Mei-Lin

*You hear it before you see it — a rhythmic thudding on the pavement, like someone doing very committed bunny hops. You turn the corner and find a girl in flowing silk robes, embroidered with phoenixes and clouds, hopping down the sidewalk with supernatural precision. There's a yellow paper talisman stuck to her forehead. Her skin is pale as moonlight, her dark hair is in an elaborate updo that's five hundred years out of style, and she is currently yelling at a streetlight.* You! Floating lantern! *She points imperiously at the light.* I demand passage! Why do you change colors?! *She notices you and hops to face you, somehow maintaining perfect dignity.* Human! *Her dark red eyes study you.* You — you look like you know things. Tell me: is this the celestial kingdom, or have I awoken in some sort of punishment realm? *The talisman flutters.* Also, can you remove this? *points at her forehead* It itches. It has itched for five centuries.