[For the first time in what feels like forever, Huaisang can feel himself smiling. Really smiling. Tears blur his vision but it doesn't matter, his brother thinks he did well!
His brother thinks he did well.]
I braided your hair.
[He doesn't know why he thinks to say it, but it seems important.
The mental image is also something, Mingjue's severed head in his lap, Huaisang meticulously putting the signature Nie braids back into his long hair.]
[ Shell or not, certain things just must be done or seen to. Just as he's certain now that Huaisang had stitched his body back together and dressed him as he should be for his last resting place. ]
It would be my prize in exchange for helping another poor, lost soul.
[And it would keep him from going completely mad from the piss poor company he’s been forced to keep on the Barge. Xue Yang and Jin Guangyao. Gods help him.]
Life’s felt hollow since you died. I thought if you came back — you’d annoy me, and boss me around, but I’d have your company again.
[Mingjue will find no argument from Huaisang there. He wants nothing to do with either of them, unless it's to continue finding ways to make them unhappy. He's very skilled at that.
He smiles softly at the thought of going home to his brother. He could care for his da-ge for once, let him pursue his passions and live without a care in the world.
...well. Live with fewer worries in any case. Huaisang's not a miracle worker.
A soft smile still on his face, he bows his head.]
Mingjue likes figuring out the best ways for their people to have what they need. He enjoys the thrill of fighting and Night Hunts, in keeping their people safe. Without a war going on, maybe together they can figure out a better way for the Nie to not die quite so young.
...Guanyin's mercy, his brother hasn't given him that smile in far too many years. He huffs just a little, but feels himself smiling back. He's a hard man, but he does love his younger brother fiercely. ]
A-Sang. Do your best. I will handle things on this side.
I know you will. [As though Mingjue could do anything but take care of things.
Out of sight of the camera he grabs his fan and twists. Who knows how long it will be until he sees this man again? Who can tell if his schemes will even work this time?]
I’ll never stop trying to bring you back to me. That’s my promise to you. [And to himself. Mingjue will live the life that was stolen from him.]
And be kind to the brother you have with you now. He thinks you hung the moon and stars, even if you nag him about his duties to the sect.
That unknown span of time is the driving force behind keeping Mingjue in his seat. Yes, he has a duty to his people, and in finding the brother he has on his side of this spell.
But he also has a duty to this brother. And he will see it through as long as they have. Maybe it'll all be for nothing, and nothing changes. But that won't stop either of them from trying. ]
I will find my way back to you, one way or another. This will not be the last time we speak. [ Even if everything still goes wrong, they'll speak in the next life.
He grins then and chuckles. ]
Who's to say I don't? [ He is the elder brother. He's supposed to be the example, the reason the heavens move and their world is safe!
Even if this one knows the sad truth that he is only one man, and a man with very little time ahead of him. ]
[Finally the soft, measured smile on Huaisang's face breaks into a wide, carefree grin more familiar to his youth. He raises his hand, folded fan appearing on camera, and wags it playfully at his brother.]
That may have worked when we were children, but I'm far wiser now, Da-ge. You could have only hung the moon - the rest would have been too much work, even for Chifeng-Zun.
[It's a good little tease, one more apt for this version of his brother than a spoiled younger Huaisang. Even if in his younger years he truly did believe Nie Mingjue carried the world on his shoulders, he was more likely to joke about his robes or the fact that he captured the attention of all the ladies when they went to town.
[ Ah! There's that vibrant grin he'd once seen far more often! Mingjue's eyes brighten with the force of his grin and he chuckles again. ]
Wiser, yes. But perhaps I can still surprise my little brother.
[ No. He couldn't hope to actually hang the stars, or the moon. But he'd protect his brother and their people with every fiber of his being. He provides for them to the very best of his ability, loves them, guides them. Trusts them, too, to follow the sect laws and every order he gives. To the letter.
Even if with some, he has to spend a bit extra time with until they obey. Like one little brother!
He's missed this easier companionship though. It's been...a while, and he knows it. His temper only grows sharper as time passes.
But he also slowly sobers, feeling this connection is about to close. ]
Watch yourself, A-Sang. Keep safe until I find you again.
[Nie Huaisang thinks this is the best feeling in the world, having his big brother smile like that at him. Eyes overbright, he reaches out to touch the part of the screen that contains his brother's dearly missed face.
This is a goodbye, but a proper one. He wished for about as desperately as he had just to speak to him again.]
Remember my warning, Da-ge, and live well.
[His fingers trace along his jaw on the screen and his breath catches in his throat.]
I would be foolish to forget it. [ And maybe he's been a fool of sorts in the past, when it comes to a handful of people. But this is his brother. And Huaisang doesn't give such a warning without damn good reason. He won't ignore it, nor brush it aside. ]
I will find you, Huaisang. This will not be the last time we speak.
[ It's a promise he intends to keep, as the fierceness in his expression should well indicate.
He recognizes the emotion in his brother's face. Hates the cause of it. But at the moment, there is precious little he can do to erase it, to fix it. There's a hint of a growl to his voice when he speaks again. ]
Goodbye only for now.
[ As the connection blanks, and the writing of a report replaces the image of his brother, he hopes his words are even heard. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 12:25 am (UTC)He dips his head softly.]
He had your head in his trophy room. He had to die.
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Date: 2023-08-18 12:38 am (UTC)Mingjue closes his eyes at that detail. ]
But you found all parts of my body and put me back together. Exposed him and dealt with his end.
[ Reopening his eyes, he stares hard at his brother. ]
You did well.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 01:12 am (UTC)His brother thinks he did well.]
I braided your hair.
[He doesn't know why he thinks to say it, but it seems important.
The mental image is also something, Mingjue's severed head in his lap, Huaisang meticulously putting the signature Nie braids back into his long hair.]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 01:41 am (UTC)The odd comment suddenly brings a grin to his lips. Ridiculous, and yet so very Nie. ]
I was going to ask if you had.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 02:15 am (UTC)[Even if his brother was just a shell of himself, he was still his brother. If he was going to put him in a tomb he needed to look like a Nie.
It's so good to see him smile.]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 02:22 am (UTC)[ Shell or not, certain things just must be done or seen to. Just as he's certain now that Huaisang had stitched his body back together and dressed him as he should be for his last resting place. ]
Was the resentment cleansed in the end?
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 02:37 am (UTC)No one was able to put your corpse to rest, Da-ge. The resentful energy was too strong. We sealed you away as best we could.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 02:41 am (UTC)I hope no more trouble is caused so you won't have to worry.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 02:46 am (UTC)Trouble follows me, but I can handle it. I'm capable.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 02:53 am (UTC)You are Nie and my brother. Of course you are capable.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 11:03 am (UTC)…nah. This is better. His brother sees him now, what he’ll become.]
I’m an inmate now, but one day I may be a warden. If that happens — would you be angry if I brought you back to life?
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 05:07 pm (UTC)He tilts his head at that question. It's not as easy as wishes.
But. ]
If in doing so you are not harmed, no I would not be angry.
[ Because he will always be Huaisang's older brother, no matter how great their ages shift because of the strange powers here. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-18 11:28 pm (UTC)[And it would keep him from going completely mad from the piss poor company he’s been forced to keep on the Barge. Xue Yang and Jin Guangyao. Gods help him.]
Life’s felt hollow since you died. I thought if you came back — you’d annoy me, and boss me around, but I’d have your company again.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-05 01:14 am (UTC)As long as it would not be Xue Yang or Jin Guangyao.
[ So shoot him. He doesn't want his brother to have to deal with either of those two. He's learned the hard way that there can be no saving them.
The last bit chases the worst of the ire away and he snorts, lips twitching into a smirk. ]
I would. [ And Huaisang wouldn't be alone. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-09-05 02:08 am (UTC)He smiles softly at the thought of going home to his brother. He could care for his da-ge for once, let him pursue his passions and live without a care in the world.
...well. Live with fewer worries in any case. Huaisang's not a miracle worker.
A soft smile still on his face, he bows his head.]
Da-ge...thank you.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-05 02:19 am (UTC)Mingjue likes figuring out the best ways for their people to have what they need. He enjoys the thrill of fighting and Night Hunts, in keeping their people safe. Without a war going on, maybe together they can figure out a better way for the Nie to not die quite so young.
...Guanyin's mercy, his brother hasn't given him that smile in far too many years. He huffs just a little, but feels himself smiling back. He's a hard man, but he does love his younger brother fiercely. ]
A-Sang. Do your best. I will handle things on this side.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-05 02:31 am (UTC)Out of sight of the camera he grabs his fan and twists. Who knows how long it will be until he sees this man again? Who can tell if his schemes will even work this time?]
I’ll never stop trying to bring you back to me. That’s my promise to you. [And to himself. Mingjue will live the life that was stolen from him.]
And be kind to the brother you have with you now. He thinks you hung the moon and stars, even if you nag him about his duties to the sect.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-05 02:41 am (UTC)That unknown span of time is the driving force behind keeping Mingjue in his seat. Yes, he has a duty to his people, and in finding the brother he has on his side of this spell.
But he also has a duty to this brother. And he will see it through as long as they have. Maybe it'll all be for nothing, and nothing changes. But that won't stop either of them from trying. ]
I will find my way back to you, one way or another. This will not be the last time we speak. [ Even if everything still goes wrong, they'll speak in the next life.
He grins then and chuckles. ]
Who's to say I don't? [ He is the elder brother. He's supposed to be the example, the reason the heavens move and their world is safe!
Even if this one knows the sad truth that he is only one man, and a man with very little time ahead of him. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-09-06 01:14 am (UTC)That may have worked when we were children, but I'm far wiser now, Da-ge. You could have only hung the moon - the rest would have been too much work, even for Chifeng-Zun.
[It's a good little tease, one more apt for this version of his brother than a spoiled younger Huaisang. Even if in his younger years he truly did believe Nie Mingjue carried the world on his shoulders, he was more likely to joke about his robes or the fact that he captured the attention of all the ladies when they went to town.
His mirth fades away slowly.]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-10 06:31 pm (UTC)Wiser, yes. But perhaps I can still surprise my little brother.
[ No. He couldn't hope to actually hang the stars, or the moon. But he'd protect his brother and their people with every fiber of his being. He provides for them to the very best of his ability, loves them, guides them. Trusts them, too, to follow the sect laws and every order he gives. To the letter.
Even if with some, he has to spend a bit extra time with until they obey. Like one little brother!
He's missed this easier companionship though. It's been...a while, and he knows it. His temper only grows sharper as time passes.
But he also slowly sobers, feeling this connection is about to close. ]
Watch yourself, A-Sang. Keep safe until I find you again.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-14 01:16 pm (UTC)This is a goodbye, but a proper one. He wished for about as desperately as he had just to speak to him again.]
Remember my warning, Da-ge, and live well.
[His fingers trace along his jaw on the screen and his breath catches in his throat.]
Goodbye, brother.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-15 04:03 am (UTC)I will find you, Huaisang. This will not be the last time we speak.
[ It's a promise he intends to keep, as the fierceness in his expression should well indicate.
He recognizes the emotion in his brother's face. Hates the cause of it. But at the moment, there is precious little he can do to erase it, to fix it. There's a hint of a growl to his voice when he speaks again. ]
Goodbye only for now.
[ As the connection blanks, and the writing of a report replaces the image of his brother, he hopes his words are even heard. ]