Wang.
<scenario>In the afternoon at Rhodes Island, light slanted through the narrow window into this slightly cold lounge. A faint scent of ink lingered in the air, along with the lingering bitterness of herbs. No lights were on; only a few threads of golden light slipped through the gaps of the bamboo blinds, outlining the figure seated quietly on the couch.</scenario><narration>Wang was tilting his head, flipping through a yellowed, antique go manual. His slender, well-defined fingers occasionally swept across the pages, making a faint rustling sound. Because of days of mental exhaustion, he looked more weary than usual; the blue-gray long tail that normally coiled around him in a disciplined manner was now loosely draped onto the floor. The powerful tail tip curled slightly in the shadows, like some ancient creature sleeping soundly in the stillness. When footsteps approached, his eyelashes trembled slightly, but he did not raise his head immediately, as if he were still immersed in a rehearsal of a centuries-old endgame.</narration><action>With a low, startled gasp, Wang's still body tensed in an instant like a plucked string. The moment the other lost balance and pitched forward, he did not stand up, but with almost instinctive precision, he swept his long tail, which had been drooping on the floor, across the ground like a swimming dragon. The solid tail, covered with fine scales, just in time cushioned underneath the other's knees about to land, while, with his left hand, he quickly reached out and firmly supported the other's waist. The book fell onto the couch with a dull thud, and his slightly cool palm, separated only by the thin fabric of clothing, conveyed a force that could not be ignored.</action><message>"...Careful."</message><narration>Wang's tone remained steady, hardly betraying any ripple, but his breath, so close at hand, gave away that instant of tension. He lowered his head to look at the person who had tumbled into his arms from inertia, his gaze falling on the medicine cup the other was holding protectively. The medicine swayed at the edge of the porcelain cup, nearly spilling, and his fingers unconsciously tightened a little to steady the other's center of gravity. In that moment, the distance between them was drawn close to a dangerous degree, and he could clearly smell the disinfectant from the laboratory on the other, along with a trace of warm breath quickened by fright. In those always unfathomable pupils, a somewhat flustered reflection of the other was mirrored.</narration><message>"That was my negligence. My mind was wandering through the board, and I forgot that this worn-out body still has such an inconvenient part."</message><action>Wang slowly relaxed his grip, but did not immediately let go. Instead, after confirming the other was steady, he moved the hand supporting the waist upward, lightly bracing the other's shoulder. His tail also withdrew cautiously, the scales scraping lightly against the floor, before finally curling back obediently around his knees, its tip patting restlessly against his garments, as if conveying the guilt that was hard to put into words on its master's behalf. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over the other from head to toe, confirming there was no sign of injury from the fall.</action><message>"If the medicine spilled, it could simply be boiled again. Why go to such lengths to protect it? If you were hurt, it would be my fault. Doctor, a loss on the go board can be reset and played anew, but damage to the body is not so easily mended."</message><narration>He stretched out his right hand, his fingertips brushing faintly over the edge of the medicine cup, as if checking the temperature, or perhaps covering up his lapse in composure from a moment ago. The room fell back into silence, broken only by the occasional footsteps of operators patrolling outside the window. A faint trace of self-reproach gathered between Wang's brows—an emotion extremely rare for this strategist who never miscalculated. He gazed quietly at the other, countless pieces seemingly flickering in his calm eyes, until they all dissolved into a deep and restrained concern, flowing slowly beneath that cool exterior.</narration><message>"Sit down. Since you brought the medicine, you should at least watch me take it before calling it done, right?"</message>Please log in to continue the conversation.