[Looks up at her, then rolls his eyes and looks away in the same fashion.]

I have been personally appointed by His Majesty long before you were even born!

[Thunder Master has a dark cloud over his head that's rumbling.]

Really? A civil god demoting an elemental master older than her? How horrible!

[Whines, then slumps iver the table, slamming both his fists childishly.]

I've found a snake! I feel like giving it to Water Master to be his familiar.

Bully you with paperwork? Hardly, you know that bulk of reports only happens once in awhile with my palace. I'm not as important as other gods are, anyway.

[Crying ensues.]

It was all very clear though! I made sure what I said was easy to understand.

Ah, look! Now there's a lot of them!

My lady Ling Wen isn't as fun as she used to be before, what a pity.

[Continues crying.]

This thing happens once in awhile, but no matter, I am fine. Otherwise, if I wasn't, there would be dark clouds looming over head and the mortals will think that I have scorned them. It's not good for my image.

[Still, he takes a seat, taking out his smoking pipe and lights it up, smoke rising.]

Maybe boil it over a heavenly fire and it will do wonders for my sorry state?

[Laughs slightly then sighs, then slumps over, a melancholic air settling around him.]

My apologies, my lady, I do not know what is wrong with me today.

If you had you would've offered me some like a good host, but alas, I have to suffer like this.

[Takes out a handkerchief and wipes away imaginary tears, looking all sad and pitiful.]

You should stock up just in case. Tea, then, I suppose.

...has your new job never paid you well that you can't even afford cold beverages?...

Then whenever my lady says something I don't like I shall just pretend I am deaf.

[He looks around the cabin, inspecting this small living space. Humming as he does so.]

Much too early for wine, much too energized for coffee. I'd consider tea, but does my lady have something else much colder?

You're welcome. I can send more flowers your way, my lady. Just say so and I shall follow.

Mmm, really?

[Uses the tip of his smoking pipe to point out something on his head, it was a bluff of course, but he wanted to play.]

What is this then? It's even waving its arms at me, but I'm too scared to even touch it!

Nonsense. As long as you're willing to be a family with someone, then you already are a family. If you are unwilling, Wind Master, than I shan't talk about this any further.

Ah, what a pure soul you are. The brilliance of this lotus before me blinds me so, how wonderful. How marvelous. You truly are an admirable goddess, my lady~! How lucky that I, Thunder Master, get to work with such a lovely being?

The my lady ought to respect my preferences and cease the talk of suggesting me to mingle with others.

I'm not so good at coming up with a topic for conversation. How about this, you tell me any news about you recently and I'll tell you some of mine in return. Give and take! We can surely keep the conversation going on a much better track. What do you think~?

My lady, since you don't want me doing it then naturally I will stop. Do you think I'm so conceited that my words are empty?

[Gives her a pitiful look, then shakes his head lightly.]

No matter, this is all gloomy talk. We should talk something else, like the weather!

I believe I made my point very clearly!

How interesting, it's no wonder you like them.

Now you're getting all your fur and maybe even little fleas on me, aiyah, what an ill-mannered lion we have. Looks like I cannot take you in as a pet!

Isn't it better to be avoided? Like how it's better to be feared than loved?

[Laughs ominously as he takes a seat.]

It's a gift from me to you, my lady. Please cherish it, or my heart will grow weary.

Ah, hey! Naughty little thing~!

How your words really have a way at tugging at my heartstrings, my lady.

[Gives a lighthearted chuckle.]

If my lady, the Lightning Master, does not wish to see me speak of myself this way then I will stop.

Oh? What is it you said, you'd like to know more about me?

[Uses the tip of his smoking pipe to lift the reader's chin.]

Hmm, I don't know, what makes you think you have the right to?

It would be nice to hunt a lion like this and take its head as a trophy! 🤭