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Call Me Out - Once Upon Post-Game Threads!
McGillis will spend the majority of his time with Hamelin, Jack and Yuri - they will establish a real household in the Beldam dimension as soon as they are capable of using those powers properly. Come visit! Or plot something else out with me under
End of a Fairytale ~ An Unforgettable Beginning to a Memorable Time
Huaisang definitely was crying tears of happiness at the moment even though he tried his best to hold them back...the tears being happy because he knew he'd see McGillis again.
Upon his return to Qinghe, Huaisang also made his disciples and the elders who were already freaking out worry even more because he promptly fainted upon arrival. Look, he is a relatively delicate man, and after the excitement left him he had no energy reserves whatsoever. So he spent 1-2 days in bed, but you better believe he got a lot of painting done in the meanwhile, read McGillis' original farewell letter, and wrote some poems.
Wei Wuxian (the one from his current time) and Lan Wanji also visited him on account of dealing with his disappearance and he had a chance to bridge some of the gap between them.
But funnily enough, as soon as McGillis makes his appearance in Qinghe (let's say nearby the gates of the clan residence), it takes a shockingly low amount of time for Huaisang to be seen running visibly out of the gates and towards the blond. As if he sensed something new in regards to someone's spiritual energy or was alerted by his ... 'birds' (it was both, in a way.)
His disciples and servants AND advisors are exasperated because they were concerned about his disappearance and him just going out without protection all of a sudden without explaining anything...but he can't help it!! ]
McGillis! You're here!
[ Hope he's prepared for Huaisang to go in for an embrace. Sure he's been planning on dropping by to see McGillis himself soon but plans got derailed for awhile since he had to catch up on a lot of Sect Leader duties. Alas. But that doesn't matter now!! ]
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It had been odd to think of meeting him again. During their time in Aira Niluc, not a day had passed without talking to Nie Huaisang. This man he'd never seen before had become a staple of his daily life and then, just like that, vanished from it once again.
Nie Huaisang was like a ghost of tenderness, like a still-remembered fever dream. McGillis would have been content to keep him in his heart like that forever, a pristine and well-preserved maybe.
And yet, he's followed his energy and made his way into a different world entirely, covered in the necessary glitter and holding a small gift bag of candies. While he's still busy wondering how to find Huaisang at all in an entirely unfamiliar place, a shout of his name cuts all contemplations short.
He is reminded of Almiria, the way Huaisang flies towards him and makes him worry that he might just trip. And as if he were being greeted by Almiria, McGillis shows no hesitation in opening his arms for Huaisang, lifting him up and then spinning him around. ]
Careful now, careful now...
[ Is it safe for them to be out here like this? Will it cause nasty rumors and trouble for Huaisang if the nature of his relationship with this stranger becomes clear? McGillis doesn't know and still buries his face in the crook of Huaisang's neck for just a moment, breathing him in. It still feels just right. He'd been worried about that. ]
I'm here. I did promise I'd hurry.
[ It still took a few weeks, but not an eternity at least. ]
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An oddity he doesn't think he would be able to get used to no matter how much time passed.
Already he's going through his head what they're going to be doing here. Enjoying their honeymoon here, and maybe teaching him some things that will stick with a lot of effort and practice. But, one thing at a time. ]
You certainly did! I'm so happy to see you again. You know, I missed you so much that I don't think mere words could express it...
[ His fingers from one hand move to lightly comb through the other's hair, which has always been far shorter than his but still within reach given where the blond's buried his face. A gentle smile makes its way across his face soon enough when he pulls that hand back to rest it where it was before—around the other man. ]
I can't wait to show you around. You should also tell me about your little adventures here or there.
[ Around this time, a couple of his disciples come into view but they just hang closer to the gate out of respect for the two's reunion. ]
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[ McGillis says is quietly, as if a little hesitant, but these are words he can return in earnest. 'I love you', that might take some time, but 'I missed you', 'I am committed to you' and 'I want to make you happy'? Those are truths that he can whisper, first attempts at understanding what it truly is they are doing.
It takes another moment until McGillis can pry himself away from the embrace. ]
We've had... quite a time, being four people in a time period none of us are familiar with.
[ A storybook heroine, a fairy tale, a fractured soul and a man from the future enter a McDonald's... McGillis shakes his head lightly, that kind of stuff is for later. ]
But nothing will have me being a fish out of water as much as this place. I know nothing and I am going to enjoy the tour all the more for it.
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And as far as Huaisang is concerned, they have more than enough time to one day realize that moment. But right now? This is more than enough. ]
Well! Consider myself expectant to hear what the four of you had gotten up to. Don't skimp on the details unless it involves something gross.
[ Like bugs! But, anyway, he'll be making a 'come' gesture as he starts his way back to the gate. ]
Come this way, then. We can start a tour right away, and of course there are a few trusted disciples who will be attending to us. After the tour of the main hall and the immediate surrounding area, we'll sit down to eat. Also, at some point I think I'll have you look over some fabrics so that you can pick out an outfit? I'd be a poor host and partner if I didn't gift you some appropriate clothing, you know.
[ He'll take a moment to tell the small contingent of said disciples briefly that McGillis is his ~fated partner~ and he anticipates the utmost respect where he's concerned, as well for one of them to make the necessary arrangements. It's very brief, and Huaisang's tone is very happy and light, but there seems to be a little...hmm, something to it as well? Maybe just that it carries a certain expectation that his word is to be followed, and any deviation may be met with more than just tears. Anyway, the one disciple told to make 'arrangements' does run off, but generally entering through the gate accompanied by the remaining two disciples is mainly an uneventful affair. As an aside, the disciples of course respectfully bow to the two, stating that they are generally here to 'Assist Sect Leader Nie and His Partner if either has any further requests of them'. But they don't do anything else just yet.
Anyway, welcome to Qinghe! Specifically, the Unclean Realm. Right away, the main training hall (which is different from the main hall) is rather visible, alongside what look to be varying states of obviously Chinese architecture/buildings and connected houses, for generations of the Nie household but for also guest disciples/disciples who aren't blood related as well. ]
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There is a strange line between continuing their play and becoming more honest with one another and it is not one McGillis is sure how to walk yet. They won't be able to be pretend-lovers anymore. From here on out, standing in the middle of Huaisang's reality, they're the real deal.
McGillis breathes in deeply as he steps through the gates and for a long moment he is silent as he takes in the atmosphere. The Unclean Realm is a bustling world that is far from anything he's known, removed even from the worlds he would commonly run to in the storybooks.
This is a new beginning. This is Huaisang, all of it, and he'll allow himself to melt into it. ]
That seems like a much better idea than myself poorly assembling a shoddy approximation of this place's fashion. I did think about that but I decided to spare you the sorry sight.
[ What fine architecture... The more McGillis looks the more his deep musings get replaced by simple boyish curiosity and it shows in the way he paces over the area, glancing here and there. ]
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...Yes, he's still such a romantic, sue him. Well, it's very much not inaccurate at any rate, and when he teaches McGillis how to cultivate it's not like anyone would've known to think otherwise. Not that anyone dares to in the presence of their Sect Leader, for fear of tears or the rare display of the Nie Sect Bad Temper™.
He can't wait to explain this world to the blond man in front of him. Including this as well. ]
I'm sure it wouldn't have looked that bad? Then again, I don't really know whatever you may have glanced over might've looked like before coming here, so...
[ He'll smile softly to himself as he notices how McGillis looks at their surroundings in wonder. Huaisang then ushers him gently towards the training hall first to show him some of the disciples who were doing their sword drills with the sabers. With a very strict instructor overlooking those training.
No one seems bothered by anyone watching; it's common for people to stop and look. And those from the Nie Clan are very proud of their saber technique*.
*Nie Huaisang is an outlier and should not be counted. ]
Did I ever tell you how the Nie Sect started?
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You did not. And more surprisingly, I don't think I've asked even though I do love founding stories a great deal.
[ Maybe it is for the best that they didn't cover that topic yet, though. It feels more atmospheric to listen to such history when you're at the place in question. ]
High time to remedy this. How did it start?
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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...
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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.
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[ 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. ]
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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. ]
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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.
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...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?
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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?
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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~
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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[ 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.
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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. ]
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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.
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...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. ]
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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.
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