A smile pulled at the corner of her lips. No apologies necessary, she chimed with a gentle sway of her muzzle, signaling the man to rise from his lowered bow. My family might expect the formalities, but between you and me, she lowered her voice to a fragile whisper, When the moon is high in the sky and the rest of the empire sleeps, I want nothing more than to be addressed as I am—Fen. Just Fen.

Her tail swayed in the gentle breeze as her emerald gaze considered Yunxu. He was shorter than she was, slender too, but composed of the duality of night and day, light and dark. And his eyes, they appeared to be of the purest shade of blue.

Fen dipped her chin into a subtle nod, The Celestial Dragon has certainly blessed my family. Her eyes glimmered with something different—amusement perhaps, or possibly mischief. And you as well, now that you are among us. It was her time now to address the man with a careful bow, a dip of her head as her gaze rose to his, A formal welcome then, Jiang Yunxu. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.

At the mention of fish, however, that smile of hers only seemed to grow. Her ears straightened, perking forward as her body all but rolled to the tips of her toes as she stood eagerly awaiting more information. Predict the weather? She echoed, as her green gaze twinkled with curiosity. Truly?

What a skill to be able to have, she thought, a necessary one too. And one, now, that she wanted to learn.

Her silhouette drifted towards his own, eyes alight against the murky bark of the tree that lay in the water behind him. What potential uncertainties Yunxu may have been feeling were lost on the Princess as she sauntered toward him. Instead, her attention was fixated on the shadowed depths of the pool. So much so that Fen barely noticed when her side brushed against his own, as a single paw of hers tested the rough bark of the log.

Sturdy, she thought, just barely.

Can you teach me? She asked abruptly, swinging a passing glance over her shoulder and back towards Yunxu.