It's complicated. One would think that of me and one knows better. That one knows better than everyone about everything, though. It won't matter to him how much you can think for yourself if he thinks he knows better.
[Even now, in his mind he can hear an I'm telling you like some kind of generational curse on the wind. Inigo is so underprepared for these revelations and that's kind of getting to him.]
[ There's another thoughtful pause. This usually isn't good news for Di Feisheng. ]
I think it's not really nice of them to do that to you. [ Even if they are doing it in different ways, apparently. It'd make sense, considering Li Lianhua already knew Di Feisheng from back home, while Blue must have met him here.. ]
I know it's not as if the two of us know each other all that well, but from what you're saying now, I can tell that you're not someone who would betray them so easily. You seem like you do what you say once you've said it. And that you really commit to it. They should have a little bit more faith in you. It'd be mean of them not to.
[No wonder Li Lianhua is afflicted by Inigo. This is not a tiger, but clearly no less able to resist a powerful inclination to meddle. Didn't he just say to worry about them? And not Di Feisheng. WHO IS FINE. He frowns at the device, and hesitates, like a man deliberating about how to walk past a snake on a trail.
It's just so complicated. Not every kind of betrayal or being used against someone even involves any kind of enmity or awareness on the part of the weaponized party. Inigo is right in his assessment of character, but still worryingly simplistic in his take on everything else.]
I'm sure Iris has exactly as much faith as she needs. She knows part of the reason I've taken this responsibility is to avoid needing to betray her.
[And where's his medal for doing such a good job. Li Lianhua probably does Not understand this, but that's fine. Di Feisheng isn't going to betray him unless it's for his own good. Not adopting his prejudices unexamined is not a betrayal, however. And that's for his own good too.]
Weren't you just imagining that they're nice to me?
[Go back to those times. Di Feisheng misses those times.]
I just want to make sure they are treating you fairly!
[ Too late, Di Feisheng. It seems like Inigo has already dug this fort and he's prepared to hold it down. Tiger diplomacy needs to be adequately compensated! Did you even negotiate a good contract? Do you need to speak to someone from the union, Di Feisheng? ]
I don't think either of them could have found a different mutual good friend who would take this so seriously. [ Not that Inigo isn't taking it seriously right now. But. You know. It's Inigo. He's not even putting himself into the consideration pile. ]
[At this point Di Feisheng would sever his own tendons to avoid speaking to anyone from any unions, if he thought it would actually work.]
What, are you not going to take it seriously yourself? You should. They really are dangerous, and unfair, and only a fool would expect differently of tigers.
[No way is Inigo that smart. Neither is Di Feisheng, obviously. They're in this pit full of good advice and tiger wisdom together, availing themselves of neither.]
You should tell Iris I kept up my end of the bargain.
[ Can't believe Di Feisheng would say all these things about tigers, implying Inigo should stay away from them, and then immediately tells him to go talk to Blue. Cruel. Dangling a child above a tiger pit.
Though Inigo doesn't see the danger, of course. Despite the other's words. It's why he doesn't push back against the other's suggestion at all, instead quickly sending back: ]
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[Even now, in his mind he can hear an I'm telling you like some kind of generational curse on the wind. Inigo is so underprepared for these revelations and that's kind of getting to him.]
Iris is quick to assume betrayal, however.
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I think it's not really nice of them to do that to you. [ Even if they are doing it in different ways, apparently. It'd make sense, considering Li Lianhua already knew Di Feisheng from back home, while Blue must have met him here.. ]
I know it's not as if the two of us know each other all that well, but from what you're saying now, I can tell that you're not someone who would betray them so easily. You seem like you do what you say once you've said it. And that you really commit to it. They should have a little bit more faith in you. It'd be mean of them not to.
[ #TeamDiFeisheng!!!! ]
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It's just so complicated. Not every kind of betrayal or being used against someone even involves any kind of enmity or awareness on the part of the weaponized party. Inigo is right in his assessment of character, but still worryingly simplistic in his take on everything else.]
I'm sure Iris has exactly as much faith as she needs. She knows part of the reason I've taken this responsibility is to avoid needing to betray her.
[
And where's his medal for doing such a good job.Li Lianhua probably does Not understand this, but that's fine. Di Feisheng isn't going to betray him unless it's for his own good. Not adopting his prejudices unexamined is not a betrayal, however. And that's for his own good too.]Weren't you just imagining that they're nice to me?
[Go back to those times. Di Feisheng misses those times.]
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[ Too late, Di Feisheng. It seems like Inigo has already dug this fort and he's prepared to hold it down. Tiger diplomacy needs to be adequately compensated! Did you even negotiate a good contract? Do you need to speak to someone from the union, Di Feisheng? ]
I don't think either of them could have found a different mutual good friend who would take this so seriously. [ Not that Inigo isn't taking it seriously right now. But. You know. It's Inigo. He's not even putting himself into the consideration pile. ]
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What, are you not going to take it seriously yourself? You should. They really are dangerous, and unfair, and only a fool would expect differently of tigers.
[No way is Inigo that smart. Neither is Di Feisheng, obviously. They're in this pit full of good advice and tiger wisdom together, availing themselves of neither.]
You should tell Iris I kept up my end of the bargain.
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Though Inigo doesn't see the danger, of course. Despite the other's words. It's why he doesn't push back against the other's suggestion at all, instead quickly sending back: ]
I will.
[ And then, added-- ]
I'll negotiate a reward for you from her.