[ Where a man's mind leads, his steps need not carry. To his discredit, Lan Wangji watches: sees the man claim the strength of his legs, then sketch his course, sees the flurry of aides and servants and healers who withdraw seamlessly, like foaming seas, from his trajectory.
...sees the error before it's committed, blink of his eye owlish and strange, and the tip of his head lent to childishness that would not be begrudged in an infant disciple — the cat-like, strange curiosity attached to a creature compelled by erratic behaviour. Sees, before hearing the thud of collision, the moment when the man connects with his obstacle in a crass comedy of lace-frail, unravelling inevitabilities —
And raises himself, silent but swift, blitzing to rescue the hapless, weed-like thing, this stranger, from collapse. One of Wangji's arms alone steels over the man's shoulders, less proprietary than to serve a cautionary crutch and right him as he stands. ]
You left. [ Let the sleeping notes of humour seeded deep in Lan Wangji's voice lie very still. ] And now, master?
[ A world of opportunities, dressed sinister and sleek, alive and awaiting them. ]
no subject
...sees the error before it's committed, blink of his eye owlish and strange, and the tip of his head lent to childishness that would not be begrudged in an infant disciple — the cat-like, strange curiosity attached to a creature compelled by erratic behaviour. Sees, before hearing the thud of collision, the moment when the man connects with his obstacle in a crass comedy of lace-frail, unravelling inevitabilities —
And raises himself, silent but swift, blitzing to rescue the hapless, weed-like thing, this stranger, from collapse. One of Wangji's arms alone steels over the man's shoulders, less proprietary than to serve a cautionary crutch and right him as he stands. ]
You left. [ Let the sleeping notes of humour seeded deep in Lan Wangji's voice lie very still. ] And now, master?
[ A world of opportunities, dressed sinister and sleek, alive and awaiting them. ]