usogi | [ this brick is still smarter than senri ]

[everyone is STRUGGLING and senri is included in that. he's sitting at a table, deck of cards in his hands. he makes them appear and disappear between his fingers like magic, practicing his sleight of hand with only himself to entertain

though he'll pause when he finds shang qinghua

and smiles]

Same to you. Wanna sit? We can play a game or something.

[eyeing the deck of cards, shang qinghua slides onto a chair across senri.]

Is it a game from your world?

Uh-huh. These cards are pretty standard. We can play something simple if you want.

[ . . . . ]

It's kinda hard to focus on anything right now. Do you feel that too?

[he nods. something simple would be good.]

Are you worried about our fellow participants?

... let me explain the game first. How about....

[they're going to play go fish, jae, because we're going super simple.

senri will explain the rules and then work on splitting the cards in half so that they both have two decks

.... and then he nods.]

And about your earlier question - ... yeah. Definitely.

[bold of you to assume that i remember how to play go fish. at least shang qinghua seems to understand the rules.]

If it'll ease your mind, tell me your feelings. This participant won't say a word about what he hears here.

[IT'S JUST GUESSING PAIRS FOR WHAT CARDS YOUR OPPONENT HAS, JAE

'got any 4s' and 'no, go fish' will probably just be in the background of this conversation so we don't need to play out an entire card game]

... where I'm from, there's nothing like this. No immortality, no gods, and people die but it's.... not like my friends could get murdered any day, you know?

It's safe.

Peaceful.

[(squints)]

. . . The world you describe is truly envious. If everywhere were as peaceful, we would all be better off for it.

.... right....?

[it's a small voice that answers him, and senri holds onto his cards just a little more tightly for a second]

I - I have stuff I want too, of course. That's why I'm playing.

But... it really makes you realize how... good you can have it.

[shang qinghua's smile, full of sympathy, falls.]

Nito Senri . . . do you regret coming here?

.... I don't think so.

I think saying that would mean that I've regret the people I've met too, right? So... I don't want to say that.

The contest has taken a tragic turn that can't be undone. But if the rest of the participants are more like you, we may not have to fight each other so much. Now, more than ever, is the time to seek solidarity.

More like... me?

[senri blinks in surprise at that, before huffing a laugh]

.... hah. I didn't think I'd ever hear anyone say that.

There's a lot that I don't know about you, but you always impress on me the importance of togetherness. I don't disagree with that.

.... I think I'm pretty normal compared to people here. I've heard a lot of people go through things that I can't imagine, that I don't know if I'd be strong enough to survive through.

[ . . . . he pulls out shiki's Player Pin that he mentioned in the trial]

Shiks gave me this because she said that players are supposed to be strong enough to get through anything... and I don't know if that's really true for me.

[his gaze drops to the pin. senri had gotten close to shiki in that short period of time, hadn't he?]

There's more than one way to be strong. Only a select few are capable of attaining so many of those ways, but not being one of them doesn't make you weak. Don't underestimate yourself.

.... I dunno, Shang-san, being here makes it hard to believe that.

[and his brow furrows as he huffs out a laugh]

But I want to believe you. So I think I'm going to try anyway.

[seemingly satisfied with the answer, he smiles tenderly. all right! senri must be a plenty strong kid on his own, but here's another important lesson to remember:]

In the Cang Qiong Mountain sect, there are twelve peaks, of which I preside over one. Of these twelve, my peak ranks the lowest, and I'm not suited for combat like everyone else is. But there are things I can do that the other Peak Lords cannot, and this is what allows me to walk among these gifted leaders.

Not one person should be expected to shoulder everything. There is no shame in finding strength in numbers. Between the two of us, there's more than one, isn't there?

[Senri's expression softens at that.]

Mm. You're not wrong. Like - building alliances and things you mean...? That doesn't sound bad to me at all.

That's right. That way, if you feel there's something you can't overcome on your own, there are others to help you. In light of the contest's direction, that should include the processing of grief . . .

[ . . . and senri sighs.]

I think that'll take a while, no matter how much help I get. I've never... had to think about losing a friend before.

So I think it'll just - hit me in waves, you know? But I'll always think 'Ah, Shiks should be here.'

I have a martial brother back home who recently suffered a tragedy. We're not so far apart in our years, but news reached my ears about how his soul seemed to have lost itself. Were it not for his loving disciples' concern for his well-being, who knows where he would be now?

[he nods to himself. yes, even old men who have witnessed many a passing in their lives can behave like grief-stricken teenagers.]

Grieving takes time, Nito Senri. If you ever feel yourself getting lost in that pain, you can come and talk to me.

[Senri takes a second to parse that and honestly - ]

... We don't have a lot in common, Shang-san, but you're really kind. Thank you.

[what good is kindness when he's probably holding almost twenty cards in his hand!]

Children are our worlds' future. As someone who has lived a long life, how can I stand by and watch this precious generation suffer?

[ok he can't help but laugh]

You talk like you're my grandfather or something....

(no subject)

nosediving - 2019-03-01 04:16 (UTC) - Expand