Aaron Stampler/Roy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
creeksidealtarboy) wrote2023-07-11 05:48 pm
creeksidealtarboy) wrote2023-07-11 05:48 pm
TLV Inbox
Yeah. He - he comes when - when I lose time.
[He rubs the back of his neck.]
Started when - when I was a kid, I guess. My daddy he - he wasn't a very nice man. But I don't remember cuz - cuz I lost time a lot.
[He rubs the back of his neck.]
Started when - when I was a kid, I guess. My daddy he - he wasn't a very nice man. But I don't remember cuz - cuz I lost time a lot.
[So his new friend loses control over his mind when the 'other' takes over, usually in times of extreme stress. Nie Huaisang's never heard of such a thing, and thus is absolutely fascinated.]
I'm sorry to hear that your father was cruel. Is that why you're here? Because he takes over?
I'm sorry to hear that your father was cruel. Is that why you're here? Because he takes over?
[He nods once, rubbing the back of his neck.]
He killed - killed the Bishop. I got - got scared and ran. But I think - think he's supposed to be the inmate.
He killed - killed the Bishop. I got - got scared and ran. But I think - think he's supposed to be the inmate.
[That makes sense.]
You've been dragged here because of the crimes he committed, is that so?
You've been dragged here because of the crimes he committed, is that so?
Think so.
[It's the story he's been working on since he arrived. Aaron is simply a poor soul, shuttled aboard the Barge because of Roy's sins. Aaron is simply a vessel for Roy to get his redemption and, if he needs more proof, eventually the two can merge.
Aaron's always played the long con.]
[It's the story he's been working on since he arrived. Aaron is simply a poor soul, shuttled aboard the Barge because of Roy's sins. Aaron is simply a vessel for Roy to get his redemption and, if he needs more proof, eventually the two can merge.
Aaron's always played the long con.]
Seems unfair.
[At least Huaisang knows he did wrong. He can remember every step of his plan, every little point and detail, the satisfaction of the final stab through his enemy's chest.]
[At least Huaisang knows he did wrong. He can remember every step of his plan, every little point and detail, the satisfaction of the final stab through his enemy's chest.]
[And Aaron looks up to flash him a smile.] No - no it's not - not all bad. I want to - to be better.
[A small smirk tugs on Huaisang's own lips.]
Maybe this place can make you into a singular person again.
Maybe this place can make you into a singular person again.
Oh - maybe. But - but he did help against - against that man.
[And there's a hint of a sneer, of a self satisfied smile, before he looks back to his book.]
[And there's a hint of a sneer, of a self satisfied smile, before he looks back to his book.]
[It did help, didn't it? It's all very interesting.]
It's good that you have a protector.
It's good that you have a protector.
This place is - is kind of scary, don't you think? People are - are always warning me that it's dangerous.
[Not that he's seen much of the danger himself.]
[Not that he's seen much of the danger himself.]
[He shakes his head. A little more of the real Huaisang slips free.]
There are people you need to avoid, and sometimes frightening things can happen, but the day-to-day is boring.
There are people you need to avoid, and sometimes frightening things can happen, but the day-to-day is boring.
Who - who do I need to avoid?
[Huaisang's been here longer. It's a logical question!]
[Huaisang's been here longer. It's a logical question!]
[He looks around conspiratorially, then leans towards him, holding up his fan to mask their faces to any outsiders.]
Avoid Xue Yang and Jin Guangyao. Xue Yang was the one who stabbed me not too long ago. They're evil, vicious men.
Avoid Xue Yang and Jin Guangyao. Xue Yang was the one who stabbed me not too long ago. They're evil, vicious men.
[The fan gets a quick glance and Aaron finally gets to see it up close. He takes a moment to admire it before actually listening.]
Stabbed you! Oh. What - what did Jin Guangyao do?
Stabbed you! Oh. What - what did Jin Guangyao do?
[The look that crosses Huaisang's face is genuine -- he hates Jin Guangyao with every fiber of his being.]
He killed my brother.
He killed my brother.
[Aaron looks from the fan to Huaisang's eyes, searching his expression.]
Oh.
I - I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to see his face.
Oh.
I - I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to see his face.
[He agrees, very much so. He shouldn't have to look at the man he killed and entombed, but yet, here they both were.]
I'll make the best of it. [He sits back and closes his fan again.] It's clear to me now that we're not done with each other. You should stay far away from him though. I don't need more reason to loathe him.
I'll make the best of it. [He sits back and closes his fan again.] It's clear to me now that we're not done with each other. You should stay far away from him though. I don't need more reason to loathe him.
[Aaron closes his book.]
He don't - don't know me though.
[Aaron is willing to test the limits of the goodwill he's garnered in his time here.]
Was you close to - to your brother?
He don't - don't know me though.
[Aaron is willing to test the limits of the goodwill he's garnered in his time here.]
Was you close to - to your brother?
[Huaisang taps his fan against his leg, looking up at the ceiling.]
He raised me after our father died. He protected me, took care of me. [Indulged him, before he began to fall ill.] He was all I had, and Jin Guangyao took him away from me.
My brother...[How to describe it to someone outside the cultivation world?] There's a sickness in my family, inherited from our ancestors. Da-ge knew he was dying slowly, that he was going to die, but we were going to find a way to stop it. The two of us were going to find a way to stop the Nie curse, but Jin Guangyao poisoned him, made the death quicker and crueler.
[He inhales, breath shaky.]
He died right in front of me. He barely even knew who I was in the end. Then Jin Guangyao stole his body.
He raised me after our father died. He protected me, took care of me. [Indulged him, before he began to fall ill.] He was all I had, and Jin Guangyao took him away from me.
My brother...[How to describe it to someone outside the cultivation world?] There's a sickness in my family, inherited from our ancestors. Da-ge knew he was dying slowly, that he was going to die, but we were going to find a way to stop it. The two of us were going to find a way to stop the Nie curse, but Jin Guangyao poisoned him, made the death quicker and crueler.
[He inhales, breath shaky.]
He died right in front of me. He barely even knew who I was in the end. Then Jin Guangyao stole his body.
[Fucking hell. There's a lot that Aaron doesn't know about Huaisang's world, but he can tell the intention behind it. The cruelty of it.]
Stole - stole his body?
Stole - stole his body?
[He nods, trying to keep himself from outright snarling.]
He wanted to raise him from the dead and have him do his bidding. My brother's resentful energy proved to be too much to control, and so he dismembered him and scattered his pieces to the wind.
He wanted to raise him from the dead and have him do his bidding. My brother's resentful energy proved to be too much to control, and so he dismembered him and scattered his pieces to the wind.
[He narrows his eyes just briefly, watching his face. The anger is clear there, Aaron can see it.]
I'm sorry.
Did you - you do something about it?
I'm sorry.
Did you - you do something about it?
[Aaron pauses, looking up at him through lowered eyes.]
Is that - that why you're here?
Is that - that why you're here?
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