56-None of what you hear and half of what you see

3/1/6/4353 M.A.C - Muchiri- Ashrama - Late afternoon

"Good morning Emi. Or should I say good afternoon? Give it an hour or two, and good evening might be more accurate."

Emi walked down the stairs and into the common room of the Hen House, where the Mistress awaited her. Emi rubbed at her half-open eyes with her human hands and opened her beak wide to let out a yawn.

"Mornin'. Sorry Mistress, the clients partied hard last night and wouldn't let me go until sunrise. Although you could say I'm up early for an Owl."

"Don't worry, darling, it wasn't a reproach, just an observation."

The Mistress put a hand in front of her mouth before letting out a reserved and melodious laugh.

"You should know better than most that it takes more to make me pass judgment on someone. Thanks again for spotting that jealous thug the other day, it wouldn't do for one of my chicks to get harmed under my roof."

"You're welcome Mistress. Didn't cost me anything to point him out to Aniya. With my Abilities, it would have been hard to miss him; his aura was pitch black and boiling with a crimson red undercurrent. His hate was so thick that it made it hard to see the man beneath."

The Mistress patted Emi on the back, her head being too high for the average-sized woman to reach.

"Cost or no cost, you saved us from a bit of bother. Please keep an eye out for other such cases while you are still here. I must say, I will be sad to see you and your brother leave. Are you sure the two of you can't stay a bit longer? He is a good worker; not many of my chicks can put in a double shift and still have enough energy to help with the cleanup afterward. Your performances are a bit strange, but I find them rather enjoyable, and our patrons will surely sorely miss your assistance with what you called 'Karaoke'. Having your brother display the lyrics on his back in time with the music was a genius idea. I'm sure a few of our new customers mostly come so they can feel like a famous Aoidos with your help. When you leave, I'll be losing out on security, entertainment, and labor."

As Emi and Arctic had started showing their worth, the Mistress had increased their pay and given them additional perks in accordance with their efforts. Not only were their meals and rooms comped, but they had been given permission to accept tips, two nights off a decan, and the Mistress had started putting aside a silver mark for every new customer that came because of the rumors spreading about Emi.

"If only you matched the preferences of our customer base in the curves department, I might have offered to take you in as my disciple."

Oi! I know I am bird-shaped, but I'm sure my human form will be more than attractive enough, you young looking hag!

As if she could read Emi's mind, the Mistress plucked a feather from Emi's back without her aura or her expression changing one bit.

I wonder how high-level she is...Her aura only ever shows what she wants it to show. That amount of control over what she lets out is crazy, no other person I've met so far has been able to do anything remotely close. Still, there is one topic where her control sometimes slips a bit.

"Sorry Mistress, but I need to head off to Prerana next. The person I seek seems to be further East, and according to the map you generously lent me, that would be the next city in that direction. Also, I want to show more of the world to Arctic. Would be a shame to end his grand adventure at the first town of note."

The Mistress tilted her head back and put the back of her hand against her forehead.

"Why must all the true talents forsake me for Prerana or Santulan. What is wrong with being the prettiest birds of a small grove? Why must you all brave the dangers of the big cities when you could live here comfortably and keep me company?"

What a drama queen...I'm sure she'd like us to stay, but she is not being very open about the real reason.

"Mistress, before you start trying to guilt-trip me into staying, let us be frank with one another; the actual reason you can't bear to see us go is that you think Senior Brahmin Viraj won't be visiting anymore."

The Mistress's expression did not slip, but Emi noticed the surface of her aura crack, letting her true colors seep through.

Yup! I haven't managed to get her to answer a single personal question, not even her real name, but I can tell that although she is somewhat flirty with all her patrons, regardless of gender, there is an extra spark when she talks with Viraj.

The Mistress plucked another of Emi's feathers, making her let out a small yelp.

"Please stop that, Mistress, you will give me a bald spot. Nothing wrong with having a crush. You know he is in his fifties, right?"

"Yes, I know that he is younger than I, but he is talented enough to match me in level, nearly."

"Ah...With how youthful and lovely you look, I sometimes forget that you are...how old were you again?"

"Nice try. I will tell you one thing: it isn't just levels. I've noticed that you and your brother have been practicing body tempering. I'm sure you know that mastering the discipline will enhance your physical capacities and overall health, but there's more to it than that if you know what you're doing."

The Mistress picked up a large metal spoon and bent it in half between her thumb and slender index finger.

Holy shhhh...Bad brain! stop making me picture vulgar stuff! It is a spoon and nothing else! That is a lot of grip strength for such slender fingers, though.

"An old friend from my mountain climbing days sent me a letter to warn me they would be dropping by today. Play your cards right and you may be able to learn a thing or two. Unlike me, they kept climbing until they became one with the mountain."

Mountain climbing? One with the mountain? Is her friend some kind of hermit?

"You used to climb mountains Mistress? Haven't seen any mountains around, do you mean hills maybe?"

The Mistress covered her mouth with the back of her fingers as she let out a small chuckle.

"My apologies, I forget how freshly out of the wilderness you are. Mountain climbing is another way to say that you spent an amount of time as a loose cultivator. Either trying to learn from different sects in exchange for money or services, or attempting to join one outright. Becoming one with the mountain means one has not only been accepted by a sect, but that they have decided to live there and keep striving to progress down the path of cultivation. I never became one with the mountain myself, but I have an outer associate status with two different sects. I entertain their members and give them a discount if they drop by, and otherwise help send some local delicacies back to them, and in exchange, I can visit the sect, have access to their general libraries, and have permission to buy and sell natural treasures and other cultivation resources at their sect shops."

Emi was impressed by the revelation. She didn't know much about how cultivation worked in this world, but she couldn't help imagining the Mistress flying around on a sword, white silken robes fluttering in the wind.

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"I could have qualified as a disciple had I tried a bit harder, but I like being at the top of my own peak, even if it is only a small hill rather than a mountain. Making my way up the hierarchy until I was no longer beneath some old monster would have taken centuries of effort while following someone else's rules, and I didn't find the prospect enticing. My friend, on the other hand, decided the challenge was worth taking. It took them a lot of time and effort, but they've recently been promoted to Elder status and took in their first batch of disciples. In fact, they are travelling with their senior disciple as part of their training."

I didn't really plan on becoming a cultivator, but I will have a lot of time to kill on the road, so maybe it's worth getting a pointer or two, since both Arctic and I recently completed the initial stage as Majusculus tasked us.

The pair had yet to learn any method or technique that would allow them to utilize their reserves. Still, the simple act of being able to stop their vital energy from escaping and directing it to specific parts of their bodies already showed some effects. Emi found herself able to keep partying full throttle night after night with nary a consequence, and Arctic put the newfound increase in his endurance to good use, as he started taking extra shifts to earn some pocket money that he wouldn't have to add to the travel fund.

"Alright, what do they look like? So I can keep an eye out for them?"

A hint of an evil smirk broke through the Mistress's façade as her usual melodious giggle took on a tinge of mischievousness, which Emi failed to reconcile with the woman's usual demeanor.

"Tell you what, if you can spot them by yourself, I'll introduce you and I'll bank in some favors if they get cagey about teaching you."

***

"Sifu? Are you sure this is the right place?"

"Yes, this is it. Haven't been here in a few years, but it doesn't look to have changed much."

The pair of travellers stopped in front of the entrance to the Henhouse, stepping aside to let an inebriated customer through.

"I know that we left the sect so that I could experience the secular world, but I'm not too sure about this."

"Steel your nerves, Bao'er. This place will test your resolve and your willpower, sheltered as you are. Keep an eye out for the proprietress, but be careful, she is a sly one. She is one of the few people who can see through me, given enough time. You'll have to do your best to avoid being discovered immediately."

Growing up in the sect has left little Bao unprepared for some things...This will probably be awkward, but it needs to happen eventually. Old friend, please be gentle with this young one...

***

Huh? Seriously? I know I'm not in a great position to judge, considering Arctic is still only fourteen and I allowed him to work here, but this guy...

Emi angled her head and glared disapprovingly at one of the two customers who had just entered. The middle-aged man had a clean appearance, his handlebar mustache neatly combed and his short hair evenly cut, but his companion made Emi question the man's morals.

I guess the Mistress never said this place was only for adults, but who brings such a young girl to a pleasure house?

The girl accompanying the well-kept man appeared no older than a dozen years old, and Emi felt sorry for the girl as she saw her complexion grow noticeably redder. The young girl's aura let Emi know exactly how awkward she felt, as her eyes darted back and forth between Fabio, who was putting on a little performance for Kshatria Aniya, and her feet, a hand positioned in front of her eyes as if to shield them from a bright light. Emi chuckled as she noticed small flourishes of curiosity in the girl's aura, as she peeked through the cracks between her ever-so-slightly separated fingers.

How precious...Still, this place is definitely too stimulating for someone that age. What is her father thinking?

Emi returned her attention to the man whom she assumed to be the girl's father, due to a familial resemblance, and glared at him again. The man's aura appeared serene and still, a scant few whisps of grey weariness among a peaceful sea of calm white.

Damn. Is this guy a monk or something? Nothing seems to be getting to him, not the barely dressed staff, the tasty snacks on display, nor the expensive booze behind the bar. Is this dude Vice-free? He doesn't even show the tiniest bit of shame for bringing his daughter either.

The man just looked straight ahead, a calm expression on his face, as he led his daughter to the nearest table and pulled out a chair for her before taking a seat. As one of the scantily clad female employees approached to take the man's order, Emi spotted something strange happening to his aura. The sea of white seemed to flicker for an instant, revealing a bright mix of embarrassment and restrained desire, but then immediately returned to a serene white as if it had never shifted.

That was strange. Could he actually be...

Emi kept observing the man, scrutinizing his aura and expression until another similar incident happened as the waitress bent forward to give him his drink, strategically bringing her bosom closer to his face in the process.

Ha! I knew it! The white is just an act! Could he be trying to repress himself because he is with his daughter? Nah...This is more like how the Mistress manages to stop her true emotions from leaking. Could he be...? I guess the girl could be the disciple, although she seems a bit young.

Emi motioned to Arctic and whispered into his ear.

"Hey, can you go get the Mistress, please?"

Arctic nodded and speedily made his way up to the second floor, artfully dodging staff and patrons alike as he spun and ducked his way there.

He's really gotten used to the place. Hard to believe that he was struggling to move around when we first got here because he wasn't used to crowds.

As Emi's thoughts trailed off and a bittersweet feeling started filling her heart because her little brother was growing up, Arctic returned with the Mistress in tow.

"Ah, Mistress! I think I spotted your friend. I've gotta say, though, I think you are harder to read than he is. Maybe you should think about going up a mountain again."

The Mistress put the back of her hand in front of her mouth and gave a small chuckle before replying.

"Is that so? Why don't you point them out to me then?"

Emi's hand shot out from beneath her feathers as she surreptitiously pointed at the father-daughter pair.

"You see that man over there, the one sitting calmly with his embarrassed daughter? He is secretly tripping out, but doing his best to control his body language, but I've seen his aura shift, showing me flashes of his real emotions."

The Mistress looked at the pair Emi had pointed out and smiled.

"Things aren't always as they appear, young lady. Nevertheless, if you think you have found your target, why don't we confirm it?"

Could they have changed so much since they last met that the Mistress isn't sure whether it is them?

The Mistress ushered Emi along to the table at which her suspect sat and approached it with a smile.

"So, old friend, are you not going to greet me?"

Ha! I was right! That was too eas-

"Long time no see, Parvati. How do you fare these days?"

Emi's eyes widened as far as they could, which was extremely wide considering she had the eyes of an owl, causing the neat man to do a spit take. The reason behind Emi's shock was simple; rather than the man, it was the young girl who had answered.

"Oy, shut it with my name or I'm feeding you scraps!"

Emi turned to the Mistress, surprised by the woman's sudden shift in attitude; her speech had slipped out of her refined accent and into a more common one. The little girl chuckled and replied with a voice well beyond her years.

"You are letting your facade slip; be careful."

"Oh please, you just did the same! Still, you should be ashamed of yourself, you were spotted by this untrained young one here before your food even arrived. So much for an Elder of one of the Great Sects."

The Mistress' mocking tone trailed off as her face morphed into a genuine smile, the likes of which Emi was unsure to have ever seen on her face.

"You think I wasn't eavesdropping on your conversation? You should know I noticed your little friend studying my disciple since we sat down. Little Bao, I know you are not used to this level of lewdness with how uptight the sect can be, but all it took was a little bit of cleavage for you to lose your composure. Don't think I'll let that slip without a little punishment later."

The man's face fell as a youthful but whiny voice escaped his lips.

"Sifuuuuu, please, not the horse stance again...How about I give you a massage instead, while you relax and have a drink with your friend?"

The disciple shot an accusatory glare toward Emi, and the Mistress laughed at the exchange.

"I see why you worked so hard to become an elder now. If your disciple does well, you gain in reputation, and if they do badly, you get free massages."

The mistress turned her attention to Emi, giving her a calculating look.

"No, Mistress, don't even think about it. I already told you that I can't stay here long-term. Why don't you try the disciple scam on Fabio instead? I am sure he'd be easy to trick."

The little girl giggled at her old friend's face.

"Hey, Parvati, I don't know who this Fabio is, but I think you might owe them an apology for the look of utter disdain that appeared on your face just now."

Emi chuckled and decided to pile on.

"yes, Parv-"

Emi's beak shut as fast as it had opened as the Mistress shot her a death glare, her usual demeanour naught but a distant memory as a vein started bulging on her forehead, next to the wrinkles caused by her frown.

"See what you did? Now even this oversized bird thinks she is free to use my name...Keep messing with me and see if I don't use your disciple to get even."

The man looked at Emi, his eyes pleading with her to stop making his life more difficult. Emi paid no attention to it as her thoughts were occupied with what the Mistress had just said.

"Mistress, please stop body-shaming me! I'll have you know that I'm perfectly average-sized for my species!"

Arctic decided now was finally his moment to enter the conversation as he stepped forward and started forming letters on his chest.

"Sister? Aren't you the first and only member of your species? If it is only you, doesn't the whole idea of an average fall flat?"

Et tu Brute!? Why did I have to give him math lessons!?

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