...That's good to hear. [though he knows that saving her couldn't possibly erase the pain of losing her that first time.
he glances at the bubble still around them, and lifts his hand to give it a soft bop. He really hopes that she won't see anything embarrassing...]
[You're in the sky, well, you're walking on clouds. You immediately know this is a dream, because it's one you made several weeks ago, for the young man in the distance.
He jumps a little when he sees you, looking guilty.]
Ready to wake up?
[you ask, but the man shakes his head. it's been months but he wants to stay. 'i can pay for it', he says. You consider him carefully.]
...You could die, you know? I'll try to keep you safe, but...
[There's only so much you can do for your dreamers. The man shakes his head again, he's adamant. He doesn't want to wake up. If he has to die either way, then better to die when he's happy.
You turn to leave his dream, and enter another's. You're on a ship, the sky overhead perpetually bright. The woman here says much the same. She's only been here for a few days, but she's not ready to leave. The dreams pass by, each one as different and wild as the last. They all want to stay, and you want to give that to them.
They all murmur your name as they thank you, but they're not seeing you. It feels like the same nightmare as ever -- and maybe it is, but this time it's real. There are all people you've come to care about in your own way, having seen their deepest desires and lives. You know so much about them, even when they know nothing about you.
You feel drained. Tired. The loneliness hits you like a dagger to your heart, it feels overwhelming, like the tide. all you want to do is keep someone close to you, but all they ever want to do is leave. all they ever want is what you can give them, and what they never want is yourself. you think about forcing everyone to wake up, so they can suffer their realities as much as you are.
but you don't. you keep their dreams in hand. this is all they want from you, and the very least you can do is give it.]
is this how he'd known her first life wasn't just a bad dream?
jiuqing knows by now that there are people in other worlds who have special abilities. it hadn't occurred to her, somehow, that itsuki might be one of them (maybe it should have? maybe the differences between his world and hers should have been a clue...). but this feels like a very lonely power.
she can't even begin to imagine...
once again, jiuqing doesn't even ask first. she just shifts over to hug him tightly.]
[Itsuki makes a soft noise, surprised. A few people have seen this memory, but... well -- some were shocked by his powers, or gratified at the realization. others had been kind, but it was carefully offered.
This feels very much like Jiuqing though, to hold him without being asked. He puts an arm around her shoulder, smiling a little.]
Jiu-chan...
[he wants to say 'it's fine', but she's just seen his memory.]
relying on anyone but herself had taken time and, frankly, a lot of effort. even in daxing, even with general lin - at first she'd only trusted him because she struck a deal with him. he would help her, because she could help him in turn.
but that's eased, over time. here, she's had to start over to some extent.
[it's not quite like striking a deal. maybe it's more like one of the many promises he's made with jiuqing, all that he intends to keep. what's one more?]
[there's no real bite to the words, though - and jiuqing is smiling a little. she doesn't swat his hand away or anything; instead, she lets his hand stay where it is.
...letting other people in is a little terrifying, but - ]
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nightchild) wrote2022-02-14 10:21 pm
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[she smiles]
Some of them have gotten what was coming to them. Some of them haven't, yet, but they will. But my mother is safe. That's what I care about most.
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...That's good to hear. [though he knows that saving her couldn't possibly erase the pain of losing her that first time.
he glances at the bubble still around them, and lifts his hand to give it a soft bop. He really hopes that she won't see anything embarrassing...]
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is this how he'd known her first life wasn't just a bad dream?
jiuqing knows by now that there are people in other worlds who have special abilities. it hadn't occurred to her, somehow, that itsuki might be one of them (maybe it should have? maybe the differences between his world and hers should have been a clue...). but this feels like a very lonely power.
she can't even begin to imagine...
once again, jiuqing doesn't even ask first. she just shifts over to hug him tightly.]
no subject
This feels very much like Jiuqing though, to hold him without being asked. He puts an arm around her shoulder, smiling a little.]
Jiu-chan...
[he wants to say 'it's fine', but she's just seen his memory.]
...You're gonna make me blush, you know.
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he does not lie to her, which is a good thing.]
...it just seemed like you could use a hug! It's not... something to blush about...
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...I know how it looks. And it's not wrong. But I'm happy to get to help other people. Dreams don't count for much, but they can go a long way.
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Always asking the hard-hitting questions, huh?
[he's faintly amused, how can he not be?]
I'm not really sure. Once you have only but yourself to rely on... It's hard to break out of the habit.
[he has a very good feeling that jiuqing will understand]
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relying on anyone but herself had taken time and, frankly, a lot of effort. even in daxing, even with general lin - at first she'd only trusted him because she struck a deal with him. he would help her, because she could help him in turn.
but that's eased, over time. here, she's had to start over to some extent.
jiuqing puts a hand on his arm.]
...well, I hope you'll let me help you, Itsuki.
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...Only if you let me do the same.
[it's not quite like striking a deal. maybe it's more like one of the many promises he's made with jiuqing, all that he intends to keep. what's one more?]
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[there's no real bite to the words, though - and jiuqing is smiling a little. she doesn't swat his hand away or anything; instead, she lets his hand stay where it is.
...letting other people in is a little terrifying, but - ]
Alright. I'll agree to that.