[ jing yuan had debated on the invitation for one long moment, hesitant to further open a can of space worms he's tightly sealed for the past seven hundred years. and while he and dan feng had mostly come to an understanding the last time they'd seen each other, there's still much to speak about, much to discuss about everything. his feelings, for one, many of which have been neatly tied and buried deep within the recesses of his heart, have been unearthed and scattered in the wind, pieces of which he needed to pick up.
he follows the directions given to him, double-checking that the address is correct, before knocking on the door. he still wears his "uniform" for the cafe, a neat but modern ensemble that reminds him of the uniforms back in the artisanship commission. not entirely uncomfortable, but it's certainly a new experience.
age may be a number, but he's no longer the young man he once used to be, open to more adventurous and exciting things like dressing up for certain occasions. working at the cafe is at least refreshing, much more invigorating than sitting behind his desk at the seat of divine foresight.
in any case, he waits for the door to open, fingers tapping a gentle rhythm against the small box in his hands. ]
[ he has not seen jing yuan nearly as much as he would have liked, but.. dan feng does not feel entitled to his time, the way he once was. having shattered everything with his own two hands, how can he possibly impede upon jing yuan's time and space any more than is necessary?
but it aches, knowing that he is here, yet feeling out of reach. so eventually, he breaks, inviting him for tea and a light lunch, that they might have the chance to talk. to really talk. if nothing else.. closure should be had. dan feng has enough regrets, he does not wish to create any more.
when the knock comes, dan feng rises from his seat to answer, unable to keep the softness from his expression when he lays eyes upon jing yuan. so much older than his little cub had once been.. with weight on his shoulders, bearing down. ]
Come in.
[ he says, and opens the door further. his apartment is very small, but it is his own. it is furnished sparsely, but neatly, and he guides jing yuan to a low table. ]
[ calm and collected, jing yuan has never imagined himself to feel so apprehensive standing outside of dan feng's new accommodations, waiting for the door to swing open and the vidyadhara to greet him. centuries ago, he might have knocked once and barged in anyway, offering the high elder a bright, cheeky smile that would've been so easily forgiven after a full minute of scolding and reminding. now ... well, he'd like to say that he's an adult now.
and adults don't simply barge into people's residences without their permission (save for very specific circumstances, but none of those circumstances apply here).
he waits for a few more seconds before the door swings open, and jing yuan, for a moment, feels like the ebon deer in headlights. but he quickly composes himself, returning the high elder's expression with a faint smile as he follows him inside. it's a small apartment but very quaint, not at all befitting the illustrious high elder of the luofu.
a part of him wonders if he's comfortable here. ]
This Jing Yuan is glad to see you well despite the circumstances, High Elder. Thank you for inviting me to your residence.
[ despite himself, dan feng smiles softly to see him, to hear his voice, though that moment of frozen panic did not escape his notice. ]
I hope that you know that you are welcome here any time.
[ he says quietly, brushing his fingers briefly along jing yuan's sleeve before he seats himself at the low table, gesturing for jing yuan to do the same, if he's comfortable. he hums softly. ]
[ ah, nothing escapes dan feng's sharp eyes, jing yuan thinks. perhaps he's gotten rusty with schooling his expression, or perhaps he's simply slipping now that he's in his old friend's presence. it's very easy to settle into what's familiar, even though much of it has faded away centuries ago, but jing yuan reminds himself that this won't last forever, that they'll eventually return to where they came from.
he takes a seat opposite the vidyadhara, pushing the box he's been holding onto across the table. it's simply but neatly wrapped with wax paper and twine. ]
A gift of tea, something to keep you warm in your new home.
[ the flavors are ordinary, mild even. not at all a special blend or a familiar one where they're from. but jing yuan found them enough to tide the hours and temporarily soothe any heaviness in both his head and his heart. ]
[ dan feng simply knows his cub well, even after so long apart. he's always been able to read jing yuan, though he's made it quite difficult, has grown accustomed to hiding his heart away, hasn't he? the idea makes dan feng's chest ache with regret. this man had been so exuberant, once, so full of warmth and sunlight..
the guilt rips at his insides with icy claws. ]
Thank you, Ah Yuan - it was kind of you to think of me.
[ he pulls the offered box toward him, carefully removing the lid, the scent of tea a comfort, even if it is a bit unfamiliar. ]
I have been.. managing, I suppose. Trying to keep busy. And you?
[ how could he not think of him, jing yuan wants to say, but all he can muster is a smile. an expression of relief that the high elder is managing despite knowing that word is probably something to soften the blow of whatever he's going through. he wants to ask more, probe a bit on what keeps him busy, but he wonders if it's too much to ask.
dan feng is at least trying to reach out, and if anything, it's jing yuan who's only barely reaching back. not because of any kind of grudge or acrimony towards the high elder, but because of shame and discomfort, of embarrassment that dan feng remains kind towards him even though ...
even though he failed him. ]
Ah, I've also been trying to keep busy. This world is very different from the Luofu, lacking of its comforts and of the responsibilities I had.
[ his comfortable bed, his soft pillows, his cat ... ]
Have you had any challenges or difficulties as of late? If there's anything I can do, you only need to ask.
[ den feng, apparently, is too selfish to give jing yuan space. to keep his distance. he loves him too much to sacrifice what brief time they have here together, even if it may be best for jing yuan.
even now, after all this time.. dan feng has not learned. he still prioritizes his own needs, and right now - right now he needs jing yuan, needs to know that he is safe and well, needs to see his face, his gentle eyes. so this afternoon he arrives, a small parcel in one arm, and knocks lightly on the door. ]
[ the plant monster had been the least of jing yuan's worry, more the scarring on his face. he's never been one to care about outward appearances, but there's something to be said about showing up to work and finding out there's a sickly rash on his face that spells out something he had been hiding for so long, buried beneath depths upon depths of meditation and emotions.
and it's that very reason why jing yuan, upon opening the door, has a bandage on his cheek and a look of surprise on his expression at the sight of dan feng at his doorstep despite their last exchange. ]
[ dan heng, too, wears a bandage along his cheek and jaw - two peas in a pod, it would seem. the wound is healed over now, but there is scarring enough for the moment that he would like to keep it covered, until it fades.
once jing yuan opens the door and greets him, dan feng releases a breath. he'd been worried..
.. and then he walks right past jing yuan and into his space. ]
[ so much for not forcing your presence, high elder!!
but jing yuan instinctively takes a step back, knowing that the vidyadhara isn't one to let anyone get in his way once he's made up his mind to doing something. and in this case, that's walking into jing yuan's residence without another word of acknowledgement or even a request for an invitation. then again, it isn't as if he's about to deny him entrance in any way.
jing yuan closes the door behind him, turning to look at his friend. it's a small residence, sparsely but comfortably furnished, enough to get him by with what he's earning from the cafe. ]
Had I known, I would have assured you that I was fine, High Elder ...
[ except for the, well, scarring on his face, but that's beside the point. ]
[ dan feng is curious about his little residence, but jing yuan comes first. setting the parcel down on the nearest available surface, dan feng turns to him again, folding his arms in front of him. though their time apart has not been terribly long, dan feng has still missed his face, his gentle eyes that hide a great deal. ]
jing yuan says nothing for a moment, unable to find the words to respond to dan feng's pointed criticism. the man has always seen through him as if he's made of glass, even through the layers of defenses he's placed around him. or is it perhaps these defenses simply fall apart around him, so flimsy in the face of the high elder's stern and uncompromising expression?
he presses his lips together, shifting his gaze away from dan feng. a part of him almost wonders if he'd get away with petulance, but another part of him persuades him not to test it out. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@loong
he follows the directions given to him, double-checking that the address is correct, before knocking on the door. he still wears his "uniform" for the cafe, a neat but modern ensemble that reminds him of the uniforms back in the artisanship commission. not entirely uncomfortable, but it's certainly a new experience.
age may be a number, but he's no longer the young man he once used to be, open to more adventurous and exciting things like dressing up for certain occasions. working at the cafe is at least refreshing, much more invigorating than sitting behind his desk at the seat of divine foresight.
in any case, he waits for the door to open, fingers tapping a gentle rhythm against the small box in his hands. ]
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but it aches, knowing that he is here, yet feeling out of reach. so eventually, he breaks, inviting him for tea and a light lunch, that they might have the chance to talk. to really talk. if nothing else.. closure should be had. dan feng has enough regrets, he does not wish to create any more.
when the knock comes, dan feng rises from his seat to answer, unable to keep the softness from his expression when he lays eyes upon jing yuan. so much older than his little cub had once been.. with weight on his shoulders, bearing down. ]
Come in.
[ he says, and opens the door further. his apartment is very small, but it is his own. it is furnished sparsely, but neatly, and he guides jing yuan to a low table. ]
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and adults don't simply barge into people's residences without their permission (save for very specific circumstances, but none of those circumstances apply here).
he waits for a few more seconds before the door swings open, and jing yuan, for a moment, feels like the ebon deer in headlights. but he quickly composes himself, returning the high elder's expression with a faint smile as he follows him inside. it's a small apartment but very quaint, not at all befitting the illustrious high elder of the luofu.
a part of him wonders if he's comfortable here. ]
This Jing Yuan is glad to see you well despite the circumstances, High Elder. Thank you for inviting me to your residence.
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I hope that you know that you are welcome here any time.
[ he says quietly, brushing his fingers briefly along jing yuan's sleeve before he seats himself at the low table, gesturing for jing yuan to do the same, if he's comfortable. he hums softly. ]
It's good to see you.
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he takes a seat opposite the vidyadhara, pushing the box he's been holding onto across the table. it's simply but neatly wrapped with wax paper and twine. ]
A gift of tea, something to keep you warm in your new home.
[ the flavors are ordinary, mild even. not at all a special blend or a familiar one where they're from. but jing yuan found them enough to tide the hours and temporarily soothe any heaviness in both his head and his heart. ]
How have you been faring, High Elder?
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the guilt rips at his insides with icy claws. ]
Thank you, Ah Yuan - it was kind of you to think of me.
[ he pulls the offered box toward him, carefully removing the lid, the scent of tea a comfort, even if it is a bit unfamiliar. ]
I have been.. managing, I suppose. Trying to keep busy. And you?
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[ how could he not think of him, jing yuan wants to say, but all he can muster is a smile. an expression of relief that the high elder is managing despite knowing that word is probably something to soften the blow of whatever he's going through. he wants to ask more, probe a bit on what keeps him busy, but he wonders if it's too much to ask.
dan feng is at least trying to reach out, and if anything, it's jing yuan who's only barely reaching back. not because of any kind of grudge or acrimony towards the high elder, but because of shame and discomfort, of embarrassment that dan feng remains kind towards him even though ...
even though he failed him. ]
Ah, I've also been trying to keep busy. This world is very different from the Luofu, lacking of its comforts and of the responsibilities I had.
[ his comfortable bed, his soft pillows, his cat ... ]
Have you had any challenges or difficulties as of late? If there's anything I can do, you only need to ask.
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text; un: yinyuejun
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Always for you, High Elder.
How may I be of assistance?
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I wanted to thank you for the lovely plant you left for me.
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Of course, I'm glad you liked it.
I read that you were inquiring about growing tea, and I thought it would be best to offer any knowledge I might have on the subject.
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I didn't want to impose on your time, High Elder.
If you have inquiries on raising plants, however, I will gladly help.
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text / @Cloud-Piercing Spear
General, would you happen to have a moment?
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I have far too many moments here that I'm a little lost on what to do, haha.
How can I help you, Dan Heng?
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It seems we are both in the same predicament.
... Do you think I'm too stiff?
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Did someone say you are?
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Perhaps I'm too inflexible.
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a short time after the plant monster;
even now, after all this time.. dan feng has not learned. he still prioritizes his own needs, and right now - right now he needs jing yuan, needs to know that he is safe and well, needs to see his face, his gentle eyes. so this afternoon he arrives, a small parcel in one arm, and knocks lightly on the door. ]
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and it's that very reason why jing yuan, upon opening the door, has a bandage on his cheek and a look of surprise on his expression at the sight of dan feng at his doorstep despite their last exchange. ]
High Elder! I'm glad to see you're unharmed.
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once jing yuan opens the door and greets him, dan feng releases a breath. he'd been worried..
.. and then he walks right past jing yuan and into his space. ]
And you. I had been concerned for your safety.
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but jing yuan instinctively takes a step back, knowing that the vidyadhara isn't one to let anyone get in his way once he's made up his mind to doing something. and in this case, that's walking into jing yuan's residence without another word of acknowledgement or even a request for an invitation. then again, it isn't as if he's about to deny him entrance in any way.
jing yuan closes the door behind him, turning to look at his friend. it's a small residence, sparsely but comfortably furnished, enough to get him by with what he's earning from the cafe. ]
Had I known, I would have assured you that I was fine, High Elder ...
[ except for the, well, scarring on his face, but that's beside the point. ]
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Yes, yes. You're always fine, aren't you?
[ dan feng is curious about his little residence, but jing yuan comes first. setting the parcel down on the nearest available surface, dan feng turns to him again, folding his arms in front of him. though their time apart has not been terribly long, dan feng has still missed his face, his gentle eyes that hide a great deal. ]
I've changed my mind. We're acting like fools.
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jing yuan says nothing for a moment, unable to find the words to respond to dan feng's pointed criticism. the man has always seen through him as if he's made of glass, even through the layers of defenses he's placed around him. or is it perhaps these defenses simply fall apart around him, so flimsy in the face of the high elder's stern and uncompromising expression?
he presses his lips together, shifting his gaze away from dan feng. a part of him almost wonders if he'd get away with petulance, but another part of him persuades him not to test it out. ]
It didn't even last a full month, High Elder.
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