Have you ever looked at one before?”
.
.
The truth was this: Lan Zhan had never even had an orgasm before. Not a real one.

there any texts on such subjects?”
“Have you no shame?” Lan Zhan hissed, looking around him to see if anyone overheard them. Wei Ying smirked and leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper,
“I know a guy who can get you some top quality spring books, you know?

Lan Zhan turned his head, unable to bear Wei Ying’s face for too long. How could one person be so overwhelmingly inappropriate?
“Do you even know what topics I'm referring to? Perhaps the Second Jade is too innocent for such things? I hear your library is well filled, but are

there any texts on such subjects?”
“Have you no shame?” He hissed, looking around him. Wei Ying smirked and leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper,
“I know a guy who can get you some top quality spring books, you know? Have you ever looked at one before?”

Lan Zhan turned his head, unable to bear Wei Ying’s face for too long. How could one person be so overwhelmingly inappropriate?
“Do you even know what topics I'm referring to? Perhaps the Second Jade is too innocent for such things? I hear your library is well filled, but are

He made a face like he was thinking deeply, “You could even practice with me; we could go to a teahouse and bash out some common conversation topics. Y’know, music, philosophy, politics or… more intimate topics.” He waggled his eyebrows.

my head up until it exploded. Do you want me to make a mess for the servants like that? No? I didn’t think so! Besides, how will your future wife like you if you never talk to her? Hm? You should learn how to chitchat nicely so your wife in the future doesn’t feel uncomfortable.”

“As you wish, Lan Zhan! Let’s see who will come out on top today, hm? Last time our match up was so invigorating, I was dreaming about it for weeks afterwards!”
“Stop talking unnecessarily.”
“It’s absolutely necessary for me to talk! If I didn't then all my thoughts would fill

little time for more, as they were due to face off against one another.
“Ahh, we meet again!” Wei Ying grinned as he bowed, “I look forward to another round with you, er-gege.”
“Do not call me that.”

an appearance that was fully one way or the other. It was generally seen as childish or rebellious to be in such an inbetween state.
It wasn’t until the seventh round – the semi final – that Lan Zhan was finally, at long last, able to speak to Wei Ying. It was a brief greeting,

Today, Wei Ying’s tails were hidden, as was proper, but once again he left his ears on full display, twitching this way and that. He grit his teeth. It wasn’t that it was obscene, precisely, to be partially non-human in appearance, but it was a mark of self control to maintain

None of that had mattered to him as much as Lan Zhan having a companion.
Hah. A ‘companion’. Lan Zhan would never keep company with such a delinquent. He didn’t know what his brother had been drinking that night but obviously it had addled his brain on matters such as this.

not swimmingly. Lan Huan had regarded him with barely contained joy at the prospect of him having made a friend from outside the Cloud Recesses and completely glossed over all the awful things he’d done – the trespassing, the flagrant breaking of rules, the mockery he made of him

Logically he knew it was most likely to be tactics, and not him. Yet he still wondered, anxiously, if he was on Wei Ying’s mind as much as Wei Ying was on his. He had only mentioned Wei Ying to his brother once, since the banquet, and the conversation had gone… well,

opponent, was Wei Ying. He was warming up too, cheerfully chatting to another serious-looking man, another competitor most likely. No matter how he strained his ears, with all the clamour of the spectators and the scrape of metal he couldn’t hear what they were talking about.

through the prelims. Lan Zhan stood to the side of one of the arenas, a circle marked out in the sand, running through a sword form that he had made a slight mistake on in an earlier round. On the other side of the courtyard, near a different circle and facing a different

name was in the running for talismanic performance as well, but he was less confident in that area. Not unconfident, just less so.
Naturally, he made it past the first and second round of sword fighting. By this point he was already well aware that Wei Ying had also breezed

respected to be vying for monetary gain like that, but for recognition. Bragging rights. Although excessive pride and arrogance was forbidden Lan Zhan had no illusions about his skill, and expected to put on a good showing in the swordfighting competitions, and archery too. His

Their third meeting happened very soon after their second. Only a single year passed by.
It was a night hunting symposium, a demonstration of techniques between clans of the highest calibre, and it was also a competition of sorts. Not with prizes; the clans were too highly

Back in the banquet hall, he seated himself next to his brother who blinked sleepily at him, still swaying to the music.
“Was your walk refreshing?” He asked. Lan Zhan had no answer for him.

Lan Zhan saw red. Without thinking, he cast a silencing spell on the howling beast then ran. He didn't even spare a second to look at the demon's shocked expression, though he could very well imagine it. Had imagined it.
.
Would, no doubt, imagine it again.

“Piss off!!” Lan Zhan hissed, unable to listen to more of this nonsense. It was so embarrassing – how could he stand to even say these things out loud? His ears were burning just being in the vicinity of such a ridiculous creature.
The fox demon doubled over with laughter and

train those arms of yours? Your fighting style was like facing off against a relentless hurricane! You just kept coming, and coming and coming with your sword, aahh, I could hardly bear it!”

maintain such a high level of concentration just to keep himself from sprouting antlers since he was an adolescent, many centuries ago.
“I don't want to!” Wei Ying laughed, “you're much more interesting than the pretty ladies – no offense! – and much stronger too! How do you

Naturally the fox demon kept pace with him.
“You really don't want to come hang out with me? Lan Zhan, don't be such a stick in the mud! Just imagine the fun we could get up to together!”
“No,” Lan Zhan insisted, breathing in deep to focus, “leave me alone!” He hadn't had to

I stay on the straight and narrow, hmm? What do you say?”
“No,” Lan Zhan said, stalking back to the banquet hall. He has come out here to decompress but this was… not that. He felt more on edge now.

Wei Ying looked shocked but only for a second. He hopped closer, ducking to get his face into Lan Zhan’s kind of sight.
“Wanton? Licentious? Lan Zhan, ahhh, Lan Zhan if you think I'm doing such nefarious deeds, maybe you should come and be my minder? Stay by my side and make sure

He had talked about Lan Zhan with them? He had been talking about Lan Zhan's looks with them?
“You will not distract me with your…. wanton, licentious behaviour! Talking behind other’s backs is prohibited!”

“Aiiiyaaa, Lan er-gege, we're not in the dragon citadel right now! Let loose and have some fun! Why don't you come with me to talk to some of the pretty girls inside? They all agreed that you were the prettiest of all, I'm sure they would want to chat with you.”

Come back, I'm joking! I'm just messing with you, don't just leave!”
“Do not indulge in merry-making.”