(no subject)

[shangba]

( Midday, past lunch observed with Xichen: )


How fared the children this morning?

Comments

[shangba]

In their stead, would you think it so?

[emperorssmile]

I wouldn’t want them to suffer just for my sake.

Would you cultivate to immortality for the kids if I weren’t there at your side?

[shangba]

No.

[emperorssmile]

If I lose you, I promise that I won’t give up and that I’ll live the rest of my life for the kids. But I can’t face hundreds of years without you.

I’m sorry, Lan Zhan.

[shangba]

...no. I asked too much.

[emperorssmile]

You ask so little of me most of the time. You just had the kids in mind.

I just assumed you asked me to figure it out so we could stay together longer. I’ll keep working on it until I can find a way that doesn’t use demonic cultivation.

[shangba]

Though less skilled, shall humbly assist.

[emperorssmile]

We’ll do it together, Lan Zhan. There has to be a way for both of us.

[shangba]

My husband is a crafty man.

[emperorssmile]

I won’t give up on us!

All this time, I’ve been saying we’d have forever together… when were you going to tell me?

[shangba]

Had assumed... Wei Ying understood. Demonic cultivation cannot be my path.

I must forge another.

[emperorssmile]

Well, we’re on the same page now. We’ve still got a few years to figure it out. Unless we want to be shriveled old men forever.

[shangba]

My husband would be a bright, younger thing.

[emperorssmile]

Don’t worry, Lan Zhan. I would still love you even if you got old and I didn’t.

[shangba]

If I too were as a worm?

[emperorssmile]

In any form you take. Even if you were a dog!

[shangba]

...do not disgust yourself with the thought.

[emperorssmile]

I won’t. I just want you to know that I love you that much.

[shangba]

Love Wei Ying more.

[emperorssmile]

Impossible. Maybe just as much!

[shangba]

Just as much.

[emperorssmile]

You love me lots, then!

Sizhui and Jingyi are going to stay in Caiyi for a little while longer. Liang and I are on our way home! I should be back with enough light for archery, but we can always light some lanterns if it gets too dark.

[shangba]

...he cannot be betrothed and linger overnight with another.

[emperorssmile]

But they’re friends.

Do I need to send him a butterfly and wait until they catch up?

[shangba]

...uncertain.

Would we be at ease with each other alighting in but one other person's company, beyond duress?