[ Jaskier will have to forgive him if he is left a little bit dazed from the kiss, just gazing into his eyes for long moments - feeling very sappy and very silly, but not enough so to stop himself. He brings his hand up to cup his cheek and gently runs his thumb over the lips he has just kissed before pulling away, bringing respectable distance between them again. There's another blush lighting up his face, it feels like he has barely ever stopped blushing since their paths crossed at Calanthe's ball. ]
I can do that. I can teach you. There is... a lot to learn, really. [ He bites down on his bottom lip, thinking about all the differences in etiquette. ] The manners in your lands are, well... They are something. Everybody is so blunt and forward here! [ He gives Jaskier a small smile. ] At least you're not from Cintra's court. Imagine inviting Queen Calanthe on a diplomatic visit! It would be a nightmare... [ His lips twitch. ] If hilarious. I would pay good money to see her clash with Jin Guangshan. But never mind that, we will have a long trip even on swords. There will be plenty of time to prepare you.
[ And if they aren't going to hide what is between them, then it will be important he does well. Jiang Cheng is pretty sure people would be forgiving of the oddities of a random foreign noble but what a guest of the Jiang does falls back on the Jiang. ]
Trust me. I won't let you embarrass yourself. My sister is better with etiquette than I am but I know how to behave myself.
[ Nothing to forgive. It's the bard's fault in the first place for not being good at self restrain. He needs to be more careful, being in public, even if everything around them looks quiet. His head tilts as he leans into the palm cupping his cheek, a soft hum playing on his lips at the soft touches to his mouth. He doesn't protest when Jiang Cheng pulls away but feels the loss like a missing limb. ]
I'm a good student, promise. Don't let my casual bard attitude fool you, I know all courts have their own set of complicated rules. I promise I'll try my best to avoid embarrassing you.
[ Hopefully, he won't offend anybody to the point they would want to kill him. It's sadly something that had happened in the past. He chuckles at Cheng being polite about the Continent people's manners, or lack of them. ]
We can act like savages sometimes, you don't need to try to sugarcoat it, I won't be offended. But I don't even carry a sword, you don't have to worry about me starting these kind of fights. Queen Calanthe is both very entertaining and intimidating, you never know what would happen with her around. Who's Jin Guangshan? She has no patience for moronic men who think themselves superior so if he's like that, it's for the better than I'll be visiting your land and not her.
[ Jaskier also has no patience for these kinds of men but he would soon sing an embarrassing song that ruins their reputation than grab a sword and try to skew them. ]
Once you feel better you can start giving me some protocol lessons. But first, you need to rest and get over your hangover.
I'm resting. Sitting here and talking to you is resting. [ He doesn't quite smile or reach for Jaskier again but he leans a little bit closer - and quietly wishes he were better at permitting himself public displays of affection. But it's a difficult thing to get used to. ] It's my own fault in the first place. We can cycle the alcohol through our golden core to keep from getting drunk, I should have done that. I thought the drink wasn't strong enough to bother with that hassle.
[ And now he knows better. Never underestimate the booze in this country. If there is one... well two things they can be trusted to know well, it's how to drink and fight. ]
Jin Guangshan is... [ He wrinkles his nose. ] He is the leader of the Jin sect of Lanling, one of the great four sects. After we defeated the Wen, his sect has been left as the wealthiest and most powerful, especially after putting our everything into the war effort decimated the rest of us. [ He falls silent for a moment as he fights with himself. But really, he has never been all that good at diplomacy and he trusts Jaskier with blunt truths. ] He is a cowardly and lecherous old man who cares only for gaining more power and his courtesans. But he has made himself our leader and nobody is in the position to oppose him so... [ He shrugs.] We can only appease him and make sure we don't misstep. But he sent me on this diplomatic mission, so I guess I owe him.
[ The quick answer is so sweet that Jaskier is sure his smile is now ridiculous. In his defense, he's never known anybody who got so enthusiastic about having him around. While he still had his clothes on, that's it. The bard leans into Jiang Cheng's shoulder, enjoying the comfort of being close, even if it isn't as close as both of them would like it. His eyebrows rise at the new information about how the golden core works and what it can do, it's never short of fascinating. ]
You can choose not to get drunk? Ah, if only I had that ability. But part of the joy of drinking is letting loose, don't worry too much about it. You need to call me the next time you decide to have some liquid fun, it's always better with company.
[ That way Jaskier can look after him and makes sure Cheng doesn't fall into a depressed mood or he could be there to take him back to his room to rest if he can't do it on his own. His hand squeezes Cheng's again once the man shares the truths about Jin Guangshan. Jaskier can't say he's surprised that power got to his head, it's what always happens, but more honorable men can usually control their urges and selfish tendencies better. ]
He sounds really unpleasant, I'm sorry. Around here we're not unfamiliar with unfair rulers. It's not Queen Calanthe's case, she cares a lot about her people, but in the south, the Nilfgaardian Empire is invading more and more territories in their hunger for power too. But you never know what might happen with the Jin sect, perhaps they will calm down once they strengthen ties with other kingdoms and realize it's better if they all work together.
Maybe. I can only hope. For all his faults, Jin Guangshan is trying to renew our bonds to other countries. He wants us to learn, and to let others learn from us, and not be afraid of new things.
[ Politically inexperienced as he is, Jiang Cheng has never questioned why Jin Guangshan wanted to first renew friendships with the part of the world with sorcerers whose extremely destructive powers are well-suited to warfare. Sorcerers who could, for example, fight off a horde of corpses commanded by a demonic cultivator. He hasn't really seen that side of them yet, having encountered mages mostly as court sorcerors providing that little bit of abracadabra to spice up a royal ball.
Telling himself to hell with it, he leans into Jaskier as well and loosely wraps an arm around his waist. He does want him at his side, terrifying as that thought still is - less terrifying now, though, with the promise of Jaskier accompanying him to Yunmeng. ]
I heard about Nilfgaard. [ He scowls, remembering these early days. ] Everyone keeps asking me what the cultivation world's political stance towards Nilfgaard is and at first, I barely even knew what they were talking about. I have to upset people whenever I tell them we are too far away to get involved or take sides. [ His frown deepens. ] That's actually part of why I was drinking last night. Hearing about your wars is a constant reminder of our own.
It's always better to have allies than possible enemies, so that's a good attempt. Not all Kingdoms are willing to do it. Perhaps with time, new trading routes might be established and it would be easier to visit each other.
[ To be fair to Cheng, it sounds like an honest try to get to know neighboring countries and strengthen political ties. It's not the first time he's seen it, Jaskier is from Redania and their main profits come from trade and agriculture.
The bard gives him a surprised look that morphs into a pleased one at the embrace and leans into Cheng's touch Quiet days are rare and all the more special for it. ]
They seem to be all people can think about these days, sorry that you get sucked into out political messes. I think you said the right thing, you shouldn't have to be involved nor you can have a clear idea of what is going on when most of us don't even know that. [ The way Cheng is frowning while thinking about his own home issue makes Jaskier concern show in his face. He's not worried about traveling to a dangerous place, he does it on the regular, but for his friend's safety. ] Is it that bad?
[ He shakes his head, giving him a small, taut smile to reassure him. ] No, no, I misspoke. The war itself is over now. I wouldn't have left if it was still ongoing, no matter who asked me. But... It hasn't been all that long since it ended. All that talk of war coming brings too many reminders.
[ He looks down, scowling at his own feet. ] It's not important. It's ridiculous. The situation isn't even similar. We were taken by surprise. There were no years of tense waiting. That is. We should have known. All the signs were there. But we didn't want to see because the Wen were the greatest sect of all. Wen Ruohan was our Chief Cultivator, the leader of the cultivation world. In hindsight... [ He rubs a hand over his face. ] We knew. But we didn't want to see. And we lost so much... You will understand when you come to Lotus Pier. When you see how many died... and it has never been the same as before. We only keep losing more things.
[ His sister married and living in another sect, his brother at the Burial Mounds and a public enemy. He had come here to escape all of that for a few months but this restless tension of a war to come is far too familiar. ]
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givingexposition) wrote2020-02-25 10:08 pm
no subject
I can do that. I can teach you. There is... a lot to learn, really. [ He bites down on his bottom lip, thinking about all the differences in etiquette. ] The manners in your lands are, well... They are something. Everybody is so blunt and forward here! [ He gives Jaskier a small smile. ] At least you're not from Cintra's court. Imagine inviting Queen Calanthe on a diplomatic visit! It would be a nightmare... [ His lips twitch. ] If hilarious. I would pay good money to see her clash with Jin Guangshan. But never mind that, we will have a long trip even on swords. There will be plenty of time to prepare you.
[ And if they aren't going to hide what is between them, then it will be important he does well. Jiang Cheng is pretty sure people would be forgiving of the oddities of a random foreign noble but what a guest of the Jiang does falls back on the Jiang. ]
Trust me. I won't let you embarrass yourself. My sister is better with etiquette than I am but I know how to behave myself.
no subject
I'm a good student, promise. Don't let my casual bard attitude fool you, I know all courts have their own set of complicated rules. I promise I'll try my best to avoid embarrassing you.
[ Hopefully, he won't offend anybody to the point they would want to kill him. It's sadly something that had happened in the past. He chuckles at Cheng being polite about the Continent people's manners, or lack of them. ]
We can act like savages sometimes, you don't need to try to sugarcoat it, I won't be offended. But I don't even carry a sword, you don't have to worry about me starting these kind of fights. Queen Calanthe is both very entertaining and intimidating, you never know what would happen with her around. Who's Jin Guangshan? She has no patience for moronic men who think themselves superior so if he's like that, it's for the better than I'll be visiting your land and not her.
[ Jaskier also has no patience for these kinds of men but he would soon sing an embarrassing song that ruins their reputation than grab a sword and try to skew them. ]
Once you feel better you can start giving me some protocol lessons. But first, you need to rest and get over your hangover.
no subject
[ And now he knows better. Never underestimate the booze in this country. If there is one... well two things they can be trusted to know well, it's how to drink and fight. ]
Jin Guangshan is... [ He wrinkles his nose. ] He is the leader of the Jin sect of Lanling, one of the great four sects. After we defeated the Wen, his sect has been left as the wealthiest and most powerful, especially after putting our everything into the war effort decimated the rest of us. [ He falls silent for a moment as he fights with himself. But really, he has never been all that good at diplomacy and he trusts Jaskier with blunt truths. ] He is a cowardly and lecherous old man who cares only for gaining more power and his courtesans. But he has made himself our leader and nobody is in the position to oppose him so... [ He shrugs.] We can only appease him and make sure we don't misstep. But he sent me on this diplomatic mission, so I guess I owe him.
no subject
You can choose not to get drunk? Ah, if only I had that ability. But part of the joy of drinking is letting loose, don't worry too much about it. You need to call me the next time you decide to have some liquid fun, it's always better with company.
[ That way Jaskier can look after him and makes sure Cheng doesn't fall into a depressed mood or he could be there to take him back to his room to rest if he can't do it on his own. His hand squeezes Cheng's again once the man shares the truths about Jin Guangshan. Jaskier can't say he's surprised that power got to his head, it's what always happens, but more honorable men can usually control their urges and selfish tendencies better. ]
He sounds really unpleasant, I'm sorry. Around here we're not unfamiliar with unfair rulers. It's not Queen Calanthe's case, she cares a lot about her people, but in the south, the Nilfgaardian Empire is invading more and more territories in their hunger for power too. But you never know what might happen with the Jin sect, perhaps they will calm down once they strengthen ties with other kingdoms and realize it's better if they all work together.
no subject
[ Politically inexperienced as he is, Jiang Cheng has never questioned why Jin Guangshan wanted to first renew friendships with the part of the world with sorcerers whose extremely destructive powers are well-suited to warfare. Sorcerers who could, for example, fight off a horde of corpses commanded by a demonic cultivator. He hasn't really seen that side of them yet, having encountered mages mostly as court sorcerors providing that little bit of abracadabra to spice up a royal ball.
Telling himself to hell with it, he leans into Jaskier as well and loosely wraps an arm around his waist. He does want him at his side, terrifying as that thought still is - less terrifying now, though, with the promise of Jaskier accompanying him to Yunmeng. ]
I heard about Nilfgaard. [ He scowls, remembering these early days. ] Everyone keeps asking me what the cultivation world's political stance towards Nilfgaard is and at first, I barely even knew what they were talking about. I have to upset people whenever I tell them we are too far away to get involved or take sides. [ His frown deepens. ] That's actually part of why I was drinking last night. Hearing about your wars is a constant reminder of our own.
no subject
[ To be fair to Cheng, it sounds like an honest try to get to know neighboring countries and strengthen political ties. It's not the first time he's seen it, Jaskier is from Redania and their main profits come from trade and agriculture.
The bard gives him a surprised look that morphs into a pleased one at the embrace and leans into Cheng's touch Quiet days are rare and all the more special for it. ]
They seem to be all people can think about these days, sorry that you get sucked into out political messes. I think you said the right thing, you shouldn't have to be involved nor you can have a clear idea of what is going on when most of us don't even know that. [ The way Cheng is frowning while thinking about his own home issue makes Jaskier concern show in his face. He's not worried about traveling to a dangerous place, he does it on the regular, but for his friend's safety. ] Is it that bad?
no subject
[ He looks down, scowling at his own feet. ] It's not important. It's ridiculous. The situation isn't even similar. We were taken by surprise. There were no years of tense waiting. That is. We should have known. All the signs were there. But we didn't want to see because the Wen were the greatest sect of all. Wen Ruohan was our Chief Cultivator, the leader of the cultivation world. In hindsight... [ He rubs a hand over his face. ] We knew. But we didn't want to see. And we lost so much... You will understand when you come to Lotus Pier. When you see how many died... and it has never been the same as before. We only keep losing more things.
[ His sister married and living in another sect, his brother at the Burial Mounds and a public enemy. He had come here to escape all of that for a few months but this restless tension of a war to come is far too familiar. ]