it's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride

He provides directions.

of-the-night-sky

Wanning takes his tray to the kitchen.

He doesn't run into anybody on the way to the kitchen.

On the way out of the kitchen, he finds the doorway blocked by the beast, curled up like a large, obnoxious, overdressed dog.

of-the-night-sky

That is -

NOT cute. At all. This is alarming and worrisome and inconvenient and not adorable! At all!!!

Chu Wanning clears his throat. "Sir. You're in my way."

"Oh, am I?"

He uncurls and stretches and yawns, revealing an objectively alarming number of teeth, and stands up off to the side where he isn't blocking the doorway.

of-the-night-sky

Yes. Alarming. That number of teeth is objectively alarming and Chu Wanning is very alarmed and Nothing Else.

He frowns disapprovingly. "Don't you have a bedroom?"

"Yes. So?"

of-the-night-sky

"So sleep there instead of blocking the way for everyone! You don't use a bed?"

He grins at Wanning in a way that can only be disqualified from being called a leer by dint of its sheer honest good cheer.

"I'd be happy to."

of-the-night-sky

He flushes vividly. "That is not what I meant."

"Are you sure?" he teases.

of-the-night-sky

"Yes!!!"

"What a pity."

of-the-night-sky

Chu Wanning glowers at him in Brimming Panic Fury.

The beast grins.

"How do you like the castle?"

of-the-night-sky

"It's serviceable."

"It is that. Is there anything you'd like to see?"

of-the-night-sky

"I met A-Fei and Old Liu. I want to meet everyone in the palace and investigate them until I figure out the palace binding."

"Ahhh." He sets off down a hallway, assuming Chu Wanning will keep up. "What did you think of them?"

of-the-night-sky

"They seem happier than I would expect. They claim to be treated well. A-Fei was under the impression that you had not drugged my meal."

He laughs. "Why would I do that?"

of-the-night-sky

“A number of reasons!”

They reach the door to a room, which is apparently their destination since the beast pushes it open.

"If I were going to drug you for nefarious purposes, I would do it myself, not send A-Fei to do it."

of-the-night-sky

“So you consider that a possibility!” He stomps through the doorway.