[ hello, yoo joonghyuk!! are you having a good time fishing.
by which i mean - you almost definitely have company. xie lian is coming onto the area of the beach where he was fishing on his walk, and seems to have stopped, reaching up to pet san lang, whose ears prick forward curiously.
he's very quiet, and very still... but he is definitely watching this fishing technique... and jonghyuk doing it. hey, ]
[ He is very much relaxing? It seems like he's meditating while fishing, so with his eyes closed. His daemon, too, is doing the same... Niah as a black wolf lounges next to him, seemingly asleep.
[ Wherever Xie Lian be when he gets treated and everything, Joonghyuk seems to appear with Niah walking right beside him. The wolf daemon lifts his head, acknowledging. ]
[ xie lian is, in fact, alive! he's sitting on his bed, sitting back a little bit, looking out the window. changed out of his outer robes, he's got bandages wrapped around his chest, and the cut on his cheek is closed and no longer bleeding freely.
at the voice, he seems to snap out of whatever he was thinking of, and turns - his expression softens a little in recognition. san lang is a ferret in his lap, curled up in his lap, and he lifts his head briefly, acknowledging niah and chittering in his direction. ]
[ In the castle kitchen, Joonghyuk is cooking! Unfortunately, he didn't steal that many spices, but he has salt, soy sauce, and gochujang. It will have to do for braising fish. ]
so good. he and rochalizo had been talking about the type of food they had to eat in this city, and the things they missed - the smell of something cooking gets his attention as he's walking by the kitchen!
xie lian backtracks from what he's doing and pokes his head in the room, following his nose - san lang is standing on the edge of his shoulder, learning as far forward as ferret-ly possible.
there's like a good minute before he actually says anything, and then, eventually, a gentle (annoying, probably) voice pipes up from the door. ]
[ Joonghyuk is still at the plaza after execution, though not sitting where he initially was. He's standing closer to the spot where Bertolt and his daemon turned into dust. Niah, also, sits beside him looking at the spot.
[ much like the others, xie lian had hurried to help kotetsu, but he returns to the spot in the plaza where the execution was held not much long after.
he's not really expecting to see someone else, so - when he sees joonghyuk, he pauses, and then folds his hands into his sleeves, coming to join him. his face is solemn, and san lang is in ferret form, settled around his neck.
after a moment of quiet, he bows his head. ]
...hello, Mr. Joonghyuk. Do you mind if I join you?
[ all of this memory causing glass sure is inconvenient, isn't it? it's crazy how it just seems to be in the most random of places! xie lian, who happens to not be a particularly unlucky person, should not be having the issues that he is having with these terrible little shards, but, alas.
he's picking up what looks like a bottle - close enough to joonghyuk, maybe coming to say hello briefly - when one of the fancy shards of glass falls out of the top of it and right into his hands.
your feet pound against the golden pavement of the heavens, and palaces go by you in a blur. you can feel spiritual energy that leaks off of you in waves - you are the young god taizi dianxia, the crown prince who pleased the gods, the prince of xian le, and today, you are running in desperation.
you slam open the doors of the palace of the heavenly emperor, interrupting what looks to be an important meeting. a handsome, older man with dark hair wearing a headdress looks up at you from his throne - jun wu, the heavenly emperor, who looks across at you with mild curiosity, and his usual fondness. this man is almost a father to you. maybe that's why you are fine speaking out of turn. (maybe it's because you are always fine speaking out of turn, when you're impassioned enough.) ]
My lord-- [ you say, bluntly, completely interrupting everything ] I'm descending to the mortal realm.
[ the heavenly emperor blinks mildly at you as the entire meeting comes to a stop. you could hear a pin drop.
after a moment, his highness closes his mouth, and speaks, his voice gentle. "Xianle... I am aware of what's happening, but you must remain calm."
you shake your head. ] My lord, I didn't come to request permission. I came to inform. My people - [ and you love your people, more than just as your devotees, you love every single one of them as fiercely as they have ever loved you, with every fiber of your body, and their despair overwhelms you ] -are currently sunken in the depths of hell, so please forgive me if I cannot remain calm.
[ plague. war. drought. destruction. everything in xian le is falling apart by the moment.
the heavenly emperor sighs. "The universe has its own rhythm. Do you not realize that if you descend to appear before mortals, it will be a violation of heavenly law?"
something about that just lights a fire in your heart. the law? the law your people are dying, are suffering, and you're up here doing paperwork? you won't. you won't, you won't. you refuse, and you cry - ] IF IT'S A VIOLATION, THEN SO BE IT!
[ you are barely seventeen years old, and you have just defied the heavenly emperor.
shock ripples through the crowd, and murmuring starts, but you ignore them, your eyes only for the heavenly emperor, as you bend to bow. your heartbeat sings with spiritual energy. with pride. with determination, that floods your core. ]
Pray my lord let me go this once; just give me a little time. Since the fighting has started, casualties are unavoidable, but if I could stop this and reduce the number of dead, minimize the conflict, then after the fighting ends I will for sure return willingly to repent, and have my lord sentence me as see fit. Whether I shall be sealed under a mountain for a hundred years, a thousand years, a hundred thousand years--I WILL NOT REGRET!
[ you shout the final word of your sentence - adrenaline courses through you. you remain bowed low out of respect, and take a step back, but you do not turn. determined, fists clenched at your sides, ready to do everything for xian le. for them, for them, for them.
"Xianle!"
the emperor's voice rings out.
you pause, mid step, and hear him sigh. "You can't save everyone."
and that is where you're wrong, you think, fiercely. the tiny fire in your heart blazes into a wildfire.
you stand up to your full height, seventeen year old prince turned god about to be mortal, again, and lock eyes with the emperor. ]
Whether I can, I won't know until I've tried. Even if the heavens say I must die, if that sword doesn't pierce my heart and nail me dead on the ground, then I am still alive, and till my last breath, I will struggle to the end!
[ and in the end, you do not turn away from him. you still kowtow, to the emperor, because he is the person you respect most in the entire world.
but you walk straight out of that door facing him, eyes on his, and when the black shackle of being banished wraps around your neck, you don't look back.
you're going to save your people. you refuse to let the laws of godhood - stupid, stupid laws - be the reason that a single person suffers. not on your watch. not on your life. you will do anything for the people of xian le.
you will not let them fall. you became a god to help them, and become a god is what keeps you from them. the laws of the heavens are confining. frustrating. cruel.
so you throw it away.
you will not simply watch as your world falls apart.
[ Wherever the little prince is, Joonghyuk finds him and Niah comes over to inspect again, though not as thoroughly like the first time the group fell out. ]
To think you would find yourself wounded twice already. How are your injuries?
[ is there anything more ic than xie lian being injured? probably not!!
anyway he is here! in the garden, actually, sitting outside, now dressed in loose white victorian clothes instead of his robes, and when joonghyuk greets him, he gives him a little smile. ]
I am alright. [ his voice is a little raspy, likely from the throat injuries and the smoke. ] The others have been very kind in helping, and I believe the recovery from anything should be swift - truly, I am just glad that everyone has been seen to.
[ desert city i yeet us into the void, but this time Joonghyuk is wearing appropriate wear even if it means showing off more skin. He doesn't care. Niah is also here, as usual. ]
Xie Lian.
[ Not in the "you're in trouble" tone, but it's always hard to tell. ]
xie lian is vibing at the moment? he's hanging out at the fountain, wearing a straw hat to protect his burn injuries, san lang a qilin stretched out on the ground and enjoying the sunlight on his scales. ]
Hello, Mr. Joonghyuk. [ he gives a little bow of his head, polite! ] Are you out exploring?
[ Rip post-headcount. Joonghyuk is by the markets, seemingly checking for more medical supplies to get except.......... Markets are closed. Damn. You weird killing people?
[ yes. absolutely. it has been hard to get xie lian away from the tournament area today, except for when he was cooing over baraqiel, so! he walks with his hands behind his back, and nods. ]
Yes! We were already doing a bit before, but she has asked me to ramp up her training. I thought I would start to do so, today - I am going to be teaching her some of the aspects physical and mental of my cultivation.
[ Joonghyuk may be bleeding from whatever past wounds this morning, but it isn't stopping him from meditating. The location now is the ice garden, on top of some flat surfaced ice.
Words as usual drop, letter by letter before dissipating into the blood, though too difficult to read if too far. Niah is just lounging here, but perks up when he hears someone. ]
[ hey, mood! xie lian seems to also be looking for a place for his morning meditation today. he's bleeding out of his stomach, it looks like, the white clothes that he still insists on wearing stained pink. san lang is a qilin today, a big dragon deer furnace of warmth, and when niah perks, he does too, making a soft noise in greeting.
xie lian straightens, and then bows, fist to hand. ]
Hello, Mr. Joonghyuk. I did not mean to interrupt you; it seems as though we had the same plans. Is it alright if I meditate here with you for a little while?
[ xie lian is in the kitchen! he’s got a tea kettle in hand, but the likelihood of him knowing how to use it is pretty low, especially after a day like today. he seems a little foggy; san lang perks at the sight of Niah, though, and chitters quietly from his ferret form to get xie lian’s attention before hopping down.
xie lian glances over, and offers joonghyuk a small smile. ] … Good evening, Mr. Joonghyuk.
[ hourly meditation!!! this works for xie lian. honestly, the maple trees are very relaxing, so.
as joonghyuk speaks up - san lang lifts his head from where he is a ferret again, curled up next to niah - xie lian opens an eye to look at him, and then nods. ]
It is. Some would say lively, though. It is certainly like nowhere else I have ever been.
[ well. funny how kim dokja's words seemed to be a little prophetic, here.
... xie lian is coming to find yoo joonghyuk once the initial chaos of everything wears off. san lang lopes in qilin form at his side, silent but searching for a familiar scent. where you at joonghyuk ]
[ closes my eyes in kim dokja being like "i'm a prophet."
It'll take them a while because it seems like Joonghyuk has walked everywhere in Kings, but ultimately he's sitting on a bench at the park when the sun sets and the stars start littering the sky. Niah is settled under, lying down flat with his head rested on the ground. ]
[ xie lian is here. he is laying on the ground in the park - actually, he's laying on a familiar golden tiger, eyes closed, just. processing all of that.
hearing footsteps, the big golden tiger lifts his head, chuffs, and resumes grooming what looks like a small ball of white fur. ]
...Mr. Joonghyuk. [ he says, in greeting, tired. what a day. ]
[ Hello!! Maybe they are setting up stuff in the caverns? As people kind of explore the caverns.
He is cooking a stew because they. Brought so much food. So many supplies. Some of us have stolen, I know we have. Niah is lounging by the fire, having chosen his wolf form. ]
[ setting up stuff sounds good. it's just busy work, really, and he doesn't mind busy work - happy just to set up and do whatever yoo joonghyuk needs done at the moment. san lang seems to be sticking close to xie lian today for the most part, rabbit formed and hopping near his feet.
at the question, he tilts his head, and then smiles, brows pinching. ]
I am alright. [ just fine!!! peachy. ] There is still much to do.
[ xie lian is... here! he's out for a bit of a walk, it seems, looking up at the stars as he moves - though, when he sees joonghyuk out of the corner of his eye, he slows down, and then comes to join him. ]
w0, monday
by which i mean - you almost definitely have company. xie lian is coming onto the area of the beach where he was fishing on his walk, and seems to have stopped, reaching up to pet san lang, whose ears prick forward curiously.
he's very quiet, and very still... but he is definitely watching this fishing technique... and jonghyuk doing it. hey, ]
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Will Xie Lan say anything now? ]
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w0 sunday
It looks like you're alive.
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at the voice, he seems to snap out of whatever he was thinking of, and turns - his expression softens a little in recognition. san lang is a ferret in his lap, curled up in his lap, and he lifts his head briefly, acknowledging niah and chittering in his direction. ]
I am - I have had worse injuries.
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w1 tuesday
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so good. he and rochalizo had been talking about the type of food they had to eat in this city, and the things they missed - the smell of something cooking gets his attention as he's walking by the kitchen!
xie lian backtracks from what he's doing and pokes his head in the room, following his nose - san lang is standing on the edge of his shoulder, learning as far forward as ferret-ly possible.
there's like a good minute before he actually says anything, and then, eventually, a gentle (annoying, probably) voice pipes up from the door. ]
...Mr. Joonghyuk, what are you cooking...?
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w1 sunday, post-exec
We are here!! ]
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he's not really expecting to see someone else, so - when he sees joonghyuk, he pauses, and then folds his hands into his sleeves, coming to join him. his face is solemn, and san lang is in ferret form, settled around his neck.
after a moment of quiet, he bows his head. ]
...hello, Mr. Joonghyuk. Do you mind if I join you?
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w2, monday! 1/2
he's picking up what looks like a bottle - close enough to joonghyuk, maybe coming to say hello briefly - when one of the fancy shards of glass falls out of the top of it and right into his hands.
oops! ]
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you are running for the grand martial hall.
your feet pound against the golden pavement of the heavens, and palaces go by you in a blur. you can feel spiritual energy that leaks off of you in waves - you are the young god taizi dianxia, the crown prince who pleased the gods, the prince of xian le, and today, you are running in desperation.
you slam open the doors of the palace of the heavenly emperor, interrupting what looks to be an important meeting. a handsome, older man with dark hair wearing a headdress looks up at you from his throne - jun wu, the heavenly emperor, who looks across at you with mild curiosity, and his usual fondness. this man is almost a father to you. maybe that's why you are fine speaking out of turn. (maybe it's because you are always fine speaking out of turn, when you're impassioned enough.) ]
My lord-- [ you say, bluntly, completely interrupting everything ] I'm descending to the mortal realm.
[ the heavenly emperor blinks mildly at you as the entire meeting comes to a stop. you could hear a pin drop.
after a moment, his highness closes his mouth, and speaks, his voice gentle. "Xianle... I am aware of what's happening, but you must remain calm."
you shake your head. ] My lord, I didn't come to request permission. I came to inform. My people - [ and you love your people, more than just as your devotees, you love every single one of them as fiercely as they have ever loved you, with every fiber of your body, and their despair overwhelms you ] -are currently sunken in the depths of hell, so please forgive me if I cannot remain calm.
[ plague. war. drought. destruction. everything in xian le is falling apart by the moment.
the heavenly emperor sighs. "The universe has its own rhythm. Do you not realize that if you descend to appear before mortals, it will be a violation of heavenly law?"
something about that just lights a fire in your heart. the law? the law your people are dying, are suffering, and you're up here doing paperwork? you won't. you won't, you won't. you refuse, and you cry - ] IF IT'S A VIOLATION, THEN SO BE IT!
[ you are barely seventeen years old, and you have just defied the heavenly emperor.
shock ripples through the crowd, and murmuring starts, but you ignore them, your eyes only for the heavenly emperor, as you bend to bow. your heartbeat sings with spiritual energy. with pride. with determination, that floods your core. ]
Pray my lord let me go this once; just give me a little time. Since the fighting has started, casualties are unavoidable, but if I could stop this and reduce the number of dead, minimize the conflict, then after the fighting ends I will for sure return willingly to repent, and have my lord sentence me as see fit. Whether I shall be sealed under a mountain for a hundred years, a thousand years, a hundred thousand years--I WILL NOT REGRET!
[ you shout the final word of your sentence - adrenaline courses through you. you remain bowed low out of respect, and take a step back, but you do not turn. determined, fists clenched at your sides, ready to do everything for xian le. for them, for them, for them.
"Xianle!"
the emperor's voice rings out.
you pause, mid step, and hear him sigh. "You can't save everyone."
and that is where you're wrong, you think, fiercely. the tiny fire in your heart blazes into a wildfire.
you stand up to your full height, seventeen year old prince turned god about to be mortal, again, and lock eyes with the emperor. ]
Whether I can, I won't know until I've tried. Even if the heavens say I must die, if that sword doesn't pierce my heart and nail me dead on the ground, then I am still alive, and till my last breath, I will struggle to the end!
[ and in the end, you do not turn away from him. you still kowtow, to the emperor, because he is the person you respect most in the entire world.
but you walk straight out of that door facing him, eyes on his, and when the black shackle of being banished wraps around your neck, you don't look back.
you're going to save your people. you refuse to let the laws of godhood - stupid, stupid laws - be the reason that a single person suffers. not on your watch. not on your life. you will do anything for the people of xian le.
you will not let them fall. you became a god to help them, and become a god is what keeps you from them. the laws of the heavens are confining. frustrating. cruel.
so you throw it away.
you will not simply watch as your world falls apart.
you're going home. ]
cw: suicide ideation
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w2 friday
To think you would find yourself wounded twice already. How are your injuries?
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anyway he is here! in the garden, actually, sitting outside, now dressed in loose white victorian clothes instead of his robes, and when joonghyuk greets him, he gives him a little smile. ]
I am alright. [ his voice is a little raspy, likely from the throat injuries and the smoke. ] The others have been very kind in helping, and I believe the recovery from anything should be swift - truly, I am just glad that everyone has been seen to.
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w3 tuesday
Xie Lian.
[ Not in the "you're in trouble" tone, but it's always hard to tell. ]
Re: w3 tuesday
xie lian is vibing at the moment? he's hanging out at the fountain, wearing a straw hat to protect his burn injuries, san lang a qilin stretched out on the ground and enjoying the sunlight on his scales. ]
Hello, Mr. Joonghyuk. [ he gives a little bow of his head, polite! ] Are you out exploring?
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w3 friday
He's annoyed, but he sees Xie Lian. ]
How are you faring?
[ With. You know... People dead. ]
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when yoo joonghyuk addresses him, xie lian dips his head in greeting, polite, and then looks out to the market. ]
... I am worried - and, doing as well as I can be. [ all things considered. ] How are your injuries, Mr. Joonghyuk...?
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w3 saturday post-trial
Xie Lian.
[ Since he noticed him and, to be honest, everyone was so emotional. ]
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he glances up at joonghyuk when he calls, though, and just looks so, so tired. ]
...hello, Mr. Joonghyuk.
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w4 monday
Has Mikotoba Susato talked to you about training with her?
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Yes! We were already doing a bit before, but she has asked me to ramp up her training. I thought I would start to do so, today - I am going to be teaching her some of the aspects physical and mental of my cultivation.
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week 4 wednesday noncons you into a pc
xie lian is coming to find yoo joonghyuk on this fine wednesday with a - ]
YOO JOONGHYUK!
[ WHERE ARE YOU ]
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What is it?
[ ??? ]
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w5 wednesday, early morning before events
Words as usual drop, letter by letter before dissipating into the blood, though too difficult to read if too far. Niah is just lounging here, but perks up when he hears someone. ]
Xie Lian.
[ why you here ]
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xie lian straightens, and then bows, fist to hand. ]
Hello, Mr. Joonghyuk. I did not mean to interrupt you; it seems as though we had the same plans. Is it alright if I meditate here with you for a little while?
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w5 sunday, post-execution
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xie lian glances over, and offers joonghyuk a small smile. ] … Good evening, Mr. Joonghyuk.
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w6 monday
Niah is just a wolf bundle on the grass. ]
This place is noisy.
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as joonghyuk speaks up - san lang lifts his head from where he is a ferret again, curled up next to niah - xie lian opens an eye to look at him, and then nods. ]
It is. Some would say lively, though. It is certainly like nowhere else I have ever been.
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w6 post deadja
... xie lian is coming to find yoo joonghyuk once the initial chaos of everything wears off. san lang lopes in qilin form at his side, silent but searching for a familiar scent. where you at joonghyuk ]
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It'll take them a while because it seems like Joonghyuk has walked everywhere in Kings, but ultimately he's sitting on a bench at the park when the sun sets and the stars start littering the sky. Niah is settled under, lying down flat with his head rested on the ground. ]
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w6 post trial
hearing footsteps, the big golden tiger lifts his head, chuffs, and resumes grooming what looks like a small ball of white fur. ]
...Mr. Joonghyuk. [ he says, in greeting, tired. what a day. ]
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I think that is the right tiger, anyway: ]
Xie Lian.
[ Niah is a jaguar, just lounging and looking at nothing in particular. ]
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w7 monday night at some ungodly hour
He is cooking a stew because they. Brought so much food. So many supplies. Some of us have stolen, I know we have. Niah is lounging by the fire, having chosen his wolf form. ]
How are you feeling?
every hour is godly
at the question, he tilts his head, and then smiles, brows pinching. ]
I am alright. [ just fine!!! peachy. ] There is still much to do.
please no sleep crimes
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w7 saturday, post-"trial" in the GRAVEYARD
The Watchers are here, alive and well, now they have to see the dead returned. ]
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Hello, Mr. Joonghyuk. [ warmly, in greeting. ]
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