"Tsundere"
He stared at Hao Xuan in a daze, mouth agape.
"Can you hear me?" Hao Xuan leaned in to ask in a low voice.
Staring into T'wil's eyes he could almost see the changes taking place in real time, almost like the brain rewiring itself.
"My friend, are you okay?" he reached out and lightly tapped T'wil on the hand, waking him up.
He was flustered- as if having forcefully awoken from a deep slumber.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"I was asking if there is anything else cheaper than this. It doesn't have to be good, just needs to be able to cut and I will gladly take it," Hao Xuan repeated for the second or third time, putting on his most friendly expression.
But the look in T'wil's eye had certainly turned much warmer now. He seemed troubled, his pupils warily darting around the room.
"There...aren't any swords in your price range...sir," he replied apologetically while taking out a piece of paper and writing something down.