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[You're gross.]
Then maybe you should be a little noisier for a bit. There's no telling whether this illness is discerning enough to understand that.
Then maybe you should be a little noisier for a bit. There's no telling whether this illness is discerning enough to understand that.
[Regrettably, Xiaobao has a point; it IS a meaningless distinction and it's stupid all around.]
Are you worried or just prying?
[Or a secret worse third option.]
Or do you want to tell me some secret thing?
Are you worried or just prying?
[Or a secret worse third option.]
Or do you want to tell me some secret thing?
So you can put it in your file? It's nice of you to admit I have secrets that you weren't able to discover.
Anyway, it's the first one.
[It's both.]
Why don't you tell me something you haven't said before. As a precaution.
Anyway, it's the first one.
[It's both.]
Why don't you tell me something you haven't said before. As a precaution.
👎
[Which could be about the attitude, the concern, or even the suggestion.]
Did you know the child that knocked you out at Yipin tomb was me?
[Which could be about the attitude, the concern, or even the suggestion.]
Did you know the child that knocked you out at Yipin tomb was me?
[Do not thumbs down at hi-- Wait. What.]
What do you mean, that was you?
What do you mean, that was you?
Now you know.
[Put that in YOUR file, Detective.]
Li Lianhua insisted on going back for you, unfortunately.
[Put that in YOUR file, Detective.]
Li Lianhua insisted on going back for you, unfortunately.
[It's true that any pause in Inigo's messaging is starting to instill in Di Feisheng a little unease, bordering on superstition. This is why communication is like a hole in a boat even if you're not adding more water yourself, there's just no way to stop someone thinking about things or coming to their own conclusions or talking back. But Inigo is no tiger, at least.
He still isn't sure how to answer that question, beyond truthfully.]
Yes. They're both capable. They'll fight if they're cornered, or think they are, or will be down the line.
[It would be both hard to predict and obvious in hindsight.]
But it shouldn't come to that. I've gotten as much of an agreement out of both of them as I can.
[Because tigers are nice. FOR him. All the blood was purely metaphorical.]
He still isn't sure how to answer that question, beyond truthfully.]
Yes. They're both capable. They'll fight if they're cornered, or think they are, or will be down the line.
[It would be both hard to predict and obvious in hindsight.]
But it shouldn't come to that. I've gotten as much of an agreement out of both of them as I can.
[Because tigers are nice. FOR him. All the blood was purely metaphorical.]
[In the small hours of the morning, a small box wrapped in red paper and tied with string has been left on the porch just beneath the window. A note is tucked beneath the string, inked with vine-like writing:]
[Inside the box is a set of ear cuffs in lustrous dark grey metal, and a second note folded into a neat square:]
To Di Feisheng:
My best new year's greetings to you, and I hope they find you well. I didn't imagine I would have the opportunity to send you a second gift for this holiday, but I hope you'll find as much use with this one as you did with the other.
~ Iris
[Inside the box is a set of ear cuffs in lustrous dark grey metal, and a second note folded into a neat square:]
Knowing quite well your distaste for noise, I had these enchanted to dull sound when hooked around the outside of the ear. You can wear both together for full effect, or only one for a reduced effect. And should you dislike them, they'll sell for a nice amount of cords as well. Enjoy.
At some point as the days pass in a sickly haze, Li Lianhua asks Fang Duobing to keep his bedroom door open, ostensibly for some fresh air without letting in the winter cold through an open window. But really he likes to listen to the sounds of life in the house, Fang Xiaobao's cooking and cleaning and talking to Huli Jing. It's soothing and reassuring, and he rests a little easier not being entirely cut off from the world.
The next time he comes to from fretful sleep and glances around blearily to remind himself where he is, he nearly has a heart attack when he spots a large black shadow with piercing bright eyes in the doorway. A coughing fit follows instantly, pained retching shaking his whole body until he manages to spit out wads of bloodied petals into the bowl. By the time he's recovered, he's at least clear-headed enough to realize that nightmarish apparition is just Di Feisheng.
And of course, what else would he be doing? It's not like he has a job. So clingy... Li Lianhua settles back in carefully, a small smile on his lips. When he attempts to speak, his voice is weak and raw, but he doesn't really have to worry about being heard after all.
"Lao Di, is this how you're avoiding your chores now? Don't let that Fang Xiaobao catch you. He'll tie a broom to your tail and have you sweep."
The next time he comes to from fretful sleep and glances around blearily to remind himself where he is, he nearly has a heart attack when he spots a large black shadow with piercing bright eyes in the doorway. A coughing fit follows instantly, pained retching shaking his whole body until he manages to spit out wads of bloodied petals into the bowl. By the time he's recovered, he's at least clear-headed enough to realize that nightmarish apparition is just Di Feisheng.
And of course, what else would he be doing? It's not like he has a job. So clingy... Li Lianhua settles back in carefully, a small smile on his lips. When he attempts to speak, his voice is weak and raw, but he doesn't really have to worry about being heard after all.
"Lao Di, is this how you're avoiding your chores now? Don't let that Fang Xiaobao catch you. He'll tie a broom to your tail and have you sweep."
[ This is so bad. Inigo can't imagine them fighting, and he is taking into account the fact that maybe Di Feisheng is just wrong about this, but the idea that he takes the possibility so seriously is kind of concerning. Both because he wants both Li Lianhua and Blue to be alright, but also because he does not want Di Feisheng to get hurt if it comes down to that..
So there's only one possible thing he could say here, right? ]
I want to help.
Please let me help.
So there's only one possible thing he could say here, right? ]
I want to help.
Please let me help.
As enjoyable as it would otherwise be to cause such startlement simply by being the way he is, in current circumstances it just makes the nightmarish apparition put on a contrite expression, after a moment of alarmed concern himself. This shift from low-eared, crouched staring and stewing is a subtle one, but at least the lamplight eyes are averted. Like that makes any real kind of difference, like there's any meaningful way to give some distance to Li Lianhua's various sufferings that isn't just kind of a token, but that's just how it is again. Tokens, like many things, are not what Di Feisheng is for. He does have to keep thinking about it in case it's changed.
Fighting a broom-wielding Fang Xiaobao would be preferable to any of these lines of thought, honestly, not least because it would be a better distraction than he knows how to be on his own. Flower petals, of all things. It's one thing to live in a world determined to borrow from storybooks, but couldn't it have been from the kind with more investment in balance and morality than in inevitability? Maybe if he sits here long enough Li Lianhua will say he also thinks it's stupid. That might not be beneficial from a medical standpoint, but it would still be nice.Given this annoyance, the sweeping is taking care of itself actually.
Fighting a broom-wielding Fang Xiaobao would be preferable to any of these lines of thought, honestly, not least because it would be a better distraction than he knows how to be on his own. Flower petals, of all things. It's one thing to live in a world determined to borrow from storybooks, but couldn't it have been from the kind with more investment in balance and morality than in inevitability? Maybe if he sits here long enough Li Lianhua will say he also thinks it's stupid. That might not be beneficial from a medical standpoint, but it would still be nice.
To Di Feisheng's credit, he's actually making a pretty good distraction, or at least Li Lianhua is pretty good at distracting himself. He chuckles softly at his own words, really giving it some consideration now.
"Hah, it would actually be quite satisfying to see. You're fast, but Xiaobao can't be underestimated... Too resourceful and determined, even for you. I really don't know who to bet on..." He trails off, finding even this small amount of chatter too tiring. Besides, if having to listen to some nonsense was going to convince Di Feisheng to go find something more worthwhile to do with his time, it would have done so much sooner than this. The panther's annoyance is palpable, but somehow not very amusing at all.
Li Lianhua sighs gingerly around the stifling congestion in his lungs, a pained pinch between his eyebrows, though he hasn't dropped his smile.
"Save me the lecture, Lao Di. I know you think this is stupid. I don't like it either." As if that makes any sort of difference.
"Hah, it would actually be quite satisfying to see. You're fast, but Xiaobao can't be underestimated... Too resourceful and determined, even for you. I really don't know who to bet on..." He trails off, finding even this small amount of chatter too tiring. Besides, if having to listen to some nonsense was going to convince Di Feisheng to go find something more worthwhile to do with his time, it would have done so much sooner than this. The panther's annoyance is palpable, but somehow not very amusing at all.
Li Lianhua sighs gingerly around the stifling congestion in his lungs, a pained pinch between his eyebrows, though he hasn't dropped his smile.
"Save me the lecture, Lao Di. I know you think this is stupid. I don't like it either." As if that makes any sort of difference.
[He had known that the iron head slave wasn't him but that... The child was him?? ??? ??????]
[No, hold on. He can't seem too surprised by that. Di Feisheng won't let him live it down, and that's also not in the spirit of sharing right now.]
I should have known by how ill-mannered he was.
[Nailed it. Still, what the fuck.]
Did Li Lianhua know?
[No, hold on. He can't seem too surprised by that. Di Feisheng won't let him live it down, and that's also not in the spirit of sharing right now.]
I should have known by how ill-mannered he was.
[Nailed it. Still, what the fuck.]
Did Li Lianhua know?
[ Hey, Di Feisheng. Hope you're having an okay day.
Regardless of whether or not you're having one though, there's just an entire spam hoard of photos suddenly being sent to you. All of budding early spring flowers. So many different ones.
There's absolutely zero context to this, other than a text message that's finally said at the end of the flurry of images: ]
Happy spring!!!!!!!
[ This is normal. ]
Regardless of whether or not you're having one though, there's just an entire spam hoard of photos suddenly being sent to you. All of budding early spring flowers. So many different ones.
There's absolutely zero context to this, other than a text message that's finally said at the end of the flurry of images: ]
Happy spring!!!!!!!
[ This is normal. ]
A lecture. The panther blinks disdainfully at this, but doesn't protest beyond a kittenish snort. Of course Li Lianhua doesn't like it. He sounds terrible, which has happened before. He's trying, with the mental descendant of martial skill, not to let it fully touch him through the deployment of words. Di Feisheng can't decide if this is an improvement or more of the same. They are very close to being in agreement, anyway. There's something mollifying in that, but Di Feisheng can't quite take it to heart.
Does Li Lianhua know why this feels like such a meaningless betrayal? Why he's spending his time in these baleful vigils? What lecture does he even think Di Feisheng could give about something that seems to be blind bad luck rather than willful self-despite. If Li Lianhua is putting words in the mouth of a big cat he's got things all wrong. Even the staring is completely lacking in recrimination, for once.
Does Li Lianhua know why this feels like such a meaningless betrayal? Why he's spending his time in these baleful vigils? What lecture does he even think Di Feisheng could give about something that seems to be blind bad luck rather than willful self-despite. If Li Lianhua is putting words in the mouth of a big cat he's got things all wrong. Even the staring is completely lacking in recrimination, for once.
[No it is not. Not normal at all, in fact. But Di Feisheng has his own bet going as to why this is happening and he's wrong.]
Why are you sending me these?
Why are you sending me these?
[It would certainly be unlike the horrible old fox, if he hadn't known, but. Why is that his question? Surely one secret is enough and no one needs to drag Li Lianhua into this, and he's already established he's fine anyway.]
Of course he knew.
[...Probably. Does he feel a hitch in his breathing? Nah, that was for a higher purpose.]
Are you going to tell me anything?
Of course he knew.
[...Probably. Does he feel a hitch in his breathing? Nah, that was for a higher purpose.]
Are you going to tell me anything?
[What an insane level of responsibility to be taking about this. Good thing Di Feisheng has no idea the full extent. What to do about Inigo worrying for his wellbeing just isn't something he knows or probably ever will, beyond that it's very unnecessary. Why has Iris done this to him. The blood is still metaphorical but there is so much of it in the metaphor and it's all escaping him in this scenario.
He has to think about it now. Can't risk upsetting the tiger board with a wayward Inigo being too helpful.]
Just don't let one think the other is using you against them.
[Leave that to Di Feisheng. Who is doing it benignly and also super good.]
Iris at least can be asked to keep the peace, but only carefully. Don't jump to that.
He has to think about it now. Can't risk upsetting the tiger board with a wayward Inigo being too helpful.]
Just don't let one think the other is using you against them.
[Leave that to Di Feisheng. Who is doing it benignly and also super good.]
Iris at least can be asked to keep the peace, but only carefully. Don't jump to that.
Because it's spring?
[ Duh, Di Feisheng. It's that simple, apparently. Especially when Inigo has a whole lot more context to go off here. ]
I had to show you it's spring. So look! It's spring! It's the best time of the year!
[ Duh, Di Feisheng. It's that simple, apparently. Especially when Inigo has a whole lot more context to go off here. ]
I had to show you it's spring. So look! It's spring! It's the best time of the year!
[Inigo has so much context but he has forgotten to go off of any of it. Like 'tigers are bullshit don't trust them,' and the context of Di Feisheng's entire personality.]
You seem very insistent. Which one is making you do this?
[Blink twice if you need help etc.]
You seem very insistent. Which one is making you do this?
[Blink twice if you need help etc.]
[ The problem here is definitely the different way in which they view both Blue and Li Lianhua. It means that the first thing Inigo sends back is: ]
I don't think making is the right word here..
[ It totally is. ]
Li Lianhua was just worried about you! [ Culprit located, at least. ]
I don't think making is the right word here..
[ It totally is. ]
Li Lianhua was just worried about you! [ Culprit located, at least. ]
[IT TOTALLY IS. Inigo is being weaponized in some way and he doesn't even know. Someone should help him. Not Di Feisheng, but someone. ...Maybe Di Feisheng. For the spite of it all.]
[...But probably not. Also, what.]
I expected it to be the other one, since Li Lianhua is more subtle. Is he worried, or is he tricking you into a fool's errand?
[Let's examine.]
[...But probably not. Also, what.]
I expected it to be the other one, since Li Lianhua is more subtle. Is he worried, or is he tricking you into a fool's errand?
[Let's examine.]
[ .. hm.
It surprisingly doesn't sound like Di Feisheng is actually worried about spring? Or maybe he's just shy about it? Maybe he always looks so grumpy to hide some inner shyness..
But if he would humor the other's implication here, then-- ]
He wouldn't just make me do this for no reason. But he told me you were worried that spring wasn't going to come. [ Not really what Li Lianhua said, but more Inigo's interpretation of it, considering he's always fussing over other people.. ] So if that wasn't it, then what would it be?
Maybe he wanted to send you flowers since he likes you so much, but he didn't want to be direct about it, so he made me do it?
It surprisingly doesn't sound like Di Feisheng is actually worried about spring? Or maybe he's just shy about it? Maybe he always looks so grumpy to hide some inner shyness..
But if he would humor the other's implication here, then-- ]
He wouldn't just make me do this for no reason. But he told me you were worried that spring wasn't going to come. [ Not really what Li Lianhua said, but more Inigo's interpretation of it, considering he's always fussing over other people.. ] So if that wasn't it, then what would it be?
Maybe he wanted to send you flowers since he likes you so much, but he didn't want to be direct about it, so he made me do it?
[Inigo is nothing if not ready to engage with the material, but god at what cost. What kind of thing goes on in Inigo's mind that this is his first theory. Meanwhile, Di Feisheng's mind palace is taking on water. So fanciful, so incorrect, but at least not arguing.]
He's subtle, and a lunatic, but not a coward.
[Not a coward, but that man wouldn't dare. REAL FLOWERS OR GTFO.]
You can't trust him, but what did he say? Maybe he's the one worried about spring.
He's subtle, and a lunatic, but not a coward.
You can't trust him, but what did he say? Maybe he's the one worried about spring.
[ Inigo is getting the feeling that 'lunatic' is actually meant affectionately when Di Feisheng uses it. That guy sure expresses himself in strange ways.. ]
Hold on.
[ Thankfully Inigo has gotten good enough with this device that he can send the other a picture of this message. A moment after he sent those two words. ]
See? He was worried about you!
[ Definitely the world's most generous interpretation of Li Lianhua's words. ]
Hold on.
[ Thankfully Inigo has gotten good enough with this device that he can send the other a picture of this message. A moment after he sent those two words. ]
See? He was worried about you!
[ Definitely the world's most generous interpretation of Li Lianhua's words. ]
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