[especially since they no longer have any of the evidence, and they'll have a whole new case to look over in the morning. still - it isn't impossible that someone might figure it out, is it?
she reaches for his hand.]
But if anyone had to have a power like that... is it wrong to say that I feel safer, knowing it is you? It could very easily be misused, but...
[ ah. lost in his thoughts for the moment, it surprises him a bit when flayn takes his hand.
by now, this has become rather comfortable. it's not quite automatic, but his fingers fold slowly over hers, and he gives her hand a small squeeze. flayn's confidence in him is...
(i hate you, i hate you!)
...kind, but not deserved. yin yu's quiet, for a moment, before he finally responds, ducking his head. as ever, he's humble. ] ...that's very kind of you to say, Lady Flayn. I can only do the best that I can with such a responsibility.
[ lately, yin yu has come to wonder if he could ever be the person that flayn thinks that he might be. ] Thank you for sharing with me.
"The best that we can" is all that can be expected of any of us.
[in a place like this, the only shameful thing would be to not try at all - to disengage from what's happening, to force themselves not to be affected by it. however, each of them has - in their own way - been trying to make some sense of all of this.
that's what will carry them through to the end, she hopes.]
...thank you for sharing with me. It means a lot to me that you chose to— I did not share my power with you in order to force your hand into sharing yours...
that comment is enough to pull him out of whatever self-induced spiral he was about to go on. flayn's good at that: whenever it feels like he's going to disappear into his own head, she's just...there. it's something that he needs more than he knew, more than he's able to really admit to.
and, it's easier to reassure her than it is to think about the things that he's done that have led him down the path that he's walked. yin yu shakes his head; absently, his thumb traces the side of her hand. ] ...I wanted to.
It's as I said: I trust you, my lady. I don't think I would have thought of what you said on my own, either, so you've helped me. [ mm... a little more embarrassed, he ducks his head. ] I am not... used to relying on others, for much of anything, but...I'm glad that I was able to share with you.
...I want to be someone you can rely on, so I am glad you were, too.
[she gives his hand a very soft squeeze, and doesn't let go of it. if the contact brings them both comfort - and it seems to - then they can hold hands for as long as they need it.]
Of course. If I can be reliable to you, then I'm glad. [ a pause, and yin yu returns the little squeeze, turning to give her a small, genuine smile. ] ...and thank you, for being here for me, too.
[she smiles back at him. this is easier than their earlier discussion - but also, somehow, more difficult. she's choosing not to think about why her heartbeat quickens, just the slightest bit, when he smiles at her.
(this isn't the time for those sorts of thoughts.)]
Even if there was not anything you could do for me, I would still very much enjoy your company.
[...but, of course, she goes ahead and says a thing like that as if it's the simplest thing in the world.]
[ this time, the laugh that comes out of him is less surprised, a bit of genuine (if just slightly self-deprecating) warmth to it. they've been here before, with this conversation. ] I would, too.
That's... more or less why I thought I would come by. [ eventually, yin yu admits, a little sheepish. ] I did want to ask about your team, but it wasn't really why. [ he was just too much of a weenie to say so and switched to business mode. ] ...Tell me, how was the rest of your week? It seems you spent a lot of time in the portal, too.
[ a conversation change, but, his hand lingers in hers, for now. if it makes her happy, then, he won't let go. (it makes him happy, too, but yin yu is hard pressed to admit that to himself, let alone to anyone else.) ]
[this is why you wait until someone asks you a question before answering it, flayn! ...but it works out. somehow, she actually feels closer to him, thanks to how all of this turned out.
she smiles, looking down at their joined hands.]
I did a lot of reading in the library in the village, and... Lili took me to try on outfits at the boutique there. It was really nice. [way nicer than the island had been.] ...and you? How did you spend your week?
You weren't wrong. [ with a little smile of his own, he ducks his head. ] I'm not sure we would've made it to this point, otherwise.
[ he... probably would have chickened out, like a coward, is basically what that means. yin yu is very aware of his own limitations and one of them is that he's very rusty on this interacting with people thing and... was never that great at it in the first place.
flayn makes it so easy, though. being around her is relaxing. there's little tension in his shoulders, calm and comfortable as he takes in the comment about the library--and can picture her and lili in that boutique--and hums. ] Much of the same. I visited the shop with Sect Leader Nie, as well, and spent a bit of time in the training hall, as you saw.
[ he also liked the village. it reminded him a lot of home. mm, though! ] I didn't get much of a chance to see the library, though. How was it?
Oh, it was wonderful! So many books, on such a wide variety of topics - I wish I could have taken them all back through the portal with me!
[so much reading material... she spent a lot of the time that she wasn't running around bullying people into dates reading, and it was time well spent, as far as she's concerned. even if she doesn't have a whole lot to show for it now.]
The selection of books in the monastery library is rather lacking - apparently, my brother reviews everything that goes into it himself to prevent anything "inappropriate" from falling into my hands, the overprotective meddler.
[ too cute... it's so bright... like looking into the sun.... except instead of squinting and trying to run from it, it's the kind of warmth you want to bask in....
he can't help but smile back at her enthusiasm, head tilting to the side, amusement registering on his face. ] "Inappropriate"...? [ flayn's brother seems to be quite overprotective indeed. ] I can only assume what that would mean...
At home, I think there would be many literature gods who would be quite offended by that. [ it's a bit of a joke, said lightly, although it's true. there are massively popular literature gods like ling wen who deal in records and godly texts, sure, but the heavens are also full of writers and playwrights, too. ]
Fine literature is part of the six arts of cultivation. It's important, to balance your scholarly learning with a fine appreciation for the arts, as well. [ so... you know, it's fine to censor things that are a bit bawdy, but, flayn should be allowed to read a novel or two.
somewhere seteth shudders in the void. ] Do you have a genre you're the most interested in, Lady Flayn?
Genres of all kinds - but particularly ones that go into how normal people live their lives. The way they interact with each other, the sorts of activities they enjoy...
[she sighs a little wistfully]
And tales of romance, I suppose. Before my brother arranged for me to come to the monastery, I lived in seclusion for quite some time, so... there are many customs that I am not familiar with, and he was always too protective of me to allow me to go into town to familiarize myself with them.
[ seclusion... for such a bubbly person, that must have been quite difficult. he won't pry too much beyond that, though. it's her business. and besides, flayn's taste in books sounds perfectly fine, too... he makes a mental note of that for later, when the trial weekend ends, and sets it aside quietly for now. ]
How long have you been in the monastery? If I recall correctly, you said you were taking classes, is that right? It must be exciting.
[but then she's smiling again! that was, like, a blink-and-you'll-miss it moment of hesitation.]
Yes, it is terribly exciting! Sometimes, our class even leaves the monastery for missions where we help out the knights, or rout bandits. But even when we do not, there are always so many people about the monastery - the knights, the members of the church, other students, and visitors...
[she beams.]
It is such a lively place, with so many different types of people. I love it.
[ hm. yin yu's observant enough to see that, but, he's also not going to pry, not now. if flayn wants to tell him, she will, and he'll be there to listen. any worry on his face fades into a smaller, softer smile, watching her talk delightedly about her home. ]
That sounds wonderful. [ it certainly sounds like the kind of place flayn would love. something full of life and joy. and to have family there, and friends... a kind existence, indeed. for her to return safely to this when its all over again will be imperative. ] It sounds a bit like a sect, in that respect. [ familiar... old, old memories, but familiar. ] Is that where you met Lord Dimitri as well?
...well, I suppose in some ways it is a religious sect...?
[hmm. does it count? there's differences between the central church, the eastern church, and the western church, but they all follow the same teachings at their core. flayn looks thoughtful as she considers that.
...but then her expression falls again at his last question.]
In a manner of speaking. [...] My memories and Dimitri's... they do not quite line up. I am... not certain that we shall be going back to the same version of the monastery, once we leave this place.
[which is a frightening thought, if she's being honest.]
[ oh... some kind of alternate timeline, or something...? it's not completely implausible.... ]
...How interesting. [ what a strange possibility. to think, that there are different versions of different worlds. is there a world where yin yu dianxia is still around, in the west?
...that's a depressing thought. hm. let's shove that down and ignore it. ] ...even so, I'm glad that there's at least a small amount of familiarity for you, at least, Lady Flayn, even if it's a bit odd. Your world seems quite different than mine.
[ but, he likes hearing about it, goes unsaid. it's pretty obvious, though. ]
...I am glad for having had the chance to get to know him better. I joined a different class than his, in my world, so I did not have many opportunities to spend time with him before.
[she wishes that she'd been able to, though. the dimitri she's come to know can't be that different from the dimitri of her own world, can he? given the opportunity, they've proven they can be friends.]
It does... I would like to hear more about your world sometime, though. That is, if you would not mind sharing.
[ there's a moment's pause, as he seems to think, but.
eventually, he turns his head to look at her properly. he sounds a little hesitant, but not scared--more awkward. well, it's not that anyone ever really thinks to ask, and he doesn't want to tell her something boring....
but flayn asked, so, he'll do his best. ] ...What do you want to know?
flayn considers it. there are plenty of questions she could ask - and will ask, if he doesn't seem too uncomfortable with it. but for now, she'll just start with one.]
You said before that Ghost City was full of a wide variety of different types of people... [ghosts. demons. gods.] But what is your favorite place within Ghost City?
[ oh... that's an interesting question. he pauses, for a moment, trying to think--the city unfolds in his mind's eye, red, shining lanterns, the hustle and bustle of ghosts, paradise manor looming in the background. he knows it in and out, every street and corner, every busker, every stall.
...and therefore, it doesn't take him too long to answer. ] There is a stall owned by two elderly spirits in the northwest corner of the city. Most of the food in the Ghost City is... [ .............. ] ....an acquired taste, but, they use ingredients that are common to the Western half of my country, and it's always very good. I helped them with a business issue a long while ago, so, they usually greet me when they see me.
[ it's the little things. sometimes a good meal, and a face that knew him - even if it was just as the xianxianyue officer - was enough. ]
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fishingforcompliments) wrote2020-06-06 12:53 pm
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[especially since they no longer have any of the evidence, and they'll have a whole new case to look over in the morning. still - it isn't impossible that someone might figure it out, is it?
she reaches for his hand.]
But if anyone had to have a power like that... is it wrong to say that I feel safer, knowing it is you? It could very easily be misused, but...
[yin yu would never do that.
at least, not intentionally.]
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by now, this has become rather comfortable. it's not quite automatic, but his fingers fold slowly over hers, and he gives her hand a small squeeze. flayn's confidence in him is...
(i hate you, i hate you!)
...kind, but not deserved. yin yu's quiet, for a moment, before he finally responds, ducking his head. as ever, he's humble. ] ...that's very kind of you to say, Lady Flayn. I can only do the best that I can with such a responsibility.
[ lately, yin yu has come to wonder if he could ever be the person that flayn thinks that he might be. ] Thank you for sharing with me.
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[in a place like this, the only shameful thing would be to not try at all - to disengage from what's happening, to force themselves not to be affected by it. however, each of them has - in their own way - been trying to make some sense of all of this.
that's what will carry them through to the end, she hopes.]
...thank you for sharing with me. It means a lot to me that you chose to— I did not share my power with you in order to force your hand into sharing yours...
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that comment is enough to pull him out of whatever self-induced spiral he was about to go on. flayn's good at that: whenever it feels like he's going to disappear into his own head, she's just...there. it's something that he needs more than he knew, more than he's able to really admit to.
and, it's easier to reassure her than it is to think about the things that he's done that have led him down the path that he's walked. yin yu shakes his head; absently, his thumb traces the side of her hand. ] ...I wanted to.
It's as I said: I trust you, my lady. I don't think I would have thought of what you said on my own, either, so you've helped me. [ mm... a little more embarrassed, he ducks his head. ] I am not... used to relying on others, for much of anything, but...I'm glad that I was able to share with you.
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[she gives his hand a very soft squeeze, and doesn't let go of it. if the contact brings them both comfort - and it seems to - then they can hold hands for as long as they need it.]
Thank you, Yin Yu. For always being here.
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Of course. If I can be reliable to you, then I'm glad. [ a pause, and yin yu returns the little squeeze, turning to give her a small, genuine smile. ] ...and thank you, for being here for me, too.
[ no pretenses necessary. ]
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(this isn't the time for those sorts of thoughts.)]
Even if there was not anything you could do for me, I would still very much enjoy your company.
[...but, of course, she goes ahead and says a thing like that as if it's the simplest thing in the world.]
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That's... more or less why I thought I would come by. [ eventually, yin yu admits, a little sheepish. ] I did want to ask about your team, but it wasn't really why. [ he was just too much of a weenie to say so and switched to business mode. ] ...Tell me, how was the rest of your week? It seems you spent a lot of time in the portal, too.
[ a conversation change, but, his hand lingers in hers, for now. if it makes her happy, then, he won't let go. (it makes him happy, too, but yin yu is hard pressed to admit that to himself, let alone to anyone else.) ]
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[this is why you wait until someone asks you a question before answering it, flayn! ...but it works out. somehow, she actually feels closer to him, thanks to how all of this turned out.
she smiles, looking down at their joined hands.]
I did a lot of reading in the library in the village, and... Lili took me to try on outfits at the boutique there. It was really nice. [way nicer than the island had been.] ...and you? How did you spend your week?
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[ he... probably would have chickened out, like a coward, is basically what that means. yin yu is very aware of his own limitations and one of them is that he's very rusty on this interacting with people thing and... was never that great at it in the first place.
flayn makes it so easy, though. being around her is relaxing. there's little tension in his shoulders, calm and comfortable as he takes in the comment about the library--and can picture her and lili in that boutique--and hums. ] Much of the same. I visited the shop with Sect Leader Nie, as well, and spent a bit of time in the training hall, as you saw.
[ he also liked the village. it reminded him a lot of home. mm, though! ] I didn't get much of a chance to see the library, though. How was it?
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Oh, it was wonderful! So many books, on such a wide variety of topics - I wish I could have taken them all back through the portal with me!
[so much reading material... she spent a lot of the time that she wasn't running around bullying people into dates reading, and it was time well spent, as far as she's concerned. even if she doesn't have a whole lot to show for it now.]
The selection of books in the monastery library is rather lacking - apparently, my brother reviews everything that goes into it himself to prevent anything "inappropriate" from falling into my hands, the overprotective meddler.
[huffs.]
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he can't help but smile back at her enthusiasm, head tilting to the side, amusement registering on his face. ] "Inappropriate"...? [ flayn's brother seems to be quite overprotective indeed. ] I can only assume what that would mean...
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[let her read novels... please.......]
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At home, I think there would be many literature gods who would be quite offended by that. [ it's a bit of a joke, said lightly, although it's true. there are massively popular literature gods like ling wen who deal in records and godly texts, sure, but the heavens are also full of writers and playwrights, too. ]
Fine literature is part of the six arts of cultivation. It's important, to balance your scholarly learning with a fine appreciation for the arts, as well. [ so... you know, it's fine to censor things that are a bit bawdy, but, flayn should be allowed to read a novel or two.
somewhere seteth shudders in the void. ] Do you have a genre you're the most interested in, Lady Flayn?
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[she sighs a little wistfully]
And tales of romance, I suppose. Before my brother arranged for me to come to the monastery, I lived in seclusion for quite some time, so... there are many customs that I am not familiar with, and he was always too protective of me to allow me to go into town to familiarize myself with them.
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How long have you been in the monastery? If I recall correctly, you said you were taking classes, is that right? It must be exciting.
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[her voice trails off, though.]
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Yes, it is terribly exciting! Sometimes, our class even leaves the monastery for missions where we help out the knights, or rout bandits. But even when we do not, there are always so many people about the monastery - the knights, the members of the church, other students, and visitors...
[she beams.]
It is such a lively place, with so many different types of people. I love it.
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That sounds wonderful. [ it certainly sounds like the kind of place flayn would love. something full of life and joy. and to have family there, and friends... a kind existence, indeed. for her to return safely to this when its all over again will be imperative. ] It sounds a bit like a sect, in that respect. [ familiar... old, old memories, but familiar. ] Is that where you met Lord Dimitri as well?
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[hmm. does it count? there's differences between the central church, the eastern church, and the western church, but they all follow the same teachings at their core. flayn looks thoughtful as she considers that.
...but then her expression falls again at his last question.]
In a manner of speaking. [...] My memories and Dimitri's... they do not quite line up. I am... not certain that we shall be going back to the same version of the monastery, once we leave this place.
[which is a frightening thought, if she's being honest.]
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...How interesting. [ what a strange possibility. to think, that there are different versions of different worlds. is there a world where yin yu dianxia is still around, in the west?
...that's a depressing thought. hm. let's shove that down and ignore it. ] ...even so, I'm glad that there's at least a small amount of familiarity for you, at least, Lady Flayn, even if it's a bit odd. Your world seems quite different than mine.
[ but, he likes hearing about it, goes unsaid. it's pretty obvious, though. ]
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[she wishes that she'd been able to, though. the dimitri she's come to know can't be that different from the dimitri of her own world, can he? given the opportunity, they've proven they can be friends.]
It does... I would like to hear more about your world sometime, though. That is, if you would not mind sharing.
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eventually, he turns his head to look at her properly. he sounds a little hesitant, but not scared--more awkward. well, it's not that anyone ever really thinks to ask, and he doesn't want to tell her something boring....
but flayn asked, so, he'll do his best. ] ...What do you want to know?
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flayn considers it. there are plenty of questions she could ask - and will ask, if he doesn't seem too uncomfortable with it. but for now, she'll just start with one.]
You said before that Ghost City was full of a wide variety of different types of people... [ghosts. demons. gods.] But what is your favorite place within Ghost City?
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...and therefore, it doesn't take him too long to answer. ] There is a stall owned by two elderly spirits in the northwest corner of the city. Most of the food in the Ghost City is... [ .............. ] ....an acquired taste, but, they use ingredients that are common to the Western half of my country, and it's always very good. I helped them with a business issue a long while ago, so, they usually greet me when they see me.
[ it's the little things. sometimes a good meal, and a face that knew him - even if it was just as the xianxianyue officer - was enough. ]
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finally emerges from memshare starter writing hell
grips your shoulder BE STRONG SISI
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desperation 2 electric boogaloo
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