Just coming over, silent, tail going like a fucking lash and taking gu yun's hand to start picking needles out for him. the hand is numb it's not like it'll hurt.]
That is true. 'It wasn't my fault they died afterwards', he said. [ ridiculous. ] If I shoot someone in the head with a baihu arrow, the only thing it helps is remove their brains from their skulls.
He'd have killed someone eventually, all things considered.
[...just picking needles, quiet for a moment.]
Or at least I have to believe that. Hypocrite that I am. I say people's pasts don't matter a whit, and then justify my own bullshit by saying, well, he did brain people, apparently. But there has to be some-- some sort of fucking balance to it. To this whole thing. The universe.
[ gu yun's not one to much believe in balance, or karma, but... well. it's better than living with someone who drills holes in peoples heads, so.
he watches molly's fingers on his hand. it's such an odd sensation - for someone who relies almost completely on his touch, not being able to feel his hand is a nightmare scenario. for as much of a headache (literally) as it was at the beginning of this week, gu yun's lucky that he took his medicine. he's used to being detached from his eyes, from his hearing, but... his sense of touch has always been there. detached, detached. just like everything else, just like this situation. ]
Seems like we keep taking preemptive strikes. [ over and over. ] ...But I feel the same way. After talking to him, I don't feel all that guilty.
That power of yours did come in handy, too - at least we were able to fully clear Ming Yi's name, and figure out where it was involved. It's not a victory, but it's something.
We certainly do, don't we. Then again, whoever is actually doing them is certainly chipping away at the rest of us.
[molly's hands - clever fingers, pale raised scars scattered across them and all the idle nicks to draw blood and power from, tattoos on the backs of both now. The snake, the crown of pride.]
... I'll admit that my main focus was on clearing Ming Yi's name today.
Mine was too. [ for shi qingxuan's sake, certainly, but also because of what happened last time. they still, after that, ended up catching someone 'innocent' - but, at least here, innocent was a gray area. ] Did she reach out to you last night?
I-- the texts came in such a rush, I couldn't really read them. It's difficult when they all come that fast and you're trying to focus on them. I just knew it was. Well, it seemed important.
Being able to read someone's a more important skill, sometimes. [ to be able to tell that it's important. ] I'm sure she appreciated whatever you were able to help with, today aside.
She reached out to me, too. I didn't want it to happen again - especially not to Shi Qingxuan, especially not after last week. Ming Yi's a bit of a stick in the mud, but he didn't deserve that.
[ like beau didn't deserve it. maybe they're learning, just a little, here. ]
...So. A little victory, perhaps, but something to hold onto. [ gu yun glances down, back at his terrible, not working hand, and feels an odd, brief annoyance that he cant grab onto molly's like this. hm. unpack that never. ] I'll take it.
[How many needles can there be in this hand. If he's finishing up removing them, he'll just hold that numb hand (nand), then. So he can't feel it. whatever. that only makes him slightly sad. time to unpack that never.]
No, I-- wasn't going to watch him go down like that.
[he couldn't watch him look shi qingxuan in the execution. he couldn't watch the reverse at this trial.]
[ i hate that you made me read (nand) with my own two eyes
he can't really hold back or flex his fingers or anything of the like, but. gu yun lolls his head to look at molly proper after, now that the pins are all out. he looks a little less tense, now, shoulders dropped a bit, something of a smile curling onto his face again. ]
Well. [ mock thoughtfully, with the use of his title. gu yun hums. ] We managed to put away HK-47, one way or another. Lost limbs have been restored, despite what should have been impossible otherwise. [ he would wiggle his (nand) hand but alas, none of that. ] I haven't made Harrow laugh, yet, but I'll get there.
[ a beat. ]
We've met some incredibly good company. [ that smile of his lifts a little further, ever sly, and there's a faint twinkle to those peach blossom eyes. ] Wouldn't you say?
I cannot believe you think I'd rely on pity for such a thing! Yes, yes, until after the flowers and jewelry, you'll ride me to the grave about it, I know, I know. [ with a laugh, gu yun shifts, leaning back against the wall again. his useless hand stays in molly's for now, as he tilts his head back and grins up at the ceiling for a moment.
there's a pause, and then, thoughtfully: ]
...Have I ever told you, I've got more names than just that? I'm not talking about titles.
The first is my milk name - Shiliu. Typically, in Great Liang, you wait to name a child for a little while, until a name is settled upon by the family, based on personality and the like. You can't just leave a child running around nameless, so, a name is picked to keep the child from being eaten by ghosts or something along those lines. I was born on the sixteenth day of the first month, so my milk name simply means "sixteen". I still use it as an alias, occasionally. [ they have number names in common! sixteen is kind of a stupid name but that is in fact the point of a milk name, so. sixteen. ]
Secondly, my father named me Gu Yun - my given name. The "Yun" carries the character for "sunlight" within it - the idea was that I was going to carry the legacy of the Gu family forward, casting it eternally in light, as my father had done before me.
[ the irony of him being blinded? not lost on him here! as molly's seen, gu yun's father wasn't exactly the kindest man in the world, though it's hard to read any of gu yun's particular feelings on that situation as he tells the story. ]
Thirdly, it is tradition that when a young person reaches adulthood, they receive a third name from their parents, called a courtesy name. It's the name you're supposed to be called by your peers and coworkers, signifying respect and adulthood - something of a coming of age ceremony. It also denotes distance, because its the more formal name.
[ .... ]
My parents died when I was nine, and I didn't have anyone left, short of an older cousin, after that. When I hit twenty, I was out on the battlefield, anyway, so I named myself for it. I chose Zixi - closer to "daybreak", or "dawn".
[ it sounds sort of arrogant, if you don't know gu yun, and certainly fits his reputation--the great commander, marquis of order, bucking tradition like it means nothing. however, it's more that he didn't want to throw away the name, and the legacy he was given - and that there was just no sense in sticking to the tradition when he had no family left to go with it. ]
I rather like it, Zixi. Only a few people call me by it - [ his second in command. a couple people here. ] - so I suppose I've bucked tradition in that regard.
[molly will just seat himself next to gu yun, listening, a little fascinating by all of these names and their stories. he loves this? gu yun is so intriguing all the time, his myriad names, his myriad faces.]
Shiliu. Gu Yun. Zixi. [He's very careful to pronounce them all correctly! they don't seem to trip him up though. He pauses on the last one. Dawn.] I-- I like names chosen for yourself. Something special about that, yes?
What would you prefer to be called, then. That's important too.
That's up to you. [ public or private, that is. it doesn't really matter to gu yun either way. there's a pause, and he quips, playfully - ] You're welcome to call me Marquis in bed, if you're feeling particularly wanting for something more scandalous.
[ then grins, playful and pleased with himself as the extremely platonic kiss to his temple comes. his forehead's a bit cold as ever, and easily and very platonically, he scoots a bit closer to fit into the space created, having to compensate for the lack of feeling in his arm in the process. ]
It's your name, though, isn't it? Molly. Mollymauk. [ it's an interesting name, unlike one he's ever heard before. unique, fascinating, like molly himself. gu yun likes the sound of it, the feel of it. (it reminds him of the memories shared just earlier in the week - of nonagon, of lucien -- but it will come in time. gu yun promised to be patient.) ] Besides, if you're only two, surely you'll get a courtesy name in time.
[uh huh so that's the shit you're into zixi, molly has perceived.
he just gets comfortable, legs swinging a bit, tail idly swaying.]
And that's an exciting prospect! I'll have to think of something really good, but I suppose I've got a while to think on it. Don't exactly have parents to give one to me either. But for now, yes, just Mollymauk. Molly to my friends. [literally everyone.] I-- Gustav, the carnival master, came up with it for me. Back when I didn't have one.
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Just coming over, silent, tail going like a fucking lash and taking gu yun's hand to start picking needles out for him. the hand is numb it's not like it'll hurt.]
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after a long, long moment. ]
I didn't think I was wrong.
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And then continues.]
In a sense you weren't. He did, apparently, drill holes into people's heads.
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That is true. 'It wasn't my fault they died afterwards', he said. [ ridiculous. ] If I shoot someone in the head with a baihu arrow, the only thing it helps is remove their brains from their skulls.
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[...just picking needles, quiet for a moment.]
Or at least I have to believe that. Hypocrite that I am. I say people's pasts don't matter a whit, and then justify my own bullshit by saying, well, he did brain people, apparently. But there has to be some-- some sort of fucking balance to it. To this whole thing. The universe.
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[ gu yun's not one to much believe in balance, or karma, but... well. it's better than living with someone who drills holes in peoples heads, so.
he watches molly's fingers on his hand. it's such an odd sensation - for someone who relies almost completely on his touch, not being able to feel his hand is a nightmare scenario. for as much of a headache (literally) as it was at the beginning of this week, gu yun's lucky that he took his medicine. he's used to being detached from his eyes, from his hearing, but... his sense of touch has always been there. detached, detached. just like everything else, just like this situation. ]
Seems like we keep taking preemptive strikes. [ over and over. ] ...But I feel the same way. After talking to him, I don't feel all that guilty.
That power of yours did come in handy, too - at least we were able to fully clear Ming Yi's name, and figure out where it was involved. It's not a victory, but it's something.
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[molly's hands - clever fingers, pale raised scars scattered across them and all the idle nicks to draw blood and power from, tattoos on the backs of both now. The snake, the crown of pride.]
... I'll admit that my main focus was on clearing Ming Yi's name today.
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Mine was too. [ for shi qingxuan's sake, certainly, but also because of what happened last time. they still, after that, ended up catching someone 'innocent' - but, at least here, innocent was a gray area. ] Did she reach out to you last night?
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I-- the texts came in such a rush, I couldn't really read them. It's difficult when they all come that fast and you're trying to focus on them. I just knew it was. Well, it seemed important.
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She reached out to me, too. I didn't want it to happen again - especially not to Shi Qingxuan, especially not after last week. Ming Yi's a bit of a stick in the mud, but he didn't deserve that.
[ like beau didn't deserve it. maybe they're learning, just a little, here. ]
...So. A little victory, perhaps, but something to hold onto. [ gu yun glances down, back at his terrible, not working hand, and feels an odd, brief annoyance that he cant grab onto molly's like this. hm. unpack that never. ] I'll take it.
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No, I-- wasn't going to watch him go down like that.
[he couldn't watch him look shi qingxuan in the execution. he couldn't watch the reverse at this trial.]
I do like that thought. A little victory.
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he can't really hold back or flex his fingers or anything of the like, but. gu yun lolls his head to look at molly proper after, now that the pins are all out. he looks a little less tense, now, shoulders dropped a bit, something of a smile curling onto his face again. ]
We've won a few of them, don't you think?
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tilting his head to the side to look back at him, mirroring the posture and expression.]
And what would those be, Mr. Marquis of Order?
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[ a beat. ]
We've met some incredibly good company. [ that smile of his lifts a little further, ever sly, and there's a faint twinkle to those peach blossom eyes. ] Wouldn't you say?
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[molly just twists into a sharper grin at that as well, an edge of those pointed teeth showing at the edges.]
Fishing for compliments is what I'd say.
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Is it working?
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[no.]
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I cannot believe you think I'd rely on pity for such a thing! Yes, yes, until after the flowers and jewelry, you'll ride me to the grave about it, I know, I know. [ with a laugh, gu yun shifts, leaning back against the wall again. his useless hand stays in molly's for now, as he tilts his head back and grins up at the ceiling for a moment.
there's a pause, and then, thoughtfully: ]
...Have I ever told you, I've got more names than just that? I'm not talking about titles.
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The first is my milk name - Shiliu. Typically, in Great Liang, you wait to name a child for a little while, until a name is settled upon by the family, based on personality and the like. You can't just leave a child running around nameless, so, a name is picked to keep the child from being eaten by ghosts or something along those lines. I was born on the sixteenth day of the first month, so my milk name simply means "sixteen". I still use it as an alias, occasionally. [ they have number names in common! sixteen is kind of a stupid name but that is in fact the point of a milk name, so. sixteen. ]
Secondly, my father named me Gu Yun - my given name. The "Yun" carries the character for "sunlight" within it - the idea was that I was going to carry the legacy of the Gu family forward, casting it eternally in light, as my father had done before me.
[ the irony of him being blinded? not lost on him here! as molly's seen, gu yun's father wasn't exactly the kindest man in the world, though it's hard to read any of gu yun's particular feelings on that situation as he tells the story. ]
Thirdly, it is tradition that when a young person reaches adulthood, they receive a third name from their parents, called a courtesy name. It's the name you're supposed to be called by your peers and coworkers, signifying respect and adulthood - something of a coming of age ceremony. It also denotes distance, because its the more formal name.
[ .... ]
My parents died when I was nine, and I didn't have anyone left, short of an older cousin, after that. When I hit twenty, I was out on the battlefield, anyway, so I named myself for it. I chose Zixi - closer to "daybreak", or "dawn".
[ it sounds sort of arrogant, if you don't know gu yun, and certainly fits his reputation--the great commander, marquis of order, bucking tradition like it means nothing. however, it's more that he didn't want to throw away the name, and the legacy he was given - and that there was just no sense in sticking to the tradition when he had no family left to go with it. ]
I rather like it, Zixi. Only a few people call me by it - [ his second in command. a couple people here. ] - so I suppose I've bucked tradition in that regard.
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Shiliu. Gu Yun. Zixi. [He's very careful to pronounce them all correctly! they don't seem to trip him up though. He pauses on the last one. Dawn.] I-- I like names chosen for yourself. Something special about that, yes?
What would you prefer to be called, then. That's important too.
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and, honestly, it's not really a hard one to make. ]
Zixi.
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[Or is it private only. Leaning over to kiss him on the temple, just briefly and socially. Nothing not friendly about it!]
Does make me seem a bit sorry in comparison, though. I've only the one name, and you already know it.
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[ then grins, playful and pleased with himself as the extremely platonic kiss to his temple comes. his forehead's a bit cold as ever, and easily and very platonically, he scoots a bit closer to fit into the space created, having to compensate for the lack of feeling in his arm in the process. ]
It's your name, though, isn't it? Molly. Mollymauk. [ it's an interesting name, unlike one he's ever heard before. unique, fascinating, like molly himself. gu yun likes the sound of it, the feel of it. (it reminds him of the memories shared just earlier in the week - of nonagon, of lucien -- but it will come in time. gu yun promised to be patient.) ] Besides, if you're only two, surely you'll get a courtesy name in time.
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[uh huh so that's the shit you're into zixi, molly has perceived.
he just gets comfortable, legs swinging a bit, tail idly swaying.]
And that's an exciting prospect! I'll have to think of something really good, but I suppose I've got a while to think on it. Don't exactly have parents to give one to me either. But for now, yes, just Mollymauk. Molly to my friends. [literally everyone.] I-- Gustav, the carnival master, came up with it for me. Back when I didn't have one.
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