Qi Rong didn't want to tell us much of anything, though...
[ other than yell about how unfair his life was and how much he hated xie lian. ]
But it was just something that Spike mentioned...that maybe the Temporal side had given him a reason to do that, since he was one too. I'm not sure if that's possible or not... but back home I used to see a lot of fighting for power, so I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
[ and that is...a bit annoying. why must people fight for power and control all the time? ]
But if they have the same goal, then it's just the paths that are different. So we just have to work with both of them to find a middle ground...I think. [ he rubs the back of his neck ] I wonder if it'd be better to make an alliance within our group. A Temporal-Celestial alliance.
No - he wouldn't have told anyone anything, at all, I fear.
[ his cousin is useless
anyway. xie lian folds his arms for a moment, chewing over the words. they strike a chord - xie lian saw lots of fighting for power, too, as frustrating as it is, once. but, similarly, he saw the desperation behind that struggle, too, and that factor is as important to consider as any other. ]
I could see that, though... I don't know. I pray that it won't happen again. [ lol. ]
But, yes, the goals are what I've heard as well. And I don't think they're against finding any peace, either...at least, I know for sure one of them isn't. [ his ferret chitters quietly, and he turns a bit, offering flat more of a smile. ]
When presented with two paths ... perhaps we simply must carve out a third path of our own, instead. [ a third path, a second cup of water. having the willpower to make things work when they refuse to - that has been what drives xie lian his entire life.
san lang curls a little closer to xie lian, and he reaches up to gently scritch his nose. ] I think that is an excellent idea, Flat. I would sooner resolve this conflict peacefully than allow it to end in nothing but bloodshed - let us work together to find a better solution, continually.
[ jack scampers up flat’s arms, lounging on his shoulders. there’s a small smile on his face as he glances at the daemon. ]
If we’re gonna make an alliance, then I think I’ll be fully honest. But I also want you to not tell anyone you don’t fully trust, because it’s technically supposed to be a secret.
[ jack chitters nervously, giving away flat’s slight hesitation. ]
I think I’m something like an errand boy for the Celestials. I am basically supposed to do what they ask me to.
surprise crosses xie lian's face - his ferret's ears perk, too. the hesitation doesn't go unnoticed, and he pauses for a moment to process the information, the surprise turning to curiosity. ]
...I see. You have my word, of course - and the gravity of such things is one you must be very careful with, Flat. Thank you, for trusting me with such information - I will do my best to keep it safe.
Have they asked you to do anything, so far...? If I may ask.
I know. That’s why you’re the first one to know. I think that if you’re able to find someone you trust, then I think we can let them know, but otherwise I’ll do my best to keep it a secret.
[ which is a tall order, considering that he lasted a whole two days without telling anyone. ]
My only task so far has been to talk to three new people privately. But it feels like a tutorial task—to test my loyalty, maybe? [ he shakes his head. ] I don’t agree with the way they’re doing this competition, but I think that I might be able to help. I have a feeling tasks are going to get harder, so please don’t mind if I ask for help sometimes!
he nods, to that, though! okay. this seems workable. ]
Alright. I will let that information be yours to share, though - if there is someone, perhaps I will bring them to you, instead, and we can share it together. Does that sound good?
[ he'll have to think on it! but this is flat's information and job to share, so, it comes back to him - xie lian is happy to facilitate, though. ] I am happy to help you, of course - it would be an honor. [ with a smile! ] Do you know if there are any others with similar positions, or is it just you...? I would assume there must be something similar for the Temporals...
That sounds wonderful! I think I have a couple ideas in mind as well, but I'm not sure if you'd agree. Miss Susato seems very trustworthy, for example. And Mister Van Zieks is a little weird, but I think that he means well.
[ of course, flat knows that he can't just go around telling everyone. telling xie lian was a lucky shot for him, and he knows this all too well. ]
I don't, but I predict that whatever roles the Celestials have, the Temporals must have as well. I doubt you've played this game, but we have a game called "Mafia" that's somewhat similar to this. In "Mafia", we have two sides, the villagers and the Mafia. Each side has roles that are crucial to the game...but if you said that this conflict is like a Yin and Yang, then the roles for this game must reflect similarly.
But I'm also not sure how to pose the questions without making them turn into dust...and I think that if I just asked the Temporals, they'd immediately think I'm a spy or something like that.
[ which is a shame, considering that he's both a terrible spy and has no ill will whatsoever. ]
I was thinking Miss Susato as well, but - maybe one person at a time. Let's check in with the Celestials and ensure that that would be alright, first.
[ the mafia explanation... he has never heard of it, but, it does make sense. what an interesting concept! he tilts his head.]
It sounds quite interesting - and a theory with credence, too. Are there any other sorts of jobs in that game you play? I doubt they'll be the same, but... that might be something to look out for. [ thoughtfully; ] There will be then perhaps at least one other person who will be acting along the same lines as you - or, at least similar ones. It could be beneficial to have you all working together, if we intend to solve this conflict with an alliance instead of violence.
[ xie lian pauses, there - san lang chitters and starts leaning over towards jack, sniffing at him and, if he can get close enough, will give him a lil nose boop. friends!!! and in, a similar gesture of trust, xie lian scratches his cheek, smile turning a little sheepish. ]
...Admittedly, having an alliance across teams through telling me is not quite the case, as I am also aligned with the Celestials. But... with two of us, two heads are better than one, don't you think? We can begin to work on this all together.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ other than yell about how unfair his life was and how much he hated xie lian. ]
But it was just something that Spike mentioned...that maybe the Temporal side had given him a reason to do that, since he was one too. I'm not sure if that's possible or not... but back home I used to see a lot of fighting for power, so I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
[ and that is...a bit annoying. why must people fight for power and control all the time? ]
But if they have the same goal, then it's just the paths that are different. So we just have to work with both of them to find a middle ground...I think. [ he rubs the back of his neck ] I wonder if it'd be better to make an alliance within our group. A Temporal-Celestial alliance.
the way this notif never showed up
[ his cousin is useless
anyway. xie lian folds his arms for a moment, chewing over the words. they strike a chord - xie lian saw lots of fighting for power, too, as frustrating as it is, once. but, similarly, he saw the desperation behind that struggle, too, and that factor is as important to consider as any other. ]
I could see that, though... I don't know. I pray that it won't happen again. [ lol. ]
But, yes, the goals are what I've heard as well. And I don't think they're against finding any peace, either...at least, I know for sure one of them isn't. [ his ferret chitters quietly, and he turns a bit, offering flat more of a smile. ]
When presented with two paths ... perhaps we simply must carve out a third path of our own, instead. [ a third path, a second cup of water. having the willpower to make things work when they refuse to - that has been what drives xie lian his entire life.
san lang curls a little closer to xie lian, and he reaches up to gently scritch his nose. ] I think that is an excellent idea, Flat. I would sooner resolve this conflict peacefully than allow it to end in nothing but bloodshed - let us work together to find a better solution, continually.
CUCKED AGAIN BY DREAMWIDTH……
[ jack scampers up flat’s arms, lounging on his shoulders. there’s a small smile on his face as he glances at the daemon. ]
If we’re gonna make an alliance, then I think I’ll be fully honest. But I also want you to not tell anyone you don’t fully trust, because it’s technically supposed to be a secret.
[ jack chitters nervously, giving away flat’s slight hesitation. ]
I think I’m something like an errand boy for the Celestials. I am basically supposed to do what they ask me to.
no subject
surprise crosses xie lian's face - his ferret's ears perk, too. the hesitation doesn't go unnoticed, and he pauses for a moment to process the information, the surprise turning to curiosity. ]
...I see. You have my word, of course - and the gravity of such things is one you must be very careful with, Flat. Thank you, for trusting me with such information - I will do my best to keep it safe.
Have they asked you to do anything, so far...? If I may ask.
no subject
[ which is a tall order, considering that he lasted a whole two days without telling anyone. ]
My only task so far has been to talk to three new people privately. But it feels like a tutorial task—to test my loyalty, maybe? [ he shakes his head. ] I don’t agree with the way they’re doing this competition, but I think that I might be able to help. I have a feeling tasks are going to get harder, so please don’t mind if I ask for help sometimes!
no subject
he nods, to that, though! okay. this seems workable. ]
Alright. I will let that information be yours to share, though - if there is someone, perhaps I will bring them to you, instead, and we can share it together. Does that sound good?
[ he'll have to think on it! but this is flat's information and job to share, so, it comes back to him - xie lian is happy to facilitate, though. ] I am happy to help you, of course - it would be an honor. [ with a smile! ] Do you know if there are any others with similar positions, or is it just you...? I would assume there must be something similar for the Temporals...
no subject
[ of course, flat knows that he can't just go around telling everyone. telling xie lian was a lucky shot for him, and he knows this all too well. ]
I don't, but I predict that whatever roles the Celestials have, the Temporals must have as well. I doubt you've played this game, but we have a game called "Mafia" that's somewhat similar to this. In "Mafia", we have two sides, the villagers and the Mafia. Each side has roles that are crucial to the game...but if you said that this conflict is like a Yin and Yang, then the roles for this game must reflect similarly.
But I'm also not sure how to pose the questions without making them turn into dust...and I think that if I just asked the Temporals, they'd immediately think I'm a spy or something like that.
[ which is a shame, considering that he's both a terrible spy and has no ill will whatsoever. ]
no subject
[ the mafia explanation... he has never heard of it, but, it does make sense. what an interesting concept! he tilts his head.]
It sounds quite interesting - and a theory with credence, too. Are there any other sorts of jobs in that game you play? I doubt they'll be the same, but... that might be something to look out for. [ thoughtfully; ] There will be then perhaps at least one other person who will be acting along the same lines as you - or, at least similar ones. It could be beneficial to have you all working together, if we intend to solve this conflict with an alliance instead of violence.
[ xie lian pauses, there - san lang chitters and starts leaning over towards jack, sniffing at him and, if he can get close enough, will give him a lil nose boop. friends!!! and in, a similar gesture of trust, xie lian scratches his cheek, smile turning a little sheepish. ]
...Admittedly, having an alliance across teams through telling me is not quite the case, as I am also aligned with the Celestials. But... with two of us, two heads are better than one, don't you think? We can begin to work on this all together.