that wouldn't be fair." His eyes narrowed playfully, looking more like a fox. "I know you’d never unleash your full potential against me, so why should I?" The jab was deliberate, a provocation to gauge his reaction.

He had no intention of making the first move.

Remembering, or hoping he could still see something of his old friend resurface.
He hums, letting a throaty laugh.

"Do you truly wish for me to hold nothing back, Dan Heng?" The man asked with his tone dripping with amusement. Clearly, he wasn’t taking this seriously.

"Because I think »

and escalate it stupidly."

That last part carried a hint of challenge, as if he were almost ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 one of the Vidyadhara would cross the line. To give him justification for reminding them why the Arbiter-General's judgment was not theirs to usurp.

something in his chest. With comrades like this aboard the Astral Express, perhaps Dan Heng would be in good hands after all.

"Ah..." A sigh escaped him as he fixed Caelus with a look of genuine helplessness. "All I can do is ensure his safety, should any of them move beyond harsh words »

Jing Yuan knew better.
Yet he couldn't help but find Caelus' idealism endearing—that stubborn belief he could change people's minds. Was it the fleeting perspective of a short-lived species?

Or simply boundless innocence from someone with still a long way through life? Either way, it warmed »

He got up from his seat, rounding the desk to lean against it, right beside Caelus, in such an informal display.

"That's... not entirely on my power." Jing Yuan sighs, staring at the holographic map right in front of him, a little melancholic.

Survivor's guilt. He's an expert in that field. His smile gets softer, nodding at the young man's words in understanding.

"You did all what was in your hand." His words were aimed to comfort, knowing all too weel the void that gnaws at your heart whith thousands of questions and 'what ifs'. »

😏

for everything that happened during the Wardance. Although... I do not know how can I repay you for your help, besides letting the Express crew enjoy their already numerous privileges in here."

He took his chance to slip pending conversations in there, now that he got his attention.

in getting flustered about it, trailblazer."

As bored as he would be, having this young man roaming around and being interesting, will keep him awake and amused. So instead of trying to drive him away, he leans back, changing the subject.

"Anyway... I owe you and your friends a big apology »

... he saw that coming. Ah... anyway, it's cute to see him try to keep his cool while having those cheeks as red as the cherries in his dessert.
The man relaxes his expression, shaking his head with a throaty chuckle.

"Human curiosity is what makes the universe go around, so there's no point »