singlelogbridge | Inbox: Ximilia

[ with the focus shifting back to lady starkov, huaisang pushes back the anger he feels — it will not serve him, now. his hatred of jin guangyao should be a thing of the past; the man is dead, his reputation in ruins. he lost everything before losing his life. huaisang's focus can now be on his brother, not on revenge.

his fan is moved from one hand to the other, then back. ]

He leashed me like some kind of pet, [ he recites, ] and made me watch him do terrible things.

... I don't know the details. But from what she said, I think he deceived her into believing he was good, and when he revealed his true nature, it was too late. [ some people don't show you who they are until it's too late, and by the time you realized, the damage is already done. he remembers the words like they're engraved in his heart, because they ring true for him, too. ] Even now I think she wants to believe in him despite knowing better.

[ he doesn't know their relationship — but her words, how can you keep going back to a monster and expecting something different... well, he knows what his theory is. and perhaps kirigan even cares somewhat for her, like jin guangyao did for qin su, but for men like that? ultimately, only themselves matter. everything and everyone else can burn. ]

[It isn't what he'd thought but it's hardly any better, and Wei Wuxian has to close his eyes for a moment and clench his fists at his sides, force himself to breath through the waves of fury washing over him. (His recent experiences on E23-B mean that the anger triggers the resentful energy lurking inside of him, and it creeps out in thin tendrils around his hands and chest before he wills it back inside.) Monsters like that did not deserve to continue living, let alone to be here with the power in their hands to do something truly awful in their world.

(There is a slight ache in him at the reminder that most would say the same of him and he doesn't deny the hypocrisy, but neither can he ignore a man like this.)

When he opens his eyes again, the anger is still there roiling beneath the surface but it's better contained. This isn't their world where he can walk over and "take care of it." He might be impulsive still but there are too many unknowns here. What this Kirigan is capable of for one.]

The woman he hurt. Is he still hurting her? Here?

[ and there it is — the resentful energy that surrounds him, betrays his anger, betrays just how seriously he is taking this. huaisang suppresses a smile.

and, with a glance at wei wuxian, brow furrowed, ]

I really don't know. I... I would hope not.

[ hope. he actually suspects he isn't — not physically, anyway. his presence here is certainly hurting her, though, that he is certain of. ]

[He lets out a shuddering exhale, clenching and unclenching his fists. After another moment passes, he nods.]

Thank you for telling me, Nie-xiong. You don't by chance know what kind of abilities he has, do you? I know already that he isn't entirely human. I've spoken with a man from his world, Mal. [And he'll be speaking with him again after this, getting as much information as he can. The more he knows about who and what Kirigan is, the better.]

Not really... I just know he is powerful.

[ he sighs, scratching the side of his head. ]

I'm sorry that I have nothing else to contribute, Wei-xiong. I ended up finding out by accident, and I didn't know who else to tell about this. It's... it's really not like I can do anything about it. If he's a powerful man, then... you know I wouldn't be able to stand up to him.

[ he did not find out by accident, and he knew instantly what to do with the information — but it's not like he'd admit to any of that. ]

[He shakes his head, forcing a more neutral expression.] That's not your fault Nie-xiong. Just stay away from him.

[Frowning, he lets his gaze drift away for a moment, already considering his options on what to do next. It's probably best if he talks to someone who's been here longer than he has, and who he knows wouldn't be so easily taken by him.] There are some people here I trust.

[Mostly, Itachi and Gwen, but he's going to see what else he can learn from Mal too.]

And I know a man here from his world who. Well, isn't a fan of his. I'm sure I'll be able to learn more. [He raises his eyes back to his friend and gives him a brisk nod.] Thanks for telling me.

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