return from lanling

[shangba]

A full moon, unblinking.

You did not sleep, to see?

Comments

[shangba]

I do not know.

But want, ambitiously. Never be satisfied.

[emperorssmile]

Isn’t the goal to be satisfied?

I’ll make sure Lan Zhan knows what I want if something comes to mind.

[shangba]

Not with me. You must always demand more.

[emperorssmile]

What if I demand more than you can give?

[shangba]

Then I shall work to rise to occasion.

[emperorssmile]

You'll do the same for me, right? Let me know if there are some things I can change that would make you feel happy and loved.

[shangba]

I am not the one long forced to silence his wants.

[emperorssmile]

Weren’t you? You were raised to strictly follow thousands of oppressive rules.

[shangba]

Wei Ying. Your nature is free flow, untamed. Rules oppress you.

They protect me. Offer stability.

[emperorssmile]

There are rules against laughing.

I want you to feel free when you’re with me. Free to say or do whatever you want without worrying about whether or not it would break one of the Lan Doctrines.

Do you feel free?

[shangba]

At times.

[emperorssmile]

That’s better than never.

Is it because of something I do?

[shangba]

At times, too much choice overwhelms. Rules assist.

[emperorssmile]

Mmm, I could be more bossy then. Just as long as you promise to tell me when it gets annoying.

[shangba]

New rules unnecessary. Only understanding for the old.

At times, you seek to rupture me from them.

[emperorssmile]

I'm just thinking out loud.

I thought Lan Zhan liked rules.

[shangba]

You jest.

[emperorssmile]

Yeah, I'm just teasing you.

[shangba]

...do not ask me to speak of vulnerability, then tease after.

[emperorssmile]

I didn't think about that. I'm sorry, Lan Zhan. I'll do better next time, I promise.

[shangba]

As you say.

[emperorssmile]

I can be such an asshole sometimes.

You know I don't judge you for it, don't you?

[shangba]

At times, you look down upon our ways.

[emperorssmile]

Sure, in general. You have to admit that it's a little extreme to have that many rules.

But I'm not judging you. I think it's cute that you start falling asleep at the same time every night.

[shangba]

If so extreme, why marry in?