.:Private Conversations Between Huaisang and Yeager:.

[biyishuangfei]

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[biyishuangfei]

[ It's all good. She doesn't look like a terribly bad image to be watching over them, though it makes him curious, keeping in mind to maybe ask about it if he can. But straight away at the moment because one thing at a time.

However it's clear to him the woman held a large importance to him. He will also feel a little, but brief smile on his face at his words of appreciation. It's rare someone's called him kind, but he's happy he can be that towards the people he cares about. ]

Of course. No matter what, I'll come on by if I think it can help even a little.

[ ... ]

No, it doesn't. While I'm grateful at the time your life was spared because of that, it feels like it's something we can't really appreciate completely. I really don't think any of us expected he'd do that again, on top of it all, to be honest.

[scythegun]

No, certainly not. I didn't think the votes would be quite that close either.

[But then again, Raven had eventually given himself up. Yeager sighs at that.]

I really didn't think he'd kill anyone... I suppose I'll have to drop by eventually to ask him why.

[But judging from the look on his face, he doesn't really want to.]

[biyishuangfei]

...I didn't think so either.

[ It's clear Raven was suspicious when things got heated, because there were the signs, but sometimes you just...want to ignore those when it involves a friend? It's selfish, but he's never really been an altruistic person.

Anyway it's also noticeable that Yeager doesn't want to have the fun moment of asking what's up for the last time with his buddy (?) from home. Then, he'll glance towards the woman and back to Yeager. ]

I'm sure I can figure a good reason as to why, but I think it'll be worth it. Sorry, if that sounds a little too presumptuous, though. [ ... ] Also...that woman, is she...someone you know back home? I just couldn't help but notice her, that's all. Not that I mind.

[scythegun]

[That gets a soft exhale that's almost a laugh from him. Yeah, the wish is a good enough reason why, isn't it?

At the question, he glances back over at the mirror and his gaze lingers for a moment before returning his attention to Huaisang.]

She was, ja. Her name was Casey; she led a brigade of knights ten years ago. She was... someone quite important to me.

[She still is, of course, but Yeager seems calm at that, like he's finally reached a point where he can talk about her without having some sort of crisis.]

Raven and I saw her earlier this week. I... suppose I wanted to say goodbye before these images fade.

[biyishuangfei]

Just by looking at her, she has that look of a kind person. And since you said she was...I'm going to guess she had passed away?

[ He tries his best to phrase that as gently as he can. Yeager seems calm speaking about her, but he still wants to treat this as respectfully as he's able. Was this person his wife? Or relative? Then again, they don't related (and the question does pass for him when he considers Raven as well, with the same conclusions.)

Though, there's a small pause, and he looks at his hands for a second, before back to Yeager. There's an idea of sorts he had, but was it appropriate? He doesn't want to make the other man upset. He decides it best to leave it vague; he's said these kinds of things before, but... ]

Also, I...If you ever have any personal requests, please let me know. I don't mind painting whoever or whatever you would like at some point.

[scythegun]

She did, yes. Ten years ago.

[That doesn't upset him either; it might have been difficult to even mention this much just a week ago, but finding some closure after so long really did help tremendously. Of course, now Raven's dying, but that's a whole different set of issues he'll have to deal with later, so whatever.

Huaisang's offer catches him by surprise though, and after a moment of staring, Yeager nods.]

Yes, I would like that. If you would be unopposed, of course! I... really would appreciate it.

[Huaisang's work is incredible, so of course he'd like that. A painting of her would likely capture her better than these illusions do.]

[biyishuangfei]

Ten years ago...I'm sorry for your loss. I can only hope she rests in peace.

[ One thing at a time, as it were.

He's glad that either way he hasn't made Yeager upset. These sorts of these always need care, in his opinion, and that's not going to change anytime soon. Not to mention, the man had shown him the best kindness he could, during the week, when they were discussing what visions they had seen in the ice maze.

He'll quietly pulls out a notebook he always carries on him, and looks a little sheepish as he sketches her image quickly, jotting some notes down with a swiftness. ]

I would be absolutely unopposed. I had thought that you would like to keep her image with you once the illusions had gone. So, I'm happy to at least be correct in that and help you in the best way I can.

[ He's honest about that. When it comes down to it, he cares about Yeager, and so, doing this sort of thing would come easy to him even if he wasn't sure how the offer would be received. ]

[scythegun]

[Casey's still smiling in the mirror, so don't worry about it, she's still here for Huaisang to sketch!!]

I would, ja. I... received something of her's from Suga earlier. A gift I gave her once. She's been on my mind frequently since then, and this week certainly has made it difficult to forget.

[Not that he wants to, of course, but he certainly did try to do that for awhile back home.]

I will always miss her, of course, but... Raven told me a few things about what happened when she died. It was the closure I needed, I think.

[It's painful now because of Raven's incoming death, but... at least something good came out of these images this week.]

[biyishuangfei]

A gift?

[ Huaisang finishes relatively quickly with the sketching and notes. He may not be able to swing a sword, but his skill with the pen is far mightier than doing anything with a weapon. Always will be, he imagines. ]

...I'm glad you were able to understand more about the circumstances of her death.

It can be liberating when you figure out that sort of thing.

[ As it was when he discovered the circumstances behind his brother's death, in a way. But he doubts that the woman's own was similar to his brother's; less manipulative machinations involved, otherwise he's sure Yeager would be reacting to the news in a far more negative manner. ]

[scythegun]

Ja, a compact.

[He has it on him in his pocket, so he fishes it out and shows it. It's the same one he had during the trial.]

It has makeup inside, as well as a small mirror.

[In case Huaisang's not familiar with them!!

As for the second part, Yeager nods.]

It felt sort of like I was missing a piece of a puzzle, I suppose. Though I didn't realize that until Raven told me, and everything fit back together properly. I needed to hear it.

[It was far more comforting than he ever would have thought possible.]

[biyishuangfei]

[ Oh... that does look familiar to him.

And he will nod at the explanation of the compact. It's not something he's well familiar with, even if the shape of it seems kind of familiar, so it helps to have someone lay it out for him.

But anyway, as Yeager answers that it made things fit together, he feels a little brave enough to tentatively maybe inquire about it. ]

...Do you mind if I ask about it? If you do, and I've overstepped, please let me know.

[ He'll look a bit sheepish as he does say this, putting away his notebook and pen. ]

[scythegun]

[Yeager hesitates for a moment, like he's not really sure... but then he nods.]

Casey was the leader of a group of knights. Ten years ago, there was a war against some truly terrifying large monsters. Her brigade faced off against one of these creatures. She... died in the fight.

That was all I knew for the past ten years. I didn't know how she died, but Raven... He saw her death. He was able to explain what happened to me, and he told me that she died fighting to protect him, all while smiling.

[That isn't exactly what Raven said, and that isn't an exact depiction of what happened, but it's as close as he can get right now.]

It... was relieving to know that she didn't curse her circumstances even at the end. She always was an incredible person.

[Brave and stalwart even to the bitter end.]

[biyishuangfei]

[ ...ah.

He wonders if this is the same war against the Entelexia that Alexei mentioned before. Which, you know, he never wants to meet...regardless, it's unfortunate because this woman really did look and sounded like a wonderful person. Sometimes, it feels like it's the good ones who get taken away first. ]

...She sounds like one for certain.

Not many people would be able to hold their heads up high, doing what they can, and give a smile when they faced their end.

[ He can think of only one person who would from his world, and that person died here. ]

[scythegun]

Ja, she was... truly amazing.

[He shakes his head once that's out there, though.]

I owe quite a lot to her... and Raven now as well, I suppose.

[Which... sort of explains what happened at the trial without explaining anything, thanks Yeager.]

[biyishuangfei]

[ You know, he just figured things happened the way they did on his end because they bonded and became really good friends. But it seems a little more involved than what he anticipated. ]

Oh. [ ... ] You owe him because of what he told you about her, then? Is that what you mean?

[scythegun]

That, yes, but also...

[Hmm. He doesn't want to get into The Tragic Backstory, but there's still other things to discuss.]

We weren't exactly on good terms back home, at least from what he remembers. I've never really had anything against their little group, they just kept getting in my way... And I recently decided to assist them in the hopes that our goals would align.

[So basically he's helping and hurting as he damn well pleases, as you do.]

He was rightfully quite wary around me initially! I'm not entirely sure when things changed, though...

[Was it when we got the bar. It was probably when we got the bar.]

[scythegun]

I wouldn't mind that at all! Let's get started!

[There's absolutely a handwaved explanation here, because explaining how to art is difficult!! Thank you for your patience, Huaisang...]

[biyishuangfei]

[ It really is...but luckily yes, he does have a lot of patience. ]

And so it is.

Let me know if you think you need any help. I think it's mostly self-explanatory, anyway.

[scythegun]

[Nodding!!]

Ja, I think so! I'll see what I can create~!

[He's definitely starting with landscapes, because that seems a lot easier than anything else, given that paint is definitely not a medium he's familiar with. But he'll set to work, focusing on blues and whites for the time being and humming to himself as he works.]

[biyishuangfei]

I look forward to it!

[ ...Huaisang's ultimately rather curious about what Yeager ends up creating in the first place. Though he resists peeking over, just barely...

Okay he does peek over at least once.

Huaisang will, in turn, begin to paint another picture. This time it will be a mountainous area. ]

[scythegun]

[It's really tempting just to watch Huaisang paint again because that's so nice... but no!! Yeager's determined to actually work on something, so here we go!!

The blue and white are obviously going to be making waves - that much is pretty easy even for an amateur. It looks like a shoreline, with the added light yellow of a sandy beach he's adding in, that makes it obvious.

Yeager pauses for a bit, considering... And then he grabs the green and gets started on something below the beach. How are your mountains looking, Huaisang?]

[biyishuangfei]

[ This is great...he's rather curious about what Yeager's finished product will be, and that does excite him enough that he has to slow down a little in his own painting, lest he make a mistake.

Granted, he could always correct it ever so easily...

His mountains are looking pretty well done. They transform from bare inklines into towering, almost intimidating foundations, and someone may even think he was done, if not for the structure that's clearly being painted in the midst of it all. ]

I think I'm almost done! How're things on your end, Yeager?

[scythegun]

[Yeager glances over at that and then ends up staring at Huaisang's mountains for a bit, absolutely captivated with what he's got so far.]

My, these are incredible! Is there anything you can't paint?

[just make nhs paint everything, nbd—]

I think I am! Let me put a few finishing touches on this~

[It's... Well, it's very much a first attempt at a painting. The waves are serviceable if a little bland, but the greenery is definitely in need of some work. It looks like a hill overlooking the ocean where the waves break on the beach - that much is obvious even if the work itself is in need of some fine-tuning. Yeager also has no idea how to shade or what a light source is, but you know what, at least he was able to get the general idea across!!]

There, I think I'm done!

[biyishuangfei]

[ Aren't they just incredible? You can say they're even...earth-shattering. ]

...Actually, doing abstract art for me is kind of hard. Every time I go to try it, I have to catch myself from drawing something that looks like I normally do.

[ He would love to paint them an exit tbh. But he knows that's too much of a fantasy, even in this world!!

That being said, Huaisang will appraise the painting when Yeager lets him know he's finished. So here he is, looking close at it. It definitely looks nice for a first-timer, or maybe that's his biases coming in here. ]

You know, for your first time, I'd have to say it's at least a 7/10. Which is better than most, really.

Is this a place from your world, by the way?

[scythegun]

[does yeager even know what abstract art is...... i'll have to get back to you on that one.

He laughs at that, shaking his head at Huaisang's words.]

My, I really did outdo myself! I appreciate it, thank you~

And ja, it is. This is the view of the ocean from near where I live, the Manor of the Wicked.

[HE JUST. HE JUST SAYS THAT LIKE IT'S A TOTALLY NORMAL THING TO NAME YOUR HOUSE.]