the blessing of forgiveness (pt 6)
part 1 / part 5
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The atmosphere was more tense than a school game of dodgeball with one player left on each side and only one minute until the bell rings.
You should have known better than to get distracted in a minefield. Now, you were face-to-face with the consequence of your recklessness. Sitting stiffly across from you was arguably one of the worst people you could have bumped into. Even as the second son, the Feiyun Commerce Guild had a lot of influence and power. If he somehow caught on to the fact that you were the ‘imposter’ that had been running around… you didn’t even want to think about it.
For the moment, it was more important to keep your cool and avoid too much suspicion. The half-repaired hilichurl mask already made you stand out, but it was worth hiding your face. There was one problem, though, that you realised only after sitting down to an afternoon tea with the boy.
You couldn’t drink with your mask on.
It’s not like you could have refused his offer. ‘As an apology’, he claimed. He was so insistent on it, too. You didn’t dare decline. Not after his golden eyes dug into your very being and analysed everything you said and did. Despite your mask, you felt vulnerable, like he could see the exact shape of your face, the contours of your features, littlest details, and conclude that you were, in fact, more than you were letting on.
This paranoia only worsened as you sank hesitantly into the soft cushion of your chair. You felt severely out of place in the fancy teahouse, especially because of how hyperaware you had suddenly become about your ragged attire. The host didn’t bother to hide the disgusted scowl that deepened his already-prominent wrinkles as he looked you up and down. Part of you internally criticised him for being so openly judgemental, but another part of you worried that you weren’t exactly welcome. Your past experiences with being unwelcome hadn’t ended so well.
“I suppose I should introduce myself.”
The silence shattered when the boy spoke. It was gentle, but straightforward. It filled your small corner of the teahouse with such grace and dignity—his status and position were obvious. For a brief moment, you wonder if he’s trying to get under your skin to get you to confess to a crime you technically weren’t even committing. Maybe he was building rapport. You wished you could read his mind instead of being caught up in the worries of your own.
“My name is Xingqiu. I apologise once again for running into you.”
You simply nodded and offered him a shrug, mouth glued shut. Would talking give you away? Was that his plan all along? Even if you wanted to talk, you weren’t sure whether your body would let you.
Xingqiu eyed your nervous form with curiosity and intrigue. It wasn’t every day he met someone as unique as the person before him—clothing roughed up and dusty, face hidden by a familiar mask. Were you a mercenary? Perhaps a vigilante, determined to eradicate the area of monsters and evil-doers. The more he thought about it, the more he respected your ‘dedication to chivalry and the protection of others’. He could learn a lot from you, he mused in his head, if only you would speak to him. You didn’t even make a sound when ordering, only shrugging and gesturing towards him.
After another lingering silence, the tea finally arrived. You glared into your cup. The herbal aroma taunted you, reminded you of the only thing keeping you safe. You’d have to remove it. Not drinking would be rude, especially since he’s the one paying. But… What if it’s spiked? Did the waiter put some kind of poison in it? Could you really take that chance?
Breathe, you told yourself. They have little reason to suspect you as the imposter. Sure, you look a bit strange, but otherwise you haven’t done anything that would arouse suspicion. At least, you hoped you did.
You glanced at Xingqiu, who was focused intently on elegantly sipping his tea. The longer you wait, the more conspicuous you become, the louder your heartbeat pounded in your ears. You had to do it. Now or never.
Slowly, you brought your hand to the bottom of the mask. The pads of your fingers caressed the smooth painted wood, hesitating. With a deep breath, your hold on the mask tightened, and you lifted it.
Not too much, mind you. Just enough to barely reveal your mouth, just enough to sip shyly from your cup.
The tea was lovely. You could taste the quality, the care put into it. It tasted expensive. No trace of bitter almonds or sour berries, but the poisons here might be different than in your own world. Either way, the tea was warm and invigorating on your tongue.
“You have excellent taste in tea.”
The words escaped your mouth before you could stop them. You barely registered that you actually spoke before you heard a sharp gasp from Xingqiu. There’s no doubt that your voice gave it away. Gasping was not an appropriate reaction to someone talking. Bracing yourself for whatever was coming, your gaze met his.
They were wide with surprise. His mouth was slightly agape, and the hand holding his cup so delicately was threatening to drop the—definitely expensive—china. You were tempted to take it from him, but judging from his reaction to just hearing you talk, that probably wasn’t the best idea.
“Yo- Your Grace!”
…wait, what?
Xingqiu’s mind was running a mile a minute. Your voice—it held the echos of waves, the warble of ancient rivers, the whisper of sudden rain. Something resonated deep within him when he heard it. Something deep within the instinctual pillars of his soul, something similar to what he felt when he first received his vision.
You had to be them.
He was confused when you waved your hands around, frantically looking around to see if anybody had heard his sudden exclamation. Then it clicked—the mask, the silence, the wary aura. Of course you didn’t want anybody to notice you.
When he first heard the rumour of an imposter, he was largely unbothered. The authorities would deal with them quickly. It was nothing to spare a thought on, and hardly his business, really. He had other responsibilities to tend to, and other, more pressing matters to focus on.
But how he was face-to-face with you. He unknowingly invited this ‘imposter’ out for tea, ignorant to the truth of the matter.
Oh Archons– he bumped into you.
“Hey, uh, I know this is all a bit crazy, but please keep this on the down-low. Not everyone is as perceptive as you.”
He nodded, still speechless.
They would recognise their Creator soon enough.
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every time i write imposter i die a little on the inside
tags: @emyrl @karmawonders @paranoiac-666 @sl33pyt1r3 @lnrchii@idiotic-canadian @reiluvbot @wonderlace19 @kittykrumbs@carmelchocola @mavsketch @arima26 @sarahyumiko2@deescreamsintotheabyss @chocogi @iminlovewithanidiot@sweet-seraphim @birozu @shadowfoxey @iamfriedpotato@ohnoivefallen @halparkebitch @quiet-qqq @thedianaclark @bookcrazybby @just-a-leetle-creachure @justdonothink @ennspostssmh @3ch0lol @windyventi @kiznax @bloomhasuke @wishicouldart @ehjane @xx-chloe-xx