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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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Meng Dan once again showing why he is best boy .

The amount of chemistry between him and lq is too damn high .

Lq deciding not to have gloves on so they can hold hands . Ugh . Too damn cute.
 
yrsillar said:
Yes, it finds its strength in its meditation on the eternal 'moment' that borders on which all turns, between past and future, between life and death.
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Ah, the edging style. Appropriate for a blade art, I suppose.

Typo roundup:

yrsillar said:
My Uncle and teacher prefer the hand-and-half variant
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My Uncle and teacher prefers the hand-and-half variant
[uncle and teacher are the same person so it's singular so prefer needs an s don't ask me why I didn't make the rules of English or even know them that's just how it is I'm as confused and frightened by the language as the rest of you]

yrsillar said:
It is the blade of deulists
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It is the blade of duelists
[typo]

yrsillar said:
"I have little experience with it, beyond the basics, Ling Qi said.
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"I have little experience with it, beyond the basics," Ling Qi said.
[quotation mark]

yrsillar said:
The razor focus on a toool
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The razor focus on a tool
[typo]

yrsillar said:
showing no sign that they didn't accept their answer.
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showing no sign that they didn't accept the answer.
[typo; "their" could also be switched to "her", referring to Ling Qi]

yrsillar said:
it finds its strength in its meditation on the eternal 'moment' that border on which all turns,
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it finds its strength in its meditation on the eternal 'moment', that border on which all turns,
[added comma]

yrsillar said:
Even that which seems a great ending to human eyes the drying of rivers,
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Even that which seems a great ending to human eyes, the drying of rivers,
[added comma]

yrsillar said:
or you're clans 'light' just from the description of the effect.
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or your clan's 'light' just from the description of the effect.
[possessives]

yrsillar said:
"I do not doubt that we may find a moment to do so in these coming months. "But, all you are dismissed for now.
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"I do not doubt that we may find a moment to do so in these coming months. But, all you are dismissed for now.
[removed an extraneous quotation mark; a small blurb of narration might have been intended between the two sentences at some point in the editing

yrsillar said:
I would expect the Elder Xuan's to deliver theirs as well.
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I would expect the Elder Xuan to deliver theirs as well.
[possessive/pluralization]
 
yrsillar said:
"I'm curious, what style do you practice, Mu Wuye," Ling Qi asked. I'd guess a straight sword style from your bearing and rank…"

"An easy thing to guess. I eschew the more exotic blades that are currently in fashion in some circles. There is a simple elegance to the jian that is lacking in attempts to add fripperies and extravagance to its shape. My Uncle and teacher prefer the hand-and-half variant, which is a much more reasonable alteration, but I myself prefer the single-handed, two-edged blade," Mu Wuye said. "It is the blade of deulists and champions for good reason."
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Good to know what blade he prefers.

yrsillar said:
"A sword is a weapon of precision, where heavy arms such as mine are a soldier's tool, to break apart formations, the sword is what comes after, to pick apart those who remain and clash with command," Xia Lin said.

Mu Wuye nodded fervently. "The sword is excellently designed to maximize one's options in close combat, larger swords are more akin to polearms in that their greater length is more a tool of area denial than anything else. While reach has its advantages, proper footwork can negate this and turn it into a disadvantage, and this is not considering the conceptual advantages which an orthodox swordsman has in single combat."

"Ah, this is the 'Way of cutting'?" Gan Guangli wondered. "Or sword qi, as some call it. The razor focus on a toool which has such singular purpose grants a purity of intent that can be lacking in more esoteric ways, at lower realms."

"That is a surface-level analysis of the advantages of swordsmanship," Mu Wuye replied, turning fully to face them. "To answer the first question, I practice the orthodox style of the Mu, The Pale Night's Whisper, originally refined by our founder in her study under our great ancestor, the Herald of Endings."
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There's a power in simplicity/purity.

yrsillar said:
Th… he fixed her with a look. "That resonation is what you doubtlessly sensed. I admit I did not notice your own inclination until I peered closer."

Sixiang giggled in her head. Ling Qi carefully quashed any reaction but a pleasant smile. "It is one thing to hear of the Imperial family's storied heritage, but another to feel it in person," Ling Qi said smoothly.

They gave a small nod of acknowledgment, showing no sign that they didn't accept their answer. "Yes, it finds its strength in its meditation on the eternal 'moment' that border on which all turns, between past and future, between life and death. In every moment, there are countless endings in the world around you, by divining these, understanding these, one may achieve the perfect 'cut' which cannot be denied."

Ling Qi nodded, the chagrin and slight guilt for her prying replaced with curiosity. "I see, yes, that conception of ending is doubtlessly potent for a sword style. My meditations are more about the cyclic nature of it all. As you say, there are always new endings passing in the world around us, but in passing, the old becomes the new, the material from which the future is made. Even that which seems a great ending to human eyes the drying of rivers, the crumbling of mountains, these too are only steps, just the same as the small endings which pass us day by day."

"My meditations do not focus on the before and after, but your words sound similar to those I have shared with my cousins who have chosen less martial paths. Given your background, I must commend you for finding such parallels entirely alone," Mu Wuye said.
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Imperial Family has some very impressive arts. The Ending concept is very potent, he focuses on the moment and LQ focuses on the cycle parts of it.

yrsillar said:
Ling Qi took in the others around them, the bemusement of her friends, and smiled. "I have had my teachers, but it is not easy to follow. The Imperial family has surely reached far more impressive heights than my small musings."

"It is so, but talent and merit know no blood. Climb and you will do the Empire proud in its support for your path."

A little condescending, but also not wrong. The great sect system was the only reason she had a fraction of the opportunities she had seized.
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Given he's a member of royalty he's pretty down to earth to the point where even his slightly condescending points are pretty reasonable.

yrsillar said:
"I am at least academically familiar with the style, even if I have never seen a practitioner in person," Cai Renxiang said. "On a physical level, a swift striking style that eschews parries and direct guards, favoring deflection and avoidance?"

"Those are the principles of the mortal kata. Receiving blows puts the student in the wrong mindset; a proper master of the style is simply never struck because there is nothing to strike, as ephemeral as the pall of the reaper, they cannot be harmed by fleeting things. Parrys are a point of debate in the style. I would say it is clinches that are disfavored, but a swift movement, a deflection, as you say, is within the style's remit. The purpose is to instill in the student an aversion to stillness in battle. One should only be still when the cutting is done, and your foes are at your feet."

"...I find a focus on motion familiar, though mine is a more forceful thing… Advancement. One should not be still but moving forward. Seizing initiative, breaking obstacles, achieving objectives."

"That does resemble the little direct recordings of the Cai style developed by your mother. I should be interested to know its inspirations, but I know such things are likely secrets."

"...It is tied into the progression of time, the contemplation of how the now becomes the future, inspiration to theory, theory to action, action to change, change to victory," Cai Renxiang said after a short pause.

Mu Wuye, rubbed their chin thoughtfully, eyes distant and considering. "Heavily based in heavenly energies, then? I would have guessed more mountain, or you're clans 'light' just from the description of the effect."

"There is an element of light's order, but it primarily meditates upon heaven," Cai Renxiang agreed.

"It is easy to forget that it is not merely sparks and lightning, but the rush of inspiration, thought, and the drive to action which makes up the most yang of elements," Gan Guangli said, though he seemed a tad mystified by the direction of the conversation.

Mu Wuye nodded, "Indeed. Well, I shall look forward to the clash of 'the moment' and your progress, perhaps we shall both learn something if you should indulge me. How they interact will be interesting."
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The Cai Swor style is very interestign and it fits the whole Revolution Against the Heavens theme.

yrsillar said:
"Very rudely, in my experience," Ling Qi joked quietly.

The problem with her notions of cyclic ending and their interaction with Cai Renxiang's sword arts was a bit, well…

Her Frozen Soul made its statement, and Cai Renxiang's met it with something akin to a 'Yes. And?' Before running her over, unless she'd had time to build toward more of a crescendo.

Cai Renxiang shot her an amused look. "I do not doubt that we may find a moment to do so in these coming months. "But, all you are dismissed for now. Enjoy the celebration. Mu Wuye, would you accompany me as I make further greetings."
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LOL.

yrsillar said:
"Ah I suppose we should take to our own business then," Gan Guangli laughed.

"I have no intentions of accompanying you. Face your own battles with bravery, Gan Guangli," Xia Lin said dryly.

What did she…?

Oh. Hm. There really were quite a number of eyes on Gan weren't there? Hawkish and sharp peering from behind fluttering fans or veils like the eyes of falcons on juicy prey.

…She hadn't considered that Guangli hadn't fully been joking earlier.

"It is painfully difficult to give rejections without offending the heart… or the head. But a man must undergo many trials," He sighed. "At least wish me a good fortune?"

"Good fortune, comrade."
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Poor Gan Guangli.
 
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yrsillar said:
They gave a small nod of acknowledgment, showing no sign that they didn't accept their answer. "Yes, it finds its strength in its meditation on the eternal 'moment' that borders on which all turns, between past and future, between life and death. In every moment, there are countless endings in the world around you. By divining these, understanding these, one may achieve the perfect 'cut' that cannot be denied."
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So, his cultivation is built around achieving the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, then? That's, certainly an interesting route to go for a sword cultivator.
 
We did something like the percussion dance at the sect already, so I'm down for some variation with the courtly dance.

[ ] The fountains, where the strains of stringed instruments rose, and pairs danced in courtly elegance.
 
I'm glad the imperial prince didn't take too much offense on Ling Qi's somewhat disrepctful proding.
They also talked openly and enthusiastically once the subject was of their interest.
That shows they aren't as stuck up and arrogant as someone of their station may be, and that they are interested in building a good rapport with their fiancee's retinue. We'll see ho it goes.

[] The fountains, where the strains of stringed instruments rose, and pairs danced in courtly elegance.

I think that courtly dance can be more intimate, with its physical closeness and coordinated movements, than the more free spirited percussion dance; so I'm going for that.
 
[ ] The fountains, where the strains of stringed instruments rose, and pairs danced in courtly elegance.

The inner prude in LQ would probably be more comfortable here, which might be valuable for working on the potential relationship (also probably a bit easier to talk(

[ ] To a blazing brazier, where percussion rolled out, and partners circled in energetic motion.

This seems like it might work out well from how much LQ has meditated on motion, and be something she's more comfortable on.
 
[X] The fountains, where the strains of stringed instruments rose, and pairs danced in courtly elegance.

I think it works well with our stepping into higher house society. As a student we would have been intimidated by courtly dance, and now we can step into it with grace.
 
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