[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

[He too heard the broadcast and he has questions he can't stifle:]

Please, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could someone give me guidance on what is expected of us? Releasing my...my regrets...

I'm not sure I...can.

[Just like that. In a blink. How can anyone? He closes his eyes, expression pained.]

As for being here before... Do you think that is true?

[His head aches and he rubs at his temple.]

Our lives are complicated enough, I think, without time misbehaving.

Comments

[Video; UN: darknight_heir]

[reliesondirtytricks]

[ He heard the broadcast, but he's not putting much stock in it, not really. Not yet. ]

Do not let it get to you. Whether it's true or not you've come out on top. You have your soulmate and you have your friends.

[ He twirls his xiao and shakes his head, light glinting off the dragon scale at his throat. ]

Regrets are a part of who we are. We can feel sad over it and let it take over our lives or we can learn from it. Letting go of it isn't really an option.

[Video]

[gentledawn]

[That is likely the smart decision, but Xingchen is afraid what their future holds.]

They are the ones I am worried about, my friend.

[His eyes catch that glint of...light? No, a scale. He smiles faintly, happy that things are progressing well for Mingye.]

I'm not sure what to learn from mine except...

[To be more paranoid and suspicious.]

They should be good lessons, shouldn't they?

[Video]

[reliesondirtytricks]

Why are you worried? Answer me that. Do you think things will change due to the broadcast? Think that things won't be the same between you and them?

[ That should probably be a worry for him, but it isn't. He doesn't fear losing Xingchen's friendship, Runyu's love, or this new friendship he's forming with Ouyang. ]

Not all lessons are good. Some lessons show distrust. Though, if you think about it, you may have regrets, but yours have taught you that looks aren't always as they appear. Otherwise, I doubt we'd be friends due to your past circumstances.

[ Due to who he looks like. ]

Your regrets have taught you to be strong, haven't they? That you would face that danger if it showed. That you would do anything to protect those you care for. Is that not a good lesson?

[Video]

[gentledawn]

I...don't know. I feel like she was warning us and if we do not heed her words, I cannot say what will happen. Time is...sensitive.

[And the truth is he fears his future. He doesn't want to face it.]

Mingye, you are a handsome man. I am honored to have you as a friend. If anyone thinks otherwise, they are not worthy of you.

[Don't make him kiss you, Mingye.]

...yes. I must be strong. [Even if he is pulled into tattered pieces.] Will it be enough? I know you can't answer that, but that is my fear. That Shuanghua and I will fail you. Fail Zichen. Fail everyone.

[Video]

[reliesondirtytricks]

And yet how do we know she's even speaking the truth? We don't know her. Yes, time is sensitive, but at the same time we'll get through it. We're strong that way. IF things do go in a direction we don't want it to, we're in this together. All of us.

[ Futures can be scary. ]

That would require me to let others in, wouldn't it?

[ He probably wouldn't mind if you did, Xingchen. ]

No. You are strong. There is none of this 'must be' crap. You are strong. You're one of the strongest people I know.

[ He hates that word. Lord Demon be damned, but he hates that word. ]

You couldn't fail us even if you tried.

Video | un: nightwanderer

[dragonrising]

[All of this news is concerning but he finds his first thought to be worry when he sees Xingchen's post. Enough so for him to respond to it right away.]

Are you alright? I know that the news was not easy to hear and I worry about you.

Video

[gentledawn]

[He is just as concerned about Runyu. The topic of regret is a heavy one; one that hangs around their necks like chains.]

I worry for you too. [After all Runyu has endured... And now this?] I'm trying not to think about what I don't...or can't...remember.

[dragonrising]

[Just a look on Runyu's face can show how heavy this topic is. And how he's trying so hard to not let it drown him. Release his regrets... He doesn't even know how to begin or if he's even allowed to given all he's done.]

I've lived with my regrets for hundreds of years now. They are old and a part of me like a strand of hair. Yours are fresh and so those who are far younger are my greater concern.

[gentledawn]

I'm afraid. [Admitting that feels...frightening and foolish. What can anyone do to untwist the knot in his chest?] I have not faced my greatest fear yet. I will. I must. But when time is discussed, my heart is weak. All I can do is tremble.

[He looks away, ashamed.]

You have faced...so many things. And you are able to speak of them too. Your bravery dazzles me.

[dragonrising]

Brave? No. I'm not. More than anything I am just tired of running from the truth of what I have done.

[His blue dragon eyes close and he shakes his head, the action making it easier to see the silver scales at the edge of his face and along his neck, the horns as well.]

But there is no shame in trembling and I do not find you weak. Not at all.

video | un: wwx

[diabolique]

Uncle... Will you be alright?

(( Cue a very worried looking Wei Wuxian on the screen. ))

video

[gentledawn]

[There's his cute nephew. Xingchen smiles a little at just the sight of him.]

I can...overcome...my past. I only hope I do not face my future.

What about you? Will you be alright?

[diabolique]

I don't know...

[gentledawn]

I will come to keep you company.

[diabolique]

(( He shakes his head quickly holding up his hands. ))

Don't worry about me! I have Lan Zhan. You should focus on Song-daozhang and any one else you care about.

text | un: ouyang

[theatrics]

They have not given us much time to deal with this.

text

[gentledawn]

No and that makes it more difficult. There is no time to become accustomed to the idea.

[theatrics]

Perhaps if we had known sooner we could have done what needs to be done.

[gentledawn]

The regrets...need to be forgotten. For now. That is the only way.

[Action]

[tobrushawaysnow]

[ This...no. He won't leave his beloved to wonder alone, so he searches for him, following the feel of his soul's other half. It doesn't take long before he finds the other man. ]

Xingchen...

[ He says nothing more at first, having some trouble with the whole situation himself, and just moves to his soulmate's side. He's relieved when it's simple to wrap his arms around his beloved as he struggles to make his tongue move, to speak. So say something to try and help his soulmate. ]

Sit with me?

[Action]

[gentledawn]

[He is shaking when his Zichen finds him, his cheeks alternating between too pink and too pale. What does this all mean? What could happen to them? To his soulmate? He gasps and welcomes his beloved with a tight embrace, kissing him hello.]

Always. [Xingchen manages a shaky smile. His love is so handsome and so sweet.] Are you frightened? Is there something I need to know?

[tobrushawaysnow]

[ He steps into those welcoming arms and holds Xingchen tight, answering that kiss just as sweetly. Then a second one at the agreement before guiding his love to where they can sit comfortably, without parting. ]

I can't be too afraid with you beside me.

[ He shakes his head a little. ]

No. Nothing. I just did not want you to feel alone.

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen is happy to cuddle his soulmate close, resting against him when they are seated. He rubs over his Zichen's chest, basking in his warm strength.]

I am always with you.

[Facing what his Zichen faces. Never running.]

My Zichen. [He smiles, his gratitude rising like a tide.] Mm my nephew did say you would make me feel better. He was right.

[Video]

[rivertreasure]

If I had an answer for you, my friend, I would give it.

[ He has his own that he still wrestles with. His sons being here help, but...he's missed so much of their lives. ]

But I think it is not so much a stretch, given we were brought here because of a time loop. And how my sons are grown, rather than the babes I'd held just before arriving here.

[Video]

[gentledawn]

I know you would.

[He hates worrying anyone, but if they don't share this, he fears it will overwhelm them. They must stand together and help one another.]

Your sons are two gifts; hold them close during this time. I hope the strangeness passes.