rulebound [Earinor & marquis]

"I guess I should prove myself then, earn my place besides being an annoyance for Advisor Pei." Lianyu was confident in his abilities, he trained since he was a child and his father didn't want a son, but a hero. He didn't believe to be one, but he had more training and more discipline than most others enlisting in the army or as a guard at the palace. Often times they were mere farmers losing their land to nature and trying to still feed their families, though the palace was filled with soldiers from named families as well. Sometimes it helped, sometimes it didn't. Lianyu probably got this job partly because of his fathers name and he also got his training because of him definitely. "At least he is a man believing in the Tiger still, is he not? Being one of those that helped find him. I would hate if he harbored any ill will towards me now." He was much to influential still, even if it looked like the Emperor prepared to cut him lose and he didn't seem like he'd hand him a quiet estate on a mountain tax free for his services either.

Haohao was sweet as always and Lianyu smiled. He never understood why they fell in love, they were so different and yet there was something about the other for both of them, that kept them close and wanting. For Lianyu it was the way Haohao managed to make him smile and feel good and safe where he was. "You won't need to share me like that.", he smiled, his voice still soft and but a whisper. His proposition however was a bit ridiculous. "No, I don't want to give anyone any ammunition, whether that be the Tiger when he tires of me, or someone else harboring any ill will towards either of us." And yet it seemed like he cut Haohao short, as if he didn't want him with him. It was simply too dangerous and Lianyu wasn't the one who'd have to deal with the consequences. "And then I'll just keep you longer to fetch me some tea or warm water, because I am terrible to my subjects...", he whispered with a smile. "And yet I feel like I left you behind. You know I see you as my equal, don't you?" The power balance between them shifted drastically and with it some of their freedom. What if they expected Lianyu to marry or maybe even take some concubines of his own, now that he had the money and standing for it? Then again, the Emperor seemed to feel shackled inside the same constructs and norms, if Lianyu asked him not to, maybe he would simply agree. "I think he should have advisors, maybe younger ones. He asked my opinions, but I am a soldier, not a strategist or overly familiar with the kings or taxes." This gave him even more power in the moment, more than he was comfortable with. "Just a little break?", he asked with a smirk on his face. He wrapped his arms around Haohao as well and returned the kiss. "You know my own temper sometimes gets me in trouble. I have to feel out what I can ask for and I feel like before demanding anything else, I need to show my worth." For now he simply wanted to spend some time with Haohao. "Why don't you tell me about your day over a cup of tea?"

"That'd likely be for the best, if you like being here, that is.", Haohao mused with a wink, wondering what it would take for the Tiger to grow tired of his sweetheart, someone that seemed confident in his own abilities at most times, yet unwilling to really accept praise for them any other day. There was nothing to be done about that, he'd concluded a while ago, aside from the occasional praise that he offered his friend with a sincere smile and a demeanor that indicated much more than a simple friendship - thankfully out of sight for all those prying eyes that, no doubt, were wanting to find an "in" into this relationship, another piece of blackmail to soothe their own wary souls from another meeting with a foul emperor, not bearing any entertaining news. "I doubt it's Advisor Pei of all people that'd hate you. Look, he sees the Tiger as his son, given he had no family of his own and spent his youth raising the late Emperor, and the days past his prime caring for that mans forlorn offspring. It's made the Tiger horribly spoiled, for a reason, because him and Advisor Pei, as much as they fight, are like a well-meaning grandfather and a bratty grandson that doesn't realize how good he's had it. You worry, rightfully so, but just a bit too much." Couldn't blame Lianyu for that, could he now? After all, he found himself wedged between two opposing man, one fearing the futures collapse would he be absent from power, the other afraid the future would never come to pass as long as the other still held a shred of say in this world.

The raven in front of him sang sweet words every once in a while, a virtue that few of them were able to carry - despite his icy demeanor, the schooled eye, the pressing matters of being nothing but a regular soldier in the palace up until now, Haohao had seen many of them be turned away from even speaking to Lianyu by taking a look at him, feeling unwelcome in his presence. Would they only look past initial appearances and first impressions, they'd find a gentle, loving soul, one that made Haoze feel at peace, comfortably lulling him into a trance he'd never be able to wind himself out of. "I hope not.", he giggled, much like a pleased artisan, snickering about just being compared to the most beautiful flowers among the garden. "Ah, I see. Well, that's up to you anyhow, I can't tell you how to act or feel, but weigh your options, if not now, then in a few weeks or months time. What will displease him more - knowing or unknowing?" Their emperor was a difficult chapter in all of their lives, and subjects as delicate as their relationship but one word away from being broken off by a man who's mere word wasn't just an order but law itself. "Sure you are, right in your tyrannical tigers own image." Their whispers grew into more laughter than possible, it seemed, mockery of the finest degree, something that none of the ever loyal tattletales of his Highness should ever catch a whiff of - Haohao was simply glad he'd neither heard nor seen someone this side of the castle, and even if someone lived above them, the walls weren't thin enough to let them share in everything. "I know that very well. Not to worry, you've left nothing behind, I'm still as close as I ever was." Servant or not, land or not, name or not, Haoze knew that he was playing with fire the moment he had first realized Lianyu's heritage, had been informed that his constant conversation of a man of his former, now even more elevated, rank could be seen as inappropriate, and yet, nobody had ever stopped him, they all regarded him a friend - a warm, welcome presence. "I'm quite familiar with the kings, you know. But I'm just a servant, I don't have the royal upbringing or the insight to even fathom the scope of those things." His mind wasn't dull, they both knew that - however, he was quite aware that the Tiger would likely spit in Lianyu's face for suggesting they elevate a man of his current rank to his Advisor, something that Haohao could, frankly, live without, too. "Always just a little break." His mumble-whisper sounded muffled as he leaned into the hug, one that seemed like neither of them wanted to ever get out of again, as he melted away into Lianyu's arms. Like this, he felt like one of those unknowing sparrows, sitting on a wire, as a raven was sent for them and grabbed them - he didn't struggle, for this was no show of power, but one of affection, of devotion. "I mean, you aren't wrong. Maybe he needs that, though - why not try what he lets you get away with and what not? I've not once heard he's claimed a head, yet, at least." What a bleak outlook. "Riiiight, the tea. Are you fine with a lukewarm cup?" Finally, he peeled himself off of Lianyu begrudgingly, pouring them both a cup, sitting on one end of the table, then motioning for him to join him, be it next to or across of him, it didn't matter much. "We'll be here forever once I start, are you sure you want me to tell you every detail of my day?", he teased with a grin.

"I feel like turning this down would be the wrong move.", Lianyu admitted. He never wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps, but right out refusing the Emperor seemed silly. Titles didn't mean much to him, most of his masters were only dubbed ones after they've proven themselves so he ought to do the same, not by simply being around however. On the other hand, a higher title meant his relationship with Haohao became more difficult. "Even more reason for him to try to protect him from a guard he knows nothing about. I'll prove my worth to him too." Other than that he could only hope that this new job wasn't all too dangerous. For now the Emperor wasn't hurt before, there were certainly ones that tried, but those were usually stopped before they even reached the inner courtyard. If the kings started to feel uneasy though, maybe that would change and the Tiger wasn't all too good in keeping or gaining friends and sympathies.

"I hope he agrees that our relationship is none of his business, even if he were to hear about it. Nobody but us knows though, so who would tell him? I am not trying to shut you out of this opportunity, I just want to be careful. If anyone gets punished for an inappropriate liaison, it will be you as the one with the lower rank, not me. I don't want you to get hurt and I don't want you to be sent away from here either.", Lianyu explained further. He was torn. He wanted his friend here with him, but it seemed impossible for now and the power dynamic would likely never change. Still they were able to chuckle, maybe his standing gave him more freedom to deal with the servants as he pleased. "I don't think the Emperor searches for people of high upbringing, he talked to you before, has he not? I think he tires of the same old views the Advisors share." Their hug lasted for a while, Lianyu felt almost awkward in his new clothes and his hair was not matching as he usually didn't wear fabrics like these. "You are probably right. And if losing my job is all that can happen to me, at least for once you'd be of higher rank." And maybe everything would get easier. Finally they stopped their hug and Haohao poured them their tea. Lianyu sat down next to him, taking his cup in hand. "How many petals did the Lotuses shed today, how many new branches does the Persimmon tree grow? If I can keep you by my side for longer listening to all those details, I gladly will."

“And I agree with that.”, Haoze mused, ever so confident in Lianyu’s abilities to make the best out of the worst. Some odd years ago, maybe he’d have protested against the mere notion, thought himself to be insane for denying someone something as important as this, but now? He welcomed change, like an overturned leaf, brandishing new colors, a mimicry of sadness enveloped in colors of a new hue, a different shade. This was, after all, something that he wanted, nay, enjoyed - to see sides of Lianyu he’d not unravelled before, to understand a man so sickeningly sweet in his core, he couldn’t fathom who’d demand he become nothing but a soldier, for an emperor that did little to appreciate him or his deeds. “Just don’t charge into it headfirst. You are supposed to garner the Tigers sympathies first, and if he notices you’re schmoozing with Advisor Pei too much, he’ll wring you dry like that one fistful of a mandarin orange I’ve seen him squeeze. Not a pretty sight, that poor thing was nothing but juiceless flesh after.”, Haohao exaggerated his observation, a tale from a few years ago, before the palace was as empty as it was now, and the Tigers face and hair seldom shared the same, red flicker of hate and anger. What a weird guy.

“Now, now. If he finds out, we’ll simply ask for his understanding - palace walls have eyes and ears after all, even tho I doubt anyone would eavesdrop on either of us, given my rank especially. Besides, you’re not shutting me out. What needs to be done gets done, no two ways about it.” There really wasn’t a second way about any of that. Were Lianyu to own his own estate, his own soldiers, his own shred of a town, perhaps then he could dislodge himself from the imperial city and take Haohao with him, but otherwise, they simply served as background noise for a play, of which the royal palace’s favorite topic and rising star seemed to be the Tiger, in all his short glory. “I’ll sneak in if they kick me out, and I’m quite good at pleading, too.”, he chuckled, knowing that these were serious matters, that he should be doing more than to schmooze up to his friend and lover, to the man that had whisked away his heart. Was this ever supposed to be a short stint? Haoze couldn’t even tell anymore, not when they were close enough for Lianyu’s body to radiate delicate warmth against his own, drawing him closer. “He did, but I’m still not … well, you know. If anything, I have about as much qualifications for this as a stable boy, but lets not get into that tonight.” It would only dull the vibrancy of their conversation, which was about nothing but themselves anyhow. If he could spend a lifetime as the advisors did, however, he’d likely dedicate all of his free time to Lianyu, to the things his friend made him feel, from how his heart fluttered when he was close, to how his ears yearned for his voice at times. “Quite the poet, are you not? Maybe you’re better suited to the position of a scholar.” A jester, that he was. Grabbing his own cup, he brought it up to his lips, drank from it, then set it back down as his head rested on Lianyu’s shoulder, for just a moment, he told himself, knowing it’d be longer. “I watered the entirety of the garden, fivehundred-seventy-six plants to be exact. Cared for each of them, trimmed those that I could, weeded out all that had died, picked some of the pears as well as some of their blossoms, before they litter the ground. Then, by the time I was done with that, Old Pei called for tea, and it occupied me for close to an hour, only for nobody else to pick up to where I left off. The garden is immaculate now - I even made sure all of the camelias had the same size and amount of pedals, that the lotus in the pond was arranged in a pleasing order, and …” His story went on, about the mundane, about how easy it was to lose himself in his work, but the question did no longer seem to be who it was that talked, or why Haohao loved to go into so much detail about the most unnecessary of things, not when he closed his eyes, holding back a yawn as he talked so eagerly about his day.

"Don't worry, I won't convince him with words. A silly thought came over me and I suggested a tournament to the Emperor. I am vein at times I know, confident that I will win, but ai might not and will have lost my new job very quickly. I don't know what came over me today, simply speaking my mind to him, even sharing his table for a talk. I must have gone crazy for a few hours today." Maybe drunk on the power he'd randomly been given, or maybe he wanted the Emperor to reconsider, to not throw his and Haozes relationship into even stormier waters. "I feel like my job will entail protecting others from the Tiger more than the other way around." He'd probably have to protect him from himself too. His temper was like no other abd the court had thinned out in the process. At least he kept the gardeners, but he gort rid of some Advisors and all of his fathers servants, without hiring any replacements.

"If it's only that. I don't want you to get hurt." Haohao took the risk of their relationship not serious enough, he never did, or rather he wanted this more and while Lianyu was a worrieward at times, Haohao had to be the opposite. Lianyu chuckled silently upon Haohaos compliment. He was no scholar, just into him. As he started talking, Lianyu took a sip of his tea, listening intently to the story of Haohaos day. When he bedded his head on Lianyus shoulder, he bedded his own on Haohaos head, closing his eyes for a bit while listening to his voice. These moments were worth all the secrecy, them just spending time together, despite the need to whisper and hide. It got late, but Lianyu deliberately didn't stop Haoze, he wanted to keep him for as long as possible and while he talked, he softly grabbed his hand, drawing small circles on it. This peacefulness was what he needed at times, tomorrow would probably be an exhausting day.

Lianyu was a kind soul, a blade of grass made sharp by the trials and tribulations expected of a man of his standing, and Haohao was the one that watched him cut through it all. If it were up to him, perhaps he’d genuinely agree that his lover was well suited to a position he’d never asked for, that his friend was a man of few words at times, but his mind ever so colorful, like aurora on a dark expanse in a deep, endless winter night, but nobody asked for his opinion on the matter, not when he spoke of other things, of loving lies and half-hearted truths alike. Haoze knew that, to deny himself agency, was as if he were to deny Lianyu the things and the life he truly wanted; it wasn’t always so bad, not when his thoughts could be merely that, though, right? He enjoyed it, every second of it that he spent by his lovers side, wistfully mumbling about a boring day, another mundane event, his voice like a babbling brook as he shared in his lovers warmth and they sat there, both the earlier conversation and the tea, coupled with the emptiness of this here place long forgotten, tossed out the window.

“You should sleep.”, Haoze blearily mumbled, their shared warmth intoxicating, the moment of respite a welcome one for his aching joints. His own hand grasped the raven’s tightly, his thumb soothingly running over the back of it. “We’ll regret it if we sleep like this.”, another whisper followed. Soon, his hands were hard at work lifting Lianyu’s heavy head from his own, ever so gently, and keeping it up as he weaseled himself out from beneath that weight. This was preferable to meeting in either of their shared quarters, with other servants and soldiers prying into their personal affairs, but dangerous nonetheless. “I’ll bring you something to make you feel more at home in here tomorrow, I bet you’ll like it.” A promise made was a promise kept and, if Haohao was honest, he had just the thing for Lianyu - something that would do better to he displayed in these chambers, than to be hidden in a wooden box under some dusty, croaking floorboards that sang a listless song of their own with every step. “Good night, my dear raven. And rest well - the Tiger will surely test you tomorrow. You and your insane ideas.”, a chuckle later, the sparrow had skipped but a soundless step to the door, opening it with utmost silence. As he flashed Lianyu one last smile, he was off into the dead-silent yet busy night at the palace, a tale as old as time, as many a light still flickered from behind the doors and windows leading into the inner courtyard. What a time to be alive indeed.

Lianyu listened for a whole while, until Haoze sent him to bed. He wished he would simply stay, but didn't voice that in any way. They felt so far apart right now and even though asking him to being tea was just a ruse to be able to be alone with him, he felt bad for ordering him around. Haohao sat up first, forcing Lianyu to do the same and look at him. "Maybe this will not be my home for long.", he let out with a fleeting smile. His friend was already about to leave, up on his two feet and by the door way too fast. "Good night...", Lianyu whispered and was alone with the door closing. He let out a sigh, he felt odd in these clothes and he wondered if people expected more of him now than just being a soldier. He opened up the sliding door to the garden again and sat there for a while longer, listening to the crickets and enjoying the summer breeze. Eventually he got ready for bed himself, to prepare for the next day.

Lianyu was punctual, like he always was. He'd been ready an hour before he needed to be and passed some more time with some morning training. By the time his shift started, he was already waiting for ten minutes. He switched with his colleagues and gave them a short nod by the door, the Tiger only woke up a bit earlier and was now enjoying a bath by his lonesome. Lianyu waited outside of the door until there was a knock. He gave the servants that approached a scrutinizing glance before they walked in to help the Emperor dress appropriately. After the entourage came back out and the Tiger sat down for them to comb and tie his hair. There were no words exchanged until he sent all of them away with his hair still somewhat damp. It seemed he enjoyed being alone, well besides Lianyu who could blend in with the furniture just fine though. Not to the Emperor amusement however, because as soon as they were alone, he started talking as if they never stopped the day before, asking more about Lianyus life, now focusing on his skills with the sword however. "I have been trained in different styles, from different kingdoms. Each of them have their benefits, but also their flaws. I just needed to learn when a style is best utilized, or if I prefer another, I can still attack the weaknesses of my opponents. I don't think a sword suits Your Highness however. The western styles of the spear would make up for Your size much better."

To absolutely no ones surprise, the Tiger enjoyed his alone time more than anything, and yet, every single day, servants came to disturb him from enjoying it. At times dealing with them was easy enough, barking an order usually sent them scuttling out the doors like the floor had been freshly polished, having no grip on the surface below as they struggled out, but other times, they all insisted he needed to be helped and that they were the right pick for such endeavors. Were they persistent enough, Mianti let them, to save himself the headache, but today, this early, he wanted nothing more than a moment of respite, to lean back and relax, which seemed to not be in his deck of arbitrarily dealt cards that morning. Soon enough he was dressed in layer after layer of fine silk, like he was someones doll, and a comb that he wasn’t holding himself was adamant on fixing his hair, before he wrested it free and shooed them all out, finally earning himself but a moment of sweet, sweet freedom to enjoy. His guards, though necessary, finally changed into a man that wasn’t so boring to talk to, and as he fixed his - at times unruly - hair himself, he looked for that silhouette in the mirror he sat in front of.

One question turned into two, and two into four, and four into eight - then, those dreamy bubbles of half-sleep and a warm, soapy bath finally stopped numbing his sense. Sometimes, witty banter ought to serenade his foul mood, but the Tiger was still a tiger, not only in name but because of his unpredictable, cattish behavior. Soon, his eyes narrowed, and if they could, perhaps his pupils, would, too, as the now half-lidded eyes beheld his guard within his eyes, wondering if he’d grown to the size of an ant in the matter of a second, or if the beast fighting his breath in his chest was warring with his mind, too. “How so?”, he asked, his interest nonetheless piqued as he awaited an answer, hopefully a satisfactory one, and if there was none to be gained, perhaps he could force it to be so. Emperor Mianti was a name he’d hardly picked for himself - it was a shackle, used to hold him down, to eradicate all that he was from the vast horizon that stretched before him, and Lianyu did well to adhere to those rules, making the emperor curious. “Lianyu.”, he spoke, his voice sounding raspy, almost quiet and unused - a stark contrast to the usual, whereas his mind and body brimmed with venom and his gaze burned hotter than a thousand suns. “I have a task for you, maybe a challenge. There’s not stakes.” Finally, he stopped combing his still wet hair, not yet tied up in any way - he let it frame his face, perhaps a choice that only contributed to making him look less like his age to begin with. “And no punishments.” What a foreboding thing to claim.

Lianyu was used to spending his day in silence, just guarding over a door or hallway, never speaking to anyone. Why would anyone have spoken to him? He was like a piece of furniture, serving his purpose, but he wasn't regarded as a human when he worked. Not treated badly, just as if he wasn't around. The Emperor however had an interest in him for whatever reason, at least once the servants all left and they were alone. Lianyu still stood by the door as the Emperor started asking more and more, looking at him through the mirror. Did he go too far pointing out his height? He wasn't small, but Lianyu had a bigger reach and he wasn't the tallest man around these parts either. The Tiger looked almost angry for a moment, but Lianyu tried to simply explain his reasoning. "Most men will have a higher reach than you, you can make up for it with a longer weapon. Besides that, a good spear can keep attackers at a distance. You are not fighting a war, or supposed to give your life for the ones you protect, you want to stay alive if you ever had to defend yourself until any guards arrive. With a spear this task gets easier to achieve and even when you are outnumbered, you can probably hold out longer."

Never did he see the Emperor train, with weapon or without. If Lianyu did his job right he would not need to defend himself anyway. The Tiger suddenly stopped combing his hair, his eyes locked onto Lianyu through the mirror. His voice shifted, maybe he was close to an outburst because Lianyu offended him, or there was something else. His words carried a sinister air to them as well. Lianyu couldn't tell what this was about, but he also didn't have much agency over himself to begin with. "You needn't prepare me for an order, just give it, it's not like I can refuse it easily.", he responded truthfully. Whatever it was, he'd deal with it somehow. Worst case he could simply quit his job and leave the capital with Haoze together.

Mianti’s expression didn’t change; not when he his guard explained himself, not when he added some insight for his judgement and not when he received a smear of theoretical honey across his face to appease him. Lianyu was only doing what was asked of him, surely, but his emperor was not having fun with it, thought of it as a rather worrisome and annoying way to serenade the beast within, though, it worked just fine - while his mood hardly improved, it didn’t sour more than it had, either, which ought to be a win in anyones book, given they survived him in one piece, lest he’d break them in half like they were made of porous, dead and decaying wood or worse, splintering bone. “That is quite the assessment, based on my height alone no less.”, he was quick to point out, not bearing vitriol but something more of a slight bore in his voice. The court might as well be Mianti’s circus, and he the ringmaster to command them all, as his servants and subjects alike danced across the wooden floors in desperation, wishing their master would glance their way with a smile for a mere moments notice. “Have you ever taught anyone? You seem capable, quite enough to take one or two students under your wing, you know.”, the praise followed - whether it was genuine or not, that was up for the receiving party to decide.

Finally, he got up and stretched, unwilling to sit idly by any longer. As he turned, he flashed Lianyu a wry smile, shortlived but nonetheless evidently etched onto whatever flashes of the pale face his guard saw in that flash of a moment. “Say it isn’t so. You know, you’re a funny one at times.” Whoever would say that to an emperors face, let alone this one? Nobody dared, even if they all disagreed with him - none dared to voice it, afraid that whatever noise that finally attracted his attention would be their last, their most futile of sorts, as he made sure their words were heard, yet, the rest of their life was squandered. Many called him ruthless behind his back, something that Mianti agreed with, even when he’d never say it out loud - maybe he was simply too shortsighted for it. For now, he strode along the floor, until he’d made it to the door, thumbing his shoulder into it somewhat, so he’d stand opposite of Lianyu and could look up at him. “I’ll go have breakfast right now. While I’m occupied with that, I give you thirty minutes to figure out what my name is and then tell me what conclusion you came to - you can ask anyone you like, no holds barred.”, Mianti finally imparted upon Lianyu, whom he pitied right about now, for stepping up and simply accepting the spot forced onto him like an ill-fitting garment. “Now, let us go.”