ice-and-lightning

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"Why is mama called a shrimp? Is it because he's pink?"

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My character is under a truth serum, ask them anything.

MY CHARACTER HAS TO ANSWER TRUTHFULLY, NO MATTER THE QUESTION.

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cont. from here with @shallliveoninsong

Veritas is somewhat used to handling different kinds of people, but sometimes, he had enough. This person, the General of the Xianzhou Yaoqing, is a very intense person. Very physical and talks when she doesn't have anything that is actually needed to say.

When he heard she has something to important to tell, he had offered to listen, but she didn't get to the point and he had enough.

Taking out his headpiece, he's about to put it on when she interrupts. Stalling his hand, his gaze goes to the energetic foxian.

"Go on," he replies, willing to give her those five seconds.

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Happy Pride from me and my flatmate.

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At first, Arlan thinks that maybe, he's done something bad. Asked something he shouldn't have asked. When the answer comes, he recognises the apprehension, the confusion. He can understand that. It took him a long time to wear something other than uniforms. Not that he has much in the way of civilian clothing now either, but he does have some. It's not the same as Dan Heng and his outfit, but close enough that he can understand.

Fingers laced together, Arlan smiles softly, a thumb brushing gently over his partner's knuckles. "Next time we both have a day off, we can go together, if you like. To any place available." He says any place to show that they don't have to go to the Xianzhou Luofu, that they can find clothes elsewhere, should dan Heng so wish. To show that just because he is a Vidyadhara, doesn't mean that form has to wear Vidyadhara clothing. Of course, if that is Dan Heng's wish, then to Luofu they will go.

@ice-and-lightning said: "If I've understood it all right, you don't like the outfit you're wearing in your Vidyadhara form?" Arlan asks, wanting to see if he had understood it correctly. "Then why don't you change it? Or can't you change it?" There shouldn't be a reason to Dan Heng being unable to change it. It's just clothes. "If... if you need help figuring out what you'd like to wear, I can try and help," the young man offers, a blush appearing on his face as he speaks.

     A stiff nod in response to Arlan's initial question. Those robes are simply another reminder of the past that clings to him like a shackle. A reminder that he's not allowed to be himself. All the faces in the mirror and none of them his.      He remembers the day the Preceptor with the visitor badge gave him those clothes. The foreign memory they dredged up of Dan Feng looking up at Yubie's statue. The cold realization that they were identical.      You are not you. You are people we will superimpose on you. You will take the blame for one's sins while we dress you like another. We will curse you in the same breath we praise you. Because you are not you. And we do not care.      Hands clench at his sides, though one rises with falling gaze to touch his tassel, letting it run across his fingers. Something he chose. These clothes he chose. These symbols he chose. Stars, clouds, dragons, and this; despite lacking visible knotwork he still considers the tassel a charm of sorts.      And as the silky material slips from his grasp Arlan speaks again, question piercing and leaving him frozen.      For once he has no answer.      Why doesn't he change those accursed robes?      Because...                        Because...      Thoughts fog over and he can't seem to reach. ❝I...❞ Why doesn't he? He hates them. He has other outfits. No, those are for his human guise. Those are his. That form isn't...      But it is.      That's something he's been told repeatedly now and is finally beginning to see, particularly with the alterations he's made. It's a touch easier to see himself in that form's reflection now. So then why doesn't he change those robes? Find something new? Does he not deserve it? Is that form not him?

     Arms shift to clasp each other across his chest, gaze still low. ❝I don't know...❞ It's not a good enough answer and it aches that he can't give a proper one. Can't figure out why. But there is a light on the horizon. An offer extended.      And as Dan Heng looks back up a faint smile pulls at his visage. Arlan helping him choose something new? Something that doesn't carry ghosts in every stitch? Warmth blooms in his chest at the thought, and at the sight of Arlan's reddened visage a little in his own as well.      ❝I'd like that.❞ Hand reaches for theirs, hooking fingers together. ❝Thank you.❞ They shouldn't have to. They shouldn't need to offer. He should be able to handle this on his own. It's so simple after all. But he cannot deny just how much such an offer means to him. How personal it truly is.

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HC: Yanqing || Greatness and Risks

Yanqing has already done big things. He has been in many battles and defeated enemies most would not have a chance against. Sometimes single-handedly, sometimes with others. In other words, there's no risk he won't achieve great things.

The risk, lies elsewhere. The risk is him burning out and crashing before his time. He's strong and eager. Young and filled with passion and ambition. Not ambition as in him wanting to do things simply to be great, but to be great for the sake of Jing Yuan and the Xianzhou people. Not that becoming a legendary hero would be a downside in his young mind.

All this, unfortunately, together with his youthful energy, leads to him being at risk of burnout and 'gifted kid syndrome'. To truly reach his full potential he needs both experience, but also learning to pace himself and get enough rest and downtime. That is his greatest challenge. Thankfully, he has an excellent mentor in Jing Yuan.

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I don't feel like watching the HSR recorded live stream. I've seen the banners and got the codes. Anyone feel like summarising what was said in the stream?

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Today is midsummer's eve. It's one of the biggest holidays back home and one I haven't been able to celebrate in 9 years. Homesickness always gets worse on this day (same goes for Walpurgis night, 30/4). I'll be a sad one today. Sorry.

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Yanqing looks at the man, still vary of him. Why wouldn't the General like him telling him about it? It's not like Yanqing would try to steal anyone's collection. Or does he fear the teen would want to try and buy some of the sword from Ren?

The young retainer isn't stupid by any means, but he doesn't connect the dots this time, even if he, too, has killed. Although his kills have been in battle as a Cloud Knight.

"Why would the General not want you to tell me about your sword collection?"

@ice-and-lightning -- ;

"I, too, possess a sword collection."

Since the times of antiquity, the Vidyadhara's homeworld had been abandoned when the reckless use of thei powers of transfiguration caused dangerous species to proliferate uncontrollably. It was dangerous and inhospitable, but not unlivable, especially when the deranged mind of the Unnamed had claimed it as his stomping ground. And now, in one of the many mountain belts that girdled that world, a graveyard of the countless foes faced through the centuries were memorialized through their discarded swords lost after a fatal loss.

Even Ren had lost count of how many there were.

"Although, I'm certain Jing Yuan would rather I didn't tell you about it."

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Arlan can hear voices of the past. Normally, he has become quite good at ignoring them, but not when he's sick and feverish. His eyes are tightly closed, like that will keep the demons at bay. It doesn't help. What does help, however, is Dan Heng's presence, cool and gentle touch against feverish skin. A pathetic whimpering escapes his lips. Everything hurts, but there's some respite and he tries to lean closer to the cool safety.

As his partner speaks, he tries to listen and take it all in. Of course he knows Dan Heng didn't mean it like that and Arlan is already feeling guilty about his outburst. He wants to apologise, but his tongue doesn't want to obey him. Instead he weakly squeezes his partners hand.

"I... know... m'sorry..." he eventually says. "I over... reacted..." Arlan's voice is low and hoarse. "Lizard boy would... never hurt... me..." he adds in a try to lighten the mood again, despite that he still feels the worry and fear that always comes with his memories, but that is not Dan Heng's fault.

Trying to once again force away the last of the flashback, Arlan focuses on Dan Heng's presence: his scent, the movements of his chest, his touch, how his tail is wrapped around him, how he's getting heated up by Arlan's feverish body. It helps.

"Can you help me back to bed?" Embarrassingly enough, he's not sure he can stand and walk on his own.

     The coughing fit is already hard to watch, his heart aching for the inability to stop it. To help. His beloved shouldn't have to suffer like this. At least he can alleviate some of the mental strain if not physical. But the reaction to his offer is quite far from anything expected, and for a moment Dan Heng remains frozen, hand outstretched toward the bathroom Arlan had collapsed in.      He misstepped.      Badly.      And when Arlan doesn't come back on his own after a moment Dan Heng hurries over, kneeling beside his partner on the cold floor and reaching in an attempt to scoop them upright, tail manifesting to loosely loop around their legs in a gesture of comfort.      ❝I hadn't meant it like that.❞ Words can't take back ones already spoken, but he needs his Arlan to know that was never his intent. For whatever it's worth.

     ❝I know you're not, zhī ji. You've never been.❞ And never will be. Tail curls tighter, in perfect time with the knot of guilt in his chest beginning to burn. He'd made his beloved feel less than a person. Intent matters little in the face of that fact. He'd affirmed what his Arlan's torturers had tried to reinforce.      Perhaps Arlan isn't the only one feeling ill in that moment. But this isn't about Dan Heng. He simply needs to make it right. One hand hooks to Arlan's, fingers threading together like lock and key.      ❝I'm sorry for ever implying it. I...❞ Thickness in his voice begins to coalesce. ❝My only intent was for your health and comfort.❞ But that's not what matters here.      ❝Of course you're not a monster, Arlan. You're a sunrise. Bright, warm, steady, a light to break the dark.❞ Hand gently squeezes, tail tip finding purchase in Arlan's lap. ❝I promise I'll be far more careful of my actions and their perception in the future.❞

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I'm ready for Saturday.

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"I know..." Arlan replies with a sigh, which brings out a coughing fit, his entire body shaking, lungs rattling. Once done, he flops back against his pillows, face glistening with sweat and eyes closed. It clearly took a lot of energy from him. "Sorry..." he croaks, eyes now opening, but his gaze is a little unfocused. Of course he knows Dan Heng doesn't need him to apologise, but he feel like he should anyway.

Listening to what his partner is telling him, it takes a moment for him to realise what he's actually saying. Ichor isn't a common word and he never expected Dan Heng to offer to hurt himself to give him blood. As soon as the words sink in, Arlan's eyes widen in horror. "W-what? No! I might be borisin, but I don't require a blood sacrifice. I don't drink blood. I don't want you to hurt yourself for me. I'm not a monster!" The nausea he had already been dealing with now doubles and he can feel his stomach churning. Arlan struggles with his need to eat rare steaks after 'battle frenzy', the thought of actually putting blood in his mouth, Dan Heng's blood, of his beloved hurting himself, is just too much.

With a hand against his mouth, he pushes Dan Heng aside as he rushes to his little bathroom. Thankfully, there's nothing but bile and water in his stomach, which is easily expelled. With his stomach now empty, he curls up on the bathroom floor, cradling his head, fever-flushed face now looking ashen.

     The lizard remark does give him pause. Yes, vidyadhara are technically reptilian, but no-one has directly called him that before. Although surprising it was clearly meant affectionately, and yet Arlan attempts to bandage the perceived insult anyway. It's endearing, the rambling honesty, and he can never deny that they are quite cute when flustered.      He could tease but they've asked him to ignore their fumble and so he will. Only a soft smile and continued contact, proof he wasn't offended.      The gentle movement on linked hands is nice, even if the excessive heat worries him. But at least Arlan is still fairly cogent. ❝Even I occasionally get sick. Robust is not impermeable. And... that's alright. We have people willing to assist.❞ Even if it took the Crew many tries to drive that home. Even if he still tried to work when he felt like hell. It was good to know they were there.      And Dan Heng knows that should his partner be as stubborn as himself Asta will back him. Just as he was ganged up on by Himeko and March. ❝I know it's frustrating. But you'll be more use when functional.❞      He hadn't meant for his offer to offset them however. Had it truly been ominous? He'd only been vague so as to not get their hopes up if it failed. He still doesn't know the exacts of what it can and cannot solve.

     ❝Ah, thanks to some research and input from Bailu I learned that draconic ichor can often be used for medicinal purposes.❞ Gaze falls to his free hand, palm up, fingers clenching and unclenching. ❝High elder blood is quite potent.❞      When soft gaze returns to Arlan, locked on to sunset magenta, ❝I don't mind. But the choice is yours in the end.❞ He'd simply wanted Arlan to be aware of every possible avenue.

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My queue has been unpaused, so things will start to slowly roll out again.

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The baby had been crying almost constantly the entire night and been a bit cranky for a couple of days before that. Jing Yuan had been forced to go to work without any sleep, the poor man, but at least he could get a break from the crying. Not that Yanqing can be blamed for it, a baby doesn't know how to tell discomfort in any other way.

Then, suddenly, the crying stops.

Eros had turned away for just a few seconds and during that short time, Yanqing had somehow managed to crawl his way to Mimi, reached her ear and was now happily chewing and sucking on it, drool quickly soaking it. The poor boy is teething and he has finally found some relief, but Mimi looks a little confused.

(Have a baby Yanqing)

     The last few days had been… tiresome to say the least. Following after Yanqing and trying to find whatever he could to soothe him. Trying to give Jing Yuan some rest when it was possible. And yet, there was just no telling what was wrong. Neither of them had ever parented before and for the High Elder, parenthood was more like a myth for them. Sure, he helped out with Wen Xuan, but he hadn't been – well, he'd never been a baby.

     The sound of the crying stopping has ears flicking and he's quick to try and find what has managed to get him to stop.

     Oh. Oh! He was teething. While Shoi-Ming didn't have experience with small ones, he did have experience with teething and the need to get some form of relief. After all, his teeth are constantly needing to come out. 

     “ Ah – Mimi, just sit still for one second and I'll have something, okay? ” He makes his way into the kitchen and grabs something from their freezer before coming back out. Teethers were – a bit annoying, but he'd bought and never used a few of them. So, he had a ring in hand as he scooped Yanqing up and offered it to him. Content when the boy was teething on the frozen toy and noy the lioness' ear. “ Hah… there we go. Easy fix, hm? ”

unprompted <3 || @ice-and-lightning

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"What are you doing!?" Yanqing exclaims, closing the distance between them, ready to force his mouth open. Thankfully, before he can do so, his mind catches up to something. The crunching sound he's hearing is not that of teeth shattering, which they would if he were to eat real rocks, but that of food being chewed.

Hand slightly raised, Yanqing stops, gaze going from Caelus face to the rock in his hand. Poking at it, he realises quickly that this is not a rock at all, but some kind of food.

"Was that really necessary?" he asks, arms crossed over his chest, pouting a little. Caelus had genuinely worried the teen and now he felt embarrassed on top of that. "Next time, I'm not going to warn you or care if you do something dangerous." Of course he will, and they both know it. Yanqing can't help always wanting to protect others. No matter how many times Caelus would trick him, he would still look out for him, even if he might get a bit of a cold shoulder for a day or two each time he pranks the teen.

     Perfect. Exactly the kind of reaction he was hoping for. And so in response he disobeys and starts chewing.      He's not an asshole though and won't let Yanqing panic over nothing for too long. So he does hold out one of the rocks for the kid to examine.

     It looks just like a regular rock but it doesn't entirely feel like one. It's candy after all. Easily noticed if they try to break or lick it. ❝You should try one! Amazing flavor!❞

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Finally home.

No replies today. I had otherwise planned to do some and let the queue go. I'm in A&E with my flatmate, been here 2.5h and unsure when I'll be back home, but will be exhausted then. Sorry.

[ice-and-lightning]

No replies today. I had otherwise planned to do some and let the queue go. I'm in A&E with my flatmate, been here 2.5h and unsure when I'll be back home, but will be exhausted then. Sorry.