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

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Eh, id say both things are aspects of him, it just becomes a question of "Is he his origins, or is he what he became?" A chicken and egg situation where the answer is both.

Im gonna go with mortal songs and waves. He spoke fondly of them last time and though he is trying very hard to be serious and all business, I feel like that matters more to him emotionally.
[X] I took the sound of the waves and the wharves, and strum of mortal strings and sailors songs.
 
[X] I took the sound of discipline and pride, the melody of masks, and the beat of regimental drums.

Both are true, but if the question is what we took from it I'm actually leaning towards this one? It feels more relevant to who he is now, because whilst he's wearing a mask he's not actually lying to himself about it. He's actually being sincere in a way.
 
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[X] I took the sound of the waves and the wharves, and strum of mortal strings and sailors songs.
 
yrsillar said:
She swiftly came to doubt his claim of ignorance about material art. He at least knew far more than her.
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That isn't much of an accomplishment :p

yrsillar said:
"It's not the seeing itself," Ling Qi said. "For that, my eyes are already better. It's the method. The lens distorts what passes through it, and yet, it brings clarity and a true seeing rather than confusion and deceit. I thought to cultivate on this a little."

Xia Anxi closed his eyes clearly rolling that over in his thoughts. "That seems a reach to me. The method the lenses use is not so different than that the mortal eye uses to take in light. Might as well say our own eyes distort everything we see."

She laughed. "Might as well indeed. If my experience at the summit taught me anything, it is how true that is."
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Everyone comes with pre-built in distortions. Shenhua just peels them ALL away along with the artificial ones, which isn't really helpful for understanding, but really good for beating an illusionist's face in.

yrsillar said:
He opened his eyes, searching her face, as if trying to find the dig in her words. He seemed more unsettled to not find it, and scrubbed a hand through his hair irritably.
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Throwing him off like that is kinda fun.

Wheres the snide undercurrent?
How can you be completely honest, up front and yet still incomprehensible?!


[X] I took the sound of the waves and the wharves, and strum of mortal strings and sailors songs.

I think he's genuinely holding affection for his past, even if its lost to him.
Bai standard would be to encourage him to completely discard it like a shed skin, and no longer be burdened by it. But is it a burden to him?
 
Hmm.

[ ] I took the sound of the waves and the wharves, and strum of mortal strings and sailors songs.

Anxi isn't likely to be happy with this being our takeaway, but it would probably be an easier jumping off point for Ling Qi's own experiences, maybe even envy, if the conversation turns that direction. Somebody approaching his origin of something of value would be outside his ordinary experience.

[ ] I took the sound of discipline and pride, the melody of masks, and the beat of regimental drums.

This takeaway is one Anxi is likely to be more comfortable with, because it's more in line with what he actively works to achieve. Still, it doesn't escape the context of The Before, and that's interesting too. Somebody recognizing his accomplishment in who he is day-to-day, and not just as what is expected of him but in the fullness of his challenges, and without judgement or denigration for having those extra challenges, has also got to be pretty novel for him.

I could go either way, but I'll vote this for now

[X] I took the sound of discipline and pride, the melody of masks, and the beat of regimental drums.

There's also a clarity throughline, similar to the metaphor of the lens Ling Qi's thinking about, travelling through both options. But it goes both ways in both cases, and my brain's too sleepy to elaborate coherently atm.
 
[X] I took the sound of discipline and pride, the melody of masks, and the beat of regimental drums.
 
[X] I took the sound of the waves and the wharves, and strum of mortal strings and sailors songs.
 
Okay, now I'm understanding more of what Xia Anxi offers as a potential husbando choice.

If you enjoy reading about the sort of relationship where the two partners engage in constant verbal sparring, he might be the choice for you. And hey, many people do like that sort of thing! Don't misunderstand, I like a sweet relationship too, but there's definitely something to be said for a couple that has great debate game and enjoys lots of playful arguments.
 
[X] I took the sound of the waves and the wharves, and strum of mortal strings and sailors songs.

"Who's this 'Wellerman' I kept hearing about?"
 
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