RTYY 322 - Feeling Unwell

Trying to be as discreet as possible, FeiWan kept his hand firmly wrapped around CalRimRan's arm as he followed Hen KimLay outside. Still, it was pretty amazing, he thought, glancing sideways at the man walking beside him. If one didn't know any better, no one would have ever guessed that he was probably on the verge of collapsing, his back as straight as always, his head held high, his face a perfect, stoic mask. Maybe he had just been spending too much time with him, FeiWan considered, since his eyes could no longer be deceived by such well preformed act.

"Mother, I shall be accompanying our esteemed guest back to the White Pavilion," FeiWan declared the moment the opportunity to part ways arrived, and KimLay halted for a moment, haughtily peering back at him. Nothing could deceive those eyes either, FeiWan easily concluded, holding his breath when his mother's gaze fell on his hand, wrapped around CalRimRan's arm.

"Very well, then. I will be expecting to see you back at our Red Rose Pavilion first thing in the morning," she clearly warned him, to which FeiWan nodded obediently.

"Of course," he replied, even though he was already dreading the following day.

He'd probably have to spend the entire morning listening to why his mother had suddenly decided to invite Wen NimRen for tea, as she explained time and time again which part he was expected to perform that afternoon. Then he would have to patiently wait as she selected the right clothes and corresponding jewelry that he'll have to wear, all according to the objectives she was hoping to achieve. After that, he would probably be asked to escort NimRen, all the way from the Golden Forest Pavilion to their Red Rose Pavilion. He would probably be told to go and fetch CalRimRan next. All so they could all seat around a small table, carefully set out in the courtyard, for a couple of hours. An entire perfect day, completely ruined and wasted.

Still, the last thing he wanted to do right now was to antagonize Hen KimLay. He often wondered if there was a more vindictive woman on the face of the earth than his own mother. And, right now, he just had too much to lose. Because, sure, she had been fast to agree with his relocation to the White Pavilion, since it was in accordance with her objectives. But that only meant that FeiWan had to make sure that his stay there did conform with her plans. Because the moment he strayed, the moment his mother felt that he was starting to rebel, that she no longer could attain any advantage from his present arrangements, FeiWan was bound to be immediately sent back home. And, more than ever, he didn't want to leave CalRimRan on his own.

"Well then. I bid you both a pleasant night," she added, lightly bowing her head to CalRimRan, who, amazingly enough, still managed to weakly shake his arm free and take both hands to his forehead in one of his respectful bows.

Looking rather pleased with his obvious effort to please her, KimLay finally turned on her heels and started her way back to their Red Rose Pavilion.

Holding his arm again, FeiWan helped CalRimRan straighten his back and guided him down the opposite path.

Two of his mother's servants had stayed behind to guard them. And, even though they kept their distance, following them a few steps behind, they still were more than enough to restrain FeiWan's movements and limit the help he could lend CalRimRan. Thankfully, it was too dark for anyone to see clearly. Had there been enough light, he was more than certain that there would be a lot of unwarranted rumors floating around the Palace, the following morning. He was an El'Gin, after all. And El'Gin weren't supposed to be offering their help to other people just like that. If CalRimRan wasn't feeling well, FeiWan's obligation was to call upon servants to take him back to his Pavilion, and then request the presence of one of the Imperial Hennin to check on his health. Not only that, it was expected that he would keep as far away from CalRimRan as possible, to avoid any possible risks of contagion in case he was truly sick. What he was doing right now went against every Palace policy regarding the way an El'Gin was supposed to act in these circumstances. Not to mention that news of the esteemed Emissary of the Demon Clan failing health would spread like wildfire, inciting everyone's curiosity, definitely in a very bad way. After all, the entire Demon Clan was heavily feared, their members seen like this invincible, unfathomable group of people. Knowing that they could actually experience any kind of weakness would undoubtedly ignite the interest of some of the most unsavory members of the Imperial Court.

For these and other reasons, FeiWan couldn't help sigh in relief when they finally reached the White Pavilion's main gate. Turning back, he dismissed his mother's servants, since their services were no longer needed, and did his best to drag CalRimRan across the courtyard. He just hope he wouldn't collapse. After last time, he wanted to avoid having to carry him as much as possible.

Dismissing every servant that came out to greet them, FeiWan finally managed to reach CalRimRan's quarters, sighing in relief when he finally helped him sit down on his bed. Even though he had been pretty much walking on his two legs, the force that FeiWan has exhorted in making sure he remained standing had left his arm aching all the way to his shoulder.

Looking back at him, he couldn't help sighing again.

Sitting exactly where he'd left him, CalRimRan remained completely still, looking almost like a statue.

"You! Let me guess! You've been using your inner energy to burn through all the wine you drank!" he openly accused him, and CalRimRan frowned, a pained grimace taking over his perfect face. Because there was no way someone like him, who normally only drank tea, could down all that wine and not get drunk.

"You do realize they did it on purpose, right?" FeiWan went on, more than annoyed, which only made CalRimRan's pained scowl burrow deeper into his forehead. "He even had his sister make you drink! And you were going to just stay at their Pavilion? Are you an idiot?"

Taking one elegant hand to his head, CalRimRan closed his eyes, massaging his own forehead.

"Does it hurt? Good! I wish it would hurt even more!" FeiWan immediately spat. The cold steel eyes that glared threatening at him took him aback for a moment, but he quickly forced himself to overcome the chilly shiver that ran down his back. "What? You do realize I've just saved your ass, right?"

"Get out," CalRimRan simply whispered, closing his eyes again, looking very much in pain.

FeiWan could only stare at him in complete disbelief, one that quickly transformed into angry outrage.

"Are you serious?!" he demanded, but CalRimRan didn't reply, still massaging his forehead.

FeiWan frowned, anger burning inside his stomach.

"Did you just said what I think you said?!" he went on but, once more, he was completely ignored.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" He shoved CalRimRan's shoulder, demanding his attention, and, unexpectedly, CalRimRan's body gave in under his strength, swaying back and forth.

He must really be at his limit, FeiWan thought, his frown deepening. All the more reason for him to be at the very least polite towards him, right? And yet, he had actually dared tell him to get out! Was there any being more ungrateful on the face of the earth?

"Didn't you hear me?" He shoved CalRimRan's shoulder again. "Just so you know! I'm not leaving!" he haughtily declared, but the lack of an appropriate reaction from CalRimRan quickly devalued his important declaration.

"Hey! You!!" He shoved his shoulder yet again, wanting to, at the least, annoy him as much as he felt annoyed.

The speed with which FeiWan's wrist was captured made him take a sharp breath, and he had to brace himself against CalRimRan's shoulder when he pulled him down, almost making him fall over him. Suddenly those stormy eyes were glaring up at him again, their faces so close to each other now that FeiWan didn't even dare breathe.

"You're giving me a headache."

Trying to straighten his back, the best FeiWan could do was tilt his head back, since those cold hands refused to let go of him.

"Didn't you already had one?" he still found the courage to taunt him. CalRimRan had really surprised him, FeiWan thought, trying to calm down his speeding heart. Given the circumstances, he hadn't thought him strong enough to move like that.

The cold, steel glare that stared at him was anything but friendly. But it still left a small smile on FeiWan's lips. Somehow, managing to annoy CalRimRan had always given him a very satisfactory feeling of victory. Especially since he had never seen anyone be able to incite such a strong reaction from him, no matter how many unpleasantries they threw his way.

"So, aren't you going to let go of me?" FeiWan wondered, his provocative gaze falling on the pale hand still wrapped around his arm, and CalRimRan frowned, squinting his eyes.

"Are you going to leave me alone?" he asked back, his voice sounding unexpectedly rough.

FeiWan's smile widened. And then there was that, his reward. Because only when he successfully annoyed or angered him to a certain critical point was he able to see CalRimRan's real expressions, to feel like he could finally really talk to him, talk with the real CalRimRan, not the annoyingly stoic, flawlessly correct, CalDai of the Dragon Clan. His feeling of victory tripled at that.

His self-confidence restored, FeiWan straightened his head and stared straight into those stormy eyes.

"How can I leave you alone when you clearly need my help? Didn't I tell you before that I wouldn't just let you die?"

For a moment, CalRimRan just stared back at him, making FeiWan wonder what he was thinking. But then he simply sighed, clearly resigned, and let go of his arm.

Finally free, straightening his back, FeiWan couldn't feel prouder of his clear victory. Until he saw CalRimRan lean forward, elbows on his legs so he could hold his head between his hands.

Hmm, his head must really be hurting, he concluded, watching his disturbing bent figure. There was no way that the proud CalDai would behave like that in front of another person, unless he was truly feeling unwell, FeiWan considered, trying to take a peak at his face, now hidden behind a silky white curtain of hair.

Sighing to himself, FeiWan looked around the wide room.

"You're always collecting herbs and whatnot. Don't you have some blue-river root and high-peek grass lying around somewhere?"

Holding his hair back, CalRimRan gave him a very dubious, untrusting glare.

"What? I do belong to a Clan specialized in all sorts of medicines and concoctions," FeiWan immediately declared in his defense.

CalRimRan only looked even more doubtful. After all, he had had the honor of witnessing firsthand the true depths FeiWan's knowledge, or lack of it, regarding such things. FeiWan had completely forgotten about that, he recalled, now feeling embarrassed.

"Granted that I never managed to cultivate the necessary drive to further deepen my knowledge about the healing arts. But I do know this much!" he stated, and CalRimRan sighed again, pointing to a tall cabinet full of small drawers.

With a happy smile on his face, FeiWan lost no time, quickly opening some of the drawers, searching for the herbs he needed. Somehow, CalRimRan had surprisingly managed to collect quite a lot of different herbs, he thought, opening drawer after drawer. And he couldn't help wondering how he'd done it, since he had been stuck inside the Palace grounds and under tight surveillance for more than an entire month now.

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Author's Note: Ah, I'm starting to feel sorry for CalRimRan lol. FeiWan can be so bratty 😁 I guess he's the kind that will stick his finger inside ones wounds while asking if it hurts 😁

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