[ She's startled by the crude language, but not enough that she can't hastily cover the lower part of her face with one heavily-embroidered sleeve to hide her blush as the shopkeeper begins to protest in detail. Luckily, they leave them behind quickly. ]
[ Okay this is delightful, in fact, it's absolutely hilarious. Never he thought that to list of his feats will be added "escorted and scandalized Wutaian noble couple"— or at least, that's how he pictures Wutaian royalty. Before they lost the war and got neutered into the tourist trap the country is these days. ]
Guards will get here eventually— [ It's way too obvious and bold to ignore ] —but someone up the chain of command is twirling their thumbs slowing the orders down.
[ Aaand their out of the area, the streets will be calmer now, and the direction seems to be quite an easy walk from now ]
Or maybe I'm wrong, and they're letting this happen to catch the head honcho behind the operation. Who knows? [ Someone is running it and getting them would make the most sense— raid a market, another one will pop-up somewhere else. Cage the masterminds and everyone scatters like headless chickens. ] You two are not from around here, huh?
But as soon as they exit the crowds of the illicit marketplace, he steps forward to walk alongside Yanli rather than behind her. No need to keep single file when there's more room on the street. He's still keeping a careful eye for any threats, always on alert, but his pace is casual and confident. ]
I was under the impression that most of us are not "from around here."
[ Even those who have been here from some time still came here from other worlds, did they not? ]
[ She lowers her hand and links her arm in his once he moves to walk alongside her, having seen enough couples around being freer in their affections that she feels it won't cause any undue problems.
Thus bolstered - and with more of a handle on him, even if that's not how she consciously thinks of it - she smiles blandly at Reno. ]
[ Reno huffs at how literally it has been taken, but then it's not like he was very precise in the first place. ]
You count as "from around here" if you were here long enough. Plenty of the Mirrorbounds has gone native already.
[ He looks back at them, still taking lead few steps ahead ]
Those that didn't are stubborn or too new. [ And given they are not familiar with directions, it's probably the latter. But they still could have a month or two over him, which is what he's trying to fish out. The city is big, and you can stay in Haven and it's vicinity without needing to go elsewhere. ]
[ The instant Reno turns to glance back at them, Zixuan's back goes just a little bit straighter, holding himself a little bit taller, puffing out his chest just the tiniest amount. ]
Then no, by that standard we are both decidedly not from around here.
[ He still doesn't know how he feels about this place, to be honest. It is a gift, for giving him the chance to see his son grown into almost a man already. It is a nightmare, for changing his body the way it has and continues to do. He is less focused on how he feels about the place, and more focused on doing everything he can to ensure their stay is comfortable for A-Li and A-Ling. ]
[ Another crowd and bustling around the shop entrances become visible, it's more organized and many of the shops are within first floors of the buildings rather than— these shacks and stands that were on the goblin market. Reno gestures at the direction, ready to let them off the hook— but maybe there is still something to be learned. ]
Ah, so we're on the same boat then. Thought you might be more experienced with this city, you stroll around with a confidence like you own the place.
[ The tone with how it's said indicates it's meant to be taken as a compliment — even if Reno's more interested in seeing the reaction than being actually nice. His stature too relaxed, almost slouching and the smile he offers to Zixuan could be, could be maybe even be taken as friendly... if not the line of too sharp teeth he flashes along the way. (On fucking purpose, because of course, he does) ]
[ This certainly does look like a more reputable market than the one they had been at before. Zixuan doesn't let his annoyance at the jab at his confidence show, even if it may have been meant as a compliment. Yes, he is aware of his arrogance. But it is a carefully cultivated arrogance which has gotten him this far through life. He isn't about to abandon it simply because he is no longer in a world he is familiar with. ]
We are still learning our way around, as you can see.
[ And no, he's not going to say "thank you" for getting them where they needed to go. ]
[ Is that mischief a jab directed at him? Is it? Reno will take it and delightfully run with it. Complete with a short friendly salute directed at Yanli.
And yes he figures that ostensibly ignoring Zixuan at this point seems like a sure way to annoy him. With all the posturing, all the ruffled feathers. That makes him even— straighten his back as if he could glance down at the man. As if. ]
Simply going to confidently encourage more mischief. [ Wink. He winks at your wife Zixuan, the horror ] Try to not lighten your wallets too quickly.
[ And with that as his goodbye, he passes them, walking in the direction of the goblin market again. ]
[ Zixuan keeps his eyes laser focused on Reno as he walks past them and out of sight. His arm looped around Yanli's is tense and tight. Something about that man unsettles him. Perhaps it is his overly casual air, perhaps it is his subtle way of saying things that seemed aimed at taking Zixuan down a peg.
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no subject
Reno thinks there may be bribes involved.
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Guards will get here eventually— [ It's way too obvious and bold to ignore ] —but someone up the chain of command is twirling their thumbs slowing the orders down.
[ Aaand their out of the area, the streets will be calmer now, and the direction seems to be quite an easy walk from now ]
Or maybe I'm wrong, and they're letting this happen to catch the head honcho behind the operation. Who knows? [ Someone is running it and getting them would make the most sense— raid a market, another one will pop-up somewhere else. Cage the masterminds and everyone scatters like headless chickens. ] You two are not from around here, huh?
no subject
But as soon as they exit the crowds of the illicit marketplace, he steps forward to walk alongside Yanli rather than behind her. No need to keep single file when there's more room on the street. He's still keeping a careful eye for any threats, always on alert, but his pace is casual and confident. ]
I was under the impression that most of us are not "from around here."
[ Even those who have been here from some time still came here from other worlds, did they not? ]
no subject
Thus bolstered - and with more of a handle on him, even if that's not how she consciously thinks of it - she smiles blandly at Reno. ]
I suppose it is rather obvious.
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You count as "from around here" if you were here long enough. Plenty of the Mirrorbounds has gone native already.
[ He looks back at them, still taking lead few steps ahead ]
Those that didn't are stubborn or too new. [ And given they are not familiar with directions, it's probably the latter. But they still could have a month or two over him, which is what he's trying to fish out. The city is big, and you can stay in Haven and it's vicinity without needing to go elsewhere. ]
no subject
Then no, by that standard we are both decidedly not from around here.
[ He still doesn't know how he feels about this place, to be honest. It is a gift, for giving him the chance to see his son grown into almost a man already. It is a nightmare, for changing his body the way it has and continues to do. He is less focused on how he feels about the place, and more focused on doing everything he can to ensure their stay is comfortable for A-Li and A-Ling. ]
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-- Because we're too new, that is.
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Ah, so we're on the same boat then. Thought you might be more experienced with this city, you stroll around with a confidence like you own the place.
[ The tone with how it's said indicates it's meant to be taken as a compliment — even if Reno's more interested in seeing the reaction than being actually nice. His stature too relaxed, almost slouching and the smile he offers to Zixuan could be, could be maybe even be taken as friendly... if not the line of too sharp teeth he flashes along the way. (On fucking purpose, because of course, he does) ]
no subject
We are still learning our way around, as you can see.
[ And no, he's not going to say "thank you" for getting them where they needed to go. ]
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Better to walk with confidence than to look lost and encourage mischief. [ He doesn't need defending, but she feels some support necessary. ]
Thank you, Reno. [ But his lack of a goodbye is, at least, telling. ] Do you have other plans for the day that we've taken you from?
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And yes he figures that ostensibly ignoring Zixuan at this point seems like a sure way to annoy him. With all the posturing, all the ruffled feathers. That makes him even— straighten his back as if he could glance down at the man. As if. ]
Simply going to confidently encourage more mischief. [ Wink. He winks at your wife Zixuan, the horror ] Try to not lighten your wallets too quickly.
[ And with that as his goodbye, he passes them, walking in the direction of the goblin market again. ]
no subject
He tuts softly. ] What an odd man.