A foreboding feeling fills this place... (Feb - March Closed Threads for He Xuan)

[esurientabyss]

🌊Who: He Xuan, and peeps.
🌊What: Dating, other potential misc. stuff that's coming up.
🌊When: February - March.
🌊Where: Boat, various places on the island.
🌊Warnings: Some NSFW, alcohol. Fun times~



🎃 fall events

childe (tartaglia) | link to trio shenans

mundane/misc. activities
jack vessalius, kaveh, appreciation

⛄ winter time
a talk

Comments

[esurientabyss]

[ He Xuan's going to raise a hand to lightly raise fingers to run through the strands of red hair, though only for such a short time.

Even if he has no intentions for making Tartaglia wait too long for a battle he's been looking forward to, he does think like this, the man is endearing as always. That being said, there is a part of him that wishes to hold him for a bit longer still, but he can't show him what it is like this, and he's not unreasonable. ]

I won't forget.

[ Reluctantly he does pull back, reaching into one of his sleeves to pull out a certain...something. A dagger He Xuan had gone through obtaining with the intention of gifting him, regardless of what transpired upon his arrival. Holding it properly, letting it rest in the center of his hand, he can only offer it to him. ]

For you. Feel free to keep it wherever you wish.

[sluice]

Kind of dangerous to give me this.

[ Eyes slid open a fraction and wandering up to regard the knife, he extends his hand to tentatively grasp along the hilt. It's a gleamy, showy thing, all tapering edges and inset jewels, nothing sheathed away. Tartaglia promptly brings the metal-sleek curve of the dagger flush to He Xuan's throat, only a centimeter or so apart.

The moment holds itself like a cord with no slack in it. Press an inch up or down or even diagonally and it'll cut ravenously into the skin, pale as porcelain, and bring blood welling up to the surface. Should he lose his concentration for even a second, the same outcome awaits. Look alive. He's daring a reaction, tempting it on with just his fingers. ]

Thanks. I'll use it.

[ Flopping back down on the upholstery, he turns his sights toward the ceiling. Lobbing the dagger up in the air, Tartaglia tosses it only to catch it, then flings it again. ]

Want to live with me?

[esurientabyss]

Is it?

[ He Xuan asks, seemingly hardly bothered—now simply watching the way Tartaglia's reaching out to grasp a hold of the entire thing. The reaction the other male gives renders asking practically a wasted breath given how fast an answer is supplied due to it, the sharpness of the dagger clear and apparent danger in how quickly the pointed tip is positioned to He Xuan's neck.

Most people would react adversely or surprised—all normal, human reactions. Conversely, he just simply smiles slightly, as if pleased. Seemingly lukewarm to someone hardly inattentive, but eyes bright despite it all. ]

I don't doubt you will.

[ For a little bit, He Xuan watches the way he plays catch with the dagger, and in the space of the lull when Tartaglia's caught a hold of it after a throw, steps forward, reaching out quickly to have fingers wrap tightly around that wrist, leaning in. ]

Yes. No point of living with anyone else, after all. Now, feel like still heading out for the bout?

[ Right about this time maybe a certain burnt portrait suddenly displays itself on the wall behind him?! Like out of a horror movie or something, it's all good (no) ]

[sluice]

[ hello, he xuan??????????? ]

Of course I do. Here I thought you'd never ask—

[ Except he's left staring when the painting manifests out of nowhere. Cool, cool. Nearly fumbling his grip on the dagger, he's retreating from that those clinching fingers to jerk upright and off the couch so he can stare at that burning travesty on the wall.

It sure is blasphemous to look at. More than startled, Tartaglia's offended. ]

Isn't that going overboard?

[ Ah, he's tired. Poisoned by exhaustion, if you will, as he shoots hydro so his place doesn't incur burn damage, only for the portrait to suddenly disappear without a trace left behind in its wake? Why is he always being mocked... ]

[esurientabyss]

[ He Xuan's expression looks slightly confused at the sudden movement, but already turning around himself to see what Tartaglia's caught a glimpse of, his expression goes flat with an emotion that is hard to decipher just by looking at it.

Honestly, this place is just a test against one's patience—He Xuan himself feeling like he has aged a few hundred extra centuries, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose for a moment. The goddess should count herself lucky He Xuan isn't so hotheaded to always seek out immediate confrontation upon being immediately annoyed. Otherwise there'd be over ten unfortunate visits by now. But, letting his hand fall down, he's watching the other try to spray the portrait...which fades out hilariously so, given the timing.

That...totally had to be on porpoise (lol), right? Absolutely. ]

Hmph. Probably the goddess being unable to resist creating some nonsense, or something else entirely, but just as foolish regardless.

[ Honestly... ]

[sluice]

Is that actually the case? [ His gaze drifts over, no longer transfixed on the wall. Shrug fallen deep into exaggeration, Tartaglia turns away. ] It's a hard pill to swallow. Weren't the two of us on good terms? She acknowledges my strength...

[ Such a letdown. Glumly striding off down the hallway, Tartaglia keeps the discontentment to himself. He's yanking his boots on by the entryway when he pipes up again. ]

I'll spar with you later. [ Consider the battle postponed. This heretic has to walk the disappointment off. ] Let's grab your things tomorrow. Least I could do is help you move in.

[ Wrenching the doorknob open, he continues to idle just a little longer. Standing in the rectangle of sunlight flooding around him, the words come slow. ]

... It's Ajax, by the way. That's the name I was born with.

[ So this is his concession of defeat. Anyways, Tartaglia's vamoosing after that very goofy incident. Feel free to join him on this stroll as he treks off into the surrounding farmland. ]

[esurientabyss]

[ He Xuan has no doubts that the goddess does. But, even if one like a 'god' or 'goddess' acknowledges another's strength...from what he can tell those beings still will unrepetantly pursue their desired goals without a care to the collateral damage. Not to mention, the being will value more who observe piety towards their being. Loyalty and faith.

At least, this is his biased opinion in matter, but regardless, the moment is over and done with. Instead lingering in the remains of that disappointment, He Xuan's looking at the other as he calls off the fight, thereby providing his name instead. ]

...Ajax, then. I will commit your name to memory.

[ He Xuan says, as with heavy gravitas as he believes necessary. It's a precious admission, regardless of the circumstances. A name he will utter with unwavering affection, and as the other begins to take off, He Xuan will join him.

And, then, at some point, begin to tell him of some things he has kept tightly to his chest. Of his own past, resolving that nothing much between them remains hidden. After all, they will share a future...together. ]