The sun had only begun to warm the mountain air when the courtyard echoed with the soft scrape of a broom. A thin mist still clung to the edges of the stone path, curling away in lazy ribbons as the light strengthened. Theo moved in steady, practiced strokes, sweeping away fallen petals and fine dust that had gathered overnight. The faint perfume of plum blossoms drifted down from the branches overhead, mingling with the crisp scent of morning dew. His loose sleeves shifted with each motion, forearms firm and sure from years of physical work, the rhythmic swish of bristles a quiet heartbeat against the stillness.
The sliding door to the guest quarters opened with a gentle clack, and Seraphine stepped out, her silver hair tumbling freely over her shoulders like a spill of moonlight in daylight. She breathed in deeply, stretching with a feline grace before descending the veranda steps, her bare feet silent on the polished wood. Sunlight caught in her hair, turning its strands to liquid silver. She picked up another broom resting against the wall and joined him,
"You don't mind if I join you, right?"
"Yes, but don't get too close."
"Why can't I get close?" Seraphine suddenly hugged Theo from behind, pressing her full softness against his back.
"It's embarrassing to say."
"Why? Tell me, tell me. I want to know."
"I'll get hard."
"Puahaha." Seraphine clutched her stomach. "That's hilarious. Fine. I won't get close because our servant will get horny. Don't tell me you didn't get any sleep last night either?"
"I didn't."
"Hahaha. I'm tearing up."
"So don't come any closer, just stay right there."
A passing breeze stirred the remaining petals, scattering a few into the air before they landed in the neat pile Theo had made. When the last of them was gathered, he leaned the broom aside and crossed to the wooden stand where a sheathed sword rested. The cord slipped free beneath his fingers, and the blade slid free with a clean, ringing note. Sunlight raced down the steel in a single, blinding line.
He began a slow sequence. Each cut, turn, and thrust moved like water shaping stone. deliberate yet fluid. His breathing stayed even, shoulders loose, the blade humming softly as it split the morning air. There was no wasted movement; every step and shift of his stance spoke of long practice and discipline born from routine.
Seraphine sat on a step, chin resting lightly in her hand as she watched him. The elegance of it seemed to weave something in the air. A beauty that was not just in the sword, but in the man wielding it.
When the sequence ended, Theo sheathed the sword in one smooth motion and returned it to its stand.
"Theo, I didn't know this before, but you're really strong."
"It comes with time."
"You should totally come to the Academy with me!"
"I'm happy with my life here."
"I think there's a lot of amazing things you need to see out there."
The clink of tableware soon replaced the sound of steel. They gathered in the dining room where Yue waited, already seated at the low table. A kettle steamed gently beside her, the scent of freshly brewed tea mingling with the earthy fragrance of mountain herbs drifting from the dishes. The light filtering through the paper screens painted soft gold patterns across the polished wood. Theo served Yue first, his hands steady and careful, then passed dishes to Seraphine.
"Rice and fried fish?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No… There's no problem at all. I love it."
"I see. Please enjoy the meal."
They ate in the quiet company of clinking chopsticks and the occasional rustle of clothing. After the meal, Theo rose to continue his duties, slipping seamlessly back into the calm rhythm of the shrine. Seraphine, however, stood quickly, chasing after him through the corridor.
"Theo. Theo!"
"Yes?"
"There's a huge problem."
"Hold on a second, don't step any closer."
"???"
"Now please continue."
"I've been here for 3 days. I've been eating steamed rice and fish everyday I can't take it anymore."
"What's wrong with rice and steamed fish?"
"You don't see anything wrong with it because your brain is rotted away by the shrine but I am different! I need some variety. Show me to the kitchen."
"Very well, follow me."
The kitchen greeted them with the faint smell of old cedar and herbs drying in the rafters. Clay jars lined the shelves, each labeled in careful brushstrokes. Seraphine moved like a general inspecting troops, opening every cabinet, peering into baskets, and lifting lids from jars.
"Good. Looks like we have everything we need."
"What are you going to make?"
"Just stand there and watch."
The sound of oil sizzling soon filled the air, mingling with the rich, sweet scent of frying dough.
"They're ready."
"It's beautiful. I must say, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I'm familiar with baking bread but frying it in so much oil feels like something that must not be done. It feels like something forbidden."
"Since it's forbidden, you're not going to eat it?"
"No, I will. The sages say that sometimes the greatest things in life are forbidden. Something in my soul is telling me to eat it. So, what is this wonderful thing?"
"It's a donut."
"So it's a donut. We should bring some to my master."
"Won't you taste it first?"
"Indeed, I should."
Theo wiped the corner of his mouth where anticipation had drawn a bead of saliva and held one carefully, almost reverently, as if it were a sacred relic.
"Here I go."
He bit into the donut, and the crunch gave way to a soft, airy sweetness that seemed to unravel in his mouth. His eyes glistened, the shock of flavor tearing through the dull familiarity of shrine meals. Tears streamed down his face as his dead taste buds screamed from delight.
"Seriously? Are you crying?"
"My eyes are. But I'm not crying."
"What does that even mean?"
Later, they carried the warm pastries to Yue. She took a small, delicate bite, and a rare smile curled her lips.
"Indeed. This taste… It's an upheaval of an era."
With an almost ceremonial motion, Yue opened her folding fan. Written on it in graceful strokes: "Tastes good."