{Video; UN: gambler}

[thescorpionking]

{He is busy, crushing ingredients, milking out their various properties into vials and jars. A blade is dipped into the concoction he makes - a set of arrows follows and then, strangest of all, a pen. Every piece is set aside before he draws forth...a metal, braided whip. He cocks his head as he runs his fingers over the weapon.}

Even knowing they exist, there is no defense against them.

{What is he talking about? The poisons? The weapons? Something else?}

How do you know when it is real? How do you know when it is worth dying over?

I'm bad at making such decisions.

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Video | un: nightwanderer

[dragonrising]

Are you having trouble making decisions?

[It's rather cryptic really. The best thing to do is to ask clarification. And Runyu, after all he's been through, knows better than to cast judgement just based on what he sees.]

Perhaps I can help. If nothing else I do not mind simply being someone for you to talk to.

Video

[thescorpionking]

{Revealing everything feels wrong, so Xie takes a breath and only speaks of his concerns.}

I'd rather not reveal all over the network. Could we meet in person? I promise I won't bring my work along.

[dragonrising]

If you would like to continue your work then I can come to you. But if you would feel more comfortable there is a lake in the forests which can offer us privacy. You can reveal as much or as little as you wish.

[thescorpionking]

The lake would be a better option. {Just for the sake of privacy.} Is it difficult for you to travel there?

[dragonrising]

Not at all. I can travel by will. If the distance is great for you though I can collect you and bring you there. You would only need to show me more exactly where you are.

[thescorpionking]

My strength has not returned to me fully. I am currently living with Ye Baiyi. {And just in case that isn't enough, he gives directions.} I can wait outside?

[dragonrising]

[He knows the man and has even spoken to him recently. He knows his friend didn't appreciate his advice but all he can say is that he tried. This must be one of his lovers.]

Of course. I am Runyu. I am friends with your lover. Please don't be surprised when I appear before you. I give you my word that I will bring you no harm.

[thescorpionking]

{Runyu is a good listener. Xie doesn't let himself open up to many, but he feels like he needs to.}

A pleasure, Runyu, I am Xie. {He chuckles at the warning.} You are a god, aren't you? I promise I won't scream.

[dragonrising]

[He smiles a little and nods.]

Where I come from I am the Emperor of the Heavenly Realm. Give me but a moment.

[He ends the call and uses his energies to teleport to Xie. What Xie will see is the dragon appear before him in a shimmer of blue light. The screen hardly hid his dragon features but standing before him puts them all fully on display. He smiles gently at him and offers his hand.]

Here. Take my hand and I'll take us somewhere private. I give you my word that anything you say to me will never be shared unless you allow it.

[thescorpionking]

{Emperor. Butterflies dance in his stomach, but Xie is decided. He stands outside, his pipa strapped to his back. He does want to repay Runyu for listening.}

You are a handsome dragon. {He takes the offered hand, his manticore tail waving behind him and his furry black ears swiveling against his braided hair.}

I just need someone to listen.

[dragonrising]

Then that is all I will do. I will listen.

[Runyu makes sure that Xie is near him then wills them to the lake. For Xie it might be a little dizzying at first but the world around him will settle soon enough. Letting the man's hand go, the dragon waves his hand to summon cushions and blankets for them to sit on.

With a wave of his hand, he beckons Xie to join him before sitting down quietly. From here on he allows the young man to decide when he's ready to speak.

He said he would listen. So he's going to do that.]

[thescorpionking]

{Runyu is true to his word and that resonates well with Xie. He joins the dragon on the cushions and gently brings his pipa into his hands. Holding the instrument settles his nerves; he likes the strings and the warmth of the wood.}

I was treated...poorly...by someone I thought I loved. This happened before I came here. {He adds the second part quickly so Runyu doesn't worry.} He used me and when I became too much of a burden - simply because I did what he said - he ordered my death. But before he went through with it, he did something I wanted all my life.

He named me his son. {His smile is broken.} In front of a crowd of nobles, too. I didn't care if I lived or died as long as he couldn't hurt me or anyone else anymore. I worked with Wen Kexing to silence him and it worked. I know I died on the mountain with him, but here I am, alive again.

{His voice takes on a sense of wonder.}

And someone loves me. Two men love me. I don't deserve it and I fear that's why they are at such odds with one another. Do you think... Is it possible I'm cursed somehow?

[dragonrising]

[Though he doesn't get the full story here he does get enough that he can understand there is a lot of pain and confusion for the young man. It can't be easy to be the other one who is witnessing the conflict of two people he loves. He can't take away the pain from, not without drastic measures that he refuses to use since he knows they only cause further pain.

So he listens and looks out over the water calmly.]

Is that how you feel, Xie? Like you are cursed?

[thescorpionking]

...sometimes. {He admits in a smaller voice, glancing down at his lap.} I know logically I was misused, but I also know that I was an assassin. I killed. I tortured. The Scorpion King did the bidding of his Master, no matter how dirty.

[dragonrising]

I see. So you're worried that all that darkness on your soul and blood on your hands has somehow corrupted things in this world. [He nods in understand because if there's anyone who can understand that feeling it is definitely him.]

For what it is worth, I would be able to sense if you were truly cursed. I don't sense that taint in you.

[thescorpionking]

{The line of his shoulders relaxes at those final words and Xie looks up from under dark lashes.}

I have no intention of being who I was before. I will use my abilities to protect and nothing else. I just...want to be good to them and for them.

A-Yi giving me a chance at all amazes me. And A-Ley has been by my side since I arrived. Both helped me when I couldn't walk.

[dragonrising]

[He nods and looks over at the young man next to him.]

Baiyi came to me seeking advice a few days ago. I won't share what we talked about but I can say that I understand some of the conflict happening between then two. Enough to say it reminds me of some...great mistakes I made in my past.

[He hopes Baiyi won't make the same but... It's up to the man now.]

I think that you're good for both of them from my understanding of things. Differently, of course. No matter what happens between them would you be able to find happiness continuing to be with both?

[thescorpionking]

Yes. {He answers immediately, flushing at his enthusiasm. No matter what Baiyi and Riley decide, Xie knows they both must be in his life. He can't stop loving them nor does he want to.}

I love them. I know I can care for them and I will do my best to make them happy. What they have together is not for me to dictate, however I do...understand...how their personalities conflict. What they want is...very different. We have all spoken about it multiple times. In all those discussions, I have not loved either of them less.

[dragonrising]

[That brings a smile to the dragon's face.]

I haven't met the other one of the three of you but something tells me that you won't lose either of them. You have a good heart in you, Xie. Whatever they decide for each other I think that everything will turn out well as long as you keep giving that warmth you have to both of them.

[He looks out over the water again.]

I imagine it hurts a great deal to watch those you love suffer like this but it will work itself out as it is meant to. Just be there for them whatever the result is and you will be able to find the balance again.

[thescorpionking]

You would like him. He is a sweet, though incredibly stubborn... {Here he feigns a small pout that quickly turns into a smile.} Fae. When I told him of my past, he just...accepted me. For who I am now. How can I let either of them go when they welcome me?

{Baiyi smiles so warmly and Xie loves playing for him and cooking for him. He feels safe in that house.}

It does hurt. But I want them to come to the conclusion that works best for them. From there, I can begin to comfort them.

[dragonrising]

I know that feeling well. I have actually committed a lot of terrible acts in my long life. Ones that have led to the deaths of people I love as well. I thought I was unworthy of love again and that I was content to live a life of lonely atonement.

[He smiles as he thinks about the two men in his life who carry his scales.]

I told two men here everything I have done in my life. I held nothing back. Yet they still accepted and loved me. They are precious to me and I would give the universe for them.

[Runyu gazes at Xie once again.]

You've found good people to help you to heal and grow. I think you've found the right path for you as well for being with them both.

[thescorpionking]

I guess you're only hopeless if you refuse to acknowledge your sins. {He knows he can't make them better; he can't bring back the dead. But it can't hurt that he is actively trying to help others. He needs some deeds in his favor when he dies again.}

I think they are lucky to have you, Runyu. {His fingers move over the pipa strings, tuning the instrument.} May I thank you for listening with a song?

[dragonrising]

That is what I have been learning here. [Not always the easiest lesson but it's easier to be open to it here.]

Thank you. [Watching those fingers, he smiles kindly and nods.] I would be honored by such a gift, Xie.

[thescorpionking]

I've been humbled. I know better than to let my ego get the better of me. {He hadn't even managed to open the Armory. Perhaps that is for the best.

His fingers are relearning the strings, but his talent is clear. Xie loses himself in the piece, telling a story with notes instead of words.}

[dragonrising]

[The dragon goes quiet as he listens. At some point his Dream Beast quietly joins them and lays at his side. He rests his hand on its back as he allowed the song to wash over him, hearing the story through the notes and even closing his blue eyes to appreciate it more.

This young man is talented with this instrument, that much is clear. It's a pleasure to have the chance to experience it for himself.]