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Lizard House / OTA
Catch all for everything happening here (if you want to set a thread here)
House ref: https://pin.it/43LQyyPhW
House ref: https://pin.it/43LQyyPhW
I'm... not so stabilizing an influence as you might think, for him.
[ but she says nothing of the rest, her face deeply flustered. She doesn't respond any more for a long moment, but eventually: ]
If... the others are not opposed then-- then perhaps I could... stay.
[ It's not that she doesn't want to stay, even, because being wanted is, certainly, one of the things she is weakest to. But it's at odds with her natural politeness, and distance she was raised to have, and a natural disinclination to believe she has any priority at all in Dan Feng's life, especially compared to people like Yingxing-- this she knows to be true. ]
[ but she says nothing of the rest, her face deeply flustered. She doesn't respond any more for a long moment, but eventually: ]
If... the others are not opposed then-- then perhaps I could... stay.
[ It's not that she doesn't want to stay, even, because being wanted is, certainly, one of the things she is weakest to. But it's at odds with her natural politeness, and distance she was raised to have, and a natural disinclination to believe she has any priority at all in Dan Feng's life, especially compared to people like Yingxing-- this she knows to be true. ]
[ she makes a small noise, fingers curling in his hair. ]
... mm. Probably.
... mm. Probably.
[And Dan Heng is checking over the roof, patching any cracks he sees in the tiling that hasn't had to be fully replaced. The house is well on it's way to being weatherproofed, but some of the unused rooms are still drafty and in need of better insulation and roofing.
He steals glances towards Jing Yuan as he works, and while he doesn't make his way down yet he does make a few fond comments to nearby birds.
Which is how Jing Yuan will end up finding flowers being dropped on his head from above, over the next while, by playful songbirds.]
He steals glances towards Jing Yuan as he works, and while he doesn't make his way down yet he does make a few fond comments to nearby birds.
Which is how Jing Yuan will end up finding flowers being dropped on his head from above, over the next while, by playful songbirds.]
[He leaves it to her to approach, hearing her nervously hovering around. When she finally does he twists to lounge on his elbow and smile up at her. The cup is taken in one hand, and lifted in greeting.]
Why thank you. Lovely day, isn't it?
Why thank you. Lovely day, isn't it?
[They can sit quietly together for awhile, then! Jing Yuan is already aware of this Dan Heng's skittishness, and feels no need to push.
Eventually, though, he catches the black kitten and holds it in the crook of his arm, talking to it with a light and humorous tone.]
Ever the bold little one, aren't you? I wonder if our friend over there would like some attention too?
Eventually, though, he catches the black kitten and holds it in the crook of his arm, talking to it with a light and humorous tone.]
Ever the bold little one, aren't you? I wonder if our friend over there would like some attention too?
Hm, I wonder...
[About what??? But his tail swishes behind him, betraying his own happiness at her agreement.]
I can't speak for Jing Yuan and Yingxing, but I don't see why they'd say no if you asked. There's more than enough room for everyone here after all.
[A pause. Hesitantly, like he's not sure he's allowed to ask--] May I ask a personal question?
[About what??? But his tail swishes behind him, betraying his own happiness at her agreement.]
I can't speak for Jing Yuan and Yingxing, but I don't see why they'd say no if you asked. There's more than enough room for everyone here after all.
[A pause. Hesitantly, like he's not sure he's allowed to ask--] May I ask a personal question?
I think that sounds like a potential trap.
[He sighs, longsuffering but mostly amused, and sits halfway up to turn and look. The kitten gets comforting ear scritches, and a bird nestles into his fluff.]
What is it you want my opinion on, Dan Feng?
[He sighs, longsuffering but mostly amused, and sits halfway up to turn and look. The kitten gets comforting ear scritches, and a bird nestles into his fluff.]
What is it you want my opinion on, Dan Feng?
[ Ah. She was going to skitter away, as one does, so she looks a bit surprised to be addressed-- but remains, politely. ]
Yes, it is... Thank you for your hard work.
Yes, it is... Thank you for your hard work.
[ She finally looks up again, brow furrowed. ]
-- Yes?
-- Yes?
Your wings.... are you uncomfortable?
[Slightly worried.]
[Slightly worried.]
-- Huh? My wings...?
[ they relax a bit, and she reaches up to touch one of her neckwings... ]
[ they relax a bit, and she reaches up to touch one of her neckwings... ]
[ There's something about that laugh, warm and familiar, but she could swear she's never heard it before. In... this... life?
That's something to think about, along with the fragmented dreams she has on rare occasion. ]
That's an insult to snakes.
[ There is a small start when she feels his hand, but she doesn't immediately swat it away. ]
That's something to think about, along with the fragmented dreams she has on rare occasion. ]
That's an insult to snakes.
[ There is a small start when she feels his hand, but she doesn't immediately swat it away. ]
Ah...
[ She looks. Pretty embarrassed by that, in a different way than before, subtly covering the one she was touching with a hand. ]
... It seems-- one of my taboos causes my feathers to fall out, and so... Well, they're growing back fine, I think. I'm sorry they're unsightly.
[ She looks. Pretty embarrassed by that, in a different way than before, subtly covering the one she was touching with a hand. ]
... It seems-- one of my taboos causes my feathers to fall out, and so... Well, they're growing back fine, I think. I'm sorry they're unsightly.
No, please don't apologize.
[He was worried he might embarrass her, and it seems he was right.]
I wasn't upset by the sight, but concerned. if it's anything like when scales get patchy, it must be uncomfortable. Is there anything that can be done?
[He was worried he might embarrass her, and it seems he was right.]
I wasn't upset by the sight, but concerned. if it's anything like when scales get patchy, it must be uncomfortable. Is there anything that can be done?
You are right. Snake venom, at least, is useful, especially to stimulate the humors, when taken a hundredth part with rice wine.
[One of the more basic medical prescriptions, really, but it needs a dose of cloudhymn to activate. The hand starts stroking her hair, carefully avoiding her horns.]
What is your given name, Imbibitor Lunae?
[One of the more basic medical prescriptions, really, but it needs a dose of cloudhymn to activate. The hand starts stroking her hair, carefully avoiding her horns.]
What is your given name, Imbibitor Lunae?
[ she rubs her face a bit, as if trying to fight off the fluster. ]
I can groom them myself, mostly, so-- you don't have to...
[ but she quiets a moment, thoughtful, because Dan Heng is being so nice and welcoming and he's offering something and even though it's fairly intimate and distasteful to look at surely she should... ]
...
But, I. It would be-- nice, if you could help. Just a bit.
I can groom them myself, mostly, so-- you don't have to...
[ but she quiets a moment, thoughtful, because Dan Heng is being so nice and welcoming and he's offering something and even though it's fairly intimate and distasteful to look at surely she should... ]
...
But, I. It would be-- nice, if you could help. Just a bit.
What kinda problems? If you don't mind me asking.
... He is a difficult person to be with. That's all.
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