Phoenix Blooded

“Very interesting..” he mumbled as he watched Mei walk along the side of the ship. Now that was using your head. Although it would be a challenge to walk on the slippery, mossy bottom of the boat. Not to mention the waves crashing at her feet could make her slip and fall. “This girl isn’t distracted by me watching her..she keeps focused on her task..an excellent trait..perhaps her family did raise her well..” He turned for a few moments to watch his crew who were working really hard and really quick. Zhou Tai sighed and turned to speak to his crew. “Men..you don’t have to work your asses off in my presence.. I know you will get the job done..” Each crewman cheered as they started to slow down. 

“HULL!”

The word was almost cheered out, until she moved to the side, and slowly lowered herself back into the water, and just let the momentum of the ship carry her down the other side, back to the waves as she just enjoyed the ride for a little bit until she got to the middle of the ship again.

“AMIDSHIPS”

And she just kept drifting all the way back to the back of the boat, seeing it as ‘complete’ as she pulled on the rope again to climb it the best she could back up and onto the ship.

“.... Stern... and no need for Brig.”

No, she was done, and just sat on the back of the ship, dripping wet. Sure, she was happy, but she was exhausted too. She didn’t even make a move to get the water out of her hair, nor to wring out her clothes, nor what her clothes even looked like now that they were soaked. Her entire body wanted her to just stop, and not move again.

Until the Princess had spoke again. An innocent question caused the Dancer to blush very softly. Heavens above, please grant her plead. Do not allow the young Princess to witness this blush. — “Y-Your Father chose me, my Lady.” she replied; short and sweet ( with very light stuttering to express her sheepish ways. ) Oh Goodness, now she was asking even more questions! Diaochan could feel her visage heating up. Because of Cao Pi’s status? His accomplishments? How well-off he is?? Heavens No! – Dare she say; she was actually in love with the Prince. Of course, she would never tell him, at least.. not just yet. But now, how was she to answer her curious inquires..? This would be a difficult dance to perform. 

However, it was not long enough. Her gaze turned upwards again to the dancer, as this was important information. It determined everything she needed to know about this person, and whether or not she could trust her, especially as with the dynasties before them, there was plotting and twisting of words. It was not sufficient enough for her. It probably would never be as she didn’t fully understand just how different the concept of ‘Love’ could be, nor how difficult it was. So the second Diaochan replied, so did she. It almost seemed as if she had an answer for everything. “He may have chose you, but you could’ve said no, but instead you said ‘yes’ and came here. Do you see what I mean? So there has to be a reason why you accepted.”

“AMIDSHIPS.”

She was getting tired, although she wanted to think on what he had said. She swam, yes. And could do well with swimming, but if this kept going, she knew she wouldn’t be able to get all the way around the ship. But the rope... He never fully said that she had to swim the entire time, right?

“Da Jisama has always taken care of me! But heeey! I got safely here even on my own! No need to worry about something that didn’t happen ~! I am here in one piece!” the girl giggled jolly.

“But what if you leave here, and are killed by the snakemen? Or the Hydra? Sometimes numbers do help alongside ability. I just... don’t want to see someone hurt when it can be prevented.”

That was one of the few things she couldn’t stand: Preventable injuries and death.

“Sure I can..well, I am a ninja and we have to be that observant in the profession. Besides! I have spent some time with Wei because of one of my son’s friend is the prince there.” 

“Son’s friend... Prince of Wei...?”

She seemed to question that before it seemed to click in her head who she may be talking about. The only prince of Wei that had a friend in this twisted world was-

“Ah! Is your son Lord Ishida Mitsunari?!”

She really wanted to know the answer, but she already basically figured it out. It really made her happy, especially when the elder lady, despite being a ninja, couldn’t figure out who her father was. That gave her the advantage of knowing something the elder lady didn’t... which absolutely deserved the pat to the head. Mitsunari really had a very nice mother. It explained quite a few things, too.

“Actually, my father is your son’s friend. It’s actually really a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

She smiled brightly because now... now she could possibly tease Mitsunari just a little bit about this. Just a tad. But within the plotting, she blinked a few times and bowed her head. She was being so rude!

“Ah, Meiyu. Tea would be good.”

The King of Wei laughed and gave his granddaughter a pat on the head. People could accuse Cao Mengde of many things, but he could never be faulted for neglecting his children and their offspring. Like many grandparents, he quite enjoyed spoiling them from time to time.

Soon, she scurried around her room, and carefully hung the kettle over the fire for the water to boil. She always made sure to have at least one kettle filled with water, just in case sudden guests like this happened. Her room was mainly scrolls, and useful objects, nothing really extra about it. Everything was for some practical use of some sort. From the blank scrolls, to her hairpins, to the plant on the windowsill, everything had some sort of practical use in some way.

“Oh, He’s been teaching me really well. I can recite your annotated version of Sun Tsu’s Art of War by heart, and many poems as well. I can compose a little bit of my own, but nothing near as great as yours, Grandfather, or Fathers, or Uncle Zhi’s... but I’ll get to an equal footing soon, I assure you.”

She turned around fully, and just clasped her hands in front of her lap expectantly. After all, the one thing he could spoil her with that she adored more than any object that could be given was-

“So, how goes your campaigns? And political affairs? Literacy developments? Any changes? Anything interesting going on?”

“What’s the fastest time this has been done?”

While she was asking, she was putting on the life jacket. Sure this entire situation was terrifying, but... if she couldn’t handle something like this, it would be a disgrace to both her name, and to herself. She was confident in her swimming skills, but in open waters like this... the most she did was in a calmer setting, but it shouldn’t be that difficult. For now, she was more focused on tying the baggy sleeves of hers tighter to her arms so it wouldn’t get caught in the water and make her slower. But the entire time, she was devising a way of doing this properly that would work out the best for her... But then he said ‘go’, so she took off running towards the edge, and jumped off in such a way she would be able to grab hold of the rope when she landed.

“STERN!”

Well that left enough to be known. She did not say anything about her own mother, which could mean two things: She didn’t like her mother, or her mother was gone. The first probably wouldn’t seem likely, but the second?

To be believed in... She felt a weird sense of pride from those words, and she knew she could do anything with something like that. Her face turned slightly more smug, and she flicked her hair behind her shoulder.

The silent captain would be a bit more lenient on her. His goal was to make her comfortable while she was aboard. Crossing his arms, he looked back out towards his men on the deck. “Now lass..I will teach you the things you must know..but you can decide what you want to be taught..for example..if you wish to know how to fire a cannon..or know how to properly swab a deck..I will teach you such things..you will also be put through physical tests such as swimming..fishing..combat..and whatever else comes to mind..now..what do you wish to learn first..?”

So she was a bit more comfortable thinking of it like that, which may have relayed a bit more of her personality than she would’ve liked. She was the daughter of someone related to the military. “Everything. I wish to learn everything. I already know how to swim, fish, and a little bit of the sword, though not much.” She admitted, and set her hands on her hips. “That’s about it, though.”

It was silent on the brunette’s side as she gave some thought into her lesson. “Hmmm..” was hummed. Maybe just maybe she could glue the pieces to this Dance puzzle, she could put the Princess at some sort of ease. “Worry not, my Lady. Though it has been long since you have practiced, movements are fluid. It will return to you.” 

“Remain.... strong...”

Those words made her stop and think for a moment before she shook her head and slapped at her cheeks to snap out of the daze, before she was brought back to the reality before her.