Lo pi descends with the elderly aunt and young maid, leaving the eastern landing behind. The cedar stairs open into Sheotite’s bustling lower halls beneath the towering brown-wood pagoda.
Travelers in layered road clothes cross between carved pillars while servants carry trays and clan workers tally rooms. Lantern smoke, polished wood, and breakfast spices mingle in the warm air.
The Elderly Aunt
Welcome to Sheotite. May your journey prove comfortable, and may our table offer what the road has denied you.
The elderly aunt greets arriving guests with measured bows and formal warmth. Beside her, the young maid clears space at the crowded reception table, sorting room tokens, ledgers, and sealed messages.
The Young Maid
Quietly now, please. Guests with reservations to the left, dining requests to the right, and questions for the clan steward at the end.
The sleepy male voice emerges from the service passage, now brisk and awake. The the sleepy male voice in his dark work coat carries a folded report beneath one arm.
The Sleepy Male Voice
Aunt, the morning report is ready. Two rooms need repairs, the garden tables are full, and the steward requests help with the reception queue.
The Elderly Aunt
Excellent. Lo pi, you may assist us here in whatever public duty seems fitting. Your presence will be noticed, and our guests are waiting.
✓ Quest Accepted
Assist the household with the public reception
“Is their "go" gaming in the lounge, weiqi”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -1)
Lo pi
Aunt, is the lounge where people go to game? I would like to play weiqi there.
The Elderly Aunt
Yes, Lo pi. The west lounge keeps several boards ready. You may join a table, though the morning crowd is already lively.
She points beneath an arched cedar gallery. Beyond it, low tables hold polished weiqi boards, black and white stones, tea bowls, and waiting guests, a mixed group of young adults in muted travel clothes, with varied builds and dark hair.
The Sleepy Male Voice
I can announce you at the best table, cousin. The players there respect a bold opening, though they dislike being kept waiting.
The young maid clears a path through the reception traffic, but a hurried servant, a young adult woman with a slim build, warm brown skin, braided black hair, and a russet service tunic catches Lo pi’s sleeve and splashes tea across his cuff.
The Young Maid
Forgive me, my lord. The tea is warm, but the stain should wash out. The lounge is ready for you.
Lo pi reaches the west lounge and takes his place at a weiqi table. Across the board, a waiting guest, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, tan skin, a shaved head, and a loose blue robe gathers the black stones with a courteous bow.
“I engage in friendly conversation and play him into the bottom right corner, friendly”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +2)
The middle-aged guest slides the polished board fully between them and offers Lo pi a small bowl of white stones. The black stones remain gathered at his side.
Lo pi
It is good to share a board with you. Let us enjoy the morning game.
A Waiting Guest
Gladly. Your manner is as courteous as your opening, my lord.
Conversation passes lightly between moves: the guest praises Sheotite’s tables, while Lo pi answers through calm placement and guides the formation toward the bottom-right corner.
A careless elbow catches the tea bowl. It clatters against the table, splashing the guest’s blue sleeve and drawing a brief hush from the nearest players.
A Waiting Guest
A bold corner, and an unfortunate cup. No harm done. I see your stones have claimed the bottom-right.
The guest wipes his sleeve, then places a black stone beside the corner formation. His smile returns, and the friendly game continues beneath the cedar gallery.
✓ Quest Accepted
Earn the guest's goodwill through a courteous game