His Zen was acting odd. Eating extra at breakfast was an exciting surprise, but at the same time, it made him incredibly nervous. He'd never seen him eat so much without being begged to. Then he actually drank half a cup of tea during their meeting with the empress, too. Qi couldn't figure it out as he walked calmly with his hands behind his back, his sweet servant at his side, yet the slightest bit behind him. The young man was oddly silent, but of course, not in a way that one could hear. In all honesty, his Zen talked quite a lot, though his words never came from his lips. His eyes, on the other hand...

Unable to help himself, Qi glanced over his shoulder and met Zen's soft stare.

His eyes say so much more than anyone's mouth ever could.

And that was also why he was worried. His Zen, the boy that he had practically raised since he was a boy, kept averting his eyes whenever they met his, as if he were a nervous child that had done something wrong.

I want to sit him down and talk, but it will have to wait.

They had been heading for the market with prince Yuen, as per his mother's request. Unfortunately, right as they'd been leaving the front palace gates, the other prince had been called away by his father. He had no doubt that they might be targeted again during their outing, and that the prince was removed as an obstacle, but he wasn't going to stress about it. He had his barriers up and Zen's ability was also working well. Thankfully, the bustling area wasn't too far from the palace, either, and there were quite a few more places to hide than the market they had first been attacked in when they'd arrived in the country.

Quite a few food stalls were set up as they entered the sprawling lanes of booths, making Qi silently wish that Zen was able to eat more than a few bites every couple of days. Feeling a tug on his sleeve, he quickly pushed his previous thoughts away and offered Zen a warm smile. When he realized that he was pointing somewhere and silently asking him to follow, Qi nodded and did so.

Ah, candied hawthorn.

It was his favorite street food treat. Wanting to see Zen smile, Qi quickly bought himself one with the money the empress had gifted them. Once he had received the treat, he turned and began walking again, taking Zen's hand as they entered a busier section.

"Thank you for finding this for me. It's delicious," he said as he glanced at his guard, who's smile was undeniable.

It was definitely a good idea to stop using the mask.

That's what he thought, until he realized that quite a few other people were also staring at his guard.

Perhaps it was not my best idea, after all.

He would have to reconsider. He still got to see the man in private all he wished. Yes, he would definitely have to reconsider keeping the mask off. Another tug on his sleeve drew his attention as Zen walked ahead of him slightly, silently requesting that he follow again.

Anywhere you wish, my Zen.

They walked toward another stall that had a wide variety of folding fans. Each one was more beautiful than the next, and as the owner of the booth went on about how each one was hand painted and completely original, Qi couldn't bring himself to care for a single word. His full attention was on his Zen as he carefully and gently examined the items that caught his eye with a look of wonder on his face.

Qi wanted to ask if he'd like one, but he knew what the man's answer would be. He truly was completely devoted to him. Anything that he liked was second best to finding something his master wanted. However... now that he thought about it. Zen had never brought me over to the fan booths before. He would always just look at them from afar or sneak a few feet away while I was browsing herbs at a neighboring stall.

That realization nearly brought tears to his eyes. Unfortunately, he must have showed some sort of concerning expression on his face in that moment, because Zen hurried back to him, a worried look on his own.

"You are far too sweet," he said before taking his hand and tugging him back to the booth.

The fans weren't really his thing, but anything that Zen wanted so openly, he wished to gift him.

"Her highness gave us quite a sum to spend. I know that we don't usually buy anything we don't truly need, but I think we can bend that habit, just for today," he said as he walked over and after several moments, carefully selected a beautiful white fan with a golden design painted throughout its right side that he'd seen Zen eyeing previously.

Flipping it over, an incredibly delicate bird feather made from calligraphy spanned half of the other side. Holding it up, he showed both sides to Zen, then tilted his head in question. He didn't want to make him think that the one he was offering was the only one he could pick, but he also knew that if he told him to pick one, he probably would just say that he didn't need it.

Thankfully, Zen seemed ecstatic and after only a slight bit of hesitation, gratefully accepted the gift. Once paid for, Qi made sure to have Zen walk right beside him, and maybe a tiny bit in front. He reasoned that it was for protection, because that was the only way he was going to get Zen to agree, but in all honesty, he just wanted to watch his excited expression every time he opened and closed his fan. He had no doubt that he loved its beauty, but because Zen was a master of wind magic, it would be quite useful to him as a tool, too. Especially once he was able to unlock his spiritual energy again. Just the thought of what he'd had to do made Qi's stomach uneasy, but he refused to let it bring down his mood.

They walked for quite some time before coming across a play that was taking place in one of the small openings. It made him nervous, but since Zen seemed interested, he decided to watch it with him from within the throng of people.

It was already halfway over, but the story seemed to be a common one about a lovestruck prince and a princess. Instead of watching it, he focused on those around them. No one really appeared out of place, but that was what had him on edge.

Feeling a light squeeze from Zen's hand against his own, Qi acknowledged him by returning the gesture. He knew that something was off, too. He felt his guard's ability strengthen as it spread deeper throughout the area. Another squeeze to his fingers came a few moments later, but this time it was more focused on the right side.

Very well then.

Without wasting another moment, they both hurried through the crowd, ducking into an alleyway to their left as sounds of screaming began to meet their ears. They dropped their joined hands in order to speed up, and while Qi knew that Zen could outpace him, the man never dared go ahead in times of danger.

I truly wish you would, though.

They turned to the right, leaping over barrels of what smelled like fish, then took a right turn at the next possible opening. That lead them down a short alleyway, but unfortunately, they were forced to skid to a halt as a massive, feathered beast walked into view at the end. It's body appeared to be that of a lion's, but all four feet were built like a bird's while its head was pointed and scaled like a crocodile.

It's attention snapped toward them with an echoing hiss that matched the sound now coming from behind them. They both drew their swords and pressed their backs to each others', ready to fight. The beast from behind them charged first, its massive jaws parting widely as it ran forward. Zen took the initiative and lunged, but right as he was about to catch its upper jaw with his blade, it darted to the side, leaped onto the dirty wall there, then surged for Qi as its claws scrambled over the bricks as if it were a spider.

He was ready, of course, but it turned out that Zen had been one step ahead of the beast's trick, because before it could even get close to him, a sharp gust of wind slammed into it, sending it sailing into the other one that had been slower to approach. They recovered quickly, but Qi had his light barrier set up before they could attack again.

Why does it feel like we are being tested?

A sound from above caught his attention, drawing his eyes upward as two more creatures began crawling over the edge of the roof of the home beside them. There was no need to announce their presence, since Zen already had a sensory field up in the area. He would have likely signaled their approach if he had thought it worthwhile. He noticed that his partner already had his new fan unfurled, too, and that excited grin on his face...

"I'll let you handle them," Qi said with a nod of his head.

Zen's grin widened as he turned his attention to the ones above them. One was just in the process of jumping down while the other's mouth began to ooze a black, slimy substance. His guard flicked his fan opened and closed once, seemingly testing it, then took a step backward right before swinging it forward with as much effort as he could muster. It looked as if he were literally pushing something physical with the device that no one but him could see... and that deduction seemed to prove true, because, before the monster above them could even hit the ground, it was cut into a hundred pieces.

It's pieces rained down before them into a bloody pile of steaming body parts. The one that had been climbing over the edge of the roof was now missing its front half, too, which joined its predecessor's in pieces at Zen's feet.

The expression his partner's face held was nothing but exhilaration as he turned and rushed the two remaining creatures. They didn't seem able to understand the danger, and soon, they were also reduced to smoldering piles of flesh. If Qi had been a young lad, he might have literally swooned at such a show of strength. As it were, when Zen came bounding back to him after having folded and returned his fan to his belt, right beside prince Yuen's seal, Qi tugged him into a strong hug and patted his head.

"Very well done, my Zen. You never cease to amaze me."

Zen quickly reached out and took one of his hands once he was released, turning it palm-up so that he could write.

"There were more but they retreated."

Qi nodded and turned his hand around so that he could take Zen's, then began walking back the way they had come. He had no doubt in his mind now, because of what Zen had said, that the creatures had been sent to test them. If they hadn't bought that fan, they might have been a little harder to deal with, but with it? They stood no chance.

It saddens me that I did not think of getting him such a spiritual device sooner.

Sneaking a glance sideways as they finally stepped back out into the throng of bustling people, he couldn't help but notice the glow on Zen's face. He was still feeling the excitement from the battle he'd easily won, but Qi had no doubt that much of his elation was from the fact that he now had a spiritual device that truly helped him with the skills he'd struggled with for most of his life.

With no help from you... feeding him light energy.

A squeeze against his hand from Zen's brought him out of his thoughts. The expression on his guard's face was easy to read. He'd noticed that he wasn't happy all of a sudden.

"I'm fine, I promise. Just thinking some things over," Qi said as he headed for a booth that had caught his eye.

"How about we find something nice for the empress? Maybe even her troublesome son, too?" he said with a chuckle as he reached up to take down a pendant for a closer look.

He'd noticed that during their first visit, the empress had worn very little in terms of jewelry. She'd had on a simple yet beautiful gold hairpin, a few silver rings, and a necklace with a large ruby in the middle. Compared to all of the other court ladies they'd spotted since arriving in the country, she was adorned the least.

And she looked the best for it.

He wasn't saying that wearing accessories made one less desirable, but he was never one for unnecessary items. Turning to glance at his Zen, he felt his lips lift into a calm smile. He could appreciate true beauty in every form.

Feeling something slip into his hair, Qi blinked out of his thoughts, again. He kept doing that... definitely needed to stop. They needed their wits about themselves. When Zen leaned away, Qi tilted his head, feeling the item that had been settled within his hair above his left ear.

A pin of sorts?

He reached up to retrieve it, but Zen quickly grabbed his hand with both of his own, a mischievous but playful look on his face. Unable to help himself, Qi smiled and lowered his arm.

"Very well then. I accept your gift," he said as he paid the vendor who was waiting for them to decide. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew that Zen wouldn't try to embarrass him in any way.

They proceeded to search for something that the empress and her son would like, and eventually found a booth selling scents. The cinnamon scent that they'd smelled when they'd walked into the empress's home reminded him that she may like something like that.

Both of them took their time trying to pick out a scent they thought she'd like and eventually ended up with cinnamon apple. They already knew she loved cinnamon, and while they'd been at her home, Qi had noticed quite a few baskets of apples placed about here or there. He tucked away the little box of incense sticks, then took Zen's hand again to continue on their way. He honestly wasn't too sure about what to get the other prince, if he was being completely honest. The only thing he could think of him liking so far were birds. Zen seemed just as stumped as he was, because they couldn't very well get the man an actual bird. Sure, there were plenty for sale, but to just buy another creature for someone without them even knowing of it first? He didn't agree with that kind of situation.

They left without their second intended gift, returning back home as the sun began to set. That's when he noticed Zen begin to change again. He kept his eyes averted unless directly spoken to and just seemed nervous.

I definitely need to sit down with him.

In fact, the moment they walked in the door Qi set down the item they'd bought for the empress, noted their dinner had been brought in and set on the table, then turned. His sweet servant looked as if he were about to go into battle. Sighing, Qi sat himself down on the edge of the bed, then patted the spot beside him. Zen immediately gave a strict bow, then sat properly and stiffly beside him. Not wanting to jump too far ahead of the situation, Qi first reached up and pressed his hand to Zen's forehead.

Not hot... nor even a little uncomfortably-warm.

"What is wrong, Zen? You know that you can talk to me about anything. I will not be upset, nor will I judge you," he said honestly.

He expected his guard, his servant, to at least give him some sort of response, but instead of asking for his hand to write on, he turned away.

I am sorry, sweetheart, but no more of this.

Reaching over, Qi took Zen's face between his hands and gently made his head turn to look at him.

"Zen... please, whatever it is, we can work it out together."

The young man before him just stared with confused, worried eyes.

"Zen... please," he begged.

They remained staring at one another for far, far too long. Until, finally, Zen licked his lips the slightest bit, then leaned forward and pressed them softly against Qi's.