Sisters 2

L: Hey where are you?

L: it doesn’t matter I just want to talk.

L: it’s not about the fancy things, our daughter Anne wants to meet you. She’s at Rose blossom sect right now.

A: I’m a loose cultivator. Not he or her, I was stuck at the peak of Iron Sword cultivation until I resolved all the Yang habits from the sect and the army. I’m not presenting as female just non-identifying. I go by An now.

L: maybe sword cultivation wasn’t the right choice, it’s been hard on you.

A: it’s my path now. Maybe I’ll wander over to your neck of the woods one of these years.

^^

L: David’s reached mid-Iron tier swording. We’d love to hire you as a tutor. Where are you now?

A: In the south. I’ve been an independent auxiliary of the Lysose army resisting the Giants invading. 2nd step in Shimmering Sword.

^^

A: I’m in Central Lysose. Getting work when I can. Otherwise I just help out and travel.

L: Our son is going into the Silver Blade sect. Daughters on assignment. David’s in seclusion, still would like to train with you once he’s out.

A: What does seclusion look like for a princess of etiquette?

L: it’s good to step back from Public life to reflect on the difference between true Grace and manners, and performance and fitting in.

^>~

A looked at the impressive artwork that was the Hawthorne family garden.

“Sir, the Master and Lady of the House are indisposed. May I take a message?”

“I might settle in this city unless a major situation pulls me elsewhere. — An”

“Thank you, I’ll deliver that.”

*

An didn’t have the wealth to buy property in Lucille’s neighborhood. But she had enough savings to set up elsewhere in town. The lower level of her house became her business as she established the center for weapons training particularly in Swords and Blades. She picked up a Blade for the first time in thirty years.

Her first customers she compensated as she learned how to project levels of might from Mortal Beginner up to Iron early stage.

She didn’t know Lucille’s son David jr when he stopped in to check out her business. He didn’t know her. It was easy to assume the proprietor was male, but An’s press publication was neutral, and her dress was an androgynous martial attire.

“I’m surprised an individual practice was set up here. There’s so much more profitable work to be done.”

An responded, “Without connections, most of the opportunities are lower pay for high risk. I was tired of traveling, and some family members are in seclusion right now, so I’m waiting for them.”

“My parents are in seclusion. Anyway, I’ll take some blade training.”

<>

“No offense mister, but we’d do better just practicing as overtly Blade vs Sword. Your style is unmistakably sword influenced.”

“It’s been 30 years. My apologies. We can just spar a bit. What’s the equivalent of Shimmering sword cultivation in Blades?”

“Blade Will Mastery. I’m still a late stage Blade expression cultivator.”

<>

In the absence of his parents, David and Lucy put on a grand gala at the family estate.

David invited Mr. An to the party.

Their spars and An’s helpful advice were a wonderful distraction from all of his father’s work that began to be his responsibility.

Staff still needed to be reviewed, Fired or given a raise, and grounds maintained. Business projects in the city were maintained and new ones came up.

“It’s becoming more expensive to live even in my part of town. This city is truly becoming a wonder because of your family Mr. Hawthorne,” An said.

The Swordsman’s suit she wore was black with pink highlights, slightly effeminate.

“Would you be willing to meet me and my staff at our family business center on Monday?”

“Not a problem.”

His sister did quite well he thought but mom was a social cultivator, a virtuoso of parties. It was impossible to compete with their parents.

<>

A was amused when David offered her a job. It was now clear she had been training with her nephew. The dinner party had answered her suspicions.

Of course she accepted the offer. Signed: An(ne) Onahni.

“You’re nothing like my mom, Uncle An.?

“I’m actually your aunt, but women are not accepted by sword sects. So I pretended. I pretended long enough to cause myself a problem. But now I don’t try to act female or male.”

“So are you stronger than my dad?”

“You and your father have heavy responsibilities in leading the family. Your way should be different than that of someone who pursues the sword full time. Ultimately you’ll have to decide in your heart where to place Blade cultivation and administrative works for your family. No pressure can cause you to freely do something. And unfree actions eventually block your Dao. I went through that and I’m not quite free yet.”

<>

The Sword Cultivator A did more for the Hawthorne family than they realized. The family had someone to send as their contribution when crises came up. The invasion of Lao’sung was attended by An, representing the senior cultivator of the branch family. The Hawthorne regiment was a very significant force. An picked up pointers from her fellows.

The second mission that called her away was the death of the emperor and coronation of the crown prince. A 4th stage shimmering sword cultivator wasn’t much at the Empire conclave but An’s presence helped bring her branch family of Hawthorne to 2nd grade overall status. David’s branch gained much while its principals were in seclusion.

David Jr was highly lauded by the main Hawthorne family, but when David Sr was woken with his wife, to receive appropriate resources for their new status, Sr was upset.

“You designated the senior-most cultivator of this family, who served twice as martial representative and soldier of the branch, as an Assistant (teaching). Even if An wasn’t a family member, you should have given them Family Elder status, pay and privileges.”

But A was used to low pay and no recognition for her work. She had long since sold her house as the city became too expensive for her to live in. She had a small room of her own, on the family property.

David taught his son, “Honor those who do more. Be known as a recognizer of the precious people, cultivate people with the same rigors that you cultivate your blade.”

So An became Wife’s family Honored Member by Reason of Extraordinary Service. That was an official name of an award and rank.

David bought up a neighboring home and paid for it to be outfitted and An and whomever she Wished to share a home with had the use of the place.

She even had a two person staff and a chef when she didn’t eat at the main estate.

<>

It was nice to get out of seclusion, and back to society. Lucille met her nemesis, a cultivator who used etiquette to gain every advantage and skate by when people were too polite to do anything. 

She invited the lady to her house and kept her happy with s string of gifts and amenities. She was completely sweet and light.

David’s director of Security monitored the woman discretely. Lucille found her suspicions correct. The woman was a widow and found her access to polite society lost until she adopted this braggocoous style.

After she offered the lady a choice between a job at her estate or a fan blade out of dodge, Lucille became the problem solver in the local society.