jikan_network | {Video; UN: gambler}

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{Video; UN: gambler}

{He looks like a shell of a man, pale and perfect, but...empty. Nearly empty. This is what happens when someone is used and used for years on end without a shred of gratitude or genuine affection thrown into the mix. And now...}

The thread that joins us has snapped. {Xie closes his eyes, privately mourning, before he focuses on the network, sharp and alert.} I am interested if anyone recognizes me?

{Or is this truly a new beginning? The Glazed Armor hangs heavy around his neck and he wants to laugh...and cry.}

What good are names anymore? I could call myself anything...

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[ Of course Scorpion is heavily armed. Zishu would be more alarmed if he wasn't. Hearing this man has never even had a full name though...bothers him. And paints a worse picture than he'd assumed. ]

...You were a tool. You don't need to be, here. [ Dismissing the question - Xie already knows the answer. ]

{Telling the truth feels like rubbing dirt or salt on an open wound. Xie's mouth twists unhappily, though the food is good. Comforting. He has to accept that his foster-father never loved him.}

I was...Scorpion. That's all. {He lifts his gaze.} Should I punish myself for failing my family?

[ A sad story, for someone strong and creative. Just as ruthless as he is. He looks down at the question, then absently refills his cup. ]

That isn't for me to say. What I did to leave...is a regret I would wish on no one else.

{He looks over Zishu's body and nods slowly. Asking would be rude, so he won't.}

I think I've suffered enough. {His smile is tremulous and there is a certain quality to his eyes... Like he is holding back tears.} He won't hurt anyone else.

[ Xie doesn't ask, and Zishu doesn't offer. He's already said more than he normally would to most. He hears that tone and doesn't need to look to see it echoed in the other's face. ]

Ah? [ But doesn't specifically ask how Xie knows this fact. ] I see. [ And he does. ] Including you.

Including me. {He repeats. He had fed the poison to Zhao Jing, to hold that silver tongue still. The man will live, but he won't be able to move on his own or speak.}

I was hardly the only one. A man like that shouldn't have sons.

[ In a way, similar to what Zishu had done to Prince Jin, by making it so the man can never leave his bed again. He'll live, but...not well. ]

It's rare for there to only be one victim.

[ He doesn't quite chuckle, doesn't quite cough, but his posture shifts a little before he steadies himself. ]

Find a way to be happy here. That is the best revenge I can think of.

{Happiness... It is so fleeting for him, rising up when he makes that man - that monster - content and then fading when he is chastised or hit. Xie drinks more wine to stifle his hurt and confusion. How does he seek happiness for himself?}

You look tired. {It's easier to focus on another and he shifts closer, ready to support Zishu.} I can get you back to your rooms if you need it.

[ How much worse had it been for Scorpion, who never even received a proper name? Zishu had at least had a loving sect and family, before his master had died. Before he'd doomed his sect by taking up with Prince Jin.

The comment, coupled with the motion, has him consider for a moment - not immediately brushing the other off. Another breath, gauging his body's ability to continue or...if he really should take the offer. He feels like he's barely done anything at all today, and yet...

He chuckles a little, deciding on a question instead. ]

What do you know of the Window of Heaven's policy on leaving?

[ Does Scorpion know that his days are numbered? ]

{The illusion of love had been there, mostly fabricated from his mind and needy heart. But there had never been any love in truth. If you don't fail me, I won't fail you.

How many times had Zhao Jing failed him? Too many to count. Xie had been too forgiving by far and it had only brought him further grief instead of the bliss he sought.

His sharp eyes tell him that Zhou Zishu isn't well and since the man has been kind to him, he will return the favor.}

I know it must be brutal. {Yet the details eluded him.} You would not make it easy.

{And since Zishu is that kind of man...}

Have you done it to yourself?

[ Illusion which made it so much worse, drew it out far too long. Love should be unconditional - this is Zishu's learned truth. How he has chosen to live his life, since waking from the horrors he'd committed. It's why Kexing could do anything, and he'd stay by his side now.

Brutal. He chuckles again, head hanging then huffs out a decisive breath and straightens. His mirth quiets. ]

It is death. A lingering, tormented death. I have some time left, more if a new acquaintance is able to find a way to reverse what I did.

{Death? Xie goes still and quiet, recognizing that Zishu too has taken a gamble. Just to be free. He swallows roughly and, hesitating, lifts a hand to lightly touch Zishu's shoulder.}

I know poisons. I don't know how to heal. {So how can he help? Why does he want to help? Because Zishu is the sort of man he always imagined Zhao Jing to be.}

I'm sorry you have to suffer.

[ No. Not a gamble. He'd given up. His will had shattered and he hadn't cared so long as he was free. The regret only sank in later, far, far too late.

Zishu's gaze flicks to the hand on his shoulder, but doesn't shove it off - something tells him there's no need to. He glances up to study Scorpion, wondering at why this man cares. But that in itself is promising, isn't it? ]

Of course I have to. I caused the death of every member of my sect. [ A flicker of vicious, bitterness touches his voice before he expels with with another breath and shakes his head. ]

It's done. There is a chance it can be fixed here. I've decided to take it, if it's presented.

[ For Kexing's sake, more than his own. ]

{Those who suffer... Those who shatter... Xie finds himself unable to torture them - even if he is ordered to do so. The Beauty Ghost had been like that and he had done what he could for her.

Still, she had died. And now here is another, Zhou Zishu, and what can he do to stop death from claiming him too? Xie doesn't know, but he feels that urge again: the urge to try.}

I assure you I have caused far more. {His hand lifts from Zishu's shoulder.} But they were dear to you, so the pain is worse.

{Peering up at the sky, he leans back.}

If the armory is opened, you won't need to worry about dying.

[ So there is hope for Xie.

Zishu's gaze falls away, thoughtful at the words. ] Everyone I cared about, I could do nothing to save. I couldn't even save my home - it was burned so I couldn't have it to go back to.

[ The armory. The damned armory. He looks away with an expressive roll of his eyes. ]

The armory can't help me here.

{To have a home, to have everything Xie has ever wanted and to lose it so violently... Yes, he can understand the bitterness and anger in Zishu.}

But you are close to Wen Kexing.

{So maybe not all is lost?}

Mm no, not here, but if you can be stabilized, it is an option.

[ Kexing. He laughs again...but it sounds painful. Maybe even a little broken and bitter. ]

Yes. I found my soulmate on my path to death. So lucky.

[ A definite cough then, and he has to pause, eyes closing as he focuses on breathing normally.

Damn.

Zishu forces himself to his feet when it subsides, eyes slowly blinking open. ]

I designed the nails of seven torments carefully. I am as stable as can be expected, Xie-er. Some days are better than others, but only on the surface.

There is hope. {Xie moves swiftly to support Zishu, rubbing a hand over his back. Those coughs seem to originate more from the heart than the lungs. That...isn't good.}

Careful... {He rises too and frowns, nudging himself under one of Zishu's arms and wrapping his arms around Zishu's waist.}

You shouldn't push yourself. It isn't necessary. What room is yours?

[ The touch is...nice. He doesn't shove them off, as he once had Kexing's attempts to help.

Zishu sighs but allows himself to lean, settling his arm across Xie's shoulders. A rueful little smile forms at the scold. ]

A couple levels down. I can make it.

You will make it with my help. {He corrects him, lifting them both into the air. Xie is emotional - prone to jealousy and feelings of defeat - but in situations like this, he can be logical too, taking control when it is needed.

He takes them down to the nearest door. The plates and cups can be gathered later.}

[ Control that is attractive, really. Zishu doesn't really protest or struggle - either would be foolish to attempt. Still, he offers a token little huff. When they reach the mentioned level, he leads the way inside, deciding to offer some trust. Enough to let Xie know where he and Kexing live, as he heads for that apartment and lets them in. ]

{The huff is ignored. Zishu needs - and deserves - help, so Xie is providing. Even when they land, he keeps an arm around the other man's waist. However he hesitates at the apartment, unsure if he should follow Zishu in. He does have some idea about privacy - unless he has been given orders to intrude, of course.}

You don't live alone. {He notices the signs and nods to himself.} Wen Kexing is with you.

[ Zishu hesitates as well, but then rolls his eyes just a little and keeps hold of Xie, silently inviting the man in. If Kexing gets upset about it...he'll deal with that then. But Xie is actively trying to help, which is points in his favor. ]

Kexing arrived just after I did. It's only been a few days since then.

[ He doesn't move for the bedroom though, choosing instead to head for the comfortable couch. ]

{The stubborn hold has him stumbling over the threshold. When nothing awful befalls him, he begins to look around curiously. What sort of home do these men like? What can that tell him about them?}

You are always together. {He watches Zishu sit and decides to do likewise, choosing a chair instead of the couch.} He protects you a great deal.

[ Stumbling yes, but Zishu doesn't let him fall. And no, no trap is sprung. The apartment is kept tidy and clean, well-aired and lit, though there are little hints of the occupants. He sinks into the couch with a little sigh and swiftly settles cross-legged, then focuses as he makes quick, sharp motions, ending with back straightening and hands slowly pushing down to rest, hovering a little over bent knees.

Better. His eyes remain closed as he listens. ]

Often. Not always. We protect each other - that is how we've been since we met.

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