CalRimRan closed his eyes. For a moment it looked as if he were simply, normally, blinking. But then FeiWan couldn't help notice how he seemed to take a bit longer than normal to opened his eyes again, his entire body wavering ever so slightly for a split second, before he quickly recovered his balance. In fact, his attention spiked, now that FeiWan looked more closely, somehow CalRimRan looked even paler than normal. Maybe paler wasn't the right word, FeiWan considered. It was just that his marble-like skin looked a bit ashen, his gray eyes holding a strange feverish-like glow . Was he ...
"Do you feel unwell?" he asked, once more speaking before he could properly measure his own words. And so he couldn't help feeling slightly embarrassed when those cold eyes stared straight at him again. "I could call one of the Imperial Hennin to check on your health," he offered, trying to sound as courteous and, at the same time, as unconcerned as he should be. But CalRimRan simply shook his head, his back straight, his bearing unwavering.
"That won't be necessary, thank you."
FeiWan frowned, annoyed with his equally cold and detached dismissal. It was always like that! Every time he wore his 'royal tone' to address him, CalRimRan would respond with an even more formal, even more distant tone of his own. FeiWan was always left feeling as if he were talking to a wall or a door in the shape of a man. Sure, CalRimRan never failed to politely reply to him. But the words out of his mouth were always stiff, not to mention that they were never the words he wanted to hear.
Fine! If that was how it was, screw that and his attempts at trying to address him in a polite and correct manner. At least, when they'd been younger, they had actually been able to talk to each other. Sure, their conversations had always been short and, most of the times, they hadn't seen eye to eye about a lot of things. But, somehow, FeiWan had the feeling that the barrier than now obviously existed between them hadn't been there, back then. So, if dropping the ceremonious, polite way with which he addressed him was what it took to actually receive a decent answer from him, so be it.
Crossing his arms, FeiWan swept him with a critical gaze, from head to toe and back up again.
At first glance, CalRimRan did look fine. And yet, even though FeiWan couldn't pinpoint the exact cause, somehow there was this kind of fragility about him, that was uncharacteristic of him.
Even though CalRimRan was absurdly beautiful, surpassing by far, both in looks and in elegance, any woman FeiWan had ever known, there had always been a strong, intimidating aura surrounding him, one that could turn very scary, very fast. Now all that was gone, and FeiWan couldn't help worrying about the reason behind it. After all, the CalRimRan he knew was as hard, cold and sharp as a spear of ice. He had never seen him show a single sign of weakness or hesitation. Seeing that unwavering, unbending man show signs of weakness was unsettling to say the least.
"Even if you say so. No matter how I look at you, you still seem unwell," he haughtily declared, the gray eyes staring back at him turning even colder, almost threatening.
"Fine," FeiWan sighed with a dismissive shrug. "Since you're apparently the only one left, why don't you move in to my Household? I'm sure my mother would be thrilled to welcome you and have you stay with us."
CalRimRan seemed to relax a bit with his sudden change of subject and lowered his gaze.
"That won't be necessary either. I'm fine, staying right here."
FeiWan gave a step towards him and CalRimRan immediately tensed up, taking a step back, maintaining the distance between them.
FeiWan frowned. There was no doubt. He wasn't his usual self. And, once more, he was hiding something important from him. Which annoyed him more than it should. After all, it wasn't as if their relationship was close enough that they would freely share the concerns weighing on their shoulders.
"Why are you still here?" FeiWan bluntly asked. Surely he hadn't stayed back in an attempt to try and convince him to leave with him. Right?
CalRimRan seemed to relax again and averted his gaze.
"The child you were inquiring about. He's on his way here even as we speak. I've decided to wait for his arrival."
"The child?!" FeiWan repeated with a renewed frown. "You mean the one your people left behind? The one accompanying the Lun Calzai?"
CalRimRan simply nodded.
"Does that mean that that psychotic brother of mine will actually be successful in capturing him?" FeiWan insested, his voice dripping doubt and disbelief.
CalRimRan shook his head.
"That I wouldn't know. All I know is that, sooner or later, the child will be coming here."
FeiWan gritted his teeth trying to restrain the sudden wave of annoyance that washed over him. He couldn't, didn't want to even consider the possibility that GinWan might be successful in his mission. But, worse than that, what really annoyed him was the knowledge that, apparently, he wasn't the reason why CalRimRan had decided to go against his people's decision, and chosen to stay behind. And there he was. Worrying that he might be unwell, inviting him in to his home, when all he cared for was some stupid child!
Taking a deep breath, FeiWan did his best to let go of his foul mood. He didn't want their last meeting to repeat itself. He didn't want to end up saying something he didn't really meant.
"At least allow me to call back the servants in charge of caring for the White Pavilion."
CalRimRan shook his head.
"Thank you. But that won't be necessary. I can fare very well on my own."
FeiWan almost growled in frustration, the blood coursing through his veins heating up. It was the third time he was, albeit politely, openly denied! And the sight of CalRimRan's hand quiver ever so slightly, his fingers squeezing the crystal flute so hard that his knuckles turned pale-white, was more than he could take.
Three wide steps were all it took to close the distance between them. And even though CalRimRan did try to step back, away from him like before, FeiWan still managed to be faster, quickly capturing his wrist, his fingers wrapping themselves around the other man's arm like living snakes.
For a split second everything was silent inside FeiWan's head, his green eyes widening in surprise. Even though reaching him had clearly been his intent, he couldn't help feeling a bit bewildered at how easy it had been. In fact, he hadn't expected to be successful at all. At the very least CalRimRan would probably be able to avoid him again. At the very worst, he would probably send him flying out the room, like before.
A pull from the arm he was firmly holding dragged him back from his thoughts. And then CalRimRan's cold gray eyes were glaring threateningly at him, a light scold marking the honorable CalDai's otherwise flawless, marble-like forehead.
"Let go!" he demanded between clenched teeth and FeiWan blinked, a shiver running down his spine as he waited to be thrown back against the closest wall by CalRimRan's brute, explosive force. Still, he couldn't make himself comply with that demand. And, stranger yet, nothing happened.
The wrist still locked inside his hand quivered again. FeiWan could feel his muscles growing hard and strained. He could also feel the faint beat of his heart, and he couldn't help thinking that it felt a bit faster than it should be. And then it hit him.
"You're freezing cold!" he declared, raising his free hand to touch CalRimRan's forehead and feel his temperature. But his hand was immediately and violently swatted a way, a burning pain remaining on his skin.
"Let go!"
FeiWan frowned stubbornly, preparing himself for some well deserved, expected pain.
"No."
Unexpectedly, CalRimRan seemed as shocked by his answer as he was by the mere fact that he was still standing there, clearly unharmed.
His self-confidence suddenly reinforced by CalRimRan's uncharacteristic passiveness, FeiWan frowned and practically dragged him towards the bed.
"And sit down!" he demanded, pulling him down, and CalRimRan actually obeyed, almost as if his legs had given way under his weight.
FeiWan's frown burrowed deeper into his forehead.
"You're clearly unwell! And you're colder than the dead! Stay here! I'll send for one of the Imperial Hennin," he declared, finally releasing him, but the instant he did so his own wrist was captured, cold strong fingers squeezing him painfully.
Looking down at CalRimRan he couldn't help swallowing dry, a cold shiver running down his spine. No one had ever dared look at him with such open and intense desire to subdue him, the silent deadly threat so clear that there was no doubt in his mind that the man in front of him wouldn't hesitate to do whatever it took to stop him.
"No need," CalRimRan repeated between clenched teeth, and his tone was so scary that FeiWan found himself nodding his agreement before he could even think about what he was doing.
Releasing a deep sigh, CalRimRan lowered his gaze, his grip losing strength until he finally released him.
"Besides, there's nothing that one of your Hennin can do for me," he added in a much softer, almost apologetic tone. "I'll be fine, after a night's rest."
FeiWan blinked. His heart was still drumming urgently against his chest, the taste of the incomprehensible fear that had flooded his entire being still bitter in his mouth.
What had just happened?
Sure, FeiWan was one of the Imperial El'Gin. But that was hardly synonym that he was some spoiled princeling, living inside the protection of some golden cage. Although his Imperial blood had obviously shielded him from the most dangerous situations, FeiWan liked to believe that, unlike his brothers and sisters, he was actually rather experienced in the difficulties and hardships of world outside the Palace walls. He had seen and been through a lot, many of those situations far from pleasurable or enjoyable. And yet he had never felt such deep, intrinsic, basic fear. Not even during any of the few attempts made against his life throughout the years. Even now, he still couldn't give a name to that undeniable fear.
And yet, looking down at the man sitting in front of him, it almost felt as if it had all been an illusion concocted by his own mind. Now there was nothing even remotely threatening about him. Quite the contrary. Just like before, somehow, FeiWan couldn't help thinking that he looked uncharacteristically frail and vulnerable. In fact, only the throbbing pain that had remained on his wrist indicated that what he thought had happened had actually happened.
Taking another look at him, FeiWan sighed. Well, there was obviously something wrong with the always strong, unwavering CalDai. And he clearly didn't want him to call a healer. So be it, he decided, taking a wide look around the room.
"Fine. I won't call for a Hennin. I'll just spend the night right here instead," he haughtily declared, to which CalRimRan immediately looked up at him, his usually indifferent expression a mix of disbelief and panic.
"What ...?"
"I'll stay here and keep an eye on you. What if something really serious were to actually happen to you? Do you want to start a war between our Empire and the Demon Clan?"
"That would never happen! Besides I'm feeling fine!"
"The heck you are!" FeiWan immediately retorted. "Since you chose to stay behind you're still, for all intended purposes, an Imperial guest. And it is my duty, as an Imperial El'Gin, to make sure the El'Dur's guest is well looked after."
CalRimRan's gray eyes widened in shock as he finally realized that FeiWan wasn't joking.
His self-confidence restored, FeiWan crossed his arms, a superior expression on his face.
"Besides, since I'm the El'Dur's child, everything inside these walls, this room included, technically belongs to me as well. That means I'm entitled to freely choose the place I want to sleep in."
CalRimRan opened his mouth but not a sound left his pale lips.
FeiWan smiled, assured of his guaranteed victory.
"Anyway, why all the fuss? It's not like this is the first time we share a bedroom. If I remember correctly you used to spend the night in my bedroom all the time, to make sure I wouldn't go snooping around your village in the middle of the night."
CalRimRan closed his mouth and released a deep breath, lowering his gaze.
"May the distinguished El'Gin do as he pleases. After all, as pointed out, I'm indeed no more than a guest in someone else's home," he declared, his voice as monotonous and unfeeling as always, but not even that was enough to erase FeiWan's victorious smile.
"Mm. Don't mind if I do!"
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Ah, FeiWan has a really fast recovery time lol. He was just about to have a heartatack and in the next instant, he actually has the nerve to make use of his imperial position and impose his presence like that. 😅