@odelally + cont.
Robin spend the rest of the afternoon sharpening some arrow points and checking the draw span on some of he training bows. His mind was very occupied as fingers worked on the materials, wandering away from his previous emotions. A chuckle came from him as he thought about young Skippy making his first attempts on archery with the bow Robin had gifted him for his birthday.
After putting everything back in place, Robin rubbed the back of his neck, wondering what he would do with the remainder of his day. Deciding to swallow his pride, he made his way over back to the tents. He had intended to go see the General to thank him for his free afternoon. It hadn’t exactly been the break he had been talking about, but the exception he received should at least be recognized. Passing the tent, he noticed that there was no one there. He quickly checked the dining tent but there was no sign of the other male there either.
When he asked a passing Captain where he could find the General, he received a quick mutter that told the redhead he might be at the stables. Turning heel, Robin made his way into the dining tent and prepared to cups of tea before slowly making his way over to the tables without spilling any of the hot beverage. Entering the stables, greens found the figure he had been looking for.
“You have no idea what struggle I went through for them to allow me to bring not one but two cups.” A lie. No one had been watching him collect the tea. It was a joke, he supposed. “In England we usually add some milk but I suppose this will do just fine as well.” Placing one of the cups down for the General to take — or not — he stepped back holding one of his own, lips pressing into somewhat of a sympathetic smile.
“Thank you for giving me some space.” he added after the shortest of pauses. “—I mean it. I recognize the exception that was made.” Lips pressed together again as his gaze lowered for a bit. “I, uh.. figured it wouldn’t really help my case to not show up to anything. Comradery-wise.”
Arriving at the make shift stables, Shang is quick to dismount his horse. The tents offered some protection from the rain in the event it would happen. And Shang was fortunate that his stallion was calm enough to be without any real restraint when he was working with him. Saddle removed, bridle dismantled, Shang’s next move is to gather a pale of fresh water for his horse.
He’s oblivious to the fact that Robin had been looking for him. Often the Captain’s knew not to disturb him if he was going out for a ride out of know where. He wouldn’t loose his temper on them for interrupting him, but they respected him enough to know that when he needed his time to think, it was best to just give it to him.
Coming back with the pale, he sets it down for Báiyún to drink from. His gaze lifts as he hears Robin coming before he sees him. Brow raises curiously at his admission of slight guilt. Though, truthfully, taking tea out of the dinning tent was something Shang did routinely himself. The small moment of lightheartedness is not lost on Shang. Perhaps he was trying to cut the tension between them. It was appreciated. Shang was not the most delicate in social situations. Though he would never admit it, he was glad Robin was seemingly better at this than him.
Shang takes one of the cups without hesitation.
“Thank you.” He adjusts the cup in his hand, bringing it to his lips to sip. It was a much needed refreshment after his ride, small beads of sweat linger on the General’s forehead and upper lip even as he takes this time to relax.
Brow raises as Robin goes on. It was strange for him to hear those words. Seems Shang didn’t need to fuss over him so much. Robin answered the questions that Shang had been musing over all night.
“I just hope it’s helped you, Robin.” He says, a small smile creaking at the edge of his lips. “Your Captains informed me you’ve helped some of your fellow soldiers today. Have to say I’m surprised––” He pauses, looking down at his tea. He didn’t truly believe all of his words had made it into Robin’s thick skull. But he was happy that –– even if he did them for his own reasons –– that he had made the choice regardless.
“If anyone does hold you’re exception against you, inform me or your Captains. I won’t stand for that.” Shang says, bringing the tea to his lips once more. He takes a longer sip. The idea of putting milk in tea turned Shang’s stomach a little more than he would have liked to admit.
