With the series of realizations he's had to make, Claudius doesn't let the offer slow him. It does raise another concern. "Can the squirrels understand you as well as me?" he asks. "If so, please pass on my apologies to Hubert. I do want to have tulips, but I shouldn't have made ungentlemanly remarks." They were, to be fair, the most delicate yet cutting remarks a man has ever made in the direction of a squirrel. There was a lot about decorum and proportion, which might sting for a young squirrel out on his own.
That said, he smiles. "Hanguang-jun speaks of you the way he speaks of his brightest disciple -- quite impressive, given the shorter span of time we've spent here. I see why. It's already a remarkably thoughtful idea, and here you are, studying and seeking counsel for it." Claudius believes Lan Wangji would be touched, which is the only thing that saves it from being the most overdone flattery and teasing1. "I think we can help each other." He signs sorry instead of saying it, not wanting to get caught up. "That sounded rather scheming and calculating, but it just so happens Lan Wangji has told me about the Cloud Recesses, and the places he would be proudest to show a visitor. He mentioned magnolia, which flowers twice a season, and groves of bamboo. I'm growing gentian flowers for him, but I don't want to present them alone in a seed tray. I'd like to arrange something rather more thoughtful, and also work more on methods to preserve plants throughout the winter. I've books that tell me I should invest in a full spectrum LED lights. Do I look like a man who knows where to find a full spectrum LED light? We should combine our research."
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That said, he smiles. "Hanguang-jun speaks of you the way he speaks of his brightest disciple -- quite impressive, given the shorter span of time we've spent here. I see why. It's already a remarkably thoughtful idea, and here you are, studying and seeking counsel for it." Claudius believes Lan Wangji would be touched, which is the only thing that saves it from being the most overdone flattery and teasing1. "I think we can help each other." He signs sorry instead of saying it, not wanting to get caught up. "That sounded rather scheming and calculating, but it just so happens Lan Wangji has told me about the Cloud Recesses, and the places he would be proudest to show a visitor. He mentioned magnolia, which flowers twice a season, and groves of bamboo. I'm growing gentian flowers for him, but I don't want to present them alone in a seed tray. I'd like to arrange something rather more thoughtful, and also work more on methods to preserve plants throughout the winter. I've books that tell me I should invest in a full spectrum LED lights. Do I look like a man who knows where to find a full spectrum LED light? We should combine our research."
1 It's a bit much, that's all.