The way you're looking at me makes me believe that you don't actually believe me at all, despite your appreciation and gratitude. You are not very good at lying, Mr. Kotetsu.
[ says xie lian
who is also awful at lying. like recognizes like, maybe? ]
[ he sighs. some of the scolding frown on his face goes with the noise, replaced with that genuine, sincere care. worry, too. ]
...When you are hurting, Mr. Kotetsu, it is alright to lean on others. Any time, in this dreadful place that we are able to lean on others, we should do so. It does not make you any less strong, or any less helpful to do so.
...We all have to support each other, and hold each other up while this place does its very best to tear us down. Don't we?
[ it's like talking to a sad dog he's so worried about you kotetsu
after a moment, he frowns. ]
... Outside of this place - for a long time, it was my duty to listen to the worries of others. Their fears, their anger, their hopes and wishes... it was my very favorite part of those duties, when I was able to do so.
If you would like to confide in me... I would be happy to listen to you, Mr. Kotetsu. Whatever's on your mind.
Something happened when we were down in the miasma. Even if it's possibly an illusion, it haunts me. It's... not something I'm ready to talk about. But it made me doubt myself.
I need time to recover. My wounds are the least of my concerns.
...You were very kind to comfort me when I came back from my own, for a similar reason. I have always felt that you and I thought in a very similar way, Mr. Kotetsu - I always felt as if the mental wounds were far more severe than anything else that could have happened to me.
[ but. ]
...When I spoke with Nero, he said something about the likelihood of the powers behind all of this reaching out to our worlds, too. I can only imagine what horrors you may have seen - and for that, I am sorry.
I will not press, but... if it helps, any, I am here to listen. You can always send me a prayer. [ with a little smile - that's a little bit of a joke. ]
[ he opens his mouth before closing it and biting the inside of his mouth. he sincerely appreciates the support, but... ]
It was very personal. Not that I don't trust you, but I can't bring myself to talk about it. It's like an open wound... Maybe I'll be able to talk about it eventually. I'm sorry if I feels like I'm rejecting your offer.
[ there is a way that they're different, maybe, but... he doesn't say it, for now. ]
It does not feel that way at all, there's no need to fret. Some find prayer to be a comfort in difficult times, but it does tend to be much more anonymous. [ ? ]
...At any rate, I don't think there is anyone that can make you talk about anything you don't want to talk about, nor should they. [ a little smile. ] So, please - never feel as though you have to apologize to me.
[ it makes sense! he nods his head, as his hands drop back away and he starts to move to stand. ]
...Nor is there any about our other conversation, as well. I just hope you will heed what I have said - that you do not have to do things alone. No matter what those things are.
[ as he stands, xie lian bows - his fist pressed to his hand, deeply respectful. ]
My only hope is to make the burdens of this place easier on others, in every way I can. If there's anything at all I can ever do to help you, you need only ask.
no subject
The way you're looking at me makes me believe that you don't actually believe me at all, despite your appreciation and gratitude. You are not very good at lying, Mr. Kotetsu.
[ says xie lian
who is also awful at lying. like recognizes like, maybe? ]
no subject
[ there's a wry bit of a smile here, but he does sincerely appreciate xie lian. ]
no subject
...When you are hurting, Mr. Kotetsu, it is alright to lean on others. Any time, in this dreadful place that we are able to lean on others, we should do so. It does not make you any less strong, or any less helpful to do so.
...We all have to support each other, and hold each other up while this place does its very best to tear us down. Don't we?
no subject
I know. I'm making sure not to shut myself off from everyone. There's a few people that won't let me even if I wanted to.
[ a huff of a laugh. ]
I'm lucky to be surrounded by some very good people and I want to be able to give them back the same. It's good that it sounds like I'm managing that.
no subject
[ it's like talking to a sad dog he's so worried about you kotetsu
after a moment, he frowns. ]
... Outside of this place - for a long time, it was my duty to listen to the worries of others. Their fears, their anger, their hopes and wishes... it was my very favorite part of those duties, when I was able to do so.
If you would like to confide in me... I would be happy to listen to you, Mr. Kotetsu. Whatever's on your mind.
no subject
Something happened when we were down in the miasma. Even if it's possibly an illusion, it haunts me. It's... not something I'm ready to talk about. But it made me doubt myself.
I need time to recover. My wounds are the least of my concerns.
no subject
...You were very kind to comfort me when I came back from my own, for a similar reason. I have always felt that you and I thought in a very similar way, Mr. Kotetsu - I always felt as if the mental wounds were far more severe than anything else that could have happened to me.
[ but. ]
...When I spoke with Nero, he said something about the likelihood of the powers behind all of this reaching out to our worlds, too. I can only imagine what horrors you may have seen - and for that, I am sorry.
I will not press, but... if it helps, any, I am here to listen. You can always send me a prayer. [ with a little smile - that's a little bit of a joke. ]
no subject
It was very personal. Not that I don't trust you, but I can't bring myself to talk about it. It's like an open wound... Maybe I'll be able to talk about it eventually. I'm sorry if I feels like I'm rejecting your offer.
no subject
It does not feel that way at all, there's no need to fret. Some find prayer to be a comfort in difficult times, but it does tend to be much more anonymous. [ ? ]
...At any rate, I don't think there is anyone that can make you talk about anything you don't want to talk about, nor should they. [ a little smile. ] So, please - never feel as though you have to apologize to me.
no subject
But it's been a strong reminder of what I need to get home to.
[ sometimes things are so very much. ]
no subject
[ it makes sense! he nods his head, as his hands drop back away and he starts to move to stand. ]
...Nor is there any about our other conversation, as well. I just hope you will heed what I have said - that you do not have to do things alone. No matter what those things are.
no subject
If I find out about these mysterious people, I'll direct them your way.
no subject
[ as he stands, xie lian bows - his fist pressed to his hand, deeply respectful. ]
My only hope is to make the burdens of this place easier on others, in every way I can. If there's anything at all I can ever do to help you, you need only ask.