text; un: berserker

[curruid_coinchenn]

for those that knew him, flat escardos is gone.

don't ask me anything else about him.

Comments

text; un: zewu-jun

[zewu_jun]

Are you all right?

[curruid_coinchenn]

no, but there's no need to concern yourself with my well-being.

[zewu_jun]

Perhaps, but I wish to. Perhaps there is something I can do for you?

[curruid_coinchenn]

no. i don't even know who you are. you have no obligation to me.

[zewu_jun]

It's not an obligation. It just seems wrong to let someone suffer. Do I have to know you to feel that way?

[curruid_coinchenn]

how do you know i'm suffering?

[ Because he absolutely is -- Berserker is just a stubborn asshole when it comes to people showing concern for him. ]

[zewu_jun]

I'm sorry. Are you not upset?

[Did he misjudge this? It seems like he's so bad at understanding things in this new world. Everything used to be easier at home (of course it was; there was a rule for literally everything).]

It seemed as though this was a message of lament. It's natural to suffer if you part with someone, even amicably. If I've misunderstood your words, I can only apologize sincerely. It was not my intention to make you uncomfortable.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ ...

Okay, maybe he's being an asshole and he cares about it for once. Damn that underdeveloped sense of empathy he's gained. ]

i am upset. i was bonded to him, that's how i know he's gone...but i don't even know who you are, so i'm not exactly eager to share my suffering. that's all.

[zewu_jun]

I understand. I do not wish to make your pain worse, only to offer any balm I can.

I am Lan Xichen, sect leader of the Gusu Lan. My chosen title is Zewu-jun, which people seem to find easier.

[Because you have to start somewhere, right? And the stranger is right about not knowing him. It's really only fair.]

I would at least like to offer my condolences. Forgive me for my intrusion, but such a message made me think I did not want the one sending it to have to write alone.

[curruid_coinchenn]

ciarán cú.

you don't need to apologize...did you know flat at all?

[zewu_jun]

My respects, then, ciarán cú.

[Because text doesn't allow for bowing and he still wants to offer that in some way.]

I do not believe we ever spoke, no. I should be more diligent about speaking to others.

[curruid_coinchenn]

...he was an interesting person and i will miss him. i don't know if i can say you should have met him, but you never would have mistaken him for anyone else.

[ It's the most polite way he can say Flat was basically a feral raccoon in human form. ]

[zewu_jun]

I think I understand what you mean. And what caring for someone like that can be... It is difficult to share.

[ Maybe his impression is not quite the same, since his loss was one that was arguably deserved, but he still feels at odds with those that were relieved to have seen that person go for good. It's a lonely feeling not to be able to express grief. ]

Do you dislike music?

[curruid_coinchenn]

i don't feel strongly about music.

[ Or most things. ]

[zewu_jun]

Would you allow me to play something for you?

[curruid_coinchenn]

if you insist.

[zewu_jun]

Then please allow me to insist.

[Maybe he is thinking too much about this, but he just doesn't want this person to be lonely with his grief. It's a pain too close to his heart and Xichen can't help going too far. He turns the connection to audio to play a melody on a flute, something to at least keep him company for a short time without asking anything from him.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker listens in silence. It's melancholy, echoing the pain of his own loss somehow. It's certainly more moving than he'd been expecting. After Xichen finishes, he lets the silence linger for a bit longer before switching to audio, too. ]

...Thank you.

[ It's all he can manage to say right now. It's weird a stranger would offer him condolences at all, much less in such a heartfelt form. If he were in a worse or angrier mood, he may have lashed out instead. ]

[zewu_jun]

[He was honestly not expecting that either. Maybe a text again at most, but the response is moving. And also very sad, as he can hear the emptiness between those two words.]

Of course. I wish you well, with good health and peace.

[Peace of mind and maybe, if possible, in his heart. Such things are not easily healed, though, and Lan Xichen can only hope. He ends the connection there, but maybe he can believe the person on the other end will feel a little better.]