Peacemaker and Paranoid
Under the same night sky, in Tide Sound, an Artisan in a long robe knocked on the door of another Workshop.
"Ah, what beautiful moonlight."
Jiang Tongguang grinned as he looked towards the bearded man whose expression was as dark as still water. "Director Gustav, sorry to disturb you."
Director Gustav's expression remained grim, and he could not even spare a smile. "Director Jiang, what brings you here so late at night?"
Jiang Tongguang raised his hand and shook the bottle he held. "A batch of whiskey I brewed recently just came out of the cellar. It's only been aged five years, but it tastes quite good. Care to have a drink?"
"..."
The two stared silently at one another for a long while. At last, Director Gustav sighed silently and stepped aside. "Come in."
The Workshop's living room was as chaotic as ever. Manuscripts and materials had been tossed about carelessly, leaving scarcely anywhere to set foot. As fellow Artisans, they were both used to it. Jiang Tongguang could not be bothered to figure out which manuscripts mattered and which didn't, so he simply plopped himself down on Director Gustav's desk.
After all, among all this material, only that pile of official documents was utterly unimportant.
With a casual wave of his hand, the properties of the air changed, gathering and condensing into two wide-mouthed glasses that fell into Jiang Tongguang's hands and clinked together.
"Want ice?"
Jiang Tongguang poured the clear liquor into the glasses and swirled it. An enticingly sweet fragrance rose from the amber spirits, intoxicating anyone who caught a whiff.
"I can't hold my liquor. I'll pass."
Director Gustav picked up his own mug, filled as always with plain water.
"Then both glasses are mine."
Jiang Tongguang smiled. After downing one glass