catch-all for shang qinghua.

[selfimmolates]

Comments

week 1; saturday

[nosediving]

[shang qinghua visits the armory after the trial. with a fist to his chin, he stands before a display of swords, seeming to consider whether or not he should invest in one—and muttering to himself while he's at it.]

. . . can't take it out until the week is over. Not even two weeks have passed. Really, they can't expect a death every seven days . . .

[selfimmolates]

[okay then.

ray was just here to practice his archery, but—]

Maybe you should consider not thinking out loud.

[nosediving]

[that fist on his chin unfurls to clamp over his mouth. he cranes his neck to ray and tentatively lowers his hand.]

The young man has caught this participant at an unseemly time. It was not my intention to give voice to those words.

[he pauses.]

Are you . . . here to practice?

[selfimmolates]

... You really don't talk sincerely, do you?

[nosediving]

I beg your pardon?

[selfimmolates]

I just heard you think to yourself. You don't need to be that formal with me.

[nosediving]

. . . I can't. It would be improper.

[selfimmolates]

Who cares?

[nosediving]

[wow.]

My thoughts are, of course, more informal than when I address others. Especially in a contest like this, where we're all treated as equals, how can I call myself Peak Lord if I do not show respect to my fellow participants?

[selfimmolates]

You're pretty humble for nobility.

[nosediving]

Nobility?

[he blinks, then shakes his head.]

A Peak Lord is a leader in spiritual enlightenment and the sect's management. My origins before entering the Cang Qiong Mountain sect were, as you say, rather humble.

[selfimmolates]

Okay, you're pretty humble for a leader, then.

[nosediving]

[wow!! he wonders if that's supposed to be a good thing.]

Young man, are you not accustomed to this type of treatment?

[selfimmolates]

Not a whole lot of formal types where I'm from.

[nosediving]

[he just smiles wryly at that.]

Then, just this once, I'll be direct. What are your thoughts about this contest?

[selfimmolates]

On which aspect?

[nosediving]

You can tell me anything. During the trial, I realized that there's a great deal I don't know, so I'd like to hear your thoughts. If . . . that's all right?

[selfimmolates]

Then frankly, I think it's going to get worse.

[nosediving]

You might be right. It's only the first week, and already things have escalated this much. How much further will those of us here go . . . ?