un: daozhang | audio

[binghua]

I have been thinking lately, perhaps too much, about forgiveness. Or, rather, resentment, especially with regards to these curses we've been gifted. I don't know what everyone else has to break, but mine involves jealousy and, thus, its own kind of resentment. I think most lingering cases such as these stem from unhappiness along a similar vein.

As a cultivator, it is my duty to cleanse such resentment from the dead so as not to affect the living in their wake. I am willing to help anyone else who may need it, though I fear I may not be as much help as others. I'm not sure I'm the best at forgiveness, either, even for myself...

[Xingchen's voice trails off, almost as if he forgets he's talking to anyone else, but he quickly recovers and clears his throat.]

I'm rambling. What I mean to say is I would like your cooperation if it's not too much to ask. As I said before my curse involves jealousy and words spoken in anger and dissatisfaction. I would like for as many of us to instead spread words of affirmation around the village. It might sound silly, and maybe it is, but I believe even something so small can make a difference. For example, last night I told one of the bartenders he had a pleasing voice. It doesn't have to be anything complicated, just kind.

Don't feel as if I'm forcing you, either. No one has to help if they don't want to.

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[blackscales]

[ On the one hand, he prefers the vibe of text where he can hide any emotion that might dare to creep into his voice.

On the other, texting in reply to someone speaking to you just feels weird and rude. So he switches, keeping his tone as blandly neutral as he can. ]

And what if it is the living who resent the dead?

[binghua]

I cannot give an entirely unbiased answer. Where I come from, it is expected that one will respect the dead, give them name plaques and offerings, especially for family members, if possible. It helps them rest in peace, knowing they are remembered.

To resent the dead, though... There could still be reason for it. If the dead were an abhorrent person or persons, I don't think anyone would question it. I think they would be wise to take precautions against possible hauntings or curses if the dead person had a personal connection to them, however.

[blackscales]

And how would you cleanse such a thing? To bring the dead and the living both peace from their mutual resentment.

[ Asking for a friend. ]

[binghua]

[He pauses, thinking this over, while also being oddly comforted. He hasn't had a normal case in a long time, and not one he's really been able to handle.]

I would try and find out what the root of the resentment was. Say the dead person owed the living a debt but died before they could pay it. Would the deceased's family be able to take on that debt? If so, then that would be a logical outcome. If not, then perhaps the living person could be persuaded to forgive the debt or accept some other form of compensation. That would be a simple and ideal situation.

If it were more complicated than that, involving hurt feelings or some other point of contention that cannot simply be paid off, then it would obviously take more work. If the living person lost everything due to the deceased person's betrayal, for example, then I would treat the situation more carefully. While it might be simple to ask the living to forget about what the dead did, since they're dead and received their just desserts, that wouldn't necessarily heal the pain.

Every situation is different, just as people are complicated. I don't have one clear answer to give, even in hypotheticals.

[blackscales]

[ Some begrudging affection slips into his tone at that. ]

You're right about that, people are complicated.

[ Dragons are complicated also, but its more fun to talk about it distantly as people than it is to include himself under that banner. ]

[binghua]

It would be so much simpler if they weren't, but also a lot less interesting.

[blackscales]

You're right about that, too.

[ The complication and unpredictability does keep things fun. ]

If you don't mind, I'm surprised to hear you think yourselves poor at forgiveness. I'd have thought some talent for it would come hand in hand with your chosen occupation.

[binghua]

I don't mind.

[But he does fall quiet for a moment, collecting his thoughts.]

It is different dealing with someone else's problems as opposed to one's own. When I am the outsider I am not influenced by personal stakes or experiences. But when it comes to my own problems, I've realized I struggle with being impartial.

[blackscales]

Ah, we are all our worst critics.

[ This person reminds him of someone he is fond of, and that is... disarming. A pause, before he offers: ]

It is not that you are poor at forgiveness, then. It is that you hold yourself to a higher standard.

[binghua]

[That...is certainly a new way to look at it, though not a new concept in and of itself.]

I know I am capable of better.

[blackscales]

I understand the sentiment entirely, I assure you.

[ Wrathion has become a professional at beating himself up over things he could have done better at. ]

Outside perspectives can be invaluable in making sure we do not measure to unreachable standards.

[binghua]

You speak wisely, my friend. This one thanks you for the reminder.

[blackscales]

[ ...

... Has anyone ever earnestly called him wise before?

He doesn't think so.

I mean, obviously he is wise, but you know. It's nice. To hear people say it.

... This person is his new best friend.

There's just enough pause to indicate this response is unexpected before he tries to carry on smoothly. ]

Of course. Thank you for explaining your work to me.

[binghua]

[Well. That pause is definitely noticed, though Xingchen says nothing of it. Perhaps he brought this man joy without really trying.]

I am Xiao Xingchen. If you ever have more questions, you may call upon me.

[blackscales]

Wrathion.

[ His name. This is a name exchange. He is being polite. ]

If you ever require more wisdom, you know who to ask.

[ Only partially joking, because he would offer assistance if he could.

The wisdom might just be questionable. ]

[binghua]

[That is quite a name, though Xingchen says nothing about what it sounds like in this shared tongue.

He does offer up a soft laugh at the joke, however.]

How very generous of you.