28.4- Ficlet: The minute you walked through the door, I could tell you were....what? Describe your very first meeting with your significant other, or most recent ex if that may be the case.

((I'd like to point out that this story is unfortunately historically inaccurate. Due to the placing of the date of Hu Tianbao's life (Late Ming Dynasty, early Qing Dynasty), I wasn't able to dig much up on the workings of the government. For some reason, the internet hates this time period. However, I would like to thank 

sesemperamabo

 for giving me the general function of the beaureaucracy in this time period. Read on. ))


It was a bright summer day in Fuzhou . Sunlight filtered through scattered clouds high in the sky above the city, giving temporary shade to the inhabitants of that city. In the streets, children played without a care, friends walked the streets together, talking and laughing about trivial matters, and the spirits danced around happily, leaving behind a cool breeze.

This happiness and carefree attitude did not extend to the ten men who were standing in the courtyard of Fuzhou’s imperial headquarters. All ten wore the armor of the city guard, which, all ten had discovered, was not entirely comfortable. In the hour they had stood there, the sun had reached its peak, baking them inside their own protection. Naively, they thought that the wind would save them, though this was proved false not long after they had started first feeling discomfort.

Hu Tianbao, aged seventeen and ten months, had come to discover that life as an imperial guard had not been as glamorous as he had first been led to believe. Over the past few months the young man had endured hours on end standing in formations such as the one he was in, calming seemingly pointless disputes, kicking drunkards out of inns, or arresting the homeless. A far cry from the life he had envisioned.

His thoughts were interrupted when at last the silence of the imperial headquarters was broken. The sound of people making their way across the terracotta walkways caught Tianbao’s attention. He strained his ears to catch the lilting conversation that issued from that direction, not daring to turn and look for himself. To break ranks in any way was a dishonorable course of events, and would likely glean a punishment.

“…the matter is settled. What is next, Ku?” Tianbao recognized that voice. It was that of Hou Jun-Yu, an imperial inspector employed in Fuzhou. Tianbao had seen the man around the imperial square several times, though the man had never even noticed his presence.

“Admiral He Zheng has sent a courier to us. He expects to arrive in Fuzhou later in the afternoon, barring poor weather conditions.” This voice was lighter, softer. Tianbao perked his head up in curiosity. He had never heard this man’s voice before. “He expects suitable accommodations will be prepared by the time he arrives.”

Tianbao heard muffled curses after this information was relayed. “Do the gods seek to test me today?” More cursing issued from Inspector Hou before his voice grew louder. “I wish to speak with the captain of this squad.” Heavy, rhythmic steps of boots moving across the terracotta floor of the walkway reached his ears before stopping.

“I am the captain, inspector.” It was Guan Zhou, his captain.

“You are to go with your squad and three others with my assistant to the city gates. Meet Admiral He Zheng at the gates and escort him to the imperial grounds. You will receive more orders then. Have a few of your men take my assistant to the stables. Ku Wei, you will be serving Admiral He until I need your assistance.”

“Of course, inspector.” That soft voice again. So his name was Ku Wei, Tianbao thought to himself.

“Privates Miao, Hu, and Chen, step forward,” Guan Zhou ordered. Tianbao broke formation, along with his two squad mates. In unison, the three turned on their heels and faced their captain. Behind him stood a young man dressed in the robes of the aristocracy. Tianbao’s breath caught in his throat.

He was a young man with dark brown, almost black hair. His skin was very light, almost milky, yet still retained some color to it. His long hair was pulled back into a long and elegant ponytail. His eyes were a dark brown, almost as black as the deepest night, which set off the dark blue robes he had worn that day. He was nothing short of beautiful. Keeping a blush from forming, he turned his head to look back at his captain.

“You three,” Captain Guan ordered. “Take Master Ku to the stables and find him a proper mount.”

 I'd like to thank

sesemperamabo