The three of them at lunch in a awkward silence.  There were words the both of them wanted to speak on, but those words were too hard for them to say.  After a while, they all just stopped eating, not feeling hungry or happy in the situation that they were in.  

"Your Master... Is she nice?"  Mace asked trying to fill the silence. 

"Strict and protective."  Hongmo said.  She didn't want to lie to them more than she already has.  "She's a hermit kind of a Master.  Wary of strangers. Uncaring of the outside world.  Strict on disciples."  

"How long will you be gone?"  Asano asked.  His heart started hurting the moment she said she would be leaving soon.  She was still the woman that enchanted him and captivated him.  Then why was it that she had trusted him enough to show to him her true self, but he couldn't accept her?  She saved him, his men, and his concubine when she didn't have to.  Why is it that the small knowledge that she has wings changed everything?  

Hongmo shrugged.  "Depends."  She told them.  

If she came back to Obe.  It wouldn't be for them.  Although she cared for them in her own way, she knew she needed to find her own inner peace and love herself before she would be able to love and trust anyone else.  Their arrangement between themselves was fine at the moment, but she didn't want to keep living this way.  To be always cold and aloof.  To hold everyone at arms length and not have any friends. To be only be able to feel something other than the desolate loneliness is when she has sex with someone.  It could be tiring for her to stay this way all the time.   

"Thank you for visiting me today."  She told them.  "I ask that you do not come here anymore.  I'm bad with goodbyes so...I'll be seeing you when I see you. You know the way out, I'll not walk you there."  

Hongmo left first, not wanting to see them walk away from her.  The tea cup in Asano's hand broke within his hands and a second later Mace's teacup broke within his hand.  

"We fucked up."  Asano said.  

"Yeah, we did."  Mace agreed.  

"Do you think she'll come back?"  Asano asked.  

"Maybe... maybe not... I really don't know."  Mace said.  "I hope she does and when she does, we owe her an apology."  

-------------

The next day, word gotten out that The Tyrant died of poisoning.  The whole men's store was searched for the source of the poison, but nothing could be found.  The House of the Dark Warhammer came to Hongmo's door to ask for her help in finding the source of the poison and the culprit who did it.  

A average height man with reddish brown hair and youthful features made his way into the second level of the pagoda where Hongmo drank tea.  The man bowed and introduced himself to her.  

"Miss Hongmo, please forgive me for intruding on you in your home on this fine day.  My name is Five.  I am Master to The House of The Dark Warhammer."  Five said as he straightened himself up. 

"Very nice to meet you, Master Five.  Please sit.  I have just finished brewing this pot of tea that came from the hills of Norah."  Hongmo told him.  

Five sat down and watched as the young maid poured him a cup of tea and push the pastries to the middle of the table for both of them to share.  

"What brings you here to my home, Master Five?" Hongmo asked.  

"This isn't a social call." Five said.  "I came here to ask for your services at the Godly Poison Expert."  

"Is there something the matter?"  She asked.  

"I don't know if you've heard, but there was a poisoning death of one of my friend and associate called The Tyrant."  Five said slowly as he studied Hongmo.  

Hongmo gasped as her hand that held the teacup shook.  Her left hand came up and covered her mouth as her eyes expressed worry.  She placed the teacup down as some of the tea spilled over the cup and on to her sleeve.  She didn't even blink twice or complain about ruining her dress.  Her surprise action towards the news convinced him that she had no involvement in the death of The Tyrant.  

"How horrible!"  Hongmo said. "How-how did he die?"  

"We are thinking it's suffocation poison.  But we don't know what kind.  I came here in hopes that you would help look over his body and tell us what kind of poison was used on him and where the point of entry of the poison was."  Five told her.  

"Of course, I'll help." Hongmo said as she stood up.  "Suffocation is a horrible way to die.  Has his family been notified? His poor family!  To have a family member die by poison is horrible.  That is why I don't sell poisons.  No matter how much they ask.  That's why I only carry anidotes with me, to help those in need when they need it most. I'll do my best, Master Five, to help you so you can find the culprit who did this!" 

"Thank you Miss Hongmo.  You willing to help The Dark Warhammer in our hour of need means a lot to us.  We will forever remember this magnanimous good will and be in your debt."  

Hongmo lead the way out of her courtyard with with a rare smile on her face as Five followed her from behind.  The Dark Warhammer owing her made her happy.