jikan_network | {Video; UN: gambler}

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{Video; UN: gambler}

{Guess what he located? A pipa. It isn't his pipa, but it is a pretty instrument, carved out of golden wood.

For the enjoyment of the network, he performs a piece. The name of the piece is ironic (and fitting). "Attack on All Sides" does nicely summarize his current predicament.

When the piece concludes, he looks into the communicator with a faint, sad smile.}

Any requests?

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{His eyes follow that xiao and he understands that he is speaking to someone from a world like his own. Good.}

Where would you like to meet? Somewhere public would be my choice.

[ He notices exactly what those eyes are following. ]

I'm normally found in the nearest park, up in a tree. So, wherever you're comfortable.

I see. Do you like the view? {He shouldn't have much trouble finding Mingye and he is happy to bring his new find - his pipa - along.}

From up in the trees? Yes.

[ Back home, however, the trees had offered a sort of solitude. ]

I've never tried it. I prefer roofs myself. {He is a demonic cultivator and high places are essential for keeping watch.}

[ Demonic cultivation is something he knows. ]

Roofs only give you so much of an advantage point.

You make a decent point. {He chuckles and shrugs.} We do what we can in battle.

I understand that all too well.

[ Unfortunately. ]

I'm sorry about that. {Battle used to be fun for him...in a way.} I admit I have lost my lust for fighting.

Edited 2021-08-14 11:24 (UTC)

There is nothing for you to be sorry for.

[ The man before him was not one that made him fight. ]

I will fight if I have to. Otherwise, I will stick to my trees and my xiao.

I much prefer your plan. Now, as for us meeting...

{He sets his lute into a case and closes it with a click.}

I will set out.

I doubt that I would be hard to find.

Promise? {He chuckles and shoulders the case.}

Look up to the trees.

[ He promises he won't be hard to find. ]

{He walks to the nearest garden and tips his head back, looking up at the trees. Mingye is right! He isn't difficult to find. But he does have a question:}

Did you climb up there? Or can you fly?

[ He twirls his xiao and gives a bit of a laugh, shaking his head at the question. ]

I climbed up here. If I had wanted to I guess I could have jumped and landed just fine, but I prefer climbing to flying or jumping.

Edited 2021-08-14 11:58 (UTC)

{He likes that laugh. Xie lowers his pipa to the ground at the base of the tree.}

Well you certainly look comfortable. Can you hear alright from there?

[ Just don't tell him that. He wouldn't know what to do with that. Hell, he barely knows what to do with Xingchen's reactions to him. ]

I am comfortable. As for hearing, I can hear just fine from where I am. Further up would have been a problem.

{Silly Mingye. Don't take everything so seriously! Xie pulls his pipa free and tunes her. Yes. Her.}

Good, good... {He begins to play a gentler tune - one fitting for a garden. War doesn't belong here!}

[ Hey, he's a work in progress! There will come a time where he won't take things so seriously, maybe.

For now, however, he merely gets more comfortable in his tree and listens to Xie play. That? It was far better than over the network. ]

{Xie is very attentive to his pipa, blocking out the rest of the world while he focuses on each note, each phrase. Only when the last notes are ringing in the air does he look up at Mingye.}

Well?

[ Mingye knows all about getting lost in the music, in the instrument being played. Those eyes, however, look down towards Xie when the music finally ends. ]

I prefer it in person than over the network. I loved it.

{Color rises onto his cheeks and Xie can't help smiling.}

Coming from a fellow musician, I am touched.

{He narrows his eyes playfully.}

Will you play for me?

[ There's not many that can get a smile out of Mingye. Though, Xie gets a slight one from him. ]

Seeing as you played for me, I can play for you.

[ It's only fair, after all. He gives his xiao a slight twirl before bringing it to his lips. Closing his eyes he starts to play. ]

{He embraces his pipa as he listens and the song confirms something he had wondered. There is depth to this man and...pain. Pain that Xie can almost understand, though he isn't sure why.}

Beautiful.

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