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Bai Mei had come back to the place that he'd first met with Qiu Shui, early in hopes of being at to catch a glimpse of his friend, and with a curious thought in mind. He wanted to ask Qiu Shui if there was anyway that he would be able to meet with the kitchen staff. Of late, and since he'd seen the kitchen and what the people within where doing, all that had been on his mind was just that. Bai Mei wanted to learn to cook so that he could better take care of his father and so that he would be able to spoil his friends. The problem being that most of the people in town would have nothing to do with his family due to the fact that they were completely convinced that Jing Lin was a fox spirit roaming around in human form. Being that Bai Mei appeared out of no where and at all times smelled of sweet plum blossoms it didn't help at all with quieting the rumors.

In his pocket he had some money along with a few small but ornate jade pieces that his father had given to him because Bai Mei had shown interest in them. He could only hope what he had on him was worth a few cooking lessons to the people inside... and well he could only hope that scary woman that he had met with the last time he'd come here would even allow for him to learn in her establishment. There was a lot of things to consider when it came to taking up this task in this place... but he was pretty certain that if anyone allowed him to learn it would be the people here. They seemed to be looked upon with the same eyes as Jing Lin was among the general populace, something that confused Bai Mei a little since the glimpses he'd gotten of the women weren't bad ones.

In fact they seemed pretty enough... maybe it was jealousy? People were jealous of the beauty of the people who worked here and the talents of his father who could sculpt anything out of jade and make it look fantastic! He chalked it up to something as simple as jealousy having no real idea what the women here did and returned to watching the place, back to trying to get a glimpse of his friend so they could talk.

When Bai Mei spotted his friend at last he found himself a little wide eyed, wondering what it was that Qiu Shui was doing. He tilted his head to one side, looked back and forth to make sure that nobody else was around, then trotted forward over toward his friend, "Good morning!" He called out in his ever cheerful voice, finding his heart racing in excitement as he got nearer to his friend. It looked as though he were alone which was a good sign, he'd been worrying a little that when he found him that Qiu Shui might be with the scary lady again. Seeing that he was instead by himself had Bai Mei quite happy since it meant spending time with his friend alone.

It had felt like some time since he'd seen the other boy as well, making Bai Mei tell himself that he had to get out and about visiting more. Something difficult to do when he felt the desire to take care of his father at all times since it wasn't as though the man took very good care of himself, "It feels like an eternity since we talked last, how have you been?" He asked, oblivious to the danger of the world that Qiu Shui lived in as it was far different then his own life which had a whole different set of problems.

Bai Mei gave a happy sound when he walked closer to Qiu Shui, so happy to see his friend once again, "Its very to get to see you again." He said, giving him a bright smile before he tilted his head to once side when his friend asked if he could help him with someone. He seemed to think about it for a long moment before he chewed on his lower lip, "Ahh... I was curious if there is any way I might be able to talk with the ones in the kitchen? They were working on such wonderful food last time I came by and well... I was wondering if maybe they could give me some tips?"

He sounded a bit uncertain, as though he didn't want to be a huge bother to his friend, he just wanted to see if there were any reason he might talk with those in charge of the kitchen to learn from them, "I... figured that this might be the only place I could learn from, the people in town don't really like my family to much until it comes time for them to order something from us." He said, giving a slight sigh. They were such hypocrites if you asked him but since he didn't have courage enough to say as much to their faces he had kept such thoughts to himself. He doubted his father would be very happy if he told someone off anyway since they paid for everything the family needed if they weren't very nice people.

That had to be the most wonderful news that Bai Mei had heard in a long time, that the Madame was away. While he had no personal problems or grudges with the woman he found her to be a little bit on the intimidating side and he didn't really do well with scary things. Something about aggressive people who were in charge just set poor Bai Mei's heart to beating at an almost painful pace in his chest.

"I am glad to hear that I came at a good time to ask." He said, giving Qiu Shui a bright smile before he followed along after him. He looked around the area, giving the woman who were looking their way a shy sort of wave. He'd never found himself so close to so many pretty girls before he realized, something that drew a bit of a flush to his cheeks. He blinked a couple of times when his friend released him and pounced a woman that they came near one, one he referred to as 'Mother' and he couldn't help but to smile a little bit. So that was Qiu Shui's mother then? How neat to be able to see what his parent was like he thought to himself, remaining quiet as they spoke.

For a moment the yellow eyed boy thought that he was going to be sent home by Qiu Shui's mother only to find that she was agreeing to letting him go to the kitchen with his friend to speak with the cook, something that caused him to smile in a happy manner. He bowed before Chio and then was being led along toward the kitchen by his friend as once more a smile of delight came to his lips.

Bai Mei's eyes widened slightly in surprise when he saw Ming Tsa and instantly he realized that he had never before seen a person a big as this one. He starred for only a moment though before he reminded himself both that starring was rude as well as the fact that if he upset this man that he would need to kiss his chances of learning to cook goodbye. Since that wasn't something he would chance he gave a bow of his head as Qiu Shui spot to the man, waiting to see what his fate would be since it was in this person's hands.

For a moment he felt his heart break and his stomach fall when the man said that he wouldn't teach him, he jerked his head up and opened his mouth to try to plead with him when suddenly the man tacked on another sentence to what he was saying. He would only teach him if Qiu Shui learned along with him? That actually sounded like fun! He turned quickly to his friend, to see what he thought of the idea, and couldn't help but to stare at him with wide, hopeful, puppy dog like eyes as he waited to see what it was that he would say... and when he agreed Bai Mei gave a happy cheer!

"Wonderful! Thank you so much!" He said to the both of them, bowing low before them in a respectful and thankful manner before he straightened up, looking ready and willing to learn from Ming Tsa.

Bai Mei caught the apron as it was tossed to him before he put it on swiftly and then set to tying it in place. When that was done he then tied his hair back tightly and all of his attention was on Ming Tsa... at least for a moment until he noticed the strange markings that were on Qiu Shui's arms. He wasn't really sure what the marks were from but they looked as though they must be bothersome to his friend.

He opened up his mouth to question him about it when he was asked if he were ready. The yellow eyed boy blinked a couple times before nodding his head, "I'm all ready!" He said, getting back to matters at hand. He would ask his friend what had happened later, for now though he was going to give Ming Tsa and his lessons all of his attention. After all if the man was going to be nice enough to teach him he wasn't going to be rude and talk about other things while he was supposed to be learning.

Bai Mei was quite exhausted by the end of the lesson, having worked as hard as possible, paid attention closely, listening to everything that the teacher had to say before he bowed before the man in a manner that was polite, "Thank you, very much for your time Sifu Ming Tsa." He murmured, giving him the title of teacher before he reached out to take the wrapped pot of food in delight, hugging it to his chest, "Wow! Thank you! My Father will be so happy."

Not to mention that he was extremely happy himself because he was able to bring something like this home for his father. He dug into his pocket to take out a little jade flower that his father had made before giving it to Ming Tsa as a thank you gift, bowing again before he followed Qiu Shui smiling brightly as they went, "Wow! That was so exciting and so much fun!" He said happily as he followed the other boy out, giving him a smile, "Thank you for the help in meeting with him, Qiu Shui."

He glanced over at him when he mentioned that Bai Mei had done well while he burnt everything, "Next time will go better I am sure. Do you think you will join me again next lesson?" He hoped so, it was made more to have a friend at his side while they were learning.

Bai Mei looked a little worried at the mention of the Madame and the fact that she had a tight reign on Qiu Shui, he knew it wasn't his place to say anything but despite that he still worried about his friend, "Your welcome at our place any time you want to come and visit." He told him, in case Qiu Shui ever needed a place to come to hide from the lady who didn't seem as though she were to terribly nice to the dark haired boy. It was something he didn't really understand, Qiu Shui was such a nice boy...

He forced those thoughts aside and put a smile on his lips, "I know that my father would enjoy it if you came by, he doesn't get a lot of visitors unless they want something from him." He explained, after all there were so many rumors going on about the man that had only become worse with the sudden appearance of Bai Mei... he gave a soft, sighing sound, "He would like it if people would stop talking badly about him and just visit for any reason other then wanting him to carve for them. Coming over to help me make dinner for him would mean a lot to him I am sure!"

The yellow eyed boy gave a smile, "I will visit you here as well when I can, hopefully I will be lucky and time it for days when your able to get free from the Madame's grasp." He murmured, keeping these words between just the two of them as he didn't want for his friend to get in trouble for something he'd said.