Shuzen gave Vanda a slight nudge forward; they could excuse themselves now and he didn’t mind looking rude. Not to this liar.
But Vanda didn’t move with him. Instead, she held out her hands in what seemed to be a comforting gesture. “I’m so sorry, but maybe I can arrange for someone to help you. I’m actually on my way to the Beifong estate—”
“The Beifongs never do anything! Never have, never will.” Spittle flew from his passionate oration.
“Oh well, I-I can talk to them. I am a daughter of Governor Te and our family has—”
“Te?” he stopped, his voice flat and full of gravel.
Vanda, sensing the sudden shift in the demeanor, hesitated before meekly offering her response. “Yes?”
He spat on the ground in Shuzen’s direction. “That family that’s endorsing those ash fuckers out west!” The crowd that had been moving along seemed to freeze in place at his exclamation.
Didn’t post the normal preview. Better late than never. #writing #stronglanguage
archiveofourown.org/works/623801...