[ 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?
[ and it's familiar. that's the worst part. xie lian's hands curl tightly into fists, in his sleeves. ] I think there was no way that Angel had any intention of letting Bertolt have the things that were being promised to him, to start. There was an incredibly slim margin for "success" - if we can assume the only way to 'succeed' would have been to kill someone on the correct side and... I suppose, continue to survive, so get away with it, then they set him up with a 50/50 shot for failure. He informed me that he was not told which team anyone was on, when he acted.
And what happens if he had been successful? Would he have just been asked to kill, over and over? Beings that make those sorts of deals do not ever simply accept the original terms.
[ He listens quietly, agreeing with all of this. It is a shoddy chance. ]
For some, there will only be that slim chance. Gods of my world take advantage of that glimmer and desire of hope.
[ Life really is shitty. ]
I'm not surprised that these entities have taken it into their hands to stir conflict. It is, however, strange for the Watchers. They are claiming they are unaware of such an exchange, let alone the deal dealt.
[ gods, huh. san lang makes a quiet noise, chittering once and cleaning his face wit hhis paw. ]
...Ghosts, in mine. Far stronger than Qi Rong. Far more clever. They will take the softest part of someone, and use it to destroy them and everything around them.
[ calamities - one in particular struck a chord with this entire exchange, and it's been raising the hairs on the back of xie lian's neck ever since. the white no face was never so kind as to offer honeyed promises, though. it was only ever despair, or despair.
the part about the watchers has him making a thoughtful noise. ]
...I noticed that. But - they were also unaware of the fact that we would come to need trials, and that there would be such an execution, too. I think it is fair to say that whatever 'higher power' they are serving may be tied directly to this Angel that Bertolt saw.
The Watchers themselves...to come here, they made a deal. I wonder if it was something similar - something that is not just an offer, but a threat.
[ he doesn't quite laugh, but xie lian's mouth quirks up. joonghyuk may get the feeling that he wants to laugh at that remark about qi rong being a fucking moron but he is trying very hard to be polite. ]
Do you mean from side to side? From what I have heard, there will be great and terrible consequences for whichever side loses this conflict. I imagine not unlike what has happened to this city.
Anyway. In essence, we must find a third path - either to eliminate this conflict entirely, or find a way to keep them well and truly balanced, as yin and yang should be.
[ some of that fire does die off with that, though, and he seems to return to normal. san lang settles back into his usual roly-poly cute noodle self, rubbing at his nose. ]
...yes. I think so, too. The Watchers are able to tell us a little more, with each week that goes by - and I think that we will come to understand this game with time. If we are trapped in this system of loss for a little while longer...
...we at least know that those who have passed are able to contact us. [ thank you. qi rong. ] So all hope is not lost. Perhaps this 'loss' will only be temporary.
I am curious to know more about the place they went to, but the Watchers were unable to tell me much about it. It might be a sort of underworld where wicked souls are tormented, but that is better than lost forever.
[ Wow! A cursed eternity. This is just a theory, though. There is a small grumble and Niah yawns. ]
Well... we could write them, no? At least as a start. Not Qi Rong. But... Bertolt, and Mr. Marius, and Nine. Perhaps they will be able to shed some light on it for us, until then.
[ the last part makes xie lian laugh, a little, and he reaches up to scratch his cheek. ]
...Mine either. I'd rather solve a problem myself than sit on my laurels. [ this is such an understatement. ] So...I am doing all that I can do be proactive, now.
[ He never got to speak with dirty heterosexual Marius, but most people brought here have been... Too kind, really. Niah's tail thumps at the thought of that.
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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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[ This isn't private property or anything, so he will allow it. Niah does look up at Xie Lian, though. ]
You've spoken to Bertolt Hoover yesterday.
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[ that isn't the point, joonghyuk!!! its about your Personal Space!!!!!!!
but he answers the question anyway, looking at the same spot. san lang twitches his nose in niah's direction, in greeting. ]
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What do you think of the promise?
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[ a moment of quiet. ]
I think it's vile.
[ and it's familiar. that's the worst part. xie lian's hands curl tightly into fists, in his sleeves. ] I think there was no way that Angel had any intention of letting Bertolt have the things that were being promised to him, to start. There was an incredibly slim margin for "success" - if we can assume the only way to 'succeed' would have been to kill someone on the correct side and... I suppose, continue to survive, so get away with it, then they set him up with a 50/50 shot for failure. He informed me that he was not told which team anyone was on, when he acted.
And what happens if he had been successful? Would he have just been asked to kill, over and over? Beings that make those sorts of deals do not ever simply accept the original terms.
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For some, there will only be that slim chance. Gods of my world take advantage of that glimmer and desire of hope.
[ Life really is shitty. ]
I'm not surprised that these entities have taken it into their hands to stir conflict. It is, however, strange for the Watchers. They are claiming they are unaware of such an exchange, let alone the deal dealt.
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...Ghosts, in mine. Far stronger than Qi Rong. Far more clever. They will take the softest part of someone, and use it to destroy them and everything around them.
[ calamities - one in particular struck a chord with this entire exchange, and it's been raising the hairs on the back of xie lian's neck ever since. the white no face was never so kind as to offer honeyed promises, though. it was only ever despair, or despair.
the part about the watchers has him making a thoughtful noise. ]
...I noticed that. But - they were also unaware of the fact that we would come to need trials, and that there would be such an execution, too. I think it is fair to say that whatever 'higher power' they are serving may be tied directly to this Angel that Bertolt saw.
The Watchers themselves...to come here, they made a deal. I wonder if it was something similar - something that is not just an offer, but a threat.
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I had assumed Qi Rong would be weaker with how often he would bark about his prowess.
[ Just how those people are??? ]
Have you not asked about the consequences of "losing?"
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[ he doesn't quite laugh, but xie lian's mouth quirks up. joonghyuk may get the feeling that he wants to laugh at that remark about qi rong being a fucking moron but he is trying very hard to be polite. ]
Do you mean from side to side? From what I have heard, there will be great and terrible consequences for whichever side loses this conflict. I imagine not unlike what has happened to this city.
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[ HE IS THE ONE SAYING. ]
Both sides are saying disaster will happen if the other side wins. Therefore, it also means that there will always be disaster no matter what.
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he clears his throat. ] Mm.
Anyway. In essence, we must find a third path - either to eliminate this conflict entirely, or find a way to keep them well and truly balanced, as yin and yang should be.
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I see that you've settled on your choice despite these entities going out of their way to cause the conflict themselves.
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[ there's a moment of forcefulness - that fierce compassion that xie lian so often feels, that he shows. ]
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[ He's not saying he’s against it, considering he’s the one that also mentioned there usually is another way. ]
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[ he will find that third path; it doesn't matter, that this conflict might not be able to be eliminated. it just doesn't matter.
this entire situation is just adjacent of something that is too familiar, too personal. xie lian refuses to fail again. ]
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… We will need to play this game some more before we find a way.
[ Joonghyuk knows realistically that’s how it’s going to be, unfortunately. ]
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...yes. I think so, too. The Watchers are able to tell us a little more, with each week that goes by - and I think that we will come to understand this game with time. If we are trapped in this system of loss for a little while longer...
...we at least know that those who have passed are able to contact us. [ thank you. qi rong. ] So all hope is not lost. Perhaps this 'loss' will only be temporary.
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[ Wow! A cursed eternity. This is just a theory, though. There is a small grumble and Niah yawns. ]
Waiting is not my preferred method for anything.
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[ the last part makes xie lian laugh, a little, and he reaches up to scratch his cheek. ]
...Mine either. I'd rather solve a problem myself than sit on my laurels. [ this is such an understatement. ] So...I am doing all that I can do be proactive, now.
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[ He never got to speak with dirty heterosexual Marius, but most people brought here have been... Too kind, really. Niah's tail thumps at the thought of that.
He doesn't say more for a while. ]
Are you a Celestial, Xie Lian?
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Why do you ask?
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[ A hunch. ]
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xie lian glances at him, after another pause. ]
...I am. And you?
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You can make your guess.
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[ stubbornly!!! he's just saying!!!!!!
but he still will guess if asked so ]
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