He knows part of this is whimsy in a dark and dry way, when he's made a dish of chicken (some supplies still left, and he wanted chicken, dammit, he was having some) and vegetables and perfectly innocuous water, the ceiling decorated in balls of light he left tinged blue and white and grey he'd meant to make silver, but couldn't quite get to look properly metallic. He supposes when the point of the last dinner he'd made involving any light balls creating constellations across the ceiling had been to point out where his lines stood in stone, versus what was drawn in sand, this may as well be too.
The tea sits in the centre of the table, and he left his poor flower where it is in the greenhouse instead of hauling it in. It's outgrown its initial pot by now, it's kinder that way.
Besides, when Elidibus makes his way over, it's to a nice, ceiling-light-ball lit dinner and one narrow eyed dragon who vaguely gestures for him to take a seat when he enters the door. The lights, attentive to his wind-driven whims, swirling in a nice, interesting pattern, individual globes bouncing up against each other and glancing off again, like so many thick-skinned soap bubbles at play.
Elidibus has had a stressful day. Jingyi may have caught a glimpse of something related to this. Yet he seems to have escaped unscathed. Physically anyway; there's a great deal of emotion hidden under the calm reserve. Anger and frustration are a large part of it though not directed at the dragon by any means.
Still he'd not been expecting such an elaborate decoration for their meeting. The possible benefits of the snowball fight did not mean he'd felt their conversation was going to include more than the possibility of drinks. Everything is studied, from whimsical light orbs to the meal as the Ascian courteously takes the seat he's invited to claim.
"Yes. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me this evening." There is a pause before another thoughtful musing over the presence of food.
"I admit I wasn't expecting a meal. But since our conversation is not a light one, I would not expect to address it over dinner. Would you prefer to eat first? Or did you intend to do so during what I came here to speak about?"
It's clear he intends to allow the dragon the courtesy of directing the flow of their meeting.
Jingyi ends up raising his brows, since in most unfairness, yes, he'd heard: the ICPs are throughout the train, but active use of them means there's lots of chatter and not necessarily the intention to give it all heed. (He does, then he doesn't, depending on his mood or present state of distraction.) Tidus having commented is what finally sends that piece of information wiggling back to his forebrain, and he snorts, giving Elidibus a once over. Or as much of one as one can do to a fellow seated being.
"Do you prefer serious conversations on empty stomachs? Or angry ones," he says, lifting his shoulders in something like a shrug. He doesn't mention that one of his clan precepts is not talking while eating at all, and has no plans to mention it, since it was one he regularly broke anyway.
"Besides, these are all dishes I like. So we can act civil, and you can enjoy not being catered to at all."
It would sound petty if he weren't making it sound factual rather than cutting. The most catering that happened was agreeing to meet. The rest? Presages disaster, as far as Jingyi knows, but the guy showed up in 'suit' and so far isn't rustling around in Jingyi's head, so that's at least not slamming on any panic buttons. It's actually nicer having him be irritated, little as it has to do with the present situation.
There's a querying look to meet the raised eyebrows and once-over. But Elidibus is willing to consider it may just apply to the questions he's posed should there be no mention that the regard falls under the category of some personal emotional state. As for physical, the Ascian appears no worse for wear after being pinned to a wall by possibly a knife.
Elidibus pauses to think over the question that is offered. "No, though I have no idea about your preferences." And he does seem invested in... well, catering if you will, to Jingyi's needs tonight. It's with an incline of his head in gracious acceptance that he accepts the dragon's outline of the proposal.
"Very well. I shall consider it an opportunity to know more about you." It's neither cutting nor cynical. Elidibus appears to be sincere enough with his statement, meeting the factual manner of the other's statements.
One could also call having a portion of this meal presented to him at all was a form of catering. But Elidibus doesn't point this out nor seeks to rile the dragon. His gaze is to the tea and meal and thoughts are on the matter of how to politely begin.
"Allow me to serve the tea then," he finally chooses and will do so by reaching for the pot unless he's stopped.
It should be noted that Elidibus doesn't have a particular in depth knowledge of making tea- he can get the brew times correct on a few basic types but nothing fancy- so if this is waiting for the steps of brewing and is a particular style of tea, this could go terribly wrong.
Manners, Eldibus, in spite of his mouth and general straightforward nature,
Jingyi is still well mannered to an annoying degree, on his world. It means
he's deft with what he ignores, too, and aware of how and when to
apologise, given he's overstepped.
He hesitates, but then nods for the old guy to handle the tea, only
mentioning:
”It's about steeped," as factual as the rest. His coloured lights on the
ceiling eddy and swirl, still gently, like they're caught in the trickle of
a late summer brook. None of the swift violence of a swollen belly come
spring melt.
Likewise, rather than serve, Jingyi nods to the second plate and the
chopsticks provided, both their empty tea cups sitting ready.
"Tea should be used to clean out the cups before you pour what's for
drinking." A jerk of his chin to an empty bowl on the table. "Can be poured
out there."
He doesn't assume this is common for anyone that he doesn't recognise from
home. No one seems to find anything he does to be common sense, even when
it is, thank you very much. His tail lashes behind him, gentle enough, but
still indicative that's he's far from restive.
Peaceful and calm. Even if it's simply able to control a state of calm, the scene and its elements offer promise of a platform for talk. To this end and perhaps a bit of personal interest in the knowledge, Elidibus tilts his head and listens to the instruction. There is a nod of his head and a pause to allow the tea a moment longer. There is another mild hesitation and an expression that suggests some sudden recollection that has surprised him. It is quickly schooled into calm.
The routine explained isn't the Ascian's common sense, it's clear he acknowledges it as Jingyi's. "I've oft times observed such rituals in the Hingashi and Nagxian cultures of my Star. Yet each culture had their own steps to the method, for all it was from similar origin." Elidibus seems to be remarking on something he's seen before as he carries out the instructed steps of pouring tea and rinsing the cups before discarding the first 'pour' into the bowl.
"Is this to warm and cleanse the cups or does it have another meaning to you?" Never you mind that only moments before the vague familiarity of the scene had brought the snippet of memory back to him in the first place. Even if it is why he brings it up in the first place.
"You're not asking someone who's got the best answers, and you also weren't here for me preparing the tea. It all links together, the first rinse of the leaves, then the rinse of the cups, but the tea's for bringing the flavour out. The cups is for getting them ready for the better tea."
A wave of his hand, because once the tea pot is set down, he's pouring water into it again, kept supremely hot in its thermos. There: the second round will be ready in a few minutes. If the end up needing it for this... oolong variety, actually, is what it appears he selected.
The information is listened to and acknowledged with a nod. Most of the truth is readily offered as everything is settled for the steps of actually eating.
"I was curious if it would be different from my memories. Or if it would stir recollection of what I might have ignored." There is a faint smile from Elidibus. "You may also consider it an attempt to find some similarities in what's somewhat familiar to me, if you wish."
Perhaps not much of the latter; as he seemed to imply earlier, they were of cultures he had observed, not been part of.
"If you wish to ask questions about me during our meal, pray feel welcome." Unless the only talk should be the serious one after the dinner after all.
Jingyi offers a noncommittal sound, because he will ask if anything comes to him directly, but he also doesn't worry about it if there isn't anything in particular.
Which means, once they both have tea and he starts to serve himself from the dishes, leaving Elidibus to do the same, he asks instead, "What are you wanting to achieve with this?"
Tea is served and after Jingyi finishes with the dishes, Elidibus helps himself to a portion for his own setting.
"If nothing more, closure. And knowing where we both stand," he answers readily enough. "But I hope to come to a better understanding of one another. The circumstances that caused the rift between us didn't didn't seem the time, nor have either of us attempted to reach out and speak to one another afterward."
Granted, some of that had been because there are many matters to attend to on the train surely. But the rest had been outright not dealing with it for one reason or another.
"I wish to correct that oversight. And so here we are today." Elidibus looks up from his meal. "Since you've agreed to meet with me, I would like to ask the same. What do you want to achieve with this meeting?"
"Politeness," he says, because the first order of the day is the one he was raised with. "Beyond that, to figure out how likely you are to act without talking to anyone else, including inviting yourself into their minds, bodies, or whatever without permission."
He resumes eating, because that, to him, is the point. It's about up front honesty in intention, and then exactly what lengths he'll go to avoid and protect himself from anyone who up front admits they're planning to do as they like, regardless.
Teamwork is one thing. Leaving himself open to harm, even if no one else knew about it or realised it was a harm, was something else. He wouldn't be functional if that was a pervasive, paranoid fear he carried around, and he'd gone to lengths to not let it be one in spite of the wide range of talents and abilities of everyone on board.
Hence, at this point, why his reaction to Elidibus doing as he did was even more pointed, perhaps.
His tailtip twitches, and he narrows his eyes at Elidibus again. He should be more respectful on age alone, but it's too hazy, and this is too personal in a way that's been trod on unheedingly by one who has no idea, and could get no context from anyone but Jingyi.
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carisma_sensei
action | post snowball fight day
Date: 2022-01-23 09:02 am (UTC)The tea sits in the centre of the table, and he left his poor flower where it is in the greenhouse instead of hauling it in. It's outgrown its initial pot by now, it's kinder that way.
Besides, when Elidibus makes his way over, it's to a nice, ceiling-light-ball lit dinner and one narrow eyed dragon who vaguely gestures for him to take a seat when he enters the door. The lights, attentive to his wind-driven whims, swirling in a nice, interesting pattern, individual globes bouncing up against each other and glancing off again, like so many thick-skinned soap bubbles at play.
"You wanted to talk."
no subject
Date: 2022-01-24 06:50 pm (UTC)Still he'd not been expecting such an elaborate decoration for their meeting. The possible benefits of the snowball fight did not mean he'd felt their conversation was going to include more than the possibility of drinks. Everything is studied, from whimsical light orbs to the meal as the Ascian courteously takes the seat he's invited to claim.
"Yes. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me this evening." There is a pause before another thoughtful musing over the presence of food.
"I admit I wasn't expecting a meal. But since our conversation is not a light one, I would not expect to address it over dinner. Would you prefer to eat first? Or did you intend to do so during what I came here to speak about?"
It's clear he intends to allow the dragon the courtesy of directing the flow of their meeting.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-25 05:27 am (UTC)"Do you prefer serious conversations on empty stomachs? Or angry ones," he says, lifting his shoulders in something like a shrug. He doesn't mention that one of his clan precepts is not talking while eating at all, and has no plans to mention it, since it was one he regularly broke anyway.
"Besides, these are all dishes I like. So we can act civil, and you can enjoy not being catered to at all."
It would sound petty if he weren't making it sound factual rather than cutting. The most catering that happened was agreeing to meet. The rest? Presages disaster, as far as Jingyi knows, but the guy showed up in 'suit' and so far isn't rustling around in Jingyi's head, so that's at least not slamming on any panic buttons. It's actually nicer having him be irritated, little as it has to do with the present situation.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-25 09:43 am (UTC)Elidibus pauses to think over the question that is offered. "No, though I have no idea about your preferences." And he does seem invested in... well, catering if you will, to Jingyi's needs tonight. It's with an incline of his head in gracious acceptance that he accepts the dragon's outline of the proposal.
"Very well. I shall consider it an opportunity to know more about you." It's neither cutting nor cynical. Elidibus appears to be sincere enough with his statement, meeting the factual manner of the other's statements.
One could also call having a portion of this meal presented to him at all was a form of catering. But Elidibus doesn't point this out nor seeks to rile the dragon. His gaze is to the tea and meal and thoughts are on the matter of how to politely begin.
"Allow me to serve the tea then," he finally chooses and will do so by reaching for the pot unless he's stopped.
It should be noted that Elidibus doesn't have a particular in depth knowledge of making tea- he can get the brew times correct on a few basic types but nothing fancy- so if this is waiting for the steps of brewing and is a particular style of tea, this could go terribly wrong.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-28 02:40 am (UTC)Manners, Eldibus, in spite of his mouth and general straightforward nature, Jingyi is still well mannered to an annoying degree, on his world. It means he's deft with what he ignores, too, and aware of how and when to apologise, given he's overstepped.
He hesitates, but then nods for the old guy to handle the tea, only mentioning:
”It's about steeped," as factual as the rest. His coloured lights on the ceiling eddy and swirl, still gently, like they're caught in the trickle of a late summer brook. None of the swift violence of a swollen belly come spring melt.
Likewise, rather than serve, Jingyi nods to the second plate and the chopsticks provided, both their empty tea cups sitting ready.
"Tea should be used to clean out the cups before you pour what's for drinking." A jerk of his chin to an empty bowl on the table. "Can be poured out there."
He doesn't assume this is common for anyone that he doesn't recognise from home. No one seems to find anything he does to be common sense, even when it is, thank you very much. His tail lashes behind him, gentle enough, but still indicative that's he's far from restive.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-29 03:27 pm (UTC)The routine explained isn't the Ascian's common sense, it's clear he acknowledges it as Jingyi's. "I've oft times observed such rituals in the Hingashi and Nagxian cultures of my Star. Yet each culture had their own steps to the method, for all it was from similar origin." Elidibus seems to be remarking on something he's seen before as he carries out the instructed steps of pouring tea and rinsing the cups before discarding the first 'pour' into the bowl.
"Is this to warm and cleanse the cups or does it have another meaning to you?" Never you mind that only moments before the vague familiarity of the scene had brought the snippet of memory back to him in the first place. Even if it is why he brings it up in the first place.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-31 12:17 am (UTC)A wave of his hand, because once the tea pot is set down, he's pouring water into it again, kept supremely hot in its thermos. There: the second round will be ready in a few minutes. If the end up needing it for this... oolong variety, actually, is what it appears he selected.
"Any other meanings are social ones. Why?"
no subject
Date: 2022-02-03 03:12 pm (UTC)"I was curious if it would be different from my memories. Or if it would stir recollection of what I might have ignored." There is a faint smile from Elidibus. "You may also consider it an attempt to find some similarities in what's somewhat familiar to me, if you wish."
Perhaps not much of the latter; as he seemed to imply earlier, they were of cultures he had observed, not been part of.
"If you wish to ask questions about me during our meal, pray feel welcome." Unless the only talk should be the serious one after the dinner after all.
no subject
Date: 2022-02-07 06:09 am (UTC)Which means, once they both have tea and he starts to serve himself from the dishes, leaving Elidibus to do the same, he asks instead, "What are you wanting to achieve with this?"
no subject
Date: 2022-02-21 08:11 pm (UTC)"If nothing more, closure. And knowing where we both stand," he answers readily enough. "But I hope to come to a better understanding of one another. The circumstances that caused the rift between us didn't didn't seem the time, nor have either of us attempted to reach out and speak to one another afterward."
Granted, some of that had been because there are many matters to attend to on the train surely. But the rest had been outright not dealing with it for one reason or another.
"I wish to correct that oversight. And so here we are today." Elidibus looks up from his meal. "Since you've agreed to meet with me, I would like to ask the same. What do you want to achieve with this meeting?"
no subject
Date: 2022-02-24 02:06 am (UTC)He resumes eating, because that, to him, is the point. It's about up front honesty in intention, and then exactly what lengths he'll go to avoid and protect himself from anyone who up front admits they're planning to do as they like, regardless.
Teamwork is one thing. Leaving himself open to harm, even if no one else knew about it or realised it was a harm, was something else. He wouldn't be functional if that was a pervasive, paranoid fear he carried around, and he'd gone to lengths to not let it be one in spite of the wide range of talents and abilities of everyone on board.
Hence, at this point, why his reaction to Elidibus doing as he did was even more pointed, perhaps.
His tailtip twitches, and he narrows his eyes at Elidibus again. He should be more respectful on age alone, but it's too hazy, and this is too personal in a way that's been trod on unheedingly by one who has no idea, and could get no context from anyone but Jingyi.
"Do you like stories?"