[ 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. ]
[ he lives there, so he Gets is. but he didn't leave rin alone, so that's the only reason he's out and about. ]
They have been. They're trying harder to break our spirits. But that's the one thing we can't afford to do.
Someone mentioned... that if those we've lost give up, then they're permanently gone. We need to make sure to keep fighting on our end so they don't lose hope, right?
…I see. [ something reflects on xie lian’s face, for just a moment; he shutters it away, though, and looks down. ] Thats right - belief, in ones self and the world around them, is an incredibly powerful motivator.
[ of course it would be here, too. His voice stays soft, but there’s a glint of determination in every word of the sentence. . ] Despite everything, I have no intention of allowing this place to break me of my own spirit, nor of anyone else’s. A strong will is the key, and if not everyone’s can be strong alone, then I will do my best to uplift them with my own two hands.
[ he quietly reaches out to take one of xie lian's hands at those words. ]
You don't have to do it alone. I'll be there with you to help. I believe in your strength and I want to help with it. You've been a very strong, bright beacon of light for everyone.
[ this guy's just a nerd. and xie lian is a good kid.
he shakes his head a little. ]
No need to thank me. You've helped me through some hard times and believed in me. The best we can do is believe in each other. And everyone around us. Hoping for the best.
I have said so with you before, but... faith is a powerful motivator. In my realm, it is what moves us. [ it is what powers xie lian, even.
...lately, it has been powering him even more.
xie lian lifts his other hand to gently cover kotetsu's, where it's holding his. ] So, I believe your words to be very true, Mr. Kotetsu - and I will thank you for them nonetheless.
I promise you, it takes far more than this place to break me. I will not crumble any time soon.
And you said you hadn't checked with anyone, besides me? How odd...
[ hmm... ]
...Mr. Kotetsu, if you have not shared it with too many people this week... could you share your team alignment with me? If you feel that it is safe and trustworthy to share it with me, that is.
[ he feels around in his sleeve for a moment, and produces his own coin. ]
I’ve been thinking about why - we cannot see each other’s alignments, no? But if somehow, someone established a work around…. It may explain why I have none and you have marks. Unless it has to do with - goodness, I don’t know, killing someone? But I highly doubt that you’ve done such a thing, and I certainly haven’t. Even then, if it did, you and I have both participated in executions, so….
[ a little shrug of his shoulder. ] If so, I don't mind so much. I have shared with two people this week, so you would be the last one I could share with.
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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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That pain is recognized easily; he steps forward, pausing only to briefly glance back in the direction of house one, before he shakes his head. ]
…. I am. There is not much else to do but ‘hang in’, at the moment. [ that’s not exactly how you use that slang but that’s ok. ]
The past two days have been quite difficult.
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They have been. They're trying harder to break our spirits. But that's the one thing we can't afford to do.
Someone mentioned... that if those we've lost give up, then they're permanently gone. We need to make sure to keep fighting on our end so they don't lose hope, right?
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…I see. [ something reflects on xie lian’s face, for just a moment; he shutters it away, though, and looks down. ] Thats right - belief, in ones self and the world around them, is an incredibly powerful motivator.
[ of course it would be here, too. His voice stays soft, but there’s a glint of determination in every word of the sentence. . ] Despite everything, I have no intention of allowing this place to break me of my own spirit, nor of anyone else’s. A strong will is the key, and if not everyone’s can be strong alone, then I will do my best to uplift them with my own two hands.
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You don't have to do it alone. I'll be there with you to help. I believe in your strength and I want to help with it. You've been a very strong, bright beacon of light for everyone.
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xie lian looks surprised for a moment - that touches on something he might not even be aware of - and he searches kotetsu’s face, then huffs. ]
…. thank you, Mr. Kotetsu. I’ve only done the best that I can; I hope that you know that you have done just the same. For myself, and everyone here.
It is only through others that we maintain our strength.
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he shakes his head a little. ]
No need to thank me. You've helped me through some hard times and believed in me. The best we can do is believe in each other. And everyone around us. Hoping for the best.
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I have said so with you before, but... faith is a powerful motivator. In my realm, it is what moves us. [ it is what powers xie lian, even.
...lately, it has been powering him even more.
xie lian lifts his other hand to gently cover kotetsu's, where it's holding his. ] So, I believe your words to be very true, Mr. Kotetsu - and I will thank you for them nonetheless.
I promise you, it takes far more than this place to break me. I will not crumble any time soon.
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[ in response to xie lian bringing his hand up, he also cradles his hand in return. ]
Now we just have to figure out where we're going from here.
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[ a little laugh. ] To wherever our new realm may take us.
[ oh! speaking of. ] ...Ah, Mr. Kotetsu. Did you figure out what those circles were for...?
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[ but nods at the realm change. we'll see where it goes... but hm. ]
No... a lot keeps happening. I haven't had the time to ask one of the Watchers yet... Did you get any clues?
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Have you seen any others with the same circles?
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And when did they appear...?
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[ hmm... ]
...Mr. Kotetsu, if you have not shared it with too many people this week... could you share your team alignment with me? If you feel that it is safe and trustworthy to share it with me, that is.
[ says you know. xie lian. paragon of goodness. ]
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Do you think this might be team related?
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[ he feels around in his sleeve for a moment, and produces his own coin. ]
I’ve been thinking about why - we cannot see each other’s alignments, no? But if somehow, someone established a work around…. It may explain why I have none and you have marks. Unless it has to do with - goodness, I don’t know, killing someone? But I highly doubt that you’ve done such a thing, and I certainly haven’t. Even then, if it did, you and I have both participated in executions, so….
Logically, it makes sense.
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Maybe. This team thing... worries me. It's not that I don't trust you, but... If something is forcing us...
[ he seems so, so hesitant and he hates this. he hates this so much. ]
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[ a little smile. he pats kotetsu’s hand. ] It is alright - there’s no pressure. I can check in with a few others, and see what I might find.
You did say it appeared, no? That it wasn’t marked on by someone else?
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Who knows? I talked to a lot of people on that day.
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I see! Well.
[ fufu. ] Perhaps you already have the answers you need, by asking me such a thing.
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If I were to share my team... Would you answer first?
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[ a little shrug of his shoulder. ] If so, I don't mind so much. I have shared with two people this week, so you would be the last one I could share with.
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