heng_like_a_dragon

[Ah... he doesn't expect to be asked about Welt by Varian, but he can see why he would. ... Especially when March is involved. She has a gift for making things as clear as mud.]

Yes, I was the third passenger to join the Trailblazers aboard the Astral Express. March came some time after I did.

I would be happy to answer your questions about Mr. Yang. My memories are incomplete, so there may be some speculation involved on my part, but I will do my best.

[ This is where they are today. Thanks March! ]

Ah, so you were on the... space train earlier, that makes sense.

Honestly, my main question is how on earth he managed to make black holes? And also how he managed to control what was sucked into them because by their very nature they are extremely uncontrolled.

[ And the one time he's seen someone try to control one was the Event Horizon and that was bad.]

Indeed. I didn't have anywhere else to go, so I accepted the offer to be their archivist and Guard.

Hm... those are tricky questions to answer. Mr. Yang didn't particularly wish to talk about the specifics of those powers, and I had the sense it was for good reason. From what I remember, he used his cane a lot as both the normal function of such an item and also to channel certain powers through it.

I recall he was also able to create an animated show using that power as well. He was a huge fan of mecha anime in particular. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that Mr. Yang is capable of "creating" things through his magic, though I don't know what the limitations are. In my experience, such powers generally come with certain restrictions or downsides, if not both.

If I had to hazard a guess, perhaps such power is limited to whether or not Mr. Yang knows the thing he is creating, and he can modify that to a certain extent. Such as knowing that makes up a black hole, but ensuring that the event horizon only goes out so far. But this is pure speculation.

No kidding? What was that like?

Okay, that makes sense so far. Dad got me a quarterstaff I can use to help focus my earth elemental abilities when I need it. It's like a conduit, I guess.

...Oh boy, Blade must have loved him. March likened his abilities to that of the anime with the alchemy in it- which is how we got onto the subject in the first place. So I guess all of that makes sense, with that you're saying. I definitely don't understand how that works. But I can see how she got to where she did now.

[ Varian is capable of building just about anything. So long as he has a chance to think it through, let him have time and space an resources? The sky's the limit. But even he needs materials. He can't build something out of nothing. ]

Sounds like a very dangerous power to have.

It was never boring, that was for certain, but it was also rewarding. Each of us chose to board the Express for different reasons, but one can walk the Path of Trailblaze without needing to be a passenger. That's... a side tangent for later, I think. To more fully answer your question, despite the dangers for going to new planets, it was the best decision I had made. I was among people I could call family, even if I didn't have the word for it due to my Vidyadhara heritage. And it was the first time I felt... safe and free to be myself.

[Dan Heng isn't usually so open about discussing his past life, but it seems to be more that he prefers being asked about it rather than dumping it on an unsuspecting person's head.]

Exactly. A conduit or perhaps even a limiter. He was very conscientious of when, where, and how much to use it. So, while I very much agree that it's a dangerous power to have, I believe Mr. Yang can be trusted with it.

[He pauses for a moment. Mostly he just wants to choose his words carefully here.]

Unfortunately, in our past lives, Blade was part of a different faction. In public our factions were vehemently opposed to one another, but we came to a tenuous truce after some truths were revealed to us. That being said... Blade back then was a very different person to who he is now. I can't speak about his past fully as it's not my place.

[Dan Heng hesitates for a fraction of a second.]

Let us say... someone he thought was a friend did terrible things to him in order to "forge" him into a blade for her own ends. Primarily to make my incarnation as Dan Feng, the life I had before I was Dan Heng, pay a price. Even now, Blade refuses to do much as say her name and I have respected that.

However, I feel that it's only fair to warn you since you're close to him: if you ever encounter a swordswoman named Jingliu, do not engage with her. Inform Jing Yuan and I so that we might assess if she's safe to approach.

That's... good. Being able to find your own family, I mean. Finding a place where you can forge your own. I think that's always important... being able to find people you know you love, but more importantly who love you back.

That's good, then. It's very powerful, but so long as the person who wields it is as safe as he can be, that's... well. Better than the alternative.

[ Varian is extremely untrustworthy by nature. It's a habit that was hard earned for him- but if Dan Heng has faith in the guy, then Varian can put a little faith in him, too.

As Dan Heng speaks more though, Varian frowns at the screen. He knows a thing or two about being used for someone else's means. For some to use his mind to harm those he cares about. His hand tightens a little on his phone for a moment. If it were Andrew? Well... Varian doesn't like talking about him, either. ]

I'm sorry that happened to him. I can understand how that would weigh heavily on him. Even if his life was different then, betrayal and being used still hurts- no matter what life you're leading.

Okay. I won't engage. I'll let you guys know.

I agree. Vidyadhara do not have family units, which makes recognizing those bonds quite difficult for us. The best equivalent we have is a close bond between master and disciple.

Indeed. It is something that I also keep in mind for my own power. Though, my possession adds a layer of complications to using it.

[Dan Heng can safely say he'd trust Mr. Yang with his life, and he can trust that the man wouldn't use his power for nefarious ends. Varian doesn't know him at all, which is why he can empathize with the caution. Power such as this is not something that should be taken lightly.

The dragon relaxes somewhat as he sees that agreement. And that empathy.]

Exactly so. It was why he reacted so strongly to me when we first met. Her words and Mara's had overwritten his own true thoughts on the matter. I suppose you could say that in a way, she took his voice during her "forging."

Thank you. I wish to give her reincarnation the benefit of the doubt as being a different person. Even if she did not do the same for me in my previous life, I have lived long enough to understand that nobody save Vidyadhara High Elders truly understand what our new lives are. So I do not blame her attitude. It had been a very common one no matter how much time had past since we joined their Alliance.

Regardless, I don't wish to frighten you. She might be perfectly safe to be around if she has reincarnated, but I would rather be cautious so that others don't come to harm.

Oh. That's interesting. Given how free the app users are in adopting people into their family units that must have been... tricky to adapt to.

I imagine it does. Sorry, it sounds like you're having to juggle a lot of plates in the air all at once.

That's... pretty horrible to think of. But it's fine. I strongly believe none of you who are bound fo this world are bound to your past lives as well. Even if you have that past connection, that... reflection, you're still not that person. Not completely. You have different experiences here which turns you into a different person. Besides, I believe everyone deserves a second chance. What they do with that second chance it what really matters, more than what they did in the past.

Hah, I'm not that easily frightened, don't worry. But I do understand caution, too.

Mm. I think that if I had come here from my original universe, that would've been the case without a doubt. Fortunately, I was born in this world as human, so I can now fully feel and understand what it means to have family.

There's no need to apologize. While it's a lot of spinning plates, I'm still supported by POKEGO and my partners. That takes quite a bit off of my shoulders.

Ah...

[He hadn't been expecting that, but it does ease his heart to hear that from Varian. Even if he's not aware of the full context, that's a rare sentiment from his past lives.]

That is exactly how it is for the Vidyadhara. The only ones who remember their past lives are the High Elders, who serve as leaders for each of the five... sects I suppose you could say. However, while at our core we are the same, our experiences in our new life shape how we feel and think differently. Thus are we different people, and the law on my home world normally treats us as such. Any crimes done in the previous life are expunged upon reincarnation.

I was the sole exception, and many would still call me Dan Feng. The silver lining was that it was quite easy to tell friend from foe based on how they addressed me. Still, I suspect it was by design. As Imbibitor Lunae, I had many enemies even within my own sect.

That's... something at least. Something... that you wouldn't have experienced in that life, but you do get in this one.

[It sounds extremely complicated and Varian's kind of glad he doesn't have to handle that. He's had to learn to adapt to a completely different world, to be sure, and he knows he's always going to be somewhat on a back foot compared to most others.]

That's good. Having people you can rely on. That... makes such a big difference.

As it should be. I mean. Everyone should be allowed to find redemption regardless- if they actually want it. I believe that totally.

[He HAS to, because if he doesn't, what does it say about him? What he's done? He wouldn't be the person he is now if he hadn't been given the chance to make things right. ]

So to be expected to carry that weight into another life? That would just be cruel. I can see where it would help figuring out who might be a problem, but it's not... fair. I hope things are at least better in this life. Where you... you don't have to worry so much about any enemies you've made then.

IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject