[The interesting thing about Rin and Hua Cheng's friendship is that Rin knows he can't just go whining to Hua Cheng when he's feeling down in the dumps. He expects he would be told to go train or do something to take his mind off of what's bothering him. Xie Lian is the outwardly comforting person most of the time, and Rin figures that Hua Cheng's soft side (at least whenever Xie Lian isn't involved) is reserved for moments of extreme distress.
So he just takes the advice he thinks he would have gotten and goes off to the dojo to practice for the day. But that also means he won't be seen for a good chunk of the day unless someone goes looking for him, so it's possible he missed messages or meetings of some sort in his efforts to chase away the sads.
...he's also doing poorly at it too, his form is awful. But shh.]
[ hua cheng doesn't announce himself with jingling steps or anything else, watching rin move through his forms. instead, he just - watches, for a bit, arms crossed and shoulder leaning against the doorframe before he says anything. ]
You're all over the place, which you should know better by now.
[ what happened? he doesn't ask right away. better to see if rin cops to it first, or if he'll have to fix his form and grab a sword from the armory to draw it out of him. ]
[Fortunately Rin isn't in the middle of anything too dangerous when Hua Cheng speaks up, so when he jumps a little he doesn't injure himself with his sword. Instead he pauses to look over to Hua Cheng just as the other man is saying that second line, only to look away with a frown a moment later. Even if he's right, Rin still is in a mood today.]
I'm working on it.
[And he'll turn his attention back to his sword, adjusting his grip. Yup, it's gonna take a fight this time. Spar with him Fafa.]
[ dianxia, was he this moody as a teenager? (he died a teenager, but that's besides the point.) with a roll of his head and his remaining eye, he swings out of the doorway and walks around the outside of the dojo, heading into the armory. tanhua trots in after him, but makes a straight line towards wherever rinkou has settled in, going to lick her head and fuss over her, apparently sensing a Mood in here.
when hua cheng returns, he has a long, curved saber in hand, giving it an experimental spin with a flick of his wrist to test the weight. it's not perfect - eming made perfect for him, balanced and lethal and reflecting all of its master - but it will do.
he comes to stand across from rin, leaving space between them that he can close by extending his own sword. he smacks the flat of it into the outside of one of rin's arms. ] Elbows in, shoulders relaxed. Then...
Come at me, with everything you have. [ whatever is pent up inside you, release it. ]
[He didn't dodge the strike because he honestly wasn't expecting Hua Cheng to do it, even though he just saw Hua Cheng grab the sword and all. He winces and rubs at his arm, but then he sees that Hua Cheng is serious so he takes up a stance again.
Elbows in, shoulders relaxed.
He breathes out.
And then he's darting at Hua Cheng, running as fast as his depowered human legs can carry him, only to jump up at the last second to bring a firm strike down right at Hua Cheng. The effect isn't the same as usual, normally Rin can leap up high into the sky and get lost in the sunlight, making this strike more effective. But this is what he can manage with his more human limitations.]
[ they're both brought down to human, now, but hua cheng still has 800 years of experience behind him. self-taught, certainly, but he fought in a war and survived ten years on mt. tonglu, to start.
but rin is still good with a blade. he just needs refining. xie lian saw the potential in one outcasted boy, before seeing it in another - and he sees it, too.
so he draws it out. it's a dance, a little less refined than the ones he has with yoo joonghyuk, but still a dance. rin jumps, and hua cheng responds, bringing the saber up to block. a twist of the weapon, and he reroutes it away, reaching his free hand out to pinch rin in the side. ]
[Rin's always had a talent for fighting, even if his heart longed for a gentler life. Long before he was granted his sword, Rin was winning fistfights in alleys to protect stay animals from bullies. He's a fighter, but he's a protector too. He's always wanted to lift his sword in service of others.
Today, however, Rin is too lost in his own thoughts and pain to really think about how to fight with his heart. He doesn't even block the pinch or turn away immediately to dodge it, he just goes 'ow!' as he pulls himself back after being pinched. Gritting his teeth, Rin grips his sword and goes for a horizontal strike instead, sweeping wide at Hua Cheng's midsection.
There is a slight pull back, the cut isn't close enough to seriously injure Hua Cheng if Hua Cheng doesn't block or move. Even in a fight like this, Rin still doesn't have a killing instinct. Not this Rin at least.]
[ hua cheng makes no move to attack him outright. deflects, reaches to poke or prod or pinch, but nothing that would bruise him. not when suspicion has been cast on him so much these past few trials. instead, he focuses on drawing him out. he moves out of the way of the forward strike, brings his own blade down to leverage rin's towards the floor.
[Their blades clash with sparks as the stardust hits Hua Cheng, and that memory only makes Rin scowl further. He's always known he and Hua Cheng had similar pasts, but when his emotions are as tumultuous as they are right now the reminders just make him feel worse. And he doesn't know what else to do about the rising anger in his body than take it out in a fight.
He ducks low, going along with the force of Hua Cheng's strike for a moment, but then he pushes his blade to the right to direct Hua Cheng's strike that way while he tumbles to the left. Rin's fighting style is adapted from things he's picked up here and there, mixed with his propensity to use all four of his limbs to move around at times. He holds his sword in one hand as he lands out of the tumble on two feet and the other hand, pausing only momentarily to see where Hua Cheng ended up before running at the man again.
'It's not fair', he thinks to himself, and he feels his face go hot with anger and remorse as he strikes at Hua Cheng again. He is definitely lost in his feelings right now, but not so lost that demon!Rin has a chance to come out (yet). The fact that his strikes still fall short of potentially killing blows is enough to show that.]
[ hua cheng is furious, to have this revealed. he hates his childhood. he hates every time someone has seen a memory of it, thus far. because it's unkind, and it shaped him into who he is, and shows vulnerability that he doesn't want known.
even to someone who has been there.
his silver charms and bells and chains jingle like music, as he twists and turns out of the way. with his hair tied back, it doesn't get in his way - but he's fought with long hair for his entire life, so he moves naturally with it, giving his sword a brief spin to adjust his grip. ]
Are you going to let your anger own you, Rin? [ the question is baiting, a little, as he advances on him this time. his saber swings up in an arch, something that could be fatal if he put power behind it. but he pulls it to match rin, to give him an outlet to take his emotions out on. ] Are you going to stay trapped inside that head of yours, letting it burn away at your control?
Why're you angry?
[ he's going to keep advancing on him like this, one-handed and quick-stepped. ]
[If Rin weren't so worked up, he might try to distract Hua Cheng from his memories with something else entirely. Rin knows he's a very private person, so he tries not to intrude on anything too personal unless Hua Cheng shares it willingly. After today he probably won't bring up this memory either, though he will definitely remember it. Just like he remembers Xie Lian's memory from the last time memories were shared.
'Why're you angry?'
Rin doesn't answer, he doesn't know how to even begin to explain. He's beyond words at this point, and only frustrated noises escape him as he tries to match Hua Cheng's blows. If he were calmer, he would be able to keep up easily. But as he is now, he's easily bested even when Hua Cheng is going easy on him like this.
He keeps pushing back though. Strike after strike, each less coordinated than the last, like he's trying to carve some meaning out of his anger and grief.
[ there isn't anything he can say to this memory. not right away. he's spent each one so far just assessing, then speaking, and either moving on or learning more about the person who had the memory. but he can't do anything here except live through the loss of a mother a second time.
that's personal, too.
and rin got to see the happy what if, even if everything about his mother was a memory given to him.
he keeps going, keeps pressing on rin, doesn't seem to show any signs of mercy.
but between one attack and the next, hua cheng snatches his arm out, hooking it around the back of rin's head, and crushes him into his chest. ]
[Well. That's a quick way to stop an angry half-demon teenager on a borderline-rampage.
Rin is so shocked by the sudden change that he drops his sword entirely. He tenses, expecting some kind of follow-up which involves pinning him to the ground or throwing him across the room, either scenario likely being followed up by a lecture on losing his temper and losing the fight because of it. But that doesn't come right away, and all the emotions and feelings of the last day finally catches up to him and he just...crumples. He presses his face against Hua Cheng's chest and just screams, his voice equal parts frustration, loneliness, and mourning.
As tough as Rin tries to be, sometimes he needs to be reminded of the fact that he's still a child, and life is hard. His life especially so. And sometimes you need a cathartic cry.]
[ there are a lot of things that rin has in common with xie lian.
but there are even more that he has in common with hua cheng. sometimes, you're the monster that parents warn their children about. sometimes, you find yourself standing in a war that is not your own but is yours all at the same time. sometimes, you try and try and try and try, but it isn't enough.
sometimes, you just want a happy ending.
sometimes, you just want your mother back.
hua cheng lets rin scream and cry. his hand cups the back of his head, holding him there, letting him release the emotions that are pent up in him.
xie lian held him once when he wailed and wailed like a wounded thing. he can pay that kindness forward. ]
[Interestingly, that's the memory Rin saw in the past, when he had a moment like this with Xie Lian.
But Rin cries and he cries, letting out all of the anguish that's been stewing in his gut. The pain over being reminded of his mistakes last week, combined with the terrible knowledge he gained this week, all combining into one heavy weight that Rin has tried to shoulder. A weight that is coming out slowly now, as he curls his hands into fists against Hua Cheng's chest. He pulls a fist back and hits Hua Cheng's chest once, but no further blows follow. Even in a moment like this, he can't truly hurt someone he cares for and respects so much.
It does help though, and before too long Rin's screams die down to quiet sobs. Rin's rage is like a fire: it burns hot, but it doesn't burn for long. And soon enough he's emotionally spent and is left sniffling and shaking just a little bit.]
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timeasmymeasure
Week 3, Tuesday
Date: 2022-06-29 03:23 am (UTC)So he just takes the advice he thinks he would have gotten and goes off to the dojo to practice for the day. But that also means he won't be seen for a good chunk of the day unless someone goes looking for him, so it's possible he missed messages or meetings of some sort in his efforts to chase away the sads.
...he's also doing poorly at it too, his form is awful. But shh.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-02 01:28 am (UTC)[ hua cheng doesn't announce himself with jingling steps or anything else, watching rin move through his forms. instead, he just - watches, for a bit, arms crossed and shoulder leaning against the doorframe before he says anything. ]
You're all over the place, which you should know better by now.
[ what happened? he doesn't ask right away. better to see if rin cops to it first, or if he'll have to fix his form and grab a sword from the armory to draw it out of him. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-02 04:36 am (UTC)I'm working on it.
[And he'll turn his attention back to his sword, adjusting his grip. Yup, it's gonna take a fight this time. Spar with him Fafa.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-02 03:35 pm (UTC)when hua cheng returns, he has a long, curved saber in hand, giving it an experimental spin with a flick of his wrist to test the weight. it's not perfect - eming made perfect for him, balanced and lethal and reflecting all of its master - but it will do.
he comes to stand across from rin, leaving space between them that he can close by extending his own sword. he smacks the flat of it into the outside of one of rin's arms. ] Elbows in, shoulders relaxed. Then...
Come at me, with everything you have. [ whatever is pent up inside you, release it. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-03 02:55 am (UTC)[He didn't dodge the strike because he honestly wasn't expecting Hua Cheng to do it, even though he just saw Hua Cheng grab the sword and all. He winces and rubs at his arm, but then he sees that Hua Cheng is serious so he takes up a stance again.
Elbows in, shoulders relaxed.
He breathes out.
And then he's darting at Hua Cheng, running as fast as his depowered human legs can carry him, only to jump up at the last second to bring a firm strike down right at Hua Cheng. The effect isn't the same as usual, normally Rin can leap up high into the sky and get lost in the sunlight, making this strike more effective. But this is what he can manage with his more human limitations.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-03 03:10 am (UTC)but rin is still good with a blade. he just needs refining. xie lian saw the potential in one outcasted boy, before seeing it in another - and he sees it, too.
so he draws it out. it's a dance, a little less refined than the ones he has with yoo joonghyuk, but still a dance. rin jumps, and hua cheng responds, bringing the saber up to block. a twist of the weapon, and he reroutes it away, reaching his free hand out to pinch rin in the side. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-03 03:27 am (UTC)Today, however, Rin is too lost in his own thoughts and pain to really think about how to fight with his heart. He doesn't even block the pinch or turn away immediately to dodge it, he just goes 'ow!' as he pulls himself back after being pinched. Gritting his teeth, Rin grips his sword and goes for a horizontal strike instead, sweeping wide at Hua Cheng's midsection.
There is a slight pull back, the cut isn't close enough to seriously injure Hua Cheng if Hua Cheng doesn't block or move. Even in a fight like this, Rin still doesn't have a killing instinct. Not this Rin at least.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-04 10:12 pm (UTC)[ hua cheng makes no move to attack him outright. deflects, reaches to poke or prod or pinch, but nothing that would bruise him. not when suspicion has been cast on him so much these past few trials. instead, he focuses on drawing him out. he moves out of the way of the forward strike, brings his own blade down to leverage rin's towards the floor.
but it's still memshare week. and the stardust is not kind in its selection.
Bad idea! He has power over you now, you really think he won't use it to hurt you? ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-04 10:32 pm (UTC)He ducks low, going along with the force of Hua Cheng's strike for a moment, but then he pushes his blade to the right to direct Hua Cheng's strike that way while he tumbles to the left. Rin's fighting style is adapted from things he's picked up here and there, mixed with his propensity to use all four of his limbs to move around at times. He holds his sword in one hand as he lands out of the tumble on two feet and the other hand, pausing only momentarily to see where Hua Cheng ended up before running at the man again.
'It's not fair', he thinks to himself, and he feels his face go hot with anger and remorse as he strikes at Hua Cheng again. He is definitely lost in his feelings right now, but not so lost that demon!Rin has a chance to come out (yet). The fact that his strikes still fall short of potentially killing blows is enough to show that.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 12:40 am (UTC)even to someone who has been there.
his silver charms and bells and chains jingle like music, as he twists and turns out of the way. with his hair tied back, it doesn't get in his way - but he's fought with long hair for his entire life, so he moves naturally with it, giving his sword a brief spin to adjust his grip. ]
Are you going to let your anger own you, Rin? [ the question is baiting, a little, as he advances on him this time. his saber swings up in an arch, something that could be fatal if he put power behind it. but he pulls it to match rin, to give him an outlet to take his emotions out on. ] Are you going to stay trapped inside that head of yours, letting it burn away at your control?
Why're you angry?
[ he's going to keep advancing on him like this, one-handed and quick-stepped. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 01:16 am (UTC)'Why're you angry?'
Rin doesn't answer, he doesn't know how to even begin to explain. He's beyond words at this point, and only frustrated noises escape him as he tries to match Hua Cheng's blows. If he were calmer, he would be able to keep up easily. But as he is now, he's easily bested even when Hua Cheng is going easy on him like this.
He keeps pushing back though. Strike after strike, each less coordinated than the last, like he's trying to carve some meaning out of his anger and grief.
At some point starglitter showers over him, showing off memories of what could have been, but which never became reality. A future stolen away by a cruel world that couldn't accept a mother's love for her half-demon children.
The starglitter barely slows Rin down, but when he strikes at Hua Cheng next, there are tears at the corners of his eyes.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 01:36 am (UTC)that's personal, too.
and rin got to see the happy what if, even if everything about his mother was a memory given to him.
he keeps going, keeps pressing on rin, doesn't seem to show any signs of mercy.
but between one attack and the next, hua cheng snatches his arm out, hooking it around the back of rin's head, and crushes him into his chest. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 01:56 am (UTC)Rin is so shocked by the sudden change that he drops his sword entirely. He tenses, expecting some kind of follow-up which involves pinning him to the ground or throwing him across the room, either scenario likely being followed up by a lecture on losing his temper and losing the fight because of it. But that doesn't come right away, and all the emotions and feelings of the last day finally catches up to him and he just...crumples. He presses his face against Hua Cheng's chest and just screams, his voice equal parts frustration, loneliness, and mourning.
As tough as Rin tries to be, sometimes he needs to be reminded of the fact that he's still a child, and life is hard. His life especially so. And sometimes you need a cathartic cry.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 02:05 am (UTC)but there are even more that he has in common with hua cheng. sometimes, you're the monster that parents warn their children about. sometimes, you find yourself standing in a war that is not your own but is yours all at the same time. sometimes, you try and try and try and try, but it isn't enough.
sometimes, you just want a happy ending.
sometimes, you just want your mother back.
hua cheng lets rin scream and cry. his hand cups the back of his head, holding him there, letting him release the emotions that are pent up in him.
xie lian held him once when he wailed and wailed like a wounded thing. he can pay that kindness forward. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 02:17 am (UTC)But Rin cries and he cries, letting out all of the anguish that's been stewing in his gut. The pain over being reminded of his mistakes last week, combined with the terrible knowledge he gained this week, all combining into one heavy weight that Rin has tried to shoulder. A weight that is coming out slowly now, as he curls his hands into fists against Hua Cheng's chest. He pulls a fist back and hits Hua Cheng's chest once, but no further blows follow. Even in a moment like this, he can't truly hurt someone he cares for and respects so much.
It does help though, and before too long Rin's screams die down to quiet sobs. Rin's rage is like a fire: it burns hot, but it doesn't burn for long. And soon enough he's emotionally spent and is left sniffling and shaking just a little bit.]