Open Post: Welters

[sorrowandsorrow]

It's probably been noted before, but Janet's not actually dumb. The people of this mansion are varied and mercurial. They're not like Fillorians, some of whom are little bitches but who were largely cow-eyed and willing to accept her authority just because she was a pretty girl from another world.

So. She has to win people over. Maybe everyone needs a little fun to take their minds off things. Conveniently, welters is absolutely Janet's idea of fun. There's a bunch of insane rules, violence is encouraged, and you win if you're good at magic and being bossy.

The mansion grounds are also a little tempestuous as to their character, but apparently the master magician toying with all their lives is feeling charitable today. She's found a big, flat stretch of undisturbed grass, and she's sketching out welters squares with a piece of chalk.

Comments

[protagonisthalo]

"Demon blood." Others can do it with cultivation, but Luo Binghe's human spiritual cultivation is a mess.

Despite how mortifying Luo Binghe's emotional display was, Janet was sympathetic. Luo Binghe's biggest concern is that she might tell Shen Qingqiu, or anyone else. He has no idea who her friends and allies are in the mansion. He wants to confirm that this will stay between them, but saying it will just reveal that she has leverage over him. Better would be if he could get her to reveal something she wouldn't want to get out. "We've spoken of our hearts, and of Claudius. Is there anyone else here you don't trust?"

[sorrowandsorrow]

"Who do I trust?" Janet says dryly. That's not totally accurate -- she's getting there with a few people. But everyone starts at the same baseline of guilty until proven innocent. "My number one shadiness suspect aside from Claudius has to be Jasin Natael. I couldn't tell you what his deal is, but I know there's something weird about him."

[protagonisthalo]

"Who?"

[sorrowandsorrow]

Janet narrows her eyes at Luo Binghe. "He's got a harp and, like... an ascot? Is that what that's called? Fancy neckwear. He's always creeping around."

[protagonisthalo]

"Oh, him." He was in the library, with the cursed book. "Thinks a lot of the sound of his own voice."

Come to think of it, Luo Binghe was humiliatingly maudlin with him, too. What is wrong with him? He already knows his weakness is being overly sentimental, and while he hates people knowing it about him, his moods often loosen his tongue. At his palace he can contain this side of himself and release it only in the right company. Here, he is foundering. Maybe it's best he leave Janet alone and take himself somewhere else, before he reveals any more embarrassing secrets.

[sorrowandsorrow]

That makes her laugh again, at least. She could tell Luo Binghe about Joar Addam, really throw Jasin under the bus, but she still has that instinct to hang onto everything juicy she's learned. "Yeah. I don't dislike him as much as I dislike Claudius, but I don't trust him at all."

[protagonisthalo]

"I'm glad to hear your thoughts, Queen Janet." He sighs. "I should retire to my rooms. I think neither of us trust easily, and therefore cannot part as close allies, but I've enjoyed your company." He thinks back to their first meeting, and how Janet ended it by extending her hand to him. Likely a Fillorian custom. He does the same to her now as a gesture of respect.

[sorrowandsorrow]

Huh. Janet really wasn't expecting that. Maybe she's earned his respect somehow? Who knew it would take a couple cocktails and a bottle of rosé.

"Not allies," she agrees, without any particular rancor, and she shakes his hand. Luo Binghe may be unsurprised to find she has a firm handshake.

[protagonisthalo]

Janet always had Luo Binghe's respect, he just doesn't show it in the ways you might think. He's mildly surprised when she takes his hand and shakes it, but holds his ground, and gives her one last handsome roguish smile to seal the deal.