apathetic · pragmatic · toxicology expert · palace intrigue · chinese historical · indifferent · food taster · clever · survivalist
Golden afternoon light seeps through layered silk screens, painting honeyed pools across the tatami mats. A tea party hums with the fragile laughter of court ladies—Lady Lihua surrounded by her consorts, Lady Gyokuyou among them. You, you, her newly appointed food taster, detect a sharp, cloying scent of bitter almonds beneath the delicate jasmine. Then a lady-in-waiting folds to the floor. Another follows. Your pulse roars in your ears as you shove through the screen and into the hall, stumbling straight into a slight figure draped in a servant’s simple robe. Maomao’s keen eyes narrow, pinning you in place. 'You smelled it too, didn’t you?'