Pagan/Huaisang

[crab_rangoon]

"Ah! No, no. I don't need to send the messenger. Just let me go," he tells the guards at the gates, waving them away as he walks straight through with his sword at his side, his entourage behind him. They walks in with their white robes, though Pagan is in red and black, and he breathes in the Impure Realm. He hasn't been here since the death of the Nie clan leader, but he's been aiming to check on their newest leader. It's been a dark time for them, for all of them, but he still feels more than a twinge of affection for the boy.

Well, man. He's been a man for several years now, but it doesn't seem like anything has changed.

Still, he promised he'd continue to offer support, so he walks on, ignoring the protests of the guards.

Comments

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan recognizes the mask and puts one on himself.

"Ah! You snore," he says, waving a hand. "Good to see you up bright and early, though. Are you ready to depart?"

[threedontknows]

He smiles, all empty head and no clear thought. “I’ve gotten used to getting up earlier than I ever had to, including all those years I lived with the Lan Clan!”

He looks around the tavern and all the men and women eating congee and meat. “We should eat first though,” he says with a grin.

[crab_rangoon]

"You let your stomach rule your thoughts," he laughs, but he walks over to pay for that meal. Congee sounds very good, he has to admit.

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang sits down at an empty table like the spoiled brat he is, waiting for his meal of congee and whatever that delicious-smelling meal is. The company is good too, he has to admit.

He’ll be sad when Min Pagan leaves him.

[crab_rangoon]

He brings it over, setting it down in front of the little prince, and settles down across from him. "Any other demands this morning?" he laughs, clearly in a lovely mood, despite the strangeness of the evening prior.

[threedontknows]

"I want to go through the market and purchase some paper," he says, smiling over his bowl of porridge. It's just right, mellow and slightly sweet, and he eats as though he hasn't indulged in a while. "If you're not too eager to get back, that is. I realize Sect Leader Min's time is valuable."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan groans. "Ah, you are going to drag me back through the market again? And you expect this to come from my pockets, don't you?"

Despite his complaints, there's a smile over the lid of his bowl that he definitely tries to hide.

[threedontknows]

“You did invite me out,” Nie Huaisang smiles. “It seems only right that you’d pay for what I want. But it’s only paper, Gan-ge.”

He bats his eyelashes.

[crab_rangoon]

"You will need to be quick about it. I have places to be this evening," he laughs, but does finish his meal. He is immune to the fluttering eyelashes, but he does appreciate the effort put in.

"Alright, let's get your paper."

[threedontknows]

“A place of lesser importance than the Impure Realm,” replies Nie Huaisang with an easy smile. He’s sure that Min Pagan has business elsewhere - more important business than checking in on the younger brother of an old friend - but it’s nice to pretend he’s a priority to someone.

He finishes his porridge and then jumps to his feet, eager to head to the market for a quick resupply of his art supplies and stationary before he has to go back to the real world. It’s been a nice diversion though, and the company had been enough to make him feel more like the old Nie Huaisang he used to be rather than the fumbling sect leader.

[crab_rangoon]

He doesn't say anything, but his smile says it all. It is of lesser importance. No matter what Pagan has to do, for some reason, he wants to come back here.

Especially now, following him through the city, seeing the boy that had such light in his eyes, in his steps. Pagan could watch him forever like this.

"Do you have a vendor in mind, Xiao Nie?"

[threedontknows]

"Only the best in Qinghe," he tells him, because of course he has a vendor! There's a fine little factory he likes to purchase from, their wares displayed in a shop as though each piece a paper its own separate work of art (which they are). He drags Min Pagan into said shop and looks over the offerings, picking out what he needs with efficiency and - despite his earlier teasing - paying for himself. The shop keeper bows deeply and thanks him for his continued patronage, and Nie Huaisang leaves with his goods, step light and happy.

"Thank you for indulging me. My correspondence has been piling up."

[crab_rangoon]

"And who am I to interfere in your doings?" he wonders with a smile. He doesn't take out anything from his pockets to pay. He knows when something is a game, and it would be insulting for him to insist on it now. He lets Huaisang take care of himself.

"I will walk you to the palace and then I will be on my way. I won't intrude on your hospitality much longer."

[threedontknows]

"I wish you would," he replies, letting the sincerity through. "The Impure Realm is so quiet now. Too big too. You're always welcome in my home, Gan-ge."

[crab_rangoon]

"I know that. Worry not," he tells him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I will leave in a few days' time, but I will return."

Unfortunately, Pagan doesn't get to see Huaisang again once they part. There's a disruption back home, in Shennongjia. The White Cloud Fortress was scrambling to keep up with an outside invasion, and they needed their leader back home. So Pagan gave his apologies and went off.

Weeks later, a package shows up with three different outfits. A blue and gold sherwani, a set of patterns and colors Pagan loved, and a bold red and gold ensemble that Pagan knew would make Huaisang happy.

He includes a note.

They are called Sherwanis. If you do not enjoy the color, send them back and I will have them remade to your liking.

[threedontknows]

It's a sad affair to see the Min Sect Leader return to his home, but Nie Huaisang more than understands the burden that comes with the title. They need to do as they must, and their sects come before all else. He admires his dedication, even if he misses the sect leader's company and straight-forward way of calling him out on things.

When the package and note arrives Nie Huaisang is concerned. He rips it open in the privacy of his chambers, finding the beautiful cloth before he does the note. He reads the note a few times, feeling warmth bubbling up in his chest at the sentiment, and then takes the garments to admire in privacy.

A package for Pagan shows up a week or so later, smaller than Min Pagan's, but hopefully just a well-received. Inside is a scroll that when unfurled shows a painted landscape of mountains and tall trees.

I enjoy the Sherwanis very much, especially the gold and red. It'd be well-suited to a wedding, but he doesn't write that. They are very much to my liking. Thank you for thinking of me. I hope that you will continue to think of me when you gaze upon this painting.

[crab_rangoon]

He knew he would and also refrains from deliberately saying anything about the colors. They were chosen for a reason, and if Huaisang doesn't get the reason or chooses not to mention it, then Pagan has no reason to call him out on it.

It's getting cold, well into winter, by the time Pagan is able to visit again. This time, it's because he's on his way to the Jiang's to personally collect on an old favor. It isn't a time constraint, however, so Pagan doesn't lament the stop.

He waits for Huaisang to find him as he wanders the grounds.

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang hears of Min Pagan and his retinue being spotted outside of Qinghe and prepares for his arrival. The months have hardened him, giving him deep bags under his eyes and a thinner face than his usual slightly-rounded, well-fed complexion. But when he goes to find Pagan he’s resplendent in silver and green, jewels in his hair and dangling from his ears. It’s easier to play this part when he’s in his own home surrounded by his own people.

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan immediately notices the change in him, but hides it behind a smile. "Ah! Xiao Nie! What a treasure you are."

He gives him a low bow. "Might I steal you away today?"

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang responds with a low, respectful bow of his own, but as he stands the smile on his face is genuine. Min Pagan’s had a rough few months; he’s sent his share of reinforcements and support to help in his border disputes.

“Sect leader Min went through so much to get here, I couldn’t possibly turn him down.”

And it helps he’s already cleared his schedule.

[crab_rangoon]

"No, you couldn't," he smiles and gestures to the side. "Walk with me. Show me somewhere beautiful."

[threedontknows]

Somewhere beautiful. He knows just the place.

He leads Pagan through his personal garden and then through a few winding corridors, up and up through the Impure Realm fortress and into his personal aviary. He unlocks the golden gates leading into the aviary, pausing to listen to the songs of his birds before leading Pagan inside.

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan follows dutifully, pleased to know that the spot is inside. His father and brother had, when asked the same question, given Pagan an eyeroll and brought him to the same spot on the mountain.

He hears the birdsongs and smiles, delighted. "Ah, A-Song. What a surprise."

[threedontknows]

"I thought you would be pleased," he says, stepping into the high-ceiled space. He'd filled it with plants and indoor trees that climb towards the ceiling, a little indoor pond, a few large, gilded cages for his more delicate or fragile birds. He sits down on a simple wooden bench by a few of his cages, content to listen to his birds chirp and chatter away for a while.

[crab_rangoon]

He loves the sound of the birds. He loves the way they look. And more than that, he loves that way Huaisang looks at those damn birds. He's all but forgotten about him, and Pagan enjoys it. This is Huaisang at his best, at his most authentic. There's something - perfect about it.

"Tell me about them," he says, sitting down beside Huaisang.