Chapter Text
The rusty hoe slams into the dirt, carving out channels in the soft soil. A hand reaches into the small pouch at his waist, scattering the seeds over the tilled earth. Straightening, the man looks out over his handiwork. The field is still small, but with the forest so close, there is not much space to plant any more.
Cheng Heguang turns to look into the distance, where the plains join the desert. Wiping off the sweat from his face, he grabs his sword, carefully tying it back on his belt. For a moment, he stands still, basking in the evening glow, trying not to move too much.
He can feel the eyes on him again.
His hand tightens around the sheathed weapon, thumb pressed on the grip. In front of him, the field is empty. Instead he reaches back with his qi. The leaves tremble as his arcane skill brushes over them, though he refrains from turning them to steel.
Better to have a surprise ready.
He waits. Sweat runs down his body. He can feel his breathing quicken, but he forces it to slow. A shiver runs down his spine. His muscles tense. The trees lazily blow in the breeze, unconcerned with what is about to happen.
And then it’s gone.
The feeling fades, leaving Cheng standing there alone. Sighing, he lets his arms fall back to his side. Perhaps it was nothing, yet he still cannot shake the sense that he was being watched.
This land, the ‘Wilderness’, it is strange, like nothing he has ever seen before. Cheng looks to the distance, where a large tower sticking out of the dirt chimes out. The setting sun casts its glow onto it, leaving long shadows in its wake. He’d been told that it is used to tell the time. Another thing he needs to learn about this new world.
The walk back to his room is quiet. He follows the streams, stopping to splash some water on his face. Idly, he wonders what Paper Heron is up to. They are both adjusting to this new lifestyle, but she’s taken to it with the same carefree attitude she always has.
His thoughts are interrupted when he spies another familiar face outside his door. The girl is furiously scribbling in her notebook, her leaves shaking excitedly as she talks with another, a young lady with the head of a sheep.
Cheng hovers nearby as Reed waves her arms animatedly, causing the other to giggle. The sheep girl is the first to notice him, her eyes flicking over to where he is standing. She says something he cannot make out before walking off with a wave.
Reeds eyes light up when she finally notices the taller man. She rushes over to him. “[Mister Cheng! You’re here! I was worried you had gotten lost in the wilderness. Oh, this place is so crazy, I think I could write a whole documentary about it!]”
“[Miss Reed! Good day!]” Cheng greets back, smiling. “[No need to worry. This place is not unlike the wilds outside Huanzhou. I have travelled many areas like it.]”
“[You’ve only been here for a couple of days, though. Most new residents stay in their rooms for a while, at least while they get their bearings.]” Reed smiles, adjusting her glasses. “[Though … I wasn’t too different when I first joined myself]”
She pauses, a sheepish grin on her face. “[I … uh, only made it halfway through the forest before I got lost.]”
Cheng chuckles. “[We could explore together, if you wish. This land seems plentiful, and I am hoping to catch some lunch. It would be more pleasant with a companion.]”
“[Ah! I’m sorry, but I can’t]” Reed apologises. “[I still have to revise my article for Ms Verity. Though, why are you trying to catch lunch? Don’t you like the food that miss Bunny Bunny makes? Oh! Or is it a diet thing?]”
Cheng narrows his eyes in confusion. “[I’m afraid I have not met this … miss Bah Ni. In truth, I still do not know much of the Suitcase.]”
“[Is that so? That’s strange. I get that the Timekeeper is out busy right now doing work for the foundation but there’s usually a pamphlet and a guide on who to go to and ... and ... Oh my god I know what’s wrong.]”
- - -
Ching walks through the forest, quietly recalling Reed’s directions. Tall metal mushrooms line the path, helpfully guiding him to his destination.
“[You can usually find him at the top of the hill to the east. There’s an old oak tree there. I’m told he likes to play his flute where there’s less people. I’ll have to ask you about him later!]”
The path narrows, and Cheng has to push past some bushes to carry on. He’s already gained some height, the trek up the hill allowing him a good view of the land around him. He pauses, marveling at how the land stretches far, dotted with buildings and structures unlike any he had seen before.
He reaches out a hand to grab a branch when the sudden rustling catches his attention.
His eyes snap to the bush, jumping backwards. The shaking is wild. Whatever creature making it is at least medium sized. He watches as it moves from bush to bush, still hidden from view, getting closer and closer and …
“[Come out! Show yourself!]”
What appears is not a critter, but instead a head. It is soon followed by the rest of the small body, climbing out from the undergrowth.
“[A … girl?]”
It is indeed a girl. Clad in green, she climbs to her feet, unbothered by the mud that clings to her uniform. In one hand she holds a strange flower, the bright, vibrant colour unlike anything Cheng has seen before. She looks at Cheng curiously, eyes wide but not surprised.
“ … “
Slowly, Cheng raises his hand, extending his finger in a small, hesitant wave.
“[ … Hello?]”
The girl doesn’t respond, still eyeing him up. Cheng opens his mouth to speak again when a shrill whistle sounds out from the distance. He turns, looking for the source, but it seems too far away. When he turns back, the child is gone.
“[What … ?]”
Cheng looks around, but finds not trace of the girl in green, only the ruffled bushes remaining. He rubs his head in confusion.
“[Did I imagine that? Was it a ghost?]”
Sunlight breaks through the leaves into his face, reminding him of his goal. Sparing a final glance at the bush, Cheng quickly hurries along.
- - -
He hears the music before anything else. A gentle, whistling tune that greets him as he nears the top. Cheng finds himself almost humming along as he pushes through some final bushes, the tune strangely nostalgic despite him never hearing it before.
The top of the hill holds no flutist, however. In the centre of the clearing lay only the old tree. The tree is old and weathered, showing the signs of its grand age. Cheng circles around the trunk, carefully stepping over the large roots. The music seems to come from every direction at once. Cheng scratches his head until an idea strikes him.
Cheng tilts his head, wincing as the sunlight hits his eyes. He squints, scanning the branches until his eyes land on his target. Atop the tallest branch a man sits perched. Bingo.
Clearing his throat, Cheng raises his voice to be heard. “[Excuse me! Greetings! I am told you are the one who can help me!]”
The music stops. Cheng watches as the man turns toward him, hopping down to a lower branch. It is only then that he notices the wings where the man’s arms would be. The man pulls out a wand, the object floating from his waist before Cheng feels the telltale sign of arcanum.
“I have cast an incantation upon you. It allows us to communicate as etiquette requires. I am Getian.”
Cheng’s eyes widen. He clasps his hands together, bowing slightly. “Greetings, Sir Getian. It is my great pleasure to meet you. Please, call me Cheng. This incantation, it allows us to speak?”
Getian’s hair rustles as he nods. “My people do not have language as most do. This is how we interact with others. It will allow you to talk with anyone while it is active.”
Cheng can’t stop the grin that spreads across his face. “This is most fortuitous! You have my sincere thanks.” He looks straight up at Getian, the feathered man brushing hair out of his face.
“I am still quite new to this Suitcase. And there are many unique inhabitants here. I-“
Cheng pauses. A familiar shiver runs down his spine. He looks up at Getian, getting a good look at his face.
His eyes are glowing. Piercing. Watching.
His sword is freed in an instant. Cheng’s expression morphs into a serious glare. He snarls, sword tip pointed up at Getian.
“You are the one who has been watching me. Why?”
“ … “