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

[ It's kind of funny but he's realizing that this is the first he's telling anyone of this, at all. Then again, it's not really a long story, actually. ]

Well, an incredible amount of time ago, it all began with a butcher. His name has practically been lost to time by now, but he took up cultivating in order to protect those close to him, and to do right by those in need of his help. And though he's long since passed by now, people who descended from him wanted to continue to pick up the saber to protect people and their loved ones mostly. So, to continue his legacy.

Which is why most people in the Nie Sect cultivate with saber spirits, even if it can be dangerous.

...And I know this is the first time I've spoken to you about cultivation at all, so I'll give you a quick run down that 'cultivation' is essentially the art of improving someone's spiritual strength, their mind, and spiritual power. So it can grant them the ability to use spiritual energy and strengthen their combat ability. Naturally, they'll keep practicing at cultivation until either they achieve immortality or ideally somewhere they're comfortable with..or, of course, they die.

[ He'll pause for a bit to allow that to sort of...sink in for a bit, peering up at the blond beside him with a curious gaze. The disciples in the background are still training pretty hard, and the two that have been accompanying them seem more captivated on that rather than a story they're well familiar with. ]

It's been easy to follow along so far, right? I mean, I don't doubt it since a lot of seemingly impossible things have happened lately, but the concept might still be a bit strange...

[ I really don't know anything at all about you, McGillis thinks and decides against saying out loud. In the end, does it matter what cultivation is? Does it matter that he had no idea Huaisang could heal until he healed him? They've done all this backwards to begin with. ]

I think I am following, yes. The details will fall into place as I spend more time here, I'm sure.

[ He did at least bury some books about Chinese mythology from some unsuspecting library in the last few months, he feels... a little more equipped for this now. How much it will help is to be seen. ]

What is your personal goal in cultivation, though? You seem to have your own priorities, away from tradition.

I think it will. You're quicker on the uptake than most and I wouldn't dare make you sit through boring lectures that'd make most people fall asleep...

[ One of the disciples lets out an undignified snort because everyone who is in earshot (minus the blond man) knows exactly which person he's talking about. Lan Qiren's part in the indoctrination lessons taken at Cloud Recesses are known far and wide, after all. ]

Hmm...well, I'd like to never get old and that's about it?

[ He then suddenly turns to the disciples near the two of them, saying: ]

You're excused.

[ The two of them hesitate, because of the simple fact that though they may be able to treat the blond with him with respect, it is a simple fact that McGillis is a stranger. But they know it's useless to protest it, though the fact they are in the heart of Nie Sect territory makes them less hesitant to go. Still, the fact is what happened to the last Nie Sect Leader is something that will never not be on their minds when someone outside of the Sect is welcomed. They bow nevertheless to Huaisang and then to McGillis. Though not before one of them says to the blond: ]

Please take care with our Sect Leader, good sir and honored guest.

[ Then off they go as Huaisang gestures for McGillis to follow him. ]

[ It's along a path that has a small walkway above a little pond, where it's quieter, and it's just the two of them for quite away since certain people aren't allowed here. And he does stop, before they continue too far forward - if they did, eventually they'd wind up in the main hall. But, anyway.

Huaisang takes out the decorated fan he's long since retrieved from the end of that kidnapping episode, lightly fanning himself as he considers his next words. Partly because explaining this is a little complex, so he'll need to simplify some things for now. ]

I want to change how the Nie Sect cultivates. I mentioned it was dangerous, yes? It is true you can gain great spiritual power and cultivate well with a Saber spirit. But because it's a volatile thing by nature, it can easily cause a deadly condition to a cultivator called qi deviation. So most of the Nie Clan leaders don't live past the age of their late thirties.

The problem is, though, even if we're more accepting of certain things than most clans or Sects, the Nie are proud and when it comes to cultivation, it's something that is the source of that pride. Those in the Nie Sect are pretty stubborn too, so it's going to take awhile for them to accept an alternative. But, I know it's possible.

[ He hopes there won't be much trouble on the way there. Though really he's going to make it happen. He's tired of seeing people die in front of him from it...and this is why he doesn't like using his sword. Not that he would even if there wasn't a Saber spirit in it. ]

[ McGillis utters a reassurance at the disciples as they walk off. The concern is amusing though not unwarranted on any level. He is a stranger, a giant man from a foreign land, and not a good person either. Not that these poor boys would know the latter.

He follows Huaisang outside and smiles a little at the set-up of the area. Something so peaceful and beautifully arranged is exactly how he imagined Huaisang's home to be - nothing like the forceful dynamics of the saber training he's just watched.

It turns out that what Huaisang wanted to tell him in private is very topical to that observation.

McGillis is quiet for a moment, though he does reach for his partner's hand. ]

I can understand that mindset. Taking an incredible risk for greater power... Adhering to your roots, taking pride in your humble beginnings and carrying forward from that base...

[ It's resonant, that's for sure. He trails off and shakes his head. ]

But that doesn't mean there can't be improvements. If you were one who cultivates with such a 'saber spirit', I know I would put everything behind making this a safer thing to do.

[ Even if a few people would have to be harmed in those experiments... ]

Your people should understand eventually that they can carry the legacy of their founder in other forms. Only going through the motions by carrying a saber was never enough to begin with.

[ 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?

[ ... 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~

[ 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, 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. ]

[ It's less a matter of not finding it intimidating and more one of really appreciating the intimidation, but maybe that's a distinction that doesn't matter.

McGillis will absolutely hunt down some sect elder later though to learn more about the history of the hall and its politics. For fun, you know? It is merely that strange pesky feeling of affection that makes him spare Huaisang from having to explain more of it.

Instead, he obediently lets himself be ushered away from the interesting hall and it'd be a lie to say he wasn't somewhat guessing what comes next.

That doesn't make it any less delightful to arrive at though. McGillis feels like... well, not really like himself as a child but like a child when coming to meet so many feathery friends. ]

Ah, the species you have here are totally different form the ones common in my home...!

[ He knows how to identify them though, because that's what reading 'Birds of the World' a few dozen times does to you. ]

I've wanted to see this garden since the first time we talked to each other.

[ ... Oh my god, McGillis. By the end of his stay he's definitely going to become favored well by those in the Nie Clan and not just because Huaisang has made it clear that he's taken him to be his fated cultivation partner.

That aside, Huaisang's most definitely anticipating the blond to be enthusiastic about the bird garden once he's in it...but he can't say he'd be able to expect what kind of reaction exactly. Which is definitely worth nudging him along here because his excitement is absolutely adorable and endearing. ]

They're amazing, aren't they?? Of course, they all have names too...

[ Because of course he named them. They're...names alright. There's Peony, Lily, Oranges, Bai Xing, Meimei, Chestnut, Pie, and Feather to start with. ]

I had a feeling you would be looking forward to this. Oh and let me know if you have any suggestions for future names? I might be running out of ideas. Also, watch this!

[ Then he turns to the birds and gives a few whistles, which causes a few of them to fly over. Most of them land on Huaisang. One on his finger, one on his shoulder, and another on his other shoulder.

One tiny very red bird is going to curiously fly over to McGillis and land on his shoulder too provided he stays still and allows it to happen. ]

Look at that, I think Pie likes you!

[ You bet that McGillis will allow this to happen, being blessed by a bird is the greatest honor after piloting Bael! He'll stay perfectly still, only moving his head ever so slightly so he can get a closer look at Pie.

And then he glances back to Huaisang because if there was ever anything that told him he didn't completely fuck up in extending this relationship indefinitely it's seeing him covered in feathery friends. ]

If you leave names to me, it's all going to be war heroes, gods and demons... it might ruin the scheme a little.

[ Though maybe he could name them after candies...? That'd not feel quite so disruptive.

McGillis' voice is very quiet, he's trying hard not to spook the little bird. ]

It would definitely ruin the scheme if you gave them the names of demons; they're too cute for that. [ He says this, sounding amused, because he absolutely is. ] Gods might be okay, especially if you used like a shortened or cutesy version of their name or something like that.

As for war heroes...for the most part I really can see them easily not fitting at all. We might be able to fit your favorite in, though, if we don't use the full name. It'd be just "Agnika", or even "AK". How does that sound?

[ Yes, of course he remembers when he brought up Agnika Kaieru...and assumes that he is the favorite of the bunch. He hasn't heard the other 71 people uttered by name, but you know, he's also sure that McGillis has them memorized by heart too.

In the meanwhile Pie chirps happily and Huaisang uses his free hand to lightly give the one on his finger gentle pets perfect for birds. ]

Agnika. Shortening his name to initials feels disrespectful.

[ This is an immediate and decisive response. Should he hesitate to name an animal after the near mythological founder of Gjallarhorn? Maybe, but he won't. Birds are good enough that they deserve to carry his name. ]

And you're right - I'll argue in favor of demon names all day long, but not for songbirds like these sweethearts. It'd have to be birds of prey.

[ Maybe he'll obtain a falcon and name it Bael one day. Who is to say? ]

Maybe types of candy would be better suited...? Pie here could be the start of a scheme.

[ McGillis is still not moving, by the way, this bird's comfort is top priority now. ]

Agnika it is, then! Someone might even say it can be a symbol of his spirit being carried on by the wings of a bird. Even though there's probably more than one by now.

[ There's definitely going to be a new bird by the name of Agnika before the end of the week. But you know if McGillis goes and names a falcon Bael he's going to have to introduce him. It's only fair. ]

Yes, candies, sweets and desserts, maybe some fruits too. Like chocolate, or...

[ He smiles, noting that his lover is intent on staying still for the sake of the pleased bird who seems content where it is. And then his eyes briefly sweep up to the blond hair. ]

Lemons?

Lemon? That's the polar opposite of a sweet, isn't it?

[ Lemons are so bitter... For all his maturity, McGillis' deep dark secret is that his palate is actually fairly childish. The reference to his own color scheme is lost on him, he's too swept up by food opinions. Woops. ]

Not that I disapprove of fruits as a theme, but I'd start with something like peaches. Maybe we should make a written list of options...

[ If left unchecked he WILL come up with a whole name cataloguing system. ]

[ That sure was some light laughter on his end. ]

Yes, but...I was thinking of your hair. But you know, even if lemons can be bitter, lemonade can be sweet, can't it?

[ His voice has a hint of amusement but definite fondness. Even if McGillis' tastes are childish when it comes to these things in particular, Huaisang can't help but want to indulge it. It helps they share this thing in common. Besides, he likes that he can be so serious about the consideration of names. So he makes a quiet whistle and the birds on him fly off. Pie just stubbornly stays seated on McGillis' shoulder, even as Huaisang moves slightly so he can kiss McGillis on the cheek. ]

So how about peaches and lemonade to start with for this list? Those sound rather fitting in retrospect, right?

[ He'll smile oh-so-innocently at him regardless, the amusement easily dancing in his eyes. ]

[ With Pie so very secure in his position, McGillis finally dares to move from his statue-esque position so he can lean in for that kiss a little bit. ]

I co-sign this suggestion. [ ... ] But also, I cannot help but feel we've become rather sidetracked here.

[ The issue of naming birds is very important, sure, but... ]

I still have approximately a thousand questions about your culture and history, but before that... I should update you a little on my current living situation, right? The famiglia has begun setting up a house in the former Beldam dimension - I can't guarantee I will always be there, given the fact that we are helping with Edelgard's revolution and various other matters need attending, but...

If you need to reach me from here on out, you always know where to go. If you come by and I happen to be out, just leave a note and I will hurry to you as soon as I can.

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject