Spring, Twelfth Year of the Xin Zhuo Emperor

*Lord Buzhong has appointed a new charge for me.* Qing stated as she took a sip of her tea.

*Oh? Any juicy new gossip for me?* Her companion replied.

The blue dragon returned a steely glare. *I will remind you that I expect perfect confidentiality from you, Jingui. If any of this comes out I will have to take off your head.*

The two longs were having brunch time tea at an airy pavilion in a sheltered area of Lord Buzhong's Gardens. Dim sum was a ritual Qing and Jingui enjoyed every month, letting the former vent her frustrations and thoughts to her friend.

The white dragon only laughed in reply. *Of course- you warn me every time we've conversed over the last decade. I would hope that we wouldn't need this disclaimer every single time.*

*It never hurts being careful.* Qing shrugged. *Very well, we can continue. The Emperor has a new pet that he gave to Lord Buzhong-*

*Who of course is making you take care of.* Jingui snorted. *Bloody typical.*

*This time it's a dragon.*

*Really?* Qing’s companion stopped mid-drink. That was rare, even for the Emperor.

*A purple one, covered in fur, from the deserts far to the West.* The captain of the guard continued sipping. *Female. Young, feisty and rebellious. She clearly does not want to be here.*

*Interesting.* The white dragon thought for a bit and then downed his tea, before refilling both his own cup and that of his friend's. *Well, she'll soon learn her place in this world. *

Qing gave a small gesture of thanks but didn't drink, instead staring into her cup. *Don't we all?*

*Do you feel sorry for it?*

*I guess she reminds me a bit about myself when I was younger.*

Jingui sighed. *Ah. No use dwelling upon the past, Qing. What's done is done.*

The blue dragon was however already caught up in her thoughts. *Tumu should have been my own grave.*

*But you're here now, Qing.* Her companion pressed, before giving up and changing the subject. *Anyway, have you tried talking to this new dragon? Does it speak Draconic?*

*I don't know, but I think I heard it cursing this land in Draconic.*

*Well that may make things easier.*

The blue dragon snorted. *She trashed the stall that she was in. Hurt three servants. Hong was badly bitten by her. It will be hell. I don’t want to put up with this.*

*I don’t know why you put up with any of this honestly.* Jingui laughed as he took another sip, then abruptly turned serious. *You're better than this Qing, playing some glorified guard for a fat bureaucratic oaf. Perhaps you should resign. I'll do the same with the Secretariat and we'll head out to the Silk Road to find a comfortable land with a people worth defending. *

The captain of the guard shook her head. *Perhaps if I were younger, I would take up your offer. *

As her companion shrugged and picked up some pickled bamboo to eat, Qing rambled on, playing with her teacup.

*In truth, I think I owe Lord Buzhong. No one else would take in a disgrace like myself, and his position has protected me.*

*Twenty years is good enough.* Jingui sighed. *I wonder if you have just gotten too comfortable. You were a soldier once, and one of the most capable and honorable warriors I ever had the privilege to know. It feels like a waste.*

The blue dragon downed a cup and looked at her friend. *Well they taught me a lesson, didn't they?*

*I know you still train.*

Qing casually raised out an arm. A globule of water suddenly appeared from the air and molded itself into a ball before the blue dragon spread her paws, causing the sphere to split into five smaller beads. The long then casually threw them into the air to knock a small row of chime bells hanging from the gable of the pavilion a hundred chi away. The largest bell rang deeply, immediately followed in succession by five even smaller bells, each accurately struck in the center by the summoned water balls. Qing hadn't even looked at her targets.

*Only an old force of habit. I do it to amuse myself sometimes.*

The white dragon shook his head. *I know you better than that. I know you're not content.*

Qing shrugged. *Perhaps I'm not, but I'll wait a bit longer.* She picked up the kettle and refilled both teacups. *Perhaps my new charge will teach me new and wonderful things about myself. *

*We can only hope.*

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Dolly Parton - 9 to 5

From  Alita_Berserker!

Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/58697677/