'Another day, another dilemma,' a white alicorn gave an inaudible sigh as she finally dismissed her last petitioner. Some representative of some metal smith union or other had requested the tax on imported iron be reviewed, it had spiked recently. She would have to look over them later, perhaps have a word with the ponies in charge of levying foreign goods. How these things got past her administration was beyond her. She tapped her golden shod hoof on the dais, bringing the low murmur in the room to a standstill. Just as she opened her mouth to dismiss Day Court, a Royal Guard burst through the double doors at the front of the throne room.

“Your Highness!” He shouted, nervously tumbling into a clumsy bow at the foot of her throne at the sight of her quizzical expression.

“We have some… unusual guests, one of whom is claiming to be royalty from, uh… Qiling, Highness.” The guard shifted his eyes among the startled whispers of the Court in a nervous tic. Qiling had declared national isolation eighty years ago, refusing entry of any and all foreign entities, as well as prohibiting their own from leaving their borders without Royal permission. The Empress had even ejected those from Equestria who refused to adopt Qilinese citizenship, despite the fact they had lived there for decades. No statement had been released as to why, and the island country had remained silent ever since.
Celestia had been shocked, to say the least, though she never let it show. She had thought them to be on good terms when she had left peace negotiations there a mere two years prior to the instigation of the isolation edict. Thinking back on it had always saddened her greatly. She had left a dear, dear friend there; the attaché assigned her as protection, and a show of good faith by the High Empress herself. Ah, she missed her still. But after eighty years, well… Shaking her head a tad, she smiled reassuringly to the pony guard looking to her for orders about their guests.

“Please show our guests to the throne room, and treat them with the respect you give any visiting dignitary,” she ordered gently, gracing him with her reassuring smile. As he ran to do her bidding, she stood and addressed the court the please quiet down so as not to appear rude to their guests. As she waited for her strange guests to be announced, she penned a letter to her daughter, Twilight Sparkle, asking that she and her sister come visit her tomorrow with their friends, she had a feeling something big was going to happen, and she wanted her daughters to be here when it did. Suddenly, the double doors were pushed open with fanfare, as the guard that reported to her earlier announced one of the two ponies behind him.

“Her Grace, Lady Hazuki, Empress of Thousand Cranes Palace, High Priestess of Qiling!” the guard announced, standing stiffly at attention. Mildly stunned at the presence of foreign nobility, the court bowed quickly in the presence of the stunning creature before them. It was one thing to be taught that the Qiling rulers were a triumvirate of kirin, and another to see one in pony. After all, they claimed right to the throne by being descended from the God of Dragons! It was never more apparent than now what that meant, as a luminous pale pink mane reached nearly to the floor, interrupted only by the magnificent branched horn that sprouted from the crown of her head. A second horn rested behind, much smaller in size but bearing the same deep green shade and sheen like lacquered wood. Her beautiful pale forest green fur was dappled with a darker scale-like pattern though her shoulders and barrel, which seemed to shine in the light. Lining her neck, chest and the cannons of each leg were real scales, flat like plate armor and of the same shade and luster as her horns.
Small cloven hooves the same hue as her scales peeked through the unshorn fur of her fetlocks. On her flank rested a red gateway Cutie mark, what scholars would recognize as a Torii. In it's center was a geometric pattern Celestia identified as an eternity knot, red with a black border. Her coppery irises seemed to glow in contrast to the black sclera as she scanned the room briefly before resting upon Celestia, where her face broke into a gentle grin of recognition.

Approaching the dais, she bowed once to Celestia before rising gracefully to meet Celestia’s smile of happiness. Standing, Celestia bowed briefly in return before descending from her throne to greet her old friend with a hug; they were easily the same height. This rather forward act of familiarity set the Court to whispering, but she didn’t care at the moment.

“Oh Hazuki, it is so good to see you again! What brings you here, old friend?” She grinned as she released the kirin from her grip.
“I wish it were good tidings, Princess,” she murmured with a sad smile, “but I am afraid my companion and I are here to seek political asylum.” Bowing her head briefly, she turned to look at her companion, who had remained cloaked and unnoticed in the presence of the regal kirin. Finally taking notice, Celestia appraised her friend’s companion. They cut a rather impressive figure, being slightly taller than Luna. All that could be seen was the tip of a metallic-looking horn peeking from the hood shrouding their face in shadow, and... Were those claws? 'Mysterious indeed,' Celestia mused.

“I see,” Celestia sighed, her grin slowly dying. Turning, she took her place once more upon her throne. Looking down at the priestess, she straightened her posture regally.
“Is it bad?” She questioned, sighing again at her friend’s grave ‘yes’. So much could be communicated through that one simple word. This was the last thing they needed after having just recovered from the last fiasco.

“Very well. I shall grant you sanctuary this Day. We shall meet to discuss this further tonight, in my sister’s court. Please get some rest in the meantime.” Summoning a guard to her with a wave of her hoof, Celestia bade him to bring the Lady Hazuki and her companion to the royal guest wing and give them the largest suite available. As they left, she chimed her gilded hoof on the stone pedestal of the dais once again.

“Day Court is hereby dismissed,” she announced. Sitting regally as her ponies slowly shuffled out of the throne room, she prepared herself for the mountain of paperwork her assistant trotted in with. She couldn’t wait for Night Court.

_ . . . . . . : * : . . . . . . _

As she finished her royal duties for the day, Celestia dismissed her assistant and headed out of the throne room to lower the sun, and hopefully meet up halfway with Luna before she started her royal duties. Stepping out onto her balcony, Celestia’s horn glowed with golden energy as the sun set to make way for the moon. A she entered her room, she was pleasantly surprised to see her sister waiting for her with a smile. Smiling, Celestia happily met her sister with a nuzzle.
“Greetings, sister,” Luna smiled, returning her affectionate nuzzle with one of her own. “I hear we have some very interesting guests today.” Grinning softly, Luna turned to head toward the dining hall. It was not often she and Celestia could share dinner. Smiling, Celestia fell into step beside her.

“Oh yes, indeed we do. I trust you remember Lady Hazuki, High Priestess of Qiling?” She smirked knowingly as Luna’s eyes grew wide in excitement.

“Hazu-chan’s here?!” She squealed enthusiastically, bouncing a little in her step before coming to a slow walk. “But… what of the isolation edict you told us of?” she questioned, her gaze puzzled as she caught Celestia’s tired sigh.

“Indeed, she and one other I have not yet met have come here seeking political asylum. I wish to sit with you at court to discuss the matter. Will that be alright with you, little sister?” She asked, looking to her sister’s frowning face.

“Of course Tia. This news troubles us.” Luna stated, as they reached the dining hall.

“And I Lulu. And I,” Celestia sighed as they sat to enjoy their meal.
Finishing their food, the royal sisters quit the dining hall for the throne room, Celestia only pausing long enough to let her sister be announced first. It was her Court, after all. Once she had been announced and taken her place at her sister’s side Luna declared Night Court open for all ponies. The great double doors opened, revealing her fist petitioner to be announced as Lady Hazuki. As she stately minced down the carpet, Luna grinned at her old friend’s welcoming smile. When she reached the base of the dais, she and her companion bowed graciously.

“Your Highness, may I be the first Qilinese to welcome you back from your long absence,” she grinned up at her friend as Luna bid her rise.

“Our thanks, Lady Hazuki. We have missed your presence greatly. We should like to meet with thee later, and catch up on all we have missed.” Grin fading to a more serious expression, Luna returned to business. “Pray, what is thy trouble that brings thee so far from home seeking safety?” Expression turning grim, the kirin turned to acknowledge Celestia to address them both.

“My companion and I are seeking political asylum from my sister, Her Royal Highness High Empress Hoshimi. We also to bring grave news. We fear the Empress may plan to invade Equestria within the year,” she announced, alarm ringing through the court as she met the shocked gazes of both royal sisters. Ringing her metal shoe on the stone dais, Luna furiously called for order in the court. When all had quieted down, she turned again to Lady Hazuki.

“Are you certain of this?” she questioned, frowning down at her. The kirin shuffled in discomfort as her companion shifted stiffly beside her. Celestia glanced over at the slight movement, her curiosity once again piqued. It was the only sign of life she’d seen from the figure all evening, aside from bowing.

“I have a very reliable account from my colleague here, but I wish to have a private audience, as she must share some delicate information meant only for your ears, Highnesses.” She confirmed, flicking coppery eyes at her associate. Her companion gave a rigid nod, affirming her statement. Glancing at Celestia, the sisters shared a look before Luna turned to address the kirin, Celestia's mind oddly focused on the cloaked figure.

“Very well. Court shall be adjourned until this matter had been attended to. You are all dismissed!” Luna announced as the members of the court filed reluctantly out the great double doors, whispering amongst themselves in fearful tones. 'And I can't blame them,' Celestia mused. 'If it's not ancient entities and evil cults attacking, it's mysterious, foreign countries.' Once everyone had left and all the exits secured and guarded, Luna and Celestia descended from the throne to stand before their guests. Celestia turned to address the mysterious figure, who still remained shrouded.

“Alright, who might you be?” She asked with a gentle smile as the figure shifted under her gaze.

“Um, Celestia? You may want to sit down for this,” Hazuki interrupted, glancing worriedly at her friend again. “It’s a bit of a shock.” She explained as Luna and Celestia looked at her with quizzical expressions, even as Celestia complied to her request. The figure then hesitantly lifted a white claw to remove the hood from her face, revealing a silvery mane that tumbled down her neck in gentle curls. Her features were feline in appearance, Celestia noted with a start, while a single branched horn glinted like burnished iron in the light. Celestia met a stunning pair of pale green cat’s eyes, her own widening in recognition. One of them was scarred, but she knew those eyes…

“Hello Celestia. It’s been a long time.” A husky voice almost whispered as their gazes locked.
That voice…
A cacophony of emotions flooded her heart, whose beat had increased rapidly.

“…I-impossible…Yinfâng?” Celestia choked in disbelief, feeling herself swaying before she managed to catch herself with a hoof. "No, it can't be... After eighty plus years..." The war of hope and denial was evident on her face, while the stranger seemed to wilt in the strained silence.

"Much can change in eighty years, Tia."
That voice, again...it sent tingles down her spine.

"Rivers become dry canyons, and volcanoes lush islands, but one thing remains constant through time..."
Those deep jade orbs met hers squarely, and Celestia murmured the words she'd heard often decades ago...

"Red strings...draw us all together eventually..."

"...the world is but a little place, after all."
It was her . It was her. It was her!
With a quick jerk she stood and took a single stuttering step forward. One incredulous hoof reached up to lightly brush aside the mane hanging in front of a marred right eye. “But how…? What…w-what's happened to you?” She breathed, a tinge of horrified sadness in her voice. Yinfâng grimaced, her gaze shifting a little to the right to avoid direct eye contact.

“Oh this? Had a little scuffle with a Shisa-”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it!” Celestia shouted, stamping a hoof and startling everyone present. “When last we met, you were a snow leopard!” she accused, causing Luna whip her head in surprise at Yinfâng as she took in her appearance anew. Grimacing, Yinfâng undid the clasp to her ragged cloak, tugging it off with reluctance. The rough cloth slid off thick silvery fur, revealing the rest of her to Celestia and Luna’s shocked gasps. Eyes roving in dismay, Celestia took in her friend’s drastically altered appearance. A graceful equine neck led to strong shoulders that ended in wicked amalgams of cat and dragon claws. Her torso still seemed feline, but led to haunches that flowed into a kirin’s cloven hooves. Her tail was that of a kirin’s, but thicker and much, much longer; as flexible as a dragon’s near-prehensile tail, the bushy tip twitched in agitation.
Light magenta eyes fell on her silvered flank where a cutie mark rested, looking like a knotted black band. Yanking her eyes to Yinfâng’s face once more, Celestia could feel her gaze boring into Yin's with silent demand. Overwhelmed, the Sun diarch was about to start demanding answers when she caught sight of unshed tears in those striking verdant eyes. Her sharp gaze softened to worry, her anger melted.

“Yin, please… what happened?” she begged, shocking her sister when she nuzzled Yin with hesitant but familiar affection. With hitched breath, the former feline leaned into the touch.

“I’m sorry Tia. I never knew- I wasn’t… I never expected…” her words tumbled over each other as she bowed her head in shame, ears flat against her skull and shoulders hunched. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she started again. “As you may remember, I had been promoted as the High Empress’ right-hoof guardian before you… left. It was just after that that she began acting strange.
She would sequester herself in her chambers for days, even weeks on end, leaving her youngest sister to rule in her absence." The agitation she struggled to hide in her voice was evident on her face, her pink cat's nose wrinkled as one ear twitched. "When she wasn’t in self-imposed isolation, she kept me close to her side and would not let me leave the palace, even to visit my family.
After a year of this, even Lady Himegami would disappear with her for hours on end. I sent a missive to my- my sisters,” she stuttered thickly, looking up again at Celestia as she sat. “You remember them? Turns out Bâo-Yu and Lien-Hua had been missing for some days. I was too late by then, I just didn’t realize it. When the Empress summoned me to her chambers, I thought nothing of it, and walked right into her trap."

Celestia grew more worried when Yin's voice took on a clinical detachment, eyes hardening to chips of ice. "I was knocked unconscious. When I came to, I was tied on the floor in a great chamber I’d never seen before. What brought me around was… was screaming. Li and Yu’s, as their souls were ripped from their bodies, and placed in a strange receptacle.”
Despite her impassive demeanor, a tear inched down Yinfâng’s face as she reiterated the deaths of her family. “I... saw Lady Himegami there, as the Empress removed her own sister’s soul and… placed it in Lien-Hua’s body. The next thing I know, I have been freed of my bonds but immobilized in a levitation field.”

Yin took a moment to visibly collect herself, swallowing as if to steel her nerves. “After that, everything is a bright light and terrible agony. I-I think I vaguely remember some kind of ceremonial knife...my memories are rather fuzzy at this point. When I awoke again, I was like… this.” Gesturing vaguely to her body with the wave of a claw. Voice turning from subdued to harsh, she looked Celestia square in the eye. “She must have used Bio Alchemy. She broke a royal taboo and made me an Artifice Chimera, with the still living bodies of Bâo-Yu and Lady Himeko.”
Angry tears trickled down her face and dripped silently to the floor, while Celestia and Luna stared at her in horrified dismay. Bio Alchemy had been outlawed for this very reason; the creation of creatures by tearing them apart on a molecular level, and creating one new beast from the combined DNA was inequine and a terrible abuse of magic.

“Oh Yin…” Celestia whispered sorrowfully, tears slipping down her own face as she moved to embrace the chimera in her wings and brush her muzzle through Yin’s mane, taking in the familiar scent of snow, flowers, and the faint tang of iron. At least that hadn't changed. “Why would she do this?” Celestia murmured, not releasing her hold. Lady Hazuki spoke up, to relieve her friend of the emotional burden.

“Himegami-chan was always jealous of Lóngrén; wanting to be one of them…her surrender of her body was voluntary on her part." Everyone present could see the disappointment and anger on her face. "As for Yin…I think my sister was far more attached to her than anyone ever gave her credit for. She feared her…mortality, we think. There is a good chance Yin will not age for thousands of years.” Celestia pulled back enough to eye her figurative cousin with surprise, but figured it must be true. Yinfâng still appeared in her early twenties, and a leopard’s life-span rarely reached seventy.

“Why did you stay?” Luna interrupted, causing Celestia to release her hold with a slightly flushed face. Luna did not miss the very slight blush on Yinfâng’s cheeks, either. “Why come to us with this now, eighty years later?” she questioned, as Yin once again attempted to hide her gaze beneath her mane.

“I didn’t stay of my own volition,” she hissed, affronted. “Blood Covenant or not! She betrayed the oath I made, and I am--was, was not without my... honor. She-- she collared me.” The last coming out a whisper of shame. Luna nodded in pitied understanding, but Celestia exploded.

“SHE WHAT?!” The alicorn ranted as she leapt to her hooves indignantly, her volume making all but Luna wince. “Yin, the Empress only collars slaves, and she personally banned slavery from Qiling THREE HUNDRED YEARS AGO!” She roared, the sharp crack of her hooves on stone punctuating her anger while poor Yin could only nod in miserable assent.

“I was to be the face of her new regime, in her quest to absorb our neighbors into the New Qiling Empire. She knew I’d never assist her willingly, not with Lóngzhùzhái so close,” Yin looked at Luna to avoid glancing at the Lunar Princess’ pacing sister, who was still muttering angrily. Stepping in, Hazuki continued the explanation in an attempt to take some pressure off of Yin.

“I had been on sabbatical for several decades to renew the Wards deep in Lóngzhùzhái, and when I finally returned it was a good sixty-five years after the isolation edict. I was shocked to find my sister amassing dark armies led by my youngest sister, who was inhabiting the stolen body of a Lóngrén-hime.” She glanced over at a still fuming Celestia. “And appalled when I discovered Hoshimi had forced forbidden magics upon one of my dear friends. Over the course of the next decade or so I tried to get Yin by herself, but my sister would not let her out of her sight. She even, ah, required they share the same quarters.” Hazuki nervously caught Celestia’s offended expression.
“I managed to catch her alone after some delicate misinformation was spread to my sister, during which I succeeded in releasing Yin from her collar. We then hightailed it out of the palace as fast as we could. I took her to Tiangong, and we managed to hide there for a short while. But a few days later, the Empress came blazing in asking if they had seen her cons-- retainer." She cast a furtive glance between the royal sisters to see if either caught her slip-up to find Luna giving her a rather uncomfortable stare.
"The Sovereign Emperor and Empress lied to cover for us, but we couldn’t stay. While the High Empress was there she also asked for their help should she decide to invade Equestria. Yin’s father passed the news to her and helped us leave their borders undetected. We’ve since been traveling incognito amongst the gypsies to avoid detection. It has taken us this long to circle around to Equestria without being seen.” As Hazuki finished, Yin edged closer to lean on her shoulder in a show of comfort. Celestia felt a flash of irritation at the gesture, but quashed it when she noticed Yinfâng trembling ever so lightly. 'Get yourself together,' Celestia scolded herself. Her friend did not need bouts of misplaced jealousy on her part, she needed support.

“Very well,” Luna declared, shaking Celestia out of her reverie. “We shall grant thee asylum the nights you remain here.”

“And I shall grant you asylum through the days.” Celestia finished, meeting Hazuki’s eyes while carefully avoiding the sight of Yin still leaning on her shoulder. She tried to ignore any spikes of resentment she felt, it was unbecoming of a Princess of Equestria. “I greatly wish to sit with you both for a while longer, though I imagine Luna must get back to her Night Court. Would the two of you care to join me for some tea?” She asked, meeting Yin’s eyes with a genuine smile as she straightened up and nodded shyly.

"I would love to, Celestia.” Yin affirmed, gathering her cloak and clasping it about her once more.

“I’m afraid I must beg off, dear cousin,” Hazuki politely declined, smirking privately at Yin’s sudden flustered expression. “I am rather tired; the nap I took earlier did not quite restore me as I’d hoped.”

“Oh, that’s quite alright Hazuki,” Celestia demurred sweetly, trying to keep the joy out of her voice. “You are always welcome to join us for breakfast tomorrow morning,” she invited. She did enjoy Hazuki’s company, but… more than anything else right now, she wanted to be alone with Yinfâng to talk. She had missed her terribly.

“Very well then, we shall see thee on the morrow,” Luna bade them all a good night as they left through a side exit, so as to avoid the mob of growing petitioners outside the great doors to the Throne Room. When they reached the hallway, Princess Celestia beckoned a guard over to their little group.

Yes, you’re Highness?” he inquired, sketching a bow while trying hard not to stare rudely at either Hazuki or Yinfâng.

“Please escort Lady Hazuki to her room in the Royal Guest Wing. Assign a unit for protection, and make sure she has a staff member to attend her needs. That will be all,” she intoned, waving a hoof to dismiss him.

“As you wish, your Highness,” he saluted, then turned to Lady Hazuki and bowed politely. “If your Grace will follow me, please?” He gestured with a hoof.
“Certainly, good sir,” Hazuki smiled politely, before turning and sketching a brief bow to Celestia. “I shall see you tomorrow, cousin. A pleasant night to you.” She then turned to Yinfâng, pinning her with a worried frown. “Good night, Yin-chan,” she said with an affectionate hug, and then whispered gently, “do not push yourself too hard.” At Yin’s tiny nod of affirmation, Hazuki turned to leave, but paused with a backward glance at her cloaked friend. "You no longer have need of this, I shall take it with me." She declared as her horn lit up with a bright copper glow and relieved the chimera of her tattered covering. Yin seemed to shrink in on herself, one ear flicking in annoyance as the priestess left without giving her a chance to protest.
"If you insist, Hazuki-dono." brows furrowed at the ill-disguised nervousness and slight irritation in the chimera's voice, Celestia turned to look at Yin and noticed she was still trembling. When she turned to look at Celestia with a tenuously joyful smile though, the princess quickly smoothed her features into a grin.

“Well, shall we go? I know a nice little nook where we can enjoy some tea with little disturbance.” Nudging her playfully, Celestia hid a grin at the little blush that bloomed on Yin’s cheeks at the gesture. Inside, Celestia was bursting with happiness, and more than a little hope. Perhaps Yin still liked her, after all these years. And now, they might even have a real chance at a…relationship.

There had certainly been feelings between them during her stay in Qiling; but too many factors kept them from anything more than sweet words and heated kisses in the shadows. They had both hoped Yin might be sent as an envoy to Equestria in the years following the peace talks, but then the edict had been established instead. Celestia had been heartbroken at the thought of never seeing Yinfâng again, and over the course of the following six or so decades attempted to drown out her sorrows with excuses. She desperately tried to justify in her mind why it would have never worked in the first place: species, nationality, longevity, and even gender had all crossed her mind as reasons they could never have been anyway.

The last, especially, had led to a minor tryst in which she tried to prove to herself she was straight. She had not been particularly proud of herself for her indiscretion that night, and had cried bitterly at her imagined unfaithfulness to a love that had never quite bloomed, and a sweetheart who had surely passed of old age by now. This in turn led to more bitter tears as she finally acknowledged the death of one who had been a close friend, at the very least.
But, that was all in the past, and she hoped she might have a bright future to look ahead to. 'Dear Faust, may she still hold the same sentiments as before.'

As they both walked in companionable silence, Celestia kept sneaking glances at her old friend. Despite her change, the former leopard looked rather amazing. She still had that predatory grace in her step that had drawn Celestia the first time she’d laid eyes on her. Her plush fur was still the same silvery white color, and where there had once been beautiful black rosettes spotting her fur she now sported a shimmering, dappled scale pattern across her shoulders and back. A curious mix of the two different markings, the glimmering center of each pattern was drastically offset by the dark matte stippling surrounding them. Her claws looked well-trimmed and clicked almost inaudibly against the polished stone floor of the hallway. Even her cloven hooves barely made any sound, though they looked sturdy enough. 'And I do believe I will enjoy playing with her mane, now that she has one' the princess smiled to herself. Glancing at her face again, Celestia noticed the tightness around her pale green eyes and lowered ears, giving her a rather worn expression.

“If you are… tired, Yin, we can always-”she started hesitantly before Yin cut her off, startled out of her silence.

“Oh, no Tia I’m fine really.” She smiled reassuringly. “It’s just… been a long day, you know?” She sighed before meeting Celestia’s gaze with a grin. “I would love to chat with you, and the tea will be a nice bonus. You will hold to your promise of tea I trust?” She smirked, winking. “Been at least four years since I had a cup of good tea, that swill the gypsies drink is terrible.” The flirty gesture combined with her husky voice sent tiny shivers of hope and longing down Celestia’s spine.

“Very well then, we have arrived,” she gestured grandly, sweeping a hoof toward the balcony she had been leading them to. It was a grand balcony, with glass doors to ensure no one overheard their conversation and plenty of potted and vining plants to give it a serene ambiance. As they took seats across from each other at the lone table made for two, a teal unicorn with a tea pot Cutie mark walked up to them.

“Your Highness, what may I prepare for you this evening?” she inquired, levitating a tea service on the table.

“I think just a jasmine green tea for me please, Assam. What would you like, Yin?” she asked, pointedly looking at her guest and forcing the unicorn to acknowledge the strange creature sitting with her princess.

“May I have some oolong tea, please?” she asked shyly as their waitress huffed slightly but nodded in polite acquiesce before trotting off with her muzzle held high in the air. Yinfâng only watched in amused puzzlement before leaning toward Celestia conspiratorially and whispered “How does she see where she’s going with her nose in the air like that?” Glad their waitress was out of ear shot, Celestia chuckled heartily, thankful to have her friend with her once again. Yin had always seen her as just another princess among the powerful many that graced both Qiling and Lóngzhùzhái, not 'the Sun Goddess'. A welcome relief from the stifling awe of her little ponies, and one of the things that drew her to the warrior.

“I think it’s some sort of ego-location,” she snickered. “Their arrogance radiates off them in waves that bounce off inanimate objects and other important ponies so they don’t all crash into each other. Or the furniture. Or the walls. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work on anypony else.” Giggling like a pair of school fillies, they each tried their best to keep straight faces when Assam returned with their tea.

“May I fetch anything else for you, you’re Highness?” She asked in a rather snobbish tone, deliberately ignoring Yinfâng’s presence at the table.

“No thank you Assam, that will be all,” Celestia politely declined as she turned back to her conversation with Yin. When Assam only nodded and took a few steps back, Celestia looked at her quizzically. “Is there something you need?” she asked, Celestia’s tone implying the mare was interrupting them.

“Ah, no your Highness!” Assam hastily assured, shooting glances at Yinfâng. “Um, if you need anything else, anything at all…! Just ring the bell. Er, good night Highness!” she stuttered, backing out of the balcony in an awkward half-bow. Just as she turned and crossed the threshold, Celestia politely but firmly shut the doors behind her; nearly catching her tail and earning a tiny yip from the flustered mare. Chuckling, Yinfâng turned and smirked at Celestia.

“What bell?” she joked, to which Celestia gravely produced a tiny silver bell with a cherry wood handle. Chuckling, Yin shook her head in mock disbelief. “You’ve certainly got the ponies here wrapped around your hoof,” she teased. Celestia playfully glared and stuck her tongue at the chimera before daintily sipping her tea. “So Yin, I couldn’t help but notice you sport a Cutie mark now,” Celestia glanced pointedly and nodded in its general direction, receiving a blush and grin in affirmation.

“Father always thought I was an exceptional fighter. Turns out whatever magic grants these things agreed. Perhaps it is due to my having earned the ranking of Shodan,” Yin surmised proudly, flicking her left ear. Startled, Celestia drew her attention to said ear and finally noticed the three loops pierced there, replacing the plain gold, silver, and copper studs she remembered there last. They sparkled faintly in the dim lighting, three solid gem hoops of varying color and size.
“Congratulations!” she smiled gleefully, leaning over to get a better look at them. “I know you were training so hard for those…” she trailed off, flicking them gently with her hoof. The lowest piercing appeared to be made of ruby, which she knew stood for strength of body, but the other two she did not recognize. “What do the orange and yellow rings represent?” She inquired, sipping at her tea once again. Gleefully, Yinfâng began explaining the garnet and citrine rings and their symbolisms. The two sat together long into the evening, chatting amicably and laughing merrily until they bade each other a good night.

_ . . . . . . : * : . . . . . . _

After a cheerful breakfast, Celestia approached Yinfâng as the servants were clearing the dish ware from the great table.

“Yin, what are your plans for the day?” She inquired, hoping she might convince the chimera to join her for Day Court.

“Actually, I would like to visit your library, if I may?” She inquired hopefully, her expression silently begging for Celestia to say yes.

“Weeell…” Celestia drawled, pretending to look away in contemplation as she tapped her hoof to her chin. “I don-” she stopped, eyes widening in dismay. Yin was using The Face. Her pupils were expanded to give her a ‘sad kitten’ expression that none could resist, while her lower lip had the tiniest pout to it. Inside, Celestia’s heart was doing flip-flops. Really, making that face should be illegal! “Now, that’s cheating. You know I can’t resist that face,” she admonished as Yin broke character and her wistful mien split into a smug one. “Aright, have a guard show you the way.” Acquiescing grumpily, Celestia brightened when Yin rewarded her with a grateful hug. “Will you join me for lunch, at least?” she requested, placated when Yin nodded in agreement cheerfully and trotted merrily off, her re-donned cloak fluttering like a cape behind her. ‘Really, what am I going to do with that cub?’ Celestia asked herself amusedly as she exited the dining hall.

Calling to her assistant, she asked what her schedule was for the day. Perplexed, her assistant reminded her that she had canceled Day Court to receive her daughters and their friends as she handed Celestia a large stack of papers. Temporarily stunned, Celestia barely kept her composure as she thanked her assistant and dismissed her for the day. How could she have forgotten, even momentarily, about her daughters’ visit which she had penned just yesterday? Celestia felt her eyes widen in alarm. 'How am I going to explain them to Yin? Would… would she think I had moved on? Forgotten what we had together before?'

Taking a moment, Celestia ducked into a little used corridor to think. Surely, Yin wouldn’t… but then, they had never affirmed anything. They had fallen into an easy companionship, but was that all? Yin had given no hints of…No, surely there was still a spark there. She would just have to explain, is all. About the despair and denial she went through trying to protect herself from a broken heart. Sighing dejectedly, Celestia once again entered the hallway proper and headed to her study where she might at least get some paperwork done before Twilight and company arrived. A glowing stack of papers trailed behind her.

When she realized she was nervously pacing the Throne Room, Celestia forced herself to stop and perform some breathing exercises before sitting calmly and smiling serenely just as the guard announced the arrival of Twilight, Dawn, and the Elements of Harmony.

“Welcome, my little ponies!” She greeted them, smiling genuinely now as the Element Bearers bowed and her daughters ran up to hug her. Once the greetings were out of the way, she bid them sit so she could address them as a group, which was a little easier said than done when it came to Pinkie—and Rainbow Dash too, apparently.

“Why did you invite us here today, Princ-mom?” Twilight queried with a happy smile, she was always glad to see her mother. She dutifully ignored her sister snickering 'Prince Mom' under her breath.

“The reason I invited you all here today was to introduce some very good friends of mine, who hail all the way from Qiling,” Celestia announced, smiling inwardly at Twilight’s excited squeal.

“Wow, from Qiling?! But what about the isolation edict they instigated eighty-two years ago?” She questioned.

“The iso-what now?” interrupted a puzzled Rainbow who was fluttering just off the floor.

“Basically it means no one in, no one out,” Dawn explained snidely, sneering slightly in Rainbow’s direction. "Usually on pain of death."

“Well then how’n tarnation did yer friends get here, Princess?” Applejack questioned looking at her quizzically.

“That’s what we’d all like to know, darling,” Rarity intercepted with a toss of her mane. “It’s been about eighty years since anyone has heard a peep from the Qilinese Empire. Oh, do you think they have some silk with them?” she exclaimed, tapping her hooves together excitedly. “No one does silk as fabulously as the Qilinese!”

“Oh my, eighty years?” Fluttershy murmured. “That’s a very long time.”

“Indeed it is my little pony. Which is why I was so surprised when my good friends Lady Hazuki, Empress and High Priestess of Qiling, and Yinfâng turned up yesterday. The news behind their arrival is very unfortunate, but I will go into detail with you all later. For now, I would like you all to meet-” Just then the doors opened and a regal voice joined the group.

“Oh! My apologies, it seems I am late. Greetings, everypony. I am Empress Hazuki.” As everyone turned to look at their new guest, they all gasped as one in awe. As they all tried to bow without breaking their line of vision, Hazuki waved them off with a chuckle. “Please everypony, no need for formalities. It is a pleasure to meet you all. I’m sure you all have a few questions for me, as it has been many years since any of my kind have been seen." she started, before Dawn interrupted.

“You’re a kirin, aren’t you?” She asked rather bluntly, trying to hide the traces of awe in her voice. Smiling, Lady Hazuki nodded in agreement.

“Indeed I am. I see you have read your history. It is an honor to meet you all. Even we in Qiling have legends of the Elements of Harmony, and my traveling companion and I heard tale of your exploits on our journey here.” Turning to Princess Celestia she frowned slightly in consternation. “Speaking of, have you seen Yinfâng?” Celestia avoided eye contact with a nervous shuffle.

“I sent her with an escort to the library this morning, she should be back soon for lunch…” Suddenly Pinkie gasped. One of her ‘I just had a world-shattering revelation’ gasps.

“Guys, I just realized Empress Lady High Priestess Hazuki--wow, that's a mouthful-- hasn’t been to Equestria in at least eighty years! Do you know what this means?!” Everyone just groaned in resignation. “We need to throw her a ‘Welcome Back to Equestria’ Party!” she shouted joyously, jumping in the air along with a mysterious flurry of confetti. Twilight face-hoofed, while Dawn muttered darkly about ‘stupid party hats’ and ‘hot-sauce punch’. Before anyone could stop her, Lady Hazuki happily gave the idea her seal of approval.

“I’ll get started on the invitations then!” Pinkie exclaimed happily. “Everyone here is cordially invited, of course!”

“Invited to what?” A smoky-smooth voice suddenly interrupted from close behind the group, causing everyone to whirl in surprise, Rainbow leaping to the ceiling so fast she left a rainbow contrail behind her. Once the group of friends got a good look at who had startled them, they all fell into a strained silence. Except for Pinkie, who had a disturbingly large grin forming on her face. ‘Well, here’s the big moment’, Celestia swallowed with apprehension. Stepping in to grab everyone’s attention, Celestia cleared her voice.

“Everyone, I’d like you all to meet Yinfâng. She once saved my life, and is a very dear friend of mine.” The Princess declared, smiling warmly at Yin to her consternation. “Yin, I’d like you to meet Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkamena Diane Pie, the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony.” Smiling shyly, Yin sketched a polite bow in their direction, which startled the rest into bowing clumsily back. "And these two are…my daughters, Twilight Sparkle and Dawn,” She nodded in the direction the sisters were standing.

Her smile a strained mockery of her usual expression, she desperately wanted Yinfâng to accept them; her heart was palpitating almost audibly in her ears, and she had to fight back the urge to swallow. Yin seemed to go impossibly still for one agonizing moment, her ears twitching almost flat for a brief moment. Just as Celestia thought she felt her heart drop into her stomach, Yin broke into a friendly smile, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. Perhaps things would turn out alright, after all.

“It is an honor, and pleasure, to meet you all,” the chimera murmured. She seemed relaxed, but Celestia tensed slightly when she noticed her posture. She was still nervous around these ponies. And she was trembling ever so slightly again.

“It has been wonderful meeting you all,” Lady Hazuki suddenly interjected, “But I shall take my leave and let you all catch up. Yinfâng, would you care to join me for noonday meal in our chambers?” she invited politely turning to pin Yin with a look Celestia noted, but couldn’t place.

“Certainly, Hazuki-sama,” Yin smoothly accepted, turning to bow toward Princess Celestia. “I hope you do not mind, but I shall decline your earlier offer of lunch in favor of letting you visit with your…daughters, and their friends. Good day everypony.” Bowing their heads politely, the duo exited the throne room before Celestia could even twitch at the rejection. The sight of them walking rather close together left the Princess with the disconcerting feeling of being detached; floating in some in-between space. The voices of the others around her sounded far away, as if through running water. Celestia realized it was the sound of her blood roaring in her ears. What was between those two?

Author's Note

~~And it begins.~~
~~This is my first fanfiction ever, so any positive criticism and feedback is appreciated. I also welcome questions. Thanks for giving my first attempt a try!~~

~~Once again, big thanks to Wanderer D. You rock!~~