I'm a demonic cultivator. The grandmaster of the whole practice, in fact.
[ that alone may not explain why and how he knows so much about death; so, he admits to it. riku's already drawn a line about how he feels about death, either he will stand his ground and things will go sour or -- maybe otherwise. he can't control what is thought about him, either. ]
Part of what I do is raise and control the dead. Well, not here and not now. That power was taken from me when I arrived here, locked away or however it is people would like to explain it until we're certain. I know death and all that comes with it from my studies and research and the word of the dead themselves.
This could be my world, is the thing. I come from the place that's now called China, from a time written about in a historical sense. What if I was just brought forward from the future? I am selfish though, I can't give that up so easily - I want to hold onto him a little longer for myself. I don't --
[ if text could sigh miserably, it might ]
I don't want to be 'me' for a little while longer.
I've been to China before myself. Maybe Sora mentioned it.
[It's the first thing he responds to. The easiest part.]
The thing is, a name doesn't change who you are. I only know you as you. If he was here, he'd act differently, right? Even if he had your face. Or you had his face.
I don't think it's fair to him to pretend that you're him, even in your head. Something tells me that's not what he was going for either.
I do remember. Did you like your time spent there?
[ it's equally as easy to try and lean into that, to try and avoid the unrest bubbling up in his chest. the way it causes him to tuck his knees to his chest and morosely wrap his arms around them as he responds to a very good young man, who he feels he does not deserve. ]
If I don't do this -- he'll be gone. Souls are forever, death is an extension of one's living experience but he, gave up his very soul. There will be nothing of him, but nothing. It's too sad. However painful his life was, he chose that for me.
It all -- relates back to how life and the afterlife connect.
When a person dies, we don't cease to exist simply because our physical form has. The soul continues on, it watches over its descendants and their affairs and it is venerated because it has the ability to influence the fortunes of the living. It's just a continued form of life, apart from mortal affairs.
What he did, was a forbidden rite. Offering his body to a villainous spirit in exchange for vengeance. It's considered an "evil" thing in our world, and it's met with consequences as the world will seek balance. So, it took its pound of flesh from his soul, tearing it to shreds.
No more villainous than anyone who does bad things in their life, even for the sake of others.
My reputation got away from me. I was dead for thirteen years and a lot of stories got told. I was turned into a boogeyman and everything! But, you can decide for yourself - whether I'm really a villain or not. You have a good head and heart, I'd trust your conclusion.
Young master Riku, you're making me blush - you're so forthright, and my heart is too weak to handle such things!
[ this is clearly bullshit covering for how utterly, painfully happy he is to hear that from riku ]
I have always wanted to protect those in need. No matter how evil an act I have performed, it is with that at the heart of all things. I want to continue to live and work alongside you, to ensure our pain is limited, okay? That I can promise you.
So ... what's a courtesy name? Before you say anything, the name doesn't tell me much. I think it's courteous to not call Sora a dork, but it's not what I'd call a courtesy name.
It's a little like that. We have a name given to us at birth, and 'Wei Ying' is mine. When we reach adulthood, we are able to use a more respectful and formal name -- to be courteous -- and mine is 'Wei Wuxian'. Depending on our exploits and successes, we also receive titles in the cultivation world.
In society, names and titles are very important. Names are given, but titles are earned - like 'master'!
That's sweet of you to offer, but there's no need. I told you because I don't mind who knows. Besides. Lan Zhan calls me 'Wei Ying' often enough, it was bound to come up one day - what with us living in such close proximity.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ that alone may not explain why and how he knows so much about death; so, he admits to it. riku's already drawn a line about how he feels about death, either he will stand his ground and things will go sour or -- maybe otherwise. he can't control what is thought about him, either. ]
Part of what I do is raise and control the dead. Well, not here and not now. That power was taken from me when I arrived here, locked away or however it is people would like to explain it until we're certain. I know death and all that comes with it from my studies and research and the word of the dead themselves.
This could be my world, is the thing. I come from the place that's now called China, from a time written about in a historical sense. What if I was just brought forward from the future? I am selfish though, I can't give that up so easily - I want to hold onto him a little longer for myself. I don't --
[ if text could sigh miserably, it might ]
I don't want to be 'me' for a little while longer.
no subject
[It's the first thing he responds to. The easiest part.]
The thing is, a name doesn't change who you are. I only know you as you. If he was here, he'd act differently, right? Even if he had your face. Or you had his face.
I don't think it's fair to him to pretend that you're him, even in your head. Something tells me that's not what he was going for either.
no subject
[ it's equally as easy to try and lean into that, to try and avoid the unrest bubbling up in his chest. the way it causes him to tuck his knees to his chest and morosely wrap his arms around them as he responds to a very good young man, who he feels he does not deserve. ]
If I don't do this -- he'll be gone. Souls are forever, death is an extension of one's living experience but he, gave up his very soul. There will be nothing of him, but nothing. It's too sad. However painful his life was, he chose that for me.
no subject
[That may seem dismissive. Riku rereads the words and clarifies.]
I was there on business and in the shadows. I wasn't paying attention to the world so much as what I needed to know of it to help Sora.
[So, that.]
I don't get this soul business. Why is his soul gone?
no subject
When a person dies, we don't cease to exist simply because our physical form has. The soul continues on, it watches over its descendants and their affairs and it is venerated because it has the ability to influence the fortunes of the living. It's just a continued form of life, apart from mortal affairs.
What he did, was a forbidden rite. Offering his body to a villainous spirit in exchange for vengeance. It's considered an "evil" thing in our world, and it's met with consequences as the world will seek balance. So, it took its pound of flesh from his soul, tearing it to shreds.
no subject
no subject
My reputation got away from me. I was dead for thirteen years and a lot of stories got told. I was turned into a boogeyman and everything! But, you can decide for yourself - whether I'm really a villain or not. You have a good head and heart, I'd trust your conclusion.
no subject
I think I'd believe you did something hurtful along the way that would make a lot of people mad.
I just can't really judge that.
no subject
[ this is clearly bullshit covering for how utterly, painfully happy he is to hear that from riku ]
I have always wanted to protect those in need. No matter how evil an act I have performed, it is with that at the heart of all things. I want to continue to live and work alongside you, to ensure our pain is limited, okay? That I can promise you.
no subject
["You are not blushing."]
I want the same. But if you're as selfish as you're trying to make yourself sound, just know I'll be around to knock some sense into you.
Guess I have been for a while already.
What is your real name?
no subject
[ "I could be!!" ]
'Wei Ying'; that's my birth name. My courtesy name is 'Wei Wuxian'.
no subject
no subject
It's a little like that. We have a name given to us at birth, and 'Wei Ying' is mine. When we reach adulthood, we are able to use a more respectful and formal name -- to be courteous -- and mine is 'Wei Wuxian'. Depending on our exploits and successes, we also receive titles in the cultivation world.
In society, names and titles are very important. Names are given, but titles are earned - like 'master'!
no subject
Well, I won't ever make you call me Master.
Is it really formal to call you Wei Wuxian?
no subject
Call me 'Wei Ying'. I'd like that best.
no subject
Should I keep this from Sora?
[Riku doesn't mean it as a "big bad secret." He means it more as, "Is this something you'd prefer to choose to have get out?"]
no subject
no subject
[Out of respect for their privacy!]
But you're right. It probably would.
You sing songs and stuff, right? When you're out and about.