[Tomorrow is another day in another city. It's fine, probably.
Rin sits there quietly for a moment, watching as the sky turns purple with the hues of nighttime. Then he shifts his position so he's sitting cross-legged, and then he claps his hands in front of him and bows his head a little and closes his eyes. He's trying to do some kind of a prayer position, but he doesn't know what the hell he's doing. Then he starts talking in a mock-prayer voice.]
O, mysterious God of-
[He pauses, and then he cracks one of his eyes open to peek at Xie Lian.]
[Like father like son! But at least Rin isn't flirting with XL.]
Right, right.
[He closes his eye again and starts once more with the overly-dramatic prayer voice.]
O, mysterious god of the central plains! Hear my words and answer my prayers!
There is a demonic spirit living within me! I can't get rid of it, because to do so would kill me. But it cannot be left unchecked, because any time I start having impulsive thoughts it takes over and makes me do regrettable things!
[After that dramatic speech, he quiets down to a normal speaking voice and sneakily peeks at Xie Lian again.]
Please, teach me how to tame the darkness in my heart so I can live like a normal person again?
[ this feels so, so utterly familiar, too, and xie lian is just awash with instant fondness for rin. not just for him as a person and his situation, but for his spirit, as strong and fierce as can possibly be - even after experiencing such an immensely personal, painful trauma, he is still himself. a lantern not snuffed out.
a heart, that wants to be good.
when rin peeks at him, xie lian is smiling. the expression is so, so warm - he looks just touched, for a moment, the gentle and serene visage of a man who became a god so well known for his kindness. ]
...You may sit up straight. [ he plays along, with the god and devotee thing, for a moment, sounding just a bit more imperious. ] I ask those who pray to me never to prostrate - I don't see any merit in simply bowing before the gods as if they are so much better than humans. I was - and am - a human myself.
[ and then. ]
It would be my honor to help you, Rin. I could think of no prayer more important to answer, than one where I can help to set you free from your struggle - and teach you to keep your heart as still as water and that creature locked safe away. In whatever manners necessary - you have my word, as His Highness the Crown Prince, Martial God of the Central Plains.
[ it feels a little like playing dress up to say it, now, to act that way, but some of that imperious fake aura fades, and he holds out a hand. ]
...But more so, you have my word as Xie Lian, beyond anything else.
[Rin sits up, as commanded. He would've done it anyway, but he's e specially doing it to play along with the 'act' of a god and a human communicating.
He listens to what Xie Lian tells him all of this, going about saying he would help in a flourished and fancy way, and he finds himself settling into a more genuine and meaningful smile. He was sure Xie Lian would have something to offer him- meditation is what he had thought of at first, even- but to hear it said so earnestly, and as a friend too, it just warms Rin's damaged and shivering heart. He's taken a lot of mental damage today, but the support of a friend helps make it a little bit easier to handle.]
Y'know, I've never been that good at saying 'thanks'. So...thanks. For listening, and for answering me.
I'll work hard, and I'll be a good student. ...as good of a student as I can be.
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no subject
[Tomorrow is another day in another city. It's fine, probably.
Rin sits there quietly for a moment, watching as the sky turns purple with the hues of nighttime. Then he shifts his position so he's sitting cross-legged, and then he claps his hands in front of him and bows his head a little and closes his eyes. He's trying to do some kind of a prayer position, but he doesn't know what the hell he's doing. Then he starts talking in a mock-prayer voice.]
O, mysterious God of-
[He pauses, and then he cracks one of his eyes open to peek at Xie Lian.]
Er, what are you the god of again?
no subject
xie lian has absolutely no idea what rin is doing at first. He just kind of watches him, head tilting like a bird, confused —
…and then, as he peeks at him, he laughs. it’s warm and bright, startled out of him, and xie lian can’t help the fond smile on his face. ]
…you can just say the central plains.
[ even if it’s a little silly - how long has it been, since xie lian heard a prayer? ]
no subject
Right, right.
[He closes his eye again and starts once more with the overly-dramatic prayer voice.]
O, mysterious god of the central plains! Hear my words and answer my prayers!
There is a demonic spirit living within me! I can't get rid of it, because to do so would kill me. But it cannot be left unchecked, because any time I start having impulsive thoughts it takes over and makes me do regrettable things!
[After that dramatic speech, he quiets down to a normal speaking voice and sneakily peeks at Xie Lian again.]
Please, teach me how to tame the darkness in my heart so I can live like a normal person again?
no subject
a heart, that wants to be good.
when rin peeks at him, xie lian is smiling. the expression is so, so warm - he looks just touched, for a moment, the gentle and serene visage of a man who became a god so well known for his kindness. ]
...You may sit up straight. [ he plays along, with the god and devotee thing, for a moment, sounding just a bit more imperious. ] I ask those who pray to me never to prostrate - I don't see any merit in simply bowing before the gods as if they are so much better than humans. I was - and am - a human myself.
[ and then. ]
It would be my honor to help you, Rin. I could think of no prayer more important to answer, than one where I can help to set you free from your struggle - and teach you to keep your heart as still as water and that creature locked safe away. In whatever manners necessary - you have my word, as His Highness the Crown Prince, Martial God of the Central Plains.
[ it feels a little like playing dress up to say it, now, to act that way, but some of that imperious fake aura fades, and he holds out a hand. ]
...But more so, you have my word as Xie Lian, beyond anything else.
no subject
He listens to what Xie Lian tells him all of this, going about saying he would help in a flourished and fancy way, and he finds himself settling into a more genuine and meaningful smile. He was sure Xie Lian would have something to offer him- meditation is what he had thought of at first, even- but to hear it said so earnestly, and as a friend too, it just warms Rin's damaged and shivering heart. He's taken a lot of mental damage today, but the support of a friend helps make it a little bit easier to handle.]
Y'know, I've never been that good at saying 'thanks'. So...thanks. For listening, and for answering me.
I'll work hard, and I'll be a good student. ...as good of a student as I can be.