they're still - tense, honestly, holding perfectly still, and they only loosen a little as they straighten up properly to look around. home, then, hua cheng says.
they exhale on a held breath, roll their shoulders back, and something in them does shift a little. the familiarity of this place is almost relieving, and orion finds a cushion that he might normally sit on, folding gently down onto it and setting his hands in his lap. ]
... [ the silence here sounds like this icon. tfw you're being dragged ] If that would be to your liking, Chengzhu.
[ he doesn't say a name, because orion doesn't roll off the tongue like yin yu does, but safety comes first. even if he watches orion loosen up a little - a lot, for the person he is - hua cheng doesn't risk it, not head on. not when he's just as furiously protective of this staff member as he is of his travelers. ]
But I can wait a week. You and I both know that I've waited longer for things.
[ with an absent gesture, a full tray of familiar teas and wine spreads out across the desk. this is useful? ]
orion makes a quiet noise that might be a noise of agreement, but watches the tray appear. almost immediately, he moves to grab the wine and the cups, pouring one for hua cheng like it's natural. it kind of is. ]
So it said in your files. [ murmured, a little absently. ] ...His Highness's safety is secured, too.
it kind of is natural. hua cheng gives it no attention, and instead waits for the cup to be filled, only taking it when it's offered. orion can serve himself with what he'd like - he knows that the staff are always on duty, technically, but it doesn't really matter to him.
after all, he made orion get high after trial. so. ]
So it did. [ ok ] ... it is. I'm sure he will be sorely disappointed in me, but I will take him alive and disappointed over the alternative.
[ after a brief moment of hesitation, they pour a small amount for themselves, as well, busying their hands with putting the liquor and the cups away where they belong. they then settle back down in their usual seat, stiff backed and still.
as hua cheng speaks, though, they stay quiet, looking down. and then... ]
...If I may be so bold, I think that His Highness would only be so if he was unable to see you again.
[ a small snort comes from his side of the table, as orion pours a drink as well, but it's masked as he takes a... fairly long sip. he doesn't down the whole thing, but the familiar dryness, the sharpness at the end, is a false comfort in these last days. ]
Ha. [ that's not wrong, even if the way it's phrased feels half wrong. ] If that were the case, gege would show up here himself, somehow. Something I'd like to avoid, but he would figure out a way. My traveling coin isn't here with me, after all.
orion says nothing but the way they pause makes it clear that they are just closing their eyes under there. the silence here says please don't jinx it but he would never say that out loud ]
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they're still - tense, honestly, holding perfectly still, and they only loosen a little as they straighten up properly to look around. home, then, hua cheng says.
they exhale on a held breath, roll their shoulders back, and something in them does shift a little. the familiarity of this place is almost relieving, and orion finds a cushion that he might normally sit on, folding gently down onto it and setting his hands in his lap. ]
... [ the silence here sounds like this icon. tfw you're being dragged ] If that would be to your liking, Chengzhu.
no subject
[ he doesn't say a name, because orion doesn't roll off the tongue like yin yu does, but safety comes first. even if he watches orion loosen up a little - a lot, for the person he is - hua cheng doesn't risk it, not head on. not when he's just as furiously protective of this staff member as he is of his travelers. ]
But I can wait a week. You and I both know that I've waited longer for things.
[ with an absent gesture, a full tray of familiar teas and wine spreads out across the desk. this is useful? ]
no subject
orion makes a quiet noise that might be a noise of agreement, but watches the tray appear. almost immediately, he moves to grab the wine and the cups, pouring one for hua cheng like it's natural. it kind of is. ]
So it said in your files. [ murmured, a little absently. ] ...His Highness's safety is secured, too.
no subject
it kind of is natural. hua cheng gives it no attention, and instead waits for the cup to be filled, only taking it when it's offered. orion can serve himself with what he'd like - he knows that the staff are always on duty, technically, but it doesn't really matter to him.
after all, he made orion get high after trial. so. ]
So it did. [ ok ] ... it is. I'm sure he will be sorely disappointed in me, but I will take him alive and disappointed over the alternative.
no subject
as hua cheng speaks, though, they stay quiet, looking down. and then... ]
...If I may be so bold, I think that His Highness would only be so if he was unable to see you again.
[ considering. ]
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Ha. [ that's not wrong, even if the way it's phrased feels half wrong. ] If that were the case, gege would show up here himself, somehow. Something I'd like to avoid, but he would figure out a way. My traveling coin isn't here with me, after all.
no subject
orion says nothing but the way they pause makes it clear that they are just closing their eyes under there. the silence here says please don't jinx it but he would never say that out loud ]
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unlike in the waking world, his red string is tied around his finger as it normally should be. ]
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anyway. orion huffs a little, shaking his head. ]
...at any rate, it's all almost over, now.
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Almost. Another week, now. [ contemplative ] Quite a bit in this place for me to investigate, still, but I will be relentless in these final days.
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...Of that, I am sure. [ relentless is a good word. ]