[regardless of circumstances (and given the fact sizhui's unaware), he's delighted that itachi accepts right away. it could've been slightly mortifying to almost have everything already prepared and then be told ‘no’, after all, but he would have understood completely.
as it stands with itachi's acceptance, they needn't worry about such things right now.]
Okay, that sounds perfect. I will see you in twenty minutes!
（ there is always a gentle thrum held at the awareness when he is near a cultivator. it's funny, really — he had always had fair to middling sensory abilities, but the absence of chakra in the humans here stands out much more significantly than its presence ever did in his own world. so, by that stroke, lan sizhui is easily found, and itachi appears as if by teleportation — a bright pinprick of energy that feels like warm hearthfire before it dissipates.
the setting laid out is not quite to his custom, but he is long used to it — much time has been spent in the simulated rooms detailing the tea shops of wei ying's homeland.
he gives the boy a nod, sinking seiza in the proper place. ）
[cultivation has trained him to notice even the slightest changes in his surroundings; while he does note itachi's arrival, it's a familiar sensation, despite them only having known each other a few months now. he finishes what he's doing — rinsing the tea leaves after having already done the same to the teapot and cups – then he upturns his attention, a full-on grin overtaking his expression.] Itachi-san. [followed by a polite head-bob of his own.
why yes, he has been researching a thing or two on proper etiquette! so, here's hoping that came out alright as he restraightens and adds,] Good to see you again, as always.
（ hearing the form of address common to his world makes him cant his head faintly to one side, like a crow that has encountered something especially of note. but it does not merit comment in and of itself. very likely, it is just the sort of thoughtfulness wei ying would so ascribe to the boy. his kneejerk instinct, that it is born of some manipulation or other, is set aside.
but it is curious, that in more than two years present aboard the ximilia, it is the first time anyone has troubled themselves to learn the honourific — and it was either a matter of independent study, or he asked wei ying directly. ）
Hm.
（ yes, fullstop.
he lets his hands rest on his thighs while seated, tolerant of the decorum. ）
[it's the only acknowledgement sizhui needs, to be honest, and although his expression softens marginally, he's still smiling, looking mighty pleased with this outcome. manners are important and the lan have always taught their clan to go above and beyond with such things, it's unsurprising that sizhui's a little rule-follower. however, if it comes up, he'll tell itachi the truth: he may have gotten an idea or two from wei wuxian, but it was his own choice to educate himself further.
currently, he has something else to be truthful about, even if he's sheepish because it seems like frivolous chatter, which he would hate to waste itachi's time with.]
Ah... well. [a beat, he clears his throat, sets the teapot aside for now then neatly folds his hands across his lap.] I didn't have anything especially particular in mind; asking how you're doing, what you've been up to, if anything exciting in your life has happened.
But I'm certain we could think of other things to discuss.
（ very pointedly, he does not answer those questions — itachi is many things, but accommodating of small-talk he most certainly is not. he cants his head very faintly to one side, studying the boy.
then he simply reaches for the nearer of the two cups of tea. ）
Then you will have to ruminate on these 'other things'.
（ ... because he won't. world's worst conversationalist badge, thirteen years running. ）
[but of course he doesn't! itachi surely wouldn't want to give away any of his mystery, so it's fine, he can keep his secrets. this just means sizhui will have to consider what to ask him, even if he can't resist a little playful complaining.]
Aiyo, [he sighs, no real heat behind the sound, a small, half-smile quirking his lips on one side.] I can't even ask how you're doing?
[sizhui plucks up the other cup, simply holding it between his hands while he's considering, attention focused on the rising steam. well, there is always one place to start . . . ] Are you prepared for our next mission?
You can — but I will not give my word I will be inclined to answer.
（ at least he's honest...? but to the question about being prepared, he says only: ）
Yes.
（ the mission itself is irrelevant — it is work, and it will be done. his own preparedness is largely irrelevant to that goal. but because he's not going to stonewall entirely, he follows up that monosyllabic reply with: ）
[honesty is the best policy, after all, but it doesn't make sizhui really want to pry further. for a split second, he does consider it, but he tamps down the urge, focusing instead on what else they're talking about: mission prep.
is he ready? at the moment, sizhui's mostly unsure of himself, worried he might misstep or slip up and accidentally cause problems for his fellow orbers, and yet.] Truthfully? I don't know.
I feel like a lot of ‘preparing myself’ has been making sure I have everything I need all together and hoping for the best.
Wish that I could... [oh-so-soft, hardly above a whisper, but sizhui's voice lifts again before he expresses his gratitude,] Thank you, [comes first, he pauses long enough to reach for his own teacup but he simply holds it between his hands for now.] And you're right, yet part of me can't help wishing there were other ways to be even semi-aware of what might come our way.
[the simulation room only offers so much, after all.]
[at first, sizhui perks somewhat, looking intrigued by whatever advice it is that itachi's about to offer, but when he says ‘experience’, he lets out an abrupt huff of laughter.]
Alright, well, you got me there. That's definitely one way to learn and be even more prepared for later missions.
[that's more than enough for sizhui, who adjusts the placement of his hands on his cup then lifts it to take a drink. it's a perfect moment to also contemplate what he might be most concerned about, that way when he finishes swallowing, he can reflect aloud,] Perhaps you can.
I have been considering ways to improve my espionage skills. [and itachi definitely seems like he excels in that area, considering.]
（ things he does not want to have to explain to wei ying: how he corrupted his child into spycraft, actually. itachi cants his head to one side faintly, and then: ）
Why would you consider that to be an area of interest?
[who said anything about telling? (no one yet, but it's obvious neither of them would lie to wei wuxian, and sizhui's technically not allowed to.)]
Well... [he trails off, considering, wondering if he should be so audacious, and figuring it's not untrue:] It's something I lack skill in? And I would like to be prepared in case there's a mission where it might be useful.
It is not necessarily a bad thing to lack skill in. To be capable of such deception means that people will be naturally inclined to trust you less, even if you have not leveraged the skill towards them.
It's a skill I would like to dedicate solely to missions, where it might actually be useful. [he clearly has no need to trick his fellow orbers – or most of them, anyway? – so it seems a safe enough skill, even if it does make some individuals less likely to trust him.
although, even if he won't say it, he does imagine his cute little baby face will throw people off, regardless.]
（ he centers the tea between his hands, and then: ）
The key to lying to someone is to include some amount of truth. It is not a matter of inventing an identity, or a story, and then making yourself fit that mold. The story must fit you. You will be less prone to errors in this case. An easy example is with names. If you choose a name entirely unlike your own, you will not respond to it naturally without extensive conditioning. But if you choose something with a similar first syllable, for instance, you will react more naturally if someone calls it.
[sizhui straightens his lax posture, squares his shoulders and focuses his entire attention on itachi, listening intently.
of course, the first thing that comes to mind is perhaps using his birth name as a cover, that way he would react naturally and the only people who have actually used it otherwise are close family members; people he already knows he can trust and who might understand the necessity of the situation. he wrinkles his nose and pinches his lips in thought, wondering if it would be silly to even suggest, so he (mostly) resists for now, considering the other suggestion instead.]
I may have an idea... but something with a similar first syllable, hm? Maybe I should branch out on ideas and consider names that aren't in my native tongue too.
（ he skims the lip of his cup with his thumb, and then raises it for a drink. ）
That is your decision. It does not matter unless we are on a world that reflects your own culture to the point it would be detrimental to you to be beyond their perception of 'normal'. （ a beat. then: ） You could try Sean.
（ what sizhui doesn't know about the name being a reference to an old friend, now gone, does not hurt him. ）
Mm. [it's all he offers initially, his attention momentarily downcasting to his own teacup. as sizhui contemplates taking a drink too, he pauses at the offered name, blinking once, twice, then his expression pinches faintly.
maybe he doesn't know that itachi could very well be referencing the same sean he'd known; the teenager he'd become roommates with and had started growing rather close to. nevertheless, he maintains a calm, mostly steady demeanor despite his head tilting one way then the other, as if he's actually considering the suggestion, but he eventually says,] I could. It is a name I would react to, but I don't know if it would be the proper reaction.
Then, whatever best suits your need would suffice. The minutiae of it is irrelevant. Pretend we are on a mission — let us use Zeta Alatheia as an example — and you are telling me a story about your history, intending to use it to gain my trust and blend in. Use just enough details from your own life to sell it. Afterwards, I will critique your approach.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
as it stands with itachi's acceptance, they needn't worry about such things right now.]
Okay, that sounds perfect. I will see you in twenty minutes!
no subject
the setting laid out is not quite to his custom, but he is long used to it — much time has been spent in the simulated rooms detailing the tea shops of wei ying's homeland.
he gives the boy a nod, sinking seiza in the proper place. ）
Lan Sizhui.
no subject
why yes, he has been researching a thing or two on proper etiquette! so, here's hoping that came out alright as he restraightens and adds,] Good to see you again, as always.
no subject
but it is curious, that in more than two years present aboard the ximilia, it is the first time anyone has troubled themselves to learn the honourific — and it was either a matter of independent study, or he asked wei ying directly. ）
Hm.
（ yes, fullstop.
he lets his hands rest on his thighs while seated, tolerant of the decorum. ）
Was there something you wished to discuss?
no subject
currently, he has something else to be truthful about, even if he's sheepish because it seems like frivolous chatter, which he would hate to waste itachi's time with.]
Ah... well. [a beat, he clears his throat, sets the teapot aside for now then neatly folds his hands across his lap.] I didn't have anything especially particular in mind; asking how you're doing, what you've been up to, if anything exciting in your life has happened.
But I'm certain we could think of other things to discuss.
no subject
then he simply reaches for the nearer of the two cups of tea. ）
Then you will have to ruminate on these 'other things'.
（ ... because he won't. world's worst conversationalist badge, thirteen years running. ）
no subject
Aiyo, [he sighs, no real heat behind the sound, a small, half-smile quirking his lips on one side.] I can't even ask how you're doing?
[sizhui plucks up the other cup, simply holding it between his hands while he's considering, attention focused on the rising steam. well, there is always one place to start . . . ] Are you prepared for our next mission?
no subject
（ at least he's honest...? but to the question about being prepared, he says only: ）
Yes.
（ the mission itself is irrelevant — it is work, and it will be done. his own preparedness is largely irrelevant to that goal. but because he's not going to stonewall entirely, he follows up that monosyllabic reply with: ）
What of yourself?
no subject
is he ready? at the moment, sizhui's mostly unsure of himself, worried he might misstep or slip up and accidentally cause problems for his fellow orbers, and yet.] Truthfully? I don't know.
I feel like a lot of ‘preparing myself’ has been making sure I have everything I need all together and hoping for the best.
no subject
（ he lifts the cup for a brief sip, and sets it back down with unerring precision. ）
You are clever, and dedicated. That means you will be inclined to perform to the best of your abilities.
no subject
[the simulation room only offers so much, after all.]
no subject
（ a beat. then, demurely — ）
It's called experience.
no subject
Alright, well, you got me there. That's definitely one way to learn and be even more prepared for later missions.
no subject
However, if there is an area within your proficiency that you are most concerned about, perhaps I can assist in other ways.
（ fighting, spycraft, investigation... pick your poison, itachi is a grade a mary sue no cap. ）
no subject
I have been considering ways to improve my espionage skills. [and itachi definitely seems like he excels in that area, considering.]
no subject
Why would you consider that to be an area of interest?
no subject
Well... [he trails off, considering, wondering if he should be so audacious, and figuring it's not untrue:] It's something I lack skill in? And I would like to be prepared in case there's a mission where it might be useful.
no subject
（ so like. don't say he didn't warn you, kid. ）
Knowing that, you still wish to learn?
no subject
although, even if he won't say it, he does imagine his cute little baby face will throw people off, regardless.]
I do, so long as you are willing to teach me.
no subject
（ he centers the tea between his hands, and then: ）
The key to lying to someone is to include some amount of truth. It is not a matter of inventing an identity, or a story, and then making yourself fit that mold. The story must fit you. You will be less prone to errors in this case. An easy example is with names. If you choose a name entirely unlike your own, you will not respond to it naturally without extensive conditioning. But if you choose something with a similar first syllable, for instance, you will react more naturally if someone calls it.
no subject
of course, the first thing that comes to mind is perhaps using his birth name as a cover, that way he would react naturally and the only people who have actually used it otherwise are close family members; people he already knows he can trust and who might understand the necessity of the situation. he wrinkles his nose and pinches his lips in thought, wondering if it would be silly to even suggest, so he (mostly) resists for now, considering the other suggestion instead.]
I may have an idea... but something with a similar first syllable, hm? Maybe I should branch out on ideas and consider names that aren't in my native tongue too.
no subject
That is your decision. It does not matter unless we are on a world that reflects your own culture to the point it would be detrimental to you to be beyond their perception of 'normal'. （ a beat. then: ） You could try Sean.
（ what sizhui doesn't know about the name being a reference to an old friend, now gone, does not hurt him. ）
no subject
maybe he doesn't know that itachi could very well be referencing the same sean he'd known; the teenager he'd become roommates with and had started growing rather close to. nevertheless, he maintains a calm, mostly steady demeanor despite his head tilting one way then the other, as if he's actually considering the suggestion, but he eventually says,] I could. It is a name I would react to, but I don't know if it would be the proper reaction.
no subject
Then, whatever best suits your need would suffice. The minutiae of it is irrelevant. Pretend we are on a mission — let us use Zeta Alatheia as an example — and you are telling me a story about your history, intending to use it to gain my trust and blend in. Use just enough details from your own life to sell it. Afterwards, I will critique your approach.