Unexpected meetings with the Elders were of the norm in this household. The fact that the Elders were staying to watch all groups practice today was not. The students were a buzz with gossip, most of which the older students ignored. For them, all thought was on doing their absolute best and showing off their skills. It was a chance for the Elders to see how worthy of the Triad they were.

Lunch was served to the Elders out in the sunshine of the main courtyard. On the rooftops, the black clad figures of the guards were seen taking extra precautions in their surveillance.

As one of the topics of discussion, Dee had been asked to serve and clear the courses with the rest of the staff. She did this with the grace and control she had found in her training, dressed as finely in her ankle length jade green dress as the rest of the servers. Jiaoshu knew that Dee would be brought up as the wildcard he had trouble with when they finally discussed Feng. As she was clearing the final course, Kueng called her name.

"Xiaohu, please hand those dishes to another," he said. "Come speak with us.

Handing the platter and bowls to one of the kitchen girls, Dee turned, gave a formal bow, and said, {Yes, Elder Kueng. How may I serve you?} She then stood silently, eyes down and hands resting flat on her upper thighs.

Eyebrows raised around the table at the ease in which the words and manners came from the girl. It had been a while since the Elders had actually spoken directly to the girl and they were pleased to find that she had indeed grown into a courteous young woman. Jiaoshu and Li Mei shot each other conspiratorial glances as they sipped their tea. They knew the natural charm the girl exuded. Where she had gotten it, neither one knew.

{Thank you for serving us such a fine meal today. You will tell the rest of the staff that we appreciated it, won't you?} Kueng asked.

{Of course, Elder. They will be most pleased.} She said nothing further, answering only what was asked.

{Tell us, Xiaohu, do you think you fit in here?}

She raised her eyes and blinked, tilting her head at an angle that let the fiery red queue of hair swing over her shoulder. {I beg your pardon, Elder, but just how do you mean?}

Kueng turned his head, indicating everything and everyone around him. {I mean this life you are living. You are the only Caucasian in sight, dear.}

Lowering her eyes again, Dee chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. Taking a deep breath she answered. {Elder Kueng, Elder Po Sin, and Elder Shing, it may be hard to understand, but I feel more at home and welcome here than I ever did at the orphanage. At the orphanage I felt like a complete outsider. No matter what I did, it wasn't good enough for anyone. Here, I don't have to do my ultimate best to be accepted. I just am. Ever since coming here, I feel like myself. Like I can be who I am inside and not keep that person hidden. I have been living here for eight years of my life now. That's over half my life. Never have I known that people really could be kind and considerate and friends, real friends. You all have given me a chance at a life doing something that I could be good at.} She paused for a second. {Well, it would be a chance, if you allow me in the Triad.}

Realizing that she had been going on and on, looking to each of the Elders as she spoke, Dee quickly dropped her eyes and went silent. With her eyes lowered, she missed the amused look that Kueng shot to Jiaoshu. Po Sin kept his dissatisfied and sour look. Shing merely nodded his head, taking in all the girl had said.

{You may be dismissed, Xiaohu,} Kueng said, waving his hand at her as if absentminded.

Bowing to the party once more, Dee hurried off. As soon as she was back in the kitchen, she gave the message to the staff and hurried to her room. Waiting for her was Manchu, who had been watching the lunch and her performance from the window. She flew into his arms and buried her face against his shoulder, weeping out how she felt she had just failed a major test of the Elders. He held her tight against him, stroking her hair and hushing her.

~ ~ ~

Manchu had not been the only observer of the lunch. From a room set aside for studies, Feng had watched the whole thing. The sight of the white girl parading around dressed as a Chinese woman angered her. She did not have the build to wear the fine Chinese dresses that were made for lithe and softly curved figures such as hers! Xiaohu had a large bust and large hips already and she was only fifteen years old. Feng thought Xiaohu cheapened the outfit and knew she would look much better in it. Why had Xiaohu been chosen to serve anyway?

Feng wished she could hear what was being said. It never occurred to her that the Elders would stop and talk with Xiaohu. The girl certainly knew how to put on an act. She stood and acted polite. But Feng knew that the girl would probably turn around and tell tales of what had actually been said. Smirking, Feng hoped that the Elders were telling her what a slut she looked like and how she was disgracing such a fine dress. It pleased Feng that the interview was short and Kueng waved her off as if completely turned off by the sight of her.

A few minutes passed and Feng suddenly heard the disjointed sound of running in the house. Poking her head out of the room, she saw Xiaohu, tears starting to run down her face, slip around the banister and up to her room. Closing the door, Feng had a good long laugh. So the Elders had said something harsh to her and it had hurt her feelings. Throwing her head back, Feng laughed out loud until she herself had tears running down her face.
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