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.

Comments

voice;

[thesuspense]

Keep my what mouth shut?

voice; she is wrath

[reparo]

Did I stutter.

voice; he is innocent

[thesuspense]

I can't really tell. What were you saying?

voice; *is* he

[reparo]

[oh for heaven's sake, why is she going to explain this - is she? yes.]

Sexist is what I said. It's a good word to describe someone who is objectifying women! In public or otherwise.

voice; the very image of innocence

[thesuspense]

Right.

[He is looking around, not that it can be seen, but then he calls out to someone.]

Looks like you've got big balls. Good for you.

[Better?]

voice; wheezing

[reparo]

[this is all recorded on the network, but Hermione does actually see him looking around. it doesn't really register - she doesn't exactly expect it.

and then she's going to just throw her hands up in the air and say, from across the street:] I GUESS?

action;

[thesuspense]

[When he hears her - not just through the device, but for real - Xue Yang turns until he spots her, then grins, waves and bows his head ever so slightly.

Then he jogs a few step, so he can stand closer to her, asking quieter, as by her preference.]

Is it so different to tell someone they have a pleasing cock than a pleasing voice?

action;

[reparo]

[Lets out a scrambled noise of protest, like: wah; leaning back as he jogs up to her.

Annnnnnnd: red.]

Y-yes?! It's pretty different - you're assuming they want to hear that. Also you don't know them - and you're standing close enough.

[thesuspense]

What exactly makes it different?

[He just about looks as if he's not simply enjoying the way she's turned red, but only just about.]

It's a way of appreciating. Noticing something that's right there. In a positive way.

[reparo]

[Listen.

Listen.

He said cock, but didn't even say hello.]

Are you trying to help Xiao Xingchen get rid of his curse, or make him have a few more added on?

[thesuspense]

[Now, that's a complex issue, really.

However, he just shrugs and grins.

Cock indeed.]

What do you think those curses would look like?

[reparo]

[Like penises and breasts.

Nope.]

I'm not playing along with that imagination exercise, thank you.

[thesuspense]

[He tilts his head, lifts his eyebrows and gestures. Just so.]

You are though.

[Clearly.]

Do you think nobody else notices, just because no one else appreciates loudly?

You notice. Why wouldn't they? Isn't it better to say things out loud? You heard the daozhang.

[reparo]

It's not the point! Some thoughts are fine to be kept as just that - thoughts. [She's going to assume daozhang is a title based on that interraction, which. Who knows what that is.

Anyway.] Anyway, it's to spread kindness - or appreciation at the very least. [It's time for Hermione's Judgement Hour.] No offense, but your compliments are underhanded insults for most.

[thesuspense]

That's just lying, isn't it? Not saying what you think.

[No, he isn't that obtuse, but she is getting very heated and that is very much entertaining to him, so he'll keep being obtuse.

Or maybe...]

How about I say all my thoughts about you and you let me know which ones you find insulting, so I can learn?

[Innocent.]

[reparo]

[Do you think her a novice at this?]

It isn't lying if you're not being underhanded about it. Merlin's - fine. Fine.

Stranger. [More arms up in the air, I GUESS style.]

Go ahead.

[thesuspense]

I'm Xue Yang.

[There, now they are not strangers any more. And then he looks her up and down, with a smile that is perhaps a warning sign.]

You care so much, that's hilarious. [Starting strong, clearly.] The fire in that voice, you must be used to burning people. Burning bridges too? [He takes a step back, not hiding that he's assessing her. Clearly that's the point.]

Do you think that you're better than everyone or is it just me? So much self-righteousness. I'm sure you've backed it up by being above reproach. Dangerous up there, the fall can get ugly.

[Taking a step closer again, he lowers his voice, looking directly at her, ready to catch her gaze should she let him.]

You are beautiful, but you seem so much less aware of that. Wasn't it kind of me to mention? Maybe you're unaware, but if you expect everyone else to be, you ought to bundle up more.

[reparo]

[It is a slow simmer, and because she remembers vaguely that Wrath pointed out she shows her emotions too clearly, she tries to keep her arms crossed so as to not 1. interrupt or 2. smack him. It's not the fact that he calls her out on caring so much, that's not the bother. The self-righteousness? Maybe she's a bit stuck-up in some ways, but she's hardly above reproach.

However - the last comment. Really gets her goat.

Her jaw twitches.] Xue Yang. [She uncrosses her arms (let the pervert not stare at her chest anymore), and says, in a clipped tone:] I'm Hermione. Now, learn.

[TICKING AS SHE GOES]

One, telling someone that they care is fine, calling it hilarious is insulting. Two, the burning bridges comment, that's not a compliment, you just want to sound clever. Three, no-one here is above reproach, but you made an unsolicited comment on my breasts so I get to tell you it bothers me. Four - stop staring at them.

[thesuspense]

[Learn, she has said. So here he is.]

Her. My. Oh. Nee. [Is it possible that he has thought the learning just pertained to her name and he has stopped really listening after that? Up for interpretation.]

Hermione. [At least he says it right, so there's something he has learned.]

What are you so shy about? You can stare at me all you want.

[He spreads his arms, gesturing down himself.]

Any judgment to make?

[reparo]

[Well at least he got it right.]

I'm not shy, I'm - [Hhhhhhrrrrrgh, don't murder on the street. Or don't murder. That is no way to make friends.]

You're not really trying to help out, are you? You just want to fling insults at people and call it civic duty.

[thesuspense]

I always try when daozhang asks. Is it my fault when I don't get it right?

[There's about a fifty-fifty of intent and simply naturally being rude, most likely.]

What would you have me say, Hermione?

[reparo]

Yes? It literally is - you've got someone telling you - [She lets out a frustrated huff, before deciding that maybe the best course of action here is to not let the better part of her ancestral curse affect her.

He's lucky she can't just disapparate out of this conversation, being in broad daylight. Also that her birds are not around today.]

You could ask how to get it right.