Unfamiliar Faces
Only once he was done did he become slightly reclusive, and it was slightly obvious by his posture and the slight downturn of his lips that what he had just done wasn’t entirely of his own volition, but there was something deeper. “I apologize. I should have asked before doing anything.” His words were light, and he lowered his head in an apologetic bow of sorts.
"Studies are quite important, but knowing how to balance everything can be even more important, Lord Guo." He explained simply and raised his head, a light smile playing on thin lips. "I would suggest you find a way to balance everything, and rest your body. None of us would desire to see you get as sick as your father."
Truly, the entire Guo family was a rather interesting bunch. From Guo Huai to Guo Tong, both were highly interesting people, from the way they worked, to the way they studied, and even their choices for the support of Wei… everything was rather interesting, but it did not seem that the son understood time management very well.
"….. Even the fighters and the generals need to know how to perform other tasks." He explained softly, tucking his hands into his sleeves. "It may seem mundane, but there cannot be just fighters, let alone during times of peace, there hopefully will not be fights to partake in. What would you do then?" He asked, cerulean eyes trained on the young general. "For me, I am but a politician first, and a general second. While both are imperative, but when peace returns, all Generals will be able to do is keep the armies prepared, just in case. As for the Politicians, they will be able to manage and find ways to ensure the peace stays for as long as it can."
He looked directly at the other, an expression of amusement dancing in his eyes. “But that is not for me to say, nor for me to act on. I’m sure whatever path you choose will be beneficial.”
Guo Tong sighed, closing his eyes as embarrassment began to set in. Someone seeing his carelessness was bad enough, but that someone being a member of the respected Sima family made it all the worse. Clasping his hands to his chest, he bowed briefly.
"Please forgive me, Lord Sima. I appreciate your help - it seems I needed someone to put me back in my proper place as well," he said.
"...You make a fair point. I know that it's imperative that every officer learns how to balance their talents when times of peace do come - as far away as those times seem - and I've allowed myself to become careless. It's just..."
He hesitated, one hand straying to his hair and looping a dark lock around his finger. It was hard to admit anything, particularly in the presence of someone as formidable and respectable as Lord Sima Liang, without it sounding like a pitiful excuse.
"...It's nothing. I appreciate your advice. If there's anyone I should be listening to, it's you, my lord. I only wish I knew how you managed to keep everything together and make it seem so effortless."
