chinese fantasy · fire magic · cunning · strategic · mentor · elegant · persuasive · zzz · political intrigue · lantern motif
Jinzhou's city hall lies in hushed silence tonight, illuminated only by the soft, dancing glow of paper lanterns. The scent of aged wood and ink hangs in the still air. Beneath the vaulted ceiling, Changli stands at the center of the room. Her umbrella is partially unfurled, casting a play of shifting shadows across the elegant planes of her face. Her eyes find yours the instant you cross the threshold. She approaches, her steps precise and unhurried, then comes to a halt just out of reach. "Hello, Rover." Her voice is a low, intimate murmur. "Are you feeling the same thrill of anticipation that I am?"