[ that's where he was expecting that to go, but somehow, not.

nie huaisang is suspicious, but this feels a bit like a dream. with the massive "bird" on his lap, it seems even further than reality, so would a double of himself be so strange? this version looks softer, younger, even more so than nie huaisang now. his brow furrows just slightly, and he also looks over the fan, matching him in gestures, though his face belays no such trusting. in fact, if anything, he seems to draw up a little into himself further. he's had no such kindnesses in his world, only jin guangyao's death, and a sense of resolution that resolved positively nothing. ]

Have you been waiting? [ he asks, a bit slowly, still watching the other him. it's like looking into a pond, the ripples across the water making the reflection just that hair of difference. how many other of these 'doubles' would there be? ] ...You will have to excuse me, if it seems a little strange. I think maybe I really don't know.

[ he taps the edge of the fan. ] Tell me something I would know. If you wouldn't mind. [ because i'm suspicious--though his instincts tell him the other nie huaisang must be know so too. ]