[There is, like, a fraction of a second where he considers saying something mean like THAT SURE WORKED OUT WELL FOR YA HUH but it's not Monday so he doesn't yet dislike these NPCs enough to be that rude.]
Mm, can't say I don't understand! No point in having any measure of power if you can't use it to keep others safe.
You're one of the last people I should ever have to ask, so consider it rhetorical. [...but they attempt to relax their posture and return to that same, airy sort of vibe.]
Anyhow! I do agree, so I suppose it's most important to learn from this week and rectify the mistakes made.
You don't have to pretend that you aren't furious when you are.
[Says Wei Wuxian, who does exactly that.]
...You know! When I say I want to trust you all, I really do. I'm sure you understand why it's difficult for me to take anything at face value at this point, but if you're genuine, then being caught in a powerless position is truly a select hell, hah. The only thing to be done is to keep moving forward, for better or worse.
I do, actually...it's better for everyone this way. Being outwardly furious leaves the potential to slip up and express my frustrations on someone who doesn't deserve it. [there's a pause as they seem to rub at their face, mumbling something to themselves.]
It would be far too much to ask you, or anyone, to take anything we say at face value. Especially when you've been lied to before. When you thought you knew the answer and realized at the last minute everything was false and there was nothing you could do. And in your case, no immediate way to save them.
...how do you know you're moving forward in the right direction, in a case like that?
Well! You can be angry with me, at least. Doesn't bother me, either way.
[One angry Purple Heart does not match thousands of cultivators screaming for his blood, so he seems genuinely chill about that, god.
As for the rest:]
Oh - you don't. Hah! Of course you don't. But the only other option is collapsing on the spot and just becoming one with the earth, I suppose? [IF YOU STOP MOVING YOU DIE OF DEPRESSOS.]
[He's quiet for a second, actually seeming to give this some genuine thought.]
--Well! There are still people waiting on me to handle things. As you know, only a small number of us escaped from the demons alive, so I can't very well take my survivor's luck for granted and not do everything I can to get them out of there. Kagachi left his daemons in my care - that's ten lives that I became responsible for in one moment alone. And I still have a mess to clean up in my own world.
[Wei "the burden of all these people I care about shackle me to the mortal realm" Wuxian. He relies on other people relying on him and just bruteforces his way through...]
[they consider this for a moment, quietly pondering his words before their bandaged hand moves, a slight flick of their wrist before producing a yellow rose to set in front of wei wuxian. apparently it's a gift that he can either take or leave.]
Quite a burden for one pair of shoulders, isn't it. [but the answer seems to satisfy them.] People's dependence then. Caring about other people is both a blessing and a curse. But I suppose that's a better reason than some others I've heard.
[Thank you Tuxedo Mask. He blinks, but then huffs out a little laugh and carefully takes the rose by its stem. Hilariously, he has a long and stupid history of flower-gifting and flower-receiving, so this may hit him in his Fond Nostalgia a bit.]
It is what it is, yes? [A burden, a blessing, a curse. He'll take it, since he doesn't particularly know how to exist without being useful to others.]
What about you, friend? What is it that you rely on?
It is what it is. [softly repeated for lack of any other response, especially because they don't have an answer to that question and their visible pause shows.]
In terms of living? Or do you have another inquiry?
Ah. Isn't that an interesting question? [but there's a lack of energy to the cheerful sort of tone and they grow quiet again.]
I have my own set of responsibilities to handle, newest of all more than forty lives to take care of and guide back to their homes. To continue forward...I rely on hope still, despite how hopeless things seem now.
[Haha, reminds him of himself back when he had two living siblings.]
Mm, well. If that's the way it has to be, then that's the way it has to be, yes? [He gently bops Cinnabun on the back with this rose.] A good thing that you've ended up with a tenacious bunch here, too.
So I've noticed. Tenacious. Stubborn. Reckless. All the same, really! It's almost amusing. [you know. if murder weren't a thing.] Have you been getting along with others you've met here?
[cinnabun hops a little thanks to the rose bop, but they don't seem to mind otherwise.]
Those traits do go hand-in-hand, yes. [A NOD. He would know. He reaches out with his free hand to scritch Cinnabun's ears a bit.]
I have, yes! They're all quite enjoyable to be around and talk to, haha. If it weren't for everything else, I'd be glad for the chance to make more friends.
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Mm, can't say I don't understand! No point in having any measure of power if you can't use it to keep others safe.
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Do you need to ask me that question?
[Considering they all know where everyone here has come from.]
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Anyhow! I do agree, so I suppose it's most important to learn from this week and rectify the mistakes made.
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[Says Wei Wuxian, who does exactly that.]
...You know! When I say I want to trust you all, I really do. I'm sure you understand why it's difficult for me to take anything at face value at this point, but if you're genuine, then being caught in a powerless position is truly a select hell, hah. The only thing to be done is to keep moving forward, for better or worse.
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It would be far too much to ask you, or anyone, to take anything we say at face value. Especially when you've been lied to before. When you thought you knew the answer and realized at the last minute everything was false and there was nothing you could do. And in your case, no immediate way to save them.
...how do you know you're moving forward in the right direction, in a case like that?
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[One angry Purple Heart does not match thousands of cultivators screaming for his blood, so he seems genuinely chill about that, god.
As for the rest:]
Oh - you don't. Hah! Of course you don't. But the only other option is collapsing on the spot and just becoming one with the earth, I suppose? [IF YOU STOP MOVING YOU DIE OF DEPRESSOS.]
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[and that's all they say.]
Sometimes letting the earth claim me once and for all doesn't sound like such a horrible option, but I get your point. Moving forward it is.
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Haha, I do know what you mean.
[But SOMEONE had to disturb his eternal slumber so he could solve a mystery and didn't take his extremely bad luck into account!!]
With a little fortune, we'll actually move in a decent direction this time, but. [RAISES HIS ARMS.] You know. Our luck.
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Luck is such a fickle thing as it is. But perhaps...something, something, fortune and the bold.
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I do know someone who'd kick my shins for talking about relying on luck here and now, anyway. Funny man who loved numbers and probability!
[JUNPEI WHERE ARE YOU PLEASE BE SAFE IN THE VOID.]
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What is it that I rely on to what, exactly? In life in general, to get through the day without embracing the earth...?
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Yes. In life in general to avoid death's loving, cold embrace.
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--Well! There are still people waiting on me to handle things. As you know, only a small number of us escaped from the demons alive, so I can't very well take my survivor's luck for granted and not do everything I can to get them out of there. Kagachi left his daemons in my care - that's ten lives that I became responsible for in one moment alone. And I still have a mess to clean up in my own world.
[Wei "the burden of all these people I care about shackle me to the mortal realm" Wuxian. He relies on other people relying on him and just bruteforces his way through...]
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Quite a burden for one pair of shoulders, isn't it. [but the answer seems to satisfy them.] People's dependence then. Caring about other people is both a blessing and a curse. But I suppose that's a better reason than some others I've heard.
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It is what it is, yes? [A burden, a blessing, a curse. He'll take it, since he doesn't particularly know how to exist without being useful to others.]
What about you, friend? What is it that you rely on?
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In terms of living? Or do you have another inquiry?
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In terms of living, or just of continuing forward - either way.
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I have my own set of responsibilities to handle, newest of all more than forty lives to take care of and guide back to their homes. To continue forward...I rely on hope still, despite how hopeless things seem now.
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Hope does die last.
[Kind of, anyway. The last time he'd been in a truly hopeless situation, he'd died just a few months later.]
It's good that it still exists here.
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[hope is very strange, and yet they seem to feel strongly about this.]
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Mm, well. If that's the way it has to be, then that's the way it has to be, yes? [He gently bops Cinnabun on the back with this rose.] A good thing that you've ended up with a tenacious bunch here, too.
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[cinnabun hops a little thanks to the rose bop, but they don't seem to mind otherwise.]
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I have, yes! They're all quite enjoyable to be around and talk to, haha. If it weren't for everything else, I'd be glad for the chance to make more friends.
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