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{He is fastidious about his appearance, brushing off imagined pieces of dust and grime with delicate hands. Runyu is not a tall man nor does he look particularly strong, yet jumping to conclusions about his abilities would be a mistake. Before you stands the Emperor of Heaven, though he earned the title through underhanded means.}

I am not practiced at welcome speeches. However I will do my best. {He clears his throat and stands with all the pride he can scrape together in this moment.} I am Runyu, son of Emperor Tai Wei and Princess Su Li. You need not fear me if you have done nothing wrong.

{His gaze sharpens as if he can detect wrongdoers through the device.}

Yet if you have committed this crime against me, I will not be merciful. You have removed the Emperor of Heaven from his duties and now hold him prisoner. Kidnap on this scale can only result in your death.

{Those are big words for someone who doesn't have an army to back him up, but Runyu is, perhaps understandably, mad. Furious, actually.}

Furthermore, if you have harmed my wife... {A chill climbs his spine. Soon, she could be his wife. He must return to her!} I will kill you myself.

{His hands curl into white fists as if he imagines snapping necks with his bare fingers. He could.}

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[Sadly no. They only made one of her. A Selphie would work wonders, but sadly she's yet to see her so he might be out of luck.]

Jin Mi. [She knew it, her name really is actually as pretty as her picture.] Right. If Jin Mi is here, I'll help you find her. Pinkie promise!

[Yes, she does in fact hold up the finger in question, flexing it a few times playfully.]

[Look, the only really old people she's met are all like... evil sorceresses. But as far as Rinoa can tell the only things they'd bothered perfecting was magic, dressing Terribly, and being evil. So it's her first time seeing a super long life in a more positive way.]

I'm not even sure that long could save it.

[She knows her limits. But that also means....]

So when you said your wife was the Water Immortal. You really meant Immortal?

{That is usually his place in the hierarchy. Out of luck.}

I appreciate your kindness. {If Jin Mi is here, he shudders to think what sort of trouble she could get into accidentally or otherwise.

He stares at her finger, innocently perplexed before he smiles. Ah yes, a pinky promise?

As for him being evil, welp. Currently that probably fits him, but there is more to Runyu. There is hope for him even if it seems quite dim.}

Don't be so sure. {Skills can develop! He tilts his head and smiles again, nodding.}

Yes. She is younger than I am, but she is a goddess.

[Oh boo. Surely it's not that bad....]

Well, we're all in a not great situation right now. So It makes sense to help each other out. And just keeping an eye out for someone is the least I can do. It's not like it's hard!

[That's right old man, stick with her and you'll be hip on all the things that the youngsters do these days. Well, when that youngster is like Rinoa anyway. Actual mileage may vary.]

You haven't seen how bad it is.

[Clearly Rinoa's not at all bothered by this. But then she gets all starry eyed again. A goddess? Sure, he means literally but... referring to his wife as a goddess is still super romantic. No one's ever called her anything that nice.]

Wherever she is, I'm sure she's okay.

[A pause, because maybe if she's doing him a favor he can do her one too. Too cheeky? Nah, no such thing.]

If you ever see a guy about this tall, [A hand is held over her head for explanation.] With a scar on his face, messy brown hair, and who seems really grumpy all the time... could you let me know?

[She'd ask about some of the others, but asking for multiple people is a little greedy. So she won't do that. Yet.]

{Unfortunately for him, it is. He is a prime example of someone abused to a breaking point.}

No, the task isn't difficult. I trust you will tell me immediately if you see her? I worry for her safety. If she is with me, I can assure it.

{Runyu being hip is...something else. He is incredibly traditional with his habits.}

Many things can improve if given centuries of practice - much less millennia.

{Sweetie, someone needs to call you a goddess. Rinoa deserves that!}

I hope so. Since she is younger than me, she is more vulnerable.

{That and...well. She isn't in love with him. He doesn't want her crossing paths with his brother.}

Of course. Is he a friend? {Runyu is happy to help.} We will help each other.

Of course I will. If I ever see her I'll let her know you're here and get in touch with you ASAP! [Wait, he might look young, but that's actually and old man try again.] And by that I mean as soon as possible.

[Rinoa isn't very good at traditional. A study in contrasts.]

I guess I'd never really thought about it, but you're right.

[She does, doesn't she! Maybe it's time she stopped settling. As it is? She's only seen guys like this in story books and movies. It's enchanting.]

As a water goddess, does she have powers? [Is Rinoa imagining his wife to be like Siren but different? Maybe.] I've never met a goddess before.

[Oh no, that news would break Rinoa's heart. He's so nice! And fairly cute too. And they're married! Why would... guess everyone has their troubles.]

I'd like to think so. We've been traveling together for a while now.

[Plus, he'd kissed her not that long ago. Which had been pretty nice. So she's pretty sure that means they're at least friends.]

Considering our situation, helping each other just makes sense. Don't you think?

{He smiles a little at her correction.} I trust you, Lady.

{In comparison, Runyu sticks to tradition because it is...comfortable. A reminder of who he is and where he exists in the broad expanse of his life.}

I have faith in you.

{Oh he wishes he were enchanting. Like his brother, perhaps.}

Of course. She is gaining strength daily. You see, her mother was the Goddess of Flowers and her father is the God of Water. For four thousand years her true identity was hidden from her. She is only now understanding her split nature.

I think you will like her. Jin Mi is very kind.

{A lot of his troubles are self caused, unfortunately. Runyu lacks the confidence to pursue his wife-to-be as himself. Besides she is already fated to be with Xufeng.}

I agree. I will find your friend if he is present. He deserves to know you have arrived.

[She's not actually a space case, but it's certainly true she can sometimes acts before thinking.]

I won't let you down!

[For the romance. For the sheer thrill of it, and just because it's the right thing to do. Simple as that.

Well, she hasn't met his brother, but she thinks he's enchanting.]

That's a long time to go not knowing something so important about yourself. [A small smile, but it's not a happy one. She feels for this Goddess she's never met.] I might not be a Goddess, but I know what it's like to discover a new side of yourself, to have to learn a whole new power, and that you're capable of things you'd never have even dreamed of before.

[Her next smile is a happier one, even if it's just a crinkling of her eyes.]

I'm sure I would. Your wife sounds lovely. I'd say I hope to meet her one day, but maybe it's better if she never ends up in this place with us.

[So it's time for How to have Self Confidence with Rinoa. She's more than qualified to teach a class like that.]

Thank you. [A pause, and then because Rinoa's always one to push the envelope.] Is there a specific name or title you'd prefer to be called?

{She's young. She's allowed to be spacey and cute. Runyu bows his head in answer, genuinely grateful.

Her opinion of him is good for his ego, too! But he is cautious. So cautious. People have betrayed him right and left - or so it seems.}

It is. I will support her while she learns. {He has been waiting for Jin Mi for millennia. The least he can do is help her become stronger...if she stops trying to escape him.}

Are you having difficulties, my lady? I'm always happy to listen if I can't help.

{She has been so friendly; it's the least he can do.}

Then I hope you meet her in a better place. She has visited Earth before.

{Please. His self-confidence is lower than low. It's in a tank.

Also...titles. He can see this being a sore point if he pushes too hard and it's easier, somehow, to tell her:}

Runyu is fine.

Edited 2023-02-27 09:47 (UTC)

[Don't call her cute to her face, she'll never forget and will be entirely too pleased about it for the next forever. ~~Not an actual forever, mr immortal, but a while.~~

Luckily, Rinoa isn't in the betrayal business. It's not her nature.]

I'm sure she appreciates the support. It's not easy having to learn about yourself like that.

[Definitely speaking from experience.]

Oh no! [She startles, laughing slightly, embarrassed.] I just went through something similar myself not that long ago. Not that I'm a goddess or anything, but...I know exactly what it's like being more than you realize.

[And had almost been locked away for an eternity because of it. Whoops~]

I mean this place isn't that bad yet, but I can't really say it's good either. You know?

[Hard to tell. Nothing bad has happened, but those papers as well as how they arrived? Very Suspect.]

Runyu?[A smile, eyes crinkling. First name basis with someone that important and cool? That's fine by her.] Alright. Runyu it is, but that means you have to call me just Rinoa too.

[Though the occasional Lady and the like is fine. Feels special.]

{It might happen. Prepare yourself, Rinoa. Runyu has a soft spot for cute girls - especially ones that are innocent and helpful.}

Of course not. She has been treated unfairly, though I understand why her caregivers protected her.

{He just wishes he could have known her sooner. He perks up at that little glimpse into Rinoa's life.}

If you need help, I am available. I can support you if nothing else.

{And he can make sure she doesn't hurt herself.}

The unknown is what concerns me. I feel like this world could turn on us.

{Or maybe that's how he feels about everyone and everything. He has caused enough strife and fear that anyone could stab him in the back.

Her offer surprises him - pleasantly - and he smiles.}

Very well. I'm glad our paths crossed, Rinoa.

[And Rinoa appreciates good looking guys. What a combo they make.]

But sometimes that protection hurts a lot more than it helps.

[She would know what that's like too. This goddess sounds like someone she'd potentially really get along with if their experiences are this similar.]

It's a deal! But at the same time? I can help you too! Support goes both ways.

[Don't worry, she's tougher than she looks.]

Well, yeah. You're not really wrong. There's so much we don't know. But I'm not about to let that scare me.

[It's the fear of the unknown that almost got her trapped in an eternal tomb in space, cut off from everyone and everything after all.]

I'm really glad too Runyu! Maybe this situation isn't ideal, but I'm determined to make the best of this.

How can protection be harmful? {That part catches his attention and he thinks of Jin Mi and how hard she has tried to escape him. Is he hurting her? But how can he stop? He needs her. Surely she will understand that...eventually...}

You are already helping me. {He smiles reluctantly.} Then I too will try not to be frightened.

{Fear is what has trapped Runyu and Jin Mi in their current predicament too.}

Your optimism gives me hope.

It's like my Dad. [Honestly, she's a little surprised she's willing to talk about this and it probably shows just for a brief moment, before she continues anyway.] The General's always making my choices for me. What's best for me, what I can and can't do. One of the last times I saw him? He locked me in my room! When I know I can make a difference.

[The fact that she's helping is another surprise.]

But... I haven't even done anything yet?

[Ah, yes. Fear. She's heard of that. But they're not very well acquainted.]

I... you're welcome I guess?

[That's not the reaction she's used to getting, but it's kind of nice.]

{Her story hits...home. Runyu has let his fear rule him; he has locked Jin Mi away and made decisions for her. He tells himself she will be safe and loved this way, but is it really for her? Even when he does those awful things, he isn't sure.}

Do you hate him? {He thinks he can live with his actions if she doesn't hate him.} You have listened to me. I appreciate that much.

I thought I did, once.

[After all, it's not like she knows what she's saying hits far too close to home. How could she? Instead, she's just sharing her own lived experiences.]

I ran away, took my mother's name, and did everything I could to distance myself from him. And when I finally saw him again? He just tried the same old things all over again, he locked me away!

[She sighs, the subject one of the ones she's honestly the most wistful about when it comes to back home.]

But the things I've experienced and everything I've seen? I've learned a lot. I wish I could have had a chance to talk to him again, maybe make things right, but...instead I'm here now. So I guess that's just going to have to wait even longer.

[Rinoa smiles, sheepishly. Realizing she's basically dumping her problems on someone who's barely more than a stranger to her still.]

I mean... you've done a lot of listening too Runyu. So really it's the least I can do. So thanks aren't needed, not for something like this. Not between friends?

[Testing the word out, mostly to see if he'll agree or not.]

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