illicitly | IC Inbox for Erku

[The very petty part of him wanted to say, yes pick him up. Like the many years of late-night journeys, he had to make to Qinghe from Lanling over the years. At least Huaisang wouldn't have to travel so far.

But the bigger part of him that didn't like being perceived like this absolutely did not want him to actually be there in person when he was feeling this vulnerable. Not the person who had orchestrated his murder and inadvertently caused the death of his loved ones.

Why did he call him to begin with? It was mostly because no one else would have even begun to understand.

If he had his hidden mirror room he would have hidden in there for a little bit. ]

T-that will be unneeded. I'll go to the spring and get some breakfast and some sleep, I think.

[He was not going to apologize for waking him up because fuck that.]

Thank you for answering but go back to sleep. We will have to talk to Master Shen sometime soon as well and I expect that will take some preparation.

Goodbye.

[Huaisang remains calm and unapologetic. He's only just arrived back in this world a couple of days ago at most. The hour's late and he's barely managed to get his own bearings and feelings in order. And as far as he's concerned, he's been exceedingly generous to Jin Guangyao by not throwing him out the moment he first saw him in his home and allowing him to stay. He'd even sat down and heard him out not just once but twice. Would many others grant Jin Guangyao any kindness at all after murdering their only family and deceiving them about their involvement in it for years?

Huaisang doesn't think so. Even with an agreement not to fight and work together, even after their heart to heart, the mending between them as only barely begun. If mending their relationship is even possible at this point.

Still, for all his faults, he's not completely heartless. Just thoroughly lacking the mental or emotional resources to deal with this level of melodrama. Huaisang listened and gave what advice and comfort he's capable of under present circumstances. Once he's free, he'll direct someone better equipped to handle this than he is to A-Yao's location.]

Take care of yourself, A-Yao. We can talk more soon once we're both doing better.

[A small pause, another small sigh.]

Goodnight.

[Then the feed ends.]

[ ooc: I'll say this is earlier in the month and also before MY has met NMJ— ]

[ Nie Huaisang isn't hard to spot. For all Ming Yi's exposure to the man was purely digital, he hasn't forgotten him. For one, he still owes him for giving him his current accommodations. And secondly, Ming Yi simply doesn't forget anything that might be useful in the future.

Ming Yi's footsteps are light, but not inaudible, as he crosses the courtyard to the place Nie Huaisang is seated. In the perpetual gloom that casts everything in a cold, silver light, Ming Yi's pale face looks especially somber, and his yellow eyes are sharp and frigid. Still, despite his unfriendly air, he inclines his head and lifts in arms in greeting, and in a deep voice, he greets: ]

Sect Leader Nie. [ Truly, the only title he knows him by thanks to the Navigator. ] We weren't able to introduce ourselves properly before. I'm Ming Yi, Earth Master Yi.

[Huaisang looks up, greeting the man with a gracious smile befitting a host. It's true that that they hadn't had time to properly meet or get acquainted back then. His hands had been full with militia matters, securing allies, and Jin Guangyao's sudden arrival back then. And then he'd fallen prey to the irresistible call of sea that had somehow carried him home.]

It is a pleasure to meet you under less hectic circumstances. I hope that you've been able to live comfortably here since I've been gone.

[The title is something he'll have to do something about soon, he thinks. His older brother's arrival changes some things. Not that Huaisang minds the prospect of stepping down at all. He could use the reprieve and he'll have all the authority and responsibility he never wanted when the Augur releases him again.]

[To say the lavish and questionably furnished quarters have seen much use in the past couple of weeks would be an understatement. The bubbly wind master has left his abode frequently, if not for long periods of time. The state of the rooms can attest to that. A fragrant air from the lush bath signals its recent, luxurious use, the area surrounding slightly damp with steam and mist. Half eaten snacks litter the table here and there, a grand bottle of wine already mostly consumed to the side. It's apparently someone has been cocooned in the quarters for a good while now.

The bed in particular looks very rumpled and used--if by a sole party. For one thing, one set of pillows remains pristine and untouched, its side of the bed undisturbed by rolling around, covers untugged in comparison to the twisted folds on the other side. A fluffy head of hair is the only thing keeping Shi Qingxuan looking modest, his long locks strewn all over his very naked body.

One arm dangles over the edge of the bed, as of reaching for the cup that has long rolled underneath it.]

[Huaisang's still not sure how to make sense of the situation he's in. After walking into the sea during that winter storm, he'd come to his senses back in his own world, puzzled by what he'd considered to be a peculiar dream full of faces both familiar and unfamiliar. However, one in particular had lingered on, prompting a slight smile from time in quiet moments over the following months, stopping him from falling into total despair. At that point, clinging to whatever fleeting scraps of hope and happiness was all he had left to draw strength from, even if it was only the brightest spot within a very strange dream of a distant world.

But now it was all over. His brother was twice buried, the enemy of his sect vanquished though at a terrible cost. Dealing the final deathblow to Jin Guangyao in his own world had come at the cost of his friendships and future but justice for Nie Mingjue had finally come at long last. After sealing away his brother and the man who'd murdered him, Huaisang is finally free to move forward in his own life, at last, even if back home there's no one left for him to do that with.

It doesn't matter now though. True to his word, Jin Guangyao had let him sleep in and taken away his sandy robes to wash. Shortly after awakening, there's only one person on Huaisang's mind. It's enough to motivate him into problem solving his current lack of clothing by stealing the top sheet off of Jin Guangyao's bed and fashioning it around himself in a makeshift toga as he learned from the local puppets.

Then he's hurrying through the keep back to his own quarters, bursting in through the door to his rooms with an exuberance he hasn't felt in years.]

Shi-xiong? Shi-xiong, are you still here?

[The words are out of his mouth before he fully registers Shi Qingxuan sleeping naked on his side of the bed. As soon as it clicks, he jumps and crashes onto his unoccupied side of the bed like an overzealous puppy, still talking in a nervous rush.]

Shi-xiong? Shi-xiong! Wake up!

Thanks to your generosity.

[ He inclines his head again, all due respect and politeness and nothing more, before lifting it again and meeting Nie Huaisang's eyes. ]

Regarding your absence, there are security issues that need to be discussed. [ Pleasantries out of the way, he tucks his arms behinds his back again and moves straight to business. ] As the keeper of this domain, it's important that you're aware of the changes Master Shen and I have made.

[Nie Huaisang's voice reaches his drowsy ears as if in a dream--literally, in this case, as the hurried tone seeps into the outer layers of wakefulness that coaxes Shi Qingxuan away from his deep slumber. The insistent quality of the command he can only associate with one person, never mind who would never possess the frantic urgency in Huaisang's voice.]

G'away, ge, [He moans, flipping himself around so his face is squarely smothered into the pillow, arms knotted over the back of his head.] Waking up every day is stupid.

[He knows what comes next. He knows that an inexplicable splash of water, commanded out of seemingly nowhere, is his older brother's immediate response to his whining, and the most effective method of waking him up. Even so, Qingxuan braces himself stubbornly for the impact, loathe to leave the comfort of his dreams.

Except.

Sleep dissipating with awareness, Qingxuan lifts his bird nest of a head to rub at one eye blearily, cheeks puffy with sleep, his mind racing to keep up with what his surroundings are telling him.]

If I wake up, then you won't be in my dream anymore, Nie-xiong.

[He hesitates briefly, expression clouding over a little with doubt. Not in Shi Qingxuan, never in him. Not at this point. It's this world Huaisang doesn't understand anymore, not after going home and finding himself back here again. Is this world all a dream? Some figment of his imagination? Or is it the place he left behind? Because right now, this world feels completely tangible and real to him.

There's no splash of water or even a raised voice, just a very solid hand lowering itself to rest on that messy bedhead, fingers twining timidly into the dark strands.]

I... I don't know if this is all a dream. I don't know if I'm awake or I just passed out at the ceremony. But I'm here again and I really missed you.

[What started out as a murmur, the hand on Shi Qingxuan's hair moving into a tender, intimate caress while speaking, breaks off as his voice cracks suddenly. A tear trickles down his cheeks as the realization of it all sets in.

Whether it's all just a dream or not, he's finally home.

Rather than pull Shi Qingxuan to sit up, Huaisang simply stretches out on the bed beside him, facing him, just like he used to when they were alone. He keeps a hand on him though, letting it fall to rest on his companion's bare shoulder. Is the physical contact meant to reassure Shi Qingxuan or himself that they're in the same world?

Does it even matter so long as they're together once more?]

You feel real, Shi-xiong.

[There is the barest hint of tension when skin meets skin at first before it melts away into absolute touch starvation, Shi Qingxuan's neck warming instantly with something akin to a blush, his pulse racing when it should be too low from his sleep addled state. What reaches his ears makes very little sense to him, and not so little that he'd scramble and make himself presentable. In fact, Qingxuan has never felt as comfortable as he does at this very moment, propriety be damned.]

I better be. [He mumbles into the pillow, his body absolutely melting against the loudly patterned sheets.] I'm the one who's dreaming.

[The reality of their situation sinks in slowly just as wakefulness does. He shifts so Huaisang's hand rests firmly between his shoulder blades, savoring the touch before lifting himself up on either elbow, a sleepy smile stretching his dazed features.

Who knew this would be his reward for ignoring his loneliness long enough?]

So cruel of you, leaving without saying goodbye, just like that!

I'm so sorry. I... I don't know what happened. What came over me. I just started walking into the sea and couldn't stop myself.

[The words come out pained and embarrassed. It'd been wrong to just abandon Shi Qingxuan without so much as a word like that. He was special to him. He'd deserved so much better than that. Huaisang wants to do better than that.]

I won't do it again. I'll stay with you this time. Even if I get scared.

[He's rambling a bit again, without really thinking about what he's saying, just speaking directly from his heart in a way he hasn't done in the past ten years. He pulls Shi Qingxuan into his arms as if it's the most natural action in the world for him to do, simply just holding him for a moment. His eyes are soft and warm with affection as they settle on that beautiful face, his smile a tad bit wobbly but completely genuine.]

I missed you so much. I thought about you while I was gone. I didn't know what to make of it. It all had to be a dream. None of it made sense but you and everything between us felt so real. I... I wanted it to be real.

[So Huaisang wasn't alone. So neither of them were alone.]

Nie Huaisang. We need to talk.

Good evening, Jin Guangyao. How may I be of assistance to you?

Don't you dare give me the head-shaker routine. You know very well what this is about.

We have to talk about what happened.

I never said that I did not know. I only asked what I could help you with.

I am not certain what there is to talk about. It was only a dream, was it not?

You, as well as I know that those dreams have deeper meanings. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a square lit up with your name next to it.

'Messy' apparently if you were wondering.

If it is an auspicious act that was accepted by the Augur, it cannot be a dream. We must have had sex.

Hence, we need to talk.

Edited 2021-05-23 09:03 (UTC)

It means that we produced enough Eros energy to earn a reward from the Augur. Have you decided what you wish to spend yours on?

I am considering a quaint little house of my own. It's about time that I left these walls behind and started living my own life.

We are talking now, are we not?

[Deep inhale.

Deep exhale.

He didn't care that his cultivation was low.

He was this close to just running in there and suplexing the man. What a brat.]

You're deflecting as if I don't know that you are.

I'm finishing Koi tower. Including the ancestral halls. I still need to build a proper memorial for A-Su.

But that is neither here nor there.

[At the mention of his dead wife, Huaisang's face goes white, the stony mask he's worn since leaving the pods behind cracking. However, it doesn't crumble completely.]

If it's assistance with your wife's memorial that you require, I can provide aid. What materials do you need?

I don't know.

Everything. It has only been a month and a few weeks. I don't even have incense sticks or a tablet. I'm going to have to fill squares for all of that.

...I should be wearing white.

The only thing in white I have is Xichen's underrobes.

Why would I want your aid?

I will work to provide what materials that I can. I owe your wife that much, at least.

I can see what clothing I can find so that you will be able to mourn her properly. I believe there is a tailor in the city that may be of assistance in this area. I need to look into clothing for myself since I am in short supply. It would be a simple matter to add it my list of errands.

[He really should go about looking for more clothing in general. He only had his single Jin sect clothing and Maid uniform.

He had taken into wearing Xichen's spare underrobes when moving around the UC. It felt safe and it smelled like him. He took comfort in what he could.]Okay.

[Does one say thank you? He can't really. It would be like Nie Huaisang thanking him for his aid after... Well knowingly doing so.]

What a fucking mess.

I think I need a vacation.

[He doesn't expect forgiveness or gratitude. Helping him on this matter doesn't even have to do with soothing Jin Guangyao's anguish. No, it's about respecting and honoring Qin Su in death after his failure to do so in life. He can never undo the mistake he'd made by her or truly make it right but it would be even more wrong to simply sweep the matter aside and pretend he wasn't responsible for her death.]

I know the feeling.

I'll be taking an extended leave of absence from my position. I intend to leave the Unclean Realm to my brother. It belongs to him by right. There is little need for my presence or involvement in its matters at this point.

[The more distance he has from Jin Guangyao's little romance with the younger Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen in this world, the more peaceful their stay on the island will be.]

I expected as much. You will have to inform Da-ge of that yourself. I am no longer taking care of Nie Sect matters that don't involve the mundane care of everyone.

[None of his business. He was just done having to run around for a decade at Huaisang's beck and call. His worst trait was that he ran himself ragged for whatever was needed of him. and Huaisang knew he loved being needed and used it as both a yoke and blinders. It was something he had to get a rein on if he wanted a better life.]

In any case, are we done deflecting?

[He's not going to apologize for using whatever tactics he needed to protect himself from the killer he sought to bring to justice. He'd had Nie Mingjue dismembered, his soul torn asunder, and kept his head in a treasure room as a personal trophy for who knew how long. The very same head he's probably kissing goodnight while in bed with their sworn brother.

Huaisang hasn't forgotten that fact. That he hasn't gone directly to his brother with the information he knows about the man he's sleeping with is a generous mercy defying logic and sensibility. Still, he agreed to a truce and he'll continue to play nice.]

I'll inform my brother of my decision soon once I've secured a new place of residence.

I've yet to hear a good reason for why the matter should be discussed at all, Jin Guangyao. If you have one in mind, I would like to hear it.

IC Inbox for Erku

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The Unclean Realm's Central Quarters

bb NHS icon but it's too apt here lol

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Text: UN: Lianfang-zun

text; un: sectleadernie

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