Once Hazuki and Yin had reached the relative safety of their rooms, Yin dropped her façade and leaned heavily on the kirin, her breath coming out in raspy gasps. Hurriedly helping her friend over to the closest bed, Hazuki eased Yin’s prone form across the comforter and rushed to grab a small pouch that was cleverly hidden in the folds of Yin’s cloak.
“You waited too long again,” she hissed half in anger and half out of worry. Her magic fumbled with a small elongated object in it before pulling it free of its confines, revealing a small crude pipe. Carefully, she levitated a pinch of cured flower petals out of the same pouch. Lightly crumbling them into the bowl of the pipe, she lit it with her magic and bade Yin to inhale. Weakly, Yin closed her lips around the mouthpiece of the pipe before carefully, deeply inhaling. Sighing after a count of four, she repeated to process twice more before releasing the pipe from her mouth.

“Public…” she wheezed, easing back down on the bed tiredly with a light cough.

“That’s no excuse,” Hazuki admonished gently as she disposed of the ashes in the pipe by tapping them out into the fireplace. Placing the makeshift pipe back in the pouch and returning it to its hiding place, she turned a sad expression toward Yin’s resting figure. “You know what’ll happen if you don’t take care of it.” She murmured forlornly, walking over to nuzzle Yin gently.

“I do,” Yin admitted with a drained sigh, voice laden with defeat. “But maybe I’m tired of fighting,” she whispered. First panicked alarm, then woeful comprehension dawned in Hazuki’s eyes.

“But you’ve come this far,” she mumbled miserably as she buried her face in Yin’s mane to hide her tears.

“Yes,” Yin breathed resolutely, “I’ve delivered my message. And I’ve seen her once more. She found happiness without me, Hazuki. She can find it again when I leave.”

“I thought she was your sole reason for enduring,” Hazuki countered, not removing her face from Yin’s soft silvery curls.

"You met her daughters,” Yin mumbled as she closed her eyes. “She was able to move on. It is only fair I let her keep that-”

“Fair?!” Hazuki barked irately, lifting her face to look at Yin’s resentfully. “Fair is letting her choose! You have a choice, why can’t she?”

“She already let go Hazuki,” Yin replied crossly. “Now I can choose to release my hold, or continue gripping onto something that may well be dead.”

“You don’t know for sure,” Hazuki agued. "You can be so stubborn sometimes." Huffing, her companion just lay still. As the kirin turned to straighten her mane with a brush suspended in a coppery glow, Yinfâng rolled her eyes and rose from the bed with stiff limbs--her ‘sessions’ always left her uncomfortably lethargic--just as a knock sounded at their door.

“Who is it, Yin?” Hazuki asked distractedly, still trying to tame her mane. Stupid mess was so fine, it tangled at the drop of a hat!

“Just a staff member, I think,” Yin replied as she cracked a yawn. “I’ll answer the door.” Sauntering over to the impressive set of double doors that entered their shared rooms, Yin opened them just wide enough to permit ranged vision without allowing a pony a look inside their quarters. “Yes?” she inquired politely. The stallion at her door was shuffling nervously with a platter balanced precariously on his haunches.
“Erm, I have the food you requested delivered to your room, miss…?” he mumbled, nervous at having to look slightly upwards to meet her predatory eyes.
“Ah yes. Thank you for delivering it so quickly,” she demurred. Grasping the platter he proffered with a single claw she thanked him politely while withdrawing to close the door. As he coughed for her attention though, she stopped. “Is there something else I can help you with…?” Yin asked, baffled at his behavior.
“I was, ah, also asked to give you this,” he explained, extending a bright pink envelope he had quickly dug out of his tailored butler's jacket. “You’re reply?” he asked as he gestured toward the folded piece of paper, the letters RSVP written in scripted letters adorning the front.
“A moment…” Yin murmured, setting the domed tray down and sitting to open the envelope. In flowing script it revealed both she and Lady Hazuki were cordially invited to a tea party in place of dinner.
“What does it say?” Hazuki asked as she hovered over Yin’s shoulder to read it.
“Do you want to go?” Yin queried, offering the paper to be read.
“I’ll go if you do,” Hazuki grinned, challenge in her bright russet eyes.
“Alright,” Yin sighed, turning back to the butler outside the door. “We accept, sir.” She answered as he nodded with approval.
“Excellent. Somepony will be sent to lead you to the appropriate room. I bid you both a good day.” Bowing politely, he turned and trotted away with his nose in the air.
“I still don’t get how ponies walk around like that. They can’t even use chi.” Hazuki chuckled when she heard Yin mutter to herself as she closed the door. The kirin grabbed a book off the top of the pile Yin brought back from her library visit earlier, deciding to make the most of her afternoon. It was going to be a long day.

__ . . . . . . : * : . . . . . . __

“Seems rather quiet,” Yinfâng commented as they trailed after a guard down a series of hallways.

“Oh, I’m sure the bulk of the staff is busy eating, it is dinner time after all.” Lady Hazuki dismissed with a slight toss of her head.

“I suppose…” Yin trailed off, not as certain as Hazuki seemed to be.

“Here we are your Grace; milady,” the guard gestured waving toward a modest set of double doors. Yin approached the doors, but tensed faintly before she moved to open them.

“Well, here goes nothing,” Yin muttered as she grimaced a little to herself. Hazuki observed the bunching of muscles across Yin's back, a sign of tension she had picked up from their travels. She knew Yin wasn't overly fond of large gatherings, and felt slightly guilty for using the girl's unconscious weakness toward challenges to get her in an uncomfortable environment. Still, an intervention of some kind was needed. Hazuki refused to sit idly by while Yin just gave up on her own happiness.

“SURPRISE!” A host of ponies shouted gleefully, with a bouncy pink pony at the forefront. She sprung forward in a shower of confetti to greet the two Qilinese visitors as they entered the small ballroom decorated for a party.

“So were you surprised? I bet you were! It's a 'Surprise, this isn't a boring stuffy noble-pants party like you thought' Party! That one is next week, I think. But shh! Don't tell anypony!” Pinkie giggled happily, bouncing with with barely repressed excitement. Yin was a statue, eyes wide and ears pinned back from the verbal and visual assault.

“Yes, we were very surprised, Pinkamena. Your invitation hinted at something a bit more... formal.” Hazuki asked as she smiled and glanced around the room.

“Oh, you can just call me Pinkie!” the party pony smiled. “Well after I met you and Yinfâng this afternoon, I thought, ‘I need to throw them a ‘Welcome to Equestria’ party'! But when I asked Princess Celestia about it, she told me there are special parties she puts on for foreign dignitaries. I kinda figured you'd be expecting that, so then I thought, ‘well how about a ‘Yay new friends from Qiling’ Party, and Princess Celestia said that would be a wonderful idea. I even made you some special Qilinese cupcakes!” She chattered excitedly as she showed them to the food table. “Well I gotta go check on the other guests, but I’ll come visit with you again later!” Bouncing away before either guest could get a word in edge-wise, they both just looked at each other bemusedly and shrugged. As they perused the snacks, Princess Celestia chose that moment to walk over and offer her own greetings.

“I hope you are finding the festivities to your liking. I’m not certain either of you are used to these sorts of parties, they do tend to get rather lively. I hope you don’t mind too much,” she smiled a tad uncertainly. She still had some lingering misgivings over their last encounter.

“I’m certain we’ll enjoy ourselves, Celestia. This was very thoughtful of Pinkie Pie.” Lady Hazuki smiled cheerfully. “Where did she find all these ponies?” the kirin wondered out loud as she looked around the room. Most of the guests seemed to consist of castle staff, as a few were still in uniform. She might have to speak to Celestia later about her questionable choice in maid outfit.

“I honestly don’t know, Pinkie seems to know more ponies than I do. But that’s the Element of Laughter for you, friendly with everypony and always ready to celebrate something. Try those cupcakes, I think you’ll like them,” Celestia pointed at a plate of green tinted cupcakes with a reddish frosting adorning the top. “They’re green tea flavored with azuki frosting. I know that’s your favorite.” She smiled at Yin, hoping she would like them. Grinning in delight, Yin grasped one delicately in her claws and took a bite.

“Mmm, they’re delicious Tia,” she moaned happily at she took another bite. “Pinkie is quite the skilled baker, I will have to thank her for these later.” Grinning joyfully, Celestia hid her relief at hearing Yin use her nickname with casual humor.

“There’s also some brewed green tea in a bowl over there. It is slightly sweetened though, so be careful. I don’t think Pinkie Pie can make anything without putting sugar in it,” she smirked ruefully. “I had to talk her down from the amount she was originally planning on putting in it after she tasted it without.” Chuckling lightly, the three of them fell into some easy conversation as they gravitated toward a place less trafficked, plates of food trailing along in golden and henna tinted auras. They ended up in a slightly out of the way corner, where they found a butter-yellow pegasus trying to shrink into the floor.

“Hello Fluttershy,” Celestia greeted with gentle warmth. “How are you finding the party?”

“Oh, well, it’s alright,” the shy pegasus offered a timid smile, as she tried to hide behind her mane.

“It certainly is boisterous, isn’t it? I’ve never been to a party like this before. I usually only hear decibels this high in nightclubs.” Yin confided, sitting a comfortable distance from the mare.

“Are parties different in Qiling?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

“Oh yes. They are usually stiff, quiet, dignified affairs. Everyone ends up in little groups where they might share a few drinks and talk quietly amongst themselves. If there is music it is low and soothing, and it is usually held someplace next to a garden where one might walk in silent contemplation. Perhaps hold small on-the-spot poetry competitions. Nothing like this,” she gestured toward the dance floor where ponies were busting a move to the cheerful beat of the music, or playing various games set in the corners.

“Oh, that sound wonderful,” Fluttershy beamed. “Are there any animals in the gardens there?” she asked as she perked up with curiosity. Sensing her friend would be comfortable here, Hazuki nudged Celestia and motioned with her head to follow her. The two slipped away as the chimera and pegasus chatted amicably, though the princess kept one ear cocked in their direction.

“-ight be a few song birds, and probably some mice, but generally they are kept very neat so a body might not stumble into a hole or step in something they’d rather not,” Yin smiled jokingly. “Very few kirin actually keep many animals at their estates, besides the odd bird here or there. Most can’t be bothered with looking after them.” The chimera explained.

“Oh, I see. Still, that kind of party is more my speed,” the mare confessed wistfully.

“Did someone say ‘speed’?” a sky blue pegasus interrupted, fluttering down from somewhere near the ceiling. “Cuz’ speed’s my thing,” she boasted as she tapped a hoof to her chest.

“Oh, hi Rainbow Dash! We were just talking about Qilinese parties,” Fluttershy explained as she smiled at the rainbow-maned mare in greeting. “They’re apparently a lot quieter than ours usually are,” she explained.

“Eh, that sounds kinda lame,” the blue pegasus scoffed as she waved a hoof dismissively.

“They do get rather ostentatious,” Yin agreed. “They rarely have food, and you have to drink if someone offers but don’t ever let on that you’re tipsy; it’s disgraceful,” she snorted while rolling her eyes. "I say the strangest things when drunk, but I say them with perfect articulation now. The pompous gits haven't seemed to catch on yet." Grinning, Rainbow lightly punched her on the shoulder acceptingly.

“You’re alright,” she said approvingly. “We should hang out sometime,” she invited. “Have you ever heard of the Wonderbolts?”

“Oh Rainbow, you and the ‘Bolts,” A new voice interjected.
Ear still trained on the trio, Celestia smiled to glimpse Twilight and the rest of her friends-sans a pink earth pony- walking over to join them. “You need to get a new hobby,” Dawn snarked. “if you want, I know some great S&M clubs-”

“Dawn!” Twilight hissed. “Not in front of Yinfâng, you’ll embarrass us both!” she reprimanded, blushing a little in discomfort. “Sorry, she’s always like this,” Twilight apologized, bowing her head slightly.

“I take it you’re the blunt, sarcastic one of the group,” Yin deadpanned, earning a smirk from the earth pony.

“Got that right. Seems I've a bit of a kindred spirit here, eh? Maybe we should-” she grinned suggestively before Applejack cut her off.

“Stop right there, sugarcube,” she warned, stuffing a hoof in Dawn’s mouth. “Don’t hit on th’ Princess’ guest, it’s not polite.” Pinkie chose this moment to bounce over and join the rest of them.

“So how were the Qilinese cupcakes I made? Didja like them?” she asked hopefully. “Yes, they were wonderful, thank you. Where did you get the ingredients?” Yin asked, gracing the excitable mare with a grateful smile.

“When I asked Princess Celestia what your favorite sweets were, she explained what mochi were and how they were made. I didn’t know how to make those, but they gave me a neat idea for a cupcake! I found a specialty store where I got the beans, and the Princess let me use her own stock of green tea. I’m so glad you liked them!” Pinkie bounced a little in joy before she settled down with everyone else.
Looking at the group from across the room, Princess Celestia grinned, relieved to see her old friend getting along with the Elements and her daughters. Turning back to Hazuki, she sipped her tea before ‘biting the blade’, as it were, and asked her the question that had been burning in the back of her mind all day.

“You and Yin seem rather…close,” Celestia probed, her expression a mask of indifference. The kirin was quick to riposte.

“My thoughts exactly. Don't think I did not notice what went on between you two in the throne room,” Lady Hazuki remarked, her expression a mirror of her companion's as she sipped her tea. “You two seemed rather familiar for a royal and vassal, who had only been acquainted for a year or two I might add. How do you feel about her?” the Kirin questioned seriously, pinning Celestia with a poignant stare that brooked no avoidance. The sun princess fought to stifle a gulp of nervousness. Touché.

“I… care for her a great deal. There were… strong feelings between us back then. I had given up, after eighty years… but now she’s back. I just want to know if I have a chance,” Celestia admitted, her ears flat with dejection.

“There are no romantic feelings between us, if that is what you are wondering,” Hazuki assured before resting a hoof on Celestia’s shoulder. “But she is under the impression you have moved on. I told her not to jump to conclusions…” Hazuki shook her head ruefully as Celestia raised her head, eyes brimming with hope. “Be careful with her, Celestia. That poor girl has been badly used and needs a healing touch.” She cautioned, gazing sorrowfully over at the merrily chatting group across the room. Wanting to ask but knowing it was not her place, the sun princess instead elected to observe from afar, her sharp hearing tuning in once again to the group of mares surrounding the mysterious chimera.

“Oh darling, I simply have to ask,” the purple-maned unicorn asked with a toss of her head. “This may come a bit out of left field, but did you happen to bring any garments made of that fabulous silk with you? I’m just dying to get a good look at it.” She exclaimed, giving Yin a winning smile.
"I’m afraid not. When Hazuki-sama and I left, we could only carry essentials with us," Yin explained carefully, curious as to why she wanted to know.
“Oh, what a shame! I have always wanted to work with Qilinese silk, it simply shimmers marvelously!” Rarity swooned dramatically. “Either way, I would love to make a dress for you darling. I never get to work with some one of your stature and color. Pale blue or violet with black trimming would look absolutely smashing on you!”

“Hay, no way you’re getting my friend into a dress. She’s too cool for frilly stuff!” Rainbow exclaimed, pointing a hoof accusingly at Rarity.

“Fashion is always in, Rainbow,” Rarity huffed with a disdainful toss of her coiffed mane.

“Um, not to interrupt or anythin’,” Applejack interjected with a nervous shuffle, “but I gotta get somethin’ off ma chest. I don’ mean to be rude, miz Yin, but it’s been botherin’ me all day. What exactly are ya?” She asked. Celestia saw the chimera twitch at the blunt question, though it was with innocent curiosity and not the fearful contempt she had expected when this question finally popped up.

“Oh thank Celestia! I didn’t want to be the first to ask,” Twilight said with sheepish relief, ruffling her wings. “I’ve read tons of books and never come across a reference to your species,” she explained, her head tilted with a quizzical expression.

“I was wondering when one of you would ask,” Yin smiled gently. “I’m not surprised you’ve never heard of my kind. Any references were purged five hundred years ago in Qiling, and no foreigners ever studied it, to my knowledge. I am what you would call Subditus Chimaera- an artificial chimera. Our kind is very rare, as we can only be created synthetically with magic.” Yin clarified to the stunned group.

“So you weren’t born all awesome and stuff?” Rainbow Dash asked, astounded.

“What kind of spell does that?” Twilight questioned, entering her ‘scholar mode’ as she tapped a hoof against her chin. “it’s a kind of magic called Bio Alchemy,” Yin explained.

“I’ve read about Alchemy,” Dawn interjected. “It’s a process by which a pony can manipulate matter to change its shape or molecular composition, right?”

“Right,” Yin confirmed, nodding. “Bio Alchemy is a branch that specifically focuses on living tissue, which is bonded a little differently than inanimate matter. Creating chimeras, specifically, involves combining at least two, usually three different creatures into one new entity. Depending on the…materials, and the caster, you almost never get the same creature twice.”

“So how’d ya start out?” Applejack asked.

“I was born a snow leopard,” Yin answered, an inflection of pride in her voice.

“Cool! So what are your other parts?” Pinkie probed, missing the tiny flinch Yin gave.

“I am also part kirin and…dragon,” she explained, the polite smile stiffening on her face as she tried to hide her discomfort. Celestia twitched an ear, heart sinking as she figured where this was going. She went to intercept, but Hazuki placed a staying hoof on her shoulder and shook her head. Celestia huffed, but took a seat once more. She knew Yin would have to learn to deal with this on her own, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

“Dragon…!” Fluttershy ‘eep’ed, hiding behind her mane.

“Qilinese dragons are different from our dragons, Fluttershy,” Twilight soothed, her voice distracted. “What about their souls?” she asked before Dawn elbowed her.

“What--oh.” Twilight looked shamefully at the floor as she caught sight of the chimera’s pained expression. The others looked at her with questioning eyes before turning worried gazes upon Yinfâng.

“You have a point,” Yin mumbled as her gaze dropped to the floor. “Between common animals, the stronger soul would become the dominant one, but with sentient beings…” The others faces became grave when they realized where this was going. “The resulting creature can become a dumb, gibbering beast, or go mad. Most simply…die. The…the other two used had their souls ripped out just prior, to ensure there were no 'complications'.” Yin's face was a mask of dejection.

“You knew them, didn’t you?” Dawn surmised softly, sympathy writ all over her face.

“One of the victims was my adoptive older sister,” Yin murmured, unshed tears bright in her eyes. “I was sent to be a servant in their household for my safety, but her family took me in…besides, father always said I was... lòng xián shí--dragon-hearted,” she cracked a small smile in remembrance. “Oh Yin, I-I’m so sorry..” Twilight stammered shuffling closer with a consoling nuzzle. The others edged closer in a show of support.

‘It’s alright, Twilight. It happened, and nothing can change that,” she assured, brushing the last hint of tears from her scarred eye with a flick of her supple tail. Unable to wait any longer, Princess Celestia wandered over to offer silent moral support, Lady Hazuki trailing after.

“Hello girls. Is everything alright?” Celestia tried to mask her worry with a genteel façade while Hazuki sent Yin a look asking much the same.

“Everything’s fine, Celestia. We just touched on some old memories,” Yin reassured with a watery smile.

“I see,” Celestia murmured, wanting to offer solace but not wanting to make the chimera uncomfortable in public. 'I know she hates crying in front of others, perhaps now it the time to make my move', the alicorn mused. “I have something for you,” she smiled with tender eyes, “if you don’t mind following me?” Yin nodded in assent, quirking her lips at Hazuki to let her know she would survive. As the two left the room, those watching all noted how closely they walked together.

As they trotted down familiar hallways, Celestia fought to suppress a grin every time she felt Yin shiver at the brush of her coat. She used to tease Yin like that, and the fact she reacted the same was promising. They finally reached a familiar balcony where the two had shared tea the day before. Pushing open the glass doors, Celestia beckoned Yin over to a dark shape sitting off to one side. It was a beautiful mahogany baby grand piano.

“I just realized I don’t even know if you still play, but I got this for you,” Celestia started, biting her lip uncertainly as Yin took in the sight with wide eyes.

“You remembered…” Yin murmured, carefully wisping a claw across the ivory keys with a gentle smile.

“Of course. I always loved hearing you play…” Celestia smiled wistfully, stepping closer to envelop the silver-maned chimera in one great wing. “You are welcome to play here whenever you wish, day or night. The palace staff has all been informed,” she explained with a gentle nuzzle.

“Thank you so much,” Yin whispered, voice choked with gratitude as she leaned into the touch. “For this, and tonight. I enjoyed meeting the Elements, and your…daughters.” The smallest inflection of pain in her voice made the Princess’ heart twinge as she pulled away.

“Yin,” Celestia faltered, not sure how to handle this subject. “I just, I want you to know-”
“It’s okay Tia, really. You were able to move on, have a family. I'm- I’m glad you found happiness without me,” Yin cut in, resignation in her voice.

“No it’s not,” Celestia disagreed as she turned toward Yin with a determined expression. With one sudden decisive movement, Celestia gave the startled chimera a chaste but passionate kiss. 'Oh, how I missed this,' the alicorn moaned. “It’s not okay,” she breathed, breaking the kiss. “And it wasn't happiness. I never loved him, Yin.” Celestia cast her eyes upward slightly, as if searching for the right words. “I… hurt so badly, missing you, and in a moment of stubborn weakness did something I never should have to try and kill the pain." Magenta eyes blinked hard in an attempt to banish the hint of tears glimmering in their depths. "I don’t regret it happened because that mistake gave me Twilight Sparkle, and I love her with all my heart." She glanced down to lock gazes with the chimera. "But I do regret having been…intimate with somepony I did not love. With somepony who wasn’t you,” she whispered leaning in to capture Yin in another kiss. Yin resisted for a moment before mewling into the kiss, encouraging Celestia to wrap her wing tighter and deepen the kiss as a bloom of hope unfurled in her chest. The two broke apart reluctantly, panting for breath. Yin leaned in as if to initiate another kiss, but shook her head and pulled away with hesitance as Celestia looked at her with bewilderment.

"I can’t. I’m sorry, I just... I-I can’t, I can’t do this to you…” Yin murmured desolately, tears in her eyes as she inched backward, her steps jerky. For a moment, Celestia felt as though she had taken a blow to the gut, her breath leaving her lungs in one great, silent whoosh; the newly budding hope in her chest already withering.

“Yin, why…? Please, if this is about the girls, I swear I-" She was cut off as Yin shook her silvery mane in vehement denial, still inching her way toward the door as tears pattered to the granite floor. "I-Yin no, please, I-I stil--” Celestia choked, feeling as though everything was constricting around her, pulling into a void where a tiny bloom called hope used to be, rendering her immobile. She wanted to run to her, grasp her close, kiss her again and again until she promised not to leave, just please don’t leave me again—all she managed was lifting one hoof toward Yin’s retreating form before the chimera turned and bolted, brokenly sobbing ‘yìhán’ over and over as she stumbled out of the balcony. Celestia couldn’t move to chase after her, all she could do was slowly lower her hoof to the floor as she quietly broke down amongst the pieces of her shattered heart. She replayed the whole scene in her head over and over, trying to find where it had all gone wrong. The entire time, she recalled, Yin had been trembling.

Author's Note

Don't expect updates this regularly, but I figured I may as well get at least one more chapter out. Up the tension a bit. :)