Muxing is easily the most subtle member of the Five Elements. Her and Li-Wei winning the Year of the Snake competition could have gotten them a luxury vacation anywhere in the world, not necessarily an Animalia colony. Instead, they went someplace more tranquil and not too far from Heiya Island. Ryouiki Island hasn't been as heavily settled as some of the other islands in the Heiya Prefecture. Asides from 'Ninja Prep School' and the village that had been built up, the island's forest has been largely untouched. While not quite considered old-growth, the forest is old enough to warrant minimal disturbance. But there are plenty of natural clearings to build small houses. Fortunately, there wasn't any large fauna to disturb.
Muxing found the tranquility of the forest quite restful. It wasn't that she didn't like being around her sisters, but sometimes the house could get a little crowded and noisy, especially after Shuixing had Mai. That was something she would have to get used to. Soon enough, she and Li-Wei would be married and they'll have their own children. Well, to be more accurate, she was going to be marrying Li. While Wei did like her, he wasn't as romantically-involved as his conjoined brother. His heart (Muxing was unsure if they had separate hearts or shared the same one) belonged to another.
Muxing has spent quite a bit of time with Fang after hir conversion, mostly with training hir for the Year of the Snake competition. Muxing didn't fault hir for not winning the herm division. Iphis and Ianthe were the first herm Animalian and as such, they had the most experience with their serpentine body. While Fang had drive, shi was still a novice compared to others. But Muxing and Li-Wei still brought hir along on this vacation as their plus-one.
Currently, Muxing and Fang were slithering along one of the forest paths. Muxing was enjoying the quiet ambiance. Fang found the silence a bit stifling so shi was trying to make some sound. "So, how much longer before the wedding?" shi asked.
"Not too much longer," said Muxing, "I would like to have our ceremony while the cherry trees are still in blossom."
"Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't cherry blossoms a symbol of death?" asked Fang.
"They're a symbol of mortality," said Muxing, "They represent how life, beauty, and love are ephemeral and lasts only so long. Which admittedly isn't much better. But still, they are a symbol of romantic love and the wedding should be in the early part of spring."
"So why not now?" asked Fang.
"Because we have to schedule it so it doesn't clash with Sylvia's," said Muxing, "I want her to be able to attend our wedding and vice versa."
"Why not have it as the same time as us?" asked Fang, "I mean, we're already doing a double wedding, why not make it triple."
"Because we're going to be doing a Buddhist ceremony. I assume that Sylvia will be wanting a Christian ceremony," said Muxing.
"They did both with Shuixing and Nate's wedding," said Fang.
"True, but that was them respective their individual religions. Unless you're actually a Christian, I don't think that applies to us," said Muxing.
"I see your point," said Fang, "But like you said, cherry blossoms don't last forever. We need to get on with the planning if you want your big spring wedding."
"Yes, not to mention breeding season will be upon us soon," said Muxing.
"Well, we can practice for that, can't we?" asked Fang, putting hir arm around Muxing's shoulders to draw her close.
Muxing had to admit that she wasn't that put off by Fang's advances. Snakes aren't really monogamous creatures both she and Li-Wei were quite accepting to having an open relationship with Fang. Muxing often wondered if part of her was lesbian, abused by men as she was before she converted. Her becoming an Animalian would have made her bi anyways and sex with Fang was a lot more fun than she had imagined. However, it would be awkward if Fang got her pregnant before Li did. "I'm not quite that ready for eggs yet," said Muxing, taking Fang's arm off her shoulders, "And don't forget you'll be carrying Wei's eggs."
"Are you sure we won't be laying them?" asked Fang.
"The Chinese tree viper is viviparous. I told you to fully research it before converting," said Muxing.
"So it'll be just like a normal pregnancy?" asked Fang.
"No, our babies will still form in eggs. They just hatch inside of us," said Muxing.
"That still sounds creepy," said Fang.
"No less than a placental birth," said Muxing.
==========
Muxing also spent some time talking with Li-Wei about their future, particularly what their family would be like. "If Iphis and Ianthe are any indications, we could have quite a lot of hatchlings," said Muxing.
"Iphis and Ianthe are married to two other anacondas, all of them herms," said Wei, "I think that puts fertility more in their favor."
"True, but between me and Fang, there will still be plenty of young vipers," said Muxing, "More than what our current home can house."
"Are you thinking about retiring from the Five Elements like Tuxing?" asked Li.
"Not quite yet," said Muxing, "First, I need to find a worthy successor."
"What about Mizu? She seems rather capable," said Li.
"I was considering her. But I want to know if she has what it takes to fill my shoes, so to speak," said Muxing.
"It's not like you're actually out fighting crime and taking on ninja armies," said Wei, "Your likeness is just being used in manga and manhwa."
"Speaking of which, shouldn't we have a bigger appearance in them?" asked Li.
"Oh, do you want to see yourselves swinging four katana at once while fighting oni?" asked Muxing dryly.
"Maybe something more Chinese," said Li.
"And Fang ought to be appearing in them too," said Wei.
"Well, I'm not planning on retiring any time soon. Mizu still has plenty to learn and I can still mentor her after the wedding. The only thing that will get in the way will be when I'm swollen and gravid," said Muxing.
"And where do you intend to raise our offspring?" asked Li.
"I think this island would be a nice place to settle," said Muxing.
"Fang might want a livelier place to live," said Wei.
"It's not a far commute from Heiya," said Muxing, "I'm sure we can figure something out. Right now, I just want to be able to have our wedding so that Sylvia and Tuxing are able to make it."