Names with a story are always kinda special, aren't they? Like why I still call you Chijin even though I know that's not right, or Won-san "Haku-san" unless he's in trouble. If it makes you think of the person well, and it makes them happy in return, then I think that's really nice, you know?
[There's a flicker of something sad there, an after-thought. She'll obediently take the hint, though, trotting towards the stairs with only a slight hitch to her gait to show she is in any sort of pain.]
Can we sit outside, Chijin-san? Um, on the inn steps or something? I think I'd like the fresh air. [Her chest hurts. :(]
I do too. [ xie lian nods, smile on his face fond. ] There was a time once where very few people called me by my name, you know, so much so that sometimes it felt like my name wasn't even "Xie Lian". So even now, to hear someone say it, it feels very special.
"Gege", in our realm, is a way to call someone your "elder brother", though it is really moreso a term to refer to someone older than you with some respect. It's often affectionate. [ his smile grows as they walk, and xie lian accepts her request with a nod, starting to walk at her pace to the inn steps.
hikaru will feel the contentedness and the warmth rolling off of him in waves, the amusement blooming forth from it, too as he talks. ] Though he can't do it here, San Lang has the ability to change his appearance at will. The day I first met him, he was riding on the back of an ox cart, disguised as the young master of a family - only a few years older than you. He told me then that his name was "San Lang". It means something along the lines of "third son", and he tagged along with me on an adventure. I figured out very quickly that he wasn't what he seemed, but I let him tell me, and show me, on his own terms.
[ there's a beat. ] I'm actually not entirely sure what San Lang's real name is. [ xie lian laughs. ] But, he says he likes it when I call him that, so I call him that still. Isn't that silly?
[Aw. It's a good story, one that has her whole attention even when her mouth is full of tea.]
You told me the same when I called you Chijin-san - I think, if it's okay with the other person, then it becomes a good memory. Xie Lian-san may be you, but Chijin is who is my friend - a "person I know well", even if it's just a silly mistake.
When Hua-chan first called you Gege when we were talking, it reminded me a lot of "Onii-san". It's what you can call your older brother... like, "hey, this person is special and respected and he is mine and I am his!"
I've only gotten to use it here, though, so I don't think it's quite the same as you and Hua-chan. [It would be nice, she thinks, to have a brother.
confusion, then realization flickers across xie lian's face, and his emotions, but he clamps down on it in a second, shoving it downwards immediately. a part of his heart aches for hikaru, because that... that is something she has forgotten.
hikaru has three older brothers. the first - his name is satoru. she said he was like san lang. xie lian won't forget. for hikaru's sake, he won't forget.
...he won't remind her, either, though not now. not yet, but it fills him with a flickering sense of determination, for the other purpose of this conversation.] ...I see. It does sound very similar.
...Hikaru. [ said, quietly, with a sense of serious purpose, as they settle down. ] Have you spoken much with your leader this week?
[She shakes her head, taking a moment to swallow.]
I talked to them for a while after, um... after what happened to Shuuya-kun. [The hurt and guilt bubble up IMMEDIATELY so have fun with that lingering for a bit.] I was going to go talk to them today - I wanna know what happened with the port.
There's hesitation and hurt, as though she wants to decline. But he'll quietly speak in her raspy voice.]
Not a lot.
They... knew I'd been trying to talk to Shuuya-kun. They tried to comfort me about it, but... they told me his heart would have rejected me no matter what I did.
[And there is a flare of fierce, disbelieving anger at that.]
But that's not why I went to talk to them. I went to ask what they did with the dead.
I didn't want to tell too many people. I... don't want what happened with Cater-chan and Sharon-san to happen again, or for anyone to sacrifice themselves, just because of a possibility.
That's very wise of you. I think it's best to try and keep that information to an absolute minimum - as much as it would be nice to spread hope to others, what is hopeful for us may yet be a motivation for others.
[ so. xie lian's quiet for a moment, letting the somber moment float over them both. he'd lean over to give her a nudge, but that whole shock thing makes that very difficult. ]
...but it helped me. To know such a thing helped to strengthen my own resolve to get the Realm fixed as soon as we can.
[ one thing xie lian really likes about hikaru is her spirit. it gives him hope, to know that people like her still exist in this world, or any world, and he gives her a small, reassuring smile. ]
Then, let's do our best so you have the ability to follow through.
[ he shifts a little, reaching for his own cup of tea, and then lifts it, tilting it a bit towards hikaru so they could clink them together. ] And that means taking care of yourself too, Miss Hikaru.
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[There's a flicker of something sad there, an after-thought. She'll obediently take the hint, though, trotting towards the stairs with only a slight hitch to her gait to show she is in any sort of pain.]
Can we sit outside, Chijin-san? Um, on the inn steps or something? I think I'd like the fresh air. [Her chest hurts. :(]
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"Gege", in our realm, is a way to call someone your "elder brother", though it is really moreso a term to refer to someone older than you with some respect. It's often affectionate. [ his smile grows as they walk, and xie lian accepts her request with a nod, starting to walk at her pace to the inn steps.
hikaru will feel the contentedness and the warmth rolling off of him in waves, the amusement blooming forth from it, too as he talks. ] Though he can't do it here, San Lang has the ability to change his appearance at will. The day I first met him, he was riding on the back of an ox cart, disguised as the young master of a family - only a few years older than you. He told me then that his name was "San Lang". It means something along the lines of "third son", and he tagged along with me on an adventure. I figured out very quickly that he wasn't what he seemed, but I let him tell me, and show me, on his own terms.
[ there's a beat. ] I'm actually not entirely sure what San Lang's real name is. [ xie lian laughs. ] But, he says he likes it when I call him that, so I call him that still. Isn't that silly?
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You told me the same when I called you Chijin-san - I think, if it's okay with the other person, then it becomes a good memory. Xie Lian-san may be you, but Chijin is who is my friend - a "person I know well", even if it's just a silly mistake.
When Hua-chan first called you Gege when we were talking, it reminded me a lot of "Onii-san". It's what you can call your older brother... like, "hey, this person is special and respected and he is mine and I am his!"
I've only gotten to use it here, though, so I don't think it's quite the same as you and Hua-chan. [It would be nice, she thinks, to have a brother.
She takes another drink.]
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....ah.
confusion, then realization flickers across xie lian's face, and his emotions, but he clamps down on it in a second, shoving it downwards immediately. a part of his heart aches for hikaru, because that... that is something she has forgotten.
hikaru has three older brothers. the first - his name is satoru. she said he was like san lang. xie lian won't forget. for hikaru's sake, he won't forget.
...he won't remind her, either, though not now. not yet, but it fills him with a flickering sense of determination, for the other purpose of this conversation.] ...I see. It does sound very similar.
...Hikaru. [ said, quietly, with a sense of serious purpose, as they settle down. ] Have you spoken much with your leader this week?
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I talked to them for a while after, um... after what happened to Shuuya-kun. [The hurt and guilt bubble up IMMEDIATELY so have fun with that lingering for a bit.] I was going to go talk to them today - I wanna know what happened with the port.
...
Why?
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What did they say...? If you don't mind my asking.
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[I mean, she doesn't mind sharing, but...]
About what? Shuuya-kun?
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[ xie lian glances to the side to look at her. ] If you're comfortable with telling me so.
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There's hesitation and hurt, as though she wants to decline. But he'll quietly speak in her raspy voice.]
Not a lot.
They... knew I'd been trying to talk to Shuuya-kun. They tried to comfort me about it, but... they told me his heart would have rejected me no matter what I did.
[And there is a flare of fierce, disbelieving anger at that.]
But that's not why I went to talk to them. I went to ask what they did with the dead.
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...I know, already. I learned the same information you did.
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I didn't want to tell too many people. I... don't want what happened with Cater-chan and Sharon-san to happen again, or for anyone to sacrifice themselves, just because of a possibility.
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[ so. xie lian's quiet for a moment, letting the somber moment float over them both. he'd lean over to give her a nudge, but that whole shock thing makes that very difficult. ]
...but it helped me. To know such a thing helped to strengthen my own resolve to get the Realm fixed as soon as we can.
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I want to save them, along with everyone else. And...
[She swallows, her voice cracking for a moment.]
I promised Shuuya-kun I would find him, that I would bring him back if the Realm would let me... and he promised me that if I could, he would follow.
I don't want to break that promise.
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Then, let's do our best so you have the ability to follow through.
[ he shifts a little, reaching for his own cup of tea, and then lifts it, tilting it a bit towards hikaru so they could clink them together. ] And that means taking care of yourself too, Miss Hikaru.
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I will, Chijin. I have people who care for me here... so I'm not gonna ignore their concern.
I'm gonna see if someone can help me clean my burns before I talk to my leader. I washed up as best as I could last night, but... [haha ow burns]
I got all the soot out of my hair, at least!
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...I can help you with anything visible, at least... Ruoye's quite useful for this sort of situation. [ where they can't touch, anyway! ]
that icon....
[she. was not expecting him to offer, and the surprise sits blankly for a few moments.
...]
Um... Would you mind?
I can find somebody else, it's not a big deal!
xie lian didnt know whether to laugh or cry.png
The lipstick really sells it tbh
Mnn... Okay, well... There's a first aid station open down the street now, isn't there? We can go there when we're all done?
I don't need a lot, Chijin, I promise.