Chaste Proximity

Xui Li and Hui Zhong lead the way down the mountain.

Sikong Shu is composing his poem.

Nearly got it, he says to Arthur.

That was quick, says Richie Porte. I haven't even started.

You'll do better after breakfast, says Xui Li over her shoulder.

Yeah, wild jujubes, says Richie Porte. Are they like....you know... lollies?

They are like dates, says Hui Zhong. You can eat them fresh or candied or dried. There are red ones and black ones. The black ones can be smoked, to bring out the flavour. We use them for juice, pickles, vinegar, and wine, which we call hong zao jiu. They are antifungal, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, sedative, healing and good for curing sore throats and coughs. Some even say they make teenagers fall in love.....

I never heard that one, says Sikong Shu. How does it work?

Himalayan boys wear sprigs of the wild jujube blossom in their hats, says Hui Zhong.

Sikong Shu can't see himself going that far. But he wonders ......how old is Arthur?

Will they remove glue from  fingers? says Arthur.

Ha ha, says Richie. What a question!

No, really, says Arthur. Gaius's fingers are stuck together.

Might work, says Xui Li. But nail polish is better. And WD40 is good.

They have now reached the foot of the mountain. Richie Porte unlocks the three bikes. The girls admire Richie's.

Wow! Bet that goes fast, says Hui Zhong.

Mmm, says Richie. He is being unusually reticent.

Tell us your poem, says Arthur to Sikong Shu.

Sikong Shu clears his throat. He could do with a jujube.

SLEEPING ON LINGSHAN MOUNTAIN (he begins)

At the foot of Lingshan Mountain
Near the stone path, linked by metal chains
Lie two Flying Pigeons

At the top of Lingshan Mountain
Protected from winds and damp grasses
We lie in chaste proximity

Mists rise outside our feeble tent
I cannot sleep for remembering
How once we fought with bamboo sticks.

That's good, says Arthur. Don't change it.

Sikong Shu looks pleased.

You left out my bike, says Richie. There are three bikes. I don't get it. And where's the philosophy?

I like it in parts, says Xui Li.

Me too, says Hui Zhong. I bet we both like the same parts.

We lie in chaste proximity, says Xui Li.

Snap! says Hui Zhing. I love that part.

But we don't like .....says Xui Li.

.....that you called our tent feeble, says Hui Zhong.

Poetic licence says Arthur. A transferred epithet.

What the fuck's that? says Richie Porte. I'll never get writing.
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