No one is more special than Zhongli Xiansheng. [ his hands travel up and down emet's back, fingers pressing here and there in an attempt to find the spots causing him so much pain. ] I do have a type though... [ and part of it is older men. ]
...almost all of the Fatui wear masks. Her Majesty's Harbingers especially. [ he reaches for his own, ghosting his fingers over it as he smiles. ] We wear them as a way of showing out loyalty, but they also act as status symbols to show our rank among each other. Harbingers have unique masks, whereas foot soldiers all generally wear the same one. I think I mentioned that we are not well liked. Being able to take off your mask and lead your normal life is something some people enjoy. Separating work and play, so to speak. A good number of us don't care about that, but it's important to some.
You should go on about him. I'd love to hear why you care for him so.
[All of it? Walking hunched does not do him any favors and he even unconsciously does it in dreams.]
You did mention that, and I imagine as I learn more about your purpose it will become clear. People are generally unbending, a bit selfish, and I've built empires upon that. I doubt most try to truly understand your goals.
[He does tilt his head to get a good look at it.]
You've probably seen Cosmo's mask and my own upon that last form. We aren't so dissimilar though everyone has one unique and all to their own. The red color denotes a seat on the Convocation though to call it a ruling body would be incorrect. They are offices meant to help dictate and run different aspects. Did you design yours?
...m- maybe some other time. [ /// ] I didn't come here to talk about him.
[ emet. emet please. good posture is important!!! ] It's because we have a goal and we'll do anything and everything to reach that goal... so you're exactly right. Her Majesty wishes for peace, but the road to such a lofty goal isn't an easy one, and it's filled with fights against those not interested in breaking their ties to the way in which things are now. As for my own personal goal I just want to become the strongest there is, and being a member of the Fatui allows me to travel all over and fight opponents who give me the challenge I seek.
So it's more akin to the masks among us Harbingers then. So you each have a specific duty then. Is there a reason Cosmo wears his all the time and you do not?
I did and I didn't. If you noticed my Foul Legacy form's mask looks somewhat similar, so I made it based on that. Something not nearly as obtrusive, since I don't need any help calling attention to myself, but something that stills pays homage.
Do you think she can hold it? Peace. Conquest is the easy part. The true challenge begins once the dust has settled --- quenching the glowing embers of animosity and maintaining a semblance of peace. This requires the conqueror to treat the conquered with dignity, and the conquered to let bygones be bygones. A difficult feat to achieve.
[He thinks about it.]
Back in times past, you would not find one without their mask in public. It was simply something you always had. Whether it be respect or not. My form is not my own, so it doesn't feel 'right' to wear it. We all walked among the shards, but of the three I was the most discrete. Not showing myself as an Ascian and thus not with my mask.
I am glad you are rather fond of that other form of yours, and that you pay even that small homage to it.
If anybody can do it itās the Tsaritsa. I know itās not going to be easy and Iām certain she knows that too. But I just hope that once the dust settles everybody will see that it was for the best. Theyāre just so used to the way of the world that theyāre scared of change, but itās got to happen.
Ah, that makes sense. I was just curious⦠because I do think itād be a shame to hide a face as handsome as yours. [ trails a hand up his back and to his neck, fingers ghosting over the soft hairs at his nape as he smiles. ]
Itās a part of me, so I donāt see why I should be afraid of it. Here, however, things are a bit different⦠[ he frowns. ] They took the control I had over it, so now itās more beastly than anything.
Hey. [ sets a finger on emet's lips. ] Can't I be just a little greedy... you've been pleasant to hang around too.
I can change whenever I feel like it. Here, it seems to happen if my body is put under an exorbitant amount of stress or... I'm not 100% sure, if I'm being honest. It's only happened a few times. And I'm not in control when I do change. It's like I'm just a mindless monster.
...oh, you don't have to tell me. I had a chance to see that *other* side of you, even if it was only briefly.
Mm, perhaps a little~
And it depends on the game. If Xiansheng or sensei were playing and Celestia forbid something happened to them, then it could likely become a problem. If you think yourself capable, then by all means, give it a go should it happen, though I don't want just anybody getting involved, because it could get... messy.
We can team up against Five then, if he agrees. Or I could simply watch. He does enjoy an audience.
BARiTONES abilities are rather good for subduing as it doesn't provide as much direct physical confrontation as others. And I value my own safety so you need not worry about me being overly heroic. But I would enjoy helping if I may.
I get the feeling that he'll be embarrassed at the proposal, but ultimately be into the idea. [ sneers. ] Oh? Do you like to watch?
If you see an opportunity to help, then by all means. I'd rather not accidentally hurt or, worse, kill the people I care about. [ everybody else he couldn't give a shit less about. ]
Without a doubt it is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy being able to see if I can convince people to act in ways they normally would not. To push their boundaries and make them believe the idea they come up with themselves.
Then I will assist where I can.
You adore Zhongli. That is obvious. However, I was speaking about Five.
Do you think yourself capable of pushing me to my limits. They go pretty far.
[ he⦠had a feeling⦠] I like him, yeah. Pretty sure thatās obvious too. I appreciate that heās straightforward and doesnāt pad things with needless bullshit. And he puts up with me without much complaint, so whatās not to like?
Not to your limits. Just enough to make you uncomfortable. You have to admit, I've gotten close once or twice.
I think it is and is not obvious to him at the same time. He is intelligent, incredibly so, but his experiences have not been the norm. You may wish to tell him even if it does cause complications.
Relationships of any kind are difficult to navigate anyway, since every person you interact with is different. [ ⦠] I donāt plan on admitting anything. I know there are boundaries and Iām sure Iāve already come dangerously close to crossing them a dozen times over. I like Five and I respect the both of you, which is why Iām not interested in overcomplicating this.
Oh, I will admit you are more interesting than I thought you would be. More dimension.
[He hums leaning against his shoulder.]
It is already complicated. Nothing you can do besides untangling yourself completely can change that. Not that I desire it. I still am in favor of this.
... But talk to him. Even if it gets messy. So much of his life has been hidden from him or he has had to hide himself. Just be honest. You will both navigate through it.
[ smirks, kneading his hands along emetās back once again. ] Im happy to have impressed you⦠and thatās good, because I donāt think I could untangle myself even if I wanted to.
[ but his expression falters a bit, not that emet can see it, though his hands do stop moving for a fraction of a second. ] ⦠[ grunts some sort of acknowledgement and presses into his back a bit harder. ]
Letās go back to talking about how we can both make him squirm. I want to do that.
Of course you do. He is ever intrigued by those who know how to push him in just the right ways.
The idea should come from you. He would just give me a look would I suggest it, but I think he might actually consider it coming from you. But I do get the feeling you push him much farther than I do.
Re: Day 386
...almost all of the Fatui wear masks. Her Majesty's Harbingers especially. [ he reaches for his own, ghosting his fingers over it as he smiles. ] We wear them as a way of showing out loyalty, but they also act as status symbols to show our rank among each other. Harbingers have unique masks, whereas foot soldiers all generally wear the same one. I think I mentioned that we are not well liked. Being able to take off your mask and lead your normal life is something some people enjoy. Separating work and play, so to speak. A good number of us don't care about that, but it's important to some.
Re: Day 386
[All of it? Walking hunched does not do him any favors and he even unconsciously does it in dreams.]
You did mention that, and I imagine as I learn more about your purpose it will become clear. People are generally unbending, a bit selfish, and I've built empires upon that. I doubt most try to truly understand your goals.
[He does tilt his head to get a good look at it.]
You've probably seen Cosmo's mask and my own upon that last form. We aren't so dissimilar though everyone has one unique and all to their own. The red color denotes a seat on the Convocation though to call it a ruling body would be incorrect. They are offices meant to help dictate and run different aspects. Did you design yours?
Re: Day 386
[ emet. emet please. good posture is important!!! ] It's because we have a goal and we'll do anything and everything to reach that goal... so you're exactly right. Her Majesty wishes for peace, but the road to such a lofty goal isn't an easy one, and it's filled with fights against those not interested in breaking their ties to the way in which things are now. As for my own personal goal I just want to become the strongest there is, and being a member of the Fatui allows me to travel all over and fight opponents who give me the challenge I seek.
So it's more akin to the masks among us Harbingers then. So you each have a specific duty then. Is there a reason Cosmo wears his all the time and you do not?
I did and I didn't. If you noticed my Foul Legacy form's mask looks somewhat similar, so I made it based on that. Something not nearly as obtrusive, since I don't need any help calling attention to myself, but something that stills pays homage.
Re: Day 386
Do you think she can hold it? Peace. Conquest is the easy part. The true challenge begins once the dust has settled --- quenching the glowing embers of animosity and maintaining a semblance of peace. This requires the conqueror to treat the conquered with dignity, and the conquered to let bygones be bygones. A difficult feat to achieve.
[He thinks about it.]
Back in times past, you would not find one without their mask in public. It was simply something you always had. Whether it be respect or not. My form is not my own, so it doesn't feel 'right' to wear it. We all walked among the shards, but of the three I was the most discrete. Not showing myself as an Ascian and thus not with my mask.
I am glad you are rather fond of that other form of yours, and that you pay even that small homage to it.
Re: Day 386
Ah, that makes sense. I was just curious⦠because I do think itād be a shame to hide a face as handsome as yours. [ trails a hand up his back and to his neck, fingers ghosting over the soft hairs at his nape as he smiles. ]
Itās a part of me, so I donāt see why I should be afraid of it. Here, however, things are a bit different⦠[ he frowns. ] They took the control I had over it, so now itās more beastly than anything.
Re: Day 386
[He can't help but laugh at that.] Are you trying to seduce me, Caeli? Is my fiancƩ not enough?
Explain it to me. How would it work in your home?
Re: Day 386
Hey. [ sets a finger on emet's lips. ] Can't I be just a little greedy... you've been pleasant to hang around too.
I can change whenever I feel like it. Here, it seems to happen if my body is put under an exorbitant amount of stress or... I'm not 100% sure, if I'm being honest. It's only happened a few times. And I'm not in control when I do change. It's like I'm just a mindless monster.
Re: Day 386
[He does bite softly that finger.]
What you are proposing is rather intimate, is it not?
Stress? Would a game be enough? And I have no doubts you are powerful, but given a few others, we could probably subdue you without harm.
Re: Day 386
Mm, perhaps a little~
And it depends on the game. If Xiansheng or sensei were playing and Celestia forbid something happened to them, then it could likely become a problem. If you think yourself capable, then by all means, give it a go should it happen, though I don't want just anybody getting involved, because it could get... messy.
Re: Day 386
BARiTONES abilities are rather good for subduing as it doesn't provide as much direct physical confrontation as others. And I value my own safety so you need not worry about me being overly heroic. But I would enjoy helping if I may.
... You really like him, don't you?
Re: Day 386
If you see an opportunity to help, then by all means. I'd rather not accidentally hurt or, worse, kill the people I care about. [ everybody else he couldn't give a shit less about. ]
Who? Zhongli Xiansheng?
Re: Day 386
Then I will assist where I can.
You adore Zhongli. That is obvious. However, I was speaking about Five.
Re: Day 386
[ he⦠had a feeling⦠] I like him, yeah. Pretty sure thatās obvious too. I appreciate that heās straightforward and doesnāt pad things with needless bullshit. And he puts up with me without much complaint, so whatās not to like?
Re: Day 386
I think it is and is not obvious to him at the same time. He is intelligent, incredibly so, but his experiences have not been the norm. You may wish to tell him even if it does cause complications.
Re: Day 386
Relationships of any kind are difficult to navigate anyway, since every person you interact with is different. [ ⦠] I donāt plan on admitting anything. I know there are boundaries and Iām sure Iāve already come dangerously close to crossing them a dozen times over. I like Five and I respect the both of you, which is why Iām not interested in overcomplicating this.
Re: Day 386
[He hums leaning against his shoulder.]
It is already complicated. Nothing you can do besides untangling yourself completely can change that. Not that I desire it. I still am in favor of this.
... But talk to him. Even if it gets messy. So much of his life has been hidden from him or he has had to hide himself. Just be honest. You will both navigate through it.
Re: Day 386
[ but his expression falters a bit, not that emet can see it, though his hands do stop moving for a fraction of a second. ] ⦠[ grunts some sort of acknowledgement and presses into his back a bit harder. ]
Letās go back to talking about how we can both make him squirm. I want to do that.
Re: Day 386
The idea should come from you. He would just give me a look would I suggest it, but I think he might actually consider it coming from you. But I do get the feeling you push him much farther than I do.
Re: Day 386