#dan heng : threads .

[miciiq]

Got Aventurine in 60 pulls!

He’s so auxhuehuche I’m so happy I have him now

[eeroeeros]

@wolfkcst | starter call

Eivor had made it very clear that they cared deeply for him-that much was certain by the way they responded after he came back from defeating the Arbiter of Destruction. He answered any questions they had for him, leading to certain things being confessed...certain acts being done. Now here Dan Heng was, his hands slowly feeling up their sides as he hums against their lips. "Mm...I have to ask this again, but...you really do want me, correct? Even after I hid such a thing like this from you?" The only thing they would've known up to now about him was that the trailblazer was trying to escape his past, but now all his secrets were laid bare. And yet, it seemed like Eivor still cared for him, still wanted him, if their body didn't make that apparent enough. Not with the way they arched up into him. "And you still want us to do this?"

[shining-gem34]

[You. That’s right, you.]

“You can’t run from your sins forever. They will catch up.”

[Blade to Dan Heng.]

You. That's right, you || Accepted @celestial-narwhal

The events leading up to his current predicament are blurry at best. Regardless, Dan Heng doesn't appreciate to be suddenly thrusted into the dark and his wrists tied up. The familiarity of the situation reminds him too strongly of his time in the Shackling Prison. The sensation of chains wrapped painfully tight around his limbs, surrounded by darkness as far as the eye can see...

Dan Heng hates it.

Unable to see his surroundings means he can't grasp the situation. Unable to grasp the situation leads to nerves bubbling in his stomach.

Deep breaths; in and out on repeat until he is able to clamp down his anxiety threatening to spill over and transform into panic.

Deep breaths; in and out on repeat to remain calm despite the echoing footsteps approaching him.

Then the footsteps stop in front of him.

The scent of blood and death is overwhelming, but Dan Heng already knew who it was the moment he heard his footsteps. Their fates, much to his disdain, are deeply intertwined. A bond sewn crookedly together; forged in fire and blood of their death matches.

A deep voice whispers ominously into his ears, “You can’t run from your sins forever. They will catch up.”

"Blade." He confirms with a scowl.

A familiar dance, and familiar words of varying phrases- Dan Heng grows weary of this same old tune between them.

"You know as well as I do that man sins have nothing to do with me. I am not him- The person you chase after is no longer here. He is but a ghost of a past...Just like you." Dan Heng reminds him coldly and bluntly as possible.

Narrowing his eyes behind the blindfold, he says loudly, "Disappear, apparition. I won't hesitate to run you through with my spear again if you're looking for a fight."

There's no response, but the air is chilling and Dan Heng swore he felt the blood-scented wind leave a cut on his cheek.

When the scent of blood and iron is gone, the tension leaves his body and he lets out a sigh of relief knowing Blade is gone.

Not gone. Only retreated, because the vengeful ghost will continue to haunt him until he pays for his sins.

[karmawind]

ㅤㅤㅤ𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥  𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐬  𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠  𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡  𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫  𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝  -  passed  beneath  the  luofu's  biome  of  clouds  like  blots  upon  a  finely  made  painting.  he  can  feel  it  -  deep  in  his  bones,  unlike  the  mara  -  unlike  the  call  of  spirit  whisper.  there  is  something  else  here,  something  that  pulses  in  time  with  the  golden  veins  of  his  shard  sword,  something  that  makes  his  vision  grow  hazy  in  a  different  way,  something  that  makes  his  teeth  feel  sharper,  nails  longer,  breath  heavier...  sounds  are  unbearable,  so  sharp  and  surreal  he  easily  caught  wind  of  the  now  absconded  cloud  knight  guard's  rapidly  pattering  heartbeat  as  he'd  ran  immediately  upon  sighting  blade.  were  he  in  the  right  mind,  he  suppose  he  couldn't  blame  him.  he  must've  cut  a  striking  figure,  striding  form  the  mist.  

ㅤㅤㅤwhere  the  moonlit  world  rests  and  sleeps  -  blade  grows  hungry;  he  grows  ravenous.  desire  and  need  have  coiled  tight  within  his  core,  mouth  salivating  at  the  odor  of  petrichor  -  of  lotuses,  of  what  he  knows  will  taste  divine  beneath  his  rough  tongue.  yes...  yes,  blade  had  chased  dan  heng  for  so  long,  but  now?  now  it  was  for  entirely  different  reasons  -  not  unlike  enrichment  for  a  caged  beast,  or  to  satiate  the  predatory  desires  of  the  borisin  that  had  melded  with  his  DNA.  

ㅤㅤㅤhe  wanted  to  hunt.  dan  heng  obliged.  

ㅤㅤㅤclink.    clink.    clink.      the  shard  sword  smacks  against  the  stone  railing  of  one  of  the  pavilions,  a  loud  and  racuous  clattering  noise  as  the  stellaron  hunter  pursues  his  prey.  dan  heng  has  long  since  melded  into  the  mist  -  so  easily  hidden  with  his  draconic  talents  that  the  other  might  have  been  irate,  were  it  not  for  his  heightened  hearing  and  absurdly  good  nose.  

ㅤㅤㅤ❝  dan  heng.  ❞  the  hunter  almost  sings,  madness  edging  his  gaze  and  enticing  hunger  deeper  into  his  core.  ❝  i  can  hear  your  little  racing  heart.  ❞  clink.    clink.    clink.    his  sword  again  as  he  rounds  a  corner  -  this  time,  something  akin  to  a  warning,  because  blade  swears  he  feels  something  brush  against  him,  swears  he  feels  nearby  body  heat  and  that  delicious  scent.  he  snarls  in  response.  ❝  when  i  get  my  hands  on  you,  i'll  make  sure  you  can't  run  again.  ❞  and  he  whirls,  spinning  entirely,  one  ear  twitching  as  a  hand  delves  into  the  mist  -  attempting  to  find  a  solid  limb,  to  feel  for  what  his  other  senses  know  to  be  there.  it  was  a  fun  game.  a  delightful  one.  but  blade  was  not  a  patient  man.

@cloudhymn

[yookimi]

@universalus ♡ ' d for a lyric starter for 𝙙𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙜

blizzards , flurries , snowstorms in the south ; 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡 . you should be just as cold as your entrance but you remain warm , the winter that was meant to be is melted away , sunshine flowing through your veins , makes home in the cavity where your heart belongs.

❛ dan heng ! dan heng ! ❜ voice pitched high and insistent , buoyant with the way it bounces in cadence. camera is held up and you wave it back and forth in a playful manner , really , a warning . the sunset is almost as warm as your smile ; a violent swirl of oranges and purples , the perfect conditions for an awesome picture ! ❛ can you .. hm .. can you do this ? ❜ opposite hand raises , thumb against the pointer finger / arranged in a way so that a heart shows .

im on the edge of a sunset

[reliquiicis-a]

continued. / @lycorisblooms

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  Dan Heng didn't want to die. Who would? Though, Dan Heng wanted all of this to be over with. He wanted the nightmares to stop, he wanted to stop being compared to his past life. He wanted Blade to leave him alone. He was tired of it all, scared for his friends, and now that Blade had drawn out Imbibitor Lunae, he wasn't going to quit until he was dead.

"I'm ending this." He groaned, staring directly into his eyes. "I've told you... I'm not him, but you clearly won't stop til I'm dead." He said, coughing as he grabbed a hold of the sword and pulled himself off of it before collapsing to the floor. The metallic taste filled his mouth as he coughed up more blood, staring up at him. "If my death gives you the peace you need to move on, I'd gladly die for him."

[azurescale-a]

After another night of passion, Dan Heng was the first to awaken. He couldn't help but watch the sleeping figure that laid beside him. A soft smile graced his lips as he brushed some rare brunette strands away from the others face. He looked peaceful.

Standing up from the futon and pulling the covers over Sora, he threw on his pajamas and stepped out long enough to grab a couple cups of coffee. He knew deep down that this type of relationship between them wouldn't last forever. But he wanted to make the most of it. With the mugs in hand, the Vidyadhara returned to his room only to place the extra mug on his desk.

After taking a sip of the bitter drink, he couldn't help but reach for the black velvet box. He began to ponder on the idea of him even proposing and if it was even worth it.

@bishonenprince // continued from x

[tellescope]

Dan Heng has always been something of an archivist ever since he was little; taking notes and recording his thoughts. Here are some scattered fragments from a journal that got lost when he was exiled; one he used to have as a child.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

I finally finished reading the civics books I was given. But I understand even less now. If those are all the laws the Xianzhou follow then why am I here? I haven't broken any of them but everyone acts like I did something horrible.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

I believe ▉▉▉ got sick, as there was a new guard this morning. I don't like him. He's colder and crueler. My 'book privileges' were threatened by correcting a mistake he made. Is it wrong to tell someone they got your name wrong?

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

I've stopped correcting them. They never learn. I looked in my books for the name they keep using and found it in a history book. I don't understand why they keep confusing me for that man. The descriptions of him do sound similar, but he's older, and dead, and it's too dark here to really see what people look like anyway. I don't understand them.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

The guards talk to each other during shift changes. I often hear mention of the weather. It must be nice to see the sky, however false it is. I've read that the food here has the same vitamin as sunlight so they don't need windows and they can keep the lights dim. Are the false skies of each delve as beautiful as their descriptions or are my books outdated? Many of them are old. The guards don't like getting me new things, often saying I'm undeserving of them. I don't see how as I've been compliant and polite, but I am still here so they must be right. I'll try to do better.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

The General came to visit again! Such a rare occurrence but always appreciated. He's so nice, even if he does seem sad every time. I wish I could help. In the past I've offered my books and even a portion of my food. I understand he likely has much better but isn't it the thought that counts?

This time I was gifted a set of brushes to improve my penmanship, a book on the different species of the Xianzhou, and I overheard him speaking with a guard about allowing me 'spear practice'. Am I to be trained? I don't understand why. I don't deserve it.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

Some of the guards are strange. One was saying goodbye to another during shift change and wrapped their arms tightly around the other. I wonder what that means.

No-one has ever touched me like that.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

I finished the book on species. They were all interesting, but the section on vidyadhara made a lot of things clearer. I understand now why I am here. Why I don't deserve things. I don't believe it's really fair but complaining has only made things worse in the past. My only option is to accept things as they are and move forward.

Why did he sin?

Did he know what it would cost me?

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

My books say vidyadhara can control water, but that it takes a lot of practice. I'm going to try with my shower. If I work at it enough maybe I can entertain the guards?

If I do will they like me more?

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

I formed an orb with the water from my shower! It's a lot easier than my books implied. But the guard startled me by yelling when he saw it and was even madder when I got him wet.

I won't try again for a while.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

The General came back today with another gift. There was a loud argument between him and some guards but I believe he won. I've been given a spear that looks incredibly familiar but I can't pinpoint why. He says it's called Cloud-Piercer and that it's my right to have it. He's strange. Prisoners don't have rights. But he is kinder than the guards and I do want to keep the spear. There's something about it...

He says he'll spar with me next he gets a chance. I told him my cell is too small for that and he explained there are larger areas here we can go. That was a surprise. I've only ever been allowed to leave my cell when they clean it, and I have to stay right outside it anyway.

I'm excited to see another room and learn some combat skills. Perhaps in the future I'll be able to defend myself. If I ever get to leave.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

A guard during shift change was complaining about the heat in the delve, and another recommended a trip to a 'pool'. I had to scour my books and scrolls to find what they were talking about. Someday I hope to try one. Perhaps I will be allowed a small tub to fill with water from the showerhead? Water has always been comforting for some reason. I was once reprimanded for letting the shower run too long, but a tub of water would mean I could enjoy it without making them angry.

But I won't ask. They don't like my questions.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

The General returned today for spear practice! I was also gifted a pauldron for my coat; it's hard to be certain in the gloom here but it seems like it's made of jade. As I thanked him he handed me a hairtie, explaining that until one is skilled enough all obstructions should be removed for training.

He smiled when I tied my hair back. He seems happier when I change my appearance in some fashion. I wonder why.

I also like it better this way. Would the guards allow me a haircut?

Spear practice went well. He called me a 'natural' despite my obviously inferior skills. I'll keep practicing. My cell is too small for a proper spar but I can spin and jab the spear without damaging the walls so I will keep trying to improve by working on my forms.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

My latest group of books included one of poems. I quite like some of them. I wish I could share them with someone but the guards don't care to be read to.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

Another guard brought up the weather outside. I left my showerhead running to try mimicking 'rain' despite the shouting from my cell door.

Perhaps someday I'll figure out how to mimic a 'cloud'.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

There was a mass sentencing today. Some other prisoners were walked down the hall past my cell in the morning.

Only half of them returned.

I reread my civics books to brush up on Xianzhou laws and punishments. Some crimes are worthy of death.

I pity them. I don't know what they've done, perhaps it truly was worth such a result in the eyes of the Judges, but I don't believe anyone deserves death.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

There have been arguments about my status. I think they often forget how well vidyadhara can hear. I wasn't worried, I've been here for many years, but then someone brought up execution.

For what? Haven't they already executed the criminal for his sin? That is why I am here is it not? What have I done while spending my life in this cell to deserve such a fate?

I forget myself sometimes. Prisoners don't deserve anything. We don't have rights. I should just be glad I've lived this long. Perhaps my next incarnation will get to see the sun.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

I found myself staring up at the faint lights in my cell until my vision was filled with spots. It's not good for my eyes but what does it matter when I won't be using them much longer? It was something new to try.

I plan to fill my remaining days with new things.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

I shaped my shower water into globules reminiscent of the cloud descriptions in my books and floated them across the ceiling of my cell. I managed to keep them there for hours despite the loud reprimand.

You won't take my false sky until I allow it.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

The General returned. He says he will try to speak on my behalf and alter my sentence. I trust his heart is in the right place but I have no faith in the system. I thanked him for his efforts and returned to annotating my books.

I'm not certain how much longer I have.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

The word 'exile' was floated about among the guards today. I'm still not sure what to think.

▓▓/▓▓/▓▓▓▓AE

My sentencing is today. This will be my last entry. The guards say the General will be arriving to escort me. I thought it odd they told me to bring Cloud-Piercer when that happens but perhaps they simply want to reappropriate their equipment.

I'm not certain who I was ever writing this for, perhaps only to get my thoughts out of my head, but if anyone finds it I hope my writings are useful in some capacity.

Farewell.

---------

An entry has been added after the seemingly final one, but it is so warped by water damage in a pattern almost like tears fallen on the page that it's nearly illegible. The only clear text is something about exile, a few words about the 'grand majesty' of something, and the phrase, "It was more beautiful than I ever imagined."

[karmawind-a]

@tempestial

𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭   𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬   𝐨𝐧   𝐚   𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐧   𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐞   past   the   gauze   of   heavy   curtains,   rustling   the   balmy   air   with   an   ever   present   scent   of   plum   blossoms.   baited   breaths   have   quieted   to   steady   pulses,   the   ardor   of   their   coupling   having   ebbed   to   a   warm   -   quiet   afterglow,   and   for   once...   for   once,   his   mind   is   quiet.   his   body   is   wreathed   in   the   warm   tides   of   comfort   -   the   tangle   of   their   limbs   and   the   proximity   of   the   scion's   form,   spent   through   the   blade's   attentions,   has   him   ebbed   in   the   tides   of   pleasures.   he   does   not   yearn   for   destruction,   he   does   not   ache   to   die.   it   reminds   him   so   clearly   of   times   spent   coiled   in   bed   with   his   beloved,   a   tail   wrapped   about   his   frame   and   yinyue   pressed   to   his   chest.   now,   the   man   that   lays   half   on   him   is   slighter   in   frame,   but   no   less   stunning   -   no   less   divine.   ying   xing,   inside   of   him,   knows   him   to   be   that   ethereal   king,   the   moon   situated   so   firmly   in   the   sky   of   his   stars.   

why,   the   mara   is   quiet   now,   he   does   not   know   -   but   blade   will   not   question   it,   the   clear   headedness.

he   stares   at   the   wrought   ceiling,   tracing   the   filigreed   patterns   of   doves   amongst   the   branches   of   ginkgo   with   his   mind's   eye.   it's   only   the   vidyadhara's   stirring   that   lulls   his   attention.   comfort   continues   to   pull   at   the   stellaron   hunter's   limbs,   but   he   remains   motionless,   save   for   the   absent-minded   caress   of   fingertips   upon   the   small   of   the   other's   back.   docile:   that   was   the   only   word   to   explain   it.   like   a   beast   that   had   been   calmed,   blade   lay   satiated   against   the   archivist   with   little   more   than   a   lazy   blink   to   give   away   his   wakefulness.   

turning   his   head   ever   so   slightly,   a   shapely   nose   bumps   lightly   against   the   other's   temple,   followed   by   the   whisper   of   lips.   a   kiss,   perhaps   -   or   simply   the   movement   of   his   head   upon   the   pillow.   it's   hard   to   say.   it   seems   he   is   close   to   saying   something   -   something,   perhaps,   wistful   and   longing,   but   instead   settles   upon   a   sigh,   long   dark   lashes   fluttering   over   his   beautiful   features.   whatever   had   been   on   blade's   tongue,   instead   is   murmured   forth   as   a   comfortable   -   placated:   "   mm.   "   why   he   felt   so   decent   in   that   moment   is   beyond   him,   but   he   chooses   not   to   question   it   -   only   sponge   up   the   likely   source   of   his   painlessness:   one   vidyadhara   high   elder,   unlocked   with   the   force   of   his   violence   love.

[itsninex]

⸺ ＳＨＯＲＴ ＴＨＲＥＡＤＳ⸺

-> Gamma // ✓ replied.

-> Surge // ✓ replied.

-> Phineas // ✓ replied.

-> Dan Heng // ✓ replied.

|| Let me know if I missed yours! ||

{ open starters. }

Updated -> 01.28.24

[maskednihilism]

🎤 //For either of my boys? Could be fun. No obligation though ^v^ Wishing you a lovely day!

~Starlighttrain

@starlighttrain || prompt! || for Dan Heng

a song that reminds me of your muse

Brought up in this predetermined fate, go ahead and crush it Breaking free, we never were some puppets to start with See, your realm ignites now, your future to shine bright Unbound possibilities, make it what you want to

a song that reminds my muse of your muse

I guess I have to face That in this awful place I shouldn't show a trace of doubt But pulled against the grain I feel a little pain

a song that reminds me of our muses' relationship

No lyrics here, just some erratic tunes that still sound coherent almost like Sampo and Dan Heng's personalities

a song that represents an important moment for our muses

You'll never understand No, you'll never understand No, you'll never ever ever understand

a song that might play if our muses fought

one again no lyrics, just vibes. The chaotic fast pace (Sampo) vs a classical tune that's refine (Dan Heng)

[sasouken]

purposeclaimed + kai !

"are you. . . sure i'm allowed to leave my room without first alerting your parents?" he may be in a new setting, on an entirely different planet, but this was still as much a prison as the last place he'd been in.

[talesimagination]

As the newest addition to the Astral Express, Gold is the only one who isn't aware of Dan Heng's past. And he's tried to keep it that way. Not out of malice, but they weren't there when everything went down and Dan Heng hasn't been thought broaching the topic necessary. Like before the Luofu he simply doesn't bring it up around them. But everyone else knows, he doesn't hide it around them anymore, and so slip-ups are bound to occur.

Gold walking in on him with the Azure Dragon out is one such slip-up. Caelus had volunteered to help him practice his control with a game of fetch. Somewhat demeaning but the core concept is sound and they'd run off down the train to borrow Pom-Pom's ball. Leaving Dan Heng at the end of the Parlor Car near the stairs, water-like dragon phasing out of his torso with its head lazily floating nearby, to notice Gold staring at him and feel his heart drop.

The dragon protectively curls around him when he tenses, but with a frustrated groan and a stabilizing deep breath everything loosens, including the dragon, which cants its head to the side as it stares curiously at Gold. Dan Heng too shifts his gaze to his new friend, brows furrowed but expression otherwise unreadable. ❝I suppose you want answers?❞ The dragon bops its snout against Gold's shoulder and Dan Heng hisses in frustration, beckoning it back.

~starlighttrain

Gold would have been startled if not for the fact that he knew someone who had a dragon as a familiar, a part of their soul. He's actually happy to see something akin to familiarity but does not reach to pet it as one might think he would. This brings comfort to the immortal as he looks up at Dan Heng who had just asked if he wanted an explanation.

Gold gave a rare soft smile. "Only if you feel the need, but... It is nice to see a dragon again, if only for this moment. I didn't mean to catch you at a bad time my friend."

Gold hadn't probably told Dan Heng of the photon dragon he knew, but there hadn't been a reason to until now and he probably raised more questions from the other than he meant to. Still, it wasn't like he was distrusted here, but Gold was still ultimately new to the crew and probably wasn't meant to know quite everything.

@starlighttrain

[shining-gem34]

[ FOOD ] — sender steals a bite of receiver's food when they're not looking / For Dan Heng! [ HELPPPP FJKANFJKA ]

Little Shit Prompts Accepted! for @pitchdarkhook

Dan Heng didn't notice the change immediately.

The guard is wholly focused on the holographic screen in front of him. A hand, or a finger, scrolling down the screen to review the latest information on Planet AAA. His other hand is occupied holding a sandwich that Pom-Pom made. The conductor whips up a simple lunch for everyone, including their guests.

One of the guests, Hook, is currently lounging on the cushion eating her lunch with gusto. Dan Heng was tempted to remind her again to eat slowly unless she wanted to choke, or worse have an upset stomach. A quick glance to the side informed him that Hook finished her lunch. Now, she was currently sprawled out on the cushion like a satisfied bear cub.

In a bit, he'll remind her to drink her juice.

From time to time, Dan Heng will take a bite out of his sandwich. He'll chew, swallow, and then not take another bite for a few minutes. A frustrating cycle to any outsider, but Dan Heng was only eating enough to sate his grumbling stomach. His work in the archives takes priority over a light meal.

That's exactly why Dan Heng didn't notice Hook rolling out the cushion and quietly made her way to his table. When her target was in sight, she didn't hesitate to swoop in and bite the tasty corner of his sandwich.

"...Hm?" Dan Heng, about to take another bite of his meal, notices that a corner is gone. Then he realizes that Hook is right here.

She stands there, leaning against his table with the biggest grin on her face. Obviously, the Boss of the Moles is proud she was able to achieve her mission without being noticed.

Cute, Dan Heng thinks as he slides his plate of sandwiches to her. There was only one left. The guard already ate two and eating a third so he wasn't as hungry as before.

"You can eat the rest, Hook. Remember to drink your juice." Dan Heng informs her, thinking he may as well reward her for her efforts.

[yunarise-a]

@iiryoku liked for Dan Heng.

“ What was it like meeting an aeon? ” Dan Heng has a duty as resident archivist to enter the necessary information into their database. But, even more pressingly, he doubts he’ll ever get over Cocolia stabbing Caelus the way she had. It was terrifying, in all honesty, so perhaps talking about the incident can help calm his nerves. “ You’re quite special, getting the chance to do so not once but twice. ”

[wcvensouls]

" you must forgive me, " for he found it hard to establish the past from the present in the features carried on by dan heng, he who held such uncanny resemblance to someone jing yuan himself had to witness the downfall of. " for while i do understand that you are dan heng, the remanents of your past --- your ancestor --- stir up emotions within me i find it hard to establish. "

regret, mostly, flooded his bones at the sight of dan heng's regular features. not due to his mundane self resembling that of dan feng the most, but due to knowing that behind that exterior was the lingering presence of someone jing yuan had once seen as a dear friend. it brought an uneasy feeling around, blending in with the lingering regret he carried with him despite all this time.

" i cannot expect you to understand , nor i will encourage you to. " for he had simply summoned dan heng to a private audience in order to clear the air of its uncertainties. " however , i wish to share the reason for my ... well , approach to it all , and while the memories of the past might have come flooding to you i ... i only want to say that despite the outcome , the price that had to be paid for the treason , i respected and admired dan feng for what he was and the strength he had. he was a dear friend of mine, dan heng. "

returning to the luofu was strange, even though this place had once been his homeland. although dan feng had gone through the cycle of rebirth and was no longer in this world, dan heng still bore the punishment that was given to his predecessor, as well as the burden of the consequences of his actions, in more ways than one. he should have been cleansed from the sins commited by the previous high elder upon being reborn... yet he understood that things were not quite as simple. he could tell the general that he was not dan feng as many times as he wished, yet there was a part of him that simply understood. perhaps there was also still a part of dan feng lingering inside of him somewhere, one that made him feel a sense of familiarity upon looking at jing yuan's face and made him see a person that should be a stranger as someone he unexplicably cared about.

still, dan heng reminded himself that he was no longer the same person & that the person the general missed was not himself, but an echo of the past that he happened to bear great ressemblance to. when being summoned by jing yuan for a private audience, he had already imagined what would be discussed — and dan heng felt a sense of uneasiness take over him even before arriving here. if he was not dan feng in any way, then why did he still feel a certain sadness whenever he was around the other, seeing the way that he would look at the face he shared with the high elders of the vidyadhara? sometimes, it was as if he was missing an old friend, even though such memories did not truly belong to him.

dan heng had kept his head down for a moment or two as he listened to his words, before he dared to look up and meet the other's gaze, an indescribable look on his features. " general... " he spoke in a quiet, yet serious tone — with a hint of a softness that perhaps was a bit unexpected to even dan heng himself. " you need not explain yourself to me. " he paused for a moment before continuing. " i understand that dan feng's presence, as well as his sin, cannot be so easily erased through rebirth. and i can understand that my own presence here makes things rather... complicated. " whether he was still around or not, there were still people on this place that would remember him — and, in this moment, dan heng realized that, perhaps, jing yuan was the only one that could still remember the good in him.

@avaere : unprompted asks .