Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
- Location
- California
Us taking a riskier option isn't vindication of your lunatic and insulting "Conservative cabal" theory, it's refutation of it. It just shows the player base is perfectly happy taking either the safe or the risky option, and it just depends on what the majority finds more interesting.
- Pronouns
- He
Not the outcome I would have chosen, but maybe this could be foreshadowing of our upcoming exploration of nightmare themes?
Rule 4: Don’t Be Disruptive
... Seems like you're upset for some reason and want to take it out on someone. But there's no need for either personal attacks or projection of whatever made you write all that.
Now, 1) You don't know why anyone voted the way they did. That was just weird.
2) I never claimed it was a vindication about any theory, did I? That was a one word/meme post 😅 Where is all that coming from? I'm just happy my choice won 😁
Cheers!
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
Seriously?
This is what you said:
How is a vindication meme suppose to be taken in this context? Unless I'm missing something you literally said that the other vote option (which has less risk tied to it) is the less interesting or fun option and then said "I was right!" (Vindication: proof that someone or something is right, reasonable, or justified.) Can you see how that might upset someone?
The full context actually is that I haven't engaged with anyone who tried to twist those words, because I'm not interested in arguing in circles for the sake of it and neither do I think the thread needs it.
For example, even if I had "literally" said that the other option was the less interesting or fun one (which I haven't, take note of the option you omitted, and I don't think "literally" means what you think it means), in what way does the result of the vote confirms anything I wrote in that post?
It doesn't even make sense. The most logical interpretation would be that the two aren't related, unless one is grasping at straws. It's a funny meme I posted in celebration.
So no, I don't see how that might upset someone, and I suspect they were upset already. But even if it somehow could, being upset doesn't justify attacking people, same as disagreeing with them.
I just don't see where you going with this.
Alright, now that's just plain nonsense. You know people can easily read my "most recent exchanges", right? Regardless of why you're doing it, calling me a troll isn't going to make me one. And trust me, I'd rather you people leave me alone to enjoy the results, they are the one pinging me 😅 Arguing afterward serves no purpose besides sullying the whole thing, so I suggest we just move on.
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Regardless, it's a little gauche to rub one vote winning in over another. Time goes on, we're all on the losing end of a vote and if we ever want to keep speaking to each other we can't be doing things like that.
- Location
- ?
[X ] Is there a dream you would like to walk? (Opens personal action/Dream Quest for Xuan Shi. More chance of affecting his relation with Kongyou, higher chance of negative results)
- Location
- The Star Kingdom of Manticore
I just want to say that this idea of those who are alone dying alone works really well with our mist. I am pumped to see the direction the art will take because it seems to have a lot of themes that Long Qi is investing in.
Turn 15: Arc 3-4
"A stroll on the other side isn't out of reach," Ling Qi said. "I did promise a trip to revelry once, but do you have another dream in mind?"
"Offer to a starving man a banquet, and speak the question 'which dish first'," Xuan Shi replied wryly.
"You don't need to decide today, and I do recommend the Moon's revelry for a first trip," Ling Qi said, thinking back to a dark forest and a fox, the feeling of impending death.
"Why?"
"Because I've treated you shabilly, and you can help us," Ling Qi replied, not dressing her words up.
"This one has received the kindness he deserves, dreaming so thoughtlessly," Xuan Shi chuckled.
"...I won't pretend to fully understand, but I can say that there are more new horizons out there. Even if the answers weren't what you liked, what remains at the Sect for you?"
"The last volume was not here, did you know this Lady Ling?" he asked absently, looking up at the fire, the music and the sound of voices nearly washing out his words.
"The Elder never finished his books then?" Ling Qi said.
Xuan Shi nodded. "A small disappointment."
Ling Qi considered that, and the people here, the spirits and disciples alike, she considered the Sect itself, and everything that had happened here. "Stories don't have to end to be precious I think, or rather, they don't end as long as someone remembers them."
If there was one thing she felt she had learned, it was that histories, stories really, grew like bamboo, putting forth new shoots with every teller and listener. "I want to apologize for some of my words and thoughts by the way."
"After so long? There are many who would call it more rude to call up forgotten slights," Xuan Shi replied.
She glanced his way. "It would have been false if I apologized before."
He considered her words silently. "A sojourn into the unknown then, a strange journey. Let it be seen where the road goes."
"Ever, ever onward, to step back is death," Ling Qi replied lightly.
He turned his head, squinting at her.
Moving forward was not an abandonment of the past, because the past couldn't be abandoned. It was always there, on your back, whether you wanted it or not. She was leaving this behind, the Sect, many of these people, but a home did not have to be a grand or eternal thing.
+2 Home XP Home concept advances to II
Home is the people you gather, and call your own.
That was the lesson of Tsu, she thought, the one muddled and forgotten. When the tribes came to Xiangmen, they were not bound by blood or culture or duty or law, not then. They came in desperation, but that is not why they stayed. Tsu bound them and made of them a people, without any of those things.
"Miss Ling's thoughts run deep," Xuan Shi said.
Ling Qi laughed. "It's the opposite. I'm told they wander around the sky."
He nodded as if that wasn't a jest at all.
Ling Qi watched the fire and the dancers for a long moment. Itt ook her awhile to work out the words stirring in her mind. "Xuan Shi, are you content with watching?"
His pause was even longer. And when he spoke, he looked at her. "No."
She understood the shades of the silence after and frowned, calm despite the crawling feeling up her spine. She didn't understand that, after everything, why would he still be interested in her?
"You're really bad at seeing yourself still," Sixiang sighed.
"Would Miss Ling show this one the steps?" she was startled a little when he spoke again.
She breathed out, there was nothing to fear here, this cheerful communal dance had been chosen specifically because there wasn't even a hint of untowardness. Partners switched with each revolution around the bonfire, it was as much ritual as anything else. "Certainly. Maybe it's appropriate, this dance represents the passing of seasons. Shall we start over, no obligations or expectations?"
For a moment, he honestly looked like a man braced for a blow that never came, off balance and out of position. But he recovered and took her meaning, she thought. This was no kind of promise. "Most agreeable."
She smiled and offered him a hand.
It was a lively thing, the bonfire dance, arm in arm with a partner you spun and kicked and stomped in time with the music as you made your way around the fire. Xuan Shi was not as clumsy as he put on, even if he was awfully on edge.
Not that she could blame him, it wasn't like she was fully comfortable either, but surrounded by other people clearly less troubled than she it was easier to fall into the mood of the crowd. They spun through a revolution and parted, Ling Qi catching onto another female disciples arm, while Xuan Shi caught onto a laughing Gun Jun, who obviously didn't recognize him. They joined arms again on the next round and split again on the next.
And Ling Qi found herself arm in arm with another face she recognized. She hadn't noticed his restrained and muted qi in the crowd.
"Miss Ling," Luo Zhong greeted, tipping his head as they locked arms.
"Sir Luo," she greeted neutrally not missing the steps.
"This is an impressive arrangement, and you've learned the steps well, I could have been of assistance," he said quietly, almost unheard over the surge of the music and the stomping of feet.
"I had practice in working things out on my own," Ling Qi replied, her gown flaring out as they spun. "And this is Wang Chao and I's arrangement."
"Of course," he replied.
"And now it is his. I hope there will be no misunderstandings about that," Ling Qi said. In the end, you could not be friends with everyone, and it was foolish to try. She could not always be reacting, deflecting, waiting for offers. "It would harm my trust greatly."
She knew who her friends were, and who were merely contacts.
"Of course, it is rude to upstage your host," he agreed, tilting his head as they came around to the second half of the circle.
"It is," she agreed. "Seed livestock and watch dogs, low grade stock for now. That is what would aid our arrangement the most."
"Easy enough for my Luo clan. It would be helpful if we were able to observe the event, as the Meng will," Luo Zhong replied.
"You?" Ling Qi asked. He was referring to Meng Dan no doubt.
"My Uncle, you have met him?"
Ling Qi thought back to a scrawny and grizzled old man in an animal hide cloak, speaking in cryptic riddles at her first year end tournament. "Acceptable, though Lady Cai has the last word."
They reached the end of the circle and split apart, her arm caught back onto Xuan Shi's.
"Miss Ling is well?" he asked. His steps were smoother now.
"Well enough, one more circle then?" Ling Qi said.
"Once more, the spirit can take no more," Xuan Shi said self deprecatingly.
"People take practice," Ling Qi agreed with a chuckle.
However, unlike Xuan Shi, who was free to hurry off to a suitably distant corner after they parted ways, Ling Qi could not yet find a quiet place to cultivate.
But, she did spy Xiao Fen standing stiffly near a hedge wall, her friend at her side. He was looking around warily. Xiao Fen was staring straight ahead with an intensity that threatened to light up the opposite wall. Bai Meizhen was not there. So she must have ordered Xiao Fen to mingle on her own.
Well, that was almost as good, Ling Qi decided.
But, what to do, joking aside, she actually did feel for them a little.
"Hm, there's a poetry reading going on up and left, got a couple of Gan's folks there. Wang Chao and his swordsman buddy are off doing some weapon testing with some of the crafter folks off to the right,"
Ling Qi bowed her head in thanks to the muse. Peers might be better for her friend, and she was curious how Xiao Fen had interacted with others in the Outer Sect, but the weapons business would probably give the both of them more to say,"
[ ] Invite the two along to the poetry reading and bring them into contact with Gan's group.
[ ] Invite the two along to the weapons testing, to chat with Wang Chao and Liang He.
"Offer to a starving man a banquet, and speak the question 'which dish first'," Xuan Shi replied wryly.
"You don't need to decide today, and I do recommend the Moon's revelry for a first trip," Ling Qi said, thinking back to a dark forest and a fox, the feeling of impending death.
"Why?"
"Because I've treated you shabilly, and you can help us," Ling Qi replied, not dressing her words up.
"This one has received the kindness he deserves, dreaming so thoughtlessly," Xuan Shi chuckled.
"...I won't pretend to fully understand, but I can say that there are more new horizons out there. Even if the answers weren't what you liked, what remains at the Sect for you?"
"The last volume was not here, did you know this Lady Ling?" he asked absently, looking up at the fire, the music and the sound of voices nearly washing out his words.
"The Elder never finished his books then?" Ling Qi said.
Xuan Shi nodded. "A small disappointment."
Ling Qi considered that, and the people here, the spirits and disciples alike, she considered the Sect itself, and everything that had happened here. "Stories don't have to end to be precious I think, or rather, they don't end as long as someone remembers them."
If there was one thing she felt she had learned, it was that histories, stories really, grew like bamboo, putting forth new shoots with every teller and listener. "I want to apologize for some of my words and thoughts by the way."
"After so long? There are many who would call it more rude to call up forgotten slights," Xuan Shi replied.
She glanced his way. "It would have been false if I apologized before."
He considered her words silently. "A sojourn into the unknown then, a strange journey. Let it be seen where the road goes."
"Ever, ever onward, to step back is death," Ling Qi replied lightly.
He turned his head, squinting at her.
Moving forward was not an abandonment of the past, because the past couldn't be abandoned. It was always there, on your back, whether you wanted it or not. She was leaving this behind, the Sect, many of these people, but a home did not have to be a grand or eternal thing.
+2 Home XP Home concept advances to II
Home is the people you gather, and call your own.
That was the lesson of Tsu, she thought, the one muddled and forgotten. When the tribes came to Xiangmen, they were not bound by blood or culture or duty or law, not then. They came in desperation, but that is not why they stayed. Tsu bound them and made of them a people, without any of those things.
"Miss Ling's thoughts run deep," Xuan Shi said.
Ling Qi laughed. "It's the opposite. I'm told they wander around the sky."
He nodded as if that wasn't a jest at all.
Ling Qi watched the fire and the dancers for a long moment. Itt ook her awhile to work out the words stirring in her mind. "Xuan Shi, are you content with watching?"
His pause was even longer. And when he spoke, he looked at her. "No."
She understood the shades of the silence after and frowned, calm despite the crawling feeling up her spine. She didn't understand that, after everything, why would he still be interested in her?
"You're really bad at seeing yourself still," Sixiang sighed.
"Would Miss Ling show this one the steps?" she was startled a little when he spoke again.
She breathed out, there was nothing to fear here, this cheerful communal dance had been chosen specifically because there wasn't even a hint of untowardness. Partners switched with each revolution around the bonfire, it was as much ritual as anything else. "Certainly. Maybe it's appropriate, this dance represents the passing of seasons. Shall we start over, no obligations or expectations?"
For a moment, he honestly looked like a man braced for a blow that never came, off balance and out of position. But he recovered and took her meaning, she thought. This was no kind of promise. "Most agreeable."
She smiled and offered him a hand.
It was a lively thing, the bonfire dance, arm in arm with a partner you spun and kicked and stomped in time with the music as you made your way around the fire. Xuan Shi was not as clumsy as he put on, even if he was awfully on edge.
Not that she could blame him, it wasn't like she was fully comfortable either, but surrounded by other people clearly less troubled than she it was easier to fall into the mood of the crowd. They spun through a revolution and parted, Ling Qi catching onto another female disciples arm, while Xuan Shi caught onto a laughing Gun Jun, who obviously didn't recognize him. They joined arms again on the next round and split again on the next.
And Ling Qi found herself arm in arm with another face she recognized. She hadn't noticed his restrained and muted qi in the crowd.
"Miss Ling," Luo Zhong greeted, tipping his head as they locked arms.
"Sir Luo," she greeted neutrally not missing the steps.
"This is an impressive arrangement, and you've learned the steps well, I could have been of assistance," he said quietly, almost unheard over the surge of the music and the stomping of feet.
"I had practice in working things out on my own," Ling Qi replied, her gown flaring out as they spun. "And this is Wang Chao and I's arrangement."
"Of course," he replied.
"And now it is his. I hope there will be no misunderstandings about that," Ling Qi said. In the end, you could not be friends with everyone, and it was foolish to try. She could not always be reacting, deflecting, waiting for offers. "It would harm my trust greatly."
She knew who her friends were, and who were merely contacts.
"Of course, it is rude to upstage your host," he agreed, tilting his head as they came around to the second half of the circle.
"It is," she agreed. "Seed livestock and watch dogs, low grade stock for now. That is what would aid our arrangement the most."
"Easy enough for my Luo clan. It would be helpful if we were able to observe the event, as the Meng will," Luo Zhong replied.
"You?" Ling Qi asked. He was referring to Meng Dan no doubt.
"My Uncle, you have met him?"
Ling Qi thought back to a scrawny and grizzled old man in an animal hide cloak, speaking in cryptic riddles at her first year end tournament. "Acceptable, though Lady Cai has the last word."
They reached the end of the circle and split apart, her arm caught back onto Xuan Shi's.
"Miss Ling is well?" he asked. His steps were smoother now.
"Well enough, one more circle then?" Ling Qi said.
"Once more, the spirit can take no more," Xuan Shi said self deprecatingly.
"People take practice," Ling Qi agreed with a chuckle.
However, unlike Xuan Shi, who was free to hurry off to a suitably distant corner after they parted ways, Ling Qi could not yet find a quiet place to cultivate.
But, she did spy Xiao Fen standing stiffly near a hedge wall, her friend at her side. He was looking around warily. Xiao Fen was staring straight ahead with an intensity that threatened to light up the opposite wall. Bai Meizhen was not there. So she must have ordered Xiao Fen to mingle on her own.
Well, that was almost as good, Ling Qi decided.
But, what to do, joking aside, she actually did feel for them a little.
"Hm, there's a poetry reading going on up and left, got a couple of Gan's folks there. Wang Chao and his swordsman buddy are off doing some weapon testing with some of the crafter folks off to the right,"
Ling Qi bowed her head in thanks to the muse. Peers might be better for her friend, and she was curious how Xiao Fen had interacted with others in the Outer Sect, but the weapons business would probably give the both of them more to say,"
[ ] Invite the two along to the poetry reading and bring them into contact with Gan's group.
[ ] Invite the two along to the weapons testing, to chat with Wang Chao and Liang He.
Weapons testing imo
TheSilenceIsVast
Of the Sun
- Location
- United States
[Q] Bully Xiao Fen
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I think that's the poetry reading option
But the weapon testing does seem more up their alley.
If we bring Xiao Fen to weapons testing, the weapons will be tested.
Hopefully not directly on anyone.
Poetry... I don't think we know how well Xiao Fen or her friend do with poetry. Might be better than we think. Might not. It's a skill-set less likely to involve Xiao Fen doing injury to anyone who participates, though, and insofar as you can do injury to people with poetry... it might be for the best for Xiao to know how.
Hopefully not directly on anyone.
Poetry... I don't think we know how well Xiao Fen or her friend do with poetry. Might be better than we think. Might not. It's a skill-set less likely to involve Xiao Fen doing injury to anyone who participates, though, and insofar as you can do injury to people with poetry... it might be for the best for Xiao to know how.
As we are looking to acquire a new flute, it would make sense to see how various weapon talismans differ so we can be a better consumer.
[The Social Anxiety]
This sort of event is really good for them both huh.
NaanContributor
Provider of delicious flatbread, and nothing else.
- Location
- Hawaii
I don't think I was quite fully onboard the Xuan Shi ship before, but this quiet exchange has now brought me on. Guess all it took to get me rooting for it was for him to state his interest on his volition, and them both moving past their mutual skittishness to reach out a little.
Honestly, I'm not really a fan of how the Luo situation shook out here. Don't get me wrong, I like uncles, and I liked this dog-uncle the one time we saw him. But there's real meta and narrative reasons things were coming together to hand us a diplo summit team of 3rd realm young adults.
Luo Jie is probably, what, Indigo? Everybody else local was sending out bigshots. Maybe he's only Cyan, but that still leaves him as old and a person we've seen them send out for significant political events. The differential in power, experience, and position really limits the kind of interplay that's possible. By extension, that limits what we can do with the Luo clan itself.
Like, things like getting a demo of the Luo clan spirit contract arts like we did in the Wang Chao/Xuan Shi hangout? I doubt the context exists to get something like that with an old expert. The unassailability of Luo Jie requires superficial interactions. The power dynamic doesn't leave room for much texture or complexity, because the risks are essentially unknowable. And yes, I think Meng Diu is a similar risk profile, if not greater, but Meng Dan's existence offers a mitigating resource for us in a lot of ways.
It's disappointing, because we've always had an interest in the Luo as a thread, and this will limit our ability to get into their head or have a contact we can pressure at all. It's just... less.
Luo Jie is probably, what, Indigo? Everybody else local was sending out bigshots. Maybe he's only Cyan, but that still leaves him as old and a person we've seen them send out for significant political events. The differential in power, experience, and position really limits the kind of interplay that's possible. By extension, that limits what we can do with the Luo clan itself.
Like, things like getting a demo of the Luo clan spirit contract arts like we did in the Wang Chao/Xuan Shi hangout? I doubt the context exists to get something like that with an old expert. The unassailability of Luo Jie requires superficial interactions. The power dynamic doesn't leave room for much texture or complexity, because the risks are essentially unknowable. And yes, I think Meng Diu is a similar risk profile, if not greater, but Meng Dan's existence offers a mitigating resource for us in a lot of ways.
It's disappointing, because we've always had an interest in the Luo as a thread, and this will limit our ability to get into their head or have a contact we can pressure at all. It's just... less.
Ling Qi: "Social obligations done, looking for a place to cultivate...can't find any, found bulli target. Target locked."
- Location
- USA
I like how Ling Qi is like 'I had to learn this on my own because you were and asshole,' and Luo Lad is like 'IKR, sorry fam.'
[ ] Invite the two along to the weapons testing, to chat with Wang Chao and Liang He.
So, I think this is better for Fefe and Fefe's friend. And I'm interested in Ling Qi being interested in Fefe's friend. And poetry is really not Ling Qi's jam, but as co-hostess, probably not the best to bunch up...
Eh. I want Fefe's Friend because I want him for the clan, and I think he's preem for that. And he might actually be willing to get his service bought out, so we can start employing and teaching him earlier. Plus we can continue the enfriendening of Fefe. And that is priority number 1 right behind whatever CRX has us doing.
[ ] Invite the two along to the weapons testing, to chat with Wang Chao and Liang He.
So, I think this is better for Fefe and Fefe's friend. And I'm interested in Ling Qi being interested in Fefe's friend. And poetry is really not Ling Qi's jam, but as co-hostess, probably not the best to bunch up...
Eh. I want Fefe's Friend because I want him for the clan, and I think he's preem for that. And he might actually be willing to get his service bought out, so we can start employing and teaching him earlier. Plus we can continue the enfriendening of Fefe. And that is priority number 1 right behind whatever CRX has us doing.
