Xin was a little surprised at the detour but hid it well as he and Aoi followed the guards. Upon entering the room, as was his habit, Xin gave a quick glance around, capturing all the details, entry and exits, obstacles, and threats. To a casual observer, it merely seemed like he was slightly rolling his neck, as if relieving some stress or kink.Numinous wrote:Lin Xin
(yes it is rather creepy isn't it?)
Satisfied with protocol, the two were then allowed entrance into the building housing the audience chambers of the Prefect. Lin and his bodyguard were however, forced to take a slight detour as the escort provided diverted them down a small hallway to the left of the final doors. Inside was a rather spacious clerk's office, many stacks of papers sitting upon a few reading desks there. Almost blending into the parchment decorum was the pale face of a female minister seated in a chair, her head partially wrapped in a loose grey scarf which seemed a bit out of place with the rest of her courtly robes that hung on a waif-like frame. A set of eyes the color of burgundy wine turned to regard the visitor, as the guards took up their posts dutifully.
Lady Zhi bowed her head once. "Ah... sir Lin Xin. A pleasure of you to drop by. I'm the District Manager of Yutai, Lady Zhi Cheng." She then looked to the stacks of paper nearby. "I do apologize for the little diversion, but I'm afraid the Prefect is away in Wu at the moment on important affairs of state. Perhaps I can assist you in her place?"
Bowing deeply to a fellow District Manager, Xin said with a smile, "It is my honor and privilege to meet you Lady Zhi. Please, as we are both town managers, do call me Xin."
Straightening up, Xin continued, "I have come on a journey of friendship and cooperation. We in Yue have seen the righteousness of your Prefect and wish to not only pay our respects but to build a relationship that will be mutually beneficial. Do you have the authority to discuss such issues?"