video, un: gilia.stloe

[seaboard]

[ Well she's mildly less insane right now babbling about half mad things, so there is a first good step.

But she's got rather more pressing concerns. ]

If you need food, please let me know. I have extra stores if the initial supplies were not enough. If you are new, please, I am Gilia - and I have been making sure that no one starves overwinter. I plead you to speak with me at your earliest moment so I can ensure you have not been lacking.

[ CAUSE GUESS WHAT, SHE WAS RIGHT, WINTER SUCKS AND NOW YOU KNOW. ]

Comments

[seaboard]

No, not at all. It is cold in such an old house, but we keep the fire banked, and the house warm with it. Our repairs are slow with the cold but it goes well.

And you, my lord? Do you fair well in the season so far?

[legbreakings]

You don't need to worry for me, Maiden St Loe. I'm a man and a cultivator, the discomfort of bad weather can't hurt me.

[ Says the man who had been incessantly complaining about the weather. ]

[seaboard]

Yet I always shall. Have you not learned it is my nature yet?

[legbreakings]

[ That earns her a chuckle. ]

I have noticed. But that's no reason for me to stop chiding you for it, and wish you minded your own well-being better instead.

[seaboard]

Then your chiding had best be done over a warm glass of wine, if you would like to join me for the evening?

[legbreakings]

[ He ducks his head with a small smile. ]

If Maiden St Loe invites me, I can't possibly refuse her.

[seaboard]

And it is an invite she will always happily give.

[ She beams at him as if they had never quarrelled at all. ]

[legbreakings]

[ Jiang Cheng gives a startled little laugh and bows his head again. ]

Until tonight then, Maiden St Loe.

[ He hesitates then, already halfway to hanging up but... ]

I'm glad. That matters have been resolved between us.

[seaboard]

[ She pauses. Hovering a little. Given what started their fight - but, no, it was truth, and she was glad that they could fix it. ]

I, too, am glad of the same. I have missed you very much, Master Cheng.

[legbreakings]

[ His lips twitch into a little smile. Normally, he doesn't care too much about what name people address him by here in this place where everybody comes from different traditions but the opportunity is too good to pass up. ]

Are we so informal now to be using birth names, Maiden?

[seaboard]

[ Squeak! She's doing what now? ]

Pardon?

[legbreakings]

Cheng. It's my birth name. Wanyin is the courtesy name. [ He doesn't sound offended though, still just sounding amused. It's simply too good not to tease her - after all, most everyone else here would not care about using the most informal name choice to address him by, but with Gilia it gets him these funny squeaks. ] Is this your way to tell me to call you Maiden Gilia? That's a lot more forward than I would have expected from you.

[seaboard]

I had no idea, oh I am so sorry Master Wanyin, I never meant to be so presumptuous.

[ She still just keeps squeaking, it seems. ]

[legbreakings]

[ Hah! ]

Of course not [ he says generously now in his victory. ] You are very polite and mindful of good manners. I like that about you.

[seaboard]

[ She's just melting into a puddle here. ]

... Have I... have I been saying all the other name wrongs too?

[legbreakings]

How am I supposed to know by what names you call other people? We cultivators all have our last names first, then the birth name or courtesy name, but it differs which of these they use. Courtesy names are more commonly used, if someone has a courtesy name.

[ He pauses, voice softening. ]

I wouldn't actually mind you calling me Jiang Cheng, though.