[ Ephemera doesn't take pictures of his sketchbook - for exactly this reason, as it turns out - but when there's a will, apparently there's also a way in Duplicity. Someone, or something, has gotten into his sketchbooks. And so there's a picture of a sketch depicting Huaisang from the shoulders up, back in camp. Smiling, despite the bullshit uniform and the circumstances. ]
[Ephemera will not be able to hear the shriek of delight unless he just happens to be in Huaisang's neighborhood in the up, but there's soon a text message sent out in response.]
Oh, Ephemera, I love it, it's wonderful. You're a fantastic artist.
Oh, Ephemera, I love it, it's wonderful. You're a fantastic artist.
[ Left in a paper bag at Plumage a few weeks after their meet-up is a simple fan, very clearly handmade with a knowing eye, but a little rough around the edges. The name "Huey" is engraved into edge of it, but beyond that there's no artsy carving, just sturdy made and well finished plain wood. A scrap of paper with some scrawl is stuffed into the bag alongside it. ]
Cheers for the freebies, H. We're square now.
Cheers for the freebies, H. We're square now.
Thank you, Boomboom. It's lovely.
I'll keep you in mind if I come across any opportunity for your... skills.
I'll keep you in mind if I come across any opportunity for your... skills.
Hello.
[She offers a soft smile and a tip of her head.]
I do not believe we have met, but Obi-Wan mentioned your name to me, and suggested that I contact you regarding possible employment.
[She offers a soft smile and a tip of her head.]
I do not believe we have met, but Obi-Wan mentioned your name to me, and suggested that I contact you regarding possible employment.
Oh, yes, I remember. His fashionable friend!
[Huaisang smiles brightly, eyes flicking over her image on the screen and approving of everything he sees. He himself is dressed in his version of workday practicality, and his boutique can be seen in the background, but it's looking very different than usual as employees carry away displays and racks of clothing, tucking them into the back room and hanging drapes.]
I'd love to hire you and now would be a perfect time. We're having a fashion show this evening. The sooner you can arrive, the better. There will be some sex, but it's all opt-in, as long as you don't mind it going on around you.
[Huaisang smiles brightly, eyes flicking over her image on the screen and approving of everything he sees. He himself is dressed in his version of workday practicality, and his boutique can be seen in the background, but it's looking very different than usual as employees carry away displays and racks of clothing, tucking them into the back room and hanging drapes.]
I'd love to hire you and now would be a perfect time. We're having a fashion show this evening. The sooner you can arrive, the better. There will be some sex, but it's all opt-in, as long as you don't mind it going on around you.
[Having made some tea he felt it was a shame to enjoy it alone and he decides to share it with his dominate. Entering the others study he holds the tray as he started to call out. Dressed in a pair of slacks with a white button up and a deep brown vest he looks like he's dressed to impress though he is actually dressed more lax than normal.]
Huaisang? Would you like some tea?
Huaisang? Would you like some tea?
[Huaisang is settled comfortably on the floor in his library in front of a low table spread with paper. Dressed today in a burgundy gown that shows off the soft musculature of his chest and back, Huaisang has streaks of ink on his hands and one on his cheek, but the painting unfurling under his brush is a scene of birds flitting through a tree in bloom.
Looking up with a smile as his lover enters, Huaisang nods gratefully.] That would be lovely, Zhongli, thank you. You look very handsome today, though... perhaps a bit over-dressed.
Looking up with a smile as his lover enters, Huaisang nods gratefully.] That would be lovely, Zhongli, thank you. You look very handsome today, though... perhaps a bit over-dressed.
[ Huaisang will find the following letting on his desk two days after the events of the mistlefoe. ]
[A basket with two bottles of nice wine and two jewelry boxes arrive for Huaisang. Inside the boxes are two sets of earrings (1 - 2). A note is also tucked into the basket.]
Dearest Huaisang,
It may be presumptuous of me to gift you with fashion accessories, but I can't help but feel that these would suit you. Thank you for your friendship, your warmth, and your cheer. I appreciate all of them.
Yours,
Morrigan
Dearest Huaisang,
It may be presumptuous of me to gift you with fashion accessories, but I can't help but feel that these would suit you. Thank you for your friendship, your warmth, and your cheer. I appreciate all of them.
Yours,
Morrigan
Edited (html...) 2021-12-28 07:09 (UTC)
[Kim has taken a day or two to muse on his last interaction with Huaisang. He does not feel as if he had been in the wrong - for once - but it still is...bothersome.]
I feel as if I should apologize. I clearly gave you offense when we talked last and it was not my intention to do so. I'm sorry if I misspoke.
I feel as if I should apologize. I clearly gave you offense when we talked last and it was not my intention to do so. I'm sorry if I misspoke.
You gave no offense. [The kind smile is audible in Huaisang's voice.] My time is much in demand and I have many doting lovers. It seemed that perhaps ... we are not the most compatible and my time and attention is not as desirable to you as it is to many of my other lovers, so I do not wish to waste either of our time.
I genuinely wish you the best, and I had fun in our encounter. If you decide in the future that I'm what you want enough to go to the trouble of courting me, I have no objection to that.
I genuinely wish you the best, and I had fun in our encounter. If you decide in the future that I'm what you want enough to go to the trouble of courting me, I have no objection to that.
I don't do this often enough and rarely remember this in an option.
Things have been quite chaotic lately and I feel like it's been a while since we've talked. I know I could pay you a visit and we could do this in person, but knowing us and our... proclivities for activities, it seemed best to call you. That and it's cold out.
So tell me, love, how are you doing?
Things have been quite chaotic lately and I feel like it's been a while since we've talked. I know I could pay you a visit and we could do this in person, but knowing us and our... proclivities for activities, it seemed best to call you. That and it's cold out.
So tell me, love, how are you doing?
I can't believe this slander. I've never been distracted from anything in my life.
... What were we talking about? [His voice is warm with a smile as he jokes, settling in comfortably to a couch to chat.]
I'm doing well. Grateful for my life. Zhongli is sweet and helpful and low-maintenance, Javert is devoted, and I just took on Victor Creed because Javert is in love with him and he's quite enjoyable on his own, as well. It means the house is a bit crowded, since Victor and Javert must share a bedroom and all three submissives share a bathroom and that also leaves me without an available guest room, so I'm having Victor build a guest house out back. One bedroom, with a little reading loft, for the two of them.
... What were we talking about? [His voice is warm with a smile as he jokes, settling in comfortably to a couch to chat.]
I'm doing well. Grateful for my life. Zhongli is sweet and helpful and low-maintenance, Javert is devoted, and I just took on Victor Creed because Javert is in love with him and he's quite enjoyable on his own, as well. It means the house is a bit crowded, since Victor and Javert must share a bedroom and all three submissives share a bathroom and that also leaves me without an available guest room, so I'm having Victor build a guest house out back. One bedroom, with a little reading loft, for the two of them.
Pardon if I'm overstepping, but the way you spoke of your run-in with the kelpie caught my attention.
I'm a Cleric, particularly in the focus of death. I know the traumas such a thing can inflict when one meets an end and is forced to continue on. If you've ever need to talk, I'd be happy to make myself available to you.
If you'd rather not or a stranger's sympathy is undesired, no offense will be taken nor pressure laid.
-Chris Sonom, Cleric of the Raven Queen.
I'm a Cleric, particularly in the focus of death. I know the traumas such a thing can inflict when one meets an end and is forced to continue on. If you've ever need to talk, I'd be happy to make myself available to you.
If you'd rather not or a stranger's sympathy is undesired, no offense will be taken nor pressure laid.
-Chris Sonom, Cleric of the Raven Queen.
It's kind of you to reach out.
I have not faced death with the kelpies. I did face death on the ship--all of us did, sooner or later. I was given a mercy killing, at least.
I barely remember the shadows beneath the water. If you have magic to access such memories suffered in a magical or spiritual ... ritualistic ... death ... I would be willing to try it.
If I may inquire on an unrelated topic, do you have any specialization in necromancy?
I have not faced death with the kelpies. I did face death on the ship--all of us did, sooner or later. I was given a mercy killing, at least.
I barely remember the shadows beneath the water. If you have magic to access such memories suffered in a magical or spiritual ... ritualistic ... death ... I would be willing to try it.
If I may inquire on an unrelated topic, do you have any specialization in necromancy?
Would you prefer to switch to action or take this to a log?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chrisisofaith
- 2022-03-03 23:53 (UTC) - ExpandI'm safe at home. Don't take any risks. Stay there if it's safer.
I'm in urgent need of a small favor.
( FOR REASONS she's sure to add, )
I give you my word it's entirely legal.
( FOR REASONS she's sure to add, )
I give you my word it's entirely legal.
I appreciate the reassurance.
I'm happy to help. What is it?
I'm happy to help. What is it?
A delicate pink box is left for Huaisang, his name written neatly on the tag in script. Once opened, the inside contains a deck of cards and four chocolate chip cookies. There is a card inside that when opened, will sprinkle the reader with pink confetti and, in the same handwriting as the tag reads:
Huaisang,
I hope you're well! Please enjoy the cookies and cards. Cookies make any day a little sweeter and everyone can find something fun to do with cards!
Take Care,
Elle Woods
I know you're not a fan of the ocean, but have you been to the Aquarium here?
Yes, it's lovely. The Aquarium doesn't scare me so much. It's a native aquarium, and the natives here are warier of the ocean than the LIERs, so I'm more inclined to trust the precautions that they've taken regards to the ocean life.
There's something wrong with my device it somehow mis-translated "idiot with terrible taste" as "boyfriend".
Are you okay? Do you want to come over? I have wine and chocolate.
Are you okay? Do you want to come over? I have wine and chocolate.
[ An envelope addressed to Lord Huaisang Nie & Inspector Javert is left where Huaisang can easily find it after Jopson has left for the day, with a handwritten letter on nice stationery inside. ]
[ OOC note: Invitations have been sent to anyone Jopson and Stephen would have invited. There is, of course, no obligation to participate. An open log will be made and organized within the next week. Please find me on![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
pondicusrex for logistics! ]
[ OOC note: Invitations have been sent to anyone Jopson and Stephen would have invited. There is, of course, no obligation to participate. An open log will be made and organized within the next week. Please find me on
Left on the kitchen counter in Huaisang's lovely calligraphy:
Liuftennit Jopson,
Our warmest appreciation for the invite to your event, we will not be able to attend, but we hope you have a very lovely
[checks smudged writing on hand]
crismis.
Warm regards,
Sect Leader Nie Huaisang of Qinghe.
Liuftennit Jopson,
Our warmest appreciation for the invite to your event, we will not be able to attend, but we hope you have a very lovely
[
crismis.
Warm regards,
Sect Leader Nie Huaisang of Qinghe.
Is this regarding Dinah? She was considering employment with Quentin Beck. By contrast, you're quite a reputable option. Whatever your other virtues and vices, I have never heard or seen any instances of you being unfair to your submissives or employees, nor do I know of any instances where you have set out to defraud or deceive.
Besides which, Dinah's hot-headed but she means well, and if there's any man in Duplicity who can handle a volatile individual... You do seem to collect them.
Besides which, Dinah's hot-headed but she means well, and if there's any man in Duplicity who can handle a volatile individual... You do seem to collect them.
[ at some point in the middle of the night, a small package will arrive for huaisang. inside is a delicate, but gorgeous hair pin. if it happens to look a little bit like a buttercup, that's totally unintentional... a note accompanies the gift. ]
𝒯ℴ 𝒶 𝒸ℯ𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ𝓁𝓎 𝒻𝓁ℴ𝓌ℯ𝓇,
𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 ℊ𝒾𝒻𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓉ℴ𝓀ℯ𝓃 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀𝓈 𝒻ℴ𝓇 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓁𝒾ℊ𝒽𝓉 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝓈ℯℯ𝓂 𝓉ℴ 𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃ℯ, ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓃 ℴ𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓈𝓉 𝓃𝒾ℊ𝒽𝓉 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓎ℯ𝒶𝓇.
𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒶𝒻𝒻ℯ𝒸𝓉𝒾ℴ𝓃,
𝒥𝓊𝓁𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓁𝒻𝓇ℯ𝒹 𝒫𝒶𝓃𝓀𝓇𝒶𝓉𝓏, 𝓋𝒾𝓈𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓃𝓉 ℴ𝒻 ℒℯ𝓉𝓉ℯ𝓃𝒽ℴ𝓋ℯ
𝒯ℴ 𝒶 𝒸ℯ𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ𝓁𝓎 𝒻𝓁ℴ𝓌ℯ𝓇,
𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 ℊ𝒾𝒻𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓉ℴ𝓀ℯ𝓃 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀𝓈 𝒻ℴ𝓇 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓁𝒾ℊ𝒽𝓉 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝓈ℯℯ𝓂 𝓉ℴ 𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃ℯ, ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓃 ℴ𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓈𝓉 𝓃𝒾ℊ𝒽𝓉 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓎ℯ𝒶𝓇.
𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒶𝒻𝒻ℯ𝒸𝓉𝒾ℴ𝓃,
𝒥𝓊𝓁𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓁𝒻𝓇ℯ𝒹 𝒫𝒶𝓃𝓀𝓇𝒶𝓉𝓏, 𝓋𝒾𝓈𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓃𝓉 ℴ𝒻 ℒℯ𝓉𝓉ℯ𝓃𝒽ℴ𝓋ℯ
It's beautiful and perfect, Jaskier, I love it.
Hey, Mr H? I hate to have to ask but I got an audition for that Neptune gig you were talking about?
Anyway, Mr Rackham? He says I need something a bit more conservative than, well, this.
[She lets the camera pan over her mirror - reflecting her in her golden crop top and tight pants.]
Man, I hate asking for shit without being able to pay but can I borrow a dress or something? Just until I get some money together and I'll pay it off. Or working for you - I'll sing or wait tables or whatever? I mean, if it's okay?
Anyway, Mr Rackham? He says I need something a bit more conservative than, well, this.
[She lets the camera pan over her mirror - reflecting her in her golden crop top and tight pants.]
Man, I hate asking for shit without being able to pay but can I borrow a dress or something? Just until I get some money together and I'll pay it off. Or working for you - I'll sing or wait tables or whatever? I mean, if it's okay?
[Yes, he knows, he communicated that quite clearly to Jack in advance--if the audition was going to include Irving then Dinah needed to be sent to him first for proper apparel.]
It would be my pleasure. Come to the shop as soon as you can, I'll put you in something appropriate. I trust your word, and you can certainly pay it back. I'll set aside a couple of other dresses for you as well, so that if you get the job you'll have three to rotate out on different days.
It would be my pleasure. Come to the shop as soon as you can, I'll put you in something appropriate. I trust your word, and you can certainly pay it back. I'll set aside a couple of other dresses for you as well, so that if you get the job you'll have three to rotate out on different days.
A bright red box with a silver ribbon is delivered to Huaisang. Inside are pink snowflake sugar cookies and a fun selfie. The back of the picture reads:
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thank you for being amazing! 💗 Elle
( Some time in the night hours of Christmas Eve, after they've dined together as a family and had their fill of wine and happiness, Javert says that he has something for him. In a large white box with a gold bow, hidden beneath an astonishing amount of tissue paper, is a delicate fur cloak and a gold hand mirror.
He wanted to give him something practical, something that Huaisang can use that also elegant and beautiful. Javert smiles and asks if they please him, his expression warm and looking as smitten with his husband as ever. )
He wanted to give him something practical, something that Huaisang can use that also elegant and beautiful. Javert smiles and asks if they please him, his expression warm and looking as smitten with his husband as ever. )
[Huaisang doesn't understand much about this Modern Earth 'Crismis' holiday, but he's always eager for celebrations, and after making Javert participate in his solstice celebration he's happy to follow his husband's instructions for proper Crimmits festivities. Opening the box, Huaisang gasps with admiration at the sight of warm fur and embroidery, touching it reverently, but he leaves it for now since he knows he's going to want to take his time with that. So he picks up the hand mirror first, exclaiming delightedly as he admires the design work, primping over his already perfect hair for a minute before setting the mirror down again so that he can gather up the cloak. He takes time to admire the workmanship first, knowing that Javert was likely to have chosen the materials and constructed the piece himself with fastidious care, though he suspects that the embroidery was likely outsourced to a specialist, since such creative artistry isn't usually Javert's specialty.] It's beautiful. Help me put it on?
[ Labeled for both Huaisang and Javert is a small package of homemade raspberry and apricot jam Linzer cookies, themed accordingly, and for Huaisang, the following two dresses ( NOTE the latter comes in several colors, so just pick whichever you'd like it to be! ) ]
To Mr(s) Nie Huaisang & Javert,
Thank you kindly for the Delicious Dumplings. Please enjoy these Cookies with Family, Friends, and Loved Ones yourself.
Merry Christmas,
Lt John Irving
P.S— I do apologize should anything here not be to your taste, although I sincerely believe you'd look most fetching wearing anything.
[While the dresses are nothing Huaisang would have picked out for himself, he's pleased to have a couple more casual options, exactly the sort of thing he tends to forget to purchase for himself. He sends along a picture of himself in the blue flannel, styling his hair with simpler braids and a relatively understated pin just for the photo.]
[On Christmas Eve, packages are delivered to Huaisang's door for him and Mingjue. Each is a box, wrapped...somewhat clumsily, but Huaisang's contains a box of alcohol-filled chocolates, a romance novel that is very spicy even by Duplicity standards, and a decorative comb. There's no note, but there's a tag on the wrapping paper.]
Huaisang's gift is wrapped in ivory paper with gold ribbon. Inside are two items: a lovely blue fan and a carefully crafted jeweled veil. There is also a tin with a homemade loose leaf tea mixture. The card reads: "Happy Christmas, lovely Huaisang. I'm looking forward to a new year of partnership and dark corners. - J"
Delighted by the gifts, Huaisang soon sends back a selfie of himself holding the fan and wearing the veil--and of course he's chosen his outfit and styled his hair so as to best show off the new accessories.
[There's a present delivered the last day of the year, marked with a tag that holds the printed picture of a raven on it. A letter inside accompanies the present itself, sealed with silver wax that holds the signet press of two crossed feathers topped with a cluster of three six-pointed stars.]
May I share my bounty with you that you have plenty of your own for this new year.
I've enjoyed getting to know you, lovely. I'm looking forward to that trend continuing, you're a wonderful man.
I hope this hair ornament matches your style, I thought of you when I saw it.
Happy Candleglow
-C.S.
[Huaisang will find a jewelry box that holds a delicate ornament inside. There's also an additional small package of homemade lavender honey cookies.]
May I share my bounty with you that you have plenty of your own for this new year.
I've enjoyed getting to know you, lovely. I'm looking forward to that trend continuing, you're a wonderful man.
I hope this hair ornament matches your style, I thought of you when I saw it.
Happy Candleglow
-C.S.
[Huaisang will find a jewelry box that holds a delicate ornament inside. There's also an additional small package of homemade lavender honey cookies.]
[Thrilled by the gift, Huaisang arranges his hair to showcase the gift, then sends a photo of himself glancing back over a bare shoulder, ornament glittering in his dark hair.]
[Dinah looks gutted.]
I didn’t get the job, Mr H. I’m so sorry. I hope you’ve not wasted a load of time looking for dresses or making them or whatever. I’m so sorry.
I didn’t get the job, Mr H. I’m so sorry. I hope you’ve not wasted a load of time looking for dresses or making them or whatever. I’m so sorry.
[Huaisang is certainly a little surprised that Dinah is enough of a disaster that even Jack Rackham isn't willing to take her on, but, well, Huaisang himself hadn't been willing to bring her into his employment for more than an occasional event.] I'm very sorry to hear that, Dinah. Did something happen?
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