avalononline | [Text; UN: DemonsandSugar]

[Xue Yang?]

Who are you looking for, if I can ask?

[He hopes this isn't what it might be; that he can find them.]

Xiao Xingchen! I can't find him anywhere. Why...?

[This is the worst.]

I don't know. I don't really know anything; only that people go back home sometimes.

[Though he still wants to offer—say, "I could help you look for him". But now he knows better, maybe.]

I don't think he'd have the choice in it.

Edited 2022-09-01 18:28 (UTC)

[Back...home? Back to death? Back to agony? Xue Yang breaks the cup he is holding, numb to the pain of his skin being pierced by the pieces.]

I hate them.

I hate them I hate them I hate them!

[After wrapping his hand, he adds.]

I don't want to stay.

[But who could blame him? Isn't there someone—maybe two—that Shoto would burn the whole sky over? His anger's hardly unreasonable.]

I know. I don't guess anyone understands this place, the way it doesn't seem to care who you lose. I just know "sorry" won't be good enough, here. So I don't blame you for wanting to leave right now.

But it's not like no one would miss you. Like it wouldn't feel rough to lose you too.

[He must have friends here; he must. He'd liked this man their first meeting.]

[Friends is a touchy subject for Xue Yang. So many of his past "friends" have used him and, as a result, he doesn't trust easily or well. But it is nice when someone gives a damn about him.]

I don't think I'm that important.

[He isn't fulfilling any real use and so he presumes no one would miss him.]

Would you care?

[Honestly—?]

Yeah. [Without hesitation.] Yeah, I would.

[And he thinks, I'd trust you more than the man you remind me of. His heart's a very simple place, here.]

I want you to stay. [Is that selfish?] I mean, most of my friends are gone already, but that's not really why I'm asking. It's like I barely got to know you at all; so I already know how selfish it sounds, to want you to be an important friend to me too.

[But he'll have no more chance to say this.]

I think we should face what's coming together. So there's no way you'd be alone for that. And there's no chance you're not important here.

[Someone would miss him. Xue Yang doesn't know what to do with that knowledge. He is so miserable that he can't put the emotion into words, but something in him decides those words hold meaning.]

Are you busy? Right now?

[Him? No,]

Not really... I wasn't exactly doing much.

[Not that he wouldn't drop it anyways.]

Did you want company, maybe?

I don't think being alone is a good idea. I promise my familiar won't bite.

[He doesn't care if it bites!]

Where can I meet you, exactly?

[He gives directions to the house he shared with Xingchen.]

If you need help, I can meet you halfway.

[No, no—! He won't get lost.]

No, I can find you. [Just-] Just hold on a little while.

[He won't be long now. He drags his bike out, first, and then his furious peddling—the frightening urgency of which has worked its way into his legs by now—takes him a good 3/4th's of its way itself. Whatever powers exist in Avalon surely aware of what he's thinking now. Don't disappear. Don't take Xue Yang. The way it's snatched and keeps taking... Whatever time he's last allowed here, he is certainly going to fight for. Carelessly ditching his bike wherever, somewhere, doesn't matter, isn't thought about since he's quicker, practically stumbling to reach the door once he's sensing he's in his earshot.]

Xue Yang!

[Forgetting texts exist. The name is all tensed worry, soft-voice rising and full of anxieties now.

He is... disastrously out of breath.]

You're still here, right?

[The sound of his name, called with such...fear...is new. Well, not new, per se, but new in the sense that the fear is connected to him disappearing. Someone wants him around. He moves to the door in a haze and opens it, blinking at his breathless guest.]

I thought I made that obvious. [He reaches out, grabs a handful of his friend's shirt and pulls him inside. Fresh, cool water in a cup is given before he says anything more.]

Going back won't do me any good either.

[Why does everyone tug him around like this? He doesn't protest, and save for a pinkening to his ears now, he isn't saying or giving his thoughts away. Only a brief, mute nod before hurriedly draining his water, his next words a half-gasp.]

I thought you'd—uhm, thanks, I mean.

[Stupid, stupid. His eyes drift lower, fall on bandages (?) when they sink again. Then, they widen.]

Were you... injured or something? [Peeking at him.] Can I see it? I'm still a Healer-type too, so, I wouldn't mind taking a look if you want.

[ Oh. Oh no. ]

You tried calling?

[ There's only one person he ever talks about, so it's a safe assumption. ]

I tried everything.

[Now he is pacing around their home, falling apart.]

Did the message go through, or did you get an error?

An error. Like... Like he never existed.

[ Why are her bad feelings always right? ]

You need to calm down. I'm so sorry, but... I think you know where he is.

He's going back to die. How is that fair? He helped people in this world! He should be given a choice.

It's not fair. I'm going back to the end of what scraps are left of my world. But we don't know what happens when we leave. As long as there's the slightest hope that we can change things, we can't give up. Morgan thinks he can save my world. If he can, then we can save you too. Both of you.

World is a funny word. It can mean a whole planet or it can mean one person's life and what they value. Saving my world means Xiao Xingchen stays alive.

If you come to my world and rescue him, you'll be able to live in a place that isn't ending.

I'll do everything I can, I promise. I think I would do really badly in your world though. idk what time period it is but it only gets worse the farther back you go.

Why would you do badly? I would show you how to live. You could stay with Daozhang and I until you got on your feet.

Edited 2022-09-06 14:34 (UTC)

I'm not really a fan of swords or magic, and I'm a rude, modern American woman with no intention of compromising. If they didn't burn me at the stake I'm sure it wouldn't be for lack of trying.

Most people in my world aren't. What, do you think Cultivators are just running around in droves?

I've known a few women like you. Unless you're nobility, you have more freedom than you think.

I think if the city comes under attack, there's a 50:50 chance it'll be a magic user and I'll be at a major disadvantage. How much face-punching and crotch-kicking does that freedom allow? I got away with it in Gotham because it's a big city, but I think I might be a little easier to spot in a crowd in China.

You would be easy to spot as you are now, but that's what disguises are for! And if you kick enough crotches, no one will be in any condition to tell on you.

Leave the magic to the Cultivators.

I think you're vastly overestimating my impulse control. But I'll think about it.

Just make sure you kick hard.

I always kick hard.

I knew you had it in you.

You should see me when I get serious. I'm not that strong, and I don't have superpowers, but I don't leave things half-done. If there's a way, I'll find it. No matter what it takes.

You don't need superpowers to kick hard and to have great aim~ I'm not that tall, but I'm strong. If I want someone to stay down, they will.

Not quite what I meant but yeah, that too

So what's the problem again?

Aside from the coming apocalypse and several multidimensional obstacles? Just that I might not like it.

We can't do anything about those. As for you not liking it...

You would be doing me a favor.

How is staying in your world a favor? and also what about my boyfriend and last two surviving friends, but whatever, logistics

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Assuming his earlier wrapping's visible!

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