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]

[ 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!

[daozhangs]

Now, is that any way to speak to a daozhang?

[legbreakings]

You just told me you aren't a daozhang any longer!

[daozhangs]

My friend, I carry with me the utmost empathy for your plight. Would it not have been simpler just to allow me my risk-taking on your behalf?

[legbreakings]

[ !!! ]

That's just plain evil

[daozhangs]

Perhaps. But I did tell you precisely what I planned to do - give you something to fuss about.

I suppose while you're already fussing, I may as well clarify one more thing.

I did not risk 'too much' to find you. I risked precisely enough, and had it not been enough, I would have risked more even still.

Have you any more complaints, or might I presume that we've reached an understanding?

[legbreakings]

[ You are impossible and he is so incredibly offended, Xiao Xingchen! ]

I don't even know where to BEGIN yelling at you!

I WiLL break your legs if you get yourself hurt trying to rescue me, do you hear me? I'll just snap them! Shatter them! Then you will be sorry and you won't have legs to run into trouble with so you will be doubly sorry!

And just for the record: I don't fuss. I'm not a girl.

[daozhangs]

I suppose your terms are fair. I'll heal with the fog, regardless.

[legbreakings]

What is wrong with you! Don’t just agree with me when I'm threatening you!

[daozhangs]

If it helps, I'd prefer my legs remain as they are. Or - I suppose 'intact' is more feasible, all things considered. ( 'as they are' fails to reflect the unpleasant shift they endure each night and morning. )

But if those are the terms of your rescue, it's not as though I can refuse them.

[legbreakings]

Asking for intact legs is asking for a lot. I don't know if I can deliver.

[ Does he really need to teach you how to threaten people back? ]

[daozhangs]

( certainly not, since his last threat was (if you recall) delivered quite thoroughly in a way that jiang wanyin sorely lamented. )

It's understandable. As I said, I'll heal well enough with the fog.

[legbreakings]

No no no you are not supposed to agree with me! Why is this so hard to understand!

[daozhangs]

Have I not disagreed with you in the simple act of agreeing with you? Seeing as you've told me not to.

[legbreakings]

[ ...

Well. He might have a point there. ]

You're so annoying!

[daozhangs]

I'd hoped that perhaps it might make you smile.

Barring that, I'd hoped that it might teach you something regarding how much simpler it is to accept the inevitability of my presence in times of need.

[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.