Audience: Gu Yun

[probe]

Comments

[probe]

I have no opinion on Masters. He hasn't spoken to me and I assume he won't.

[they pause, though. hesitate, almost. for a moment the hood just looks at gu yun's raised glass, and then very carefully, they clink their own mostly empty glass to gu yun's.]

... If you'd like. [they say, softer.]

[liuli]

I would, very much.

[ clink! he's smiling, now, eyes twinkling a bit. ] If I can find a way to introduce you to my favorite wine from home the next time we talk, I will.

[probe]

[hm. they immediately pull the wine glass back and take like, four steps back.]

... Simulations may be able to help with that.

[liuli]

[ i love pride so much already what the fuck

they can probably see the glint in gu yun's eye, just for a moment there, as he files that away for later.

seamlessly, though, he grins, now gesturing with the glass. ] Good point! Do you like the cold, Pride? I spend most of my time in the North, and they know how to make a drink that keeps you warm from the inside out up there. One of the Heavenly Tribes' few useful contributions.

[probe]

[they seem totally thrown off by the subject change, which is why they sort of stutter.]

I - no. I don't like the cold. [it's pretty vehement. and then, a bit easier:] Snow is beautiful, but I prefer to not be surrounded by it.

[they actually shiver. huh.]

[liuli]

[ oh no.

gu yun shifts, propping his chin in his hand, and lowers his gaze a bit, then peeks back up. just because he can't help himself - ] Not even with someone holding you to keep you warm?

[probe]

[immediately, annoyed:]

Stop that.

[liuli]

[ yeah he was completely teasing. gu yun immediately starts snickering as he sets the glass back down. ]

Sorry, sorry. [ terrible!!! he's the worst. ] In all seriousness, I'm sure we can simulate something. Maybe the capital, instead. Is the place you're from not particularly cold?

[probe]

[pride is very not good at being teased, unfortunately!!]

No. It is cold. Or can be. [which is why they don't like it.

this is where they should ask about what the capital is like, but they don't. poor gu yun has to carry this entire conversation.]

[liuli]

[ luckily, gu yun is very good at carrying conversations. local man talks out of his ass all day ]

Mmm. And it snows sometimes, too. Is the whole world just cold, there, or can you escape it every now and then?

[probe]

... I can escape it, every now and then.

[their voice gets very low and soft at that. almost melancholy.]

[liuli]

[ hmm. he's quietly observant of this reaction. ]

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, hm?

[probe]

[ah - that startles them into a laugh, though it's a bitter sound.]

You - yes. It is.

[liuli]

Thought so.

[ his smile's more genuine, this time, less teasing and shitty, as he glances away from pride to look at the symbol on his hand. ]

I've served under emperors my whole life, you know. And... I'm not so unfamiliar with palace life, either. I can tell the type.

[probe]

[they just - they have to take a second to laugh again, turning around. it's not a nice sound.]

It's a recent development. I feel as though I should be offended.

[liuli]

[ surprisingly, the jokiness fades. ]

If I was trying to offend you, then I'd just be insulting myself, while I was at it. [ after all, his bloodline screams of royalty - even if gu yun spent his life eating dirt in the trenches, instead. ] My mother.

[ that's all the information he's offering up on that, really. ] Was it by choice, or by bloodline?

[probe]

[they fold their arms, but... they keep that little tidbit in mind.]

Bloodline. [bitter.] If I had a choice, I wouldn't.

[liuli]

I'm sorry.

[ normally, he might make a dry remark about joining the military.

...but emperor yuan he's death still was only a few years ago, and some complicated wounds don't close as completely as you want them to.

this cousin...will be watching you.

his gaze flicks away for a moment. ] Heavy, indeed.

[probe]

[some wounds never heal.

they take a deep breath, and slowly exhale. their shoulders come down from around their ears.]

I don't want pity. [they say, quietly.] And I doubt you would either.

[liuli]

[ he snorts, humorless, and leans back in the captain's chair. ]

No, not at all. [ pride indeed.

gu yun's quiet, for a moment longer. ] No changing it. All that's left is to move forward. [ because ultimately, that's what he's always done. the old marquis, the princess, yuan he - all that was left was to move on.

what a terribly heavy conversation. ] Any of that wine left? I think I need another drink.

[probe]

[they nod. turn around, head back to gu yun in the chair.

and just - hand gu yun the bottle? just take the whole thing, it's fine.]

[liuli]

[ oh, pfft - he reaches out for it, then! thanks, bud. ]

Thanks. You sure you're done with it? Though, I guess you could just take more out of those sleeves of yours. [ magic breadsleeves!!! ]

[probe]

I can make more. [they confirm.] If you want more, you can ask.

[liuli]

Like this, I think I might become terribly spoiled. [ very playfully. ] I'll keep it in mind.

Is that something you've always been able to do, or is it just part of your fashion choices?

[probe]

You're already spoiled. [:T]

The latter.