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fandomweekly2023-06-26 09:04 am
[#182] The Games We Play (Guardian Web Series 2018)
Title: The Games We Play
Fandom: Guardian Web Series 2018
Rating/Warnings: T
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 829 words
Summary: This is a continuation of my story from prompt 181 :)
“You know what they say, Hei lao-ge.” And Zhao Yunlan paused for dramatic effect and slid a look over at Hei Pao Shi.
There was the smallest of sighs from the man as he asked. “No, what do they say, Chief Zhao?”
“It was in the library, with the rope.” Zhao Yunlan couldn’t help but smirk at Hei Pao Shi, waiting to see his reaction.
Hei Pao Shi turned and while his expression was mostly obscured by the black hood of his cloak, Zhao Yunlan could still see the tiniest of smirks grace his lips. “Are you certain it wasn’t the candlestick?”
The realization that Hei Pao Shi understood the pop culture reference caused Zhao Yunlan to bark out a loud laugh. “Why, Hei lao-ge, I didn’t think you were one to play board games.”
“I have played a game or two.” Hei Pao Shi murmured dryly.
“I see. Has Hei lao-ge played any other interesting games?” Zhao Yunlan asked with the slightest waggle of his eyebrows, “There are so many classics.”
Hei Pao Shi turned slightly, the edge of his hood swaying slightly with his movement. When their eyes met Zhao Yunlan could easily see the wariness within them, which caused him to grin. He should be wary because there was a definite trap there, even if it was a teasing one.
All Zhao Yunlan needed was for Hei Pao Shi to say the word and he would happily expand on what the <i>classics</i> were.
But Hei Pao Shi wisely skirted around it. “The book?”
With a profound deep-chested sort of sigh, Zhao Yunlan turned his gaze back to the book in question and crouched down. “Yes, yes. Xiao Guo and Lao Chu said it wouldn’t allow Xiao Guo let go of the book until he admitted a truth, and not the frivolous kind.”
Hei Pao Shi likewise crouched low the rustle of his robes and cloak a soft susurration of sound.
If Zhao Yunlan leaned just a little to the left he could rub shoulders with Hei Pao Shi, but it was neither the time or place for such things.
“I see.” Hei Pao Shi acknowledged, then with hands aglow with dark energy powers, Hei Pao Shi reached for the book. He didn’t touch it, or pick it up, instead hovered over it allowing his dark energy to reach out to the book.
Zhao Yunlan watched Hei Pao Shi examine the book by more magical means, and while he didn’t think anything bad would happen, there was still a tension in his muscles now. It only eased when Hei Pao Shi retracted his hands and banished the glow from his hands.
“Well?” Zhao Yunlan asked curiously. “What do you think?”
“The compulsion upon it is still active. I’ll needed to seal it.”
“Oh?” Zhao Yunlan said, more curious now. “Not going to destroy it then?”
The shake of Hei Pao Shi’s head shifted the hood of his cloak enough for Zhao Yunlan to see the sharp profile, even if half of it was covered by a mask. “No. Not without further study to see how the energy would dissipate. For now, I will seal it and then take back with me.”
Logical, or so thought Zhao Yunlan. “Alright, Hei lao-ge, what do you need from me?”
“To step back.” Hei Pao Shi said, his hands already twisting with energy again.
“What? No, I can help.” Zhao Yunlan quickly interjected, but the look Hei Pao Shi sent his way had him raising a hand. “Alright, alright, I’ll stand over here. Happy now?” And he took several paces away, but still positioned in such a way that he could see what Hei Pao Shi did.
The energies within Hei Pao Shi’s hands coalesced into a candle and with a touch to the wick the candle flared to life. Curiously, Zhao Yunlan watched as Hei Pao Shi tilted the candle to allow the flame to lick at the sides.
It didn’t take long for the wax to melt and drip onto the book, and with the first hot drop a shiver of energy pushed through the room. It caused Zhao Yunlan to give a slight shiver, a shake, like a duck trying to flick water off its back.
“There.” Hei Pao Shi murmured. “It’s sealed.” The candle disappeared with another flash of power and carefully, Hei Pao Shi picked the book up, then stood. “Thank you for bringing this book to my attention, Chief Zhao. I shall take it to a safe place now.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one to thank you, Hei lao-ge?” Zhao Yunlan said mischievously as he stepped over. “What would Hei lao-ge like in repayment?”
As Zhao Yunlan anticipated the only answer he received to his tease was a very dry toned answer of. “Take care, Chief Zhao.”
“One day.” Murmured Zhao Yunlan. “One day.”
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Useful to have someone skilled in some sort of sorcery on hand to deal with that book though.
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Thank you for the comment and reading!!! :heartheart!: