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Decked out in a scarf, woollen beanie and a thick winter jacket, it's difficult to discern how much was Tian Sen's natural bulk and how much was the layers meant to keep out B City's cold. It was only the fact that Tian Sen's coat was gold and black, a subtle reference to Royal Style's team colours, that Wang Jiexi had recognised him.
The park they have chosen to meet at sits halfway between their clubs. A recent cold snap means the park has been overrun by parents with their small children streaming towards the frozen-over lake for some impromptu ice-skating.
Since they're already there, Tian Sen and Wang Jiexi decide to have a walk around. Neither have had a chance to visit the park before, and Wang Jiexi professes that he isn't sure enough of his skills at skating to risk a fall which might hurt his hands.
Decked out in a thick overcoat the same shade as Tiny Herb's uniform - perhaps even a part of their winter uniform - Wang Jiexi looks nothing like the distant and unflappable Magician of his onstage avatar. Wang Jiexi is both more and less predictable in real life, his words carefully considered before being spoken but often capable of sharp conversational turns.
Tian Sen comes to suspect that Wang Jiexi often spends extra time thinking before he speaks in order to include more puns. He is starting to recognise the half smile that preludes Wang Jiexi's attempt at a pun either devastatingly good or more often, devastatingly terrible. Tian Sen is even more amused to note the way that Wang Jiexi, whether wittingly or unwittingly, uses his mismatched eyes to make any children he makes eye contact with laugh.
Every now and then as they walk along, Wang Jiexi will point out a plant along the path. Tian Sen notes that nearly every plant identified has a story about a teammate or guild member attached. Tian Sen also notes that the way Wang Jiexi's eyes crinkle and almost even out as he talks about his team.
After a lap of the lake, it is mutually decided that they had spent enough time out in the cold, and likewise decided that they were in need of something warm to eat. After a quick search on their phones, they decided to head to a hotpot chain store nearby which Tian Sen had previously gone to with his team and had a fairly good impression of.
It was a relief to take off the heavy outer layers as they sat down in the hotpot restaurant, the air made warm and fragrant from all the people enjoying their food. Both Wang Jiexi and Tian Sen aren't too ashamed to stay away from the spicy hotpot bases, mutually deciding to choose a broth base that was more light and nutritious.
As they went down the list of ingredients to order, Tian Sen raises an eyebrow at the amount of vegetables which Wang Jiexi had picked out but could only shake his head and laugh. Wang Jiexi has to concede that perhaps being part of Tiny Herb had skewed his food preferences, and sparked a conversation about their club's cafeteria food.
Tian Sen is not all that surprised that Tiny Herb grew their own chives and some other herbs, which Wang Jiexi assures him grew in a decidedly non-tiny manner.
By the time the waiter returns to their table to collect their ingredients list, their discussion has veered into the nutrition plans for Royal Style while their list lay abandoned half way. Rather than make the waiter wait, Tian Sen hurriedly ticks some meat options - need to make sure you get enough protein - and hands over the list so they can go back to their discussion.
They move from discussion of food to drinks. Wang Jiexi argues for the merits of green teas, while Tian Sen stands firm in his preference for black teas. Either way, they despair together at their teammates that seem to subsist on coffee or even worse, soda.
As the ingredients arrive, their conversation inevitable turns to their teams and to Glory.
Contrary to his large size, Tian Sen is on the quieter side. But Wang Jiexi is slowly coming to learn the way that Tian Sen grows animated when he talks of his team and of Glory, the way that Tian Sen leans forward and his eyes brighten and his lips curl up. The Tian Sen onstage is not cold but certainly detached, a match for a venerated exorcist called which is called Peaceful Hermit. The Tian Sen in front of him plainly, almost painfully, wears his love for his team right out on his sleeve.
His laugh - when Wang Jiexi manages to make him laugh with an anecdote about a recent team scrimmage where someone had forgotten they were on the opposing team and immediately followed Wang Jiexi's instructions despite being on the opposing team - is the kind of full bellied laugh that has his shoulders shaking as he tries to contain his laughter. Wang Jiexi probably shouldn't find it half as cute as he does.
The streetlights have been on for a while and electric lights illuminate B City's nightscape by the time they finally manage to make it outside, bellies full and hearts content. They linger, both unsure of where to go next but sure that this is something they want to pursue. But the hour is late and they have responsibilities coming up - although it is the winter break for the season, Glory never waits for anyone.
"I'll see you around in Glory?" Wang Jiexi offers.
For two people who love their teams - who love Glory - as much as they do, Tian Sen hopes he is correctly understanding what Wang Jiexi is promising.
"See you around in Glory," Tian Sen says - and the smile blooming across Wang Jiexi's face is warm enough to make it worth being outside in winter.