Light flared, pale and green, arcs crawling along the lines of the revealed formation array like viridian lightning. Bai Meizhen swerved hard to the right, liquid coils bunching beneath her as she launched her body out of the way, leaving a sidewiding pattern in the sand beneath. The blast as the array went off shook the cavern, and red hot ceramic pellets, burning with potent qi, sprayed in every direction. Her open hand whipped out, catching a dozen fragments between her fingers, while a dozen more hissed by bare millimeters from contact.

Ahead was the gate, twin pillars of red wood, marking the paths end, coming together in an ornate arch hung with glowing lanterns. But her eyes could not miss the faintest glimmer of thread that stretched, subtly from the pillars. In the split second she had to consider, Bai Meizhen made her choice and dove down and forward, the inky black water of her artificial tail snapping behind her. Sand and stone rippled like water as she seamlessly became one with the stone. Whipping through the sightless darkness, sensing her surroundings by qi and vibration alone, she passed under the gate.

And straight through a distortion in the rock that she did not feel until the ripple of qi caressed her skin. She had no more than instant to react, gathering her mantle about herself as the formation trap went off, transforming stone into a diabolical pressurized chemical bomb. Her liquid shell rippled and hissed and steamed on contact as the pressure forced her back to the surface, past the gate, where she saw the figure of her opponent waiting at the end.

She shed her sphere of now tainted waters, letting it splash, hissing to the sand below as she landed in a crouch before the tall and heavily clothed figure.

“Completion. Thirty four seconds slower than my time,” Bao Qingling said. Dark goggles with smoked lenses were pushed up on her forehead. Bai Meizhen could see the pale circles left around her eyes, clean of the soot that marked the rest of her face. “Though, I almost got you at the end.”

Bai Meizhen narrowed her eyes imperiously, glancing back at the water she had left behind, slowly soaking into the sand. Particularly the colored tint of it. “You tried to dye me pink,” she accused.

Bao Qingling looked down at her evenly, but Bai Meizhen knew her well enough to recognize the twitch at the corner of her lips. Bai Meizhen’s eyes narrowed even more, dangerous slits of golden glow. “It’s important for a marked hit to be clear, no. Seems that solution needs further adjustments, if it was unable to dilute properly and seep through qi changed liquids of your level.”

“I have no interest in such technical details in the moment,” Bai Meizhen said haughtily, crossing her arms. “I was promised a reward should I complete your course unmarked on the first try. I demand that you fulfill your oath, Bao Qingling.”

Bao Qingling pursed her lips. “Later, this-”

“No, you will pay your debts this instant,” Bai Meizhen replied challengingly.

The other girl let out a breath through her nose. “...Fine.”

Bai Meizhen’s heart beat more quickly as Qingling stepped up, looming over her. Hands gloved in soft, supple leather caressed her cheeks, slid into her hair. Held her, steady and insistent. And then their lips met. Harsh, hot, Qingling’s lips tasted of warm ash and prickling paralytic venom that lit her nerves afire.

She leaned into her lovers kiss as those hands slid down her uncrossed arms, then under. Bai Meizhen wrapped her arms around Qingling’s neck as the other girls arms wrapped around her back, lifting her up until her feet barely touched the ground.

Bai Meizhen may have made a deeply undignified sound as Qingling held her there for a seemingly endless moment. They did finally break apart though, and Bai Meizhen found herself sucking in a breath, almost panting like a mortal as she leaned against Qingling’s chest.

“You wore that lip paint I suggested,” Bai Meizhen teased, raising her hand to her own tingling lips. The cosmetic’s mixed from the venom of powdered shell of the Heart Shredding Coral of the northern bay were in vogue right now, and she could understand why.

It had been embarrassing when her teacher had idly brought the matter up in keeping her abreast of developments at court, but as an Ambassador, her teacher most certainly had some inklings of her doings, and likely thought it fine for a girl her age to indulge a little. The diplomatic services were often staffed by clan members who interpreted propriety a little more loosely.

Bao Qingling, took a deep breath herself, her hands remaining on Bai Meizhen’s back. “I had confidence in you.”

“Does that mean you would have held back if I failed?” Bai Meizhen asked, tilting her head up.

“Maybe. Rewards should be earned,” Bai Qingling replied. Her hands drew back, Bai Meizhen felt a finger tap on her shoulder.

She stepped back, knowing now that Qingling was still… uncomfortable with prolonged contact. They had to do their best to accommodate one another. Even if she was feeling terribly flustered now. “Cruel woman,” she huffed.

“A high compliment from a Lady of your stature,” Qingling replied, tugging her goggles back down over her eyes. Bai Meizhen was not the only one effected then. “Your thoughts on the course?”

“Simple, but effective for pure reaction and movement. We are at near its edge of effectiveness,” Bai Meizhen said, running her fingers through her hair as she turned away. She probably looked a bit… rumpled.

“Intended target base is the Early and Appraisal realms, building to this expense isn’t profitable,” Bao Qingling grunted, passing her to wave a hand, and pull down the multitude of threads which remained across the obstacle course. “Good for testing my combat solutions.”

Bai Meizhen followed after her, eyeing the pools of pink tinged water. “Permeation is certainly effective against less solid defenses.”

“Your idea, your toxic rains seep into everything they touch, need to explore that as a delivery vector.”

“”Glad to inspire,” Bai Meizhen sniffed, walking beside her. “Have you given thought to my other proposal?”

“Dangerous,” Qingling said tersely. “What reason do we have to be publicly out together?”

“As your client, is it not obvious that you should ply me with shows of luxury and status?” Bai meizhen asked impishly. It was a little risky, but… she wanted to go out with her…. What did the commoners call it? Girlfriend.

Bao Qingling rubbed their lips absently, a tilt of her head, not looking, but sensing. “I will look into it. See if there are any local possibilities. Can’t travel now, too much preparation.”

“Understood,” Bai Meizhen said, carefully reaching out to entwine their fingers. Light enough contact not to bother Qingling. “Please, don’t strain yourself on my account.”

“Hn,” a wordless grunt is what she got back, but Bai Meizhen recognized deep consideration for what it was, and took no offense.