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: 2023-09-05 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. ]