He glances up and over toward Anaido as he talks, though. He's quiet, and then he hums again - another soft, lilting note.]
He does have a knack for that! [For sticking around, even after seeing the worst.] You could hardly ask for a better soul, mm. I think - hah. Of all the things, I hate that he was put in that position.
Mmm, true - true enough. He asked me not to patch that up, you know? That hole of his, because it's the first thing that drew you to him. Said he wanted to wait until it needed to be fixed.
[He'd been reluctant about it, considering Wen Ning can lose his Wen Ning bits through the hole, but. Y'know.
Is that so. [Wow. Wen Ning really is...perfect.] I told him it was a noble hole. It's a sign of how brave he is. How he fights for others. For you and for me.
...I know how special you are, to him. I'm happy he has someone like you.
Mmhm, that's so! He needed to hear something like that, I think. He - well! You know him. He treasures himself through the eyes of others.
[Sometimes, people need to find their self-worth through that kind of lens. Nothing wrong with it, really.
That last bit has him grinning, brief and bright.]
I should be the one saying that to you. Wen Ning - he's been stuck with me for far too long, you know? It's about time he found someone else to share himself with. Someone who can appreciate him for who he is; who won't shy away because of his history, or what he is now.
[Which is why he has to treasure him all the more.]
I'm surprised he has that reputation. But then again, I'm not quite like other people. [He closes his eyes, smirking to himself.] I cherish him for everything he was, everything he will be...but especially, everything that he is now. So...thank you. For everything you've done for him. Without you, well...I don't know where I'd be.
Mm, you've mentioned it before! Can't say I'm a fan of thank yous, to be honest - but I am glad the two of you have found each other.
[He sits upright after that, shaking sand off of his wings and out of his hair with a huff.]
And I've mentioned it before, too, but - take care of him, mm...? And let him take care of you, too. This place has taken from us all, but he enjoys it when he can help others. I think that'd be just as much a balm as any type of soothing.
[Because Wen Ning is truly too good for this world, hot damn.]
[How could he not? He'll be at Wen Ning's side, and the other will be at his side, and there they will be, as long as they can. He smirks, a fang poking out from his mouth.]
...By the way, Wei Wuxian. Where were you, yesterday? You were gone for a while. Up to no good?
[STOP THIS IS THE TRUTH HE WAS IN THERE ALL DAY!! Doing normal human things.]
Hah! I did send him off with well wishes, at least, even if I couldn't dress him up nicely.
[Everyone should be glad he did not get to dress Wen Ning up, GOD. But that question has him humming, glancing skyward in consideration.]
--Well, I do have some messy business to finish up with, first. A dear Chief Cultivator to address - though I think Wen Ning is from a point in time farther ahead than my own. Nie Huaisang too, actually. [HOW WILL THAT FUCKIN WORK he has no idea.] After that... Who knows? I'll go where the chaos is, maybe.
Farther than your own? My, my. Time travel will be an issue...
[And definitely something they might have to work around. He frowns slightly at that. What will Wen Ning think, if Wei Wuxian didn't come home with them? Would there be another version of him there, who didn't remember a thing from these games?]
Ah, plans? Well, we were planning to go to his world when we left the island...so I don't think that's changed. [A short sigh.] You know...I'm not made to last for very long. So it feels so strange for me to...exist like this, and be able to look forward to a happy life together with him.
Mmmhm! It gives me a headache every time I try thinking about it, to be honest! Especially considering all the various different versions of the same realities that seem to exist out there, haha.
[Thots introduced him to the concept of the multiverse and it has ruined his life. He's just saving these issues for Tomorrow Wei Wuxian, who can try to parse things through before jumping through whatever portal they open up. Hopefully.
That has him cocking his head curiously! He has a lot of bird-adjacent mannerisms honestly, and the wings really sell it.]
You're not, hm? You're going to have to last quite a long time now, though! [Ah... The longevity of the undead.] You're going to be alright like that, mm? Strange - but the good sort, yes?
Really? I find it easy to understand, but...well, maybe that's just me!
[The next set of questions makes his face fall slightly, and for a moment, he casts his gaze out to the lake. When he speaks again, he looks back at Wei Wuxian awkwardly, as if a bit hesitant to ask.]
This might be an odd question, but...your cultivation arts. Can they make...holes?
[He says, on a light and chiming laugh. But then he's following Anaido's finger with his gaze, and watching him tap his forehead. His smile shifts a little; perhaps there's a sliver of apology? Sympathy? But it's hard to pinpoint.]
Mmm... Well! It'd be easy enough to make a physical hole, hah. But for any other sort... [A beat.] Are you looking to create one? Or are you asking for another reason?
[He closes his eyes, smiling to himself, like he knows what he says is ridiculous.]
The man behind me has a hole in his head. He can feel the cool breeze through it, and everything is clearer for him than it ever was before. And I....I want that, too.
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He glances up and over toward Anaido as he talks, though. He's quiet, and then he hums again - another soft, lilting note.]
He does have a knack for that! [For sticking around, even after seeing the worst.] You could hardly ask for a better soul, mm. I think - hah. Of all the things, I hate that he was put in that position.
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[Wen Ning told him some of that. So he knows some of the story. The Ghost General, used as a tool...]
I hate it too, knowing about it...but imagine. If he wasn't the way he was, with that hole of his, we...we would've passed each other by, haha.
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[He'd been reluctant about it, considering Wen Ning can lose his Wen Ning bits through the hole, but. Y'know.
It is kind of romantic, in a very bizarre way.]
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[His face feels hot, suddenly.]
Is that so. [Wow. Wen Ning really is...perfect.] I told him it was a noble hole. It's a sign of how brave he is. How he fights for others. For you and for me.
...I know how special you are, to him. I'm happy he has someone like you.
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[Sometimes, people need to find their self-worth through that kind of lens. Nothing wrong with it, really.
That last bit has him grinning, brief and bright.]
I should be the one saying that to you. Wen Ning - he's been stuck with me for far too long, you know? It's about time he found someone else to share himself with. Someone who can appreciate him for who he is; who won't shy away because of his history, or what he is now.
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[Which is why he has to treasure him all the more.]
I'm surprised he has that reputation. But then again, I'm not quite like other people. [He closes his eyes, smirking to himself.] I cherish him for everything he was, everything he will be...but especially, everything that he is now. So...thank you. For everything you've done for him. Without you, well...I don't know where I'd be.
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[He sits upright after that, shaking sand off of his wings and out of his hair with a huff.]
And I've mentioned it before, too, but - take care of him, mm...? And let him take care of you, too. This place has taken from us all, but he enjoys it when he can help others. I think that'd be just as much a balm as any type of soothing.
[Because Wen Ning is truly too good for this world, hot damn.]
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[How could he not? He'll be at Wen Ning's side, and the other will be at his side, and there they will be, as long as they can. He smirks, a fang poking out from his mouth.]
...By the way, Wei Wuxian. Where were you, yesterday? You were gone for a while. Up to no good?
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AS FOR THAT GODDAMN he really didn't expect anyone to notice his absence. He blinks, waving a hand.]
Hah, I'm only up to no good on Thursdays. [IT IS PERHAPS TOO EARLY TO BE MAKING MURDER JOKES and yet.] I was just resting for a bit, that's all.
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[There's a smile on his face that clearly says "yeah, I don't believe you".]
This really isn't the time for lying, Wei Wuxian.
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[(card voice from the distance) MURDER ON SCHEDULE
He just huffs out a little sigh at that, though. His head cants back and he rolls his heel against the sand.]
It's not a lie! I really wasn't up to anything. I spent the day with Wen Ning, stayed in his cabin when he was busy with his prenup.
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[FINE. KEEP YOUR TRUTH]
Say, Wei Wuxian, if we're able to leave this place and finish it all...where will you go?
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Hah! I did send him off with well wishes, at least, even if I couldn't dress him up nicely.
[Everyone should be glad he did not get to dress Wen Ning up, GOD. But that question has him humming, glancing skyward in consideration.]
--Well, I do have some messy business to finish up with, first. A dear Chief Cultivator to address - though I think Wen Ning is from a point in time farther ahead than my own. Nie Huaisang too, actually. [HOW WILL THAT FUCKIN WORK he has no idea.] After that... Who knows? I'll go where the chaos is, maybe.
[Said with a little quirking grin.]
Do the two of you have any plans?
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[And definitely something they might have to work around. He frowns slightly at that. What will Wen Ning think, if Wei Wuxian didn't come home with them? Would there be another version of him there, who didn't remember a thing from these games?]
Ah, plans? Well, we were planning to go to his world when we left the island...so I don't think that's changed. [A short sigh.] You know...I'm not made to last for very long. So it feels so strange for me to...exist like this, and be able to look forward to a happy life together with him.
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[Thots introduced him to the concept of the multiverse and it has ruined his life. He's just saving these issues for Tomorrow Wei Wuxian, who can try to parse things through before jumping through whatever portal they open up. Hopefully.
That has him cocking his head curiously! He has a lot of bird-adjacent mannerisms honestly, and the wings really sell it.]
You're not, hm? You're going to have to last quite a long time now, though! [Ah... The longevity of the undead.] You're going to be alright like that, mm? Strange - but the good sort, yes?
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[The next set of questions makes his face fall slightly, and for a moment, he casts his gaze out to the lake. When he speaks again, he looks back at Wei Wuxian awkwardly, as if a bit hesitant to ask.]
This might be an odd question, but...your cultivation arts. Can they make...holes?
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[He says, as if he can't consume and adapt to any chunk of information he comes across when given enough time. God.
But the awkward look has him curious, along with the question.]
...Depends on what sort of hole we're talking about, friend.
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[A light laugh, but then he sombers. There's a long pause, before he raises his hand.]
[As a reply to Wei Wuxian's question, he places an index finger against the right side of his forehead.]
...Here.
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[He says, on a light and chiming laugh. But then he's following Anaido's finger with his gaze, and watching him tap his forehead. His smile shifts a little; perhaps there's a sliver of apology? Sympathy? But it's hard to pinpoint.]
Mmm... Well! It'd be easy enough to make a physical hole, hah. But for any other sort... [A beat.] Are you looking to create one? Or are you asking for another reason?
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[He closes his eyes, smiling to himself, like he knows what he says is ridiculous.]
The man behind me has a hole in his head. He can feel the cool breeze through it, and everything is clearer for him than it ever was before. And I....I want that, too.
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...I don't think that's something I can help you with, then. If it's the clarity you're after.
[Though he gets the feeling Anaido knew that before asking.]
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[His face falls.]
Ah, Wen Ning said there might be ways...but I understand.
[But it was worth a try.]
Haha. Maybe I just need to get a drill, like last time...I can do it myself.
[........................???]
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--You - did you really put a hole through your head?
[ANAIDO?? Look he thought they were talking in a largely metaphoric sense here WHY.]
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Yes, I did. [said as casually as "i wore sunglasses today"] It isn't here now, but...ah, I miss it.
[ANAIDO]
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You want a real, physical hole back in your head? You're asking me if I can put a literal one right there, ah?
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