@cloudpierced
relax, high elder — - it’s just me.
“How did you even get in here?” An eye cracks open, water seeping around him dispersing instantly as if out of courtesy —- to give the man before him his utmost attention instead. “I clearly remember telling my staff to not allow anyone in.” He hardly sounds upset, though.
!! @shuhusgift
“ i won’t need the guest compartments, i’m unable to stay long on the express. your hospitality is appreciated. ”
“ is that so. a good reputation on the express? what a high honour. ”
[ surprise that’s feigned, finding amusement in dan heng’s willingness to play along with his antics, prolonging puerility to be indulgent in a moment so… light. the illusion of mindless banter, while dormant cautionary warning caused prickling at his skin— raising goosebumps along clothed arms. ]
“ i wouldn’t say they pester me, that’d be harsh. and i play nice. they’re good to talk to, eases the mind after a long day. ”
[ and it was true, though kept at an arms length, he still enjoyed their occasional company. a breath of fresh air, to talk to those who so freely traversed the galaxy with so many stories to share. and it’s true, the hardened general has grown fond of passing time in such a way. otherwise, would he be so tolerant to their enthusiasm? ]
“ i’ve seen what you’re all capable of. hardly overestimating. i’d say you’re not giving yourself enough credit. ”
[ the praise comes easily, from a sincere place rather than words bent with lighthearted derision. his ears twitch, the huff picked up from how closely he laid attention with his other senses even while not looking— a trait long suppressed, only in recent years allowed to hone into. ]
“ what first? so many options, i’m being spoiled. how about your navigation. i’m curious to see how this all operates. ”
"But of course, your legends and reputation precede you even here." It is unbecoming of him to be acting like this, something whispers. He has no right to it, no claim to it, because this man is not his. He does not belong to him —- no, he belongs to something worthy. A mirror of his divinity, the way he carries himself, the certainty carried on his shoulders that only centuries could give him.
"You do?" Danheng is admittedly not surprised to hear this. The Trailblazer is open with their affections in a way he will never be able to comprehend, even when it is safe to do so. It is almost childish; they see something shiny, they must have it. He almost feels bad for the General. "If they pester you too much, let me know. I will change their passcode again."
"You overestimate us," Danheng huffs amusement from his nose. Never quite a laugh with him, never quite a smile, it has always been like that. He does many things in increments that he can control himself with a steadfast hand. "But of course. What would you like to see first, as our revered guest?"
!! @generalstrike
“ of course, great to hear i’m such a greatly influential role model, even to those not aboard the luofu. ”
[ arrogant— comically inflated act, brimming with unyielding confidence. had it not been for the upturn of his eyes, a twitch of his lips threatened by a laugh, the posture at ease— it would just as easily been mistaken for his true thoughts— similarly to how danheng behind his aloofness. ]
[ surprise follows, from the man back to him, at it being admitted. enough so the draw his attention back from the emptiness of the car back to… well, the source of his visit. he had, in fact, chosen a time he knew the trailblazer would be busy. as flattering and cute as their stream of compliments were, he’d long since had at least a brief chat with him alone. and the trailblazer was more common to see on the luofu than the eluding gentleman. ]
“ a shame it is. but we message eachother frequently enough. i trust they’ll manage one missed visit. “
[ he shrugs, waving off the concern easily as though unbothered. ]
“ i’ll take the tour though. the express is where the action happens, right? i ought to send a couple soldiers here to better their steadfast qualities. could afford to learn from the nameless. ”
“ dan heng. rare to visit, i trust the occasion is important. lets take this talk over tea, what say you? away from prying eyes and ears. ”
“ we can push forward that meeting since you’re clearly a man of your word, i’m not opposed. ”
[ to today, if things went well. because truly, even without the unmistakable shake of wishing for company, being hunched over dull papers the whole day drained him more than physical exertion. ]
“ perhaps mild-mannered is the wrong word. what i meant is, yanqing is easily excitable with unshakeable confidence. ”
[ in short: he needed to be humbled. something that became apparent after having an incredulous laugh over yanqing challenging his old master. he corrects this, because he knows the boy mirrors his own likeness— though much quicker to pick up the work of swords. but at least jing yuan had steady-headed company to keep him from entirely going in over his head, whereas jing yuan was more busy than he wasn’t to do the same for the lieutenant. however calculated he was back then too, youth always have their moments of foolishness. ]
[ the pause doesn’t go unnoticed. of course it doesn’t, when he waits practically with baited breath for an answer. and he’s not met with rejection, nor a hesitance he expected. but still the situation is comical, an answer of “i don’t mind” to a personal invitation from one of the authoritative figures of the luofu; like they were regarded as equals. he watches others pass by his desk, further down the room— and his voice drop a bit, with the likeness of a secret shared between companions. undiminished mischief, a glimpse into who he once was. ]
“ …and if the general is looking to be distracted? ”
The distance is noticed, but purposely ignored. As if it never happened. [A snarling man with mara-red eyes: /You're good at that aren't you, Yinyue-Jun?/]
...it seems even here, he is haunted. A slow, languid blink. Out of courtesy, the distance is not commented on and, again, not acknowledged. "I'm sure I can come up with something, especially considering the urgency of the situation. It'd be rather cruel of me to allow the General's wellbeing to deteriorate even more, wouldn't it?"
A soft huff. "Mild-mannered?" a droll repetition as Danheng has hardly ever been considered /mild/. Cold, yes. Distant, certainly. Unfeeling, if one were to dislike him. "I will do my best to behave, then. But I assure you, Yanqing will be bored out of his mind--"
Lulled to a stop at the playful tone of the question. He should continue the jest, the clear mirth behind it. Preposterous; the General showing the Imbibitor Lunae's reincarnation around the Xianzhou Luofu under the weak, human-mannered excuse of /sentimentality/.
"I wouldn't mind." He does not consider himself stupid, but these words betray him. "But I wouldn't want to distract the General from his duties." His voice is kept carefully light, almost too purposeful.
!! @generalstrike
" oh? you think you can come up with a dire matter in less time? "
[ quick to reply— the teasing came so naturally. tenuous, but enough to where a brief pause was taken, in which he took a step back to remind himself of their positioning. don't act so casual, self-reprimanding. his expression remains unaffected, though his posture less relaxed once the other comes-to.
" entertaining you? more likely the other way around, you'd be doing him the favour. he could use some time around the mild-mannered. "
[ he taps his fingers against his arm, considers extending the offer himself. much like the days of old, he remembers the attempts at taking any chance with getting off duty. would he allow himself the indulgence, against that which is hesitant to accept alternatives? ]
“ would you rather a tour personal from me? ”
[ said again, with the good nature of a joke. yet too hopeful to properly be one. ]
?? I'm not sulking?
Staring at me like- [It'd pause. No, nooo.. he *can't* know.. he'd think it's lame if it tells, and Medici isn't lame. The two admins behind the screens are.]
..No way? [Squak. Almost defeated, it's never pouted this hard before.] This has *got* to be some sick mind game you're hosting. Are all residents of dirt as this brutal as you..
“staring at you like what?” a barely visible twitch of his lips as an eyebrow raises. the other is definitely pouting. “also, i never insinuated you were sulking. so you confirmed it for yourself.”
!! @sumazau
Oops. Didn't mean to step on your foot,
“it’s alright.” it’s uttered through gritted teeth despite the calmness on his face. “you’re surprisingly clumsy.”
!! @sumazau
The information's correct, it's just outdated~ we don't do those traditions anymore.
[He's peering over Dan Heng's shoulder to his work. Holy Mother? He's dealing with an actual nerd here, the real deal, the Nerdosaurus rex, the,]
It's because it's "unethical," [it's obvious how he's mocking a directed crowd here, and he adds nothing more than:] and I, don't see a problem with it.
“…hm, i see,” danheng scribbles out the information abruptly, jotting down something besides is. “is there any reason as to why you stopped the traditions? assuming you don’t mind me asking.”
!! @sumazau
are those. horns?
“i see. i have not seen wings before.” the tension dissipates and he’s—- well, startled. “nice?” he muses. “well. thank you.”
!! @rotridden
i have not. usually, i’ve only ever seen wings before— and these are.. nice. strange, but quite nice.
“yes,” he’s immediately tensing, peering at the other. the additional weight on his scalp was something he still wasn’t used to. “never seen any before?”
!! @rotridden
father does not like visitors. you should go.
“i’m afraid i can’t. i appreciate disliking visitors but i’m afraid i have to insist.”
!! @rotridden
you.. / smell. /
“hm. i was handling some samples earlier. i wasn’t aware the smell stuck.”
!! @rotridden
ah. you’re here about the disturbances, aren’t you?
“i thought this would be harder. it’s easier now that you know why we’re here.”
!! @rotridden