The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

The patter of rain heard on the windowsill outside of Jing Li's chambers. The precipitation beat out a steady rhythm, which seemed to inhibit her chaotic thoughts as she sat in a chair beside the open window. Jing Li's knees drawn into her chest and hair falling freely around her face her eyes moved over the text that Lin Jin had gifted to her. Remaining in this attitude for several hours without even the slightest disturbance to distract her from the volume's pages, Jing Li was finally to tire of the language of love and tragedy described in the book of poems. 

Her eyes turning from its melancholic pages, Jing Li placed the little volume that fit nicely into the palm of her hand down onto the table beside her. Her regard, wandering longingly towards the rounded frame of the window and out over the gardens. Jing Li released a forlorn sigh as her gaze became lost in the dream-like landscape that was beyond her reach. Slumping onto the window ledge despondently, whilst she admired the shimmering haze that the summer shower cast over the vivid foliage of the gardens. Jing Li folded her arms to cushion her head as she chose to disregard the threat of potentially being scolded by her maids, if they were ever to witness their Mistress in this undignified posture so close to the window. 

Her dangerous proximity to the opening after the recent assassination attempt, displaying a distinct lack of regard for her own safety. Jing Li considered herself to be too insignificant to fear the dire consequences of her carelessness as she continued to seek a reprieve from her solitude amidst the gray skies and rain-soaked leaves of her surroundings. Days like these, not observed often within the water god's domain, she found that there was something to be discovered in the bleak clouds and silent trees that was reminiscent of the home she had shared with her mother. Little chatter or laughter contained within the solemn walls, which had acted as a shrine to her mother's mourning. Jing Li admitted that she was no longer accustomed to the tomb-like silence that often accompanied isolation. 

Although requiring time at first for her to adjust to the Other Realm, Jing Li could not confess to ever wanting for company since her arrival here. The Lotus Pavilion and her days often interspersed with the sound of her maids' gossip or songbird rising up from the grounds of the estate. The water god's bride was disappointed to find that there were none of these things present today. Sitting alone in her chambers with only her thoughts and the flowery words of love and loss to accompany her. Jing Li's lips pulled down into a somber frown as felt the void that was left by their silence. 

Shui Long's concerns for her safety after the attempted assassination, prohibiting her from leaving the Pavilion. Jing Li reached a hand out from the comfort of her gilded cage, knowing full well that there was not anything that she could do to convince him to change his stance on the matter. Liable to be subject to the strict policies that he had imposed upon Jing Li's movements as a means to protect her from outside threats, until the incident was resolved. Jing Li had initially been content to dedicate the majority of her newfound free time to her studies. However, with little else to do, Jing Li's enthusiasm towards these scholarly pursuits was to lessen with each day she remained unmoving from the residence. 

Likening the situation to the punishment she had received after her harrowing journey into the Forgotten Marshes. Staring at the beads of moisture that collected in her hand as the same pitiful emotions of boredom and loneliness crept into her mind. Jing Li became frustrated to discover that the world, which she had expanded through learning, could still be so easily limited by others. The escapism found in tales of heroism or legends of the gods, only able to offer a momentary distraction from the reality of her confined view. Jing Li commended herself for the time she had invested in learning to read but regretted that it had inspired the further alienation of her staff. 

Preferring that their Mistress remained ignorant, so that she would not risk exposing the habits of their idle chatter to the water god. The maids of the Lotus Pavilion no longer conducted their conversations of slander and intrigue freely in Jing Li's presence. The lady's maids, not seen loitering in her chambers after completing their chores or heard giggling over gossip within the next room as they had done before. Jing Li could understand the reasons for their wariness. However, this did not lessen the sting she still felt by their distinct absence.

The lady's maids pronounced withdrawal from her company. Perhaps, seeming more apparent to her due to the lack of freedom exhibited in her daily life as of late. Jing Li longed selfishly for the return of her mentor or even Fu Guo as she wilted languidly over the elegant painted frame of the window. Aware that there were other matters within their lives to occupy them, whilst her monotonous days seemed to be prodded along by the slow march of the sun and moon across the sky. Jing Li did not wish to burden them with her solitude, but only to be permitted to think of them from time to time in the passing days.

Unwelcome in the water god's estate, it was evident for him to be returned to the Mortal Realm shortly after their encounter on the embankment. His presence, serving mostly as a reminder of her remorse for not returning his affections. Jing Li could not confess to opposing the decision for Fu Guo's swift departure from the Other Realm. However, her desire for a friend in the days to follow would often provoke her to think of him. Their good-byes cut short by the assassin's dagger; Jing Li hoped that their brief encounter had at least granted Fu Guo with the closure he had been seeking that day.

Allowing the water that had accumulated in her hand to trickle down and onto the ground below. Jing Li had accepted that she would eventually come to relinquish these thoughts of her friend naturally without ever having breathed them to a single living soul. Her mentor, usually being the one whom she would confide in, Jing Li knew that the potential for this was unfortunately made unlikely by the current circumstances and the approach of Lin Jin's bicentennial visit to her clan. So instead, Jing Li entertained herself as best she could with the diversions of language or music in the long days of her incarceration.

The reprieve of someone's company, only granted to her when the water god was able to find time to visit her. The god's inquest into the attack, occupying Shui Long a great deal in recent days. He would come within the late evening smelling of stagnant water and riddled with concern for her safety. Seldomly remarking upon the developments in the investigations or the methods he employed, they would mostly make small talk about the books she had read until it was time for them to sleep. However, Jing Li could sense that there was something he was withholding from her. 

The way in which Shui Long regarded her as of late, seeming to imply that his bride was an enigma that had not yet been solved. Jing Li began to wonder whether the assassination attempt had really been a legitimate threat; or was really meant as just another ploy to sow the seeds of discord and doubt between her and Shui Long. Mulling over this thought as she stared placidly at the water dripping from the bandages on her forearm. Jing Li once again considered if it was wise to persist in a love that was so clearly condemned to fail.

The recklessness observed in Jing Li's past, like a desperate cry into the ever-present silence of her surroundings. This shortcoming of her character had metamorphosed into something that was similar and, yet somehow new. Whether it was love that had inspired hope for a better future or the trials that Jing Li had survived thus far that made her brave enough to want to emerge on the other side of these events a better person, she could not say for certain. However, Jing Li knew that she would not be afraid to confront death again if it was to protect the things which her heart cherished.

Regarding the saturated bandages on her forearm solemnly for a while, before removing her outstretched hand from the rain. Jing Li's solitary ruminations were to be disturbed by a titter of laughter from beyond the window. Her dismal regard, shifting to observe a group of maids sheltering beneath colorful umbrellas near the entryway. Jing Li watched as they occupied themselves in conversation with the guards stationed beside the doors to the residence. The women, offering the men warm refreshments as a casual ruse to speak with them. The men and women engaged in lively small talk, whilst the sad figure in the window looked on ruefully. 

Their chatter floating up to her on a light breeze, Jing Li sighed as she turned from the scene contained beyond the frame of the opening. Retrieving the volume of poems from the table, she was just about to crack open its pages once more. When an intrusive sloshing noise soon provoked her to abandon this endeavor. The sound, coming from the decorative pool in her room, rather than the more obvious culprit of the gutters outside. Jing Li diverted her gaze towards the square gap in the floor to observe a disturbance within its clear waters.

Puddles forming around the pool as a struggle caused liquid to be displaced from within. There was soon to be a shimmering crimson carp, which leapt from the pool. The fish's thick body thumped frantically as he laid amidst the splashes of water now dispersed upon the chamber's polished boards. Abandoning her post by the widow as she quickly went to the creature's aid. Kneeling on the ground beside the coy, Jing Li had begun to inch towards the distressed fish. When she was suddenly struck by a mysterious light emanating from the creature's scales.

Finding that the coy had transformed once her fingers were to come into contact with its bright red scales. Jing Li drew in a sharp inhalation of air as the figure of a man began to take shape before her. The ethereal being, clad in a thin robe made from a material that seemed to sparkle in the light and hair the same color as the fiery red scales of the fish. Jing Li recoiled from the man that sat by the pool. However, was prevented from retreating further than a few inches before she was stopped by his adamant grip upon her forearm. The man's fingers digging into the careful coils of the cloth bandages, she was forced to remain knelt by his side as he remarked, "So, this is Shui Long's bride?" 

The dark centers of his eyes, seeming familiar as they looked over her critically. Jing Li fixed him with a wary glare as he encroached on her slowly. His pupils surveying her still, the man continued, "I could see how my foolish brother might be charmed by you." The comment, provoking a hint of confusion to appear upon Jing Li's pale brow. The man did not deign to offer up more details of his implied relation to Shui Long, before adding, "However, you will be disappointed to find that I will not succumb so easily to your wiles, human." Simultaneously confused and alarmed by this unusual interaction. Jing Li glanced towards the door. Unsure of whether she should attempt to risk alerting someone to the man's presence here, her answer was to come too late for her to act.

Leaning in closer to her, Jing Li observed the intruder's lips curl into a devious smile as he said, "Go ahead, try to call for help." Everything about his patronizing tone and mannerisms daring for her to scream, whilst evidently knowing that she was incapable of this feat. The intruder bent an arm firmly around Jing Li's waist as he whispered, "That's right you can't. Can you?" The man's smirk widening now as he seemed to possess the bride of the water god unmistakably within his grasp. The shapeshifting coy was soon to drag her back down into the portal through which he had entered.