illicitly | (Reply)

From:

[Are any of them not broken in some way? Cracking slowly by degrees over a span of years, all of them suffering in their own ways. The war that tore the cultivation world asunder had damaged them all in some way; not even those sheltered away from the front lines survived it completely unscathed.

In his younger years, the comment about safety would've stung. But instead, Huaisang simply averts his eyes away from the screen, expression blank and impassive once more. Honestly, he's not sure what A-Yao is hoping to accomplish here. Huaisang's not going to give him the answers or advice he seems to want to hear. He's not sure why he hasn't just hung up and gone back to sleep yet either. Huaisang isn't nearly altruistic enough to sit through this conversation much longer. He'd be struggling to listen or care with most people he didn't have a complicated history with and compassion fatigue is setting in fast.]

You've had a rough life. Most of us have and bear scars from it. These are simply the ones you have. Reflecting on them and how best to heal from them might be a better use of your time than fixating on your sudden realization that Xichen-ge and my brother are perceptive, observant men.

[At least, Huaisang manages to keep his tone civil, if slightly cool.]

There's a cold spring on the grounds. I suggest that you make use of it. It might help clear your mind. Maybe you'll feel better in the morning. It's late and obsessing about it all won't help you or them.

[Yet another tired, heavy sigh.]

Or do you need me to come get you? There's numerous unoccupied rooms in the servants' quarters. No one goes there and there's plenty of beds for you to rest in.