[ looks at this trial, looks at this thread in retrospect
Anyways. ]
No, and it's a good thing to consider. Take stock of those we stay with at curfew, if and when; see how people behave after investigations are done; look for anything that might be out of place, even if we can't see all of the evidence.
[ They only have so much they can do, here, and so little time for it. In Zhongguo, they had all the time in the world. All the resources. It's infuriating, sometimes. ]
Right. Keeping track of all of that will make it easier—
[Before she can finish speaking, though - they're very rudely interrupted by a memory.
It's a very young Shi Qingxuan that peeks out from around a corner - eleven, maybe twelve years old at the most. Still dressed as a girl, in simple robes that aren't anything like the elaborate silks he'll favor in the future - a futile attempt at hiding, perhaps, but who's to say it won't work?
There are people out on the streets of this town. They all seem friendly enough, chatting with each other as they pass by on the streets.
He's been told to sit and wait, out of sight. "I'll be back," his brother told him, before leaving. "All you need to do is sit and wait." And really, he shouldn't be standing. His ankle is throbbing - it's definitely twisted, and the skin is scraped up, and he does need medical attention.
But he's been gone a long while, and it hurts, and...
...surely someone could lend a hand...?
He starts to take a step out into the street, but feels a heavy hand on his shoulder, and whirls around to look up into a face that looks very much like his own. Older - wiser, perhaps. More stern. Their features are similar, but even as a mortal, Shi Qingxuan's older brother has always had a much more imposing presence.
"Qingxuan." He seems displeased. "What are you doing...?"
"Ge, I just thought..." His shoulders slump a little. "...someone might..."
His brother frowns, then shifts the roll of bandages he'd returned with into the crook of one elbow and adjusts his hold to cup both of his cheeks.
"Everyone only cares for themselves in this world." Shi Qingxuan stares up at him, not looking like he wants to accept this, but unable - as always - to argue back properly against his brother. "Why would anyone take care of us?"]
[ The reaction is almost visceral, the moment he sees Shi Wudu - younger, certainly, but he knows that face. How could he not, when he pledged to remember it since he first saw it in Fu Gu? How could he not, when that tyrant looked down his nose from day one, the moment that "Ming Yi" set foot in the Heavens? He would recognize it anywhere.
He flinches, getting up from where he's seated like he can get away from the aftertaste of the memory. It can be passed off as surprise well enough, but, in his core...
Shi Wudu was only doing it to protect his little brother.
But He Xuan was an older brother, too. What did his sister deserve, to suffer the fate that was passed down to her? To die, miserable and alone, after watching the woman who would have been her sister-in-law end her own suffering in the only way that she could.
Everyone only cares for themselves in this world. Spoken so easily, Shi Wudu, for someone who only cared for you and yours. ]
[ He gives himself a little shake, a feeling twisting miserably in his core that tastes like bitter bile and anger that he's stewed in endlessly. Perhaps the root of his despair isn't completely gone, after all, still biding its time until it can sink its claws into him again. ]
- I'm fine. [ Steady, steady. ] It just startled me. Almost made me think your brother was actually here, before I realized what was happening.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Anyways. ]
No, and it's a good thing to consider. Take stock of those we stay with at curfew, if and when; see how people behave after investigations are done; look for anything that might be out of place, even if we can't see all of the evidence.
[ They only have so much they can do, here, and so little time for it. In Zhongguo, they had all the time in the world. All the resources. It's infuriating, sometimes. ]
no subject
Right. Keeping track of all of that will make it easier—
[Before she can finish speaking, though - they're very rudely interrupted by a memory.
It's a very young Shi Qingxuan that peeks out from around a corner - eleven, maybe twelve years old at the most. Still dressed as a girl, in simple robes that aren't anything like the elaborate silks he'll favor in the future - a futile attempt at hiding, perhaps, but who's to say it won't work?
There are people out on the streets of this town. They all seem friendly enough, chatting with each other as they pass by on the streets.
He's been told to sit and wait, out of sight. "I'll be back," his brother told him, before leaving. "All you need to do is sit and wait." And really, he shouldn't be standing. His ankle is throbbing - it's definitely twisted, and the skin is scraped up, and he does need medical attention.
But he's been gone a long while, and it hurts, and...
...surely someone could lend a hand...?
He starts to take a step out into the street, but feels a heavy hand on his shoulder, and whirls around to look up into a face that looks very much like his own. Older - wiser, perhaps. More stern. Their features are similar, but even as a mortal, Shi Qingxuan's older brother has always had a much more imposing presence.
"Qingxuan." He seems displeased. "What are you doing...?"
"Ge, I just thought..." His shoulders slump a little. "...someone might..."
His brother frowns, then shifts the roll of bandages he'd returned with into the crook of one elbow and adjusts his hold to cup both of his cheeks.
"Everyone only cares for themselves in this world." Shi Qingxuan stares up at him, not looking like he wants to accept this, but unable - as always - to argue back properly against his brother. "Why would anyone take care of us?"]
no subject
He flinches, getting up from where he's seated like he can get away from the aftertaste of the memory. It can be passed off as surprise well enough, but, in his core...
Shi Wudu was only doing it to protect his little brother.
But He Xuan was an older brother, too. What did his sister deserve, to suffer the fate that was passed down to her? To die, miserable and alone, after watching the woman who would have been her sister-in-law end her own suffering in the only way that she could.
Everyone only cares for themselves in this world. Spoken so easily, Shi Wudu, for someone who only cared for you and yours. ]
no subject
She looks up, a little startled, and reaches out for his sleeve.]
Ah - sorry... [This week's effect...] ...are you okay, Ming-xiong?
no subject
- I'm fine. [ Steady, steady. ] It just startled me. Almost made me think your brother was actually here, before I realized what was happening.
no subject
[If Shi Wudu ever finds out what the hell she's been up to here, she'll die. She'll just die.]
Sorry to have startled you.