Ningning stepped out of the cave and immediately spotted Xiaoli.
She was leaning against the stone wall near the entrance, one shoulder relaxed against it, her blonde hair lifting gently in the breeze.
The sunlight caught in it, turning it almost pale gold, and for a brief moment she looked entirely unbothered by the world around her.
Xiaoli straightened when she noticed Ningning and smiled.
"Are you ready?"
Ningning returned the smile and nodded. "Yes."
Xiaoli pushed herself off the wall and gestured for her to follow. "Good. The others are already waiting. If we're late, they'll tease us for the rest of the day."
Ningning chuckled softly as they began walking, the settlement slowly coming to life around them.
Smoke curled from cooking fires, and a few men glanced their way before quickly looking elsewhere when they noticed who she was walking with.
"So.." Xiaoli said casually, matching her pace, "did you sleep well?"
