SORRY JIAOQIU it is going to take a hot minute, jing yuan is no early bird not even in heaven. he at least has enough courtesy to call out a gravelly just a moment, please, before he manages, with great effort, to extricate himself from bed.
the mods have graciously given us door viewers, so he catches a glimpse of FUZZY PINK EARS (😊) before he opens the door, smothering a yawn behind his hand. he is dressed down in casual clothes. ]
it's fine, jiaoqiu knows that it'll take a minute, and he has nothing but time since they're dead, so he doesn't mind waiting. his usual smile is in place when jing yuan invites him in, but it's particularly plastic today. ]
A room all to yourself, General? What sort of deal did you make? [ okay, there's a bit of teasing there, he can't help it. ]
[ EEPY!! truly they have time in excess, relieved from their respective duties as they are. jing yuan studies jiaoqiu's expression, but doesn't make comment just yet if he notices anything off. (he VERY PROBABLY... notices... like recognizes like, etc.) ]
A deal?
[ his lips quirk into a half-smile. ]
Nothing of the sort. [ says that but pretends to look scheme-y about it. ] Perhaps it is that my reputation precedes me.
Basilio... He seems the earnest sort. I am glad to hear it.
[ (secretly questioning if they put furries together on purpose.) ]
And you're welcome to visit as you please, of course.
[ jiaoqiu is pointedly looking at him, and jing yuan meets his gaze without shying. ]
Is it silly to say I was expecting it to be a little more like the Luofu?
[ is he playing dumb? maybe so... but his expression softens at least, because it is not an entirely dishonest admission. (once you've spent forever in one place, it's difficult not to believe that forever stretches into the afterlife as well.)
and, he's not really going to dodge the question—is merely waiting for jiaoqiu to ask directly. ]
jiaoqiu's ear flicks, at that. they do things differently on the luofu, and jing yuan has always been very different than feixiao. he respects both of them so very much, and has to remember that each general has their own way of working. be direct, he tells himself. thunder, instead of lightning.
[ it's true the two generals couldn't be any more different, but jing yuan too has deep respect for feixiao, and for jiaoqiu as well. different flagships, even different species, but in the end the same people.
...ah, there it is. there is no need for dishonesty here, even if jing yuan's emotions are carefully restrained. (always, always.) ]
I succumbed to my wounds, shortly after the battle with Phantylia the Undying. I am surprised the news of my passing had not yet reached you.
[ had communications failed between the flagships? it seems unlikely, just as unlikely as it is for jiaoqiu to have arrived here at the same time as jing yuan. he does not know of the yaoqing weathering a simultaneous crisis, when the luofu had been besieged. the master diviner would have spoken of it far sooner.
another explanation, perhaps. ]
...Just the same, I must wonder why you're here yourself.
[ it is jing yuan's obligation to know the happenings of the alliance. for feixiao to lose her closest counsel is no small matter, and though he has not seen either in some time, they are still very much familiar faces to him after so many centuries. ]
[ help me this revelation knocked me on my ass for some reason,
it also knocks jiaoqiu on his ass a little. not literally, but he very clearly is shocked by this, and he can't quite hide his reaction. eyes open, staring not quite at jing yuan - gold eyes that are just slightly cloudy.
his fingers dig into his arm, into his coat. ears press back against his skull, as he thinks his way through this. the devastation that this would cause is... immense. it's so much worse than his own passing. but, funnily enough, his mind goes right to yanqing before anything. the poor boy.
silence. and then: ]
It never reached me because it did not happen. [ he says, finally. ] You recovered after Phantylia's attack, and are alive and well, so far as I know. You were there to greet me and Moze several months later when we arrived on the Luofu alongside General Feixiao to transport Hoolay to the Yaoqing.
[ ... ]
Hah. I've spent these past few hours thinking my plan had failed, if you were here.
a heavy silence ensues from jing yuan as well, the surprise mutual and mirthless. whatever 'plan' it is that jiaoqiu refers to, it had come with a heavy cost, a price he continues to carry into the afterlife. it seems far too cruel, for someone who has only endeavored for the benefit of all the xianzhou.
(...and somewhere in jiaoqiu's words, a curious thread of truth to unravel, that cannot be true at all.)
but it can wait for a moment longer. his thoughts wander briefly to yanqing, who had been so exuberant to serve as ringmaster for the upcoming wardance, as jing yuan himself once had. to everyone else left in the wake of their demise, their treasured friends and allies.
these thoughts ultimately settle on the one here with him. he silently waves a hand in front of jiaoqiu's face, to confirm one suspicion. ]
Your plan was not one that ensured your wellbeing?
[ spoken with grave (albeit hypocritical) concern. ]
Tell me, what happened to you?
[ he would ask if it were the work of hoolay, however given the foxian history with the borisin, it feels prudent not to speak even basic assumptions. ]
[ there's a reaction at least, when he waves a hand - jiaoqiu seems to catch the motion, but it is limited.
he straightens, just a little, where he's standing. like he's going to give a report, like old habits die hard. he can disconnect himself enough to talk about it without feeling anything about it. not that he ever does, anyway; there's nothing to feel. he did his duty, as both Feixiao's retainer, and as a healer. ]
Borisin infiltrated the Luofu, not long before the Wardance. Feixiao knew that there was a chance they were going to take action, and so we requested Hoolay be moved to the Yaoqing. Moze and I made our way to the Shackling Prison to initiate the transfer.
When we arrived at the bottom, we discovered that the borisin had managed to disguise themselves as foxians. They overpowered Miss Xueyi, unleashed Hoolay, and took me prisoner. Moze escaped, on my orders.
[ ... ]
I refused to let Hoolay escape without giving Feixiao a significant advantage.
[ and then - he reaches into his pockets, pulling out a small bottle of red liquid. ]
[ the borisin infiltrating the luofu, their warhead esacping the shackling prison is no pleasant news, especially on the heels of the sanctus medicus. as jiaoqiu steels himself to deliver his report, so does jing yuan to receive it.
(the casualties must have been immense. though despite his fears, there is also a reassurance, and deep gratitude knowing feixiao had been there, flanked by her capable retainers.)
but as for xueyi coming to harm, and jiaoqiu being taken prisoner... jing yuan stares unblinkingly at the vial in jiaoqiu's hand. knowing the foxian's skillset, he can supply one or two vague ideas. ]
I imagine not anything you utilize regularly in your cooking.
[ he'll ask for jiaoqiu to pardon his reach, as he takes the bottle carefully to examine it closer. ]
[ he allows jing yuan to take it, and glances across the room instead. the bottle is mostly full, which makes his skin crawl. ]
It is called Tumbledust. An extract from an exotic flower named Yabruh. With just one drop, it's able to numb a patient's body during surgery, making them painless throughout the entire process. However... increase the dose or the potency, and it'll slow the metabolism, making the blood thin and resulting in the loss of all senses.
I'm sure you know much about borisin customs. They partake in a feast of bloodwine and flesh from their prisoners before battle. Knowing this, I drank the entire bottle I had on my person, and waited for Hoolay to be done with me.
[ he folds his arms. ]
It would have weakened him greatly in his fight against General Feixiao. I hoped to ensure her victory, at the cost of one life.
[ there's an unspoken sigh as jing yuan commits these details to memory. as he conjures, unbidden, the grisly scene of blood and sawteeth. ]
...And now you are here.
[ he cannot praise him, nor can he admonish him. jiaoqiu is cunning by half, but even moreso he is brave, and above all loyal. and for all the horror the situation calls for, there is gratitude as well. a true sense of debt, to go with an unthinkable sacrifice.
jing yuan takes a moment, before he continues, softly. ]
General Feixiao is our greatest warrior across the hexafleet.
[ jiaoqiu folds his arms, but jing yuan requests his hand again so he may return the vial. he folds jiaoqiu's fingers over it and lingers there, his grip warm and weighted over his hand. ]
...I imagine the only great loss she suffered, was you.
[ he takes the bottle, ears pinned back against his skull. ]
... She will survive without me.
[ but there's a weight to it. already, he misses her. he worries. he doesn't know if she survived. it's going to sit on his shoulders for all eight weeks that he is here, and even longer, should he not make it back. he doesn't pull away, either, when jing yuan lingers. jiaoqiu thinks the alliance has lost something more important than anything else in jing yuan being here, but he can't help be feel relief that at the very least, they're within each other's sight.
well. mostly.
his lips purse, and his jaw works for a moment, like he's fighting himself on something. ]
My vision is badly damaged. I can see, but not well. Up close, it is easier, but from far away, it's shapes and blurry colors. I will not be announcing this to anybody, and I'd like for you to keep it to yourself.
jing yuan has probably been hovering around jiaoqiu more often the past couple days... not incessantly (the point is not to draw unwanted attention), but enough that it's no real surprise when he turns up again for some good-natured heckling.
he leans against jiaoqiu somewhat excessively, just to see how much of his weight this pink fox man can or will put up with. ]
Found everything you need?
[ being (affectionately!) annoying but also offering to be an extra set of eyes... and hands! ]
jiaoqiu doesn't mind - he might not say it, but having jing yuan as his eyes, so to speak, makes him feel much more at ease. he's still on guard, and if you're in the know, it's easy to see how much he's relying on his hearing to help him get around, but. he's doing okay.
the leaning gets him to huff and bat absently at jing yuan, but he doesn't push him off. in fact, he just makes room for him. ]
Most everything. They have several spices I was missing in the kitchen on this delivery service. [ sigh. ] And you?
[ hehe... successful draping. 😌 it's affection week so he doesn't bully jiaoqiu with suggestions of coriander. (tbh affection week wouldn't stop him, but he is distracted by other RECENT DEVELOPMENTS) ]
I fear for whomever will be tasting your homecooking, next. You are as merciless as you are accomplished in the kitchen.
[ thank you for not bullying he appreciates it probably
he's actually kind of enjoying the draping? it's like having a very large heated blanket flopped over you. he's going to comment on the kitchen bit but then jing yuan brings up basilio and his ear flicks. and flops over, like he's relaxed at thinking about basilio... clearly this is true real love that isn't going to end in divorce tomorrow at 2pm pst ]
Isn't it taboo to ask your coworkers about their romantic relationships? [ HUFF PUFF. ] He's an accomplished chef in his own right.
it is not a certain end for either of them, however, and jing yuan wouldn't be who he is without a tireless mind. if there is some nebulous way back, as they've been told, they will find it. he will exhaust every avenue to ensure they are able to return home, and it is reassuring to know jiaoqiu is someone who will do the very same.
there's a moment's pause, before he gives jiaoqiu's hand a gentle squeeze. ]
...I am sorry to hear it. I am no healer, but it is my hope there might be a cure to be found in a place such as this. [ miracles and all. ]
But in the meantime, I will exercise discretion. And I ask that you call upon me as you see fit.
that's more true than he really realized, up until this moment. the hand squeeze means that his shoulders slump just a bit, that his posture goes from rigid to just... very exhausted. he hasn't really dealt with any of the emotions of dying, perhaps unsurprisingly. he won't do it now, either. ]
Thank you.
[ he says, finally, voice a touch rough. ]
You can rely on me as well, General, as always.
[ this useless loser can still have a little bit of purpose. ]
[ WIPES TEARS FROM EYES the way they still have to live together after furry divorce, too 🤧 ]
So you will be cooking for each other, it sounds like. All the more romantic.
[ honestly this behavior is very abrupt but also it's affection week so i don't think anyone is thinking straight. WE LOVE LOVE IN THIS HOUSE! jing yuan is just happy to see jiaoqiu happy. ]
'Coworkers'... You will not even call me a friend? I'm hurt.
[ NOT ONLY THAT BUT THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH FIDELIO TOO
the fact that so many people have just accepted that jiaoqiu and basilio are madly in love after five days is insane none of you are free from sin. jiaoqiu does seem happy, though... love is nice, especially with someone as sweet as basilio. he could've done worse. ]
You are not. [ informs him. glances up at him. ] I suppose death equalizes us enough to call you friend. For now.
[ tsuns all over the place after being bullied earlier by everybody ]
[ I'M HOWLING... NOT DEL ALSO BEING WITH THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and yah ur gonna have to arrest us all, heh.
jing yuan beams at him in response, and lowers his head so he can mash his cheek against one of jiaoqiu's ears. (pets him... with his face...?) ]
Then I will cherish this brief opportunity.
[ (points) TSUNDERE! but as for jing yuan's recent shopping, ]
A folding screen, a wardrobe, and a desk. ...I ordered a watering can and some flowers as well, but the latter ended up being artificial. A pity, but they still add some color to the space.
[ HIM MOOSHING HIS FACE jiaoqiu makes a fussy sound, squirming like a cat being carried around, but he doesn't try to get away. he's just disgruntled because he likes it. ]
I'd hoped to start a garden. [ sighs. ] It'd be nice to grow my own fruits and vegetables. The kitchen restocks itself, at least.
[ but he's kind of restless... ]
We ordered far too many lights, if you'd like some of them.
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