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goingtobeunwell

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From:

riseunparalleled

[There's a few pieces of wider ship business that Xie Lian's unhappy with and there's that lingering uncertainty about Crozier's happiness, but none of that gets in the way of his bright smile as he opens the door.]

Hello, Frances. Please, come in.

[He waves him towards the table, where he's set out the tea, along with a plate of apple slices arranged in the shape of a flower.]

From:

goingtobeunwell

[When he steps in he's greeted by a lovely spread, as usual. As good a job as Jopson, though with a more artistic flourish.]

How have you been?

From:

riseunparalleled

I've been well. [Wishes that certain people would consider the futility of violence a little more, aside.]

How have you been?

From:

goingtobeunwell

Adjusting. Kyoko's moved in with me permanently.

[And he's been sleeping in a hammock -- comfortable and toasty near the stove!]

It's a happy adjustment, naturally.

From:

riseunparalleled

Good.

[He grins.]

Teenagers have their own rewards and occasional trials, but they generally always carry the benefit of offering different worries about what might happen while they're left unsupervised. [He's looked after a lot of children over the years, to varying extents.]

From:

goingtobeunwell

[He chuckles and takes a seat on the floor.]

They do keep things interesting, don't they? Kyoko in particular is either going to make my hair turn completely white or keep me perpetually young.

From:

riseunparalleled

Kyoko's a very talented girl. I'm sure she could manage both.

[He offers Crozier a cup of tea, before sitting down beside him.]

From:

goingtobeunwell

I'm certain she could.

[He wants to tell Xie Lian about his tentative plans -- his hope to live with Kyoko when they're both at the end of this journey. For whatever reason he feels the need to hold his tongue.]

It's nice to live with someone again.

From:

riseunparalleled

[He nods.]

I'd gotten used to having Guzi and Lang Ying living with me, and San Lang visiting... The space feels different without them.

[Admittedly, in part because the shrine isn't that large and the addition of three to four other people would be impossible to miss. But it's nice to have company.]

From:

goingtobeunwell

Who are they?

[He's never mentioned them before.]

Guzi, Lang Ying and Sang Lang. Friends of yours?

From:

riseunparalleled

[There are a lot of things he doesn't mention, especially if they're personal or he doesn't see any use in speaking about it. But he is trying, in his own way.]

Guzi and Lang Ying are children I'm taking care of, for the moment. Guzi's dad... well, it's a complicated situation.

San Lang is a friend, and always good company. He fixed up the table, and made the door...

From:

goingtobeunwell

[He listens, interested and grateful to have Xie Lian sharing anything with him at all.]

I can imagine it feels different being without the children and a dear friend.

From:

riseunparalleled

Mm. San Lang told me that he calls his house his 'residence' instead of a home because a home has family. A place where someone lives alone isn't home. So, that's why I'm happy he took up my offer and comes to visit a lot.

From:

goingtobeunwell

[It's always a happy thing when two lonely people find each other.]

Why is he alone?

From:

riseunparalleled

It's partly a matter of his, ah, 'job'. He's in charge, and there's a certain distance from people that comes from that.

[He rubs his bandage.] I think he was also used to being alone. When loneliness is part of you for such a long time, you might not think of it as something that can be changed.

From:

goingtobeunwell

[Crozier cocks his head. He can sympathize; being in command for so long left him incredibly isolated. But there is something terribly sad about being convinced of your own loneliness.]

What are you doing to change his mind?

[He takes a sip of his tea.]

From:

riseunparalleled

I don't know if I ever do much to change anyone's mind.

But even if he still believes that he has to reach some level of strength before he could truly 'deserve' companionship, he also knows that the doors to Puqi Shrine are always open to him.

From:

goingtobeunwell

You don't give yourself enough credit. You do more to change minds than you think you do.

From:

riseunparalleled

In certain ways, perhaps. [Generally not good ones, but he has to hope it's not all bad.] At best, I hope I can give people a chance to think a different way.

From:

goingtobeunwell

[He sets his teacup down and reaches for a slice of apple, sorry to ruin the display but reluctant to let anything to go to waste.]

Have you ever accepted a compliment in your life, Xie Lian?

From:

riseunparalleled

[He's happy to see Crozier eat. He likes a little artistry in presentation, but he dislikes waste far more.]

Of course, especially if they come with money. I know where my talents lie, and I won't turn down compliments on that score.

From:

goingtobeunwell

What about the more sincere ones? If I said, 'you're important and you make me happy', would you accept it or try to downplay the compliment?

[He lets the words hang in the air.]

From:

riseunparalleled

I would say that I'm grateful to have you in my life.

[He gently nudges Crozier with a shoulder.]

I hope I'm not so highhanded as to not believe other people's words on how they feel.

From:

goingtobeunwell

[He laughs softly.]

No, no, nothing like that. Not highhanded, just...humble to the point of frustration.

From:

riseunparalleled

I just try to be... clear-sighted.

People are often far more impressive than they think. Which isn't to say that you don't need other's help, that's often vital... but that's why it's good to know what you can do.