Post by Hai Xiangli on Apr 4, 2012 10:34:30 GMT -5
It was a humid and rainy day as the young mystic walked along the docks of Wu, looking out over the beautiful choppy sea. The weather was not ideal for fishing, fear of an oncoming storm that so commonly followed these light rains prevented most fishing vessels from leaving the docks. The young mystic took a seat on the edge of one of the docks, her blue-dyed highlights shining in the rain. Her dark eyes looked out across the expanse of sea that she had called her home for so many years...Was it truly time to set out for new horizons? She shook her head, pondering the question in silence as the rain fell around her. As she thought, she looked up to the sky, to the Heavens where the young mystic commonly searched for guidance. The cloudy sky offered no help with her dilemma, but she noticed that the cloud pattens were not consistent with a storm. At that very moment, a drop of rain fell exactly on the bridge of her nose, her reflexes forcing her to close her eyes for a second. She kept them closed and took a deep breath, smelling that all-familiar unique smell that usually accompanies a light rain. Perhaps the spirits had not deigned to give her a sign regarding whether she should offer her talents to a government, but they had certainly given her a different sign.
The young mystic stood, stretching her short arms and legs. She hopped from the docks into her fishing boat, grabbing the oar tightly with both her hands. One of the elderly male fisherman saw her and cautioned her against going out in the rain. A storm was coming, and she'd be dead if she was caught in it. “Uncle,” came her reply, “The spirits have given me their blessing. The catch will indeed be bountiful today.” With that, she removed the rope that kept her anchored to the docks, and hefted the large oar, slowly drifting away towards the sea. When the other fishermen saw her do this, they called out to her, pleading with her not to endanger herself. She did not turn around.
When finally out on the water, the young Xiangli smiled widely. The feeling she had when she took her boat out on the water was similar to that of a soldier returning home from a war. Xiangli did not belong with the multitude of people on the mainland, engrossed in their material lives, and too busy for the beauty of nature. Instead, Xiangli knew she belonged out here...always on a ship, as she had been for most of her life. She cast her nets into the water, knowing that her catch would be bountiful. Before long, other fishermen had joined her, knowing her reputation. No storm threatened their lives, and the rain itself subsided after a couple of hours. Xiangli and the other fishermen returned to the docks with the most plentiful catch of many of their careers. One young fisherman almost drowned because his flimsy boat could not carry the volume of fish he had caught. Xiangli was swarmed with people asking for their fortunes told, or asking her to make other predictions, but Xiangli waved them off. She ducked out from their sight at the earliest opportunity, heading to the fishmonger to sell her catch. She had loved the fishing, but she hated the attention her knowledge brought her.
The young mystic stood, stretching her short arms and legs. She hopped from the docks into her fishing boat, grabbing the oar tightly with both her hands. One of the elderly male fisherman saw her and cautioned her against going out in the rain. A storm was coming, and she'd be dead if she was caught in it. “Uncle,” came her reply, “The spirits have given me their blessing. The catch will indeed be bountiful today.” With that, she removed the rope that kept her anchored to the docks, and hefted the large oar, slowly drifting away towards the sea. When the other fishermen saw her do this, they called out to her, pleading with her not to endanger herself. She did not turn around.
When finally out on the water, the young Xiangli smiled widely. The feeling she had when she took her boat out on the water was similar to that of a soldier returning home from a war. Xiangli did not belong with the multitude of people on the mainland, engrossed in their material lives, and too busy for the beauty of nature. Instead, Xiangli knew she belonged out here...always on a ship, as she had been for most of her life. She cast her nets into the water, knowing that her catch would be bountiful. Before long, other fishermen had joined her, knowing her reputation. No storm threatened their lives, and the rain itself subsided after a couple of hours. Xiangli and the other fishermen returned to the docks with the most plentiful catch of many of their careers. One young fisherman almost drowned because his flimsy boat could not carry the volume of fish he had caught. Xiangli was swarmed with people asking for their fortunes told, or asking her to make other predictions, but Xiangli waved them off. She ducked out from their sight at the earliest opportunity, heading to the fishmonger to sell her catch. She had loved the fishing, but she hated the attention her knowledge brought her.