Yi looks to Kongming tilting his head.

Bai Longma gave a small nod. pleased with their diplomacy, then closed his eyes with a faint chuckle, “Though, it’s quite interesting, no?” He began, crossing his arms in his sleeves and glancing at Kongming, “Out of everyone present, you seem to be the only one who isn’t divine. Perhaps it’s fated.” The latter half of his words trailed off thoughtfully.

Yi looks at them all before he slowly calms down and stands. “It is fine. I just have not had human contact in many decades an am no longer use to it. So I am sorry for the way I reacted. He bows to them his tail lowered as well to show respect.

Kongming nods sheepishly and bows to Yi “appologies, your fur reminded me of a friendly creature back home.”

Bai Longma glances down at Yi, “You can relax, no one here is gonna hurt you.” He said in a soft voice, then looked toward Kongming, “However, you should ask before touching someone next time.”

Yi tenses and jumps up his fur standing and the spikes on his back and tail seeming to stand more with his fur.

Kongming’s had absent minedly lowers his hand onto Yi.

Yi looks between them all.

Bai Longma gave a small nod, “Indeed, you’re quite the perceptive one.” He said, brushing a lock of hair behind his ear, “I’ve been around practically as long as China itself.”

“forgive me for saying sir,” Kongming pipes up “but you do not seem old enough, I must assume you are some form of divinity.”

“And its an honor to have you as a teacher.” she says giving a big smile and bowing to him in return.

Bai Longma smiled faintly, glancing down at the persimmon he cut for a moment before taking another bite of it, “Indeed he was.” he said in a soft voice, then looked back up at Ai, his expression reverting to its usual emotionlessly serene state. “However, it would be an honor to teach you.” he said, putting a hand to his chest and giving a small bow.

Ai looks at Bai “wow that sounds so interesting. He must be a very influential person then, it must have been amazing to be around someone who can change your morals.” she says smiling. “I would like to study as many subjects as I can so I am excited to learn from you!”

Bai longma finished cutting the persimmon and ate a slice, “I don’t mind,” he replied, lifting his head to look Ai in the eye, “Many years ago, more than I bother to remember, I began traveling with a group of people, one of whom being a priest. I was forced into spending a lot of time with him and ended up adopting some of his morals… Read more

“I think I would like to study it, it’s good to learn as much as you can after all” Ai says quite interested into studying something new and gaining new experiences. “What got you into Buddhism if you do not mind me asking.”

“If you wish, I can teach you some of the disciplines of Buddhism sometime.” He offered, beginning to slice the persimmon with closed eyes and a serene expression, “Buddhism isn’t an ideology for everyone, but if you want it, you’ll likely get a lot out of it.” He explained.

Ai smiles at Yi, “Hello there little fox!” she says happily before looking back to Bai, “meditation sounds interesting. I think one day I will try it om my own.”

Yi sniffs it before taking a bite.

Bai Longma gave a shadow of a smile and placed the persimmon he’d been peeling in front of Yi, picking up a new one to peel for himself

Yi looks at him before he slowly comes out of the bushes but stayed in his fox form.

Bai Longma calmly turns his head at the sound of rustling in the trees. He looked Yi in the eye despite the shrubs covering most of him. He extended a hand towards him in a welcoming way, “Approach if you want. There’s no reason to be afraid.”

Yi listens and watches but jumps when his stomach let’s out a loud growl.

“The purpose of meditation is to still the mind, adding discipline to meditation furthers one from worldly impulses.” He explained to Ai, then glanced at Kongming, shaking his head, “I’m not ordained, however I did study under one for many years.”

“you’re a monk?” Kongming asks as he pulls out a pair of chopsticks.

Ai sits down and begins to eat some of the food, “How does that help with discipline?” she asks curiously.

Bai Longma shook his head, “I was given this over the course of the past several days,” he explained, “For the sake of discipline, I haven’t eaten.” He picked up one of the persimmons and began peeling it with a small knife, “I don’t eat much, so take whatever you want.”

Yi watches them from the trees having followed because they seemed interesting.

Kongming sits, bows and lifts a bowl “lotta food laid out, were you expecting us?”

Momentarily, they reached the cliff side where Bai Longma meditated previously. He sat down facing the other two with his legs crossed. He gestured to the bowls of rice and persimmons he was given previously, “Please eat.” he offered with a courteous nod and folded his hands in his lap, glancing at the others with a spark of curiosity in his eye.

Yi was in the forest close to the village watching everything but when the others walk by he slinks deeper into the shadows.

Name: Yi

Type: Chenghuang

Appearance: As a human he has red hair that fades into white, it goes down past his ears a bit. His eyes are two different colors the right being gold and the left being blue. He looks to be about 17 when human and is 5″8. When in Chenghuang form he looks like a red fox with spikes going down his back and ton… Read more

Kongming nods and falls into step beside Ai “at least this one seems friendly.”

Bai Longma nodded and turned around, beginning to walk back in the direction he came from with the intention of her following behind.

“Oh, uh, thank you!” she says bowing gratefully. “I haven’t eaten in days.” she says thinking of the last meal she had which was getting close to being a week ago or so.

Bai Longma glanced over at Ai, then quickly lowered his eyes and dropped to a knee, “If you wish, I have some food I can offer you.” He said, speaking respectfully, able to sense her true identity as a celestial fox.

Overhearing the conversation Ai looks at Bai, “Sorry mister but you’re out of luck. I do not think there are any inns here at all. I’ve been walking around and still can not find a thing.” she says quite tired from walking so long and feeling her hunger settle in.

Kongming chuckles softly to himself “I may have gotten lost, kind sire.” he bows his head again.

Bai Longma stood up straight and held his hands behind his back, “I’m unsure.” he replied with a flat voice, then walked a few steps closer to Kongming, tilting his head slightly and looking him over briefly, “What’s your business here?” He asked.