Qingque scratched her head with an awkward smile, playing the fool once more. "Jade tiles—a game of squares and tiles—has three virtues. One, it brings joy, a cure for boredom. Two, it sharpens the mind. Three, it forges friendships. So how about it, honored elders? A round or two? I promise, only benefits."
The Fu elders stared at her with the same intensity the Reignbow Arbiter reserved for the Plaguesauthor. Their expressions darkened.
Fu Qing coughed heavily. "Qingque, the Fu family does not play jade tiles. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever."
"Come on, just let me—"
Fu Xuan grabbed her arm. "What is wrong with you?" She dragged her away before she could promote her beloved game to another unsuspecting elder.
---
Early the next morning, in the Sealed Compartment of Herta Space Station, Ruan Mei found the Starcrusher Swarm King. The moment it saw her, its eyes filled with grief, a low, mournful keen escaping its form.
"Skarr... skarr..." (Wuwu... that woman in the strange hat... every time I respawn, she's there. She destroys me instantly. Every. Single. Time. I have trauma now.)
Herta stepped out from behind her. "What is it saying?"
Ruan Mei said nothing, her lute in hand.
The Swarm King saw Herta and instinctively retreated, the blue light in its eyes flickering with hatred, fear, and despair.
Herta raised her magic key. "Is it complaining about me?"
The creature shook its head frantically. "Skarr! Skarr?!" (No! No! Great, unparalleled Madam Herta! No one would dare speak ill of you!)
Ruan Mei frowned. "Who taught you that?"
The Swarm King answered honestly. "Skarr. Skarr." (Friends. Ruan Mei Cake. Herta Ninety-Nine. They said it's the only way to make her stop.)
A flash of light. The creature disintegrated. Herta smoothed her hair. "You think I don't know what you're saying?"
Seconds later, the Swarm King reappeared, its message clear: even with Ruan Mei present, it would not risk speaking against Herta.
"Skarr... skarr." (Please. Save me. I stay here and bother no one. I don't understand why she comes here always so angry. Like she's taking something out on me.)
Ruan Mei looked away. How could she explain that every time Herta had a disagreement with her, she couldn't take it out on Ruan Mei, couldn't stoop to bullying her other creations—so she came here instead?
She sighed. "Herta, I'd like to take the Swarm King to my lab."
The creature's dim eyes flared with hope.
Herta crossed her arms. The Swarm King was a useful bargaining chip. A punching bag that would never break. She was not letting it go. "This creature was born here. This station is its home. Ask it yourself—does it want to leave?"
Ruan Mei looked at the Swarm King. It wanted to stand up, to say yes, to leave with her. But Herta's cold gaze, the gleam of the magic key—they stopped it cold.
"Skarr... skarr." (I'll... stay. I'm used to it here. It's... home.)
Ruan Mei turned to Herta, who had already pocketed the key, a pleasant smile on her face. "Yes? What is it, Ruan Mei? Since it's made this place its home, there's no need to move it elsewhere."
The Swarm King nodded eagerly. "Skarr." (Yes. Everything she said is what I really think.)
Ruan Mei left without a word. The Swarm King watched her go, wanting to call out, to ask for something—a cat-cake, maybe, or that Cheese Melt to keep it company. But Herta only had to glance at it, and it fell silent, motionless.
---
In the Master Control Zone, Asta was lost in thought about the upcoming wedding in three days. Researchers brought her reports, but she barely glanced at them.
Peppy nudged her. "Woof!" (Asta, they're waiting.)
She snapped back, signed the papers. Peppy watched her. "Woof?" (What are you thinking about? Madam Herta? Madam Ruan Mei?)
Asta sighed. "There's a wedding on the Luofu. They're both going. I don't have an invitation. I don't even know the people getting married."
Peppy tilted her head. "Woof?" (You want to go?)
Asta nodded. "I do. But no invitation."
Peppy thought for a moment. "Woof?" (Do you know anyone there?)
Asta shook her head. "I don't think so."
Peppy nudged her again. "Woof. Woof?" (Think harder. Remember all those trade deals with the Sky-Faring Commission? You've met Yukong a few times.)
Asta's face fell. "A few meetings. That's not enough to ask for a favor."
Peppy pressed on. "Woof. Woof..." (You could at least try. Or find that Bailu girl. Or the Astral Express crew. They're connected. And you could offer something in return.)