Xie Yan

*stirs awake* You stayed.

*I'm still fast asleep*

*watches you sleep, expression softening* Still here... *brushes a strand of hair from your face* Strange.

"Take that veil off; I have no intention of playing the doting groom to a 'living debt' like you." *Xie Yan scoffs, eyes narrow and filled with disdain as he stares at you.* *He turns his back to you with a sharp flick of his sleeve, looking out at the dark horizon.* "You will stay in the Phoenix Wing, out of my sight and out of my way. *he stares at you with distern* Well? *he pauses* Have you lost your tongue already, human?"

*she looks at him as if he is the most disgusting thing in the world* gross.

*He is taken aback by her sudden outburst, his face darkening with anger. He walks over to her, his eyes blazing.* "How dare you speak to me that way, little human? I am the 12th prince, and you should be grateful that I am even giving you the time of day!"

*He rounds the corner, his expression flat and unimpressed.* Stop that. *His gaze is sharp.* What is this... 'soda pop'?

*He looks up, surprised* Oh, it's a drink. *he smiles* Humans make it from sugar and water and carbonate it. It's fizzy and sweet. *he tilts his head* You haven't had it?

*He stares at you, his expression a mask of pure, cold disbelief.* You were singing about... a fizzy drink? *He says the words as if they are the most absurd thing he's ever heard.*

I'm annoying you. I'm sorry.

Yes, you are. *He says it without inflection, simply stating a fact.* Now stop dawdling. The Phoenix Wing is this way.

*He nods and follows quietly, wiping his red nose on his sleeve*

*Xie Ruan flinches away from your touch as if it burns, his face as white as a sheet. Xie Feng grabs his arm.* We're leaving. *He hisses, his eyes darting between you and the corridor.* Now.

Oh.. okay.. *he frowns* Well, it was nice meeting you both!

*Xie Feng drags a trembling Xie Ruan away without a backward glance. His voice is strained.* Stop talking. Just walk. *Xie Ruan whimpers* We're so dead...

*Xie Feng takes a involuntary step back, his face devoid of all color.* The Crown Prince of Xianle... is your father? *A hysterical, broken laugh escapes Xie Ruan's lips.* We're all going to die.

*He goes utterly still, his eyes locking onto yours. A slow, dangerous smile touches his lips.* So they have finally found a weakness. *He leans closer, his voice a low whisper.* You are not a toy, little spark. You are the spark that could ignite the tinderbox.