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[goldenjoined]

[lol good luck]

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[skypiercing]

You have been remarkably calm here.

[He had honestly expected Blade to struggle more, without Kafka.]

I could not even converse with you properly, years ago.

[goldenjoined]

You had a knack for saying the exact thing that would set me off most...

[and he hadn't understood back then that it wasn't cruelty, on purpose. that this truly isn't Dan Feng in his arms. but he can't say that.]

I'm managing as best I can, here. It helps that the surroundings are entirely unfamiliar.

[skypiercing]

And you had a knack for saying nothing informative at all.

[A little dryly. His lack of knowledge only spurred Blade on, and the only available sources of knowledge was Blade himself and his dreams.]

You seem... more at peace, like this. It's good.

[goldenjoined]

...I'm still not. I can't be.

[skypiercing]

[A quiet sigh.]

I know. But it's more than I have seen you before.

[If Blade's ultimate destination is the grave, then he has no illusions about that changing. But if the road could be kinder on that journey, then...]

[goldenjoined]

...I can accept that much.

[skypiercing]

Thank you. I meant what I said before, you know. Back on the Luofu.

[Some would argue that the more moral choice would be to dissuade him from death altogether. But he has not had a choice in his perpetual life, and seeking an end of his own choosing, rest after so long is a form of self-actualization all it's own.

He sighs.]

There is... one thing I should warn you of. About Dan Feng.

[goldenjoined]

I'm holding you to it.

[but something in his tone seems to say he knows that Dan Heng meant it, no matter his words.]

What is it?

[skypiercing]

[There's some silence that follows because Dan Heng knows he needs to say it but he does not like that he has to. But Dan Heng is leashed now, if only for one command a day, and that is a problem. Someone needs to be able to step in, if not him.]

I lost in my confrontation with Dan Feng. in exchange for him not... breaking every bone in Jing Yuan's body-- [Said with a grimace as he reaches up, rubs at one of his ears... it doesn't look any different to the naked eye, but he has not altered his cloudhymn guise to accommodate for the new stud.] I signed up as his servant. I do not intend to make it easy for him, but he can still command me.

[goldenjoined]

[wow it's like every muscle in blade's body tensed in unison.]

[skypiercing]

[Damn it sure is!!

That sure is... concerning honestly. Dan Heng goes tense as well, wondering if he has to deal with Mara in a moment... again.... while recovering from bloodloss.

This was poor timing on his part, wasn't it?]

....Blade?

[goldenjoined]

[breathing heavily, his arms tightening painfully around Dan Heng. he tucks his head down into his shoulder and wads the cloth of his shirt between his teeth.]

[skypiercing]

[....Right. Okay. This was definitely poor timing.

He holds very still while Blade chews on his shirt, trying not to do anything that could startle the man. After a few tense moments he ever so slowly reaches up to rub at Blade's back.

Please don't tear his throat out. He has no idea if this will make things better or worse.]

[goldenjoined]

[he flinches and shudders and bites into his shoulder, but, at least it's not his throat?]

[skypiercing]

[There's a quiet flinch from Dan Heng as well, but this won't stop him from continuing the gentle stroking, out of ideas of what to do, right now. Speaking might make this worse, but...]

Blade....?

[goldenjoined]

[a strained sound in the back of his throat is, at least, acknowledgement. right?]

[skypiercing]

[It is certainly acknowledgement! It means he can hear him, at least.... but that isn't enough when Blade was still so tense.

A pause. Consideration. He did know one person who could help Blade calm down, and even if she wasn't here.... maybe the reminder?]

'Bladie'...?

[It's worth a shot okay--]

[goldenjoined]

[





]

[skypiercing]

[Just saying that is utterly embarrassing, help.

But he's. not biting anymore????

...Not doing anything at all actually.

...Hm.]

B...Bladie, calm down.

[He is never going to live this down but if it keeps his throat intact he'll do it.]

[goldenjoined]

[slowly. withdraws his teeth.]

[skypiercing]

[There's a quiet sigh of relief as Blade withdraws his teeth. Hands continue rubbing Blade's back while Dan Heng slowly relaxes as well.

Thank goodness that was the right choice.]

Are you back?

[goldenjoined]

[in a voice like a creaky door:]

Never call me that again.

[skypiercing]

[There's a beat of silence, and if Blade raises his eyes from Dan Heng's shoulder, he'll easily see the mortified blush on Dan Heng's face, even with the earlier bloodloss still in play.

Maybe not the right choice.]

I just thought-- Noted.

[A pause.]

Do not tell anyone about it.

[His dignity will not survive.]

[goldenjoined]

We never speak of this again.

[dry. he is sneaking a look up at this humiliated dragon.]

[skypiercing]

Never.

[Yeah that blush stands out all the more given how pale he is still.]