Once finished with her tea Jiao Jie lay back and folded her arms under her head. Her eyes sought the skies, trying to discern meaningful patterns in the foliage and clouds overhead. There was beauty in the shape of the branches, outlined against the deep skies beyond and she allowed her thoughts to wander back home. In the garden behind her town house each rock had been placed with care. Stones had been added to waterfalls to enhance the sound just so that it pleased the eyes and ears. Greenery was strategically planted to outline the clever shapes of paths and ponds, adding their erratic structures to the smooth masses of water and stone. Orange fish darted in the blue ponds, oft shielding under the large leaves of water lily or lotus flowers. It would be tranquil, even the sounds of carefully placed windchimes would emphasize the quiet rather than break the illusion of a created wilderness. Now she was out in this so called wild, and it had not been quite as adventurous as she'd have imagined. Learning Madame Shu's true identity had been a highlight however and Jiao Jie tried to understand why someone with such responsibilities would be so adamant about fighting an ogre. If there even was one. After all, they only had a sprite's word for that, and a mischievous one at that. Time would tell.<br/>