Once again Shen Yuan finds himself standing under the guardian tree in Sanctuary's central courtyard, a thoroughly unremarkable sight -- but for the fact that this time, he's waiting to meet someone. He's dressed for the occasion, as well: a new green robe with embroidered sleeves and hem belted in place with a wide sash, covering his practical, Western-style trousers and boots, while his waist-length hair has been half-put up in a traditional topknot and secured in place with a silver pin. Part of him feels ridiculous, playing the peak lord now, but who knows better than he how the trappings of authority can pass for genuine authority, if backed up with enough confidence? And he so badly wants to be someone Peter can trust, someone who can genuinely help the poor kid improve his situation.

He rubs his hands together meditatively, checking the nailbeds for any traces of left-behind cinnabar and rubbing it away. He's not even sure if they'll be using the room he'd been given permission to borrow and ward off by Allen Walker -- it depends on Peter's comfort levels -- but he wanted it ready just in case. If nothing else, drawing the wards and talismans was good practice for when he'll need them for real...