "I've had it with you, you... You dark-skinned monster!"

"Wait, I didn't—" Suhi was grabbed by her arms roughly, crying out. "Please don't kick me out! I need this place—!"

"Well it doesn't need you!"

Some of the other girls poked out of their rooms to watch, a few giggling under their breaths while others smiled impishly. Only one looked to be in actual sadness and she immediately rushed after her. "Lady Shu! Lady Shu, please wait!"

"Cheng-Ming Fei! You're going to stand up for this troublemaker!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Fei was a soft-spoken girl and one of the youngest at the house. Her body language was meek and she often picked at her own nails to calm her nerves when she spoke. "It's my fault Suhi-jie kicked that man out!"

"What are you talking about! Stop this foolishness!"

Fei went to her knee and brought her hands in front of her in a respectful bow. "Lady Shu. That man tried to take me without payment. He was going to strike me when Suhi-jie stepped in. I beg your forgiveness!"

Lady Shu looked at the girl she was holding and gave a soft growl. She could simply keep going with her plan and kick her out but last thing she needed was her newest merchandise running out on her because of this. She let go of Suhi and smacked her teeth. "Fine. I'll let you off this time."

"Thank you, Great Lady!" Fei bowed a few times hiding all the happiness in her voice and eyes, forcing herself to remain calm. She waited until the Matron left and the girls returned to their rooms before beaming up to Suhi.

Suhi smiled in return.

———————

"That was reckless." Suhi scolded the girl as she gathered water from the well in the courtyard. "You're making yourself a target. The other girls aren't going to take lightly to you sticking up for me."

"I don't care what they think of me. Or what they do. All that matters is that you aren't kicked out unfairly." Fei decided watching her, hands fiddling with each other inside her long pink sleeve. "Jiejie, You... why do you stay here?"

Suhi lowered the bucket to the ground with a small grunt, her single coil moving when she turned to raise an eyebrow. "What kind of question is that? It's our home, is it not?"

"I didn't mean it like that." The younger's lips pressed together as she tried to find her words. "I was selfish today but—"

"A-Fei," Suhi cut her off, moving a hand to her hip. "I am grateful for your help. You really saved me today. I don't love being here, true. But it's where I was raised. I'd rather be miserable here than out on the streets. Girls like me... we don't make it anywhere else. Besides, who know what would happen if I left this place."