[ and then he's right back to pleasantries, humming a soft and thoughtful noise. ]
A pawn which makes its way across the board after biding their time can so easily turn the tides. [ after all, the promotion of a pawn can decimate the opposing team. and if they're going to try and put him into a position he'd rather not be in, chang geng has no issue with baring his teeth in response - when the time is right, when it's too late for them to do anything. he's not the reckless, impulsive, angry teen anymore.
it's worse when all of that still exists at his core, but he's starting to learn the patience and spitefulness to plan for years. ]
I'll certainly enjoy watching them pat themselves on the back, as if they've done anything that matters. Perhaps you and I can make the best of this situation, Su Jiuqing.
[both of these countries really have no idea what they signed themselves up for by plucking these two out of medical school...
she smiles, nodding her agreement. he's right on all counts, and although she's of half a mind to be contrary with this situation in general - really, she just wants to go home and see her mother, not take lessons on how to be a princess! - she can acknowledge that there are potential benefits to this. so she'll bide her time, as he says; she'll play along, act as though she's delighted with her good fortune, and be so studious and hardworking that they think she's just as invested in being the very picture of a princess as they want her to be.
(and then what...? well, she'll cross that bridge when they come to it.)]
I believe that we can. Well - here's to doing our best, right, Chang Geng?
[their instructor chooses that exact moment to walk in, hears "here's to doing our best," and assumes from the upbeat words and the pleasant looks on their faces that they're both pleased to be here and are ready to buckle down and get to work.
looking pleased with how diligent his pupils will be, he clears his throat.
"I see the two of you have made your introductions." jiuqing looks amused; this man has not done his homework, or he would know that they already knew each other. "Very good. I'll be instructing the both of you on court etiquette over the next few weeks."]
[ the absolute levels of spite that are about to come out of this, but politely, for all the inconveniences that've been shoved in their faces.
in his opinion, there's times to be civil and obedient. and then there's times to be contrary against what someone wants of you. chang geng has seen it in spades with gu yun, and has done it himself. they don't know what they're in for - even if it were just him alone, it would be bad, but by taking su jiuqing from her home, her studies, her mother...
well. they're an allied front in this. whatever they expect the two of them to do, they'll work through it and figure out how to contend with the courts, suitors, requirements. whatever it all might be.
he glances up when the instructor comes in, and just continues to smile politely. ] We'll be fast friends, I'm sure.
[ nothing in his face gives away the fact he thinks this man is an idiot. let the lessons begin. ]
jiuqing, for her part, plays nice. she's politely neutral all throughout the lesson, even though she, too, thinks their teacher is an idiot; she's never been the type to shy away from hard work, even if the work isn't something she particularly wants to do.
it's only the first day. maybe this man will prove to have something useful to teach them.
(he will not.)
at the end of their lesson, she smiles brightly.]
My, that was enlightening! Thank you for your instruction.
[what she thinks, but doesn't say, is now get out of here and leave us alone.]
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no subject
A pawn which makes its way across the board after biding their time can so easily turn the tides. [ after all, the promotion of a pawn can decimate the opposing team. and if they're going to try and put him into a position he'd rather not be in, chang geng has no issue with baring his teeth in response - when the time is right, when it's too late for them to do anything. he's not the reckless, impulsive, angry teen anymore.
it's worse when all of that still exists at his core, but he's starting to learn the patience and spitefulness to plan for years. ]
I'll certainly enjoy watching them pat themselves on the back, as if they've done anything that matters. Perhaps you and I can make the best of this situation, Su Jiuqing.
no subject
she smiles, nodding her agreement. he's right on all counts, and although she's of half a mind to be contrary with this situation in general - really, she just wants to go home and see her mother, not take lessons on how to be a princess! - she can acknowledge that there are potential benefits to this. so she'll bide her time, as he says; she'll play along, act as though she's delighted with her good fortune, and be so studious and hardworking that they think she's just as invested in being the very picture of a princess as they want her to be.
(and then what...? well, she'll cross that bridge when they come to it.)]
I believe that we can. Well - here's to doing our best, right, Chang Geng?
[their instructor chooses that exact moment to walk in, hears "here's to doing our best," and assumes from the upbeat words and the pleasant looks on their faces that they're both pleased to be here and are ready to buckle down and get to work.
looking pleased with how diligent his pupils will be, he clears his throat.
"I see the two of you have made your introductions." jiuqing looks amused; this man has not done his homework, or he would know that they already knew each other. "Very good. I'll be instructing the both of you on court etiquette over the next few weeks."]
no subject
in his opinion, there's times to be civil and obedient. and then there's times to be contrary against what someone wants of you. chang geng has seen it in spades with gu yun, and has done it himself. they don't know what they're in for - even if it were just him alone, it would be bad, but by taking su jiuqing from her home, her studies, her mother...
well. they're an allied front in this. whatever they expect the two of them to do, they'll work through it and figure out how to contend with the courts, suitors, requirements. whatever it all might be.
he glances up when the instructor comes in, and just continues to smile politely. ] We'll be fast friends, I'm sure.
[ nothing in his face gives away the fact he thinks this man is an idiot. let the lessons begin. ]
no subject
jiuqing, for her part, plays nice. she's politely neutral all throughout the lesson, even though she, too, thinks their teacher is an idiot; she's never been the type to shy away from hard work, even if the work isn't something she particularly wants to do.
it's only the first day. maybe this man will prove to have something useful to teach them.
(he will not.)
at the end of their lesson, she smiles brightly.]
My, that was enlightening! Thank you for your instruction.
[what she thinks, but doesn't say, is now get out of here and leave us alone.]