video | un: ouyang

[theatrics]

(( The sepia-toned face on the screen is that of a person lovely enough to be a woman. Well, perhaps less lovely for the severe (read: cranky) look carved into those delicate features. His lips are downturned and a deep crease resides between his brows. His long black hair is tied back in a topknot with braids worked throughout. The robes he wears speak of an older time, perhaps they're a distant cousin to the kimono he's seen so much since arriving.

There's a moment of silence before he finally speaks, a natural tenor though he tries to keep the pitch lower. ))

I understand we're encouraged to form bonds in this strange place. How fare those who choose not to?

Comments

[gentledawn]

Then you...choose...to be alone?

[theatrics]

I find it less of a burden.

[gentledawn]

I can understand to a certain degree. But this is a world that is unknown to you.

[theatrics]

Why should I change for this world when I would not for my own?

[gentledawn]

For your safety. [He bites his lip.] There are powers at work that have forced undesirable circumstances on us.

[theatrics]

Such as?

[gentledawn]

Recently, a friend of mine was imprisoned and tortured. We could not find him no matter how hard we looked.

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What good did knowing he was missing do if you were unable to find him?

[gentledawn]

Are you suggesting we should have...not cared?

[theatrics]

I'm suggesting perhaps emotions got in the way of what you had to do.

[gentledawn]

He is where he should be again. He has healed too. I suggest the magic that took him hid him from our eyes.

[theatrics]

Perhaps. I would be ashamed to have been in such a situation.

[gentledawn]

He could do nothing to prevent it. There was no cause for shame.

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What is this magic that brought him low?

[gentledawn]

I believe it is the same that transported us here.

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What else can you attribute to this magic?

[gentledawn]

Our...bodily...transformations. I have grown rabbit ears and a tail.

[theatrics]

(( The Ouyang is good as schooling his features, this admission brings a look of genuine shock to his face. ))

What?

[gentledawn]

[Yes, that's...understandable. Xingchen looks embarrassed, his gaze flickering back and forth.]

I know I am not alone. My soulmate too awoke with animal features.

[theatrics]

(( Ancestors! He's already uncomfortable enough in his own skin without some unknown magic changing his body! ))

Do... they serve some purpose?

[gentledawn]

...they are sensitive. [Must he continue to have shameful conversations? First Xiaoyu; now this poor soul.]

[theatrics]

That's enough.

(( He gets the gist. ))

[gentledawn]

Forgive me. [Can he melt into the ground?]

[theatrics]

There is nothing to forgive. It is I who pried.

[gentledawn]

In this world, you will find yourself in embarrassing circumstances. We mustn't be ashamed. Even if...

It is all new.