To the hells with it all! Why was he the one that had to adhere to these geezers whims even now? His formal coronation had been during his childhood, a cause he could hardly celebrate, but the one that had actually marked his adulthood, is real ascension to the throne without any old geezers tattling on him, had passed last month, and yet, he was still being strung along like a marionette, a puppet controlled by someones strings. That someone was unwilling to foist control over to him entirely, something that made the young man livid, but today, the two of them had reached a breaking point - the Emperor himself was boiling, red as a tomato, his complexion hardly different from his hair, as a bunch of mere guards were brought before him. "I have confidence, young master, that these will suit your needs. They have all been trained with utmost care, have years of expertise in their field and were handpicked to protect you." Mianti scoffed as his gaze raked over the bowing, partially kneeing men that had been brought before him. A bunch of knuckleheads, past their prime, filled with the sweet promise of serving within these walls. He had no need of them, of those that grew complacent, earned his ire over the years during their so-called training, and the old man that presented them to him, one of the last living aides of his late father, was offering them to him on a silver platter. "What do I want with a bunch of secondrate foot soldiers?", he asked old man Pei, who's tender smile on those wrinkled features grew wearier, yet not less bold. "Pardon, your Highness? As I've said, they're-" "I heard you. And I say they're old, likely not suited for what I want of them. I dismissed the last batch just because of that last night. If they can't hold their own, what use are they in an emperors palace? None of these are what would suit my needs, as you have spelled it out for me."

The Emperor perched on his throne, no longer a gaudy mimicry but still expensive regardless - his posture, perhaps befitting of a man of his status, soon warped as the hall fell into silence and he cleared his throat. "Did you hear me, you louts? Get out of my sight and back to whatever posts you held before this - I am sick and tired of having to look at the likes of you.", Mianti hissed with fervor, spooking most of his so-called guard into action, not waiting for any of Pei's orders. Their sour expressions were enough to please him, knowing that he wasn't harming anyone but himself at this very moment - and what did he care? This was his way of showing defiance, of making his own decisions, he needn't be spoonfed by some geezers any longer. "Young master, I find it unwise to dismiss all of these men, you need at least-" "One?" "Well, one is still not-" Mianti's eyes narrowed, roaming the large throne room as he beheld his next victim. Whatever Old Pei would say, he'd do exactly what he didn't want him to do. "That one.", he exclaimed after what felt like an eternity, pointing at a man with black hair in the far corner, likely not much older than himself, on paper, that was. "Your Highness, that-" "He?" "He is hardly a fitting servant for the guard at his tender age, they are usually seasoned warriors." Again, he scoffed, and Mianti rolled his eyes. "I don't want a seasoned warrior that has seen not a single battle. Is he not a son of my fathers own men? I am sure he is fit and capable for the role. Now fetch him for me, and get rid of this rubbish before me.", he quipped, his orders sharp and certain, as Old Pei whispered to a younger servant to fetch Lianyu from the far end of the hall, who may as well not have heard most of the commotion. "Sir Lei, the Emperor and his advisor wish for you to attend them. Please follow along.", he mumbled, once he reached the man, motioning for him to follow, throes of disappointed men leaving the halls before them.

Lianyu had a simple shift scheduled today, standing in the throne room and making sure no one who wasn't supposed to was let in. His post at the door caused him to not hear much of what was going on, not that he was supposed to know, but he could see very well as another batch of people was brought before the young Emperor who flung his arms around for a bit, yelling at his advisors. How long has he been here now? It seemed he still didn't quite grow up and he wondered if he knew how many people were out to get his head, how many attempts for his life have been thwarted already. Most of them didn't make it far, but the servants whispered about the old advisers getting fed up by the young ruler and some of them leaning towards one of the kings in hopes to better their position that weakened in here day by day. The bunch of soldiers brought before the Emperor now were certainly not the best of the best, but maybe instead of suggesting Advisor Pei was preparing a coup, the reason was much simpler, namely the emperor refusing a lot of men before those already.

The mood shifted eventually, Lianyu averted his gaze when he thought he was caught looking a bit too interested in the direction, but a man approached him soon enough. Somewhat perplexed Lianyu looked at him, hearing him out. The emperor requested his attendance? He could hardly refuse and soon followed the servant to the front, both of them lowering their gazes. The other soldiers left in silence, their steps echoing through the hall. Lianyu passed the servant eventually, the servant took position next to his master, while Lianyu stepped forward and kneeled down in front of the emperor like he was supposed to, his gaze still lowered, yet casting a glance onto Advisor Pei during passing. He wasn't supposed to speak and so he held his tongue for now, not even knowing what this was about in the first place. Maybe he was the next one to be fired by the Tiger Emperor for no reason at all.

"So?", Mianti asked, his voice as sharp as ever. Old Pei raised an eyebrow, examining Lianyu from head to toe as he dismissed his servant. "One man will hardly keep you save, your Highness. I have told you as much.", the geezer sighed, clearly annoyed by his difficult Emperor, one that he had helped raise and shape into the man he was today. Once more, the youngling rolled his eyes, leaned back, put his elbow on the armrest of his throne, and his face on the palm of his hand, looking inbetween his pick and the advisor that, for once, looked at him with disdain in his eyes. "Nice expression.", he commented, causing the stern gaze to soften considerably, and Old Pei to bite his lips. "I-I apologize. I simply want what's best for you, you are still quite a ways inexperienced and so yo-" "Oh, so you're saying your teachings didn't prepare me for my role?", Mianti hissed, venom apparent in his already agitated voice. Anyone that wasn't afraid of his status wouldn't see a tiger, but a kitten growling and hissing at everything that came too close, was too uncomfortable to be around, causing even the oldest, most respected men of this court to lower their heads in shame, as if to dennounce Advisor Pei's foolishness. What a bunch of impertinent- no, fine. This was not what this was about.

"I bet he's capable, perhaps lacking in real combat experience, but not as old as those second rate bastards you muddied my fathers carpets with.", he suddenly spoke, tapping his other hand on the armrest as his stand-in for a valiant grandfather grimaced, closed his eyes tightly, to not see the shame or whatever else it would be that Mianti brought upon his own and the Qiu family name. "I think you shouldn't rush headfirst into this, simply because I displeased you, your Highness." The small tiger clicked his tongue. "Who's the emperor, again? This is final. I am no longer bound to you, your rules, or anything at all." There was a palpable silence between them, then a gesture, and finally, he got what he wanted - an old bird that sang for him, finally told him what he wanted to hear as a younger servant whispered some information into his ear. Old Pei bowed, deeper than was customary. "This is Lei Lianyu, the son of a long line of warriors, serving your father and those before him. I have no doubt that he'd make a fine guard, though, again-" "Cut it." Finally, silence reigned over his court for once, and the dismissive wave of his hand was enough to get the geezer to back off for once, making Mianti not smile, but behold the situation as it was - dire, yet not hopeless. "You, Lei Lianyu, is that which Old Pei has imparted upon me the truth?" The small figure leaned forward, the waves of anger smoothed off of his face for a second. "If so, you shall serve as my personal guard. I won't accept a No, this isn't a request, but an order."

Lianyu lowered his head while the young Tiger and Advisor Pei had one of their fights. If this continued the little kitten would lose all support in this court and if Lianyu gained this post for more than a day to spite the old man, his life would only get more difficult. There was nothing he could say or do as he was talked about like he was a thing, as if he was only his sword and nothing else. This was silly, to say the least, but he wanted to keep his head on his shoulders for now. Finally he was introduced, then almost put down, only for the emperor to interrupt. In the end he just picked a guard at random and Lianyu couldn't decide if he was at the right place at the wrong time, or at the wrong place at the right time. The word was given to him and he rose his head to answer the emperor. "Yes, my father served your father and his father before him. I've been trained by him and other masters across the country for almost all my life." He gaze shifted towards Pei. "I can certainly hold my own against his men."

Maybe it would have been better to sell himself short, but his pride didn't allow it. His gaze lingered on the old man a bit longer than it should before he looked at the emperor, then lowered his head again with a nod. "It would be an honor your Highness.", he imparted, there was nothing much else he could say in this moment. He would have gladly taken Advisor Pei outside now, but he better didn't make the Emperors and therefor his own life more difficult than it needed to be. Instead he took his new position at the Emperors side, unsure what to think of this sudden turn of events. Him, a personal guard? This was what his father always wanted him to become, but he was only picked because the little Tiger wanted to demonstrate his power and defy his Advisors, not because of his reputation or deeds. Not that he had much to show since he started his duty in the palace.

Mianti smiled, honestly this time, like he’d unearthed a jewel from a heap of garbage and was about to polish it to make it presentable - maybe he should do just that right about now. “I take it we’re done here, then?”, he asked Old Pei sternly, to which he only received a short nod. What a sign of prosperity this was. “Now then, I hereby take my leave.”, he announced quickly, pushing himself up from the throne he’d been boasting on. From a distance, the Emperor seemed like he wasn’t so small, but so close by, he no doubt shrank even more in the eyes of his beholders, now flocking outside the stuffy hall, into the ever winding bowels of this maze they dared to call a palace. As always, he was the first to leave, with Lianyu in tow, and Old Pei still in one piece. Unbecoming of his servants status it’d be to talk about his very being, laid bare before a prissy kitten of an emperor, in the midst of ever winding hallways and thus, instead, they ascended from the lower flours of the palace into the young mans study, a place filled with books he’d rifled through and annotated a few times, each important in its own right. “Now then.”, Mianti mumbled, circling his own table before settling into his chair.

He pulled about papers, contracts no doubt, that had important information left out of them, but all handwritten by the Tiger himself, given the elegant handwriting he so easily copied as he now filled out some missing information, only to gesture at the chair across of him. “Take a seat.” It seemed almost as it this place was void of people, like he’d scared most of them away, all the bustling scholars and inquisitive minds among his court, but it wasn’t that - this room had never been public, it was one of the many that belonged to him, yet one of the few that were his very own. As the ink slowly dried, a single spot was left blank, one that he had no intention of filling out himself as he slid it across the table, for Jianyu to behold. “Study the contract to your hearts content, then tell me what it is that you desire as compensation for your duty. Don’t be shy, either, and speak freely - I won’t have your head, in fact, I tire of only hearing old men squabble about useless things all day, thinking I owe them a lifetime of servitude.”, Mianti implored Jianyu, as if asking for a lifeline of his own here, wanting the other mans sincere understanding. “If you have questions, feel free to ask as well. We have plenty of time.”

One needed to tread carefully around the little Tiger and Old Pei knew when to leave with his tail between his legs. The Emperor himself soon enough got up and started to leave the room. Lianyu promptly followed him as was his new duty. They walked some narrow hallways, only their steps cutting the silence until they arrived in a room Lianyu has never been in before. He followed the Emperor inside, closed the door behind himself and positioned himself there. There was some bustling of papers before Lianyu was already beckoned away from his post to sit down. He raised an eyebrow but complied for now, sitting down where he was pointed at and taking the piece of paper he was handed. He picked it up and started the scrutinize its contents. He was lucky he could read and unsure if the Emperor knew or expected he could. It was a contract, the name was blank, the compensation as well and besides that it seemed almost reasonable, almost. Lianyu took his time, not bothered by making the Emperor wait.

Eventually he looked up. "Well first of all, one guard will not be enough. I need to sleep as well and besides that I would like to have some free time to wind down as well. Trust me if I tell you it'll make my work better. A maximum of twelve hour shifts, I don't mind if I take days or nights, four days off a month." Maybe he was too demanding, but he could just go back to his previous duties and he'd be fine with it. "Three times my current salary and quarters fitting my new status, warm meals at the end of my shift." He had no credentials, nothing but his name to show, despite traveling the country and training with masters all around. He wasn't sure if all his demands would be met just like that. "Considering the enemies you made I think this is fair. Advisor Pei might still be appeased with a gift, but others are not as patient as him. As for trusting me with your life, I am of course honoured, but I am also willing to prove my worth. I meant it when I told Advisor Pei that I can hold my own against his men. A tournament might also yield a good group of men serving you, though I suggest weeding out the attendants first. Not everyone in here answers to you first Your Highness."

What an interesting man - many would never ask for as much when the Emperor extended his pinky toward them, and instead they’d frown, put their tails between their legs, maybe wail for forgiveness if only they asked for a coin too much, but this one? Mianti liked the spunk in him, so much so that he snorted in amazement at the brazen statement, then furrowed his brows as he regained his composure. “You certainly are honest, I’ll give you that. Well, I don’t see why I shouldn’t award you all of that for the brashness to ask in the first place, and the gall to even continue.” Before long, he whisked the contract back into his own hands, amending the clauses that his new servant had asked for so gingerly, so unexpectedly that it left the Tiger too stunned to draw his ire or wrath upon him. As he finished his writing, he handed both the paper and some ink over to Lianyu again. “Feel free to amend your name, and let me know if these clauses are sufficient before that.” Would he get along with this man? Perhaps. If not, then he, too, could enjoy hard labor for the price of entirely free, except for pissing the emperor off first.

“Advisor Pei will be pleased with less than a gift, though, I will take that to heart and consider mending this brittle bridge at some point, I thank you for your insight.” A rather soft smile that didn’t reach Mianti’s eyes appeared on a face that might as well be forged of porcelain, weighing his options as he pulled a registry from between his books - it was the current servants name, a clear copy of a file they kept in case they needed it, but some of them were crossed out, either with a full or a dotted line. “I’m one step ahead of that, in fact, I’ve held onto this list for a few years and made some amendments to it whenever necessary. I am not to be trifled with, nor am I to be bossed around forever by the likes of those geezers.” That was the plan at the very least, and as he went over the names on that list that hadn’t been crossed in either way yet, he picked some of them out for later, wanting to pay them a visit, then slid the registry across the table as well. “The ones I marked in a circle just now, would you say either of them are good enough picks as a temporary stand-in? Until we can hold that tournament you mentioned, anyhow. I like the idea - you have quite the sharp mind of your own.” Mianti liked his people like that, and he wasn’t disappointed in the choice he’d made to spite Old Pei after all - this arrangement would likely not just stay temporary. “As for your new chambers, do you prefer the east or west wing? Ground, first or second floor?”

Lianyu has been asked a question and he answered it truthfully. His father would have probably broken his arm for his answer, but the Tiger seemed amused at the very least. The contract was amended and soon enough handed back. Lianyu looked over the changed passages, thoroughly so, before reaching for the ink to write his name in the empty space. "I agree to these terms.", he answered, all his demands were met, he couldn't complain. After his name was added in, he took out his families seal to stamp on the empty spot, then added his signature on top. At last he handed the paper back, with a question or two still on his mind, just not regarding the contract or his reimbursement. "I would like to ask what you expect from me. I know how to behave at court, where to position myself and when to excuse myself, but considering you agreed to my requests it seems like you are in search of someone more than a regular guard." It certainly seemed like he could speak his mind, but he knew at least not to do it in front of others.

The Tigers smile was false, Lianyu could tell. Nevertheless his stern gaze didn't waver. The soldier was handed another list he took into his hands. There were a lot of names, Lianyu knew most of them, some of the people on the list he new personally, for better or for worse. He took the Emperors question seriously and studied the list. He also remembered the names not necessary right now, or at least some of them. "Shao Peng is loyal and motivated, albeit younger than me, put someone with experience at his side, for example Zhou Yu, who closely served your father when he was my age, and they will certainly be able to protect you.", he suggested, handing the list back. "Gan Jia and Xu Yi are certainly good picks as well. I have trained and served with them personally." They were but a few years older than him. It seemed to Lianyu that a fresh start was exactly what the young Emperor wanted. "East wing, ground floor."

Sweet relief was all what this was - broken bonds and torn shackles, what a sweet moment. “I expect you to serve me, nothing more or less, perhaps talk to me ever so often. You have free reign over that, after all, you are now the second most important person after the emperor in Quansan, and all the lands - I loathe the ever growing list of old geezers feuding and fighting over my name, my title, my crown and power. I ask for you not to necessarily understand me, or be my friend, but for you to fulfill your duties with due diligence.” The list of things to do wasn’t broad - he was to kill all those that wanted his head on a platter during his shifts, and then, he was to retire within his chambers and give it no second thought as he lazed about and enjoyed his freedom for a moment too long. “I want this to be mine, that if I have to adhere to rules, they might as well be my own. I yearn to be freed of the confines or this boring destiny of not being my own person, despite being the mightiest of all men in these lands. The poison runs deep in Quansan’s only palace after all.”

Venom was spit at one another in every debate, the plethora of differing opinions clashing against each other like cold steel, once thought up by brilliant men, now wielded by dull nitwits, which in itself was a sign of decline. “So be it, I thank you for your insight. I shall send a servant after them, and another to prepare your new quarters. You are free to move in the moment your shift ends this late afternoon - if you wish to have your belongings moved there ahead of time, aside from the basic amenities you will be provided with regardless, please tell me now, if not, they’ll remain where they are.”, Mianti concluded for the both of them, writing the names he’d picked out on an extra slip of paper, which he folded neatly so one of those pipsqueak servants would be able to take a hint. “What an interesting pick, though. The ground floor, in the east wing no less? I assume you prefer tranquil and to be by your lonesome during after hours, no? That’s about as much as I know about you anyhow.” The Tiger had little reservations about the arrangement as he wrote another thing on a second piece of paper, then waltzed toward the door, opening it slightly as he flagged down the first servant he saw, sending them on a mission to do these things for him. Soon enough, the door clicked shut again and Mianti was back at his seat, looking Lianyu up and down over and over again. “You are free to ask me whatever you like, if there’s nothing, I suppose I would like to ask you to introduce yourself to me.” In the meantime he grabbed the contract from Lianyu, stamping it with his own seal, then signing it in his intricate handwriting as he shoved it aside, to let it dry.

"I wouldn't go that far Your Highness.", Lianyu was quick to answer. The second most important person? He was supposed to keep him save, but surely there were other more capable people. However, serving him, protecting him, this was what Lianyu always was supposed to do according to his father and he never had much of a choice. So be it then, albeit it being ironic he wound up in this position when he never strove for it neither was it his wish nor this he try with his actions. He wondered what Haohao would say or think about all this. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown, however, disagreeing for the sake of doing so with your Advisors is probably not the wisest action either.", he flat out told him. Surely the men Advisor Pei brought were capable and useful somewhere. The people working in the palace too wanted stability rather than the possibility to be kicked out of the palace walls whenever the young Tiger felt like it.

"Yes it would be helpful if my belongings would already be moved over.", he replied. He had nothing much of worth in there anyway, maybe a few letters from his family. "At least for resting I like it to be quiet, however if there was a disturbance I'd be on post faster sleeping on the ground floor.", he explained. That wasn't the only reason, Haohao worked in the east wing and it was easier to slip in and out on the ground floor, though presumably Lianyu would visit his quarters instead, or a place away from prying eyes in a corner of the palace. Once the Emperor got up, Lianyu did the same and once the Tiger closed the door again, Lianyu positioned himself next to it, as was his duty. Sitting he could hardly defend him. His arm loosely lay on his sword. Did he have any questions for the Emperor? Probably not, he was still a child in some ways, but that was hardly a question. "There is nothing much to tell. My father served yours for all his life and raised me to follow his footsteps. He sent me on a journey throughout the lands to train and learn from various masters in various disciplines. I returned here a few years ago and enlisted in the Palace guard."

Would he now? What a tepid example of a servant this one was, his outlook on fun, for whatever the likes of Mianti called as fun, seemingly strained by his own admission of not wanting to cause ire among those that he now served, his life and heritage now mere specks of dust on his new duty, ones that he’d suit himself to wipe off more than anything. “Is it not? I suppose so, but having them boss me around and thinking they can get away with it isn’t within my scope of reason either. If I simply subtly oppose them, they will try their utmost to still grab ahold of the reins, like I’m some misgiving animal they ought to tame once more.” He’d had it, that much was etched into every single twinge in his face, every grimace he made, and every smile that reached no further than his mouth and nose, stopping below the eyes, the likes of which hammered themselves into whoever’s body and face he beheld in but an instant. What was it the young emperor wished to tell? Seemingly nothing, his eyes weren’t exactly looking for a way out, but rather, one in, not into Lianyu himself but any soul that hadn’t earned his misgivings just yet.

“That shall be arranged, then.” Good thing he had decided to instruct the servant to as much on that piece of paper, not doubting that Lianyu would find it convenient if his belongings were taken care of for him. Mianti stretched, sprawling like an actual cat for a long while as he did, throwing all the imperial caution out of the window now that he found he’d be able to sleep well tonight, be it because of his new, personal guard or the fact that he had confidence in at least one mans ability. “What a sharp eye you have for things like this, I guess your request is quite reasonable, then.” Whoever he’d have to kick out of that chamber, if anyone even lived within, would no doubt not sing either his or Lianyus praises, but it was for the greater good after all. Why please a random scholar, a dire courtesan, when there was someone that actually earned all of this? “You’ve seen your fair share of everything, then. Say, do you miss the freedom of wandering every once in a while? Is there any place you liked more than the imperial city? And please, do be honest, I’m not fishing for compliments.” After all, the advisors were the ones keeping Quansan afloat the last few years, the Emperor too young in their eyes. Perhaps they were right. Mianti was the one that kept thrashing around like a child after all, wanting it his way or nobodies’ - virtue wasn’t one of his strong suits.

"A king is only as strong as the amount of people believing in him.", Lianyu imparted, one of his masters said it, the former Emperor wasn't beloved everywhere either, especially since he didn't produce a single heir within these walls with at least one of the many concubines he owned. This Emperor likewise seemed to take little interest in them, most were let go after his father died anyhow, with the Tiger too young to enjoy their services, now though the halls and rooms were still somewhat empty, besides a few of the advisors daughters and servants roaming the palace. "I couldn't claim to know how to handle a court as big as this, I am sure Your Highness finds a way.", Lianyu simply answered, pulling away before he dug his own grave. People were talking about the Tiger, the advisors weren't all too happy, maybe a war was written on the horizon, so far Lianyus generation hadn't witnessed one. He could do without it, he wasn't after valor, it was even more strange he got this new position now.

Lianyu took the compliment with a humble nod, but the Emperor had more questions for him it seemed. "I am quite content where I am now, but Your country is beautiful, from the mountains in the west to the beaches in the east. Traveling wasn't always easy however, with the weather being moody and some nights hard and cold. I was sent away from my family when I was very young too, but I suppose Your Highness had a similar experience in that regard." Many children were, in hopes their lives would be bettered by training in a bigger city, or their parents received money for pawning them off to a farm, or the Palace if they were lucky. "I had less freedom than you might think, I didn't have much time to go off path and when I stayed with one of the masters I trained every day, sometimes throughout the night." Would this be how his days would go now? Talking to the Emperor the whole day? He didn't have that much to tell. "Has Your Highness considered inviting a scholar to tell stories about the country?", he asked. Surely there were ones young as well, who could tell him about customs and sights, a writer, or painter, maybe a musician even. They would be more suitable for a chat.

"I suppose so.", Mianti responded, sounding almost curt in doing so, as if his new servant had hit whatever ragged, wayward nail on the head that stuck right out of the Emperors skin, hammering it back home before he garnered any more interest in any of his insane, downright defiant ideas. Wasn't this just another thing that happened for show, because it had to, because there was nobody he truly go along with? To wage war with his own subjects was hardly his favorite pasttime, let alone was it anything worth speaking of with himself, and yet, around him, they all treaded carefully, as if hurting his ego too much would send him into a rage, one that would demand bloodshed to be appeased, and wasn't it so? "A way? Maybe I do, perhaps I don't. The court is like a vast nightsky, filled with more than just stars that shimmer and twinkle in the eye of its beholders, as you might be well aware." He? Well, among them he shone the brightest, like a jewel, like the everblazing sun, and while many loved to bask in glory, in warmth, in the dulling autumn rays that were cast upon them, instead they scorched them alive if they overstayed their welcome. Their Emperor was one of many vices, one of little virtue, but whereas his servants and advisors had a certain disdain for him alike, most of them anyhow, the commonfolk was hardly aware of his tyranny, often treated like poor, miserable jade in the rough, begging to be refined. Mianti claimed to have an eye for such things, but did he really? Did he not pamper them too much?

Then, what followed was boastful, almost loving ode that reached not his ears but his mind - he yawned, audibly, raising a hand to his mouth. "You don't have to compliment it, or praise me in the same regard as you praise this country. It only prospers because Old Pei and the rest of the advisors had free reign for the past decade and more, no? I am grateful for that, but to say I'd be fishing for compliments would be an insult. Your opinion matters, not your manners." Mianti, however, grimaced even more at the second part of that entire sentence, his nose scrunched up ever so slightly, until there were wrinkles in his face, not of disgust but trepidation. "I guess we are similar in that regard, though I lived a lavish life of abundance, pampered without any bars or holds, whereas you had to prove yourself to even make it where you are today. A life like that can't be easy, neither on your mind nor body." A shame, but without it, no warrior would ever be forged - Old Pei had told him, once upon a time, that the finest of guards, of soldiers, were made by treating them like rough iron, by forging them in metaphorical flames, until exhaustion, until they became malable and responsive to their treatment. What a joke. This one seemed fine. "Did you ever dream of freedom, then? In your youth, when a thought crossed your mind perhaps, that you wanted none of this, but to be your own person?" Mianti loved bothering people, dissecting them under his careful watch every step of the way. Was this precisely why nobody sought out conversation with him, with that forked tongue of his that both praised and demeaned one at the same time? Pity was all he had for his subjects, they often said - misguided pity. "I have, but don't tell me you tire of exchanging words with me already?", his voice sounded no less stern, tinged with a slight plead it seemed, one utterly genuine it made his own stomach churn. "I suppose I should fill the court with more people if I already thin it out by such a margin, though, if the stories ever displease me ... no, they won't. Thank you for your insight." Mianti scribbled something on a new piece of paper, this time in short, non-uniform letters, meant perhaps only for his eyes - his sleeves were no doubt stained with ink now, not rolled up even once, as he tapped the wooden end of his brush on his desk. The rest of his day was much the same, a senseless back and forth between him and Lianyu, as people came and went, as their location changed once, then twice, until the afternoon rolled about and a set of the two men that Lianyu had vied for, that Mianti had talked with earlier, made their appearance. With but a simple gesture he wished Lianyu a good afternoon, evening and night, and then pranced off with the new arrivals - the Tiger had, no doubt, found joy in dissecting the first of his five guards, so the second and third would receive the same treatment in due time.

"It is beautiful though. Perhaps Your Highness will travel it one day.", Lianyu answered sternly. He enjoyed his time traveling, more so than the training he received. His pilgrimage from master to master was the most enjoyable part of his journey, despite having to sleep in the open one too many times. "I did. If it was up to me I doubt I would have become a soldier, but running away would have meant my death and now it is what I do best.", he answered the Emperors question truthfully. Maybe he offended him and he softly shook his head. "I just don't think I have much to tell and my words aren't as eloquent as those of a scholar." The Emperor seemed to want to talk more to him and he asked him questions for a while, where he went, what weapons he trained with and about his father. For now Lianyu gave only information he deemed necessary, in no way did he try to make everything sound more pretty or exciting than it was. He didn't mention his fathers illness or the masters names.

For the rest of the day he followed the Emperor around who wanted to eat some and drink some tea in the pavilion outside. He saw some people with requests or reports for him and eventually it grew late enough and two familiar faces showed up. There weren't any words exchanged, just a nod towards his peers and a bow for the Emperor before Lianyu excused himself. It was time to find his new quarters in the eastern part of the palace and as if fate willed it so, Lianyu found Haohao on his way, tending to some flowers. Lianyu watched him from afar for a bit, before approaching him and sitting down on a bench near enough to be in earshot, but not too close. Even without his new position, Haohao was a mere servant while Lianyus family name was known and his father had received some land for his service for the former Emperor. It never stopped Haohao from approaching Lianyu like any other person, neither did it stop either of them from becoming closer. As exciting as his sudden promotion should have been, Lianyu felt bad for not discussin this with Haohao beforehand. Not that he had a chance, refusing the Emperor was insanity and at the same time, his job security was as bad as ever. Lianyu took a deep breath before he finally said something. "We need to talk.", he told his friend with an apologetic tinge in his voice. "Bring some tea to Zhu Guos quarters when you're done here?" He should say former, but that would just confuse Haohao and before he could answer any questions, Lianyu stood up to go on ahead. His new quarters were about triple in size than he was used to, the few things he owned were already there. He used to share the barracks, his name did never yield any special treatment around these parts. Right now he looked at a set of rooms bigger than he ever owned or stayed in and it looked somewhat empty with only the little things he had put into it. While he waited he got out of his armor, putting it aside with his sword and getting into a set of new clothes seemingly coming with the new stay.

The imperial gardens were a vast maze, just like the palace itself, and if one soul knew them, their ins and outs without flinching, it was Chen Haoze, the son with no heritage or relation to anyone in the palace garden, which left many to wonder just how he got a prestigious position such as this one. Given, he was the one that tried so eagerly, almost too eagerly, to appease the machinations behind the big powers of this place at times, to carve his name into stone that seemed unwilling to be molded by anyone, for anything. If Haohao wanted something, no longer did he have the change to take it, but rather, he had to sweetly beg his masters and beasts, all of them clad in silk robes ever finer than his own, for permission. Once upon a time, a defiant part of his would have wretched at the mere thought of becoming what he was today, much too prideful to be flattened into a servant of his standing, but now? No title and no name to call his own, never to call his own, didn't traverse the borders of warring lands too well, and the few strings that different people - men and women alike - could pull for him, amended themselves somewhere, culminated in his mere existence of a manservant, a gardener, a relaxed existence, one that others would undoubtly kill for. This side of the evening, a faint fragrance was in the air, the cawing of crows and illustrous words of magpies alike driving away the silence that the palace found itself bound it. One more bird, one in the form of a man, joined him as he watered the camelia bushes, tended to their leaves, cut away a dying branch.

"Will do, I won't be long.", his eyes still fixed on the flowers, not on the raven among crows, or the words that slipped from either of their mouths so effortlessly. Their relationship was a secret, one well-kept, one that had prospered from nothing but his own foolish attitude and the raven's willing response to his advances. What could it be that brought him about, past the time of sparrows and cuckoos, and declared they needed to discuss something, so urgently they met in quarters of a man they both kept their distance from? Not once did it make sense, yet, Haohao was beyond questioning it - perhaps a raven needed to impress a heron, or maybe there were different things brewing, one past his scope of understanding. With the bird long gone, he finished his own work, then prepared a tray of tea, with an arbitrary amount of cups, guessing the amount of people that would be asking for one. Only when he was certain that the ever-warm water had taken on the fragrance it should, then did he make his way to Zhou Gous chambers, finding the hallway in front of them starkly empty of any of the mans belongings. Had the Tiger finally rid himself of the older man? Given the recent flock of fleeing birds from the palace, all urged by the Tiger itself to take flight, it didn't seem so very unlikely. "I bring tea.", he announced himself, bowing as he slid open the door after giving the wooden panneling at the bottom a soft knock. To his surprise, the room was void of its gaudy interior, of the variety of trinkets and weapons Zhou Gou kept as trophies, save for Lianyu, who had changed into much finer robes. Haohao finally looked up, sliding the door closed behind himself as he strode exactly five wide steps to the table in the middle, setting the tray in the dead center of it. A soft smile played about his lips. "What's this? Don't tell me you got promoted.", he whispered, his voice thinner than air as he beheld his favorite raven - it didn't seem so unlikely right now.

For a while Lianyu sat down, looking out at the vast garden, the view only stopped by the tall walls protecting the inner court. The panels were open now, letting in a soft breeze and the songs of the birds calling the palace their own. He let out a sigh, somewhat surprised at his brazenness that netted him a promotion rather than the loss of his head. The Emperor was quick to get rid of anyone just looking at him the wrong way and yet Lianyu simply spoke his mind and gave his demands. How silly of him. Did he want to be let go? Did he want to be free? It was weird to think about and the clothes on himself felt equally so. When he visited his father in his estate, which was more akin to a tomb at this point, he was clad in finer fabric, but in the palace he was a mere soldier, no one special, until now it seemed. The quarters were bigger, finer and the money he was paid was much more, but did he have more freedom now or less?

He heard Haohaos footsteps approach through the hall and got up to close the wooden panels for some privacy. Just as he was done he turned around to look into his lovers face. He stepped closer to the table the tea was set on, leaned down and grabbed Haohaos hands so he'd stand up with him. "Mhm... I'm the kings personal guard now... well one of five." Where would he even begin to explain this situation? "This...", he motioned at the room, " is mine now. For as long as the Tiger likes having me around at least." Lianyu grabbed his friends hands a bit tighter, his voice soft and low. "Are you angry?" he asked worried. Was there anything he could have done differently? Maybe he'd been a bit too confident during his talk with the Emperor of all people and in front of Advisor Pei.

Haohao could have imagined anything - maybe Lianyu and him were found out by someone, had been told to leave, or at least the one of them that had some sort of societal standing to begin with, or perhaps this had been a banter that his dearest raven wished for, in hopes of soothing his aching mind after a tumultuous day. What he didn’t expect, however, was for his assumption to hit the mark, for his arrow to point blank split another in half, already wedged into the middle, to cement itself into the same place. His eyebrows shot up, his face one of surprise as he was told the entirety of the truth, and laughter followed, like the rustling leaves of a blooming tree in the warm summer wind, nothing but welcoming and adoring. “My, how did you get yourself in that mess? Wrong place, wrong time?”, he questioned his confidant, who seemed so much more anxious than he was, not that he could blame him. Still, rustled feathers were no look for a man of Lianyu’s standing, even in a situation like this. Slowly, as if he was trying his utmost not to scare a wild animal away, he extended his arm and brushed through the black hair, smoothing some of the strands out.

“These quarters are larger than anything I’m used to, I doubt it’s much different for you. Any idea what you are going to decorate it with?” A man that had little personal belongings couldn’t possibly fill a vast, empty space such as this with his trinkets and wardrobe in no time - not even furniture, from what Haohao recalled, resting his hand gingerly on his lovers cheek as his other was squeezed tight. Another flutter of surprise graced his face, and a chuckle marked the arrival of a grin, before his hand squeezed that of his raven once more. “And why would I be? Had you denied him, I’m sure I’d not have seen a shred of you ever again, and that would have been what made me angry.” It put a bit of a damper to his plans, ones he had hardly proposed yet; he wanted to run away with Lianyu, was about to secure them a different, more frugal place elsewhere, but it seemed as if that river had just ran dry, his plans besieged. “I’m jealous, if anything. All this space for yourself, and yet I can’t even share it with you.”, he hummed in a low tone, finally letting go of Lianyus face, stroking across his cheek with his thumb one more time as he did. “Think you can endure serving him? The Tiger, I mean. I overheard Advisor Pei cursing about him today when I server him and the others some tea, but by the end of it, he was already boasting about the boy again.”

Telling Haohao the truth in the end shocked even him for a little while. "Pretty much. Advisor Peis soldiers weren't good enough for the little Tiger and I stood guard at the door. He picked me to spite him, I played along, but now this got much more serious than I thought it would be.", he explained, somewhat taken aback by Haohaos carefree laughter, but at the same time it was to be expected of him. He always had a good mood and it was hard to stop him when he had an idea. When they started talking to each other Lianyu was new here and listened to him explaining all the drama going on between the different servants and soldiers. His standing never seemed to matter to him, he just saw a new hire who knew nobody and wanted to befriend him. Now they were more than that, despite having to meet in secret most of the time. Nobody bet an eye before when the two of them talked somewhere in the courtyard, but what about now?

"There is only one thing that came to mind when I thought about how to make this place look more lived in and that was you.", Lianyu replied. He never had had much to begin with, he'd need to buy things to fill this place. The fact that they just moved out all of Zhou Gous things in a mere day was worrying enough. That man would hate him. Lianyu looked at his lover, leaning against the soft touch. "Probably... but I was very demanding and he granted all my wishes, he even called me the second most important person here, though I am not sure if he's just playing with me. Either way, now I feel dumb for not asking for more, maybe I could have asked him to assign you my personal servant, or maybe my squire... At the same time I don't want to get you into trouble. Surely me getting this position handed by mere chance has garnered me a few enemies of my own..." He knew the feuds going on inside the palace walls and he never wanted to be part of it. "I asked for a room in the east because I know you work here and the ground floor so you don't break your neck climbing in and out... or me if I was to meet you.", Lianyu smiled as he explained his plan. He didn't forget about Haohao. "For now he appreciated my presence. He asked me about my childhood the whole day. I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Haohao let go of him and Lianyu looked at him. "Can I keep you a bit longer? I don't want to get you in trouble. If they ask maybe I can tell them I needed you to settle in and give this place a scrub...?"

As expected of him, that brat never had anything that he quite enjoyed when others suggested it, didn't he? Haoze knew him, albeit briefly, but even his banter couldn't penetrate the Tigers walls permanently, he had managed to make him smile, perhaps once, maybe twice, but any other day, he was just the same as the servants in this place - faceless, nameless, drifting and bound to never ending duties that came and went beyond the normal scope of the length of a day. Still, why hate it? He'd done all that he could, and received an answer for it. "I doubt you'll get out of this all that soon, either. He's never backed down when he really wants to piss Advisor Pei off.", Haohao responded, knowing, hearing, seeing it all in those ceremonies that Advisor Pei shared with the other few men, left of the old Emperors tenure, exchanging knowing glances and hushed words over a herbal brew that was served to them by ever rotating servants, until Haoze got his foot in the door, making himself trusted among them, never saying a word or sharing any with his fellows, only with Lianyu, as if the only man in these walls that could keep a secret were the two of them.

"Pah, you flatter me, but you know very well that that's not quite the frugal undertaking, right?" It wasn't that none would approve of their relationship because they were both men, in fact, most the palace cared little for such things, downright condoned them in fact, but their difference in standing posed a small difficulty, a slight gap, that grew ever larger. "I suppose you are, in a way. Without you, he won't live to see another day, and while I have no intention of sharing with him, you are my most important person as well.", he spoke, his tone flat as to not indicate anything to some prying ears and eyes, but his expression, clad in partial darkness from the way the log shadows in the sinking sun fell, were sincere, genuine, happy. Just as Haohao always was. "You could have simply asked him to share the quarters with your lover, you know." Haoze shook his head, the jest but up in the air as the seconds ticked away on the time that the sun would still fight the mountaints and the edge of the world for the night. "You have a garden of your own now, if I plan my routes ever so carefully, I can likely make it so I care for your plants by the time your shift ends. You're one clever raven, I'll leave you that." East was a good part of the palace, a somewhat silent one right about now, one that the two of them would treat in carefully, their voices like a blade of steel cutting through the nothingness surrounding them. "You have my thanks for being such a considerate man, for my sake." Again, his voice was very low, barely a hum as he listened to his friends words. "Not really. I can't say how he is as a master - he's the only man above you now, you know, if you count the advisors and their power out, but given he hasn't replenished their positions, I doubt he'll do it after the last passes." Making the court a mess, one that was dominated by nothing but a young tiger and a bunch of ailing herons. "Trouble? I didn't even take my midday nap because of the advisors, I deserve a little break before bed, anyhow." Haoze smiled at him, even now, thinking to himself how to best mend it all. "Sounds like a sensible excuse." Not once did he wait before wrapping his arms around his friend, hugging him tight. "If you are daring enough, I'm sure you could still ask the Tiger. He seems indifferent to most things, if you don't piss him off.", he whispered, then pressed a short kiss to Lianyus lips, gone again in the blink of an eye.