Do I? [ he wonders, tone amused as his eye follows the sheathing of the sword. his glance drifts back up xichen's body to meet the young man's gaze, brow arching. ] I suppose I've picked up some things over the centuries.

[ the butterflies below, their duty done, whirl into a tornado of silver wings, shattering and dispersing like the one on his finger. it leaves e-ming alone to prowl the waterfront like a chained dog, and frees hua cheng and lan xichen's attentions for the moment. ]

I was watching your swordsmanship. You're quite ferocious, aren't you?