eastbound | un: dappled pearl of the parted seas [voice]

Entry tags:

un: dappled pearl of the parted seas [voice]

[As usual, please ignore the ... background noise. Moran has tried to find a quiet place to speak from, but some of the noise is from the network, not his surroundings, and he'll be speaking through most of it without paying attention to it.]

With the news that our good friend who freed us from our chains gave us, I think we might need to hasten our money gathering. We have been doing alright for living expanses, but if we wish to accumulate the amount he mentioned, it will take more than that.

I'm not sure how we can do this short of robbing a bank, though. Does anyone have any good ideas?

((OOC : Bank Heist IC planning is a go! We will need mod approval for our plan and then get our success rate and consequences worked out, so watch the OOC thread for the final plan!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Moran looks up from the crystal he was rolling between his fingers.]

Every little bit helps, Xunxian. We're just starting from a position of disadvantage, and we do have living expenses that make gathering funds complicated. Especially that much.

And you heard Haltham. Clearly, they do not expect us to strictly follow all the laws of the land acquiring said funds.

I heard him. There was a lot that he didn't say. A lot he probably didn't know - or used well-placed ignorance to make us think he didn't.

It's not coin that we are at a disadvantage for. It's information. But...

[ Xunxian rolls his shoulders. ]

We will find it. I promise.

[ And he doesn't make empty promises. ]

Now, about this bank thing...

Are you also going to tell me we should rob the bank, Xunxian?

[He looks almost amused at that.]

A surprising number of people seem rather enthusiastic about the possibility. And a few are objecting, mostly on moral grounds, which are understandable but unfortunately not exactly practical.

[ Xunxian tilts his head, watching him for a long, long moment, before he lowers his eyes. ]

We have been given options on how to stay safe if we do something like that. We do not know what will happen if we fail to procure the coin. It sits ill with me to take what isn't ours, but...

[ He purses his lips, then lifts his head with a grin. ]

If that is how we can think of to get the coin, then I'll make sure you have ways in and out both. And if we do stay in one place long enough for me to be able to do it, then I'll think of properly earning the coin and returning it.

I do not think we want to find out what happens if we do not procure the funds. Probably nothing good.

[he smiles back at Xunxian.]

We'll find a way. The most important thing is that no one gets injured or caught.

[ Xunxian's face softens helplessly, the grin turning into a proper smile. When Moran smiles, the world, any world, is a better place. When he smiles at him...

Anyway. ]

... what is a bank like, anyway? That might be the first step to not getting injured or caught.

Yes, I suppose the first step is finding the place and seeing what that looks like. There's this young man, Five... he has powers not unlike ours. He can either move very fast like Shang Yu, or just appear and disappear at will, I am not sure which. He seems very taken with the idea and he also seems to have a lot more knowledge of how these things go.

[So, really, let competent people do the things they are good at has always been Moran's motto.

But then, his gaze drops to the fan in his lap, and he takes a deep breath.]

Did you get your fan with your things?

[ Xunxian nods, listening. ]

There are very different people who have been brought to this place. Perhaps it might be a good idea to find out what they can do... provided they are willing to share that information.

[ A bit, and a corner of Xunxian's mouth twists up. ]

I did.

[ ... and the fact he is not producing it might be answer enough about the thing's state. ]

The guqin is in a good condition, act least!

[Yes, still a sore subject, he knows, but...]

This young man named Eleven is apparently a skilled smith. He said he might be able to repair it, and maybe reinforce it a little.

[ Xunxian's mouth purses, but not with displeasure at the offer. After a moment, he breathes out and nods. ]

I will owe him, then. But, Moran... will you help me train better.

[ In this place, he can't afford to be the idle rich man who only has a bit of skill for actual fighting. ]

[Moran looks surprised for a second, and then stands up and just... grabs Xunxian into a hug.]

I won't let anything happen to you again, Su Xunxian. Not this time.

[ Xunxian's eyes widen before his arm come up to cling to Moran for a long moment, before he leans up just enough to cup the side of his face with one hand. ]

I am all right, Moran. It is only that I plan to remain so, and make you worry a little less. Yes?

Yes, of course.

[It's always been unfair that being of the merchant class, Xunxian was not allowed to carry a sword or use one in battle, in Moran's opinion.]

Would you keep using the fan, or should we find you a blade of some sort?

[ Xunxian considers that, humming, and also not really letting go of Moran. Not until and unless that's wanted. But... Moran held him. He'll take as much of it as is offered. ]

We have less duties here than back home. Perhaps strengthening my work with the fan while I learn the basics with the sword might be possible.

I don't know if we'll have the funds of material for a good sword, but it doesn't hurt to look. A dagger, at the very least, would be helpful. you're not exactly a ranged fighter.

[And while building skills is always good, you should build on what you know first. The fan is a close-range weapon.]

As long as you're fast and you know where to aim, you should be alright even with a shorter blade. Just remember Lee Chang's words. If confronted with the undead, aim for the head.

... I think if it's a matter of a dagger, I would prefer a reinforced fan. I won't be able to wield a sword properly anytime soon, anyway.

At least I will not hesitate and wonder, with the fan.

Alright. Then we'll ask about how to best reinforce it, in that case. And when we can get you a proper blade, I'll teach you.

[Like he should have before, traditions and rules be damned.]

Thank you.

[ Softly.

But, also... ]

It wasn't your fault.

[The hug gets tighter for a second or two.]

... Don't.

[He knows he shouldn't blame himself too much, but... he saw it happen, some of it. In that moment, he's never hated the fact that his visions are always correct so much.]

It wasn't your fault either, if you take it like that.

[ Xunxian's eyelashes flutter as he looks down, but doesn't move away at all, holding just as tight. His voice is even quieter. ]

That's... not quite true, is it? You gave us clear instructions and I chose to disobey. I'm...

[ ...sorry. But what good does that do? Xunxian takes a deep breath. ]

... not going to make the same mistake again.

Xunxian, don't.

[Re-visiting the incident isn't going to make it not happen, assigning blame isn't going to make anything better. And he doesn't want to have to tell you again.]

If you're going to listen to what I tell you, then stop ruminating about this.

[ Moran doesn't have to tell him. There are still things that need to be said. And heard. Assigning blame does nothing at all. Learning from mistakes, on the other hand... To do that, one has to clearly see those mistakes. Is Xunxian sure he could have chosen otherwise, back then, even knowing the danger? No. Is he going to easily allow himself or those he cares about to be brought to the same situation? Not nearly as easily now. ]

All right. [ Xunxian holds on for a little more, before leaning back with a more usual expression, a half-grin that's very familiar. ] Just so long as you don't get any strange ideas of being responsible, I'm fine with not thinking about it again. We have enough troubles here without borrowing ones from the past.

[He's going to hold you to that, Xunxian. Because he took you for granted and neglected your friendship and then lost you and that can never happen again.]

I'm a little tired today. I should probably turn in early. Do you think you can fill in for me if some of the ladies request some music?

[ ... taken for granted is not what he's felt but at the same time, he just doesn't want to let Moran down again, so it works.

Though the words jolt him slightly, and he blinks at Moran. ]

Are you--

Of course I can do that. Would you like some tea before I go?

[Thank you for not finishing that question, Xunxian, because he really is just a bit emotionally drained, nothing more. The brothel is a pretty noisy place, helping out is kind of a necessity, and there's not much space to have a bit of quiet, plus not much reading material, and it takes a toll after a while.]

Tea would be lovely. Don't stay up too late either if you can.

[Unnecessary to say, because Xunxian has always been much more of a night owl than he is due to his occupation, but still. This new place is challenging in many ways.]

un: dappled pearl of the parted seas [voice]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)