ic inbox, ryslig.

[daozhangs]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, XIAO.XINGCHEN. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 018.07.154.55 *** XIAO.XINGCHEN has joined 018.07.154.55 <XIAO.XINGCHEN> You have reached Xiao Xingchen. <XIAO.XINGCHEN> I am often away from my laptop, but I will do my best to answer as soon as I'm able.

Comments

[legbreakings]

I will ask for either blood or meat. Both should permit me to feed without killing.

Even if I didn't even make it two weeks without killing after returning from Felfri. But I don't want to rely on battles to see me through.

[daozhangs]

Understandable, for certain. With any luck, we won't see nearly the battles we'd need in order to rely on them, anyway.

( and since it feels relevant to jiang wanyin, whether by way of practicality or simply the nature of their friendship, ) I fed as well, the day after our escape.

Not by way of killing. Wen Ning had the thought to bring me a meal.

( just... to clarify, since jiang-xiong so recently went through quite a bit of hassle to spare xingchen the need to kill. )

[legbreakings]

I'm glad. That should see you through for the rest of the year.

I suppose that was thoughtful of the Ghost General.

[ Whom he still barely tolerates but... He can recognize an act of kindness when he sees it. ]

[daozhangs]

I admit that it may have been offered in guilt, at least in part. He accompanied me to Bavan the day I was captured.

[legbreakings]

I see.

You risked much to find me.

[daozhangs]

Of course I did. Are you truly surprised?

[legbreakings]

Not surprised, no.

[ Just... conflicted, considering how it ended for him. ]

I don't like that you were put into danger because of me.

[daozhangs]

I don't like that you were put into danger to start with.

[legbreakings]

That was my mistake and my own responsibility. You hold no duty to me.

[daozhangs]

I know that I don't. I've never thought otherwise.

[legbreakings]

Good. It is not your place to take risks on my behalf.

[daozhangs]

You misunderstand. I never said that I won't be taking risks on your behalf. Simply that they won't be born from duty.

[legbreakings]

That is NOT what I meant!

[daozhangs]

If you tell me not to, then I won't. I'm more than capable of respecting your wishes.

But if all you plan to do is fuss over what is or isn't my duty or place, I'm more than capable of giving you something proper to fuss about.

I could ask after your healing, for one.

[legbreakings]

[ What.

How.

Why.

...the disrespect! ]

You would not dare!

[ Well. Okay. He would dare. But!!! ]

You're a daozhang, you're supposed to be nice!

[daozhangs]

Were I still a daozhang, I'd argue that I'm supposed to be compassionate. 'Niceness' exists nowhere in the principles as I learned them.

[legbreakings]

[ That's so rude. How dare you not meet his expectations. ]

"Compassionate" doesn't help me when you're being a pest!

[daozhangs]

Shall I stop?

[legbreakings]

[ Grmpfl! ]

Now you are mocking me, too!

[daozhangs]

And here I thought that I was being nice.

[legbreakings]

No no no you were not I said you are supposed to be nice! That was a complaint not a statement!

[daozhangs]

If we're being pedantic on the matter, I might argue that a complaint is a form of statement, and so it was both.

[legbreakings]

I'm sure that is not how it works!

[daozhangs]

Are you? Hmm.

[legbreakings]

Am I what! Stop talking in circles!