Blade sat on the a large divan made of solid maple, golden accents accentuating the white upholstery. While Jing Yuan’s style seemed quite eclectic and far too busy for Blade’s own ascetic tastes, he couldn’t deny that it suited the man very well. All around were shelves with books, maps and other pictures hanging on the walls. The overall choice in furniture was pretty regal too, with the dark wood pieces maintaining a nice contrast with different luxurious textures. Blade was seated next to a large fireplace that Jing Yuan wasted no time in starting before he went to, presumably, fetch some tea.

At this moment, Blade wasn’t really sure what he was doing. It seemed to just be his luck that he would be invited to afternoon tea by one of the seven arbiter-generals from a country he was, essentially, an expatriate (and wanted criminal) from. This had to be in Elio’s script, because it was just so far out of the usual realm of reality that it hardly even made sense to himself. But then again, why the hell would Elio script this… sure they were friends, but he doubted the man would delve this deeply into Blade’s own personal affairs in the first place.

Lost in thought as he was, he almost barely registered Jing Yuan coming back into the den with a large golden tray, its inhabitants being a small yixing pot, some saucers, and two small cups. Additionally, he saw the presence of yuanxiao and red paste buns.

“I figured you might be hungry.”

Jing Yuan said as he sat down the tray. Eyes focused on the delicacies before him, Blade responded.

“Right."

"...Did you really just want to play starchess?”

Blade inquired, maneuvering himself around the table that sat between them. Jing Yuan watched him unblinkingly, as if waiting. The air between them became more and more heavy as Blade moved closer, high-necked collar already slightly undone, arms exposed with his lack of robes. A bead of sweat trickled down his neck. Jing Yuan’s shirt was unbuttoned towards the top, the bottom untucked from red trousers