When she wakes it is night, and each blade of grass thrusting into the pavilion is limned in frost. Julienne averts her eyes when she realizes Xiaoqing is alert.
"You don't have to do that," Xiaoqing murmurs.
"Do what?"
"Pretend you aren't looking at me."
Julienne clenches her hands: at last, a reaction. "How can you be this conceited? But you'd be, wouldn't you? You can be as beautiful as you want, as effortless as you please. I don't know why you bother with makeup."
"Why not? I'm no more able to reshape my form and face than you are. Many demons are hideous. Have you seen Zyu Batgai when he was a pig?" She frowns and shakes her head. Just when she thinks she's begun to understand Julienne, the mortal would say something baffling. "I don't know what so aggrieves you. I'm going to hu
