It is audacity, and it was anticipated, but the form it takes is as impossible to expect and avert in this shape as in his natural one. The trade is acceptable, but Li Lianhua will not see the light of heaven and even his 2hp won't save him if he tries that in public. There's no gratitude, justice, or indeed anything else resembling righteousness in this world, but at least the well of irony never runs dry. This 'technique' is not a challenge, however spectacularly Li Lianhua failed something multiple times. It isn't any kind of solicitation for praise or pets either, and by rights should be pretty much the exact opposite, actually; certainly that would be more in line with Di Feisheng's original intent of cutting off things like arguments and opposition at the root. Li Lianhua's varied new definitions of respectful are all weird fruits or vegetables at best, even if Di Feisheng is tolerating all this with surprising aplomb. Not quite enough to lean into being pet, or not frown about it (panther brows are great for frowning), but there's something in the acceptance that sages could learn from nonetheless.
It isn't even precisely new, this 'technique,' but how would anyone blame him for using this shape sparingly and with a preference for solitude? In less than an hour he has suffered many offenses (headrubs notwithstanding) with poignant nobility that isn't funny at all, Li Lianhua. No one even put him up to this task. Di-mengzhu doesn't even have tasks. It was a sarcastic proffering of a stolen windchime. Being a panther has so little to recommend it sometimes. Even his swipe at Li Lianhua's retreating ankles is more woebegone and delicate than the threat of hamstringing he has earned and so clearly thinks is in the cards. Almost like the shift in attention is what deserves threats, and not the overbearing audacity. Nothing that would even risk catching a claw in his hems, though not the least because of his awareness of what an embarrassment having to be unhooked would be. On second thought, the distraction of the bones is almost welcome.
If Di Feisheng had thought at all past the hackle-raising noise to the mystery it represented, he could have predicted this outcome all too easily. Just because Li Lianhua is still putting on his little performances doesn't mean the absorption isn't wholly genuine, and despite his superior ability to prioritize in life Di Feisheng finds himself drawn in, watchful and awaiting some pronouncement with interest he is steadfastly refusing to express via any means but slow tail swishes. It may not be a door puzzle, and he may have forfeited his right to the initial inspection, but better judgment doesn't save him from curiosity...or confidence in Li Lianhua's abilities, either.
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The trade is acceptable, but Li Lianhua will not see the light of heaven and even his 2hp won't save him if he tries that in public.There's no gratitude, justice, or indeed anything else resembling righteousness in this world, but at least the well of irony never runs dry. This 'technique' is not a challenge, however spectacularly Li Lianhua failed something multiple times. It isn't any kind of solicitation for praise or pets either, and by rights should be pretty much the exact opposite, actually; certainly that would be more in line with Di Feisheng's original intent of cutting off things like arguments and opposition at the root. Li Lianhua's varied new definitions of respectful are all weird fruits or vegetables at best, even if Di Feisheng is tolerating all this with surprising aplomb. Not quite enough to lean into being pet, or not frown about it (panther brows are great for frowning), but there's something in the acceptance that sages could learn from nonetheless.It isn't even precisely new, this 'technique,' but how would anyone blame him for using this shape sparingly and with a preference for solitude? In less than an hour he has suffered many offenses (headrubs notwithstanding) with poignant nobility
that isn't funny at all, Li Lianhua. No one even put him up to this task. Di-mengzhu doesn't even have tasks. It was a sarcastic proffering of a stolen windchime. Being a panther has so little to recommend it sometimes. Even his swipe at Li Lianhua's retreating ankles is more woebegone and delicate than the threat of hamstringing he has earned and so clearly thinks is in the cards.Almost like the shift in attention is what deserves threats, and not the overbearing audacity.Nothing that would even risk catching a claw in his hems, though not the least because of his awareness of what an embarrassment having to be unhooked would be. On second thought, the distraction of the bones is almost welcome.If Di Feisheng had thought at all past the hackle-raising noise to the mystery it represented, he could have predicted this outcome all too easily. Just because Li Lianhua is still putting on his little performances doesn't mean the absorption isn't wholly genuine, and despite his superior ability to prioritize in life Di Feisheng finds himself drawn in, watchful and awaiting some pronouncement with interest he is steadfastly refusing to express via any means but slow tail swishes. It may not be a door puzzle, and he may have forfeited his right to the initial inspection, but better judgment doesn't save him from curiosity...or confidence in Li Lianhua's abilities, either.