Audience: Gu Yun

[probe]

Comments

[liuli]

Oh. For that part.... well, it's been a long time since I haven't been at the top of the food chain - and even now, I still have someone I answer to.

[ gu yun tilts his head, his expression more thoughtful. ] Besides, isn't there some overarching purpose? I find it all hard to believe that we've all just been brought here to screw around and get a desire of ours granted, no strings attached. Seems incredibly too good to be true, doesn't it?

[probe]

That is very prideful of you. Thinking that everything you're involved in must have overarching purpose.

[they sound vaguely amused.]

[liuli]

Well, what can I say? If the shoe fits, wear it.

[ all very lackadaisical, gu yun waves his hand. ] I don't really trust such simple benevolence.

[probe]

You're right not to.

But I'd suggest worrying about the people around you rather than the purpose of all of this. You have something you want. You have weaknesses. [they say this, pointedly.] You'll want to watch your back.

[liuli]

[ hm. ]

Thought you said you didn't know much about me. [ shifting a bit in his seat, gu yun props his chin against his hand. ] Why's that?

[probe]

I don't. But you have medicine, and that means you have a weakness.

Why's what? You should watch your back? It's general advice. People are always looking for a back to stick a knife in, especially if it's in the way of something they want.

[liuli]

Oh, that. Family hangover cure. I've got a bit of a drinking problem.

[ he says this with just such utter ease and confidence. anyway. ] How likely is it that our wishes and desires cross over with each other?

[ a pause. ] Of course, if this supposed granted desire from indulgence has a limited number of recipients, that could change things.

[probe]

A drinking problem is a weakness.

[pointedly.] I'm not saying that it does or doesn't. But if there is a chance that only a limited amount of people can get what they desire, how far would you go?

[liuli]

In a place where we're supposed to indulge ourselves, is it, really?

[ an interesting question, though. gu yun's eyes are sharp and clever (haha), even if his smile hasn't budged, and there's a tease in his voice. ]

I usually like a glass of wine with my interrogations, you know.

[probe]

[there's a pause, and then they reach into their sleeve. they pull out a bottle of wine? it's a dark red wine in a clear bottle, and they move across the room to set it next to gu yun on the chair.]

I've been interrogated all morning. [they say, dryly.]

[liuli]

[ aw, pride. he laughs. ]

Fair enough. Drink with me? Maybe I'll answer a question or two in exchange.

[probe]

Mm.

[they just pull two wine glasses out of their sleeves, hello? they hand one to him.]

[liuli]

[ pride your breadsleeves. ]

Got a corkscrew in there, while you're at it? Knife'll do in a pinch. [ lolol ]

[probe]

I lost my knife.

[they sound irritated about this. but they do have a corkscrew, so they'll hand it to him.]

[liuli]

That seems to be a constant in this place.

[ our kitchen knives...

he takes the corkscrew when offered, though, and plants the bottle between his thighs to hold it still, so he can get the cork off with all of the practiced skills of an alcoholic. ] Everyone here drinks their wine Western, don't they...

[ but, he pours a nice glass for pride, and one for himself, and then passes it over to them. ]

[probe]

I don't know what you mean by Western.

[they will take the glass, though. as they do, their sleeve slips. there are two gold bands tattooed around their wrist.]

[liuli]

Hmm... outside of Great Liang. That probably doesn't mean anything to you, either. Imported, I suppose - it's a different style of liquor than what we drink, but I don't care either way.

[ oooo he's definitely looking. claws, gold bands... ] Did you pick our color theme?

[probe]

This wine is imported, as well.

[... they pull their sleeves back down over their hands.] No. Pride is gold. For whatever reason.

[liuli]

Well, I'm honored by your courtesy and kindness. [ gu yun's manners always sound like a tiny bit sarcastic, but, he's pleased by it. raising his glass! ]

Cheers. [ a beat, before he pauses with the rim at his lips - ] I hope you aren't trying to poison me.

[ with a wink, he takes a drink!

not. not that poison would do much. high poison resistance ]

[probe]

[bold of you to think he has a high poison resistance here

anyway]

If I were going to, I wouldn't do it where someone could walk in. [they say, dryly.] I'm not an amateur.

[liuli]

[ he doesn’t know that!!!!!!! wait dammit now I have medicine questions

anyway! that answer gets him snickering again, as he swallows - it really is very good. ] All that ominous talk earlier makes sense. Remind me not to get on your bad side!

[ teehee ]

[probe]

It's a terrible side to be on.

[they seem almost like they're joking, at least. they take a sip of their wine - the glass vanishes into the depths of the hood.]

[liuli]

[ he. watches this happen. ]

... This place is stranger by the moment.

[probe]

This of all things prompts an observation like that?

[he can't see their face but there's definitely the air of an eyebrow being raised from pride's tone.]

[liuli]

Hm?

[ did you say something, pride?


anyway, ] So, we're supposed to indulge pridefully. What does that mean, exactly? I suppose besides boasting, that seems like the easy way out.