Farewell My Concubine

I arose to find that most of my harem sisters were busy elsewhere. Undaunted by the silence I began the daunting task of mending a few silks... finery I have saved for formal occasion. Just as I was in the middle of changing into another gown -- I heard voices, the sounds of others from upstairs. My cheeks flushed at the thought of someone seeing me as I changed!

I did not waste time in putting something more decent on, and hurrying upstairs to the upper level of the harem. There they were... to lovers standing on the balcony. They each began to tell me a series of what I presumed to be lies. The girl said she recently joined the harem, but if that was the case Lady Seren would have sent out welcome scrolls. She then tried to prove that her male companion was an eunich, and tired to pulled down his pants. Moved closer, shrugging off that advance, inviting me to have a look -- I refused.

"Until you get official invite from the harem mother you are not suppose to be down here? Do you not understand... that I can get in trouble? Do you ever care?"

They complied before I had to call for the Harem guard. he girl spouted another lie, claiming that Lady Ava invited her. I countered by saying she needed to have her present.

Once they left an eerie   calm fell over the harem. Images of men in noir clocked played before my mind's eye. Visions of undead solders dragging me down to the depths ...

The vision ended just as quickly as it began.So shaken was I that... I ended up running to the balcony. I slowly stood on the sofa... gently pulling myself up into the slender stone railing with the aid of a hanging plant. I stood there, looking down at the waters. In the back of my one I wonder if I fall from this height, will my body feel it? Or will... my other form take shape just as I hit the waters edge?

No matter, I don't have time to allow my mind to dwell on such dark topics. Sound of the Countess entering the Harem prompts me to hop down from the sofa... Our conversation was brief. I mentioned the two break ins, and nothing else. After, she left for a walk... in order to brighten my mood a bit I decided to work on a dance. Here's hopping this works, or I might need to sneak out for something stronger.