[ the weasel squeals at being knocked over, but basks in the grooming - and then wrestles away, starting up with the. goddamn. weasel war dance that noodles do. play! play fight!!
baraqiel takes a few steps back - checks, for a moment, that there's no one else around them - before reaching up to undo the undercloak. he drapes it over a railing to the canal, not particularly concerned for it but at least getting it out of the way. it also means he can move the topmost part of his cloak to allow his wings more freedom. ]
I haven't gotten the chance to actually spar with someone since then, but I suppose we'll see, now.
[ he holds his left hand out, as if to grasp a sword, before drawing two fingers from his right hand through the air from his palm. tracking along behind the gesture is starlight, which solidifies into a long, saber-shaped weapon of just. light. ]
xie lian's almost buzzing with delight as the weapon comes out - baraqiel will see him just utterly brighten, in awe and appreciation. a little breathless: ] -- My goodness.
[ holy shit imagine that he could just make swords out of light (actually would it be the same? hmm. something to think about. ] A saber, even...! Oh, it has been some time since I've sparred against one.
Please, do not go easy on me for even a moment, Baraqiel-gege. I should like to see your best.
it is scimitar shaped though so, you know, whatever i guess. ]
They took away my powers from home, but at least they gave me this.
[ baraqiel moves, and nudges his daemon with his foot, to go take the war courtship dance closer to xie lian, since their bond has a greater range than his and san lang's. with a quick flick of his wrist, any dust and errant starlight is sent off in an arc while he spins the hard light construct, wielding it one-handed. ]
I would ask you the same, Your Highness. I promise to not disappoint if you do so.
[ and, without hesitation, he lunges forward to make the first move.
sisi i know you're tired and i have a small brain so let's just talk feelings and thoughts in metatext i don't want to figure out fighting descriptions. ]
so! if there is anything xie lian loves in the world, it is true talent. back when he was cultivating, xie lian was known to find people to bring to the holy pavilion, effusive about their talent - people like mu qing, who is still one of the most incredible swordsmen that he knows. people's social status never really mattered to him; their skill meant they should be lifted up, like fine pieces of jade found among a collection of rocks. true jade should always be honed, polished, and shined to perfection - his love of swords and swordfighting is as genuine as any other passion he has in his life, only ever matched by his love for the common people.
so, fighting against this light construct is - incredible.
xie lian is an incredibly competent swordsman, a true master. each motion he takes with a blade is beautiful, a whirl of silk and brown hair, but his movements are aggressive, backed by years of relentless training and martial skill. this was the reason he ascended to godhood - when xie lian moves with his blade, it's like a dance. for as gentle as he is, he is fierce.
but baraqiel is just as talented. there's something wild about the way he fights, something about it that feels a little familiar - each time their blades meet, xie lian's eyes light up, starlight shimmering on his face, an ethereal contrast to the crash of hard light and steel. he makes quiet noises every now and then - aha!'s of delight, soft little gasps, eyes full of praise and good humor, and just effuses joy with each and every move they take at each other. for sparring and sword fighting, it is vicious, and it is a dance, and it is the love of xie lian's life.
... the sword fighting, i mean.
this goes on for ages. his stamina's incredible, but xie lian is still technically injured, and it does start to pull a little at his chest - he ignores it, though, delighted. just a little longer. a few more rounds, a few more minutes. ]
even with the added weight of wings, the way the heavy cloak fans out with fur and fabric, his steps remain sure and light, but ferocious. even against a friendly opponent, something for fun, their blades are still sharp - and so is the intent of keeping pace. even behind the mask, it's obvious that there's something dangerous and wild here.
it shows best, perhaps, in the way that his mouth slowly draws into a grin, demon-fanged even with the golden dust concealing some of his features at all times. (the grin - no, the smile - even widens so much that the dust can't hide the way he dimples on both sides.)
whatever fuels this fight, this desire to go toe-to-toe with a martial god who ascended for his prowess and was known for his kindness, he does not relent.
the thrill is there, though. and that's why they go on as long as they do, baraqiel not hesitating to use his wings to his advantage. they shift with the rest of his body, despite how cumbersome they should be. at one point, he even uses them to narrowly avoid the cold blade xie lian wields.
it doesn't suit him.
(but, to be fair, the starlight doesn't suit baraqiel, either. not in full.)
the dance must end, though. baraqiel doesn't see it in xie lian's face, or his stance, doesn't feel it in his strength, but he knows it simply for having seen it. simply for knowing him.
and he sweeps in suddenly, leaning into one of xie lian's attacks, to grab him around the waist with his free hand to dip him abruptly as if it were a true dance. ]
[ that dodge with the wings - simply captivating! xie lian has decided that baraqiel is truly one of those pieces of jade. he is incredibly talented, and xie lian is having so much fun, as baraqiel keeps him on his toes. in and out of his space he weaves, matching attack for defense, defense for attack, not having to pull his strength even a little. he's unpredictable, and there's a sort of energy to his slashes and parries that feels feral, but controlled. like a wildfire, dancing in front of him - completely different than his spar with tsurumaru earlier in the week, but just as wonderful and incredible.
he could do this forever, if he wasn't lacking some of his strength - what this place took from him - and his ability to simply heal, he could stand here and fight with baraqiel for days. his cheeks are a little pink with some of the exertion, and as he's preparing his next move, one of those unpredictable ones strikes, and suddenly, xie lian's world is upended. ]
Uwah --!
[ he can't help it. the noise comes out of him like a squeak, surprised - in sheer instinct his sword arm comes up and in front of him, and the blade stops an inch from baraqiel's nose in a feat of xie lian's impressive strength. one of his feet is off of the ground, daintily pointed from this dip. ] Baraqiel!
[ some of his hair is visible, on either side of his mask. while it looks dirty, dark blond under the hood, the loose strands begin to go dark at the tips, like the dust is falling away when it's not in the confines.
this close, xie lian will get to see sharp canines in a sharp grin, cheeky. ]
For as much as this Baraqiel would humbly request another hour, or two, or perhaps five more... I believe it's time, Your Highness, for our dance to come to a temporary end.
[ there is no fear in his voice, nor what's visible of his face, despite having a sword so close to striking him, to the point that he can feel the chill of the blade. trust for xie lian's restraint, even after having such a fierce display between them.
this close, too, xie lian may be able to tell (with a 13) that the right eye glows dimmer than the left in baraqiel's mask. ]
baraqiel tries not to laugh (much), and instead allows the starlight in his hand to shatter into a small shower of white colored dust, moving his now-free hand to xie lian's waist. and that's how he straightens him up, both hands sliding to frame it on either side.
his fingers touch, in the small of xie lian's back, before he draws them away.
his daemon tackles san lang to the ground in the background, while his person is head empty. ]
[ literally all of the words in xie lian's head really did just go right out of his ears. you can almost hear the "system error, rebooting" noises playing as he just lets baraqiel straighten him up like that with absolutely zero resistance. the blush on his face shoots down to his neck.
thankfully, the tackle gets san lang the daemon to squeak, surprised, letting out a little ferret shriek, and xie lian jumps. baraqiel is lucky he gets to keep the nose on his face as xie lian practically leaps out of his hands, flustered and mortified. ]
I - Baraqiel ah! You, ah. Um. You fight very good. [ wait ] Well! Baraqiel-gege is very good with a saber.
[ cute... xie lian so flustered is very cute. baraqiel smooths out his clothes a little, reaching to make sure his mask is secure, tucking errant strands of hair back into his hood as he lets xie lian recover from.
well.
him. he did that. he's a little smug about it. his daemon aggressively grooming san lang's face and ears is just another show of it, to be honest. ]
I was told, once, that I would be. So I wanted to master it. I can fight with other things just fine, but that person was the first to say I would be good at something - so I am proud of what I can do with one.
[ what!!! was!!! that!!! xie lian is turned away from baraqiel for a moment, looking over at their daemons; san lang makes a little noise but still seems very out of it, squeaking. embarrassed. terrible.
xie lian shakes his head, furiously, to try and clear that oddly embarrassed feeling -- his heart is pounding!! -- and forces himself to tune back in to what baraqiel is saying, sheathing fang xin once more. ]
...As you should be. [ a pause, and then - ] Is that your 'one person'? The one you mentioned that you wanted to help.
[ san lang gets his cheek nibbled at gently, tiny weasel paws smoothing his face and whiskers with affection and amusement simultaneously. it's half climbed on him, half pinned him, chittering away, as it works. ]
They gave me a chance to be the person that I am, now. I'm grateful for that, so if I can return the kindness by helping them, then it was worth getting a little more time to do so. Even if things are turning out the way that they are - I'm willing to fight back against the fate forced on us.
[ cute... san lang doesn't seem to mind this now that he's back to his senses. he makes a little chitter noise and pats uselessly at the weasel, maybe a little dazed. yes, yes this is fine.
xie lian himself nods, pleased by his correct deduction. ] And fight you certainly shall! With skills like that - I would hate to be your enemy. Or, perhaps, it would be simply wonderful.
[ at least for the sword fighting!!!! what a nerd. ] Thank you, for such an incredible experience, Baraqiel-gege. [ enthused, again, he presses his fist to his hand and gives baraqiel a very proper bow. ] It is an honor, instead, to be able to fight by your side.
[ baraqiel isn't the sort to bow. he always keeps his head up straight, his back rigid, all the confidence in the world, and no true respect to give to others.
he presses his fist to his hand, and returns the bow - his head lowers just that little bit more than xie lian's, in the process - before he straightens up again. ]
The honor is mine, of course, Your Highness. Whenever you would like to have such an exchange again, I would be more than happy to. However - [ he produces something from dust, with a flourish, closing the space between them again. xie lian will be able to see it, before it's slid into his bun. ] - it was an exchange, so I simply must ensure that I provide my part in it.
[ hello???? xie lian, the fool that he is, attempts to look up at it. he catches the look at a hairpin and looks surprised. ]
Ah - Baraqiel-gege, you do not have to, the exchange of a fight was an exchange in and of itself... [ he reaches up to touch the edge of the pin, with gentle fingers. ]
I played a trick. Pray His Highness forgives me, but know that I truly enjoyed the fight itself, and would happily spar again, whenever you like.
[ though, i think, maybe, i will have to find a way to get them to you without your asking. ]
This will protect you - and you alone - from a fatal attack brought onto you by another traveler. Only once, but it will give the chance to defend yourself, or another, should you step in to protect them.
it's funny, they just talked about this; xie lian said he would rely on baraqiel, but the likelihood of him reaching out to ask for help is low. he doesn't need it, really, even if he's still unsteady on his feet in the years after the human face plague and the disaster that struck xian le, in the failure that took his confidence and destroyed his world.
he just blinks at him for a moment, surprised - and then xie lian's expression softens, a little, and he looks away, letting out a soft laugh. ]
....That is very kind of you, Baraqiel-gege.
[ some part of him thinks it would be selfish, to survive such a thing, but what baraqiel says - defend another, should you choose to protect them sticks in his heart, and he will accept the offer, slowly dropping his hand away from the flower.
[ baraqiel shifts, as xie lian processes, calmly stretching out his wings before refolding them. at his height, he pushes a good 14 foot wingspan easily, if not moreso, so it's all a lot of reshuffling them back into place, now. not that it takes much, when he's become used to them.
but he does smile, faintly, when he sees the way xie lian's expression soften. hums a thoughtful noise, with his question. ]
Because we are not without our biases, and I'm afraid that I enjoy spending time with you, even in such a short amount of time. And, from being one of your Watchers, I know enough - you will give of yourself to others, for their sake.
But I should like to see you carry on to help as many as you can. So if all I can do is provide you the means to do so, then I will.
[ after a moment of considering this answer, xie lian nods. his fingers gently curl around the strand of his hair closest to his shoulders- fiddling with it, for something to do with his hand, before he finally sets them down again. ]
โฆ. Iโll do my best to protect all that I can. [ even if he canโt save everyone - maybe being able to help just one person will be enough.
he smiles and bows his head one last time, polite. ] โฆ thank you.
[ and as heโs straightening, xie lian just sort of ends up smiling up at baraqiel for a moment. even without being able to see him, thereโs something thatโs become so easily familiar about it, since his arrival here. ]
It doesnโt feel a short time. Rather - it feels like Iโve known you my whole life, you know.
[ and he says that with a light sincerity, serious but not severe as he does. as if he truly, to the bottom of his heart, believe such a thing. especially here and now with xie lian. baraqiel watches him - watches him fiddle with the hair, expression softer - before ducking his head briefly. ]
It does feel a bit like that, doesn't it. Perhaps some few good things came from this entire mess. But only a few.
[ his daemon squeaks as if to agree, content in its cuddles and pouring affection onto san lang. this is good - this is a very good thing. ]
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baraqiel takes a few steps back - checks, for a moment, that there's no one else around them - before reaching up to undo the undercloak. he drapes it over a railing to the canal, not particularly concerned for it but at least getting it out of the way. it also means he can move the topmost part of his cloak to allow his wings more freedom. ]
I haven't gotten the chance to actually spar with someone since then, but I suppose we'll see, now.
[ he holds his left hand out, as if to grasp a sword, before drawing two fingers from his right hand through the air from his palm. tracking along behind the gesture is starlight, which solidifies into a long, saber-shaped weapon of just. light. ]
no subject
i mean
xie lian's almost buzzing with delight as the weapon comes out - baraqiel will see him just utterly brighten, in awe and appreciation. a little breathless: ] -- My goodness.
[ holy shit imagine that he could just make swords out of light (actually would it be the same? hmm. something to think about. ] A saber, even...! Oh, it has been some time since I've sparred against one.
Please, do not go easy on me for even a moment, Baraqiel-gege. I should like to see your best.
no subject
it is scimitar shaped though so, you know, whatever i guess. ]
They took away my powers from home, but at least they gave me this.
[ baraqiel moves, and nudges his daemon with his foot, to go take the war
courtshipdance closer to xie lian, since their bond has a greater range than his and san lang's. with a quick flick of his wrist, any dust and errant starlight is sent off in an arc while he spins the hard light construct, wielding it one-handed. ]I would ask you the same, Your Highness. I promise to not disappoint if you do so.
[ and, without hesitation, he lunges forward to make the first move.
sisi i know you're tired and i have a small brain so let's just talk feelings and thoughts in metatext i don't want to figure out fighting descriptions. ]
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so! if there is anything xie lian loves in the world, it is true talent. back when he was cultivating, xie lian was known to find people to bring to the holy pavilion, effusive about their talent - people like mu qing, who is still one of the most incredible swordsmen that he knows. people's social status never really mattered to him; their skill meant they should be lifted up, like fine pieces of jade found among a collection of rocks. true jade should always be honed, polished, and shined to perfection - his love of swords and swordfighting is as genuine as any other passion he has in his life, only ever matched by his love for the common people.
so, fighting against this light construct is - incredible.
xie lian is an incredibly competent swordsman, a true master. each motion he takes with a blade is beautiful, a whirl of silk and brown hair, but his movements are aggressive, backed by years of relentless training and martial skill. this was the reason he ascended to godhood - when xie lian moves with his blade, it's like a dance. for as gentle as he is, he is fierce.
but baraqiel is just as talented. there's something wild about the way he fights, something about it that feels a little familiar - each time their blades meet, xie lian's eyes light up, starlight shimmering on his face, an ethereal contrast to the crash of hard light and steel. he makes quiet noises every now and then - aha!'s of delight, soft little gasps, eyes full of praise and good humor, and just effuses joy with each and every move they take at each other. for sparring and sword fighting, it is vicious, and it is a dance, and it is the love of xie lian's life.
... the sword fighting, i mean.
this goes on for ages. his stamina's incredible, but xie lian is still technically injured, and it does start to pull a little at his chest - he ignores it, though, delighted. just a little longer. a few more rounds, a few more minutes. ]
no subject
even with the added weight of wings, the way the heavy cloak fans out with fur and fabric, his steps remain sure and light, but ferocious. even against a friendly opponent, something for fun, their blades are still sharp - and so is the intent of keeping pace. even behind the mask, it's obvious that there's something dangerous and wild here.
it shows best, perhaps, in the way that his mouth slowly draws into a grin, demon-fanged even with the golden dust concealing some of his features at all times. (the grin - no, the smile - even widens so much that the dust can't hide the way he dimples on both sides.)
whatever fuels this fight, this desire to go toe-to-toe with a martial god who ascended for his prowess and was known for his kindness, he does not relent.
the thrill is there, though. and that's why they go on as long as they do, baraqiel not hesitating to use his wings to his advantage. they shift with the rest of his body, despite how cumbersome they should be. at one point, he even uses them to narrowly avoid the cold blade xie lian wields.
it doesn't suit him.
(but, to be fair, the starlight doesn't suit baraqiel, either. not in full.)
the dance must end, though. baraqiel doesn't see it in xie lian's face, or his stance, doesn't feel it in his strength, but he knows it simply for having seen it. simply for knowing him.
and he sweeps in suddenly, leaning into one of xie lian's attacks, to grab him around the waist with his free hand to dip him abruptly as if it were a true dance. ]
no subject
he could do this forever, if he wasn't lacking some of his strength - what this place took from him - and his ability to simply heal, he could stand here and fight with baraqiel for days. his cheeks are a little pink with some of the exertion, and as he's preparing his next move, one of those unpredictable ones strikes, and suddenly, xie lian's world is upended. ]
Uwah --!
[ he can't help it. the noise comes out of him like a squeak, surprised - in sheer instinct his sword arm comes up and in front of him, and the blade stops an inch from baraqiel's nose in a feat of xie lian's impressive strength. one of his feet is off of the ground, daintily pointed from this dip. ] Baraqiel!
[ SIR? his face is turning red. ]
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this close, xie lian will get to see sharp canines in a sharp grin, cheeky. ]
For as much as this Baraqiel would humbly request another hour, or two, or perhaps five more... I believe it's time, Your Highness, for our dance to come to a temporary end.
[ there is no fear in his voice, nor what's visible of his face, despite having a sword so close to striking him, to the point that he can feel the chill of the blade. trust for xie lian's restraint, even after having such a fierce display between them.
this close, too, xie lian may be able to tell (with a 13) that the right eye glows dimmer than the left in baraqiel's mask. ]
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a beat, as xie lian's entire face goes red. ]
What?
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baraqiel tries not to laugh (much), and instead allows the starlight in his hand to shatter into a small shower of white colored dust, moving his now-free hand to xie lian's waist. and that's how he straightens him up, both hands sliding to frame it on either side.
his fingers touch, in the small of xie lian's back, before he draws them away.
his daemon tackles san lang to the ground in the background, while his person is head empty. ]
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thankfully, the tackle gets san lang the daemon to squeak, surprised, letting out a little ferret shriek, and xie lian jumps. baraqiel is lucky he gets to keep the nose on his face as xie lian practically leaps out of his hands, flustered and mortified. ]
I - Baraqiel ah! You, ah. Um. You fight very good. [ wait ] Well! Baraqiel-gege is very good with a saber.
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well.
him. he did that. he's a little smug about it. his daemon aggressively grooming san lang's face and ears is just another show of it, to be honest. ]
I was told, once, that I would be. So I wanted to master it. I can fight with other things just fine, but that person was the first to say I would be good at something - so I am proud of what I can do with one.
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xie lian shakes his head, furiously, to try and clear that oddly embarrassed feeling -- his heart is pounding!! -- and forces himself to tune back in to what baraqiel is saying, sheathing fang xin once more. ]
...As you should be. [ a pause, and then - ] Is that your 'one person'? The one you mentioned that you wanted to help.
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They gave me a chance to be the person that I am, now. I'm grateful for that, so if I can return the kindness by helping them, then it was worth getting a little more time to do so. Even if things are turning out the way that they are - I'm willing to fight back against the fate forced on us.
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xie lian himself nods, pleased by his correct deduction. ] And fight you certainly shall! With skills like that - I would hate to be your enemy. Or, perhaps, it would be simply wonderful.
[ at least for the sword fighting!!!! what a nerd. ] Thank you, for such an incredible experience, Baraqiel-gege. [ enthused, again, he presses his fist to his hand and gives baraqiel a very proper bow. ] It is an honor, instead, to be able to fight by your side.
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he presses his fist to his hand, and returns the bow - his head lowers just that little bit more than xie lian's, in the process - before he straightens up again. ]
The honor is mine, of course, Your Highness. Whenever you would like to have such an exchange again, I would be more than happy to. However - [ he produces something from dust, with a flourish, closing the space between them again. xie lian will be able to see it, before it's slid into his bun. ] - it was an exchange, so I simply must ensure that I provide my part in it.
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Ah - Baraqiel-gege, you do not have to, the exchange of a fight was an exchange in and of itself... [ he reaches up to touch the edge of the pin, with gentle fingers. ]
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[ though, i think, maybe, i will have to find a way to get them to you without your asking. ]
This will protect you - and you alone - from a fatal attack brought onto you by another traveler. Only once, but it will give the chance to defend yourself, or another, should you step in to protect them.
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it's funny, they just talked about this; xie lian said he would rely on baraqiel, but the likelihood of him reaching out to ask for help is low. he doesn't need it, really, even if he's still unsteady on his feet in the years after the human face plague and the disaster that struck xian le, in the failure that took his confidence and destroyed his world.
he just blinks at him for a moment, surprised - and then xie lian's expression softens, a little, and he looks away, letting out a soft laugh. ]
....That is very kind of you, Baraqiel-gege.
[ some part of him thinks it would be selfish, to survive such a thing, but what baraqiel says - defend another, should you choose to protect them sticks in his heart, and he will accept the offer, slowly dropping his hand away from the flower.
....it's a reminder, of what suriel said. ]
...May I ask why you've given it to me?
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but he does smile, faintly, when he sees the way xie lian's expression soften. hums a thoughtful noise, with his question. ]
Because we are not without our biases, and I'm afraid that I enjoy spending time with you, even in such a short amount of time. And, from being one of your Watchers, I know enough - you will give of yourself to others, for their sake.
But I should like to see you carry on to help as many as you can. So if all I can do is provide you the means to do so, then I will.
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โฆ. Iโll do my best to protect all that I can. [ even if he canโt save everyone - maybe being able to help just one person will be enough.
he smiles and bows his head one last time, polite. ] โฆ thank you.
[ and as heโs straightening, xie lian just sort of ends up smiling up at baraqiel for a moment. even without being able to see him, thereโs something thatโs become so easily familiar about it, since his arrival here. ]
It doesnโt feel a short time. Rather - it feels like Iโve known you my whole life, you know.
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[ and he says that with a light sincerity, serious but not severe as he does. as if he truly, to the bottom of his heart, believe such a thing. especially here and now with xie lian. baraqiel watches him - watches him fiddle with the hair, expression softer - before ducking his head briefly. ]
It does feel a bit like that, doesn't it. Perhaps some few good things came from this entire mess. But only a few.
[ his daemon squeaks as if to agree, content in its cuddles and pouring affection onto san lang. this is good - this is a very good thing. ]