[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

A group of little girls visited the temple and left their mark on me. [Xingchen's hair is braided and flowers are tucked here and there. Clearly someone has a difficult time telling cute children no. Not that he has a reason to!]

What do you think of their work? [The orchids are certainly pretty and he wonders if he should put them in some water...? Or keep wearing them?]

Comments

[gentledawn]

I am too accustomed to pain; I barely notice it when I should. [Having his eyes removed had been a harsh lesson in just how much pain a body can endure.]

[yeoldmonster]

[Baiyi nods, understandingly. He, too, has a similar reaction to pain but that doesn't mean he wants to inflict it on someone he cares about.]

There's a story behind that remark. Have you been through a war, Daozhang?

[gentledawn]

[The thoughtfulness means a lot to him and he bows his head in gratitude.]

I have seen battle, but no, no wars. When my Zichen was poisoned, he lost his eyesight and his eyes were badly damaged. I took him to my Master and she transplanted my eyes into him. From then on, I was in pain daily.

[yeoldmonster]

[That sacrifice spoke of a love he had once believed in, lost faith in, and now is slowly rekindling. If something like that happened to Xie'er, would he do anything different?

He tries not to think about how he could've saved the young man and hadn't before. He hadn't known Xie's heart yet and in his world, should he ever return, he was going to be alone forever as a penance for that short-sightedness.]

You're a good man, Daozhang.

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen doesn't look at it as being good or bad; he had seen his soulmate suffering from cruelty that had taken his Master and family from him. All he could do is return his sight. Besides, Xingchen blames himself for that grievous crime. If he had kept an eye on Xue Yang instead of handing him over to people who failed to hold him, Zichen would have been safe.]

I was only seeing justice done. He lost his Master and his family in the same incident that took his eyes. The only thing I could return was his sight.

[yeoldmonster]

Of course you'd see it that way. That's why you are irksome along with the rest of the world. By the gods, take the credit for the chivalrous act! Everyone can see how selfless it is, why can't you?

[gentledawn]

Because I was the one who released the criminal who murdered Zichen's family into the hands of people I thought we could trust. I should have kept that murderer under our guard.

[yeoldmonster]

How dare you! How dare you not know that these idiots you were supposed to trust were going to mess up something they should've been able to handle.

Do you really not see how that isn't your fault for not predicting the future? You're wise, Chen'er, but you're not that powerful. You're young and you're not a god.

What you did as a penance was noble and will be a legend of your love to those who here about it. I will not see this any other way.

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen is silenced for a few minutes, his eyes wide as he takes in Baiyi's logic. And it is logical. Back when it all happened, he and Zichen had been running on fumes and very emotional. No wonder it had ended so badly.]

...thank you, Laozu. I guess I expect too much from myself.

[yeoldmonster]

[Baiyi's expression turns gentle and he gives Xingchen a soft smile.]

All righteous people do, but you deserve better.

You no longer live in pain, do you?

[gentledawn]

[His ears flick bashfully and he shakes his head to soothe any of Baiyi's concerns.]

I'm not in any pain. My body is whole again.

[yeoldmonster]

And your spirit?

[He is reassured to a degree. It must be a relief for the young bunny man to free from such an affliction, regardless of how he got it.

Dammit, why did he have to find someone else to care about here? Hadn't he learned his lesson? Yes, the daozhang is just as annoying as everyone else!]

Is there anything your shrine is needing?

[gentledawn]

It is mostly healed. [He might not be able to say that if he came from later in his timeline. But, for now, he feels good.

And caring about people is a natural reaction to being around them, Baiyi.]

I help at clinics and the nearest hospital. Zichen gives classes. We are able to keep the shrine as it should be.

[yeoldmonster]

When I've recovered more, let me check your energies.

[You catch feelings, you catch the flu. Why be around people again? (The food!)]

What do you do at these places?

[gentledawn]

You needn't do anything for me.

[But he would appreciate a check-up. Baiyi is at the same level as his Master in his eyes.]

At the hospital, I hold the smallest babies. They are called preemies because they are usually premature. When I heard so many of them fail to thrive, I wanted to help. Now most of them survive.

[yeoldmonster]

It's only honorable after all you've done for me and mine, Chen'er.

[He blinks at the news and chuckles.]

I heard of another sharing their energy with those at a hospital, but somehow you've made the charitable act sound even more endearing. Is this something you just do or do these hospitals or families provide you with anything as a thank you?

[gentledawn]

[Chen'er. His ears stand straight up and then he smiles, touched by the name.]

Would it be presumptuous for me to say you and yours are also my family?

[His job at the hospital had started out as volunteer work, but now...]

They hired me. I am paid for my time and some of their healers have started studying Cultivation. They support any methods that keep the poor parents from grieving and the babies from dying.

[yeoldmonster]

[Those are very expressive ears! It's really cute. He hopes he never ends up with features that give away so much of what he's thinking or feeling. Luckily for him, his tail is safely concealed (and not prone to wagging like some of these creatures).

He's surprised to hear this offer and in such a respectful manner. It's his right as the head of his family to make a decision like this, but he does wonder what Xie will feel about this.]

It would not, no. It'd be an honor, young Daozhang. I can already tell it's how my descendant views you.

[And that meant a lot to him.

He smiles listening more to what Xingchen does.]

Are they the students you have here at the shrine?

[gentledawn]

[Whether it's his eyes, his face or his body posture, Xingchen has a tendency of giving himself away anyway. The ears just make it super obvious. He is actually fond of them - along with his cotton-ball tail.]

The honor is mine. [He bows to show Baiyi proper respect, pleased that he hasn't been found wanting.] Zishu is dear to me.

[They have gone through just about everything Jikan has to offer and their friendship has only grown.]

Some of them. Others are quite a bit younger.

[yeoldmonster]

[He might end up following Xingchen to his job sometime or visiting Zichen with these classes... especially the younger ones. His experience with Kano had been.. changing.

Sensing they both could use a break from the emotions, he smirks.]

Are you going to recruit the little girls who attacked you with flowers for these classes?

[gentledawn]

[Please do! Baiyi would be welcome in both arenas. Xingchen has taken on young students too - mainly because it's so much fun!

Oh emotions. He laughs at the tease.]

I might! They showed great promise. [In being cute.]

[yeoldmonster]

[He chuckles.]

I'm going to retire for a while, my friend. I hope the girls come back soon to ambush you again. You look good in flowers.

[gentledawn]

Rest well. I will come by to check on you later. [And to bring him tea and something to eat.] I hope so too.