Withering

[Gregory Marshall]

Lane took Greg's arm and they vanished in a topsy-turvy whirl!

[Qingying]

Qingying poked his head of the kitchen to see what Patience and Freddie were doing.

[Patience Juneau]

Patience was eating from a bowl of popcorn while Freddie looked on, and then he glanced over to Qingying. "Headed off, then?" he smiled.

[Qingying]

“Yes,” he gave him a wider-than-the-ones-he-usually-gave-to-other-people-smile. “Thank you. Ready to go, Patience?” He smiled at the child.

[Patience Juneau]

Patience migrated to Qingying's side silently, clutching a handful of popcorn.

"Good to meet you," Freddie gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Stop by anytime."

[Qingying]

He nodded. “Thanks. You too.” He paused slightly. “Zane’s doing well,” he reassured.

[Shayne]

Freddie just laughed. "Wouldn't expect anything else. I'm glad to hear it."

[Qingying]

He smiled back, and then guided Patience to the fireplace. They each took a handful of powder, walked into the green flames, and after a wave to Freddie, Qingying looked down at Patience to ready him, and then they both disappeared.

[Patience Juneau]

Patience's eyes widened once more as the flames licked painlessly at them, and when they emerged he brushed dust and soot out of his dark hair. He squeezed Qingying's hand solemnly.

[Qingying]

Qingying looked down at him, not releasing his hand until Patience wanted to release his. “Greg will talk to Lane… find out what happened… Belfry won’t be executed tomorrow, and the officials have agreed to look at new evidence. Lane has gone to make a statement. Greg is a defensive legal counsellor.” He didn’t know what Patience knew, but he deserved to know this.
He smiled softly. “Thank you.”

[Patience Juneau]

He just stared straight ahead and kept walking, looking up through a fringe of hair that had fallen into his eyes.

[Qingying]

He walked with him until Patience wanted to release his hand. “What do you want to do – now, or in the future, as an adult?”

[Patience Juneau]

Predictably, Patience didn't answer. He led Qingying to the Great Hall, and then let go of his hand.

[Qingying]

Qingying stopped when Patience let go of his hand. He had something he’d talk to him about, later.
He smiled softly and let him go.

[Patience Juneau]

Patience disappeared into the crowd!

[Qingying]

Three days later, Qingying went to find Patience’s TA while they were not with Patience, but it was still during their work hours.

[Daniel Russo]

He was currently in the courtyard feeding some of the birds. And by some, we mean like 30. They were perched all over him like some wild birdman. He was feeding them out of his hands, which were massive.

[Qingying]

Yee birds.
If anyone knew anything about Qingying, they’d know he loved animals.

Daniel and Qingying often fed birds together. While their schedules did not allow it to be a daily routine (and Qingying’s schedule was filled with classes, individual tuition, and several clubs, but he always was one to spread himself as much as possible without spreading too thin) they joined each other a few times a week. Scotland winters were not kind to many wild animals. Qingying fed birds every day by maintaining feeders, and kept an eye on the wildlife around them.

But he wasn’t here for birds. He told himself not to be distracted.
“Hey, Daniel,” he greeted. Daniel could see he had no feed with him today.

[Daniel Russo]

He looked uo smiling. "Ying! My friend! Come, come, come, come. Sit, sit, sit, sit!" He patted the spoace on the bench next to him.

[Qingying]

He smiled and joined him. “I wanted to ask you about Patience Junaeu.”

[Daniel Russo]

He nodded. "Juneau. Yes. Of course. Such a nice boy. Not many people understand him, but he is very good boy."

[Qingying]

“Indeed he is,” he agreed, smile brightening. “Do you know what his goals for after graduation might be?”

[Daniel Russo]

"Well, I think graduation is very many years from now, but he is very good at--how you say--seeing a large picture."

[Qingying]

He nodded. “Has he ever expressed to you – or maybe his parents or friends have – what he might be interested in doing?” He knew Patience didn’t speak, but maybe Daniel was informed some other way.

[Daniel Russo]

Daniel gave Yung a slight frown. "He does not communicate by--normal means. I wish I had answer for you, but--I simply do not know."