Cultural Barriers: Ai and Zhen

[Zhen nó La Valette]

It had been some time since I had explored the boundaries of the home that had raised me. When I learned of the war, I had asked Zephyr if I could join the healing unit and he had relunctantly agreed. Now it was a few weeks before we would march off to war, and I wanted to enjoy the smell and sights of the city before I travelled to another providence, and possibly another country.

I made my way to the fountain dressed in a pale pink gown that had a silk under lining. It was a gown that I had selected a few months ago and was grateful that Zephyr indulged my tastes. Despite all of the advantages I recieved at the Valette estate, I never forgot to be grateful and blessed for what I had.

My hair had been brushed back to lie down my back. I lifted my head to enjoy the feel of the sun against my skin, and I took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air.

[Sayuri Ai]

Another day in this land of mysterious angels and demons and I found myself again in their Elua's Square with its fountain, the people walking to and fro. I was dressed in a new hanfu I'd made with some of my earnings, the fabrics not quite as good as the expensive Ch'in silk I would have rather had, but for shopping and wandering this was servicable. I'd embroidered it with ivy leaves done in simple green thread, but at least the stitchwork looked nice enough even if it wasn't the same as home.

My hair was tied in a loose bun at the back of my neck and held in place with a comb I'd carved from a bit of smooth wood I'd found and I walked with my head slightly cast down, my features serene but watchful in the few moments I glanced around. There were pickpockets everywhere, I'd learned that, and I'd worked too hard for my money to want to see it taken so easily, so I guarded against such things with a deliberate step to avoid bumping into anyone.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a familiar cast of features, ones that reminded me of home, and I stopped where I was and raised my head to watch them. A girl in a gown, but not one from Ch'in, but with the face and form of one of my people. There was some younger part of me that wondered if that meant I wasn't so alone, but the older, more jaded portion knew that we were rare enough here that I wondered at her origins. Was she a spy sent to make me feel more comfortable because she was another woman? All I did was stay where I was and stare for a moment, lips turning down slightly in suspicion. I had to figure this out before it was too late.

[Zhen nó La Valette]

I looked around the fountain for a moment, taking in the sights and sounds of the other D'Angeline people. I was used to seeing people who were not like me. I paused when I saw someone who looked of Ch'in descent, and then my eyes took in the beauty of the hanfu and the gorgeous ivory green leaves. She had a frown on her face, so I wasn't sure if she would be open to speaking to me. Although a part of me wanted to meet her, another part was afraid that I might assume too much. Just because we were of the same descent did not mean that she would have any interest in me.

I twiddled with my fingers a little, taking notice that she was starring at me. Then I remembered someone mentioning that putting a centime in the fountain was good luck. I didn't have that much on me, but I did have a copper. I took out the copper coin, turned toward the fountain, closed my eyes and threw it into the water. I watched as the sun glinted off it's shiny metal before it sunk into the water and down below.

[Sayuri Ai]

As soon as the woman caught sight of me I immediately froze, watching her intently and wondering what exactly she wanted. All I could think to do was duck back into the crowd but something kept me still. Was this some sort of sign, a curse? Finally I stepped back into the crowd and moved a few steps, but then stopped just on the other side of a building and watched again. I needed more information. It looked as though she was doing some silly thing with a coin and the fountain that the people here did often to bring luck or some such, but I only crossed my arms and continued to look at this person.

what if she wasn't though? I was insulting my upbringing by not being hospitable. But I wasn't sure that I could take the chance.