Echoes in the Grotto

There were sounds of splashing, and a thin sweet voice singing softly, a wordless little tune that echoed strangely inside the gloomy grotto. A heap of white garments lay on the ground, lit by a shaft of moonlight with an unearthly luminosity.

Xiaoqing crept closer through the ferns, looking wary. She saw a dark head and a pair of white shoulders emerging from the water as Bai leisurely poured water over herself, playing with the ripples her movements made. The water shimmered on her skin as she moved,

A smile flitted over Xiaoqing's face. She stole nearer, and thrust her head out over the edge of the pond. "Now, what could have made my sister so happy that she's singing--actually singing?" she called out teasingly.

Bai turned, and smiled as she saw her. "Qingqing, where did you go?"

Skilfully avoiding the question, Xiaoqing leaned her chin on her hands. "Come on, Sister, tell me, don't be shy! You made love with our little physician, didn't you?" She gave a squeal of glee and clapped her hands.

Bai stared at her, and a deep flush spread over her pale cheeks. "Qingqing! What are you talking about?"

Xiaoqing chortled with laughter. "Don't be coy with me, Sister, it's not like I don't know anything about what goes on between men and women! What else could have made you so happy you were singing? What else could you and Mr Xuxian be doing all afternoon by the river?"

She wriggled closer, eyes gleaming. "What is he like? Is his body pleasing? Is he really as mild as he seems? Tell me, tell me."

Bai flung a handful of water at her. "It was nothing like that. We simply sat by the river and talked." she said firmly, looking away as Qingqing spluttered. "Don't let your imagination run away with you."

Abruptly she turned, unable to hide her glowing eyes. "Qingqing--he loves me. He said as much today. And he is an honourable man. He told me that if I did not care for him, he would not come looking for me again."

"That doesn't make sense at all," muttered Qingqing scornfully, wiping the water off her face. "How can he care for you and not chase you? Is he mad?"

Bai swam to the edge with several swift strokes and leaned her head dreamily on her arms, the water streaming off her hair and shoulders. "He kept my handkerchief, from the first time we met. He said he wanted something to remember me by. And he made me pancakes."

Xiaoqing perked up, visibly impressed. "Pancakes! Well, that must be taken into account." she admitted meditatively. "Perhaps he is more useful than I thought."

Bai traced patterns on the rock with a white finger, watching the dark line it left behind. "I love him, Xiaoqing. He is so gentle. And warm. And kind. I only wish to make him happy." A wistful smile lingered on her lips. She closed her eyes, remembering his face, and the touch of his hand on hers.

With a satisfied sigh, Xiaoqing stretched out on the rocks. "Now here is something I would never expect to have heard! The great Bai Suzhen, lovesick as any village maiden." she teased.

Suzhen only laughed, gazing blissfully up at the sky. "For such a man, there is no shame in being lovesick. Ah, Qingqing, you told me such evil stories of mortal men, but Xuxian is different."

Xiaoqing grew thoughtful.

At last she said, in a completely different tone of voice from the one she had been gloating with previously, "Sister--did you tell him--"

Bai Suzhen stared down at the dark depths of the water. There was a burst of pale mist in the shadows underwater, and the rest of her snake form could be faintly seen floating below the surface. Its whiteness made it glow in the dark water as if it was alight. She watched her tail shimmering dully in the water, and said softly, "No. I did not tell him."

Absently, she let her hand run down the smooth scales, studying how they rippled whenever she moved, then drew her hand away. The tail disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared.

A change came over Xiaoqing's face. She sat up, a glint in her eye. "Wise of you, Sister! I'm glad you took my advice."

"I will tell him eventually," Bai said quickly, but there was less firmness in her voice. "I will-- eventually. I will not lie to him for long."

Xiaoqing eyed her keenly. "Very well, Sister; as you wish!"

"But you never will," she added under her breath.