[April 29] [Shendiao Xialu] The Currents Differ

[lilacfield.livejournal.com]

Title: The Currents Differ
Day/Theme: April 29 - In the garden, like an immortal
Series: Shendiao Xialu
Characters/Pairing: Yang Guo/Xiao Longnu
Rating: G
Shendiao Xialu © Jin Yong, et al.


The sixteen years spent at the bottom of the Jue Qing Valley had given Xiao Longnu alternate points of view on it, which she tried haltingly to convey to Yang Guo; not having spoken for so long, she had to practice it anew. "It's like the Ancient Tomb, only with more living things and noise. A cocoon where I can rest to heal my wounds, and a kind of stifling paradise, as well." She motioned at the icy river at their feet and the shadows of the white fish shimmering under the surface. "Sometimes it resembles a tomb very accurately, not because there's no human being I can talk to, but because - how do I explain this? I know years have passed, because I can tell when seasons merge into one another and transform, but they do so on another plane of existence. They don't cause my hair to grow thinner or whiter, or my bones to become more sensitized to the cold. That it's the result of the teachings of our Sect doesn't always put my mind at ease." Her complexion was now tinged with the faint red of rancid memories instead of a blush. "Because time held so little meaning for me, I used to be frightened that I'd live forever while age claims you and in the end takes you."