(no subject)

[shangba]

( Midday, past lunch observed with Xichen: )


How fared the children this morning?

Comments

[emperorssmile]

You’re the only one who gets to see me like that!

[shangba]

A true greatness.

[emperorssmile]

Besides, aren’t we both already war heroes? We’ve already proven our greatness so much that kids reenact our lives.

[shangba]

Would not wish it so.

[emperorssmile]

I’d prefer lives where all the violence we face is in night hunts, too. That’s the life we’ll give new generations.

[shangba]

I detest my son had to learn the sword.

[emperorssmile]

Let’s do our best to make sure he never has to use those skills against other people.

[shangba]

Already, Wei Ying has exterminated evil.

[emperorssmile]

How do you want to raise Liang?

[shangba]

...how does my love mean?

[emperorssmile]

You don’t like that Sizhui had to be raised as a soldier for the sect. I know we don’t know whether he has the aptitude for cultivation yet, but I don’t like the idea of you living with more regret.

[shangba]

He, above all, cannot be defenseless.

[emperorssmile]

Then he won’t be. I’m a little relieved. I don’t want the kids to go through what either of us did, but I want them to be strong just in case.

[shangba]

We need not proceed only as I wish.

[emperorssmile]

I know, but you deserve a say, too. I’m relieved that we feel the same way for him. Otherwise I would have left the choice up to him, even if it meant waiting until he’s a little older to start training.

[shangba]

He would ask to be a warrior. His brother's example.

[emperorssmile]

And his fathers’. But then it would be his choice and not ours.

[shangba]

It is our duty, as parents, to guide.

[emperorssmile]

We’ll teach him how to be a good man first and a warrior second.

[shangba]

When do you wish him tested for a core?

[emperorssmile]

We can do it at the usual Lan benchmarks. I’d like to know sooner rather than later.

[shangba]

The first test is not definitive.

Some children show their core by the second test.

[emperorssmile]

Right. I won’t get my hopes up too soon. I won’t be disappointed if he can’t form a core, but I’m worried he’ll suffer being raised in a cultivation family if he can’t.

[shangba]

Should we... hesitate to adopt children of uncertain cultivation potential?

[emperorssmile]

I don’t think I could turn down a child who needs a home; but if we’re looking actively, it’s something we should consider.