[ after execution, flat doesn't go straight to the hotel. he goes to the beach to spend some time, but eventually decides that it's probably time to...who knows? continue walking? talk to people? whatever comes up.
but when he spots xie lian, he decides to make a beeline towards him, his expression one of mild concern. after everything that had happened... ]
[ xie lian is here on the couch in the lobby! he has a cup of tea in his hands, though it's still full, and is looking out of a window, a bit distracted. thankfully, it seems his injuries have been treated, and bandages are visible through the open seam of his robes.
he seems to snap out of whatever he was thinking when flat calls out to him, though, and offers him a smile and a dip of his head. ] Hello, Flat - I'm alright, thank you for asking. I've always healed quite quickly, so, I shouldn't be down for long.
[ you ever forget to hit enter on a tag for an hour
good tuesday afternoon! on this fine day, xie lian is also in the throne room of the castle, wearing his bandages and robes once more, with san lang the ferret standing a few feet in front of him, looking up at the throne, itself.
this again - such a strange situation that unsettles itself in his chest. by the time he shakes it, xie lian turns, and sees a familiar face. any of that unsettledness disappears very quickly.]
Oh! [ a little bow of greeting, polite! ] Hello, Flat. Were you exploring...?
[ flat on the other hand, seems to be having a pretty normal time. though jack's in the form of a wolf when they're addressed to, it changes into the form of a ferret, chittering happily as it goes half way between flat and san lin.
flat looks almost the same, but there's a bandage on his right hand now. oh well. ]
Not really. I think I'm just looking at the scrolls...it's really strange, don't you think?
[ hmmm... ]
Um! I just wanted to talk to you. Kind of like...share notes, maybe?
[ after the trial, xie lian is out at the stage! he's sitting, cross legged, hands in his lap, eyes closed. san lang is beside him as a qilin, now, curled up around his back. it seems like he's meditating, but when he hears footsteps, he opens an eye and glances up. ]
...Hello, Flat. [ there's genuine warmth in his tone, as he says it - it seems he may have been meditating. ]
[ flat's standing a few feet away, jack staring at the qilin as it wonders what to turn into to best imitate it. in the end it just decides to stay as a ferret. ]
[ HELLO well god only knows what xie lian was doing bu as soon as flat starts running and yelling at him xie lian immediately opens the door to his room and shooes him inside so they aren't yelling in the middle of the hallway. ]
Did what, we - [ he will take the paper out of his hands, though, and hten look at it.
... ]
It worked?
[ WHAT ]
We - well. Well! I suppose now we need to figure out whose favorite color is blue...?
[ flat had just been going to xie lian to discuss things after the town hall; discuss strategies and the like. in its beak, jack carries one of the crystals, and as soon as flat's eyes meet with xie lian's he'll be able to see a strange memory. ]
...
[ when it's over, flat will...glance away, a similar, lonely expression on his face as he waits for xie lian's response. ]
still, for a moment. what comes through in the memory feels impossibly confusing - something about human lives, about the earth, jumping, a master --
he blinks, startled, sucking a breath when it's over, and looks at flat.
a void, perhaps. he thinks about flat's - i'm not a good person, from before, and exhales that deep breath, and says, softly; ] ...To choose mercy is to make a choice of its own.
[ no matter what the reasons were for. maybe they're ones he can't understand without context, without a deeper understanding of flat, himself, but - xie lian gives him a small smile. ]
...We must be very careful with this glass, my friend.
[ flat is sitting down in xie lian’s room, being his resting buddy. his expression is neutral as he talks about anything to get his mind off of…
everything, basically.
jack, however, seems to be giving away flat’s feelings, as it just doesn’t seem to stay far from xie lian. hope he likes having a black wolf at the foot of the bed. ]
-I mean, what do you think we’re going to do tomorrow? Do you think you can call in sick?
[ sweet flat!!!! a resting buddy is just fine; xie lian does not at all mind jack, and jack might find in complete contradiction that he gets a resting buddy of his own. san lang is in the form of a rabbit, currently, and curls up at his side. ]
I don't think so, no. [ considering... they are compelled to go places. ] It will be alright... I've had difficult injuries before - it's just a burn.
[ is it, though, ] Besides - I'd rather be there, than sitting in bed. I want to solve what I can.
[ yes absolutely!! xie lian allows this - he is careful to make sure flat is in an uninjured spot but lets him loop their arms together and smiles down at him. san lang chitters excitedly and immediately hops on xie lian's shoulder, starting to reach out for jack. ]
Oh? What was your task? [ a beat. ] I've also arranged a meeting for you with another one of these role-bearers later this evening, if that's something you're amenable to doing.
[ team two halves of a whole idiot is doing great today ]
[ well, yesterday was. odd. xie lian has been careful to give flat his space after that entire incident - today, though, they are all wet, and cold, and were apparently protected by someone last night without even knowing it.
he's also never been sick so this is a new experience. sniffling a little, xie lian comes to find flat wherever he is, holding a folded blanket in his hands. ]
having a bad time, after that! he's got fang xin in his hand, and seems to be making a beeline for the tournament area, walking with his head held high but an unmistakable urgency and fury to his every move. san lang bounds after him in qilin form, though - when he spots flat, he pauses, and makes a soft noise to alert xie lian.
[ flat's not sure if, how, or what they're supposed to feel after that trial. there's a flurry of emotions that they can't and should not recognize in their chest and, though their pose seems to be still as the dead, jack keeps pacing nervously, even barking at xie lian.
they glance at the other, their expression cold. ]
[ xie lian is here! he is sitting at a table and - it looks like he's holding a training dummy? or. the parts of a training dummy, anyway - it's been kind of mangled?
xie lian appears to be trying to sew a part of it back together, with ugly, messy stitches. he is doing his best. however, when flat addresses him, he looks up, and offers him a smile. ]
Hello, Flat. I'm alright, I suppose - as alright as one can be after all of that. How are you? [ and then, looking at his cheek, a bit sympathetically. ] How's your face...?
[ flat today is… doing a bit better than the previous days! he’s got burns on his arms, but those are easily covered up under the many many layers of clothing needed to keep himself warm.
as he ventures the ice garden, he spots xie lian, and makes a beeline towards him, jack following suit. ]
here is xie lian in the ice garden! it seems he's just admiring the statues, for now - but, when he hears flat, he turns and immediately smiles at him, dipping his head in greeting. san lang is in his ferret form, wrapped around xie lian's neck. ]
xie lian is sitting in the ice garden. he's got a small fire going - flat missed whatever struggle he had trying to actually start one - and is burning pieces of paper in it, as he's done before. there are several bottles by his side, as well, and a small stack of plain papers, too.
he glances up, spotting flat - and his expression softens, pulling into a tired smile. ]
...Hello, Flat. Would you like to join me for a little while?
[ san lang is qilin formed and wrapped around xie lian's back; he lifts his head and makes a soft noise in jack's direction in greeting. ]
[ oh!!! xie lian is sitting underneath a maple tree, san lang in ferret form in his lap; he chitters softly and wriggles free of his lap, skittering over to greet jack. ]
Hello, Flat. [ like always, on a Friday, he is solemn, but. ] I'm just meditating. What is it?
[ xie lian is here in the park, laying down with his upper half propped up on a familiar looking tiger, staring up at the sky with his hands folded on his chest.
the tiger lifts its head, acknowledging flat with a chuff noise, and then resumes grooming a white ball of fur that looks like it might be san lang. ]
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w0; post execution, mid afternoon.
but when he spots xie lian, he decides to make a beeline towards him, his expression one of mild concern. after everything that had happened... ]
How are you feeling?
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he seems to snap out of whatever he was thinking when flat calls out to him, though, and offers him a smile and a dip of his head. ] Hello, Flat - I'm alright, thank you for asking. I've always healed quite quickly, so, I shouldn't be down for long.
Are you alright?
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w1, tuesday!
good tuesday afternoon! on this fine day, xie lian is also in the throne room of the castle, wearing his bandages and robes once more, with san lang the ferret standing a few feet in front of him, looking up at the throne, itself.
this again - such a strange situation that unsettles itself in his chest. by the time he shakes it, xie lian turns, and sees a familiar face. any of that unsettledness disappears very quickly.]
Oh! [ a little bow of greeting, polite! ] Hello, Flat. Were you exploring...?
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flat looks almost the same, but there's a bandage on his right hand now. oh well. ]
Not really. I think I'm just looking at the scrolls...it's really strange, don't you think?
[ hmmm... ]
Um! I just wanted to talk to you. Kind of like...share notes, maybe?
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the way this notif never showed up
CUCKED AGAIN BY DREAMWIDTH……
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w1, post trial
...Hello, Flat. [ there's genuine warmth in his tone, as he says it - it seems he may have been meditating. ]
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[ flat's standing a few feet away, jack staring at the qilin as it wonders what to turn into to best imitate it. in the end it just decides to stay as a ferret. ]
Are you busy?
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w1 ; sunday
as soon as he sees him he is BARRELLING TOWARDS HIM ]
WE DID IT!!!!! WE DID IT WE DID IT WE DID IT!
[ he is waving the response in xie lian's face oh my god he's so excited and so stupid ]
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[ HELLO well god only knows what xie lian was doing bu as soon as flat starts running and yelling at him xie lian immediately opens the door to his room and shooes him inside so they aren't yelling in the middle of the hallway. ]
Did what, we - [ he will take the paper out of his hands, though, and hten look at it.
... ]
It worked?
[ WHAT ]
We - well. Well! I suppose now we need to figure out whose favorite color is blue...?
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monday; w2
...
[ when it's over, flat will...glance away, a similar, lonely expression on his face as he waits for xie lian's response. ]
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still, for a moment. what comes through in the memory feels impossibly confusing - something about human lives, about the earth, jumping, a master --
he blinks, startled, sucking a breath when it's over, and looks at flat.
a void, perhaps. he thinks about flat's - i'm not a good person, from before, and exhales that deep breath, and says, softly; ] ...To choose mercy is to make a choice of its own.
[ no matter what the reasons were for. maybe they're ones he can't understand without context, without a deeper understanding of flat, himself, but - xie lian gives him a small smile. ]
...We must be very careful with this glass, my friend.
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this is the whole tag
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w2; friday evening
everything, basically.
jack, however, seems to be giving away flat’s feelings, as it just doesn’t seem to stay far from xie lian. hope he likes having a black wolf at the foot of the bed. ]
-I mean, what do you think we’re going to do tomorrow? Do you think you can call in sick?
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I don't think so, no. [ considering... they are compelled to go places. ] It will be alright... I've had difficult injuries before - it's just a burn.
[ is it, though, ] Besides - I'd rather be there, than sitting in bed. I want to solve what I can.
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monday ; w3
Xie Lian! [ even jack looks excited, as it quickly switches over to ferret form, waiting for san lang.
in a lower voice, he mumbles, but still smiling. ]
I got a new task today.
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Oh? What was your task? [ a beat. ] I've also arranged a meeting for you with another one of these role-bearers later this evening, if that's something you're amenable to doing.
[ team two halves of a whole idiot is doing great today ]
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w3; friday noon??
or well, jack does. flat turns after, eyes wide with surprise. ]
Xie Lian! Come here!
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Flat?
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w4 monday
Hi Xie Lian. Do you have any gossip you could tell me?
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...Why in the world would I have gossip? Do you need it for a task...?
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w4 friday
he's also never been sick so this is a new experience. sniffling a little, xie lian comes to find flat wherever he is, holding a folded blanket in his hands. ]
Flat. [ quietly, in greeting; he dips his head. ]
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[ …
how is flat, actually?
they have sholmes’ coat hanging loosely on their shoulders, giving xie lian an owlish stare. ]
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w4, saturday.
having a bad time, after that! he's got fang xin in his hand, and seems to be making a beeline for the tournament area, walking with his head held high but an unmistakable urgency and fury to his every move. san lang bounds after him in qilin form, though - when he spots flat, he pauses, and makes a soft noise to alert xie lian.
he turns his head. ] ...Flat.
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they glance at the other, their expression cold. ]
What.
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w4 ; post execution
he waves at him. ]
Xie Lian, how are you feeling?
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xie lian appears to be trying to sew a part of it back together, with ugly, messy stitches. he is doing his best. however, when flat addresses him, he looks up, and offers him a smile. ]
Hello, Flat. I'm alright, I suppose - as alright as one can be after all of that. How are you? [ and then, looking at his cheek, a bit sympathetically. ] How's your face...?
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w5 ; day 3
as he ventures the ice garden, he spots xie lian, and makes a beeline towards him, jack following suit. ]
Xie Lian!
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here is xie lian in the ice garden! it seems he's just admiring the statues, for now - but, when he hears flat, he turns and immediately smiles at him, dipping his head in greeting. san lang is in his ferret form, wrapped around xie lian's neck. ]
Hello, Flat. Are you out exploring?
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w5 ; post execution
when jack spots xie lian, though, flat stops in his tracks, staring. ]
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xie lian is sitting in the ice garden. he's got a small fire going - flat missed whatever struggle he had trying to actually start one - and is burning pieces of paper in it, as he's done before. there are several bottles by his side, as well, and a small stack of plain papers, too.
he glances up, spotting flat - and his expression softens, pulling into a tired smile. ]
...Hello, Flat. Would you like to join me for a little while?
[ san lang is qilin formed and wrapped around xie lian's back; he lifts his head and makes a soft noise in jack's direction in greeting. ]
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w6; friday
Xie Lian! Are you busy?
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Hello, Flat. [ like always, on a Friday, he is solemn, but. ] I'm just meditating. What is it?
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oh my GOSH i can’t believe i never got this
w6 post trial
the tiger lifts its head, acknowledging flat with a chuff noise, and then resumes grooming a white ball of fur that looks like it might be san lang. ]
Good evening, Flat.
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[ flat eyes the tiger for a moment, before glancing at san lang, and, finally, at xie lian. ]
Good evening, Xie Lian. How are you feeling?
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ENDGAAAAME
phew. after all of that, xie lian is.. here! he's just kind of hanging out by the shore of the river, sniffly, looking up at the stars.
hearing footsteps, he just - smiles. it's warm. ]
Hello, Flat.
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once xie lian acknowledges him, flat will do the only thing that comes to his mind--
run for a hug. ]
We did it!
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