( Jingyi stares at the plush dragon, struck immobile to start. His mouth opens, lips parted, and he wants to say something, anything, but no words come out. His eyes burn with a sudden intensity he doesn't expect, and he hugs the stupid, familiar shape of the dragon plush to his chest and lets himself have a moment of gratitude so intense it burns.
And yes. He does cry, just a little, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness from the closest thing he'll have to a parental figure in his world, aside from the mentorship that comes from Hanguang-jun. Different divides, and it's all tied up in Clan, in identity, in knowing Lan Xichen cares for all of them and also is a man with too much he bears, for the sake of them all. Who has suffered at the hands of his sworn brothers in different, unintended and unasked ways; who has been betrayed for his affections and trust, and still carries on. As much as he can, still carries on.
For a moment, though, he can hug this stupid, soft representation of what he's missing so acutely he doesn't even know it sometimes. Kindness, he thinks, is something like this.
It's later that he finds Lan Xichen, in the gardens, and executes the perfection of a bow for a junior to not just a senior, but to his sect leader. Sword in hand, in his robes with their partial mending, because that is what is due for this. Hair carefully in place, crown worn like it should, ribbon precisely worn as it always is regardless. )
Thank you for the gift, Zewu-jun. It... it was very well received.
( He's not sure if he should or could or can accept it in one turn, but he knows he has, that denying it now is too insincere in its own way. He'll return as good to his sect leader, he will. He'll figure out the how, but for now he can offer this: his respect, the depth of it and his gratitude, unshakeable loyalty no matter the fractured differences across worlds. )
[ All the details in the care that Jingyi has taken today are noted as Xichen watches the junior approach, and the sect leader's eyes are so soft. He cups his hands to accept it, just as properly. ]
I am glad, Jingyi.
[ Then, expression gentle, he motions next to him. ]
Would you like to sit with me for a little while?
[ If there are... words he needs to say. Sometimes, they do need to be spoken out loud. ]
( Jingyi pauses, then moves to take that seat by Zewu-jun. )
Thank you, Zewu-jun.
( Now for this, though at first, he's not sure what to say. He settles his sword next to him, properly leaned and in reach, should there be any need to run off armed and ready for train action. )
Do you... miss specific things from home, Zewu-jun? Ones that might only make sense to you?
a couple of days after gift giving in merriment ; action
[ Jingyi, Jingyi, where is it Tidus can fiiind you.
Okay, sure, he could do this asking via the ICP, but instead, Tidus will walk! Through the carriages, some point before dinner but after lunch, with the goal of finding one (1) dragon guy. Is he training? Gaming? Goofing off? Lazing?
Wherever it is that Tidus might find him, he'll have the decency to wait if he seems to be in the middle of something, taking a moment to call over with a, ] Jingyi! [ and approaching.
Unless he needs to go to his cabin to find him, then that'll be a quick knocking on the door, ] Jingyi? [ asked with it. ]
( in full sorta circle sense, he's caught up to while he's going through his sword forms, expression set into his version of neutrality: he who can, and does, suffer resting bitch face when concentrating.
the call out of his name breaks through that, and he comes out of a twisting thrust to lower his blade, sheath in his other hand. his tail forms a sort of sweep to the side as his eyebrows lift and he offers a half-smile, still mentally in training mode. )
Tidus? ( he truly shakes his head then, and sheathes his sword, one smooth motion. ) Did you need me for something?
( ............. wait but why, he's like, the least useful person for train things, so he amends: )
[ Tidus waves a hand, dismissive, casual, as he walks over with a slow, easy pace. ]
I had something I wanted to give to you. [ He looks, left and right, a brief thing before- ] This a good time?
[ Should he maybe wait later? He wonders if he should have waited, but then, this isn't so different from when Inigo and Jingyi approached him before. So, shouldn't be a bad thing, right? ]
Huh? Sure, as long as it's not a challenge to a duel or something, that should wait until after I eat.
( Not being particularly serious, but look, if he did have to fight for showcasing reasons, please feed him first. At least he's looking amused at his own cleverness, which isn't all that clever, and crosses his arms. Peering at Tidus.
Wellll, [ if Jingyi can look amused for his own cleverness, then Tidus can look the same, for the perfect opening, ] speaking of eating, and I guess a duel can come after if you really want one-
[ Tidus brings his hands together, one wrist with a gold band, the other with his SCA, a usual sight - and with his hands close to one another, a plate appears: homing some still warm spring rolls, and siomais, materialising following a gold colouring.
He moves out the plate towards Jingyi, once he's got a proper grip on it. ]
A gift - for the one you gave me with Inigo. If you want it? And I'll admit, I got Sizhui to help me make them - Lan Sizhui. [ Because it wouldn't feel right to be honest. ] I'm not used to making wraps that thin.
[ He wasn't even sure if he could without some special ingredient they didn't have, but thankfully, it was all about the rolling out! ]
( He tucks his sheathed sword up under an arm with a snort, followed by a grin. )
Of course I want it, I'm not trying to make you an enemy!
( Which logically flows (to him), as he holds out his hands. One part he recognises, and whatever those delightful little creations are next to the spring rolls, he wants one in his mouth. Taste testing. )
Sizhui helped? Of course he did, rolling these can be a pain in the tail. Did you make some for Inigo too, or did you give him something else already?
( He might be saying all this but, er, he's. Staring at the food. He's a simple guy, really. )
And no duel, I spar, or I fight, but not duel or dual anything.
[ The plate is passed over in ownership! Enjoy, Jingyi's intrigued senses to mixed tofu and mushrooms, and the spices with them. ]
I got something else for Inigo. [ Heh. ] But these, we made them when we had this fake birthday party for Inigo and Taiki, and the Sizhuis told me these were kinda like foods they knew, so- [ He nods at them. ] I figured they'd be familiar!
[ Well. ] Close to familiar. But anyway, if you don't like it- [ He turns a hand in gesture to the plate. ] It's okay, you won't hurt my feelings telling me. I don't know if there's anything about gifts, but- I'll make something else if you don't, is what I'm saying.
No need to guess, it's Tidus!! But after his meeting with Elidibus for a second time, concern for Jingyi not including self-reflection on the ascian's part, Tidus agrees with seeking out the other guy - would have done it either way, with hearing how Jingyi took it. Something about it had been particularly concerning, in Elidibus's opinion, but what wasn't about having someone poking around in your head?
The first job is finding out where Jingyi is. He checks his cabin first, coming from his own room, then starts down the line of carriages - thanfkully, not being taken too far when the training gym gives him the results he's looking for.
And that sure is a guy, either extremely pissed, or in the middle of an intense workout.
...Possibly even both.
He waits, watching, knowing that's not a guy who's going to care about the people around him, before he calls out - ] Jingyi! [ and starts to make his way over.
( Jingyi didn't respond to the call out verbally; he follows through on a strike that has him darting left and thrusting upward, cutting out to the side of the target and using his momentum to carry him beyond it, footwork quick to bring him back around so the follow-up strike is as fluid as the strikes leading into it. His hoodie and shirt are in a neat pile tucked up against the wall, and he's been working at this hard enough for the sheen of sweat to leave him glistening with it, a hint of salt and iron on his tongue he ignores.
This is barely a burn, and he's looking to burn, his tail part of each strike as a counterbalance and now, when his eyes flick to Tidus, then away again, it's his tail that moves with him in a feint and strike at the dummy which would, to a living target, lead to a leap away, only his tail in part of his spinning turn to find distance again smacking across the base of the still target, rattling it significantly as he keeps his sword level with the dummy's chest.
His tail is held taunt behind him, falling from its very visible start at the small of his back down, the band that rides over it to keep the trousers he still finds ludicrous in place rucking his fur up before it, pressing it down after. The swooping curve down turns into a swoop up again, the organic lines of his extended spine held taunt. Unlike his more human features, only the fur that travels up his spine from the base of his tail shows signs of the same sweat, slightly darkened from its light blue. Like this, it's even apparent that his skin shifts toward more scaled then full scales along the sides of his spine, until the rounded bulk of muscle that starts the heft of his tail above where a human's tailbone rests is full scales, white and unaffected by the rest of his exertions.
He has his own demons to chase away. He's in enough of a mood that when he lunges forward this time, into another misleadingly simple series of steps and strikes at the training dummy, he calls out: )
Tidus.
( And it's not a question, it's not even particularly an answer, it's simple acknowledgement. Tidus is there. Nothing else, and no pause in his action, just decades of training turning him into a blur of motion and impressions of each hit landed even as he's already away again, seeking the next avenue of attack.
All in restraint. If he wasn't restraining, he's not sure any of the dummys would withstand; the train walls itself would, he has no doubt. )
[ Tidus questions if Jingyi heard him at first, continuing on, absorbed inside the world of his practice. Lingering in the thought on if to call again or to wait, with a compromise made to do the latter, than the former. For it, Jingyi speaks first; an acknowledgement that's easy to read. Straightforward, acknowledging - but informing too.
He waits again, one second, two; wishing he knew better what Jingyi needs right now, but knows he doesn't have the answer. Could pretend to, but in this instance... ]
Elidibus told me what he did. He was out of line. [ No matter how Elidibus paints it, the good intentions behind it. ] What do you need? If you want a sparring partner, an ear, or want me to buzz off, you tell me. I'm here; I'm not going unless you want me to.
[ Jingyi's choice. A choice Tidus will press on only if he thinks there's room to, but otherwise, he doesn't want to force the guy. Let him say if he wants to be alone or has nothing to say. Tidus isn't itching for a spar himself, but if it's for Jingyi right now, he can dismiss his own laziness and bring out his blade. Replace the dummy with a more active target, burn whatever energy or annoyance or apprehension that Jingyi still has. ]
( It's when he mentions Elidibus that Jingyi's restraint slips. His grip tightens on the hilt of his sword, and the sweeping slice upward across the dummy's chest reversing direction. The blade hits the side of the training dummy's neck, then is through, with enough force the head itself goes flying in the same direction as his blade finishes, Jingyi's tailtip twitching violently as his head turns to follow the decapitated training dummy's own head hit the wall. The thud as dummy head meets cabinets, then its subsequent thudding as it hits the floor, is indicative of a reaction, sure.
It's also indicative that he doesn't speak so much as sheathe his sword, eyes lingering on the decapitated dummy head. Sword held, now sheathed, in one hand, he answers in calm tone, still staring at the head where it came to rest. )
I don't think sparring would be wise right now.
( Because he'd only really be game with someone he knows can hand him his tail, someone he can't slip up with because they'd ensure it wouldn't happen. And he doesn't name anyone in that category here but his seniors, since he doesn't need to test their limits to know, inherently. Tidus might be in that category, though Jingyi has doubts—not for Tidus's skills, but for a long engrained awareness of just how powerful cultivators were compared to normal people. Holding back was a necessity. In that, they were monstrous regardless of form.
He strides forward, slower than he's been fighting the dummy, but quick, as far as regular motion. Scoops up the decapitated head, and walks it back to the dummy, to lay at its base. Either a morbid, beautifully bloodless homage, or a silent apology for what he'll have to figure out how to fix later.
He doesn't have an answer for what he needs, when he doesn't know, other than he needed to move, earlier, and now he's broken a toy of sorts, and that's embarrassing in the way of any adult knowing better and having been less than properly accounting for what he should in reserve.
He about faces to collect his folded and set aside clothing, glancing to Tidus, then toward one of the doors in to the narrow hall that parallels this space on the other side of the wall. )
I'm going to the spa.
( Announcement, not precisely invitation, and certainly not dismissal. Just a statement of intent, because whatever he's working through, it's not with the inability to inform a friend of what he does know, while not knowing how to put to words the feelings of what he did, feeling like it was his right, that invasion, the force of an outside spirit in any touch with another person's internal world, that is too much like, too much a reminder of what destroyed so many of my clan when I was a child and the cultivation world was at war. It's the stuff of my nightmares, when I have them, and I don't want to talk about it, about any of it, because it changes fuck all, and I'm livid, and scared, and going to take a fucking bath.
Which admittedly might be an explanation that would, perhaps, help, but he doesn't have those words, just the emotions, and he doesn't like delving into the past when it helps nothing. )
[ It's not a decapitation that inspires one to follow through with one's words into more than trailing off, 'He was out of...' about what manages to end. An offer not in the room to be made, but even without it, sparring wouldn't be the best in this occasion of heightened emotions, trying to keep themselves contained.
Tidus stands instead, knowing the world that Jingyi's in is his own, that it's not one he can step into and understand. Maybe he's not the guy for this, and while he doesn't mind silence (well - he can accept it), his eyes are on Jingyi when he glances at him, brain already thinking with the declaration. ]
I'll come. [ No problem there, right? Just two friends in a spa. --and, ah! ] How about I invite Sizhui? Lan Sizhui. Bet he can do with a soak.
[ Bet he knows what to do, can be a comfort. Knows Jingyi better than any of them, even with their worlds adjacent. ]
( The tension in his shoulders relaxes another fraction, because there are no more words trying to explain Elidibus as if Jingyi cannot understand motivations for high handed actions, like he doesn't know frustrations and desires to know, like he hasn't been raised specifically not to use the powers and abilities he has access to in order to do as he wished, as he thought was most effective, to people who did not.
It's also not a thought process that has any ready explanation, no inherent understanding that Tidus would need one, this young man of a dream world that had been so very real, rising sports star, reigning king, then dragged out into a wider world, so different and similar in unequal measures. Jingyi doesn't even know that extent, only bits and pieces from when they talk, but it's why he leans into the concept of culture clashing, the misunderstandings. It's what gives him more patience than he'd have when the field is level, and everyone understands what's laid out on the table.
Right now, it's all negligible anyway. I exist to fight the monsters in the name of my clan has no meaning, even if, and what he did is too much like how the monstrous stole the minds and bodies of the people who raised me. No brush up against war or how it was as brutal and cruel as any war ever was, how innocents suffered and he was raised in the aftermath of it, always reminded in unpleasant ways of the whys.
Jingyi is afraid of possession on a deep, psychological level, and he deals with it most the time, even as someone who is supposed to fight to protect others from the possessed, but he needs his support network for it. Left to his own devices, brash as he is, direct as he is, this is the one thing, the one looming horror, from which Lan Jingyi would run.
He nods, after the declaration and the suggestion, says in a quieter voice, )
Please. ( And, after a pause: ) Thank you.
( Manners are manners, and he has plenty, with a sliding awareness of when and how and why he uses them as he does. Tidus's offer is why he doesn't think twice when he heads for the door now, and heads for the transgate, waiting to key in the destination: the armoury. From there, merely crossing to the Spa carriage, simple enough.
Tidus knows where he's going, and ICPs are the way to talk at distance on train. Or knowing a person's haunts and schedule, or running into them at opportune moments. Whatever it may be. )
[ It's not a dismissal, nor a refusal, and Tidus can be relieved for that. He wants to help Jingyi, knows this isn't how he is; and Jingyi doesn't need to be how he is, to be affected by what Elidibus did and be his natural self, but the impact of his silence translates to Tidus as someone he doesn't want to be left alone. With someone, anyone who knows him; in a way that Tidus can't confidently say he does, in the way he's become capable of supporting Inigo over time and through bumping heads.
No one can quite grasp that level of familiarity, but there are those close to it. So he nods to the thanks, nods more in understanding, but he heads himself to take the other direction. Let Jingyi go where he needs to, and Tidus - Tidus doesn't know where he wants to head, only that his feet move him through to the musical car, and he then uses the ICP there to send out a message.
If only he could send private messages. But at least, he can keep this short and sweet, not telling or giving anything away: ]
Hey, this is for Sizhui - Lan Sizhui! Can you meet me at the spa hall? Got something important to talk to you about. Really can't wait.
[ He feels bad that Jingyi might be able to hear, but there's nothing to be done about that. He'll just wait by the ICP, hoping he might get a confirmation from the guy - from whatever he was in the middle of. Hopefully, nothing too severe. ]
Hey, Jingyi. You leave messages to the train, right?
[ Hey Jingyi, what's up, it's a Tidus with an Inigo in tow. The platform stop has been had, and they're now travelling once again through the void with newcomers onboard, new foods and medkits, but Tidus isn't immediately concerned by them.
He's had a plan for a few days, a nagging in his head, whenever he was conscious enough to think. Maybe inspired by Elidibus's unwelcomed opinion over the ICPs, but admittedly, even longer than that.
But it might be Jingyi's public talk with Elidibus and something said by his Sizhui that's got him coming for Jingyi. ... and Inigo is here because clearly, they're joined at the hip.
(but if they're going to talk about 'things to complain about', inigo gets to join in too.) ]
[ Look at this small boy being dragged in across the floor on a leash bro walking in behind another bro.
It's hard to tell if Inigo is even fully aware of Tidus's plan in coming here. There's a big chance that he just went along with the other because they are indeed joined at the hip, or maybe Inigo just didn't want to miss out on a chance to hang out with Tidus and Jingyi together - and even moreso after what happened at the end of last month.
Inigo already didn't take his time with his friends for granted, but now? Now he's making sure to make the most of it even more.
Even if it's just to pipe up with: ]
You both do.
[ You know.
It's an obvious fact, so Inigo might as well point it out! You're like the complain brothers!
Not that it's a bad thing, since Inigo does also fiercely believe that a lot of things here on the train could do with change - but since they have so much more complain energy than him, he's glad to leave it up to them most of the time. ]
( This is his nod to Inigo's statement, paired with a literal nod to Inigo, who does far more locking down of things than Jingyi or Tidus... though Jingyi was probably the most open, honest book out of all three.
Also technically the most normal, powers aside. He's just a normal cultivator, you all are dream all-star sportsball players and princes. What public eye he ever had, he always mouthed off to, within bounds of resectability... barely. )
Are we holding a conference with the train, because I'm half tempted to do that stupid video thing you can do and see if that makes the train sit down and listen to us more than you are right now, Voidtrecker Express.
( Aimed upward, Jingyi's tail lashing behind him as he stared at the karaoke machine he was kneeling in front of, fiddling with the controls and adjustments he barely understood by now. )
[ Yeah, Inigo, don't you leave far too many messages to the train? And if not, why not.
He'll give room for Inigo to respond to the former, but the latter, it takes a second for Tidus to figure what Jingyi probably means by video thing (the ICPs? -- oh, right, those logs), not discouraged by the Shout Cultivator Yells At Train insert there. At least they both placed the train's ears somewhere above their heads. ]
How about both? [ He'd considered it once or twice in the past, for different reasons, but he'd never gone through with it himself. Was he at the point where was fed up enough to try? Probably.
But that isn't the reason he's here -- ... granted, talking to Jingyi wasn't the original reason for coming into the music car, either. But he's here, they're here, so he's going to bring up what he's been meaning to. ]
I want to make a list with you. Stuff we want from the train - listening to us, what's important to change or do, and figuring the best way to ask for it, too. See if we can get more people onboard and bring it up with the train too. More voices should help. ... but how long it'll take, [ Tidus adds, sighing with a shake of his head. ] --That could be any time.
[ Given how long it took to have the Q&A and then the second talk, the questions still unanswered, and the train possibly only taking the time to read their reports to the Ministry... ]
1st question, in honour of jingyi and tidus's unrelenting train feedback
[ Wow, suddenly he's being attacked here. He glances between the two, starting on an: ]
How do you e-- [ Before cutting himself off. He's pretty sure saying How do you even think of new stuff to bring up to the train every single day, but these two might just be the worst possible candidates to say that around.
No, Inigo will instead wisely shut up, pretending that it was just Tidus speaking up that interrupted him. Yes, clearly it was not Inigo stopping himself awkwardly mid-sentence.. H-Haha, bros, what would even make you think that.. ]
.. If we want to make a list, I can help write it down. [ Especially since he figures the other two will be much better off running their mouths with complaints. It's their speciality, after all. ] Then we could put it up somewhere, and see if we can get a call to action going then.
[ Since it's easier than to go see every single person in the train one by one and talk with them about it. Not that they can't do both, but! Still! ]
... Or just, you know, talk about it over the ICP if you want to reach people, it's not like anyone reads. Or like everyone can.
( Nor listens, really, but that way at least they can say they reached out to everyone, and he doesn't currently think anyone has hearing challenges? Maybe there are, he's not up to date on everyone's particulars.
He finishes fiddling with the controls for the moment. )
Makes sense to write out the report first though. Since you're volunteering, Inigo.
( A flash of a more humourless grin, too much canine shown, but still. An attempt. )
Once the report's compiled, we take it to not just train feedback, but that other thing. The one with the recordings for later.
[ Jingyi is making him wonder, does he still have...? And he brings out a hand in a held shape, making appear in it - tada! - one of the cordless microphones. One day he'll have to care about the battery in it, but today? Is not that day.
Enjoy Tidus's autotuned voice as he now uses that to speak. ]
Diaaary looogs.
[ You're welcome. He'll switch the button back off. ] So? We'll do it all, then stick the letter in the public coach. So we've got video, paper, and then a message to let people know. Cover everything we can. Stick posters around about it. Bring it up every month.
[ ...flipping the switch back on and pointing the microphone to himself: ] And demand number onnnee iiiss: The train needs to stop somewhere and talk to us for a weeeeek.
Learn more about the peeooople onboard. Let us learn more about iiiiit. Also, let us go help the places where people come from. Seriously.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gift
Jingyi,
With hopes that this one will be company until more friends that you are used to might show up,
Lan Xichen. ]
action briefly
And yes. He does cry, just a little, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness from the closest thing he'll have to a parental figure in his world, aside from the mentorship that comes from Hanguang-jun. Different divides, and it's all tied up in Clan, in identity, in knowing Lan Xichen cares for all of them and also is a man with too much he bears, for the sake of them all. Who has suffered at the hands of his sworn brothers in different, unintended and unasked ways; who has been betrayed for his affections and trust, and still carries on. As much as he can, still carries on.
For a moment, though, he can hug this stupid, soft representation of what he's missing so acutely he doesn't even know it sometimes. Kindness, he thinks, is something like this.
It's later that he finds Lan Xichen, in the gardens, and executes the perfection of a bow for a junior to not just a senior, but to his sect leader. Sword in hand, in his robes with their partial mending, because that is what is due for this. Hair carefully in place, crown worn like it should, ribbon precisely worn as it always is regardless. )
Thank you for the gift, Zewu-jun. It... it was very well received.
( He's not sure if he should or could or can accept it in one turn, but he knows he has, that denying it now is too insincere in its own way. He'll return as good to his sect leader, he will. He'll figure out the how, but for now he can offer this: his respect, the depth of it and his gratitude, unshakeable loyalty no matter the fractured differences across worlds. )
no subject
I am glad, Jingyi.
[ Then, expression gentle, he motions next to him. ]
Would you like to sit with me for a little while?
[ If there are... words he needs to say. Sometimes, they do need to be spoken out loud. ]
no subject
Thank you, Zewu-jun.
( Now for this, though at first, he's not sure what to say. He settles his sword next to him, properly leaned and in reach, should there be any need to run off armed and ready for train action. )
Do you... miss specific things from home, Zewu-jun? Ones that might only make sense to you?
a couple of days after gift giving in merriment ; action
Okay, sure, he could do this asking via the ICP, but instead, Tidus will walk! Through the carriages, some point before dinner but after lunch, with the goal of finding one (1) dragon guy. Is he training? Gaming? Goofing off? Lazing?
Wherever it is that Tidus might find him, he'll have the decency to wait if he seems to be in the middle of something, taking a moment to call over with a, ] Jingyi! [ and approaching.
Unless he needs to go to his cabin to find him, then that'll be a quick knocking on the door, ] Jingyi? [ asked with it. ]
no subject
the call out of his name breaks through that, and he comes out of a twisting thrust to lower his blade, sheath in his other hand. his tail forms a sort of sweep to the side as his eyebrows lift and he offers a half-smile, still mentally in training mode. )
Tidus? ( he truly shakes his head then, and sheathes his sword, one smooth motion. ) Did you need me for something?
( ............. wait but why, he's like, the least useful person for train things, so he amends: )
Did you want a running buddy?
( nailed it )
no subject
I had something I wanted to give to you. [ He looks, left and right, a brief thing before- ] This a good time?
[ Should he maybe wait later? He wonders if he should have waited, but then, this isn't so different from when Inigo and Jingyi approached him before. So, shouldn't be a bad thing, right? ]
no subject
( Not being particularly serious, but look, if he did have to fight for showcasing reasons, please feed him first. At least he's looking amused at his own cleverness, which isn't all that clever, and crosses his arms. Peering at Tidus.
Tail twitching, interested like a cat's.
What is it, what is it. )
no subject
[ Tidus brings his hands together, one wrist with a gold band, the other with his SCA, a usual sight - and with his hands close to one another, a plate appears: homing some still warm spring rolls, and siomais, materialising following a gold colouring.
He moves out the plate towards Jingyi, once he's got a proper grip on it. ]
A gift - for the one you gave me with Inigo. If you want it? And I'll admit, I got Sizhui to help me make them - Lan Sizhui. [ Because it wouldn't feel right to be honest. ] I'm not used to making wraps that thin.
[ He wasn't even sure if he could without some special ingredient they didn't have, but thankfully, it was all about the rolling out! ]
no subject
Of course I want it, I'm not trying to make you an enemy!
( Which logically flows (to him), as he holds out his hands. One part he recognises, and whatever those delightful little creations are next to the spring rolls, he wants one in his mouth. Taste testing. )
Sizhui helped? Of course he did, rolling these can be a pain in the tail. Did you make some for Inigo too, or did you give him something else already?
( He might be saying all this but, er, he's. Staring at the food. He's a simple guy, really. )
And no duel, I spar, or I fight, but not duel or dual anything.
no subject
I got something else for Inigo. [ Heh. ] But these, we made them when we had this fake birthday party for Inigo and Taiki, and the Sizhuis told me these were kinda like foods they knew, so- [ He nods at them. ] I figured they'd be familiar!
[ Well. ] Close to familiar. But anyway, if you don't like it- [ He turns a hand in gesture to the plate. ] It's okay, you won't hurt my feelings telling me. I don't know if there's anything about gifts, but- I'll make something else if you don't, is what I'm saying.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
nebula 24; after elidibus doesn't KNOCK ON HIS DOOR
No need to guess, it's Tidus!! But after his meeting with Elidibus for a second time, concern for Jingyi not including self-reflection on the ascian's part, Tidus agrees with seeking out the other guy - would have done it either way, with hearing how Jingyi took it. Something about it had been particularly concerning, in Elidibus's opinion, but what wasn't about having someone poking around in your head?
The first job is finding out where Jingyi is. He checks his cabin first, coming from his own room, then starts down the line of carriages - thanfkully, not being taken too far when the training gym gives him the results he's looking for.
And that sure is a guy, either extremely pissed, or in the middle of an intense workout.
...Possibly even both.
He waits, watching, knowing that's not a guy who's going to care about the people around him, before he calls out - ] Jingyi! [ and starts to make his way over.
yo, jingyi, yo. ]
no subject
This is barely a burn, and he's looking to burn, his tail part of each strike as a counterbalance and now, when his eyes flick to Tidus, then away again, it's his tail that moves with him in a feint and strike at the dummy which would, to a living target, lead to a leap away, only his tail in part of his spinning turn to find distance again smacking across the base of the still target, rattling it significantly as he keeps his sword level with the dummy's chest.
His tail is held taunt behind him, falling from its very visible start at the small of his back down, the band that rides over it to keep the trousers he still finds ludicrous in place rucking his fur up before it, pressing it down after. The swooping curve down turns into a swoop up again, the organic lines of his extended spine held taunt. Unlike his more human features, only the fur that travels up his spine from the base of his tail shows signs of the same sweat, slightly darkened from its light blue. Like this, it's even apparent that his skin shifts toward more scaled then full scales along the sides of his spine, until the rounded bulk of muscle that starts the heft of his tail above where a human's tailbone rests is full scales, white and unaffected by the rest of his exertions.
He has his own demons to chase away. He's in enough of a mood that when he lunges forward this time, into another misleadingly simple series of steps and strikes at the training dummy, he calls out: )
Tidus.
( And it's not a question, it's not even particularly an answer, it's simple acknowledgement. Tidus is there. Nothing else, and no pause in his action, just decades of training turning him into a blur of motion and impressions of each hit landed even as he's already away again, seeking the next avenue of attack.
All in restraint. If he wasn't restraining, he's not sure any of the dummys would withstand; the train walls itself would, he has no doubt. )
no subject
He waits again, one second, two; wishing he knew better what Jingyi needs right now, but knows he doesn't have the answer. Could pretend to, but in this instance... ]
Elidibus told me what he did. He was out of line. [ No matter how Elidibus paints it, the good intentions behind it. ] What do you need? If you want a sparring partner, an ear, or want me to buzz off, you tell me. I'm here; I'm not going unless you want me to.
[ Jingyi's choice. A choice Tidus will press on only if he thinks there's room to, but otherwise, he doesn't want to force the guy. Let him say if he wants to be alone or has nothing to say. Tidus isn't itching for a spar himself, but if it's for Jingyi right now, he can dismiss his own laziness and bring out his blade. Replace the dummy with a more active target, burn whatever energy or annoyance or apprehension that Jingyi still has. ]
no subject
It's also indicative that he doesn't speak so much as sheathe his sword, eyes lingering on the decapitated dummy head. Sword held, now sheathed, in one hand, he answers in calm tone, still staring at the head where it came to rest. )
I don't think sparring would be wise right now.
( Because he'd only really be game with someone he knows can hand him his tail, someone he can't slip up with because they'd ensure it wouldn't happen. And he doesn't name anyone in that category here but his seniors, since he doesn't need to test their limits to know, inherently. Tidus might be in that category, though Jingyi has doubts—not for Tidus's skills, but for a long engrained awareness of just how powerful cultivators were compared to normal people. Holding back was a necessity. In that, they were monstrous regardless of form.
He strides forward, slower than he's been fighting the dummy, but quick, as far as regular motion. Scoops up the decapitated head, and walks it back to the dummy, to lay at its base. Either a morbid, beautifully bloodless homage, or a silent apology for what he'll have to figure out how to fix later.
He doesn't have an answer for what he needs, when he doesn't know, other than he needed to move, earlier, and now he's broken a toy of sorts, and that's embarrassing in the way of any adult knowing better and having been less than properly accounting for what he should in reserve.
He about faces to collect his folded and set aside clothing, glancing to Tidus, then toward one of the doors in to the narrow hall that parallels this space on the other side of the wall. )
I'm going to the spa.
( Announcement, not precisely invitation, and certainly not dismissal. Just a statement of intent, because whatever he's working through, it's not with the inability to inform a friend of what he does know, while not knowing how to put to words the feelings of what he did, feeling like it was his right, that invasion, the force of an outside spirit in any touch with another person's internal world, that is too much like, too much a reminder of what destroyed so many of my clan when I was a child and the cultivation world was at war. It's the stuff of my nightmares, when I have them, and I don't want to talk about it, about any of it, because it changes fuck all, and I'm livid, and scared, and going to take a fucking bath.
Which admittedly might be an explanation that would, perhaps, help, but he doesn't have those words, just the emotions, and he doesn't like delving into the past when it helps nothing. )
no subject
Tidus stands instead, knowing the world that Jingyi's in is his own, that it's not one he can step into and understand. Maybe he's not the guy for this, and while he doesn't mind silence (well - he can accept it), his eyes are on Jingyi when he glances at him, brain already thinking with the declaration. ]
I'll come. [ No problem there, right? Just two friends in a spa. --and, ah! ] How about I invite Sizhui? Lan Sizhui. Bet he can do with a soak.
[ Bet he knows what to do, can be a comfort. Knows Jingyi better than any of them, even with their worlds adjacent. ]
no subject
It's also not a thought process that has any ready explanation, no inherent understanding that Tidus would need one, this young man of a dream world that had been so very real, rising sports star, reigning king, then dragged out into a wider world, so different and similar in unequal measures. Jingyi doesn't even know that extent, only bits and pieces from when they talk, but it's why he leans into the concept of culture clashing, the misunderstandings. It's what gives him more patience than he'd have when the field is level, and everyone understands what's laid out on the table.
Right now, it's all negligible anyway. I exist to fight the monsters in the name of my clan has no meaning, even if, and what he did is too much like how the monstrous stole the minds and bodies of the people who raised me. No brush up against war or how it was as brutal and cruel as any war ever was, how innocents suffered and he was raised in the aftermath of it, always reminded in unpleasant ways of the whys.
Jingyi is afraid of possession on a deep, psychological level, and he deals with it most the time, even as someone who is supposed to fight to protect others from the possessed, but he needs his support network for it. Left to his own devices, brash as he is, direct as he is, this is the one thing, the one looming horror, from which Lan Jingyi would run.
He nods, after the declaration and the suggestion, says in a quieter voice, )
Please. ( And, after a pause: ) Thank you.
( Manners are manners, and he has plenty, with a sliding awareness of when and how and why he uses them as he does. Tidus's offer is why he doesn't think twice when he heads for the door now, and heads for the transgate, waiting to key in the destination: the armoury. From there, merely crossing to the Spa carriage, simple enough.
Tidus knows where he's going, and ICPs are the way to talk at distance on train. Or knowing a person's haunts and schedule, or running into them at opportune moments. Whatever it may be. )
no subject
No one can quite grasp that level of familiarity, but there are those close to it. So he nods to the thanks, nods more in understanding, but he heads himself to take the other direction. Let Jingyi go where he needs to, and Tidus - Tidus doesn't know where he wants to head, only that his feet move him through to the musical car, and he then uses the ICP there to send out a message.
If only he could send private messages. But at least, he can keep this short and sweet, not telling or giving anything away: ]
Hey, this is for Sizhui - Lan Sizhui! Can you meet me at the spa hall? Got something important to talk to you about. Really can't wait.
[ He feels bad that Jingyi might be able to hear, but there's nothing to be done about that. He'll just wait by the ICP, hoping he might get a confirmation from the guy - from whatever he was in the middle of. Hopefully, nothing too severe. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
oml i'm sorry for the wait, was sure i'd responded in my brief illness haze.....
we do many things in illness hazes that rudely don't transfer to reality
ain't it the truth
BOLTS THROUGH A WALL LIKE KOOL AID MAN
no one ever expects the kool rakel
truly, and i love how i'm both "OH YEAH" but also: what kind of koolaid is rakel fhgjdskal
lateraid clearly /shades
y'know, same tbh
(no subject)
(no subject)
1st quicksand ( + inigo ); i want to call this month quicksilver
[ Hey Jingyi, what's up, it's a Tidus with an Inigo in tow. The platform stop has been had, and they're now travelling once again through the void with newcomers onboard, new foods and medkits, but Tidus isn't immediately concerned by them.
He's had a plan for a few days, a nagging in his head, whenever he was conscious enough to think. Maybe inspired by Elidibus's unwelcomed opinion over the ICPs, but admittedly, even longer than that.
But it might be Jingyi's public talk with Elidibus and something said by his Sizhui that's got him coming for Jingyi. ... and Inigo is here because clearly, they're joined at the hip.
(but if they're going to talk about 'things to complain about', inigo gets to join in too.) ]
1st quarantaine
small boy being dragged in across the floor on a leashbro walking in behind another bro.It's hard to tell if Inigo is even fully aware of Tidus's plan in coming here. There's a big chance that he just went along with the other because they are indeed joined at the hip, or maybe Inigo just didn't want to miss out on a chance to hang out with Tidus and Jingyi together - and even moreso after what happened at the end of last month.
Inigo already didn't take his time with his friends for granted, but now? Now he's making sure to make the most of it even more.
Even if it's just to pipe up with: ]
You both do.
[ You know.
It's an obvious fact, so Inigo might as well point it out! You're like the complain brothers!
Not that it's a bad thing, since Inigo does also fiercely believe that a lot of things here on the train could do with change - but since they have so much more complain energy than him, he's glad to leave it up to them most of the time. ]
1st quark
( This is his nod to Inigo's statement, paired with a literal nod to Inigo, who does far more locking down of things than Jingyi or Tidus... though Jingyi was probably the most open, honest book out of all three.
Also technically the most normal, powers aside. He's just a normal cultivator, you all are dream all-star sportsball players and princes. What public eye he ever had, he always mouthed off to, within bounds of resectability... barely. )
Are we holding a conference with the train, because I'm half tempted to do that stupid video thing you can do and see if that makes the train sit down and listen to us more than you are right now, Voidtrecker Express.
( Aimed upward, Jingyi's tail lashing behind him as he stared at the karaoke machine he was kneeling in front of, fiddling with the controls and adjustments he barely understood by now. )
1st quack is right there
He'll give room for Inigo to respond to the former, but the latter, it takes a second for Tidus to figure what Jingyi probably means by video thing (the ICPs? -- oh, right, those logs), not discouraged by the Shout Cultivator Yells At Train insert there. At least they both placed the train's ears somewhere above their heads. ]
How about both? [ He'd considered it once or twice in the past, for different reasons, but he'd never gone through with it himself. Was he at the point where was fed up enough to try? Probably.
But that isn't the reason he's here -- ... granted, talking to Jingyi wasn't the original reason for coming into the music car, either. But he's here, they're here, so he's going to bring up what he's been meaning to. ]
I want to make a list with you. Stuff we want from the train - listening to us, what's important to change or do, and figuring the best way to ask for it, too. See if we can get more people onboard and bring it up with the train too. More voices should help. ... but how long it'll take, [ Tidus adds, sighing with a shake of his head. ] --That could be any time.
[ Given how long it took to have the Q&A and then the second talk, the questions still unanswered, and the train possibly only taking the time to read their reports to the Ministry... ]
1st question, in honour of jingyi and tidus's unrelenting train feedback
How do you e-- [ Before cutting himself off. He's pretty sure saying How do you even think of new stuff to bring up to the train every single day, but these two might just be the worst possible candidates to say that around.
No, Inigo will instead wisely shut up, pretending that it was just Tidus speaking up that interrupted him. Yes, clearly it was not Inigo stopping himself awkwardly mid-sentence.. H-Haha, bros, what would even make you think that.. ]
.. If we want to make a list, I can help write it down. [ Especially since he figures the other two will be much better off running their mouths with complaints. It's their speciality, after all. ] Then we could put it up somewhere, and see if we can get a call to action going then.
[ Since it's easier than to go see every single person in the train one by one and talk with them about it. Not that they can't do both, but! Still! ]
1st quibble, likewise in honour of all three
( Nor listens, really, but that way at least they can say they reached out to everyone, and he doesn't currently think anyone has hearing challenges? Maybe there are, he's not up to date on everyone's particulars.
He finishes fiddling with the controls for the moment. )
Makes sense to write out the report first though. Since you're volunteering, Inigo.
( A flash of a more humourless grin, too much canine shown, but still. An attempt. )
Once the report's compiled, we take it to not just train feedback, but that other thing. The one with the recordings for later.
1 me looking up 'q' words
Enjoy Tidus's autotuned voice as he now uses that to speak. ]
Diaaary looogs.
[ You're welcome. He'll switch the button back off. ] So? We'll do it all, then stick the letter in the public coach. So we've got video, paper, and then a message to let people know. Cover everything we can. Stick posters around about it. Bring it up every month.
[ ...flipping the switch back on and pointing the microphone to himself: ] And demand number onnnee iiiss: The train needs to stop somewhere and talk to us for a weeeeek.
Learn more about the peeooople onboard. Let us learn more about iiiiit. Also, let us go help the places where people come from. Seriously.
[ (Is he dragging out words on purpose?
Yes.) ]
1st quiz because this is a POP QUIZ on ree's knowledge of the letter q
1st quartet on train if we include the train as the fourth party listening in here
1 quarrel coming right up
1 QUACKHOOD which is my new favourite word
1 quiche as i'm thinking of delightful morning meals
1 queen, but who is the queen
1 queue as we're in line to become queen
1 quitting the line: spoilers, it's jingyi
the 1 quintessential queen here is clearly inigo
what kind of 1 QUACKERY IS IT THAT INIGO IS THE QUEEN??