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The Empress watched the painted dog carefully, as she had recovered quickly from her thrashing in the water. There was no water to expel from her lungs, which was lucky, but it continued to drain from her pelt. Her fur clung to her, the water falling from its tips in crystalline drops.

Yue was trained to keep her head in the midst of war and desecration. Something such as this would not unsteady her.

The spotted man seemed to have the same train of thought, regarding the rune’s ownership. Yue has suspected this would be an issue, and her nostrils flared imperceptibly at recognition of a contest. She let a beat pass before she responded.

“Fine.” she uttered briefly, knowing that ownership was relative. There was tangible ownership, which was useful indeed. However, intangible ownership was stronger.

If she could obtain knowledge, it would be the next best thing. If the mere knowledge of it could quell the uprisings in Tianlong, it would be more valuable than the real thing. If knowledge could save them from destruction, then it would be enough.

It all felt to be within the realm of her possibility, though she wavered on the efficacy of either. Whatever the Empress wanted was usually handed to her on an ivory plate. Anything that wasn’t, she was capable of assuming through keen stratagem.

“It is clearly not a rock.” she amended succinctly. Then, she pressed.

“You must know. You were looking for it.”

Yue reminded herself to smile and act with honor towards this stranger, just as he hiccuped.

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