The Mans Long Period Of Silence Rang Alarm Bells In Lucettes Mind. The Way His Head Tilted And His Eyes

The man’s long period of silence rang alarm bells in Lucette’s mind. The way his head tilted and his eyes looked distant for a bit before focusing on her was not natural. She would’ve been more disturbed by it but-

‘Let’s not have the pot calling a kettle black now, girl.’

Yes, she could not speak so boldly. When he spoke to her, he started talking about....some other odd place. 

“S...Spain? My apologies, but I have never heard of such a world. I am from the world of Valencia, ruled by the clockworks. I can most certainly assure you, I am no visitor. Or...at least, not willingly.”

She felt embarrassed admitting that but withholding too much information from someone who seems to know the place would not be very helpful in the long run.

“The Changbai Mountains? Am I somewhere in Mooshu?”

‘I have traveled Mooshu and have never heard of such a mountain range. He is either messing with you or we are truly further away than I thought.’

It seems so. She was in really deep trouble now. At the man’s answer of being a human and admitting he knew he didn’t look like one, Lucette’s body posture relaxed slightly, though she still kept her hands close to her side.

“My sincerest apologies for the rude question, Bi-Han. I have encountered many odd creatures in my life and have many magical enemies.”

Wouldn’t be very queenly to forget her manners, after all.

kingarise

The sound of someone else’s voice startled Lucette, causing her to yelp and whirl around, only to pause when she laid eyes on….what was talking to her.

’Well, that’s different.’

Different was putting it nicely. The man looked like a frost bitten corpse who had been dug up and dressed in Mooshu like clothing. Pale ashen skin with a blue tint, odd colored eyes, and the mask covering half of his face didn’t help. And that sickle hanging off his hip looked a bit too sharp in her opinion. She decided to answer the question but keeping her Royal title hidden. You never know.

”I….I am Lucette Favero of Valencia. Who is it that I am speaking to? And are you human or otherwise?”

Many would think that a rude question but considering her situation and the man’s odd appearance, Lucette thinks it’s a well deserved one. If he is a hoodoo possessed or controlled creature, she would rather know upfront than later. It didn’t help that he was wearing armor and she….wasn’t. She was dressed in Terrus’ shirt, Maria’s odd trousers she called “shorts” and odd shoes that Maria called “sneakers”. Nothing one would wear to a fight.

She kept one hand close to her hip, palm open, prepared to summon a fireball if he tried something.

‘Valencia? Isn’t that a city from the Earthrealm country of Spain?’ Though Bi-Han was admittedly more focused on the how, even with Saibot’s incredulous vocalization in his thoughts. 

Saying he was suspicious would not be wrong: her clothing, her claims of where she came from, nothing was adding up correctly. Unless, of course, she was thrown here by some sort of magic, nothing was really impossible in those realms. Though if that was the case - 

‘I swear if this was Quan Chi doing his bullshit again, I’m going to lose MY shit.’ 

‘Not possible, he is dead. We watched Hasashi tear his head off.’ 

Bi-Han scowled beneath his mask. Even his bloody name left a sour taste on his tongue. It was all thanks to that vile sorcerer that he was very nearly condemned to the fires of the Netherrealm, at the hands of the specter Scorpion and now Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi of the Shirai Ryu. Fucker deserved to die and more, lucky that Scorpion got to him before he did, or he wouldn’t just be losing his head. 

“You are quite a distance from Spain, girl. Did you get lost from your party of tourists?” For the sake of now, though, he’ll wear his nice little mask of civility. “It’s quite an awful month to be out here in the Changbai Mountains.” 

Her reaction to his appearance was… not unexpected, to say the least: “Bi-Han. I am a human, even if I may not look like one.”

Lucette: Oh just so you know, it's very muggy outside Artorias: Artorias: Lucette, I swear, if I step outside and all of our mugs are on the front lawn... Lucette: *Sips coffee from bowl*

Lucette: So that’s my plan. Ulysses: Are you alright with constructive criticism? I don’t want to sound mean. Lucette: No, go ahead, I want to hear it. Ulysses: It fucking sucks. Lucette: That’s not constructive criticism.

Lucette watched in amazement and wonder as the man conjured a portal out of a small amulet. She’s never seen magic like that before.

‘Not bad. For a human.’

And there is Miss Raincloud, raining on her parade. Lucette rolled her eyes as Bi-Han stepped through the portal and, unthinkingly, stepped in right behind him. Only to let out a loud shriek when she fell face first into bonechilling snow and ice. Popping her head up, she coughed out the mouthful of snow that got into her mouth, blinking and looking around.

She was in a fucking ice tundra. This man took her from a mildly cold climate to a fucking winter wonderland! 

‘That’s what you get for being so trusting.’

‘You’re not helping.” She growled as she dug herself out of the hole she made, realizing with a growing dread that something was very wrong. Her clothes were completely and utterly soaking wet from the snow. And the polar wind was blowing hard. Lucette quickly felt her body temperature begin to drop, her fingers and toes quickly going numb with a faint burning sensation and her teeth chattering in her mouth. If she wasn’t miserable before, she sure was now. Looking up, she saw that they were standing in front of some sort of Mooshu-like palace, Bi-Han speaking speaking to two people a few feet in front of them.

Huffing an annoyed breath, she stomped a path through the snow, each step sending a shockwave up her bare legs as the ice seeped further into the now ruined sneakers, walking up behind him and now sending a mild glare at the back of his head. Now she’s 10x more suspicious of him.

‘You think he brought you here to let the environment kill you less than 10 feet away from his home?’ Lucette could hear the incredulous tone she was using and turned her head to the wall and stuck her tongue out, imagining that she was doing it in her direction.

“I have just cause to believe so.” Lucette murmured haughtily before turning back to Bi-Han.

“Thanks for the warning of the weather, sir.” It was hard to keep her sarcasm out of her voice. But then again, she’s freezing, she’s wet, can’t feel her appendages and is away from home and starving. She deserves some sarcasm.

kingarise

Lucette pouted as she recognized the look on the man, Bi-Han’s, face. It was a look she was well acquainted with. Exasperation.

‘If he’s exhausted dealing with you now, just wait til something happens and you go charging in as usual.’

What a pest. The confused and odd look Bi-Han gave her didn’t help matters, either. How can he not know what Mooshu and Valencia were? The most famous worlds in the Spiral?! Lucette was astonished when he told her that she was in a place called Earthrealm, blue eyes growing wide in wonder.

“Earthrealm? As in…..Earth? Maria’s original home?”

Lucette looked around with a new appreciation, her mouth open in shock. That explained why none of the animals talked here.

“It looks…..nice? Where are the giant trees? And waterfalls? and all the shiny moving things? The ones that she says carries people on the ground?”

Lucette stopped herself before she asked too many questions. She stared at Bi-han in surprise when he told her that he will take her to where he and his brother lived.

“Really?! That would be great! Since I…uh….don’t know how to get back to my own home.”

She felt embarrassed admitting that to a total stranger but since the stranger was helping her and making sure she didn’t freeze to death, she felt it was only fair she admits that.

That could be a problem down the road. 

But a problem down the road. Bi-Han detached his amulet from where it was clipped on his belt - an identical medallion to the one Kuai Liang wore - holding it outwards as a portal of swirling purple energy opened: a gust of wind from Arctika blowing through.

‘Your brother is going to have a fit when he finds that you’ve adopted a stray.’ 

‘Not helpful.’ He groaned, rubbing his temples as he steps through the portal into the frozen plains of Arctika. Home sweet home, a few decades ago he would never think he would be so glad to see the Lin Kuei temple again. The former Grandmaster was surely rolling over in his grave, and hopefully, the bastard Sektor as well. 

Bi-Han exhaled, his breath coming out a cold puff of fog from behind the mask. Those tall stone walls and structures resembling an ancient Chinese palace was growing on him. The double doors of the temple swings open as he approaches, two of the students bowing their heads: “Grandmaster Liang.” 

“Where is my brother? Still got his nose buried in a pile of work as per usual?” 

“Grandmaster Kuai Liang is in the dojo, overseeing the training of the newer recruits. He has asked that you join him for dinner tonight, said that it would do you good to breathe air outside of your room for once.” The words made Bi-Han snort. Good little brother, always looking out for him even through all his prudish ways: a hand lifting to catch a flake of snow landing in his palm. 

Lucette mused over the events that happened to her in the past few hours as she tied the odd sash of the uniform she was given around her waist.

“Kuai Liang and Bi-Han. We’re definitely not in the Spiral anymore but everything here reminds me of Mooshu. Even....whatever I’m wearing now has bits and pieces of Mooshu design.” 

Lucette wasn’t too fond of what she had to wear. It wasn’t a dress or even a robe or a jacket! It was some odd tight sleeveless bodysuit in a dark gray color with some odd medallion on the chest and long elbow length black gloves. All in all, not something Lucette has ever seen before, even in Mooshu. When wearing it, she felt like she was naked! The blue sash didn’t really help either, so she just decided to wear it as a belt.  ‘At least its something. I think you look lovely in it. Highlights all of your curves well.’ Lucette looked in the mirror, frowning at her reflection 

 "That’s what I DON’T want. I look...odd in this uniform."

‘Well, that’s all you’re getting until after dinner. So stop whining and let’s go. I’ll lead.’ Lucette grumbled under her breath as her legs took her out of her room and down the hall, the sound of chatter and noise growing louder. Entering the dining hall, Lucette was left standing by the entrance as feeling finally returned to her legs, now back in control. Except, now Lucette was entirely frozen as a feeling similar to a lamb walking into a den of lions overtook her. 

“Great, what do I do now?” She mumbled, partially to herself. The air brushing against her body in places it normally wouldn’t and the tight material lining to her skin made her feel like everyone was staring at her. She’d never thought she’d say this but she missed her polonaise and panniers.

‘You are so dramatic over nothing’

kingarise

“I have never heard of the Lin Kuei before. And yes, your brother found me……and then forgot about me.” She was still not over that. She has never seen such a short attention span before in her life!

“Saibot, hmmm. His shadow huh? But he seems to think independently from Bi-Han. Much more helpful.” Lucette has never seen such an odd entity as Saibot before. Ghosts, zombies, clockworks, werewolves, vampires, yes. But that? Never. Lucette pouted and let out a low groan of annoyance when she was told that she couldn’t take a bathe until after dinner. Her royal upbringing was screaming in terror and horror.

“After dinner?!”

‘Oh, stop whining. At least he’s giving you better clothing. It’s not like you’re sweaty or smell right now. You can just eat dinner quickly and then take a bath.’

Lucette frowned at the internal scolding she received but didn’t argue as she knew the voice was right. She was lucky to get new clothes and food. She’ll just have to take a long bath after dinner. “Very well. I understand……Who are you?” She completely forgot to ask for the man’s name before.

“Kuai Liang, Bi-Han is my older brother. I am the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei clan of assassins.” -

Bi-Han folded his legs beneath him, regarding the plates set before him. Pork belly, fried fish, some steamed vegetables and rice. A true feast fit for a king! Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to have his little brother handle most of the important things, after all.

‘I can hear your thoughts, you want a dessert after this.’

The cryomancer paused, rolling his eyes: ‘Shut up, bastard.’

He scooped a spoonful of rice up, sprinkled with broth. Everyone else were fortunately too busy conversing amongst themselves to notice his little… distraction. Elder gods above did he adore him, but this is one of those times when he sincerely wished that he could yank him out and shut him up properly.

“Got you a little something, since you did cut your little break short.” Kuai winked with a gesture at the bottle on the elder cryomancer’s table, Bi-Han quirking his brow in return. It was not like Kuai Liang to allow emotions out, much less when in public: who is this man and what did he do to his stiff-backed little brother?

“I have never heard of the Lin Kuei before. And yes, your brother found me......and then forgot about me.” She was still not over that. She has never seen such a short attention span before in her life!

“Saibot, hmmm. His shadow huh? But he seems to think independently from Bi-Han. Much more helpful.” Lucette has never seen such an odd entity as Saibot before. Ghosts, zombies, clockworks, werewolves, vampires, yes. But that? Never. Lucette pouted and let out a low groan of annoyance when she was told that she couldn’t take a bathe until after dinner. Her royal upbringing was screaming in terror and horror.

“After dinner?!”

‘Oh, stop whining. At least he’s giving you better clothing. It’s not like you’re sweaty or smell right now. You can just eat dinner quickly and then take a bath.’

Lucette frowned at the internal scolding she received but didn’t argue as she knew the voice was right. She was lucky to get new clothes and food. She’ll just have to take a long bath after dinner. “Very well. I understand......Who are you?” She completely forgot to ask for the man’s name before.

kingarise

Lucette tilted her head curiously as the shadow being pointed at the door, glancing over and giving him a questioning glance. What does that mean? She was about to ask but was interrupted by a knock on the door and another tall man entering. He sort of resembled Bi-Han so she assumes he’s a relative, only to wiggle in smug pride when it was confirmed on him calling Bi-Han his brother. ‘Wow, you know context clues! Good for you!’ There’s always someone hating in the background. Lucette blinked owlishly up at the man, only for her expression to twist into an annoyed look, her mouth twisting up into a pout as she arched her brow at him. “Oh? He didn’t forget about my existence again? I’m amazed.” She knew she shouldn’t be sassy, but she can’t help it. He put her in a polar environment with little to no warning!

Her expression fell, sadness overcoming her at the , rather rude and harsh, reminder that she had no way to get back to her home. Her Uncle and Maria were probably worried out of their minds. And Maria is probably gonna take the blame. Biting her lip, she pushed back the tears and steeled herself, reminding herself that one way or another, she was going to find a way home. Be it now, tomorrow or even 50 years.

“Yes, I am Princess Lucette Favero of the world of Valencia. I had accidentally teleported myself to your world while I was attempting to do a magic spell that I wasn’t prepared for. I appreciate your generosity in allowing me to remain here in your home. I know that I probably sound crazy to you, as it seems magic isn’t the same here as it is in my world, but its true.” She explained, crossing her arms. She decided to reveal her royal title as it has now been confirmed that these people will be her allies for now. Might as well be honest.

“You’re quite a distance away from your kingdom, princess.” Kuai arched an eyebrow, thick arms crossed over his chest. “This is Arctika, home of the Lin Kuei. Since you’re already acquainted with my brother Bi-Han, this is his - ”

Saibot had to roll his eyes then.

“ - Shadow, Saibot.”

‘More than that, but that’ll traumatize the poor little Tundra if you found out.’

Hopefully Bi-Han heard that, would snap his arse back to attention quicker than anything else. He was his world, literally his other half, though to say that he was dense would be an understatement: there was a brain in there where it counted, just not where common sense was needed be. Truly, how does one forget that they had a guest with them as soon as they came home? A miracle, that is, what would he be without him there.

“I’ll have one of my recruits bring you some fresh clothes for dinner, no baths until after dinner though.” Kuai nods, blue eyes turning between him and Lucette. “Get back to my brother before he does some stupid shit.”

‘Don’t have to tell me twice.’ While he could technically stay separated from Bi-Han for up to a few hours, leaving too long just felt wrong. The lights were too bright and agitation bubbled deep within, the shadow portal he had summoned closing with Kuai exiting the room.