vogelfrei | Call Me Out - Once Upon Post-Game Threads!

Most of them already avoid me unless they want something that I'm in the way of. But I appreciate the advice?

[The flora of this land is almost all extremely close to what McGillis would expect of Earth or even of the game they were in, except just the tiniest bit off. They're named different things, they grow differently, they bloom flowers differently, they're a slightly different shade. But otherwise, it's extremely close.]

Good to hear. It would be very unfortunate if the multiverse decided this was the time that our trip was unsuccessful.

[She brushes off any twigs or leaves from her hair.] Hubert, my right hand, will be staying at a campsite nearby, he's... eager to meet you, though fair warning, he will not be quick to trust. [Putting it lightly...]

[ Huaisang allows McGillis to take his free hand, though when he does, he lowers the fan in his other hand and steps closer, fingers curling around the blond's that's holding his.

...The sentiment in the words in there is rather touching in quite a way, because he knows that McGillis dropping everything to help were he in that situation means a lot on its own. Not to just to him here. ]

It means a lot to hear you say that. You really can be so sweet...

[ But, anyway! ]

Though, yes, you're right. As it is, all of this is in a sense a ticking time bomb. And if I want the Nie Clan to be as successful as my brother would've liked it to be, I intend to make sure that we don't self-destruct because one or more of my disciples went into an uncontrollable rage.

[ He'll smile slightly, as if amused, though. ]

I didn't expect to be speaking so early about this in the first place, you know. Probably when the two of us were in our room and winding down from the day, or something like that. But, speaking of the two of us, I think I forgot to do something when you arrived. Can you guess what it is?

[ McGillis is not surprised that these serious things came up way too early. During their last week in Aira Niluc, they'd put everything from their minds and tried to cram as much joy into the little time they had left as possible. Now that they have their whole lives to spend, McGillis can't help to return to his own priorities... He really is not a lighthearted person, in the end. He'll always ask the hard questions. Maybe that will be a problem eventually. Maybe it won't.

That's a problem for the future. In the moment, he grins. ]

Hmmm, that's difficult. We haven't seen each other in so long after all...

[ Still smiling widely, McGillis leans down and presses a kiss to... Huaisang's forehead. ]

Something like this, maybe? Am I getting close?

I think 'I met this man during an interdimensional death ritual and he was actively working with the perceived enemy' is hard to upstage as far as untrustworthy entries into your entourage go.

[ McGillis does have some self-awareness about this. Hubert is extremely valid. Of course, McGillis won't trust him either because he has very little interest in being eliminated due to being perceived a threat to Edelgard's safety... ]

Have you told him any of that truth?

[ ... Well, Huaisang's glad that some of that did come up early. It may make it easier to segue back into later, because he does anticipate probably discussing it again in a sense.

But, hey, there's definitely a kiss right on his forehead, which makes him let out a little laugh because oh my god, and there's a warmth flooding his cheeks. ]

Hmm... I don't know. You're getting a little bit closer, but...

[ Huaisang is going to go for a cheek kiss followed by a soft kiss on the lips. A little longer than a simple peck where that's concerned, but he does what he wants. When he pulls back, he looks so satisfied. ]

There we go! I'm really not surprised you picked up on that quickly~

All of it, really. There's not much I feel the need to keep from him. He won't judge you on an ethical level for it, if you're worried about that. He's... well, let's say a fair bit more ruthless than me. A product of his upbringing.

[And a product of this broken system, but that's a rant for another day.]

You'll also meet the Death Knight within the next few days, he's a criminal vigilante named Jeritza under my employ. He will not bother you.

Ah.

I'm glad to hear that performance was an exception then. I only caught the tail end of it, but such a thing is always grating.

How are you doing other than that?

I'm doing well. Yuuta's thinking about going to college - maybe for journalism? - and I'm very excited for him.

Oh - I have something for you.

[Suga retrieves from his desk a bracelet made of a light blue stone, glowing faintly.]

[ ... oh, indeed. McGillis blinks in confusion. He's not going to have the 'you're too goodnatured and too nice to me after everything' conversation yet again, so instead he's just... looking at that bracelet like it's something he's never seen before. ]

... I'm not sure I have a need for something like this, but... thank you.

[That conversation wouldn't go any differently this time than the last one.]

Huisang's world has spirits. You should take it just in case.

[ He will indeed take it and turn it in his hands. It's pretty craftsmanship, that is for sure. ]

... it also has a frankly shocking amount of zombies. It's an interesting place.

Interesting is a word for it.

How is he doing?

[ McGillis hums happily at both of these kisses. He's never cared much for physical intimacy just for the sake of it but when it's with a person he likes or even trusts... it's suddenly very easy to lose himself to all the little touches and gentle gestures. ]

Well, I can't allow you to have a fated partner who is slow on the uptake, Sect Leader Nie.

[ And that's another quick kiss, just because he can. ]

You still blush so easily...

[ A small laugh escapes him again as he's kissed again, and Huaisang's going to just move slightly so that he can indulgently lean against him from the side. That blush isn't going to go anywhere at this rate!! Not that Huaisang really cares or minds. ]

I can't help it—maybe you can take it as a plus. You're the only one who can make me blush easily so often.

[ Huaisang looks up at him, that content smile of his on his face. But then that turns into something slightly mischievous...for him, anyway. ]

...Though, speaking of which, with us so familiar now, as partners, you addressing me formally is hereby banned. You either have the option of continuing on addressing me as Huaisang, or...um, A-Sang.

[ Oh, but that's mean, it's so fun to tease with titles! Especially being here, in Huaisang's domain, with all those disciples at his beg and call... Very rude!! ]

A-sang, huh...?

[ It does have a significantly nicer ring to it than his mistaken attempt of 'Huai-xiong'. McGillis is not usually one for nicknames, but it's a sweet sound and he might give it a try.

But thinking of nicknames makes him remember something. ]

Speaking of which, I never told you why Hamelin calls me Monty, did I? Not that I'd want you to call me that, but... McGillis Fareed is the name given to me upon adoption. Back when I was nothing but a street rat, I went by 'Montag'. I used to think of it as my 'real' name but now that I have people who call me such again, it sounds a little weird. It's been a long time, after all.

Well. He had the time of his life parading me around his sect two weeks ago.

[ Though the phrasing seems a little ironic, McGillis' smile is rather fond. ]

[ McGillis hadn't actually been worried about that, but it's still good to know. ]

They sound like an interesting few.

[ It really makes McGillis think that he misread Edelgard so badly in the early weeks they've known each other, thinking she would not associate with such types. It is rather nice to be wrong though. ]

I've brought a few guns for teaching and taking apart. Hopefully someone named 'Death Knight' will have an agreeable time with that.

Anyone else I need to know about?

Absolutely. I can promise showing off your good-looking boyfriend to everyone you know is very fun.

[All the more so if they hate you!]

[.........Hm.

The idea of Jeritza with a gun is a bit disturbing for her, but it's too late to go back now.

She realizes, only now, that yes, she has left out a rather important detail. A detail she only learned very recently.]

I'm not sure how applicable this will be to your situation but... apparently, in the time I was missing, it was discovered by Hubert that I have... erm.

A living step-brother. [A beat of silence.] He's the prince of one of our potential future rivals and stands to inheirit the Kingdom as soon as we graduate. The plan is to get him on side, but... still, he might also seek to talk to you, so be very careful about what you reveal. [He's also a whole lot more violent than Edelgard initially thought, so she's really feeling the booboo the fool energies.]

Edited 2021-08-02 00:44 (UTC)

[ Well, well...

If McGillis asks nicely enough, he'll lift the ban. 😉 ✨ ]

...I had been wondering why Hamelin called you that. Though I thought that it was only just because he was giving a silly nickname to one of his allies, because of just the way he is.

[ He looks thoughtful for a moment. He starts wondering a bit about affectionate nicknames like:

A-McGillis, A-Montag, A-Fareed...but none of them sound right. Yeah, he thinks just by calling him by his first name, that'd always sound the best. It's kind of funny, thinking about how he never has called him by his last name, and things felt a little less distant. Though, really, the blond on the streets is something he can't imagine; but he does remember him speaking about having humble origins, which of course doesn't really bother him. If anything, he's...curious, but he'll leave that for later, when he's sure they're alone. ]

Well, I do appreciate you telling me this. Luckily, I think in the end I'll always be the most comfortable just calling you the way I always have, which probably does save you some trouble from any embarrassing nicknames? For now, anyway.

For now? Keeping me on my toes, I see.

[ Though he's smiling softly, clearly not all that afraid of what Huaisang might come up with in the future. Names are an odd thing. He hears 'McGillis' and 'Montag' almost equally in his daily life now, and neither of them feel like they encompass him as a whole. He's spent so much of his life always hiding away one part of himself from sight that now it's hard to figure out an approach to his whole self that doesn't feel discordant.

But it is good that Huaisang is going to keep calling him McGillis, he thinks. It's who he's been for most of his life and he's gotten used to the sound of it in Huaisang's voice. ]

Well, I'll need it. For a place called Unclean Realm, your estate is very beautiful. I might run risk of actually relaxing for once in my life.

[ ... you know he absolutely can't recall the ancestor who thought calling the core Nie Sect area the Unclean Realm most of the time, but you know what, it's fine. It makes it all the more surprising for those who visit the first time, case in point where McGillis is concerned.

But...at hearing McGillis actually contemplating relaxing, there is a twinkle in his eyes that comes and goes. He almost can't believe he's hearing it. ]

Oh really? I don't know McGillis, you may find yourself getting so caught up in its beauty, you can't help but relax. You'll even find out the benefits soon enough...mostly because you're in my home, of course.

[ Huaisang pulls away, smiling at him in a slightly cheeky manner. ]

Though, we're going to do a little more sightseeing before winding down. There's this area where the important discussions and decisions happen...which we'll only be there for a second because there's hardly anything interesting in there. The area I'm showing you after this, I think you'll really like, but I'm keeping it a complete surprise unless you can guess.

[ He's going to go forward, one of his hands still holding McGillis', to the main hall, and then of course show him a rather important area up ahead. Mostly reserved for the Sect Leader and of course important peeps. There are a handful of disciples in here, standing guard or looking otherwise a touch relaxed, but not many others. There isn't much of importance to be done in here in here at the moment, so that helps.

The seat looks very obviously kind of a little rough for the short man beside him...except there is a pillow on an otherwise very hard and uncomfy seat. Very untraditional among the drab stone, given how bright green it looks, but... it's very Huaisang. ]

[ McGillis enjoys it, walking hand in hand with Huaisang through his domain, as if doing so was entirely self-explanatory. As if they hadn't gone down a thousand winding roads to get here, as if there weren't a thousand more they need to follow. It's a tiny taste of happy ending ahead of the happy ending.

McGillis gives an impressed hum as they enter the hall. Though he glances at that pillow, he's not going to comment. Improvise, adapt, overcome and all that. ]

Imposing. So this is where you hold court? I think I might disagree that there's nothing interesting here because I could probably get lost in the design and its impact for an hour or two... but I'll spare you from having to explain all the intricacies.

For now, anyway.

Oh, well. It doesn't feel too intricate to me.

...But in retrospect, it might be, depending on what's being discussed. The difference in talking about relations between other Sects and any internal issues are rather vast ones, after all. Which, I guess I'm probably just too used to it by now. [ ... ] Though, I had a feeling you might appreciate the way it looks—you're one of the few people who wouldn't find Nie architecture intimidating.

[ Also, the Nie don't really loudly gossip like other clans do, but they do gossip enough. But with so many generations, it's bound to reach the branch family whose ancestors constructed the intricate parts of this hall. Which is a good thing, in his opinion, since it'll look favorably on McGillis. ]

I think we're done in here for now, though. Let's head to the next place right away...

[ Spoilers, he is SO excited to show him the next area because it's actually Huaisang's bird garden. Well, for lack of a better term, but there are going to be a lot of birds around. Most of them perched in trees, though there are cages for some, of course. There's also normal plants like bushes in here and other foliage but it's catered towards the birds. ]

Call Me Out - Once Upon Post-Game Threads!

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