avalononline | video; un: li

[Well, ah... hmnn.]

Maybe she needs a study group? It might be easier with her friends involved, working together like that. We weren't much different from where I came from; we'd always improved our scores together, so no one really did that bad with exams.

[Or almost no one!]

It's sort of fun that way. Maybe that fun is what's missing now.

I suppose I should see if she has any friends at school...the friend she wants to hang out the most with seems to be someone not even in her class.

[Which may or may not be helpful??? He'd need to meet the friend in question to know for sure.]

But you're probably right. Perhaps it learning were more fun she'd be less inclined to runaway from school. [Again.]

[This is... tricky.]

Is this a magic class by any chance? How long has this been happening?

[It is all her classes. But saying that seems like it may hurt Anya's feelings if she were to see this.]

If anything, I think magic classes are the ones she's more interested in. Honestly, though, I think if she could spend all day drawing she'd rather do that. [He says this with a small sigh but he can't say he actually is annoyed. He's just vaguely concerned as well as mildly amused.] She arrived around two months ago, so I can confirm it's been that long. However, from talking to her, it feels as if this isn't a new problem.

[He's seeing a pattern here. Maybe.]

I think she needs your reassurance, then. It's like she's leaving out the chance to fail, only choosing what she likes to do. She won't find comfort in anything else like that.

[Guessing at all of this...]

She won't be able to do much else. She'll just keep running away if that's how it is. [And if that is how it is?] Maybe she needs to hear "It's fine", sometimes. It's better to try the things you don't like. That she'll get better at it. Like the way I failed my cooking class. Maybe she's just a little anxious still, if she really hates exams that much.

That is very wise advice.

[He says it sincerely. Personally though, he felt children who are so mature are a little sad. Too often that wisdom came about from bad experiences.]

I am trying to be reassuring. I can only hope it is helping.

[He might also need to start tutoring her…]

It sounds like you have taken a good attitude towards these things yourself.

[A good attitude? Oh... no. He's had to "turn around". He wasn't permitted to try new things, to be a child, and he'd been stunted so much; to be trained in only one thing. Thus, he mostly wants to see others try. Try and win, and not hold back! No more Shotos made. But this is different; this person's kindly involved, isn't demanding, trying his best here it seems like.

She must be safe with this person.]

No, it's just— [fumbling for words here.] I think you care, so it's enough. She'll be brave because you're trying too; because you're kind to her.

[But if it gives him any hope?]

I have someone like you too, here. I'm worried he'll think I'm only fighting, or that it's all I've ever cared about. I thought it'd be useful to learn some new things. [And yet he's still burning water.] But I'm good with plants and flowers, now... So don't give up. I mean you're asking around the network—that's all for her sake, right? I think she'll be fine with someone like that at her side.

Then that person should be proud of your efforts.

[He's quiet for a short moment. It felt like a lot has been shared and it seemed unfair to not reciprocate.]

From what I can tell, she is a fortunate child with parents who care about her. It seems unfair to leave her alone to struggle. That's what I thought.

[Because not all children are so fortunate. He himself wasn't that fortunate. Not until he had met Gu Yun.] If I'm able to help her be a little braver then that would also be good though.

["Proud" leaves his ears flushed, and he keeps bright eyes lowered. He's almost smiling.]

You think so? [Embarrassed...!]

But I'd be glad if everyone thought like that; wanting to help someone. [Though, he too feels fortunate.] I guess there's one less thing to worry about, if she seems alright otherwise? It's just a matter of being patient. Though I don't doubt she'll look up to you...

[He seems so kind!]

Everyone needs their own heroes.

I do. But I think you'd know best if they would be. And, if nothing else, you can always ask the person themselves.

[Asking is good...it wasn't what he, himself did but it's probably easier than taking four years to study how that person thinks.

Everyone wanting to help someone is a bit naive...but naivety isn't always a bad thing.]

Ah, I'm not sure I'd be the best of role models.

[There is a lot of selfishness to his nature and a lot of darkness. That he chooses to restrain it, that he chooses to only use it as a weapon to help and aid Gu Yun doesn't change that it exists.

But even so, his entire demeanour softens. Everyone needs their own hero, was it? Then he supposed Gu Yun would have been his.]

Mm. Sometimes all we need is one person willing to care.

[What he doesn't say, mention, is that his hero's a death mage. His favorite person swears and smokes, and posts absurdly angered responses defending his own favorite foodstuffs. And still he doesn't know his darkness, may never truly understand where he refuses to pry for it. But still he's kind and too selfless—a sort of light for one who's lived as both lonesome and warmth-starved. He feels it's all good-intentioned. That most were choosing to be.

He'd say this man is still trying.]

I wouldn't bother him for a thing like that. [But never mind it.] You wouldn't need to be the best, though. It's just you're being someone willing to care. [To use his words!]

I just wish I could be more help here. I might have books if you'd need them.

[Maybe that person wouldn't be bothered...is what he would have liked to said. But this is something that should be allowed to occur naturally.]

That seems like a rather low standard to be held to.

[He says it with a smile because, yes, it did seem so little but he also knew that could be so, so hard to find.]

You were already a lot of help.

You know, fear can be a good teaching tool. [Please don't listen to him.] Ever thought about using a whip or a paddle?

I am aware of how fear works as a motivator.

[Been there, done that, bought the 'my aunt took out all her negative feelings about her situation and bad choices on me' hanfu.]

I do not think it is a good teaching tool and even if it were, I'm afraid I have no intentions of using it.

[He is not smiling, but he says this calmly and not emotionally. He has his own personal feelings about it but his gaze and voice are steady like still water.]

Then I don't have to give you lessons.

[He is rusty where they are concerned anyway. Also, despite what he might say, he would absolutely make said aunt pay for being awful. She asked for it. Isn't that justice?]

If you have a brat on your hands, you might not have a choice.

That is not a reason to use fear.

[He says it gently but firmly. By all accounts, Gu Yun had been a brat when he was a child as well but, if given the chance, Chang Geng still would have spoiled him.

Then again, he was in love with the man so like…he’ll be honest and admit there is some bias there.

But even without it.]

While there may be circumstances where fear might be the only choice but those would only be in life or death situations. [Even then…if it were his child he’d prefer to make it so those circumstances never happen.]

Does she get bad scores on her tests? Though even if one gets good scores, tests can be rather tiring.

[Jade wonders what level of obstinate they're talking about here.]

I'm not sure how much I should be gossiping. Children do have their pride.

[Which is to say, she's not good at them.]

I've told her tests are only a way to see where improvements are needed. I am not sure how much it has helped to address this dislike of hers.

Is she the sort to value that sort of thing? Because I would say the key might be the figure out what she might value, especially in relation to her academics, if anything at all.

She doesn't seem to be. [He sighs a little but smiles regardless.] I met her not too long ago so I'm still getting to know her better.

Oh she isn't a relative of yours? Do you think it might be that your words hold a little less weight then?

Ah, I am sure that's part of it. Still, she seems like the kind of child who takes other people's words into consideration.

[But she's like, five??? So perhaps keeping it in mind consistently is a problem.]

Then it might be best to be polite but persistent.

[Yeah being a five year old does change the context a bit.]

Mm. [He smiles.] It's a little embarrassing, [Though he sounds more mildly amused than embarrassed.] But I hoped a little that someone might have more immediate solutions.

[But he supposed those don't exist.]

I apologize for not being of more assistance. That said, while I have grown out of that phase, I would say you have to let it pass. And I do have a brother who is like that sometimes. You can't exactly force him to do anything he doesn't wish to, especially tests and the like.

[Granted a moody seventeen year old is probably different than a small child]

So I would say that even if she is grudging about her tests, that's better than nothing.

No, you brought up some good points. Even confirmation that there isn't much else besides to be patient is good to have.

[He laughs a little, short and soft.]

Considering I ran away from home at seventeen over a disagreement, I suppose I should know a thing or two about not forcing things.

Hmmm, so you were around my age when you left your family, huh?

I will admit, I do not have that much experience with children other than the ones who sometimes visited my school back home, but I think that yes, sometimes they have to be allowed a little reign. Not too much that they become lost, but enough to find themselves.

[Granted, Jade and his brother probably had been given a little too much freedom.]

[That is a complicated question. He ran away from home but he essentially had no family. Not in the sense most people thought of. Gu Yun was family, he supposed, but not of the platonic sort.

But that was a topic for another time, he supposed.]

That time, I was.

[He…has actually run away from home more than one time.]

I had helped some acquaintances with their children now and again, but I have little experience as well. [Hence, all this.] You and your brother sound like you’re close.

[It's tempting to pry further since Jade is a curious sort and likes finding info that may or may not be useful. But he also decides to hold back a little.]

That must have been difficult.

[It's actually sincere because Jade's never been ignorant of the privilege he's grown up within his own family. Despite being difficult personalities, he and Floyd have always been indulged.]

We are. We are twins, so I would hope so. Though he can be a little difficult sometimes.

It wasn't all that difficult. I was only a little too stubborn, that's all.

<[Stubborn and also dealing with some stuff like crushing on Gu Yun and also being cursed. But stubborness had played a large role in the way things had played out.]

From what I've heard, it seems that is the way of siblings. [He thinks Shen Yi and Gu Yun's friendship is a little like that.] If you don't mind me asking, is your brother here with you?

I see. Though isn't everyone a little stubborn some of the time?

[Geniuenly pliable people were rare he found.]

He is. He came quite a bit later than me. He's a lot more flamboyant in personality. I arrived the same week as our birthday, so I've been picking on him about it.

It is especially common, I suppose, at the age I'd been.

[All teenagers are a little rebellious, he supposed.]

Because you are technically older now?

[Indeed, though some keep that spirit below the surface.]

Yes. It is very amusing. He wishes to have two birthdays to make up for it.

Find a topic they enjoy and base your teachings upon that subject.

Ah, I had read about something like that. Perhaps if I did that at home she will find it easier at school.

[And not run away. But also...]

She has been enjoying playing around with her potion making kit. [But she really was playing with it which is concerning in its own way.

Honestly, he just worries he's messing up someone's child.]

Alchemy is a perfect subject to teach mathematics with. You could also interest her in books about various plant matter to improve her reading.

I'll go take a look at the library again.

[He would have to find age appropriate books.]

She seemed excited about the house that turned into cake. I was hoping it could bea way to get her interested in working harder at her magic.

[Making cake and sweets with magic and all that.]

Mayhap you could interest her in applications of culinary magic then, if such a thing exists here. Cooking, after all, is not so far off from magic when it comes to preparing dishes. From there, you can give outside examples of how to apply a particular magic.

Mm. I think that would be a good start. [He pauses, then smiles.] If nothing else, if I hinted at the possibility of turning carrots into peanuts she would be interested.

[Not that he thinks it's possible but, well. Whatever gets her interested, right?]

[ He raises an eyebrow at that. ]

She likes peanuts, does she? I hear there is a potion which can change the taste of something into another. With some work, she could make one for peanuts.

Yes. Honestly, it's become a bit of a problem if I take her with me to visit the main market and stalls in my lands. Everyone keeps giving her free peanuts.

[Or sometimes sweets. But definitely a lot of little baggies of peanuts!

He says it like that but he sounds more fond than exasperated...even if it is also a little troubling. That's too many peanuts!!]

I'll bring up the potion to her. I'm sure she'd be excited if she managed to make it.

[ He smiles wryly. Children can be such terrible creatures yet he cannot bring himself to be cruel to one. ]

I wish you luck. Be prepared for her to change her mind abruptly someday.

...I will keep that in mind.

[He shook his head. Hopefully, her interests wouldn't change too soon.]

I did not realize children could be so difficult. [He was an easy child growing up.]

video; un: li_min

Video; un: Shoto

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video; un: jade

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video | [thearchitect]

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apologies, got consumed by xiv update

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