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

[daozhangs]

( and xingchen recognizes the fatigue in each step wen ning takes, in the cadence of his words. it's quite familiar to him. one grows accustomed to it, in xingchen's experience. with discipline and a liberal application of soothing tea, one can manage to sleep through a segment of their time in their night form, and then the fatigue which comes with their proper daytime form is dulled at least slightly. combine that with the forms of tea which contain the substance called 'caffeine', and he finds himself functioning quite well during the daytime, even if he rarely rises earlier than mid-morning. )

It may not be a good thing, but there are far worse alternatives, ( he confirms. having lived with the twice-daily shifting for a few months now and lining such a thing up next to the other monstrous features and traits he has heard of, it seems like it might be one of the more merciful options even with the pain of the shifts. ) Perhaps it's a bit selfish, but I find myself relieved to share such a thing with a friend.

[deadwenwalking]

I don't... I don't think it's selfish.

[Wen Ning feels similarly about it. And despite everything, he's particularly pleased at being referred to as a friend. He hasn't known Xiao Xingchen that long and there have been people he's known for far longer who've never referred to him as such.]

I-It's always easier to go through difficulties when you have someone to commiserate with.

[Not that he wants to completely dump all his werewolf woes on the other man any time soon.]

[daozhangs]

( perhaps it might be a bit premature to use the term 'friend' by traditional standards, but is that not what they are? 'allies' implies that they mutually benefit from the relationship for more practical reasons - and perhaps there are practical benefits as well (like fetching one another from bug jail, for example), but that's hardly xingchen's motivation in speaking with him. in inviting him back to his home to convalesce for the evening in peace and quiet, perhaps with tea or whatever else he might be able to stomach. )

It is, ( he agrees with a little nod. and though he considers leaving it there, he finds himself confessing, ) I've come to realize that those whose monstrous form is more consistent tend to struggle with our nightly shifts. As if such a thing is more horrifying simply because it happens so quickly, so frequently. ( which is perhaps a forewarning to his newfound fellow were- not to shift in front of others too flippantly, but underneath that, it's also a bit of commiseration. )

[deadwenwalking]

[Wen Ning is not the sort to want anyone to see his transformations if he can help it, especially after being gawked at by several bug creatures when it had happened this time around. He doesn't seek attention and he certainly doesn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. He will most definitely try to be away from others when it happens, unless circumstances don't allow it.]

M-maybe we can hope that... at least the ones closest to us will eventually get used to it. [Not that it would be a pleasant thing to get used to for either of them, but eventually they'd have to learn that it's going to happen and they'll be alright afterward. For the most part.]