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

audio;

[reparo]

...that's a creative spin to atonement. Doing the opposite of what your adopted ancestor was guilty of doing?

[There's a soft huh.] Hadn't thought of it that way. But at the core, I think mine has to do with jealousy as well, so - I can try.

[And what he won't notice: a nod. She can try - and start here.]

I appreciate that when we first met, you were trying to feed the less fortunate at your own risk.

[binghua]

This particular ancestor sowed discord among his peers with cruel words and ruined their careers. I cannot go back and reinstate them as they should have been, but I believe I can at least leave this place and any of their descendents more uplifted.

If you would like to share more details of your own curse, I can offer my opinion, for what it's worth.

[When next he speaks, Hermione should be able to hear the smile in his voice.]

And I appreciate you having helped me at risk of your own wellbeing.

[reparo]

[She does - actually, and you can tell that's the case because of how fast she readily offers up the facts:]

Mine was more physical with her actions. A young wife, whose husband died days after their wedding, channelled her grief into making other young brides in the village disfigured with poisoned face paints.

[A pause.] What I have thought of so far is that this is proof make-up is evil.

un: chengmei | voice

[thesuspense]

[He listens to his daozhang's words, and while his expression doesn't really betray how much of them he actually takes in, he nevertheless jumps into action once he's made up his mind. He makes sure he can be heard, as there is no point in being seen when it's Xingchen he wants to pay attention.

And he starts walking around, looking the people near him up and down.]

Eh! You, auntie! You look younger than you are!

[Yes, he proceeds to yell out compliments. How sincere they are, that's a different question.]

You look really healthy. Good eater, huh?

[Some of his compliments may come out slightly backhanded, but he possibly means well.]

You must be brave, wearing that.

[There are also quite a few compliments that are very obviously the first thing he can think of.]

Kid. You there. You-- aish, I don't know. Nice face.

[And, in a much lower voice.]

Got any candy? [Louder again, as someone else passes.] I bet you were in great shape when you were younger.

[It is not too surprising that some of his compliments end up on the edge of propriety, if not crossing right over.]

Big breasts, well done. And yours are good too, don't worry about it. Doesn't need more than a handful.

[He's getting into the spirit of encouraging compliments, if in his own way. And finally, as there are no people in his immediate vicinity for the moment, he pauses to address Xingchen.]

Daozhang~! Am I doing well?

un: abster

[downswing]

( The. Most. Pained. )


Daozhang shows wisdom.

[downswing]

( JUST DOING WHAT DAOZHANG WANTS. )



You are pleasing, silent.

[downswing]

( efff you, he's not complimenting this. )

[thesuspense]

You have an unpleasant voice, good that you are quiet.

[downswing]

( Sure reeks of rot on my sword in here. )

[thesuspense]

[He switches this to a visual recording, just so he can silently and colourfully show some insults with creative gestures.]

un: qishan

[silverneedles]

A clever idea.

[downswing]

( Sir, you do not qualify to be taken off Read. )

[binghua]

That does sound like a form of jealousy, as well as understandable grief.

[That last bit earns Hermione a little laugh.]

Perhaps, perhaps. Maybe, if it weren't too complicated or took too long, you could look at any makeup being sold here and make sure it is safe. Or, maybe this is more within our means, suggest the village have some sort of group of people ready to comfort grieving widows and widowers. Lovers in general, even. Does that make sense?

[binghua]

[...Of course, this was going to happen.

And yet, Xingchen can't be entirely upset. Xue Yang isn't threatening to hurt or kill anyone, which is...a pleasant change.

His standards are extremely low, these days.]

Your approach can be rather...crude.

[binghua]

I doubt that very much. I am simply tired of misery.

[binghua]

I hope it is enough.

[thesuspense]

Crude, daozhang?

[There are so many ways to put so much into his voice and he uses all of them there.]

Ah. You think so? Because this was nothing. I could be.

I could be appreciating you.

[downswing]

Optimism.

[binghua]

[Extremely low standards? Meet rock bottom.

Xingchen sighs. He had expected this, is the worst part, but it doesn't make it any better to hear. He swallows, speaking just above a whisper, almost pleading.]

Please don't.

[thesuspense]

[There's a sigh, for whatever reason, but it's audible.

And when he speaks, his voice is soft too, and sincere.]

You are kind, daozhang. I appreciate that.

forgot to add he's always on audio kaj;sgk

[binghua]

Like a fool, right?

[downswing]

Offence undealt.

[binghua]

[He doesn't know what to do with this. He shouldn't do anything with it; this is Xue Yang. A murderer, the worst person in Xingchen's life. But he's actually trying, for whatever reason, and Xingchen can't just ignore that, right? He's been trying since...maybe Taravast.

Xingchen swallows back an accusation, though. If Xue Yang thinks he's kind, then why did he still ruin his life? It's all backwards. But he himself is trying to be positive and if he spits this out at Xue Yang, he'll just be proving himself a hypocrite. Which, considering he's also a fool, would probably not make much difference.]

...I want to be kind. And fair.

un: Black Prince; text

[blackscales]

You cleanse resentment from the dead?

[silverneedles]

Do you doubt it?