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[ It's very considerate of Xingchen to refrain from laughing, since Jiang Cheng is already feeling plenty silly all by himself. His eyes flicker up to the flaring of the horns before returning to Xingchen's face - that's another question, but for later. He's still on mystery #1. ]

It was! But... [ He huffs a little. ] I was expecting you in an hour, at the very least. What did you do, fly? [ Scoff! ]

( did he fly? not in the traditional sense - but he also didn't not fly, exactly. in truth, xingchen is far better at moving as such than he is at explaining how he did so, in large part because the former is very much guided by instinct. the more deeply he thinks about what it is that he's doing, the less capable he is of actually doing it. perhaps that might get better with practice.

as for his answer, his head tilts just slightly. ) I assured you that I could arrive more than quickly enough. If such thing exists as 'too quickly', you have my deepest apologies. ( is he still teasing? almost certainly. forgive him, he isn't quite used to having this much energy during the daylight hours. )

That... [ He snaps his mouth shut and stirs his congee some more, but now he is stirring it rebeliously, which is clearly a completely different thing. ] That's not much of an answer. [ On second thought, he is far more interested in Xingchen than in food now anyway, so he takes the pot from the stove and just grabs himself a bun with sweet filling that he can eat while they walk. ] You're not too early. Earlier is good. I just want to know how you arrived this quickly without using the sigil. It is important to understand your speed, so we know if this is something that can be replicated in an emergency or if you just... H[ e gestures with the hand holding the bun. ] Got lucky with whatever powers you have now.

[ Which, of course, is the theme of the day. They are going to test their powers so... ]

I have seen you using the sigil. I want you to show me this later, too.

( and though xingchen's mouth opens with intent to protest the abandoment of a proper meal, he ultimately decides against that particular battle, instead collecting a second bun in a napkin and slipping it into his pocket (to foist upon jiang wanyin once he's finished with the first) and sets off out of the kitchen with jiang wanyin. and how fortunate it is that his night form has given him some amount of experience in keeping pace with a shorter stride, since that allows him (in this even taller form) to adjust without too much difficulty. his stride is a bit shorter than comes naturally, and also a bit slower to account for the fact that it's still measurably longer than jiang wanyin's, but it allows him to follow smoothly alongside him as they speak. )

It can be replicated, yes, ( he says once wanyin has finished, entirely helpful (as best he can be) now that the teasing is through. ) In an emergency, as well as at my leisure. ( and speaking of understanding their new forms, ) I've meant to inquire if you've come to any further understanding about the conditions of your shifting? ( it seemed to be called on by the rain, which is as xingchen has heard for merfolk - but how much moisture does it require? is he able to bathe? if his legs become a tail the moment they're passably damp, would it not be the case that the tail receives each bath and the legs remain perpetually unwashed? )

I have been working on it, to some extent. [ He bites into the bun while they walk and takes his time to chew, happy enough to just be in his husband's company even if they will be focusing on business today. There is so much they need to learn and understand about these new bodies. ]

I mentioned that I have been swimming in Lake Minska. I have been focusing on learning my swimming ability and my... [ He trails off, the brisk confidence momentarily stuttering. ] The gills. [ He grits his teeth. ] They are fully functional and suffice to let me breathe underwater even under exertion. [ Oh, this body is better, it is so much better than being a Simulacrum, but still... It grates anyway to be reminded that he is still less than human. Still something twisted and unnatural. ] It hasn't rained yet since I changed, but I know staying in a full tub of water is enough to make me shift. Washing with a wet cloth doesn't, so I have been sticking to what I did when I only had the Simulacrum body.

( perhaps it had been naive of him, but xingchen hadn't for a moment doubted that the gills were fully functional. had they been anything less, he might wonder if it were truly the fog god responsible after all. that said, he also hasn't spent all that much time contemplating the nuances of jiang wanyin's condition, what with most memories of said condition filtered haphazardly through the much sharper memory of pain, not unlike the distance one feels when recalling a fever dream - so he takes in each new bit of information as it comes, about wanyin's newfound capabilities and limitations alike and the scope of that which he has done to attempt to understand each. )

You remain susceptible even in human form, as you are now? ( unless he has misunderstood, then that is an undeniably concerning turn of events to follow their previous understanding that mana's boon granted protection from all but the hunger. )

[ There is a moment of hesitation, as doubt filters in. He had been in human shape when the change set in and he had been forced back into his monster body - his real body now - by the changes. But...

After a moment, he shakes his head with what is more or less conviction. ] No, that was a fluke. After that first time, I haven't been affected while human. I will just have to be careful since I can only change to human once a day. I can't waste it, now that being trapped in monster form for the rest of the day can leave me stranded instead of simply in discomfort.

[ That's a disquieting thought, though, and one he is not too keen on exploring. ]

But we were going to show me what you can do. Don't worry too much about my legs, or lack thereof.

( had xingchen seemed worried? he didn't think that he had. such a discovery regarding the body which jiang wanyin inhabits would have been concerning, it's true, but as something to remain mindful of moving forward rather than fuss over here and now.

(there's also a chance that the consideration faintly creasing xingchen's brow might give the appearance of worry, but he doesn't quite think to school it. instead, he wills his mind itself to still and allows what was said to settle as it may within his thoughts without inquiries swooping in like scavengers tearing chunks from a carcass.)

xingchen's head shakes just a little, and: ) Could it not prove beneficial to learn about both of our forms? I had imagined a fairly mutual exchange.

[ Jiang Cheng falters a little - not exactly surprised by the suggestion, but quietly pleased by it. Maybe even a little bit flustered by the consideration in it.

He gives an awkward little shrug. ] I suppose we could? I dont mind figuring it out for myself, but I always welcome your company.

[ In times of something disquieting him, he just tends to fall back into his habits, and these have him used to dealing with his problems by himself, with nobody at his side whom he feels comfortable showing doubts and vulnerabilities. That has changed now, with his husband. ]

I wouldn't mind then, studying the details of my change.

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