[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

[Video; UN; swordimmortal]

[yeoldmonster]

[Give him a second, he's laughing to hard at first.]

Thank you for the warning that there is pack of marauding little girls on the loose. We will be on guard.

[He laughs again.]

The flowers go well with your rabbit ears, Daozhang. You look very pretty.

[gentledawn]

[He's glad he could share the fun!]

Oh yes, they are very dangerous. [Grinning, he chuckles.] You will find it difficult to let them go on their way.

[His long white ears twitch at the mention and he bows his head.]

Thank you, Laozu.

[yeoldmonster]

Yes, it's a good thing you had Song-Daozhang there to protect you.

[In this moment, he misses that adorable Kano who most certainly would've been delighted to help out in decorating Xingchen like a peacock.]

If this is your news, I trust that means you and your shrine haven't experienced any other headaches?

[After the last couple weeks, he knows the two Daozhangs have had their hands full (with Baiyi included in that).]

[gentledawn]

I would be doomed without him.

[Sincerely! And, yes, Xingchen would love to babysit a tiny Elf. Little Kano would be spoiled, but that is just how things should be, no?]

Headaches? Are you referring to our guests? [He gives his head a gentle shake.] Not a single one of you has caused Zichen or I a headache. We enjoy the company and everyone is improving. I'm grateful you came here.

[yeoldmonster]

[His smile turns a bit gentle at the effortless fawning over the man's husband. It reminds him of his descendant and that brat when they're at their most annoying.

And yes, a tiny baby Elf should be spoiled terribly.]

I was mostly asking if there were anyone new in distress that you are needing to care for. You're too polite to ever admit taking care of someone is a bother, Daozhang. Even if they are.

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen could spend long hours praising Zichen. Don't get him started! He wouldn't even apologize for it either.]

There is Zishu, Wangji, Jingyi and yourself. The door is kept open if anyone else needs aid, but so far we have been blessed.

[The accusation earns a sterner look.]

No one who needs help is a bother.

[yeoldmonster]

[He's glad to hear the names listed were all ones he knew were there. He chuckles at the stern remark.]

This is why you're a Daozhang and I am not. I find everyone a bother of varying degree at all times.

[gentledawn]

[Seeing his friends in pain has been quite enough! But he does like tucking them in each night.]

Even me?

[He thinks that's funny.]

[yeoldmonster]

Of course.

[He smirks.]

But to a lesser degree than most. The rabbit ears help.

[gentledawn]

[Said ears wiggle and Xingchen can feel his tail wagging too. How embarrassing!]

Next time I care for you, I promise to be a full rabbit.

[yeoldmonster]

As much as I'd find that amusing, don't do that on my account. I know a transformation like that is painful. I'll take the offer as the compliment it was intended though.

[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?