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Nor could Yue sleep, but it was not nightmares that plagued her.

Once in her life, grand festivals were commonplace. They seemed to be the way to celebrate anyone who had come to visit – a banquet, gifts, dances, performances – and to be so suddenly submerged in all of the things she had once held so dear, had nearly put her under a spell.

It was like being home once more, and not in Verdant’s Grace, and not Tianlong of old. It was like home-home, the Liangqiu palace, where she was raised. It was all so different, of course, but in so many ways it was the same.

No, Yue could not sleep when all was so thrilling!

She tried not to be open about how amazed she was, wondering if it would make her seem too inexperienced and virginal in the ways of the world. And, in many ways, yes it was true! She knew her court and she knew the ways of Tianlong, but anything beyond the threshold of her palace was unfamiliar.

The woman broadened her worldview with every step she took.

The Eastern Empress walked the grounds, having missed her communion with the moon. It was dreadful that so much endless travel could afford the nighttime to be spent sleeping; and those nights she could not find sleep, she knew that she must at least feign rest, knowing it would be all that fueled the next day of walking.

But with their stay with Ravorn, came several days and nights of rest and gaiety. The prey and other foods were all but chewed for her, and there were many others to take the attention off of her own gravid self.

On this night, when sleep evaded her, she knew she could do far more than lay in bed, inert and eyes closed, hoping that meditation could be a good replacement for dreams. She had so much to tell the moon; and the moon was waiting for her.

Near the outskirts of the territory, she found someone else – she called herself Empress, and adorned herself in wisteria. It was all she knew of the woman, the most surface details; but it seemed that their surface details reflected one another so clearly. It was most intriguing. Probably part of the spell of this place...

“Salutations, Empress," the orchid greeted, believing she had heard notes of Lady Kaede's own language passed amongst others at the formal celebration. Fur gleaming bright, her head dipped in deference; this was not the first time she had greeted one who led another dynasty, and it would not be the last.

“What a pleasure it is to know you. I am Téng Yuè, Empress of Tianlong Dynasty."

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