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]

Fine fine have it your way. I still reserve the right to break your legs afterward. I can't have you ruining my reputation.

[daozhangs]

Of course.

( and then, after a pause, )

The soup I've been simmering seems just about done. We'll speak this evening?

( were jiang wanyin capable of properly enjoying regular food, xingchen would offer to bring him some as well - but aside from the occasional treat, he has largely held off on such efforts to feed him. )

5th

[legbreakings]

[ Alas, food is one of the many things that just aren’t the same anymore. ]

Enjoy your meal. We will speak later.


[ On the 5th, he gets a very curt message. ]

It's blood.

[daozhangs]

Is it? I admit that I'm relieved. It's quite a bit simpler to acquire.

[legbreakings]

I hope so. At least there is a chance of acquiring it without killing.

[daozhangs]

Forgive me - I should have been more direct.

Depending on how much it is that you require, I have a decent quantity of blood to spare. Precisely how much will depend on whether any regenerates as I shift, or whether it only does throughout the fog.

Regardless, if you take it in measured amounts rather than all at once, it shouldn't be an issue.

[legbreakings]

[ ...

Okay. It feels like he missed five steps to this conversation because Xiao Xingchen can't possibly be suggesting what he thinks he is suggesting? ]

What?

Why are you offering such a thing?

[ He's not sentimental enough not to see it as practical, or refuse it out of hand for concerns such as pain or discomfort. But. Why would he even offer? Why would he want to make Jiang Cheng's burden his burden? ]

[daozhangs]

( a predictable question, just as predictable as the fact that xingchen's proper answer would leave him no more satisfied than he is now. and so, after a pause, )

I suppose that finding a means for you to sustain yourself without having to kill is just as important to me as it is to you.

( the truth, even if only a facet of it. )

Is it not the simplest solution?

[legbreakings]

It would be the simplest solution. But I don't want to be a burden to you. You should not have to concern yourself with my feeding.

[daozhangs]

You aren't a burden, and you know as much. How many times shall we loop through this same disagreement? You, telling me what is or isn't my duty or concern as if such a thing ever stops me, anymore - and then me, telling you again that nothing I do on your behalf comes from debt or duty or feeling as though I have to, and hoping that this time you might actually manage to take it to heart.

[legbreakings]

Does it surprise you that we must?

I can't let you risk coming to harm simply to make my life easier. There is always a chance I won't be able to stop, though with my feeding mechanisms being on my hands it should be easier to force me.

[daozhangs]

You wouldn't allow yourself to harm me.

I'm quite confident in that, so I recommend against wasting breath attempting to convince me otherwise.

[legbreakings]

You know what we are all capable of when the hunger overtakes us.

I would rather trust in your combat skills than in my own self-control.

[daozhangs]

Trust in those as well, then. I'm more than capable of protecting myself, if the need arises.

[legbreakings]

See that you use your skills if it becomes necessary. I don't want to be responsible for damage that could have been avoided. I have done enough damage here that couldn't stopped.

[daozhangs]

So you accept?

[legbreakings]

You offer me a way out. It would be irresponsible to refuse it, wouldn't it? Even my pride isn't boundless.

[daozhangs]

I'm glad for it.

I've done a bit of research, and were I entirely human, I'd be able able to spare a pint of blood per five or six days and still offer enough for . There are less-than-ideal long term effects, but seeing as I'm not entirely human and heal with each fog, that shouldn't be an issue.

If it is, we'll address that when it comes.

[legbreakings]

[ ??? ]

You have thought about this a lot.

[ That's putting it mildly. ]

[daozhangs]

I have.

[legbreakings]

I won't refuse your offer. It is very generous and I owe you a great debt of gratitude for it.

[ Even if he dislikes owing anyone, or relying on anyone. But this is not about him or his pride. ]

[daozhangs]

Repay me by never again claiming to owe me. I seek neither your debt nor your gratitude.

[legbreakings]

How can I not feel like I owe you both?

I owe you both for what you are doing for me. It is the least I can offer in return, in a place where I have nothing else to offer.

[daozhangs]

You truly wish to repay me?

[legbreakings]

Of course!

Not because I consider it a transaction. There can be no price be put to what you are offering to do for me. Simply because it is the right thing to do.

[ And because he doesn't like owing anyone, too. But it is the right thing. ]