Three Kings and a Princess

Frankincense to Offer Have I: Part V

#FanFiction #TheApothecaryDiaries #TearmoonEmpire
#wss366 bug (Implied) #MastoPrompt

[Continued from “Frankincense to Offer Have I: Part IV”]

Finally, Pairin looked over Mao with satisfaction. “There, all ready to go. I doubt the prince will notice a few wrinkles. But that face—what crawled into your mouth?”

Mao did her best to smooth her face out. If Jinshi wished to pick wormwood there was nothing she could do about it except profit as best she could. If worse came to worst, there were ways of dealing with problems after the fact.

Outside, the shadows performed a queasy dance. If only she didn’t feel so ill, it would all be easier.

Just before entering the house, Pairin stopped her. “Here, let me #lend you this.” Pairin handed a loop of silk thread tied with elaborate notes. “I know you don’t fancy such things, but it has brought me luck.”

Entering the main house, she could feel the tension and excitement in the air. An open visit from someone in the imperial family could bring untold prosperity or ruin to an establishment. Some might say it was up to the gods, but neither Mao nor the Madam believed that. Luck played a role, but work and preparation were more important.

The incense blend had changed from the last time Mao was in the main house. Now the mixture leaned more heavily toward frankincense. “I hope they aren’t burning my share,” Mao grumbled and then put on what she believed was a happy face.

[Continued in next post]

#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMFic #ApothecaryDiaries

@stevencudahy

not superstition

we lend the land to the humans
in return they abuse it and us
without thanks or thought
believe their artificial divisions
make their pathetic parcels sovereign
when they’re all part of one world
our world

they will not survive
though we are not wrathful
they will destroy themselves
with their lies and games
and self-deceptions
they have already started

they forget that their millennia
are a fraction of one of our
moments

#MastoPrompt #Lend #Poetry #Writing