[PRP] No Charlie this time. [Mengfen]

[kuropeco]

When Lifen knocked at his door, Mengyao was in the process of putting together something special for a certain someone - an obvious someone, by the looks of things, and it took him a few moments to hastily push aside and cover his little project.

"One moment," he said carefully and stood, straightening his robes and making his way towards the door, which he pulled open.

Just the person he wanted to see.

"Lifen," said Mengyao. "Please, come in."

Nerpin

 

[kuropeco]

He still wasn't fully sure of how to act around her, which made things a little more difficult. The last time he had seen her, he had spent the night with her - innocently, of course, as all they had done was sleep, as Mengyao had been trying to claw his way back into sanity. But still; it was an entirely improper thing to have done, and Mengyao could not think about it without getting somewhat frustrated over his lack of discretion.

Still, it pleased him to see her at his door. Mengyao allowed her past and then moved away slightly, closing the door and taking a few steps in. Hesitantly he stood beside her, fiddling with the cuff of one sleeve.

"There is always time for you," he said gently. "How are you today?"

Nerpin

 

[kuropeco]

Mengyao's frown at the topic of prom was half due to the fact that he wasn't entirely certain where he stood on that subject, and the other to the fact that he still wasn't quite over Lifen going with a boil from the school (of all places) last year - even if last year had ended rather well for the both of them.

He cleared his throat a little.

"I've been all right," he said. "Perhaps better, but I have also been working on a little project of mine that has kept me somewhat busy as of late, so forgive me for not coming to see you sooner."

Mengyao hesitated a moment and then said, almost shyly, "I have something for you, if you would oblige me."

Nerpin

 

[kuropeco]

Mengyao took a little breath and then stepped back, moving back towards the small desk on the other side of the room. On the wood surface there was a sheet of parchment, the edges held down by small stones to keep it flat. An inkwell and a small brush stood on the right side, and Mengyao gestured for Lifen to step closer.

"I discovered that I recently acquired some new abilities," he said, and reached for the brush. Dipping it in the inkwell, he brought it to the paper and carefully traced a few lines. After a few moments it became apparent that he was drawing a bird, a little sparrow, the lines going from thick to thin, gliding across the parchment.

When he was finished, Mengyao set the brush down and turned to Lifen, giving her a little smile.

"Here," he said, and gently brushed his fingers over the ink, pressing down briefly before he drew them away - and with it came the ink, the sparrow peeling off the parchment until the paper was empty and the little black bird was left floating in the air. Mengyao pulled his fingers away and it fluttered there momentarily, its tiny wings flapping up and down.

Mengyao blew it gently towards Lifen.

"A gift."