[7rings] catchall for douman

[shiftingwinds]

i'll make this pretty later

Comments

[commedia]

Its not as if I expected chaos or murder, haha!

[Even though that's fun, in its own way.]

I don't know! You know...I don't know! Its much harder than I expected!

[shiftingwinds]

...well... these things take time.

[it's also different from person to person, she assumes. how to love isn't really something she's ever had to learn, but - she's met a lot of different types of people in her time!

but the only way to never learn is to not try, so.]

But... in the end, it's worth it, I think.

[commedia]

Do you think so?

[A squeeze of the hand.]

I...I want nothing more than that. I don't want to fail, Qingxuan.

[shiftingwinds]

You won't fail.

[she squeezes their hand in return.]

I believe in you, Douman.

[commedia]

Ahaha...what kindness...

[They just draw her hand up to their bloody face, and rest a cheek against it, like a child seeking affection.]

[shiftingwinds]

[well that's fine. she can wash the blood off later.

for now, she stays close, cupping their cheek with her hand for as long as they seem to want her there.]

[commedia]

[How nice.]

[They turn their head, kissing her palm.]

You know...I didn't ever think I could be friends to a god. [A huff.] I've only ever been an advisor to them, I think.

[shiftingwinds]

[it's a good thing they can't see, maybe. because shi qingxuan's expression falls entirely at that, but the kiss to her palm draws out a soft gasp, which buys her some time before she answers.]

...then I'm lucky, to be able to have you as a friend.

[commedia]

Lucky? A cursed existence like mine?

[They smile, and its...not exactly a nice one.]

I've harmed many, you know. You saw that.

[shiftingwinds]

...you said that wasn't by your own will.

[and she believed them!]

You're more free to do as you wish now - so, I think what you do here is more important than what happened in the past.

[commedia]

...

[Another kiss, light, to her fingers.]

And if I do something terrible...what then? I just can't escape my own nature? After all, this humble priest wasn't made to do good in this world.

[shiftingwinds]

[stop distracting her with kisses, douman. well, at least they can't see the way her cheeks heat up.]

...no, it just means... maybe it just means you need more time to learn another way. [...] ...but what you came here intending to learn, that's... A good thing. If that's what you want, then I think you'll be okay.

[commedia]

[Sorry, indulgences are in a peak this week, and kissing is better than just thinking about Trauma!]

Love is a good thing? Ah, but I heard love hurts, you know? And besides...sometimes I can't help myself.

[They smile against her hand.]

I'm a carnivorous beast, you know. If I'm not careful, I'll just eat someone right up.

[shiftingwinds]

[she cannot tell if they're being literal or if that's an innuendo. like two weeks ago "innuendo" wouldn't have even crossed her mind, though, so. progress?]

...it can hurt, but it can make you stronger, too. [she takes a breath. calm down, sqx, they literally don't have eyes right now, don't get carried away just from the feelings of their lips on your palm.] Ah... do you really think you would do that...?

[commedia]

Stronger...I see. One must get strong, somehow.

[And a laugh - their breath is hot against her skin.]

Who knows? Sometimes I feel like something takes over me, sometimes. I act by instinct.

[shiftingwinds]

Mm...

[she is steadfastly attempting to not get distracted by their breath on her skin. they're injured. please.]

...ah, everyone does that, sometimes. It's - just a matter of deciding what it is you want to do, despite those instincts...

[commedia]

And what are your instincts, Qingxuan?

[They pull her hand down to their own chest - the clown certainly has a heart, judging by the heartbeat underneath.]

What do you want, most of all?

[shiftingwinds]

Ah?

[wait, when did this get turned around on her. her gaze flicks from her hand on their chest up to their face, and then back down again.]

What do... I want?

[commedia]

Yes.

[They can't see, but they'll stare at her with those...holes. Yikes.]

What do you want?

[shiftingwinds]

[why is this happening. what even is this thread.

anyway she's staring at her hand on their chest and focusing on that and also their heartbeat because if she looks up and sees their eye holes staring at her she'll probably cry of fear.]

...well, I came here to deal with... the monster you saw in my memory, but...

[commedia]

But...what?

[I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING]

Is there something else you have in mind? [A sigh.] Qingxuan...

[shiftingwinds]

[AAAAAAAAAA CRYSTAL]

...I want to see how everything plays out in this place, first, before I decide.

[commedia]

What a wise god you are. True, one needs to observe, before taking action.

[They hum.]

I hope that whatever it is you want, its close at hand.

[shiftingwinds]

...

[she's quiet for a few moments after that, and when she does speak, her voice is very quiet.]

I hope so, too.

[commedia]

...

[She's silent, and they tighten the grip around her hand just a little more.]

Qingxuan? Are you alright?