set prior to 'dawn of a new era'

The morning chill was best chased off with purpose, Lian found. She was doing her best to adapt to this new normal she'd been tossed into. It wasn't so bad, except for all of the things that were far more difficult because she no longer had some of the luxuries afforded her at home, and all of the things she still had no answers for. Still, Lian was not the sort to be bogged down by those limitations. She instead focused her attention on ensuring her own stability, so she could then branch out and help the rest of the Dynasty find their footing. She was not a pushy wolf, but she was one of action - although she preferred an approach that was far more subtle than some others in her family.

The sun was directly overhead as she picked her way across the stepping-stone ruins of what had once been a sprawling...something, now more or less one with the nature surrounding it. Lian was cautious with her movements, loathe to dirty now-clean fur adorned with some tiny white flowers and two sprigs of diamond-shaped leaves tucked into the nape of her neck's fur. She felt as though she was dressed more casually than she might prefer, but any thoughts she had about that would inevitably lead her to missing, terribly, her handmaiden's detailed care, listening ear, the relaxing scald of a hot bath and incense, sharp and warming in the nose.

The princess dutifully bit back a sigh of nostalgia, instead turning her attention to what she could smell here, and now.

Was that...? Oh! Kexin? She called out a query.

Kexin could not rest, not when the world had been turned upside down. This was her job, tending to the wolves of Tianlong, and she was woefully underprepared now. It felt like a moral failing of sorts, to not have every single herb and poultice for every single possible ailment within arm's length, ready for her to grab.

The more logical side of her was at war with this misplaced guilt - how was she to be prepared when she was thrown into this world alongside everyone else? But that inner voice was louder:

You should have planned. Should have prepared. Should have known.

Should have.

Should have.

Should have.

But there was nothing to do about the past, so Kexin took it upon herself to plan for the future. This, of course, had caused several sleepless nights so far, and the constant movement had her leg acting up and exacerbated that limp - which, if it were anyone else, Kexin would have forced them to rest, but she was nothing if not a hypocrite.

It was during one of her short travels to search for herbs that she heard another familiar voice - one that sent a surge of affection and despair both through her. This was no place for the royal children, and yet, she could not help but be overjoyed to lay eyes on the gentler of Shenlei's girls.

"Princess Lian," she greeted, tone far warmer than it was with most. Blue eyes scanned the yearling over critically, seeking out injuries or oddities. "Are you well? Did you just wake here?" The girl might be confused, in that case. Was Kexin the first face she'd seen?

Kexin's keen blue gaze flitted across Lian, searching for even a hair out of place that might indicate oncoming illness or festering injury. Lian had known the physician her entire life, and never known the skilled, dutiful woman to ever miss a thorn in Lian's paw that she was trying to ignore, or a sniffle the princess was masking. Lian offered a warm smile in return, reassuring as her gilt eyes crinkled half-shut. I'm alright, Kexin, thank you. The princess was quick to try to put the healer's mind to rest.

I woke a little while ago - the Emperor was able to find me right away. Most lucky, that she had not awoken far across the strange continent, but of course, the Celestial Dragon wouldn't make such a mistake. I am still...finding my bearings, a bit. Mostly I am trying to determine who all we were blessed to have accompany us to this new world, and have a look around these ruins. Lian explained patiently, then let her ears tilt back slightly, expression warm. I am glad to see you with us, Kexin.

Lian was not always as forthwith about her ailments as Kexin would like - none of them were, the whole family, but she supposed that stubbornness was part of why she enjoyed their company so much. Unfortunately, that also meant that Kexin could not trust words alone, but nothing seemed amiss, and so she would let it go.

For now.

"You'll tell me if anything changes." It wasn't a request. Now was not the time to hide injuries or illness - not when things were so new and rocky.

A soft huff of something akin to laughter escaped her. "The Emperor found me right away, as well. It seems almost divinely orchestrated, doesn't it?" Kexin would never admit to it, but she was hardly a religious wolf. Still, the events of late had been enough to make her question that, if even in some small amount.

Her eyes softened in turn, affection evident in her expression and tone. "And I, you, Princess." A hint of teasing slipped into her voice, then: "Though I do wish it hadn't been in a swamp of all places. The sooner we leave, the better, in my opinion." Her muzzle wrinkled. "I could do without the mud between my toes."

You will tell me if anything changes. Spoken not in question, but as an order. The physician may have been permitted to speak to her so when Lian was still no more than a babe, but she was no babe anymore - more Imperial Princess than rogue youth, these days, from her perfumed fur to her prim demeanor. Lian was expected to act according to her divine blood and rank, and expected to expect to be treated as such.

And, there was a hint of teenaged rebellion within it all - that inkling of you're not my mom that all children were prone to at Lian's age.

Still, Lian was anything but eager to make an issue of it with everything so chaotic. The princess only permitted a wan smile upon her maw. You will be the first to know. She agreed.

Her head tilted slightly as Kexin continued. Almost divine? It is no surprise the Celestial Dragon would ensure the Tianlong remained united even through such a journey. She reassured Kexin earnestly, the matter of the woman's doubts about the divine not even crossing Lian's mind. Of course all within the Tianlong would believe in Heaven's hand in guiding their paths - only uneducated outsiders would fail to understand the real way the world worked.

The bare affection in Kexin's voice made the Princess smile warmly in kind. A light laugh followed as the physician continued; Lian had had her own unpleasant experiences with the marshes. I think it has its own kind of beauty, hidden but no less resplendent than any other place. Except, perhaps home. Even so...I find I agree with you wholeheartedly.

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Healer 3/5

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The smile she got in return was a weak one, but Kexin was pleased with the answer. Keeping all of them in good health was not an option at this point in time - where small things like colds or scrapes were easy to deal with back in their previous home, there was more danger here in the vast multitudes of unknowns the place held, as well as Kexin's lack of support from other healers and lack of access to her perfectly-organized stock of medicines.

Her ears perked at the girl's next words. "Yes, of course," she said, dipping her head. "I was just wondering why, I suppose. You know how we healers try to find a reason for everything," jested the woman after, tail swishing behind her. Kexin's personal beliefs were completely irrelevant in this situation, and speaking of them would only cause problems. Whether or not Kexin had faith like the others had no bearing on her loyalty or dedication, after all. The Emperor, his family, and their people were always Kexin's top priorities.

It was very like Lian to find beauty even in a place like this, but it did made Kexin look around with new eyes. They viewed the world differently, Kexin supposed. The healer was often too practical to think much on the aesthetics of a place, but now that she was looking about, she supposed the Princess was right.

"You view the world differently than I do," she told her thoughtfully. "I'll admit, I think this is the first time since arriving here I've thought to appreciate how this place looks." She inhaled slowly through her nose and let out a breath. "It isn't as beautiful as home, no, but it does have its own appeal, I suppose."

Kexin looked back at the girl, tilting her head to the side. "I wonder what kind of people used to live amongst these ruins." For clearly there had to have been someone, before. Structures like this didn't appear out of nowhere, and it was interesting to think about who might've been here before them. She wondered if the Princess had any ideas, or if this kind of imagining was even interesting to her.

Kexin was quick to agree with Lian, and the princess let the matter drop, assured they were on the same page. She smiled softly. Your curiosity is a vital part of your work - never lose your grasp upon it, Kexin.

You view the world differently than I do. The physician admitted. Lian shrugged agreeably. Our different perspectives make us valuable to one another. She proposed simply. I am fond of all the little pools everywhere, like daubs of paint or little jewels studded into an otherwise verdant tapestry. The princess turned to gesture to the stone and water and moss-riddled landscape unfurled before them. It was dense with color and texture. Not quite like home's detailed organization and resplendence. But it wasn't entirely unlike the more wild territory that sprawled beyond. I also love the stonework that you can see only the faintest echoes of. Whoever was here long ago put so much work into it, so much care. While they are gone, the care and effort and passion they put into the world still lingers here for everyone else who comes here to see and appreciate.

Lian paused. I have no idea what kind of people could have lived here and built all this. But I hope when I die, I leave as lasting an impression on the world as this place.