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Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.
 
Ling Qi should definitely get romantically involved eventually, she ultimately does want a family for all that I think she'd rather have her husband be a friend than romantic partner or lover, but I don't think she needs to deal with this right now. She's shown herself to be perfectly comfortable with being alone, we can at least let her live out her teens before pushing her to things she doesn't have the desire for. I think it'd be okay if Ling Qi doesn't immediately get over the original trauma that lead her down the path to become everything she is today and the arguably less healthy option would let us keep that central character flaw a little longer.

[X] Leave the subject alone, there is no point in making things awkward. Try to continue as before.
 
[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.

If he has bound Kongyou, I kinda want to see Hanyi's reaction when she finds out. I can just imagine her trying to reassure him by letting him know that if he ever wants to get rid of them she'll be willing to lend a fist or two.
 
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Depressing that the ducals in her life are never happy with just friendship but best get this over with.

[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.
 
[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.
 
[X] Leave the subject alone, there is no point in making things awkward. Try to continue as before.

Honestly mostly voting this out of dislike towards some of the arguments against it.
 
yrsillar said:
"Ling Qi please tell me that you have observed propriety," her mother cut her off with a pleading voice.

Ling Qi's eyes flew open at her Mother's implication and she gave her a hurt look. "Mother! Of course I haven't done anything like-like," she couldn't even put it into words.

Ling Qingge squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath. "I am sorry, Ling Qi. I only…"

Ling Qi frowned, looking down at her hands. She tried to see things from her Mother's perspective. It probably looked like she had been concealing something. Given everything in their lives, could she really blame the older woman? "...I understand how dangerous men can be. I do, Mom."

Ling Qingge didn't reply at first. "I hope that you do, but your interactions with that young man gave me doubt."

"Xuan Shi?" Ling Qi asked in confusion. They were friendly enough, but he was…

"Ling Qi, even I could see that he held an interest in you," her Mother chided. "Are you truly saying that you were not making use of that?"

Ling Qi gave her a horrified look. Her Mother examined Ling Qi's face, and then slowly lowered her face into her hands.

They both sat in awkward silence as the evening song of the crickets began.

"I do not think that he is the sort of man to perceive… obligation from favors such as this," Ling Qingge finally said, raising her head. "But Ling Qi, please exercise further caution in the future."
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I originally hoped that Qingge would be someone LQ could go to for advice for this sort of thing...but it seems that Mom's baggage colors her own perception of men in the same way as LQ, just as much. Of course I expected Qingge to have a lot of trauma associated with men in general but... I guess I was a little too optimistic in hoping she might be more impartial. Its kinda crazy that her mom could suspect LQ would think men to be anything other than dangerous, given what LQ had witnessed as a child and the environment she was raised in. However parents often underestimate how much children understand and remember. She didn't have the luxury worry about LQ's mental wellbeing until 1.5-2 years ago and since then...LQ has become a powerful cultivator. I'm sure in Qingge's eyes, her daughter seems to have no trouble leaving the past behind.

I'm not referring to LQ's time on the streets because of course Qingge can't realistically know what her daughter experienced there. However, if Qingge had even the slightest idea of how heavily impacted her daughter was mentally by the things she had seen as a child, she would know better. This interaction shows how little she knows her daughter. Of course I'm not saying that as a criticism. It makes sense that even though time has passed, they still don't know each other that well. We just have a long way to go.
Also, LQ may have to find someone else to ask for advice. A different mom, one not traumatized and with a less difficult past, might say that as long as propriety is observed, there no harm in a little flirtation. A different mom wouldn't automatically worry about men taking advantage of or expecting obligations from her daughter, wouldn't immediately warn LQ about the dangers of men and the danger of letting your guard down. However, Qingge sees a potentially predatory mind in any man.
Once again, I am not criticizing Qingge here. I feel bad for her. In hindsight, its certainly not surprising that she has this attitude.
However, LQ is still gonna have to find someone else to talk to for the immediate future about these matters, while she works on her relationship with her mom.
Gu Xiulian, why did you have to go... :cry::cry::cry:
 
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[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.
 
Lena27 said:
Once again, I am not criticizing Qingge here. I feel bad for her. In hindsight, its certainly not surprising that she has this attitude.
However, LQ is still gonna have to find someone else to talk to for the immediate future about these matters, while she works on her relationship with her mom.
Gu Xiulian, why did you have to go... :cry::cry::cry:
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They basically have exactly the same attitude, but with different nuances.

AbeoLogos said:
I'm actually fine with either option, partly because both seem highly amusing. However, this is the more proactive approach of the two, which neatly embodies Ling Qi's strongly Yang tendencies and themes.
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*squints*
 
yrsillar said:
It was mostly are of decoration, and here the formations on the polished wooden walls were openly visible.
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bare


[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.

I'm voting for this because I think this will add flavor to the favor Xuan Shi will ask.

:V Maybe he'd just use the favor to ask us to not speak of this and makeout cave again?
 
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AbeoLogos said:
[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.
I'm actually fine with either option, partly because both seem highly amusing. However, this is the more proactive approach of the two, which neatly embodies Ling Qi's strongly Yang tendencies and themes.
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I guess I kinda want a Ling Qi that's more balanced and less Yang.
Also I think I don't want to have "increase bond" as the default option taken whenever it's obvious.

[X] Leave the subject alone, there is no point in making things awkward. Try to continue as before.
 
Lena27 said:
Out of sympathy to both of them, my knee jerk reaction was to avoid the painful awkwardness to come and choose option #1. Its instinctively the first choice I would make in that situation but for that exact reason, I know its not a good idea. Avoiding things you fear just makes everything worse for all parties involved.
The socially awkward, avoidant part of me (and the awkward teen I once was) still grimaces at the sheer amount of awkwardness to come though...poor kids lol.
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"Do you think I'm cute, Xuan Shi," Ling Qi asked in an accusing tone.
Xuan Shi's hat brim raised in surprise, "This one-"
"Am I adorable to you?"
"Th-"
"A precious treasure? A flagrant flower? An object of devotion and dedication, never to be betrayed or disappointed!?"
Ling Qi finally exhausted her increasingly severe list of charges, staring at the thickly garbed boy in apprehension.
"...Yes."
"Xuan Shi, how could you!? I trusted you," the girl exclaimed, fleeing into the night. Her trailing tears evaporated into fading shadows, but the hurt of betrayal lingered in her heart.

Mellithae said:
...I'm going to need you to explain that. I've always thought of LQ as leaning Yin, especially after incidents like the CRX talk, the nightmare incident, and the Wu Jing talk. She's gotten a bit more yang recently, but not that much.
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It's mooostly a joke. Mostly. There's a kernel of truth to Ling Qi's sometimes blunt and obstinate approach to social issues embodying traditionally Yang principles. In this actual circumstance, her planned approach doesn't seem to be strongly Yang-ish though, given it's worded as "Find a way to broach the subject". She's going to be trying some (friendly!) manipulation.
 
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[X] Leave the subject alone, there is no point in making things awkward. Try to continue as before.

Meh, Xuan Shi has never pushed. So why should Ling Qi? He's just a teenage guy with a crush. We don't have to resolve or make big deal every time someone crushes on LQ. If he actually initiates something, then we can have a talk.
 
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AbeoLogos said:
"Do you think I'm cute, Xuan Shi," Ling Qi asked in an accusing tone.
Xuan Shi's hat brim raised in surprise, "This one-"
"Am I adorable to you?"
"Th-"
"A precious treasure? A flagrant flower? An object of devotion and dedication, never to be betrayed or disappointed!?"
Ling Qi finally exhausted her increasingly severe list of charges, staring at the thickly garbed boy in apprehension.
"...Yes."
"Xuan Shi, how could you!? I trusted you," the girl exclaimed, fleeing into the night, her trailing tears evaporating into fading shadows, but the hurt of betrayal lingering in her heart.
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That's awful, and you're awful. Take your funny and go!
 
[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.

Rip off the bandaid just like with Bao Myahehehe
 
[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.
 
[X] Find a way to broach the subject, and figure out what he wants. You don't want him to misinterpret things.

ChronOblivion said:
Hey look, the thing that I predicted happened just like I expected. Ling Qi splurging yet another small fortune for a probably superfluous piece of assurance, and Qingge noticing just how much Qi is sacrificing for this and calling her out on it. This is Qi's anxiety about her family going overboard and hurting her own future.
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The second sentence yes, the third sentence no. Both the textual depiction and out-of-universe versions of the math cabal were pretty clear about Ling Qi being able to afford this as long as it remains a one-off purchase - it's not hurting Ling Qi's future beyond the general form of picking a particular way and therefore closing future cultivation paths that applies to literally every decision from here on out.

Orkus Majorkus said:
They REALLY liked his willingness to do a last stand for relative strangers.
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Given Kongyou's explicit preference for tragic stories, there's a real possibility that Xuan Shi's unrequited (as of 8 End) feelings for Ling Qi is another big draw for making a pact between Xuan Shi and Kongyou.
 
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