The trip is much simpler (and perhaps even quicker) this time. Xingchen no longer has to depend on deciphering distances and landmarks to navigate - he can follow Jiang Wanyin's scent to the treehouse and Obi-Wan's scent through the woods from there, only really bothering to mind any obstacles or people along the way. And if there were any doubt whatsoever in his mind, it would very much be dispelled as the faint breeze carries the scent of delicious food in his direction, no doubt Obi-Wan's own culinary contribution, since Xingchen has been invited to bring his own.
The chatter comes next, a bit of instruction on preparing the table, reminders of manners. The voice that responds is chipper and a bit gregarious, not one that he recognizes but nonetheless somehow familiar in spirit, and his lips press together a moment as he resists the sudden urge to smile. A-Qing sounded much the same way when he solicited her for help with meals, livening up the entire ordeal.
It's not ten seconds later that he comes into sight through the trees, following along Obi-Wan's typical route. Xingchen looks... very much identical to how he looked the last time the men met, with no visible signs of any form of monstrosity. If anything, he moves with more confidence than before, the sounds of each step telling him somewhat of what to expect from the next one. Cradled in one arm is a basket with the lid of some sort of container peeking out over the top.
A greeting smile is offered to Obi-Wan where his faint movement-sounds suggest that he stands, and he says, "I hope I'm not terribly late. My sense of time is, unfortunately, as middling as it ever was." Get it, because his senses have sharpened? (It seems Obi-Wan has graduated to the level of friendship in which Xingchen inflicts terrible mild-humored jokes, congratulations and I'm sorry.) He turns to the girl now, offering her a smile now too before bowing his head a bit in the loose approximation of a respectful greeting. "My name is Xiao Xingchen, but just Xingchen is quite fine. You're Miss Gosalyn, aren't you? Or would you prefer Lady Gosalyn?" 'Lady' is typically reserved for one of at least mid-teens in age, but any young girl who endures such a place as Ryslig is more than resilient enough to be a Lady if she'd please.
no subject
The chatter comes next, a bit of instruction on preparing the table, reminders of manners. The voice that responds is chipper and a bit gregarious, not one that he recognizes but nonetheless somehow familiar in spirit, and his lips press together a moment as he resists the sudden urge to smile. A-Qing sounded much the same way when he solicited her for help with meals, livening up the entire ordeal.
It's not ten seconds later that he comes into sight through the trees, following along Obi-Wan's typical route. Xingchen looks... very much identical to how he looked the last time the men met, with no visible signs of any form of monstrosity. If anything, he moves with more confidence than before, the sounds of each step telling him somewhat of what to expect from the next one. Cradled in one arm is a basket with the lid of some sort of container peeking out over the top.
A greeting smile is offered to Obi-Wan where his faint movement-sounds suggest that he stands, and he says, "I hope I'm not terribly late. My sense of time is, unfortunately, as middling as it ever was." Get it, because his senses have sharpened? (It seems Obi-Wan has graduated to the level of friendship in which Xingchen inflicts terrible mild-humored jokes, congratulations and I'm sorry.) He turns to the girl now, offering her a smile now too before bowing his head a bit in the loose approximation of a respectful greeting. "My name is Xiao Xingchen, but just Xingchen is quite fine. You're Miss Gosalyn, aren't you? Or would you prefer Lady Gosalyn?" 'Lady' is typically reserved for one of at least mid-teens in age, but any young girl who endures such a place as Ryslig is more than resilient enough to be a Lady if she'd please.