{Voice; UN: bakusaiga}

[prince_of_the_moon]

I wish to fight.

{Because, damn it all, he knows battle. Relationships? Apparently he is a failure in that arena.}

Do not reply if you are weak.

Comments

[cultivatingdisaster]

[Meaning for him? Now that was interesting...

He thinks for a moment before nodding to himself.[

If you still want to fight after the rest, let me know.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Yes, for him. A complicated reason that he has never faced before.}

What is your name?

[cultivatingdisaster]

[He considers that, the myriad names he's used over the years, wonders if a fake name should be used now... In the end decides it doesn't much matter, no one knows him here anyway.]

My name is Xie Lian.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Isn't that a nice change? Sesshomaru too is unknown and he has discovered new freedom.}

I am Sesshomaru.

[cultivatingdisaster]

[Xie Lian smiles again. A bit of a mouthful of a name, but he silently repeats it to himself, better to remember it later.]

Very well. The offer stands. If you find yourself lacking suitable partners I'll make myself available.

[A pause.]

To be certain, you aren't looking for a fight to the death, are you?

[prince_of_the_moon]

I wish for no one's death nor will I use my full power unless my opponent is capable.

{He is trying to be thoughtful with it, but things could go wrong. His emotions are high and...new.}

[cultivatingdisaster]

I see...

[Technically speaking, Xie Lian can't die. But being run through with a sword was never a pleasant activity at the best of times, even if he didn't feel pain as acutely as others.]

That's good to know, thank you.

[prince_of_the_moon]

This is for selfish reasons. I will not leave my opponent in a poor state.

{There might be bruises and gashes, but nothing life threatening.}

[cultivatingdisaster]

I wouldn't like to leave you in a sorry state either! So we should both be on our best behaviour.

[prince_of_the_moon]

I wouldn't mind if you did. {His mind is in a sorry state.}

[cultivatingdisaster]

Harm you?

[He's getting mixed signals here and it takes Xie Lian a few seconds of thought before he makes a soft sound, a gentle 'ah', as if maybe he'd realised something.]

Are you punishing yourself? Surely there are better ways to go about it than causing yourself harm?

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Yes, this is punishment. For being a fool. For allowing himself to think he could connect with a human.}

I am a conqueror. This is what I know.

[cultivatingdisaster]

Alright, so be it.

[He doesn't think it's right, but he also knows he has no room to argue or judge.]

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Again. Here is another. Sesshomaru isn't sure what to do with his reaction to...kindness.}

I wish to meet regardless.

[cultivatingdisaster]

I would like that.

[Xie Lian's smile warms up nicely. Meeting is a good first step. Talking over these contraptions always felt so strange to him.]

Do you have a place you'd fond of?

[prince_of_the_moon]

The forest on the edge of the city. Come to where it begins and I will find you.

{Any new scent is investigated by him - especially if it is human in nature.}

[cultivatingdisaster]

[Then this will be interesting.

Xie Lian nods his understanding. He probably should be more concerned about the location, as out of the way as it is, but somehow isn't.]

I won't make myself difficult to find.

[The assurance is made before he once again gives a smile and signs off to make his way toward that forest at the edge of the city.]

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Sesshomaru waits, leaping from tree to tree until he catches a new scent. The moment Xie Lian enters the boundary of trees, the demon lands before him. He is in full armor with both of his fangs at his waist.}

Xie Lian. {He makes no move to attack - this is a social call no matter what he wears.} Are you human?

[cultivatingdisaster]

[Of course he hears Sesshomaru long before he sees him, but Xie Lian shows no indication of this. He isn't a threat to the other, he's just a man in a straw hat, white robes fluttering in the cool breeze, innocently walking towards the treeline.

He only stops once Sesshomaru drops down before him. As before, Xie Lian just smiles. The question, however, brings him up short. A hand raises and he scratches at his cheek.]

Technically... Yes. And no. Don't I look human? [Xie Lian looked down at himself curiously. Maybe a little dusty... But human.] Would it be an issue if I wasn't?

[prince_of_the_moon]

{The innocence makes him wonder. Why would someone like this man - seemingly like this man anyway - offer to fight with a demon? Not that Xie Lian knows he is a demon, though he surely realizes Sesshomaru is different.}

Your confidence feels like it comes from experience. {It isn't the ambitious drivel of a man who thinks too much of himself.} No. I understand non-humans better.

[cultivatingdisaster]

[Xie Lian has no idea that is what he is, but by the look of him he could make guesses. None of those he would give voice to. That would just be rude!

He laughed quietly and reached up to tip the brim of his hat back enough so that he could get a better look at who he was talking to.

Here Xie Lian had to fight with his natural instinct to downplay who he was. Sometimes he outright lied about it, mainly because he didn't want to cause a fuss. But knowing as he did that he wasn't alone here in his godhood, maybe hiding it wasn't the best of ideas?]

I was born human. But have since ascended to godhood. I've walked the land for many years.

At the end of the day I'm just a humble cultivator who collects scraps and has some little skill in martial arts.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{This one doesn't mind being rude if it gets him answers. Though Jikan is teaching him a bit more about interacting with humans...correctly. Why must it be so complex? Their lives are short enough!

Tilting his head, silver hair catching a stray breeze now and then, Sesshomaru examines the face revealed under the hat.}

Little skill...? {He thinks not.} If you were born human, your reaction to me isn't surprising.

{Xie Lian has retained his empathy in other words.}

[cultivatingdisaster]

[Maybe he can't help downplaying some things. A habit of 800 years is one that can be difficult to break.

Though the reply he gets is a strange one, and he tilts his head just slightly.]

My reaction to you? Have I reacted poorly toward you?

[He'd thought he'd been perfectly polite!]

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Polite, yes, but Xie Lian had been more than polite. Demons are anything but friendly to one another. Oh there are exceptions now and then - allies - yet most of the time they too would love to rip into each other.}

No. {Sesshomaru walks to stand beside the man.} I sensed...empathy...in you.

[cultivatingdisaster]

Understanding.

[Xie Lian corrected gently, though not much of a correction.

As Sesshomaru stood beside him Xie Lian was almost amused to find they were of similar heights. That armour was imposing enough to give the illusion of being far taller.]

I know a thing or two about punishing yourself.