Lingquan snorted. "Disgusting. You sound like a dog."
"I'm not the one ogling her in both cat and human form."
"I ogle everyone. I'm fair."
"Shut up," Qingran snapped from behind the divider. "You're both disgusting."
They fell silent. A short, awkward pause.
Then Lingquan muttered, "Still got it, though."
"Lingquan."
"Okay, okay! I'm turned around. Nothing to see here except my wounded dignity."
A few minutes later, Qingran stepped out, changed. Her long dark hair was pulled into a low, messy knot again. Her clothes were simple, fresh cargo pants, a close-fitted black jacket, and clean boots.
Her movements were sharper now. Controlled. Determined. But the air around her had shifted. As if some invisible thread had been pulled too tight and now everything she did hummed with restraint.
Ruihuang looked at her and opened his mouth, but thought better of it.
She noticed. "What?"
"…Nothing."
"No, say it."
-_-
"Its nothing really.."
She gave him a look before dropping it.
