With a snort at the 'fretting' comment, Mingjue just waved an agreement and stripped himself back down to his under trousers as he had been when he'd escaped the things before. He held his inner robes casually in a hand, blinked at A-Yao, and said, "That sounds eventful."

And gave him a hundred more questions, his eyebrows rising toward his hairline.

"Congratulations," he said after a moment, settling down into himself a little more firmly. Some of his tension eased from his shoulders and he gave himself a little private nod, having come to a conclusion. "I've decided that I am not going to be surprised by anything. A lot can happen even in a year. Especially during war."

He paused then offered A-Yao a crooked smile. "That and I'm not convinced your real, either. Sorry."