Of course not. There's plenty of room for both of us.
[ she's sitting in the middle of the room, legs pulled up to her chest, as she looks up at the stars. ]
This was always one of my favorite places here. I don't know all the stars here, but there's enough that it feels like it's a little closer to home than the rest of the Realm.
[ there's a quiet warmth to his tone that's matched by the warmth of his emotions as he comes to settle down beside her. he's still a little damp, but with the addition of another warm jacket and nice company, it's not particularly uncomfortable to just kind of flop over, robes and all. ]
I have spent so many evenings sleeping under the stars that it is certainly more of a home to me than most things in the Realm have been. It is a beautiful place.
[ she smiles, and xie lian might feel the fondness from her - for him, or for the stars, it's hard to tell. ]
Do you recognize any of the constellations here? They're all kind of mixed and matched, but I always liked hearing about them, and the stories that made them.
[ xie lian tilts his head over to look at her briefly, and then back up, examining the stars overhead. there's a moment, before he pauses, and points out the easiest, a familiar, bright shape. ]
The Big Dipper, right there. In my own land, it is said that if you walk through the Gobi Desert, and keep following the Big Dipper, at the end of it lies the ruins of a once beautiful oasis kingdom - Banyue.
I've been there myself; it is true, but it seems rather fantastical.
Oh, we have that one, too! I wonder if we share any other stars...?
[ ochako considers it for a moment, but instead of pointing out a constellation and asking, she glances over at xie lian. there's apprehension coming from the emotion share, like she isn't sure of what to say. ]
Hey... Did someone use an item or something on Hua Cheng-san and Riegan-san? They were both acting really weird today, and you said there was foul play...
he tilts his head to her for a moment, and then look backs up. in response to her apprehension, xie lian just feels... tired, for a moment, and he lets out a quiet, humorless laugh. ] ...Mn. No, that's not quite it, but you're not off base, either.
It started on Wednesday, and has continued non-stop since: I honestly believe it will continue through to tomorrow, too. There aren't any items that last that long, at least not that either of us have been aware of.
...I talked to someone else about it when I first started to notice, and we came to the conclusion that it may actually be an ability that was granted to someone by the Realm - more specifically, by a leader.
...Perhaps. However, I am thinking it may be a bit more complicated than that.
Claude is quite clever and outspoken, and San Lang has made himself a figure in each trial. Considering he spoke to everyone about gathering theories on Monday, and then was afflicted with this just two days later... I am of the opinion that perhaps someone saw them as a convenient target. Everyone was quite distracted, when they began to argue, even though we were able to stop it quickly, and when we are distracted, we make careless mistakes and miss things.
[ like. you know. the lack of stab cuts in pants. ]
...If someone were wanting to go after San Lang alone, then... why would they make him hate Claude? Why wouldn't it be me? Would that not be more damaging? I also wouldn't argue with him, even I felt compelled to by some strange power - I am far more patient than the both of them combined. But the two of them made a scene.
[ she listens quietly, weighing every word against how today's trial had gone. there's logic to it, of course, but it all sits terribly heavy in the pit of her stomach. ]
But that would mean... [ obviously, that someone had planned it out well in advance, knowing that they would be able to use that distraction. ] If the leaders gave someone that power, then they knew what would happen, doesn't it? They knew that someone would kill. Otherwise, why would they give someone an ability like that at all? If they knew - if they're supporting the people who killed, then... what's the point of having trials at all? Maybe it does help us collect nova, but we can do that in other ways without having to hurt anyway. Choosing that option sounds like... like something only villains would do.
[ she doesn't expect xie lian to have the answers. still, these are questions that ochako needs to ask. ]
And we're supposed to be finding that monster too, right? If we have really do have to fight it, wouldn't we need as many people as we can get to help?
[ he listens to each of her thoughtful questions too, staying quiet as she works her way through it. xie lian doesn't really have all the answers, but... ]
...I think that is the case. I do know that the "trials" are a response from the Realm. [ xie lian holds up a finger, as if counting off her points. ] My leader told me that the Realm is reacting to what it feels is right - the letter of the law, and not the heart of it. It believes that trials are what people do when someone is killed, and so therefore, it creates the situation for us to work through.
And, as for the killings... while I also know [ a second finger ] that they are not causing as much of a buildup in nova as we might think, I do believe that our leaders have their memories returned to them, when someone from their team kills. I don't know the extent of how much, but there is a connection between those two things.
So, giving someone that ability may help them obscure a killing - which may in turn help a leader have their memories returned to them. I am of the belief that perhaps a Leader has been ordering a killing at least once since this began.
[ there's a pause, as he lets that sink in. this isn't the first conversation he's had about it, but it isn't any easier. ] ... Sometimes, people don't really care as much about the greater good - it is more about the individual, and protecting themselves and their own.
[ it's not inconceivable to her that someone might want to protect themselves first. not everyone is meant to be a hero, and heroes wouldn't even exist if it weren't for villains who prioritize themselves above all else. ochako has long since come to terms with that fact.
but to think that someone she'd chosen to trust would be the kind of person to throw away anyone's life for their own benefit? that hurts, far more than she'd known it could. ]
...I can't support that. [ her voice is soft, sad as she turns back to the stars, but firm. ] I understand that they want their memories back, but I - I don't think that I can't help them, if this is how they're doing it. Isn't there another way?
Don't count them all out - I don't think it is all of them. As far as I can tell from my own Leader, that isn't the case - I don't think that they are concerned with themselves nearly as much as they are with protecting the Realm, and all of us.
...I don't know who of them it is, though. That, I cannot say.
[ yeah. unfortunately, he doesn't feel like he knows nearly enough.
...but, he's feeling more hopeful, at least in terms of what he's starting to learn. xie lian watches ochako for a moment, picks up on the firmness in her voice, and a slightly fond smile crosses his face, as he joins her to look up, too. ]
Ultimately... right now, all we can do is encourage the others to continue down the right path, and focus on trying to unravel some of the larger mysteries of this place. The only actions we can truly control are our own.
They can't protect us if they're sending someone to kill us. Even if it's not all of them... especially if it's not all of them, because that means they're working against each other.
[ and that's been the downfall of many heroes, hasn't it? not being on the same page as their supposed peers, trusting too much or too little. what good is having a team if they aren't going to work together? how can they accomplish their goals when they're conflicting like that?
but xie lian is right. that's not something they have much control over - they probably wouldn't even be able to get their leaders to confirm anything, one way or another. they always side-step anything about themselves when she presses too much. so then... ]
...The monster, right? Do we know for sure if it's even real?
I'm not sure. I'm going to ask my leader about it tomorrow, but... I have a feeling they probably don't know very much, at least not yet.
I'm quite bad at sitting and waiting. [ xie lian laughs a little, quietly. ] It is difficult to sit and hope that information will come to us. I confess, I don't know if the 'monster' rumor is true, but... I really do hope that it is the case.
That would create a common enemy, so we would have something to work together, to stop. We may be able to have fewer secrets that way, and focus all of energy on that, instead of... [ xie lian trails off, but, it's probably obvious what he means. instead of questionably premediated murder. ]
Hearing that there may be a monster makes me want to simply run across the world and find it, so I could fight it myself. That's a bit silly of me, I think, but it still stands.
[ she listens, nodding slowly when he's finished speaking. ]
I hope it's true, too. [ it would be so much easier than the alternative, of maybe having to fight people who they thought were on their side. ] I don't think what's happening now will help us much in the long run. How could it?
[ there's so much that ochako doesn't know, but she can't bring herself to believe in any kind of greater good that involves the deliberate loss of life. it simply isn't who she is.
still, she does manage a soft laugh at that. ]
I don't think it's that silly. Reckless, maybe, but heroes are supposed to be the ones running off to take on the danger, aren't they?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ she's sitting in the middle of the room, legs pulled up to her chest, as she looks up at the stars. ]
This was always one of my favorite places here. I don't know all the stars here, but there's enough that it feels like it's a little closer to home than the rest of the Realm.
no subject
[ there's a quiet warmth to his tone that's matched by the warmth of his emotions as he comes to settle down beside her. he's still a little damp, but with the addition of another warm jacket and nice company, it's not particularly uncomfortable to just kind of flop over, robes and all. ]
I have spent so many evenings sleeping under the stars that it is certainly more of a home to me than most things in the Realm have been. It is a beautiful place.
no subject
[ she smiles, and xie lian might feel the fondness from her - for him, or for the stars, it's hard to tell. ]
Do you recognize any of the constellations here? They're all kind of mixed and matched, but I always liked hearing about them, and the stories that made them.
no subject
[ xie lian tilts his head over to look at her briefly, and then back up, examining the stars overhead. there's a moment, before he pauses, and points out the easiest, a familiar, bright shape. ]
The Big Dipper, right there. In my own land, it is said that if you walk through the Gobi Desert, and keep following the Big Dipper, at the end of it lies the ruins of a once beautiful oasis kingdom - Banyue.
I've been there myself; it is true, but it seems rather fantastical.
no subject
[ ochako considers it for a moment, but instead of pointing out a constellation and asking, she glances over at xie lian. there's apprehension coming from the emotion share, like she isn't sure of what to say. ]
Hey... Did someone use an item or something on Hua Cheng-san and Riegan-san? They were both acting really weird today, and you said there was foul play...
no subject
he tilts his head to her for a moment, and then look backs up. in response to her apprehension, xie lian just feels... tired, for a moment, and he lets out a quiet, humorless laugh. ] ...Mn. No, that's not quite it, but you're not off base, either.
It started on Wednesday, and has continued non-stop since: I honestly believe it will continue through to tomorrow, too. There aren't any items that last that long, at least not that either of us have been aware of.
...I talked to someone else about it when I first started to notice, and we came to the conclusion that it may actually be an ability that was granted to someone by the Realm - more specifically, by a leader.
no subject
[ sounds... stupid, if you ask her. good to hear it won't last much longer? but otherwise... ]
I guess if they're really low on nova, maybe that could help.
[ she does not sound convinced. ]
no subject
...Perhaps. However, I am thinking it may be a bit more complicated than that.
Claude is quite clever and outspoken, and San Lang has made himself a figure in each trial. Considering he spoke to everyone about gathering theories on Monday, and then was afflicted with this just two days later... I am of the opinion that perhaps someone saw them as a convenient target. Everyone was quite distracted, when they began to argue, even though we were able to stop it quickly, and when we are distracted, we make careless mistakes and miss things.
[ like. you know. the lack of stab cuts in pants. ]
...If someone were wanting to go after San Lang alone, then... why would they make him hate Claude? Why wouldn't it be me? Would that not be more damaging? I also wouldn't argue with him, even I felt compelled to by some strange power - I am far more patient than the both of them combined. But the two of them made a scene.
no subject
But that would mean... [ obviously, that someone had planned it out well in advance, knowing that they would be able to use that distraction. ] If the leaders gave someone that power, then they knew what would happen, doesn't it? They knew that someone would kill. Otherwise, why would they give someone an ability like that at all? If they knew - if they're supporting the people who killed, then... what's the point of having trials at all? Maybe it does help us collect nova, but we can do that in other ways without having to hurt anyway. Choosing that option sounds like... like something only villains would do.
[ she doesn't expect xie lian to have the answers. still, these are questions that ochako needs to ask. ]
And we're supposed to be finding that monster too, right? If we have really do have to fight it, wouldn't we need as many people as we can get to help?
no subject
...I think that is the case. I do know that the "trials" are a response from the Realm. [ xie lian holds up a finger, as if counting off her points. ] My leader told me that the Realm is reacting to what it feels is right - the letter of the law, and not the heart of it. It believes that trials are what people do when someone is killed, and so therefore, it creates the situation for us to work through.
And, as for the killings... while I also know [ a second finger ] that they are not causing as much of a buildup in nova as we might think, I do believe that our leaders have their memories returned to them, when someone from their team kills. I don't know the extent of how much, but there is a connection between those two things.
So, giving someone that ability may help them obscure a killing - which may in turn help a leader have their memories returned to them. I am of the belief that perhaps a Leader has been ordering a killing at least once since this began.
[ there's a pause, as he lets that sink in. this isn't the first conversation he's had about it, but it isn't any easier. ] ... Sometimes, people don't really care as much about the greater good - it is more about the individual, and protecting themselves and their own.
no subject
but to think that someone she'd chosen to trust would be the kind of person to throw away anyone's life for their own benefit? that hurts, far more than she'd known it could. ]
...I can't support that. [ her voice is soft, sad as she turns back to the stars, but firm. ] I understand that they want their memories back, but I - I don't think that I can't help them, if this is how they're doing it. Isn't there another way?
no subject
...I don't know who of them it is, though. That, I cannot say.
[ yeah. unfortunately, he doesn't feel like he knows nearly enough.
...but, he's feeling more hopeful, at least in terms of what he's starting to learn. xie lian watches ochako for a moment, picks up on the firmness in her voice, and a slightly fond smile crosses his face, as he joins her to look up, too. ]
Ultimately... right now, all we can do is encourage the others to continue down the right path, and focus on trying to unravel some of the larger mysteries of this place. The only actions we can truly control are our own.
no subject
[ and that's been the downfall of many heroes, hasn't it? not being on the same page as their supposed peers, trusting too much or too little. what good is having a team if they aren't going to work together? how can they accomplish their goals when they're conflicting like that?
but xie lian is right. that's not something they have much control over - they probably wouldn't even be able to get their leaders to confirm anything, one way or another. they always side-step anything about themselves when she presses too much. so then... ]
...The monster, right? Do we know for sure if it's even real?
no subject
I'm not sure. I'm going to ask my leader about it tomorrow, but... I have a feeling they probably don't know very much, at least not yet.
I'm quite bad at sitting and waiting. [ xie lian laughs a little, quietly. ] It is difficult to sit and hope that information will come to us. I confess, I don't know if the 'monster' rumor is true, but... I really do hope that it is the case.
That would create a common enemy, so we would have something to work together, to stop. We may be able to have fewer secrets that way, and focus all of energy on that, instead of... [ xie lian trails off, but, it's probably obvious what he means. instead of questionably premediated murder. ]
Hearing that there may be a monster makes me want to simply run across the world and find it, so I could fight it myself. That's a bit silly of me, I think, but it still stands.
no subject
I hope it's true, too. [ it would be so much easier than the alternative, of maybe having to fight people who they thought were on their side. ] I don't think what's happening now will help us much in the long run. How could it?
[ there's so much that ochako doesn't know, but she can't bring herself to believe in any kind of greater good that involves the deliberate loss of life. it simply isn't who she is.
still, she does manage a soft laugh at that. ]
I don't think it's that silly. Reckless, maybe, but heroes are supposed to be the ones running off to take on the danger, aren't they?