Rui studied Ran's impassive face, searching for any sign of deception.
Finding none, she nodded reluctantly.
"I'll return with your hairpin before midnight."
"Tick tock, Princess," Ran replied, his voice melodic and mocking.
"The eastern tower isn't exactly unguarded."
"I'll be back for you, Kee Kee" Rui promised, backing toward the library exit.
"Just... try not to antagonize him too much."
"Me? Antagonize? I would never!" Kee Kee huffed indignantly.
Ran sighed, waving his hand dismissively.
"The longer you linger, the less time you have to complete your task."
Rui slipped through the doorway, pausing only once to look back at Kee Kee's worried face before disappearing into the corridor.
The celestial realm's perpetual twilight bathed everything in soft golden light as Rui navigated the unfamiliar pathways.
She kept to the shadows, heart pounding each time a celestial guard passed nearby.
