[the small crowd around him doesn't quite dissipate like smoke, but it's a near thing, such is the power of Petre's dumb-like-a-fox pantomime. Jin Guangyao looks up at him in surprise, and then presses his lips into a line to stop his mild smile from transforming into a little smirk. 'nicely done,' his eyes say, but when he speaks, there's no trace of sarcasm or disdain in his voice at all:]
Petre-gongzi is very considerate. [a little inclination of his head in lieu of a bow; he's finally recognizing that there is such a thing as too much formality, though where he draws that line is probably different from just about everyone else in this town.] Thank you. And yes, I probably should do that.
[while neatly folding up the paper and tucking it into a leather folder for safekeeping,] I will need to defer to your expertise on what to order. What would you recommend? [once the notes are put away and the folder stowed in his satchel, Petre has his undivided attention. is it alarming? flattering? who knows! nevertheless, Jin Guangyao isn't faking his interest in this venture; whatever Petre recommends, he will probably order it.]
[ A grin to go with a rare display of conspiratorial self-awareness, chin in his palm while Jin Guangyao puts his work away, Petre twists his lips thoughtfully. He's got two different answers; it's just a matter of deciding the order. ]
You seem like a wine kinda guy. [ The smile reaches his eyes. ] Personally? I don't think you can ever go wrong with vodka.
Vodka then. [succinctly and definitively. it's an evening for trying new things and making new mistakes, apparently.] I have discovered that the wine here is very different from wine where I am from, and I have not developed a taste for it.
[he rises to his feet with frankly unfair grace for someone who is also this unerringly polite, evidently intending to do the honours of ordering the first round.] What will you have? [a neat little gesture towards the bar.]
[ He's only a little bit surprised that Jin Guangyao's the one who stands up before he can, but settles back into his role as the one who stays down and waits. The hand curls into a fist and he rests his chin on that instead. ]
Vodka, obviously.
[ A cheerful answer. One has to wonder how well this guy's gonna hold this liquor, but hey — sometimes it's the polite ones who've got the best surprises on them. ]
Only at formal banquets or discussion conferences, and then only sparingly, as I was frequently the host.
[a quick smile, all obliging courtesy, as Jin Guangyao prepares to get himself utterly shit-faced for probably the first time in his life.] I will be back with the drinks shortly.
[then he's off to the bar with the neat efficiency of a man who has yet to encounter an obstacle that his dogged commitment to the grind can't overcome. and he is indeed very efficient--perhaps too efficient, and optimistic, given he returns to their table moments later supporting a tray upon which sits six neat vodka shots. three for Petre, naturally, and three for himself. he arranges them in two lines, sets the tray aside, and reclaims his seat.]
I am told we are meant to drink each of these in one shot, [he helpfully informs Petre, selects one of the glasses, and then meets his new friend's eyes. (it wouldn't be quite right to say that there's a manic quality to Jin Guangyao's gaze, but something has obviously put him in a state where he just desperately needs permission from someone to make his own mistakes.] Traditionally, I believe one offers a toast.
[ Teasing the host, not the least bit surprised that he's had that role. Petre may not be here to judge, but he's all about the assumptions; with a single nod to send him off, he relaxes in his seat and looks around to spot familiar faces. Just the people who wanted Jin Guangyao's attention in his free time, and those keep looking away as soon as their eyes meet. It entertains him enough to switch into surprise when his newest friend places a tray of multiple shots down on the table, though that quickly washes away. Mirth to go with the impressed eyebrow arch, and he picks up the first glass. ]
Fuck yeah we drink it in one shot. What's the toast, then?
[shit, yeah, he's meant to come up with one of those, isn't he? Jin Guangyao purses his lips into a thoughtful frown while contemplating the shot glass.]
To good health and good fortune? [he suggests, raising his eyebrows. hard to go wrong with a classic, even in a town like this, where death and various other calamities seem as certain as the sunrise.]
[ But there's no real protest when he raises his glass, an enthusiastic clink against Jin Guangyao's before the shot is downed in one motion. Effortless enough to give away that he's done this way too many times to count, he wipes the corner of his lips with index and thumb. The burn is always pleasant, especially when it's a gift. ]
So — what were all those people bothering you about?
[the clink of glass against glass, and then Jin Guangyao follows Petre's lead. he downs the shot in one go, then immediately squeezes his watering eyes shut and covers his mouth with his sleeve to muffle the coughing fit that follows. this was inevitable, really, wasn't it.
hoarsely,] A moment, my apologies--
[he'll be fine. physically anyway. his pride is another matter entirely.]
[ He can't hold back the smile — it'd be a stretch to say he's making much of an effort — hand raised to reach over and lightly pat Jin Guangyao on the back. Is there some pride mixed in with the attempt to offer comfort? No one can prove this in court. ]
Yes, I'm fine, [spoken through another rasping cough, which is not exactly a convincing endorsement of what he's just said. still, Jin Guangyao places a hand on his chest and clears his throat, eyes closed, and regains his poise. there, see? he's fine! fine enough that he doesn't even look particularly rattled by being touched--though that could just be the liquor.
anyway, what were they discussing? ah, yes--] Sometimes the townsfolk will approach me with matters they wish to be raised with Churchwarden Mateus in advance of the next moot. It does tend to move the proceedings along a bit faster if I have provided him with a list of agenda items. [he reaches for his second vodka shot and curls his fingers around the little glass, but doesn't down it just yet; he needs to brace himself. and also, well:] As it is my birthday today, I think I will postpone putting the list together until tomorrow.
[it's not that bad tripping and smashing your face into a burst of sunshine, Jin Guangyao is discovering. figuratively speaking, anyway. he finds himself smiling with genuine warmth at Petre's reaction to his impromptu announcement, irrationally pleased. that could also be the vodka talking. speaking of which, he lifts up the second glass.]
No additional plans, [declared with restrained delight, like he is doing something daring by not having an agenda for the evening, and after lifting the glass to Petre, swallows down the shot in one go. government administrator gone wild! or something.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Petre-gongzi is very considerate. [a little inclination of his head in lieu of a bow; he's finally recognizing that there is such a thing as too much formality, though where he draws that line is probably different from just about everyone else in this town.] Thank you. And yes, I probably should do that.
[while neatly folding up the paper and tucking it into a leather folder for safekeeping,] I will need to defer to your expertise on what to order. What would you recommend? [once the notes are put away and the folder stowed in his satchel, Petre has his undivided attention. is it alarming? flattering? who knows! nevertheless, Jin Guangyao isn't faking his interest in this venture; whatever Petre recommends, he will probably order it.]
no subject
[ A grin to go with a rare display of conspiratorial self-awareness, chin in his palm while Jin Guangyao puts his work away, Petre twists his lips thoughtfully. He's got two different answers; it's just a matter of deciding the order. ]
You seem like a wine kinda guy. [ The smile reaches his eyes. ] Personally? I don't think you can ever go wrong with vodka.
[ One absolutely can. ]
no subject
[he rises to his feet with frankly unfair grace for someone who is also this unerringly polite, evidently intending to do the honours of ordering the first round.] What will you have? [a neat little gesture towards the bar.]
no subject
Vodka, obviously.
[ A cheerful answer. One has to wonder how well this guy's gonna hold this liquor, but hey — sometimes it's the polite ones who've got the best surprises on them. ]
You usually drink? Or used to, I guess.
no subject
[a quick smile, all obliging courtesy, as Jin Guangyao prepares to get himself utterly shit-faced for probably the first time in his life.] I will be back with the drinks shortly.
[then he's off to the bar with the neat efficiency of a man who has yet to encounter an obstacle that his dogged commitment to the grind can't overcome. and he is indeed very efficient--perhaps too efficient, and optimistic, given he returns to their table moments later supporting a tray upon which sits six neat vodka shots. three for Petre, naturally, and three for himself. he arranges them in two lines, sets the tray aside, and reclaims his seat.]
I am told we are meant to drink each of these in one shot, [he helpfully informs Petre, selects one of the glasses, and then meets his new friend's eyes. (it wouldn't be quite right to say that there's a manic quality to Jin Guangyao's gaze, but something has obviously put him in a state where he just desperately needs permission from someone to make his own mistakes.] Traditionally, I believe one offers a toast.
no subject
[ Teasing the host, not the least bit surprised that he's had that role. Petre may not be here to judge, but he's all about the assumptions; with a single nod to send him off, he relaxes in his seat and looks around to spot familiar faces. Just the people who wanted Jin Guangyao's attention in his free time, and those keep looking away as soon as their eyes meet. It entertains him enough to switch into surprise when his newest friend places a tray of multiple shots down on the table, though that quickly washes away. Mirth to go with the impressed eyebrow arch, and he picks up the first glass. ]
Fuck yeah we drink it in one shot. What's the toast, then?
no subject
To good health and good fortune? [he suggests, raising his eyebrows. hard to go wrong with a classic, even in a town like this, where death and various other calamities seem as certain as the sunrise.]
no subject
[ But there's no real protest when he raises his glass, an enthusiastic clink against Jin Guangyao's before the shot is downed in one motion. Effortless enough to give away that he's done this way too many times to count, he wipes the corner of his lips with index and thumb. The burn is always pleasant, especially when it's a gift. ]
So — what were all those people bothering you about?
no subject
hoarsely,] A moment, my apologies--
[he'll be fine. physically anyway. his pride is another matter entirely.]
no subject
You okay there, buddy?
[ He can't hold back the smile — it'd be a stretch to say he's making much of an effort — hand raised to reach over and lightly pat Jin Guangyao on the back. Is there some pride mixed in with the attempt to offer comfort? No one can prove this in court. ]
I forget not everyone's used to this.
no subject
anyway, what were they discussing? ah, yes--] Sometimes the townsfolk will approach me with matters they wish to be raised with Churchwarden Mateus in advance of the next moot. It does tend to move the proceedings along a bit faster if I have provided him with a list of agenda items. [he reaches for his second vodka shot and curls his fingers around the little glass, but doesn't down it just yet; he needs to brace himself. and also, well:] As it is my birthday today, I think I will postpone putting the list together until tomorrow.
no subject
Well shit, fuck that Churchwarden guy! Happy birthday, my man — you got any other plans? We're gonna need more vodka!
no subject
No additional plans, [declared with restrained delight, like he is doing something daring by not having an agenda for the evening, and after lifting the glass to Petre, swallows down the shot in one go. government administrator gone wild! or something.]
no subject
Well, the night's not ending until I get us both in trouble. [ He points, brows arched before any protest — ] The fun kind.
[ Here's to hoping the brothel isn't too busy tonight. ]