Title: About a Painting
Fandom: Guardian
Rating: G
Length: 500 words (5 drabbles)
Notes: Shen Wei, Zhao Xinci, Da Qing, Zhao Yunlan; drabble sequence, multiple POVs, diplomacy, politics, fish out of water (time travel), pre-canon (modern era), episode related. Many thanks to teaotter for beta! <3
Summary: Ma Gui’s portrait hangs in the Department of Supervision.



Art is very different in modern Haixing: it’s busy and colourful, and the subjects are more often people, realistically depicted, than stylised landscapes or plants. Shen Wei doesn’t greatly care for it, but standing outside a building called a cinema, staring at a picture of a heroic warrior and his cohorts, he resolves to adapt.

Early next week, at the Department of Supervision, he’ll meet the chief of the newly established Special Investigation Department, and between them, they’ll form an alliance to maintain peace.

It occurs to him he should take a gift, to help establish a good working relationship.


*


After the meeting, Zhao Xinci stares at the Envoy’s offering. It’s more like a movie poster than a portrait, and the symbolism is even worse than the style: granted there’s a human at the centre (“A good likeness,” says Zhang Shi. “Just how I remember him.”), but the Envoy, an ancient Yashou, and an unknown warrior in blue loom behind the man, Dixing’s Hallows hanging in the sky above them.

It’s ridiculous, and Zhao Xinci won’t have the SID ridiculed. “You know your way around a paintbrush. The human can stay, but paint out the background,” he tells Zhang Shi.


*


Every time Da Qing walks down the hallway in the SID, he forgets what he’s supposed to be doing. The painting is strange, enigmatic, and he can’t help staring.

Liu Yupeng finds him there. “Hey, you’re supposed to be delivering the mail.”

Da Qing glances at the envelopes in his hand, but he asks about the portrait. “Where’s it from?”

“A present from the Dixing Ambassador.” Liu Yupeng lowers his voice. “But I heard Chief Zhao painted out the background himself. Maybe that’s why Hei Pao Shi stopped coming around.”

Da Qing wrinkles his nose. “Hei Pao Shi? Who’s that?”


*


Zhao Yunlan strolls into the Minister’s office at the DoS, wearing his best leather jacket. He feels too young, too green to be chief, but he’s damned if he’ll let on.

The décor reeks of authority, wealth and power. Everything is tasteful—except the unfinished portrait above the couch. He steps closer to take a look.

“That’s Lord Ma Gui,” explains the Minister proudly. “Our ancestor, the long-ago founder of civilisation in Haixing.”

Ma Gui doesn’t look much older than Zhao Yunlan, and there’s a reassuring twinkle in his eye. Zhao Yunlan grins and turns to shake the Minister’s hand.


*


Chu Shuzhi unrolls the thank-you banner, and Shen Wei remembers the painting he once presented to the SID. He smiles wryly. New to modern Haixing and unskilled in diplomacy, he’d painted it as a symbol of their peoples’ past alliance, but in retrospect, it must have seemed presumptuous, self-aggrandising. Of course Zhao Xinci took exception.

Shen Wei had expected a warmer welcome than anyone here could have known.

So he resolves to accept this red-and-gold monstrosity, to see its deeper meaning. Perhaps it’s all Zhao Yunlan can offer, at present. Shen Wei’s heart swells in fondness—and anticipation of more.



END