It is, he thinks, a lot like attending a meeting with Yifu - sitting quietly and observing while most people pretend he isn't there, or show him minimal curiosity - so he falls back into those habits. He watches them, sips at the tea occasionally because he can, and he listens, searching for the things they aren't saying, studying their body language and trying to use the information he is getting to add the puzzle pieces in between.
He doesn't get much, but it's better than doing nothing.
Somewhere in the middle of the conversation he remembers Kevin saying there's five people who can cross the barrier, and he isn't one of them. Four other people at the table... so who's the fifth? Did they leave the gap expecting him to join, or out of habit? The longer he goes ignored, the more he expects the latter, and he wonders curiously about their fifth compatriot.
Xie raises an eyebrow when they finally acknowledge him, irritation plain on his face.
"He doesn't appreciate being talked about like he isn't here." He says smoothly, even though he's absolutely used to that, it's just usually from people who don't know any better. Or Yifu.
Suspect, he notes. Suspect. Like they don't already know. He's sure they do, but that's police for you. Prisoner is a better word, but it's one they won't use. He wishes he could ask for a lawyer, wishes that would get him anywhere except squarely into Yifu's crosshairs and out of their dubious protection.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2023-10-18 08:36 am (UTC)It is, he thinks, a lot like attending a meeting with Yifu - sitting quietly and observing while most people pretend he isn't there, or show him minimal curiosity - so he falls back into those habits. He watches them, sips at the tea occasionally because he can, and he listens, searching for the things they aren't saying, studying their body language and trying to use the information he is getting to add the puzzle pieces in between.
He doesn't get much, but it's better than doing nothing.
Somewhere in the middle of the conversation he remembers Kevin saying there's five people who can cross the barrier, and he isn't one of them. Four other people at the table... so who's the fifth? Did they leave the gap expecting him to join, or out of habit? The longer he goes ignored, the more he expects the latter, and he wonders curiously about their fifth compatriot.
Xie raises an eyebrow when they finally acknowledge him, irritation plain on his face.
"He doesn't appreciate being talked about like he isn't here." He says smoothly, even though he's absolutely used to that, it's just usually from people who don't know any better. Or Yifu.
Suspect, he notes. Suspect. Like they don't already know. He's sure they do, but that's police for you. Prisoner is a better word, but it's one they won't use. He wishes he could ask for a lawyer, wishes that would get him anywhere except squarely into Yifu's crosshairs and out of their dubious protection.