[During the long- l o n g - pause, Quentin has time to think about all the things he shouldn't have asked, shouldn't have mentioned or maybe he's starting to second guess this whole thing, because Cao Pi is just standing there, not really doing anything and there's no way Quentin could even begin to understand what that look crossing his face might mean. So, it's just a long pause of Quentin shifting on his feet, hands going from almost outreached to tucked in to his armpits like it's getting colder.
And just when Quentin is about to just say that it didn't matter, that it had been a stupid suggestion after all, Cao Pi carefully hands one of the cool-looking swords over, hilt-first, and he takes it just as carefully. Letting his hand curl around it, and it's not cold like he would have thought. Luke-warm, probably from Cao Pi's hand and he pulls it closer to look at it in the light of his lantern.]
It's very beautiful.
[Heavier than the swords they found in Fillory, but not by much. A different balance, for sure, and he swishes it in the air a little.]
Oh, I wouldn't? Because I was never any good with swords. I'm pretty good with a bow, though. [The gem flashes in the golden light when Quentin looks at it again, the gold inlay shimmering a little at the turns and tilts he makes with it.] Nice. Thank you.
[As he hands it back, hilt-first like Cao Pi before he stuffs his hands in his pocket.]
no subject
[During the long- l o n g - pause, Quentin has time to think about all the things he shouldn't have asked, shouldn't have mentioned or maybe he's starting to second guess this whole thing, because Cao Pi is just standing there, not really doing anything and there's no way Quentin could even begin to understand what that look crossing his face might mean. So, it's just a long pause of Quentin shifting on his feet, hands going from almost outreached to tucked in to his armpits like it's getting colder.
And just when Quentin is about to just say that it didn't matter, that it had been a stupid suggestion after all, Cao Pi carefully hands one of the cool-looking swords over, hilt-first, and he takes it just as carefully. Letting his hand curl around it, and it's not cold like he would have thought. Luke-warm, probably from Cao Pi's hand and he pulls it closer to look at it in the light of his lantern.]
It's very beautiful.
[Heavier than the swords they found in Fillory, but not by much. A different balance, for sure, and he swishes it in the air a little.]
Oh, I wouldn't? Because I was never any good with swords. I'm pretty good with a bow, though. [The gem flashes in the golden light when Quentin looks at it again, the gold inlay shimmering a little at the turns and tilts he makes with it.] Nice. Thank you.
[As he hands it back, hilt-first like Cao Pi before he stuffs his hands in his pocket.]