[ on this fine bubbly afternoon, xie lian is out and about! his robes are washed and clean, and he's bandaged from his neck down to his chest today, but he looks in much better shape than he did on sunday!
it seems that he's investigating some of the clothing in one of the abandoned shops. xie lian leans in to pick up a white shirt, pulls it up to his nose, sniffs - and then pulls back like it slapped him, wrinkling his nose and making a face, and then gingerly setting it to the side.
[ it appears kotetsu has been in the plaza for a bit longer and has been scanning things from the stage, caught up in some thoughts.
that doesn't stop him from noticing xie lian taking interest in the different wares of the area. no reason not to be friendly, so he hops off the stage and heads over toward him with a wave. ]
Hey there. How're you holding up.
[ ...and please don't look at his arm that has "herlock sholmes" signed on it in green marker. yes, his sleeves are rolled up for this. ]
[ thankfully xie lian is like the last person in the world to take any interest in romantic drama (?) (i hope you got love arrowed) so he does not notate the green marker tattoo, instead glancing up when addressed.
he offers kotetsu a smile and a little bow of his head in greeting from where he's kneeling. ] Hello, Mr. Kotetsu - I'm quite alright. I've always been the type to heal quickly; thank you very much for your concern.
[ after all of that mess, xie lian is in the solar. he's sitting in a chair, curled up a bit, the blueish black feather he had at trial tucked into his fingertips. san lang, a ferret, is curled up in his lap - and the two of them both have their eyes closed.
not sleeping, perhaps, but rather, meditating. when there's noise, though, xie lian looks up - and spotting kotetsu, he offers him a small smile. ]
[ he pauses at the greeting and gives a small wave back. it looks like he's been thinking about things when he's called out to. finley is beside him, having slipped back into tiger form at some point post-trial. ]
[ it's a little while after the execution and all of the medical care that xie lian appears in the solar to visit with kotetsu. he's got a cup of water in his hands, and he knocks on the doorframe before he enters.
san lang is back in his ferret form, curled up around xie lian's shoulders. ]
Mr. Kotetsu... [ he sounds a little relieved, and warmth fills up xie lian's voice. ] I'm glad to see you're awake.
[ sweet finley. san lang chitters a little in finley's direction, but doesn't wake them up otherwise! very considerate, as xie lian himself gives kotetsu a little bow of his head, bringing over the water and offering it to him. ] For certain, for better.
[ after things had been cleaned up with the group returning, kotetsu is out taking a break in thought, returning to check the gardens for... something. anything. a clue or a hint...
so he's a little surprised by seeing xie lian there instead of his room. ]
[ here he is! xie lian is leaning against the wall, seemingly just lost in thought - so, when kotetsu gets his attention, he shakes himself out of it, and offers him a small, sheepish smile. ]
...I wanted a little fresh air. Please don't scold me too much...
[ what's that sound, kotetsu? late the first evening in the city of ahnkeen, it sounds like creaking of a house, and the sound of footsteps that might be climbing on the side of the building. the sound continues for a few moments - there's a soft noise, like a hup! and then, eventually, it stops.
there's a decently flat roof outside - he's settled on it, now crosslegged, san lang in qilin form by his side, with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. when he looks over and sees a familiar face down below, though, he waves!! ]
[ the oasis is a nice place to be, after everything. xie lian's cooled down some on his own, and seems to just be taking a walk, after all of that, san lang curled up around his neck in ferret form, straw hat perched on his head.
spotting someone familiar, though, his heart squeezes, and xie lian makes his way over, greeting, quietly - ] Hello, Mr. Kotetsu.
[ "are you alright" is the worst question, because... no one is, after that, but nonetheless. ]
[ he's distracted, looking at the sky as if there might be some kind of answer. something. he looks so desperate. but when he hears that familiar voice, the look melts away and he turns his head in the direction of the voice.
a pained smile crosses his face. the ache of the last two days wearing on him. ]
[ at some point, kotetsu is out wandering. luckily he does have a crutch! unfortunately ... it looks too small for him. he's a bit surprised to see xie lian in the arena, but maybe he shouldn't be at this point. ]
[ well!! he will get to hear the sound of steel rending into cloth, if he's wandering around the arena for a bit - the frustrated sounds of grunting and heavy breathing can only be someone practicing their sword techniques, or at least letting off some steam.
and sure enough, that person is xie lian! he has shredded one of the dummies - the blade of fang xin sticks deep into the heart of the cloth and straw. he takes in a deep breath, and when his head turns, he spots kotetsu. only then does he relax a little.
san lang is nearby, in his qilin form, just watching. stiffly, xie lian bows his head. ] ...hello, Mr. Kotetsu.
[ xie lian is here in the park, laying down with his upper half propped up on a familiar looking tiger staring up at the sky with his hands folded on his chest.
the tiger lifts its head and looks at kotetsu for a moment - and then growls, low and ominous. xie lian himself opens his eyes, turns, and then frowns, nudging the tiger, who silences and then resumes grooming a white ball of fur sitting between his paws that must be san lang.
xie lian himself smiles, tired, but a smile none the less. ] Hello, Mr. Kotetsu.
[ kotetsu doesn't mind hearing that. not the first time he's had a daemon try to warn him off. hopefully it won't be too many more times before they reach their finale.
finley is back in her own tiger form and kotetsu himself is a bit more ... stable looking compared to when he was at the trial itself. he nods his head at xie lian, offering his own bit of a smile. ]
How've you been doing? It's been a bit since we talked.
w1, tuesday!
it seems that he's investigating some of the clothing in one of the abandoned shops. xie lian leans in to pick up a white shirt, pulls it up to his nose, sniffs - and then pulls back like it slapped him, wrinkling his nose and making a face, and then gingerly setting it to the side.
this is what he's up to this fine day. ]
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that doesn't stop him from noticing xie lian taking interest in the different wares of the area. no reason not to be friendly, so he hops off the stage and heads over toward him with a wave. ]
Hey there. How're you holding up.
[ ...and please don't look at his arm that has "herlock sholmes" signed on it in green marker. yes, his sleeves are rolled up for this. ]
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he offers kotetsu a smile and a little bow of his head in greeting from where he's kneeling. ] Hello, Mr. Kotetsu - I'm quite alright. I've always been the type to heal quickly; thank you very much for your concern.
[ polite!! ] How about you?
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w1 post trial!!! update i cant read nvm
not sleeping, perhaps, but rather, meditating. when there's noise, though, xie lian looks up - and spotting kotetsu, he offers him a small smile. ]
Good evening, Mr. Kotetsu.
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Hey there. Heck of a day, huh?
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[ his smile goes a little sheepish, there. san lang makes a rumbly noise in finley's direction, greeting. hello! ]
After all of that, how are you feeling...?
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w1, sunday
san lang is back in his ferret form, curled up around xie lian's shoulders. ]
Mr. Kotetsu... [ he sounds a little relieved, and warmth fills up xie lian's voice. ] I'm glad to see you're awake.
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when xie lian comes in with that greeting, he lazily picks up his hand to wave. ]
For better or worse, yeah.
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...here you are. How are you feeling?
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[week 2 ; friday ; after cyoa return]
so he's a little surprised by seeing xie lian there instead of his room. ]
Couldn't sit still?
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...I wanted a little fresh air. Please don't scold me too much...
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If I did, I'd be a hypocrite.
[ at least he admits it here ]
I couldn't sit still after everything that happened last week, so I understand. How're you feeling, though?
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w3, monday
gonna go check it out? ]
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????
finley is also peering out curiously ]
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there's a decently flat roof outside - he's settled on it, now crosslegged, san lang in qilin form by his side, with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. when he looks over and sees a familiar face down below, though, he waves!! ]
Mr. Kotetsu! Good evening.
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w3, sunday
spotting someone familiar, though, his heart squeezes, and xie lian makes his way over, greeting, quietly - ] Hello, Mr. Kotetsu.
[ "are you alright" is the worst question, because... no one is, after that, but nonetheless. ]
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a pained smile crosses his face. the ache of the last two days wearing on him. ]
Hey... You hanging in there?
[ because it's honestly hard for everyone. ]
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[week 4 ; saturday ; post-trial]
Hey.
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and sure enough, that person is xie lian! he has shredded one of the dummies - the blade of fang xin sticks deep into the heart of the cloth and straw. he takes in a deep breath, and when his head turns, he spots kotetsu. only then does he relax a little.
san lang is nearby, in his qilin form, just watching. stiffly, xie lian bows his head. ] ...hello, Mr. Kotetsu.
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w5, tuesday
Hello, Mr. Kotetsu. If I could have a moment of your time?
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Sure... What's up?
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w5, saturday.
... he's silent, really, even as someone approaches, staring at the steaming, bubbling surface of the water. ]
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...How are you holding up after that?
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w6, post trial
the tiger lifts its head and looks at kotetsu for a moment - and then growls, low and ominous. xie lian himself opens his eyes, turns, and then frowns, nudging the tiger, who silences and then resumes grooming a white ball of fur sitting between his paws that must be san lang.
xie lian himself smiles, tired, but a smile none the less. ] Hello, Mr. Kotetsu.
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finley is back in her own tiger form and kotetsu himself is a bit more ... stable looking compared to when he was at the trial itself. he nods his head at xie lian, offering his own bit of a smile. ]
How've you been doing? It's been a bit since we talked.
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