It's because this isn't a real injury that Li Lianhua is free to scold and be amused and impressed. He's all too familiar with Di Feisheng's pride and it's not so meager that it needs an extra boost from him, especially after launching a victorious assault. It can't be that Di-mengzhu has grown so accustomed to a hall full of fawning followers that he finds the welcome he receives in this shabby house beneath him now, can it? If they invite the emperor, His Majesty will be honored by a single glance from this battle-scarred wildcat, to be sure.
But it does look like he might have underestimated the importance of this win, or perhaps Di Feisheng's limit to the indignities he'll take in one afternoon. The panther's maw tenses a hair's breadth from his hand, fangs whetted and a glare sharpening those feline eyes trained on him and it's enough to halt his careless reach for the windchime.
For a moment, the temptation to wrap his hand around the prize and see what the panther will do about it glints in Li Lianhua's eyes to match.
It's just that every prominent line of the panther's features, every readying shift of his muscles beneath the jet-black fur is both so strange and so familiar. And the sheer commanding air of willfulness and defiance so recognizable that Li Lianhua has to laugh, a grin breaking free before he can cover it with the offending hand. How does this man even now find new ways to be so amazingly himself? No one's cat, as it should be.
Li Lianhua straightens with a clearing of his throat, his hands politely folding behind his back, though they don't stay there for very long because he needs one to gesture to the length of Di Feisheng with a complimentary wave like he's a particularly well-built ox at the market. "You should wear this hide more often, Lao Di, it suits you indeed. I wasn't expecting a panther to be so expressive." He finally quells the lopsided grin on his face with a pursing of his lips. "But aren't you even a little bit curious about her sorcery? What if it was a test of something? Of you? Ah, I promise I'll give it back so you can hang it from your dao."
What if it's neither the indignity nor the prize that is causing the reactionary behavior? What if it's simple zest for life? The brief temptation is entirely transparent to Di Feisheng, and is met with a lashing tail and stately but boundless anticipation. But even if Li Lianhua pivots to amusement and familiar nonsense with typical speed, the moment of hesitation before all of that was genuine enough to be mollifying. He'd half expected to have his whiskers pulled, or be slapped on the nose, all too many little vulnerabilities on a panther's face as long as someone is audacious enough. Which someone undoubtedly is. What does he mean, expressive. These all seem like great arguments for wearing it less.
And what is so funny to Li Lianhua, anyway? The good humor is its own prizetransfixinglike sunlight to plants or panthersgenuine despite the weight of performance behind it. A special Li Lianhua talent, as unique as Yangzhouman, as devastating recognizable as Xiangyi Taijian. It's just that Di Feisheng does not feel like he is in on the joke, when this seems like a time in particular he ought to be. The whole thing inspires considerable suspicion in him, which is surely one thing he excels at expressing regardless of shape.
But none of that suspicion is for the bone chime sorcery, despite Li Lianhua's questions. If it was a test of him, she probably would have brought a bigger knife. Whatever else she might have sought to test, he wishes her the best of luck in finding a way to do so quietly, but his curiosity would be perfectly happy to settle for hearing about it secondhand. One tiger or the other, or both. If goading Di Feisheng's alleged curiosity makes him feel better about his own, so be it; he's welcome to the thing, and Di Feisheng won't even make him stoop too far, though the thought of dropping it on his feet and metaphorically washing his hands of it does cross his mind. A trade does not seem to be forthcoming, anyway.
Instead he sits with his tail tucked neatly around his paws, like a well-executed statue except for the occasional slow shuttering of too-lively eyes. The picture of cooperative intent and not any kind of trick, because unlike some people he doesn't have to rely on mendacity every time. Never let it be said that Li Lianhua doesn't get anything for free.
Although Li Lianhua has managed to shake off that moment of allure fascination with Di Feisheng's newest technique, and is able to gesture and speak freely once more, he now has to find out that it simply continues to be captivating. He is still interested in the wind chime's secrets, really, but it's hard to have eyes for anything but the panther's dancing tail and ear twitches of suspicion, shifting gracefully into an imperious sort of forbearance as he settles down. Li Lianhua is accustomed to Di Feisheng's unlikely air of elegance, obviously, but it's more unexpected in a big black cat.
The way the panther is presenting the prize now, it has a little of Huli Jing finding a particularly impressive stick and offering it up for praise in return. Probably not the kind of comparison Di-mengzhu would endorse, which is a thought that results in a sort of helpless little satisfied sigh from Li Lianhua as he tries not to laugh again. He's being so respectful for real.
"See, I knew you would be reasonable." Whether or not Di Feisheng cares about the sorcery, Li Lianhua is getting what he wants without even having to give up any favors this time. He bends closer to accept the prize, but at the very last second fails even this challenge. As the panther releases the mess into his hand, Li Lianhua's free hand darts forward and strokes the short silky fur atop his head, just gives him a really nice rub for a job so well done. That's not audacity, that's just-- habit. There's your trade.
And the speed with which he straightens up and takes a respectful step back has nothing to do with any likelihood of earning a swat for that, of course. Immediately he's busy examining the bones, tracing his fingertips over some of the holes, the very picture of being engrossed in a puzzle.
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.
Delicate and restrained as that swipe is, a lack of retaliation would have tripped him up more. But of course Di Feisheng doesn't miss a step in this dance even in this shape, and with every move Li Lianhua gets to learn a little more of it. Miss Iris remains ignorant of how lucky she was. A private smirk crosses his lips at the thought, or possibly just at Di Feisheng and his surprising (delightful) tolerance of being pet in general, even while his eyes are locked on the prize.
And what a prize it is. He carefully examines the size and texture of the bones, taking note of the different knife marks and the tools used for drilling the holes and putting everything together. "Animal bones," he finally decides. In case anyone was curious. "Likely not her own kills, a butcher took these apart." So it's not the materials that matter to her, but the final product. "Expert work on the cleaning and bleaching, that would have taken a lot of effort... Only, I don't recall anyone in town offering that service." So her own work, and not the first time she's done it. Is that why she was so protective of it?
But there's obviously more to the damn thing, he heard that himself. He turns to pace a few steps away from the panther, lost in thought. She clearly didn't hide a little ghost in the pipes, so it must be something about the placement of the holes creating the words. But words are too numerous and complex to be made by singular holes... unless he rubs his lil fingies together it's made to speak a very different tongue. Of course a series of whistles and notes could carry meaning. And once there's meaning, whatever assures all the people here understand one another would do the rest.
It still takes great skill and precision to carve those holes and place the thing perfectly into the wind to assure those notes would be played more or less in the right order. Not unexpected of that woman, but certainly interesting. Should that be her own tongue, then? Or one of many she knows?
Why, still, put so much effort into making this? Just to see others react to it, maybe. To learn more about how languages work in this realm. Sentiment, if it is indeed her mother tongue? More sentiment, if she knows one person capable of understanding it without help.
Li Lianhua's expression sharpens into an unkind smile down at the instrument in his hands. "She's not done with you until she gets this back, you know." As if the attempted murder over a toy hadn't given that away already.
Oh well. With a shrug, he tosses the mess carelessly over his shoulder, high into the air and barely in the panther's general direction.
Di Feisheng's patient interest was wasted. Only Li Lianhua could make so thorough an inspection of something, with such a well-tempered and attentive audience, and still manage to proclaim only things that would be obvious to anyone with any sense. Tell him about kinds of knife next, since the subject of bones and how to make someone invested in conflict have already been covered. It's not like the panther interrupted his opportunity for a lecture, he just decided to be bad at it.
Di Feisheng is already doing his feline best expression of reproach, ears and all, before Li Lianhua finishes his detective act and throws the thing. Having to hurriedly pounce it out of the air like a dropped tea cup is undoubtedly just as funny in this shape, as is the huff of disdain at having the tangled mess under his claws yet again, at the prospect of having to return it, and at Li Lianhua as a whole. Tell him the important stuff or stop saying words. Stop throwing clattery things too. Better yet, go back to paying attention to Di Feisheng. But surely he will do that anyway.
He's right of course, however unfortunately, as is becoming all too familiar. Possibly this is the thought Di Feisheng is telegraphing with a speculative look at the window he'd just had such a good time leaping through, now visibly reluctant to repeat the performance if it means defending his actions to a lunatic. Can't he just get stabbed instead. Incredible that Li Lianhua would suggest such a thing after saying he could hang it from his dao he doesn't even have. He foregoes the toy windchime entirely to pad over to the window and peer out instead, standing up like a person. Check the vengeance forecast and think about diplomacy, with a heartfelt sigh borrowed from unemployed real animals everywhere. It will be more work than stealing, unfortunately, and he can't even be a panther about it.
Once more the panther does not disappoint, deadly reflexes primed to grab his stupid prize out of the air before it can even hit the ground. Li Lianhua might be missing the visual performance, being turned the other way, but it's enough to more sense than hear the near silent leaping behind him, and the soft clatter as the panther lands with the bones under his paws. Idly he wonders what else he could make Di Feisheng catch like this, just to keep him sharp and all. As naturally ridiculously well suited as he is to this shape, skills don't just come from nothing, after all. That's his secret, he's always paying attention to Di Feisheng.
A dreamy smile is already on his face as Li Lianhua is in danger of getting lost in the deeply amusing fantasy of that panther pouncing after some roast chicken on a fishing line being whipped through the air. Thankfully, Di Feisheng's rather woebegone slinking over to the window captures his notice again. What, is the truth such a burden to carry that he can't even pick up the damned windchime, now? The very funny reluctance in the panther's bearing is obviously owing just as much to the troublesome woman next door as it is to realizing his rash actions are going to have further consequences. That would be impossible to resist poking at even if the sight of the panther gazing out the window like a lovesick maiden wasn't so... inviting.
Li Lianhua saunters over to the panther's side, hands folded politely behind his back once more, to lean down to his line of sight and join him in Looking Outside. This time, he seems to be perfectly oblivious to those fangs so close to his face and neck.
"Eh, Di-mengzhu. What's the matter? Are you thinking you... bit off more than you can chew?"
Wishing for Li Lianhua's attention was one of his patented Instant Mistakes. Maybe he can be a panther about returning the windchime after all; Li Lianhua being respectful is a lost cause due to his nature but maybe Iris...well, he might need the agility, anyway. Even if he happens to negotiate his way out of outright hostility. Maybe he will just be a panther about everything going forward, especially things Li Lianhua is right about.
So smart of that Li Lianhua to put his hands away before going for bite puns while in range of the real thing. As real as 2hp allows, anyway. The knowledge that it would Not help is the only thing saving everybody from terrible indignity. There is no longer such a thing as justice in any world, if this is the thanks he gets for his valuable service. He is going to bring home some kind of dead thing for real.
One canted ear says his attention has shifted, no longer on Outside even if his eyes are; he is Clearly Considering It Anyway, going so far as to grimace, teeth bared, in evident distaste or possibly seeing a bird outside. Surely at some point it's just called karma. Why would he bring the windchime over with him when he's got garbage right here. Just because he is metaphorically and at times literally dragging his feet doesn't mean Di-mengzhu isn't still committed to this bit (of his own creation), it just means he's already played the element of surprise and needs to strategize accordingly. Get tail-whipped, idiot.
That grimace is indeed pretty impressive, or at least it probably is, out of the corner of a sideways glance, since Li Lianhua is about as committed to Looking Outside now as the panther is. Anyway that was a very clever pun and cats are just so hard to please. If he wanted simple compensation he should have dropped it off at a pawn shop; what he gets at Li Lianhua's house is exactly what he deserves. Like a headrub.
Speaking of things that are deserved, he probably shouldn't complain too much about that sudden comeuppance for his earlier thwapping, almost a little too precise to be coincidence. So he'll only jump a little, throwing a brief glance over his shoulder at the offending appendage erratically dancing like a long furry spring coiled with all of Di Feisheng's considerable restraint. Terrible to give that man so much reach. He's got to be having at least a little fun with it, though, right? Li Lianhua is sure of it.
"Hey, don't take it out on me," he complains anyway, moue of reproach belied by the glint of deep amusement and something else in his eyes. "Blaming the messenger is not a good habit. Let me tell you, Di-mengzhu's lack of foresight isn't my fault. You know she didn't even recognize you until you came back here, right?" Unimaginably amateurish behavior. From both of them, actually. The laughter in his voice gives way to a sigh of pity. "Aiya... I was really expecting better tactics from you. I mean, you could have gotten away with your theft if only you'd... covered your tracks." Alright, a bit of a reach, but still worth it. He helpfully gestures at the panther's massive paws on the windowsill, just to make sure, though.
Li Lianhua has always got so many things to tell a person, and yet despite the ritualized exhortation to forbearance every time, the chance to refuse never presents itself. And accusing Di Feisheng of all people of a poor grasp on strategy and of some sort of cowardly motivation for the execution of it? Both at once? A moment of startlement is not going to cover the cost, even if it was even more gratifying than momentarily spooking their neighbor had been. The element of surprise was never intended to conceal his identity, he just wanted to be fast and ill-suited to arguments. Nothing about the lashing of his tail has anything to do with restraint. For what would he even need reach, the horrible man is right there.
Grabbing at that helpfully gesturing hand with snakelike speed and none of the feathery lack of follow-through from his earlier swipe isn't at all the reflex it seems, even if laying his ears flat is. Li Lianhua is not getting a third panther pun today at his expense, but it won't be from lack of material. And if Li Lianhua wants better tactics, then he can fish them out of the panther's jaws, now delicately outstretched to close ever so precisely around his captured hand. This is a warning, and in qi terms a very legal move, and will definitely send the correct message about respect.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
and impressed. He's all too familiar with Di Feisheng's pride and it's not so meager that it needs an extra boost from him, especially after launching a victorious assault. It can't be that Di-mengzhu has grown so accustomed to a hall full of fawning followers that he finds the welcome he receives in this shabby house beneath him now, can it? If they invite the emperor, His Majesty will be honored by a single glance from this battle-scarred wildcat, to be sure.But it does look like he might have underestimated the importance of this win, or perhaps Di Feisheng's limit to the indignities he'll take in one afternoon. The panther's maw tenses a hair's breadth from his hand, fangs whetted and a glare sharpening those feline eyes trained on him and it's enough to halt his careless reach for the windchime.
For a moment, the temptation to wrap his hand around the prize and see what the panther will do about it glints in Li Lianhua's eyes to match.
It's just that every prominent line of the panther's features, every readying shift of his muscles beneath the jet-black fur is both so strange and so familiar. And the sheer commanding air of willfulness and defiance so recognizable that Li Lianhua has to laugh, a grin breaking free before he can cover it with the offending hand. How does this man even now find new ways to be so amazingly himself?
No one's cat, as it should be.Li Lianhua straightens with a clearing of his throat, his hands politely folding behind his back, though they don't stay there for very long because he needs one to gesture to the length of Di Feisheng with a complimentary wave like he's a particularly well-built ox at the market. "You should wear this hide more often, Lao Di, it suits you indeed. I wasn't expecting a panther to be so expressive." He finally quells the lopsided grin on his face with a pursing of his lips. "But aren't you even a little bit curious about her sorcery? What if it was a test of something? Of you? Ah, I promise I'll give it back so you can hang it from your dao."
no subject
What if it's simple zest for life?The brief temptation is entirely transparent to Di Feisheng, and is met with a lashing tail and stately but boundless anticipation. But even if Li Lianhua pivots to amusement and familiar nonsense with typical speed, the moment of hesitation before all of that was genuine enough to be mollifying. He'd half expected to have his whiskers pulled, or be slapped on the nose, all too many little vulnerabilities on a panther's face as long as someone is audacious enough. Which someone undoubtedly is. What does he mean, expressive. These all seem like great arguments for wearing it less.And what is so funny to Li Lianhua, anyway? The good humor is
its own prizetransfixinglike sunlight to plants or panthersgenuine despite the weight of performance behind it. A special Li Lianhua talent, as unique as Yangzhouman, asdevastatingrecognizable as Xiangyi Taijian. It's just that Di Feisheng does not feel like he is in on the joke, when this seems like a time in particular he ought to be. The whole thing inspires considerable suspicion in him, which is surely one thing he excels at expressing regardless of shape.But none of that suspicion is for the bone chime sorcery, despite Li Lianhua's questions. If it was a test of him, she probably would have brought a bigger knife. Whatever else she might have sought to test, he wishes her the best of luck in finding a way to do so quietly, but his curiosity would be perfectly happy to settle for hearing about it secondhand. One tiger or the other, or both. If goading Di Feisheng's alleged curiosity makes him feel better about his own, so be it; he's welcome to the thing, and Di Feisheng won't even make him stoop too far, though the thought of dropping it on his feet and metaphorically washing his hands of it does cross his mind. A trade does not seem to be forthcoming, anyway.
Instead he sits with his tail tucked neatly around his paws, like a well-executed statue except for the occasional slow shuttering of too-lively eyes. The picture of cooperative intent and not any kind of trick, because unlike some people he doesn't have to rely on mendacity every time. Never let it be said that Li Lianhua doesn't get anything for free.
no subject
allurefascination with Di Feisheng's newest technique, and is able to gesture and speak freely once more, he now has to find out that it simply continues to be captivating. He is still interested in the wind chime's secrets, really, but it's hard to have eyes for anything but the panther's dancing tail and ear twitches of suspicion, shifting gracefully into an imperious sort of forbearance as he settles down. Li Lianhua is accustomed to Di Feisheng's unlikely air of elegance, obviously, but it's more unexpected in a big black cat.The way the panther is presenting the prize now, it has a little of Huli Jing finding a particularly impressive stick and offering it up for praise in return. Probably not the kind of comparison Di-mengzhu would endorse, which is a thought that results in a sort of helpless little satisfied sigh from Li Lianhua as he tries not to laugh again. He's being so respectful for real.
"See, I knew you would be reasonable." Whether or not Di Feisheng cares about the sorcery, Li Lianhua is getting what he wants without even having to give up any favors
this time. He bends closer to accept the prize, but at the very last second fails even this challenge. As the panther releases the mess into his hand, Li Lianhua's free hand darts forward and strokes the short silky fur atop his head, just gives him a really nice rub for a job so well done. That's not audacity, that's just-- habit.There's your trade.And the speed with which he straightens up and takes a respectful step back has nothing to do with any likelihood of earning a swat for that, of course. Immediately he's busy examining the bones, tracing his fingertips over some of the holes, the very picture of being engrossed in a puzzle.
no subject
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.
no subject
in this danceeven in this shape, and with every move Li Lianhua gets to learn a little more of it.Miss Iris remains ignorant of how lucky she was. A private smirk crosses his lips at the thought, or possibly just at Di Feishengand his surprising (delightful) tolerance of being petin general, even while his eyes are locked on the prize.And what a prize it is. He carefully examines the size and texture of the bones, taking note of the different knife marks and the tools used for drilling the holes and putting everything together. "Animal bones," he finally decides. In case anyone was curious. "Likely not her own kills, a butcher took these apart." So it's not the materials that matter to her, but the final product. "Expert work on the cleaning and bleaching, that would have taken a lot of effort... Only, I don't recall anyone in town offering that service." So her own work, and not the first time she's done it. Is that why she was so protective of it?
But there's obviously more to the damn thing, he heard that himself. He turns to pace a few steps away from the panther, lost in thought. She clearly didn't hide a little ghost in the pipes, so it must be something about the placement of the holes creating the words. But words are too numerous and complex to be made by singular holes... unless
he rubs his lil fingies togetherit's made to speak a very different tongue. Of course a series of whistles and notes could carry meaning. And once there's meaning, whatever assures all the people here understand one another would do the rest.It still takes great skill and precision to carve those holes and place the thing perfectly into the wind to assure those notes would be played more or less in the right order. Not unexpected of that woman, but certainly interesting. Should that be her own tongue, then? Or one of many she knows?
Why, still, put so much effort into making this? Just to see others react to it, maybe. To learn more about how languages work in this realm. Sentiment, if it is indeed her mother tongue? More sentiment, if she knows one person capable of understanding it without help.
Li Lianhua's expression sharpens into an unkind smile down at the instrument in his hands. "She's not done with you until she gets this back, you know." As if the attempted murder over a toy hadn't given that away already.
Oh well. With a shrug, he tosses the mess carelessly over his shoulder, high into the air and barely in the panther's general direction.
no subject
Di Feisheng is already doing his feline best expression of reproach, ears and all, before Li Lianhua finishes his detective act and throws the thing. Having to hurriedly pounce it out of the air like a dropped tea cup is undoubtedly just as funny in this shape, as is the huff of disdain at having the tangled mess under his claws yet again, at the prospect of having to return it, and at Li Lianhua as a whole. Tell him the important stuff or stop saying words. Stop throwing clattery things too.
Better yet, go back to paying attention to Di Feisheng. But surely he will do that anyway.He's right of course, however unfortunately, as is becoming all too familiar. Possibly this is the thought Di Feisheng is telegraphing with a speculative look at the window he'd just had such a good time leaping through, now visibly reluctant to repeat the performance if it means defending his actions to a lunatic.
Can't he just get stabbed instead.Incredible that Li Lianhua would suggest such a thingafter saying he could hang it from his dao he doesn't even have. He foregoes thetoywindchime entirely to pad over to the window and peer out instead, standing uplike a person. Check the vengeance forecast and think about diplomacy, with a heartfelt sigh borrowed from unemployed real animals everywhere. It will be more work than stealing, unfortunately, and he can't even be a panther about it.no subject
stupidprize out of the air before it can even hit the ground. Li Lianhua might be missing the visual performance, being turned the other way, but it's enough to more sense than hear the near silent leaping behind him, and the soft clatter as the panther lands with the bones under his paws. Idly he wonders what else he could make Di Feisheng catch like this, just to keep him sharp and all. As naturally ridiculously well suited as he is to this shape, skills don't just come from nothing, after all.That's his secret, he's always paying attention to Di Feisheng.A dreamy smile is already on his face as Li Lianhua is in danger of getting lost in the deeply amusing fantasy of that panther pouncing after some roast chicken on a fishing line being whipped through the air. Thankfully, Di Feisheng's rather woebegone slinking over to the window captures his notice again. What, is the truth such a burden to carry that he can't even pick up the damned windchime, now? The
very funnyreluctance in the panther's bearing is obviously owing just as much to the troublesome woman next door as it is to realizing his rash actions are going to have further consequences. That would be impossible to resist poking at even if the sight of the panther gazing out the window like a lovesick maiden wasn't so... inviting.Li Lianhua saunters over to the panther's side, hands folded politely behind his back once more, to lean down to his line of sight and join him in Looking Outside. This time, he seems to be perfectly oblivious to those fangs so close to his face and neck.
"Eh, Di-mengzhu. What's the matter? Are you thinking you... bit off more than you can chew?"
no subject
Wishing for Li Lianhua's attention was one of his patented Instant Mistakes.Maybe he can be a panther about returning the windchime after all; Li Lianhua being respectful is a lost cause due to his nature but maybe Iris...well, he might need the agility, anyway. Even if he happens to negotiate his way out of outright hostility. Maybe he will just be a panther about everything going forward, especially things Li Lianhua is right about.So smart of that Li Lianhua to put his hands away before going for bite puns while in range of the real thing.
As real as 2hp allows, anyway.The knowledge that it would Not help is the only thing saving everybody from terrible indignity. There is no longer such a thing as justice in any world, if this is the thanks he gets for his valuable service.He is going to bring home some kind of dead thing for real.One canted ear says his attention has shifted, no longer on Outside even if his eyes are; he is Clearly Considering It Anyway, going so far as to grimace, teeth bared, in evident distaste
or possibly seeing a bird outside. Surely at some point it's just called karma. Why would he bring the windchime over with him when he's got garbage right here. Just because he is metaphorically and at times literally dragging his feet doesn't mean Di-mengzhu isn't still committed to this bit (of his own creation), it just means he's already played the element of surprise and needs to strategize accordingly. Get tail-whipped, idiot.no subject
Like a headrub.Speaking of things that are deserved, he probably shouldn't complain too much about that sudden comeuppance for his earlier thwapping, almost a little too precise to be coincidence. So he'll only jump a little, throwing a brief glance over his shoulder at the offending appendage erratically dancing like a long furry spring coiled with all of Di Feisheng's considerable restraint. Terrible to give that man so much reach. He's got to be having at least a little fun with it, though, right? Li Lianhua is sure of it.
"Hey, don't take it out on me," he complains anyway, moue of reproach belied by the glint of deep amusement
and something elsein his eyes. "Blaming the messenger is not a good habit. Let me tell you, Di-mengzhu's lack of foresight isn't my fault. You know she didn't even recognize you until you came back here, right?" Unimaginably amateurish behavior. From both of them, actually. The laughter in his voice gives way to a sigh of pity. "Aiya... I was really expecting better tactics from you. I mean, you could have gotten away with your theft if only you'd... covered your tracks." Alright, a bit of a reach, but still worth it. He helpfully gestures at the panther's massive paws on the windowsill, just to make sure, though.no subject
, even if it was even more gratifying than momentarily spooking their neighbor had been. The element of surprise was never intended to conceal his identity, he just wanted to be fast and ill-suited to arguments. Nothing about the lashing of his tail has anything to do with restraint. For what would he even need reach, the horrible man is right there.Grabbing at that helpfully gesturing hand with snakelike speed and none of the feathery lack of follow-through from his earlier swipe isn't at all the reflex it seems, even if laying his ears flat is. Li Lianhua is not getting a third panther pun today at his expense, but it won't be from lack of material. And if Li Lianhua wants better tactics, then he can fish them out of the panther's jaws, now delicately outstretched to close ever so precisely around his captured hand. This is a warning, and in qi terms a very legal move, and will definitely send the correct message about respect.