awashlogs | Event Seventeen.

I see. Only I don't.

[ That is, if Berkut has a weapon on him, he can't see it. He only sees Luo Binghe -- but ah, looks like the hallucination is now accounting for the weapon and having him see his young disciple's sword. A sword that is in pieces and buried. Thanks. ]

Still to wield a weapon on horseback takes incredible skill.

[ Shen Qingqiu feels the anxiety growing inside of him at hearing that skill set. I was really hoping that you'd suddenly tell me of an amazing super army-decimating attack!! But since you didn't... that would mean that the main villain is most likely the Emperor?! Such a thing makes sense, but that means that the two of us are really cannon-fodder! The amount of sympathy he feels increases that much more. Oh! But hold up! ]

Did you mean to say that you have a horse here?

[ Ah, of course. The hallucination.

The vines seem to triple in number in this neck of the woods, physical proof that they're on the supposedly right track. Behind them, the vines there were burned away begin to regenerate, closing the path off more than it had been earlier. They must tread with greater care from here on out, lest they be pricked (again, in Shen Qingqiu's case). ]

I do. His name is Buceph.

[ Point of no return, I guess?? ]

Buceph. [ He decides to test something. It is mostly because it seems like Berkut is getting used to him, and so he wants to attempt to be more casual and friendly. ] It certainly is lucky that you have a betrothed. Young ladies seeing a prince upon a horse, one or two are bound to swoon!

[ And he does attempt to be careful as he follows after. Get the fuck away from me! He says this to both hallucination and vines. Neither seem to really be listening to him, however. ]

[ Logically, he understands that Shen Qingqiu is attempting to be humorous. Still, he can't help but to frown. It's a little too familiar for his liking. ]

I've no interest in the swooning of other women.

[ Besides, his horse is not for show. ]

[ Spoken like a man who is truly in love! Very manly! Cool! Cool! ]

You have to remember to be gentle with them when you are breaking their hearts.

[ Shen Qingqiu smiles a little more, before looking down to catch sight of the sword that is shattered to pieces in his world, but whole in this hallucination. His expression changes to one a little more withdrawn, smile slowly fading. ]

[ The noblewomen of Rigel know that Berkut is spoken for. He should not need to coddle them.

Shen Qingqiu's movement catches in the periphery of his vision. Berkut's eyes flicker to him, and he turns his head upon noticing the shift in expression. ]

What's the matter? Is it the curse?

[ Is this a second strike or a third? Am I out yet before we get too far into the forest? ]

It is. [ If he lies about it, he'll just end up burdening the other. He would have liked to hear more huffing words about how Berkut only cared about breaking the heart of his love and not care about anyone else's heart. I would have very much liked to have that dialogue unlocked! How endearing. ]

Really, you should be careful about those thorns. [ It is then that the voice of his disciple changes. It no longer calls to him. Instead, it tells him a terrible "truth." The truth of things is that it has nothing to do with the thorns; it tells him instead that he's suffering from qi deviation. Qi deviation which could drive any cultivator mad and cause them to kill without question--

He steps backwards suddenly. ]

No, no. It isn't that.

[ The mention of the curse was meant to invite an explanation, but this next set of behaviors is alarming enough that Berkut stops walking. Something is wrong. Whether he's concerned or not, the cramped space surrounded by thorny vines makes for a troubling situation. ]

Careful. There are thorns all around us.

[ Now explain. Again. ]

[ Ah, right.

He panicked so badly that he forgot about the thorns all around them.

Actually, the sleeve of his robe ends up caught on one of them before he pulls his arm back. But thankfully, no new scratches. One small lucky break! But where to begin... I'm going to skip past the sword! Skip! I'm pressing A and getting us past that! ]

It gave this teacher a small jolt to the heart. It is lying and saying that I'm suffering qi deviation. [ How do you like that, hallucinations! I'm calling you 'it' instead of 'he' now! ] Such a thing... it is when the energies in a cultivator go mad and cause all sort of ailments. Illness, hallucinations... other such weaknesses.

It continues until the cultivator cannot tell what is reality and driven to a state of madness. In that state, one could die or ... kill someone. [ We're this far together!! I'm only hiding some shit about a sword! But this is serious!! It's real serious! Well, it's serious if it was true, but it isn't true!! So I'm just explaining why I freaked out a bit there! ]

... it wasn't happy with just playing pretend so it had to say upsetting lies instead.

[ The more he hears, the riskier the overall situation sounds. Shen Qingqiu is already suffering from hallucinations; will this not exacerbate the inability to tell reality from mirage? Berkut is no expert, which is starting to become frustrating. He can only take the teacher's word for stability. ]

If you knew it was a lie, why did you step back?

[ If one feels secure about one's present state, there wouldn't be the fearful push for retreat. He's merely asking for insurance that Shen Qingqiu is truly all right. ]

[ Good question!! ]

When someone say something truly frightening, it is just the natural response. Even this teacher cannot be unaffected when such terms are thrown around.

[ But he's really is starting to think that he's clinging to Berkut rather than ensuring that the prince will be safe until they reach wherever is the source of these vines. Or could it be another reason? Shen Qingqiu looks at his "face" and sighs. There could be another reason that I simply cannot abandon him.

But can he not just say that he doesn't want to lose face and once more run away before they even make it to the first checkpoint!? ]

[ He stares, and he continues to stare while Shen Qingqiu sighs. There's more behind the answer, but he does not deign to pry it out of the teacher. Let him keep those thoughts to himself—what does it matter to Berkut, so long as Shen Qingqiu checks himself?

With a muted sigh of his own, he resumes the march once more. He nearly chooses to walk in silence when he remembers that they're meant to be maintaining a conversation. ]

Tell me about your disciple. Luo Binghe, was it?

[ He can barely pronounce these names. ]

[ Berkut is doing his best!!

But Shen Qingqiu wonders about the meaning being the question! His emotions feel paper-thin even though his face remains under his control. Could it be that you think he deserved the cruel act I did?? Are you serious?? That is like asking me to carry a flag!! If you're expecting me to badmouth the protagonist of my story, you are shit outta luck, my guy!! On that note, he thinks he should talk to Berkut about how he talks about Alm. If he keeps only grumbling about the negative, the prince is gonna never recover when he loses!! ]

Luo Binghe, yes. He is a miraculous disciple. There has never been anyone with such bottomless potential as he has! Not on the peak or in any cultivation sect. [ He absolutely will surpass me which is fucking terrifying but I refuse to shit-talk!!! ] He is soft-spoken, polite, even-tempered... the sort of personality of a man that all mothers want their daughters to marry. And one daughters would not turn down due to his peerless good looks!

Also! [ He lifts his chin up, happy to provide more good press!! Really, Berkut, if you talked like this about your own problem, you could see things better! Listing all the good in Alm might have the prince realize that the kid is good! ] There is no better cook. He could make even the pickest of eaters devour all he makes without a single complaint!

[ "Shizun thought all these things yet still pushed me down. Shizun abandoned me yet still thinks he can speak so friendly about me. Shizun really is suffering qi deviation."

His breath catches but offers a weak smile if looked upon. ]

Edited 2019-01-21 18:36 (UTC)

[ Polite and even-tempered, yes. Soft-spoken? Surely not all mothers wish for their daughters to wed a man who cannot be heard over the court's heated debate. Ah, but those who live by the peak eschew politics.

It doesn't escape his notice that Shen Qingqiu has perked up at the memory of his disciple. Compared to the beginning of their encounter, there's a marked difference in attitude. Ergo, it's as if the wind has changed directions when the teacher's breath audibly catches. Berkut looks at him.

Sentimentality. A powerful motivator under any other circumstance, it serves no good like this. ]

Is that all?

[ Better to keep Shen Qingqiu distracted. There are few options when they're out here in the woods. ]

Of course not.

[ He lightly shakes his head, still smiling weakly. ]

He is someone that has gone on numerous Night Hunts. Ah, those are when we cultivators go hunt down dangers in the realm. Demons, malevolent spirits, and the like. His strategic thinking and capabilties in battle are already ones that any master would be proud of!

[ "But Shizun was able to stab me so easy... It really hurt."

Okay! He has had just about enough of this! Just!! About!! Enough! If the Binghe ahead of him is Berkut, then the one behind him can't be! Right? RIGHT! Shen Qingqiu hasn't tried detroying the hallucinations because he worried it would be like the Dream Demon -- something that would cause damage back onto himself. But now, he didn't care!! ]

Do you want to keep on talking?! [ This is stupid! This is STUPID!! He absolutely knows that he's talking to himself when he spins around to look at the accusing glare of Luo Binghe. And he falters just for a second before waving his arm out to knock him back. ] Get out of my sight!

[ It is lucky that they are in a forest so that he can grab hold of a few leaves. Filling them with energy, he sends them out with the intent of disrupting and destroying the illusions once and for all! The corners of the leaves turn razor sharp, enough to nick and cut skin easily, and sends out the attack this time without hesitating. ]

[ For a second, Berkut thinks the shout is directed at him. Frowning, he opens his mouth, perhaps to give Shen Qingiu an earful when the leaves go flying.

There is nothing to strike with a hallucination. An illusion, however, has a scapegoat—the leaves cut through the vines that have grown where Luo Binghe had stood in Shen Qingqiu's gaze, lifting Berkut's eyebrows.

The surprise lasts but a second. Berkut furrows his brow as he shouts. ]

Enough! Those are the words of a false image. Shen Qingqiu, your response is undignified.

[ Right. Shen Qingqiu swallows back blood that starts to pool in his mouth. He bit his cheek just a little too hard after sending the leaves out.

He really thought it would disperse the hallucination but it just goes through it. His shoulders fall a little as he agrees that his response is not dignified. Ah. Once more, it seems like he has to part ways with Berkut before they make it to wherever the source may be. If this continues, he may end up forgetting the one in front is real and the ones everywhere else are... ]

... this may be where I must leave you. Really... it may be wise for me to return to the town while I can rather than proceed forward and become a greater burden. [ I want to solve this mystery and be healed, too!! This is so unfair. ]

[ Ah, Shen Qingqiu, ever the expert at swallowing his own blood.

As for Berkut, he'll become a champion of sighing at this rate. He doesn't disagree with Shen Qingqiu's assessment as he turns his head, taking in their surroundings. The vines are growing by the minute. If they must part, it had better be now. However: ]

If that is your wish, you are dismissed. Can you walk yourself back without incident?

[ To be frank, Berkut doubts it. ]

[ His heart actually feels like it is weeping. Prince Berkut! You would give up all your progress forward just to backtrack with me!? Because somehow, he has become an escort mission! The worst kind of escort mission!! The kind that sends a PC back to the start!! I'm honestly surprised that he isn't spitting mad right now! I said I could handle it until we got to the source and now we have to turn around because I can't! I'm shocked that you didn't just turn around and leave!! You really are a prince, Berkut! Really, you are a prince!!

Clenching his fist, he makes a solemn vow that he will repay this kindness!! No one likes escort missions! Absolutely no one! It doesn't matter what game mechanics a person puts in to make them better! They're always awful! Everyone hates them! Yet he willingly offers to take part in one! ]

I do not believe I can make it back alone. [ And I don't want to be wandering around these woods and end up lost in a daze!! I may actually suffer qi deviation if I continue to let myself be bullied, harassed, and confused!! That is the absolute worst end. And while he is clenching his fist, he realizes that there is a wetness against his knuckles and palm.

Am I holding my hand that tightly-- He turns his hand over to see that he's actually scratch his hand more on the thorns when he was attempting to dispell the hallucinations. ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME! Lifting his other hand, he fills it with energy. Did you think I was joking?! I don't need two hands! He lets his arms drop to his side, defeated. Haha, just kidding, I need these.

He considers this to be three strikes at this point. But, he remembers that he still has something important to say!! I can't just leave it on with me metaphorically clinging to his waist and crying all the way back home!! I have to say what I have to say!! ]

Prince Berkut! [ Loud. Too loud. He flinches. ] Prince Berkut. I will not ever forget this. This teacher ... to repay this ... I will even die for you, if it comes to it! [ NOBODY! LIKES! ESCORT! MISSIONS! I don't care what anyone says!! You are valid and important and deserve to live!! I will fight a protagonist for you! Golden halo or not!

He certainly is saying quite a few things that he may end up regretting but right now with his emotions so close to the skin, he feels no shame in either his thoughts or words. ]

[ He would have much preferred it if Shen Qingqiu could have walked himself back. Why should he sacrifice all of this progress to coddle someone who misjudged his capacity to undergo the quest at hand? And what of those flames earlier that made entry easier, now rendered pointless should they backtrack together? What a waste.

In the end, all he got was Shen Qingqiu's showing off and embarrassing himself. Berkut can't say that he's surprised by this development. After all, what was he expecting from a commoner—Peak Lord or no!

Look at the man's hand. The scratches have multiplied. He cannot be trusted to be alone. What if he burns the entire woods down? Berkut did not come this far to be set ablaze or to lose a hand to some leaves. ]

Hmph. What can you possibly do for me by dying? I will escort you to the edge of the woods, and no farther.

[ To his utter disappointment. Spinning on his heels, Berkut begins the unfortunate trek to their starting point. ]

[ Escort mission start.

But somehow, he lifts his head up to look after the retreating form of his disciple. It bothers him, of course it does, but it makes him happy that Berkut is willing to put up with a burden like him. And that line just now! That's the kind of line to get someone to be loyal forever!

Shen Qingqiu wants to keep clinging to his thighs! Not only as his life-line in getting back to town, either! He has so many good points! I hate to think of you as a mini-boss!! There are just a few things in your personality to change to stay alive in your own story, and you'll be perfect!

He opens his mouth to start saying something before pressing his lips together into a thin line. All escort missions are BULLSHIT!! A feeling he has deep in his heart and he's certain is burning bright in Berkut's. So hearing some fawning words will probably make him feel better about this whole situation. That's fucking unlikely!

After some deliberation, he opens his mouth again: ]

Lady Rinea. This teacher was just thinking that she must be quite smitten. How lucky she is to have such a good-hearted fiancée.

Edited (as always changed my mind!) 2019-01-22 02:58 (UTC)

[ Even when they're going backwards, they must engage in small talk, lest Shen Qingqiu dive straight into a wall of vines at the provocation of his pesky hallucinations. Fortunately, he takes the lead in the conversation with a new topic that diverts Berkut's attention from the previous issue.

Good-hearted? That doesn't suit him at all. Berkut frowns, but not just for this reason. ]

You are mistaken. Whom you've described is not me, but Rinea. No kinder noblewoman exists in the Empire.

[ There is that smitten love!

He honestly likes this kind of talk! Airplane-bro would never put enough time to have Luo Binghe talk about how much he loved his many wives. Well, he put in a lot of time about how much he loved his many wives, but that was different and the sort of talk that if he brought it up to Berkut, the prince would throw him into the vines if not outright skewer him!! ]

She has a good influence on you, then, if I can see her kindness in you. [ So, so!! Tell me more about her. That's much nicer than ... what I'm constantly hearing and seeing right now! ]

[ Shen Qingqiu may like this kind of talk, but Berkut is not yet willing to go there. In fact, he believes there's been a misunderstanding. ]

No one can influence a prince, except for the Emperor himself.

[ He's not supposed to be kind. If this commoner thinks he is, then he's doing something wrong. It's this place . . . this place, where rank is meaningless and irresponsibility discarded, forcing men and women of common and noble births to intermingle. ]

[ Huh!? Well, I guess, that's fair! Bing-ge wouldn't let any of his wives sway his way of thinking and instead swayed their way of thinking. In a lot of ways. He lightly touches his forehead, again. Though, that is that and this is this! ]

Then ... His Majesty must be kind.

[ Prince Berkut, are you certain that you are not the type that adamantly clings to his uncle and claims all good that has come from your personality comes from him? ... Honestly, that's very cute for someone your age. But he really wishes that the emperor sounded like someone who appreciated this kind of thing. Still, this sort of devotion and praise given to a family member, even if it must be over one's love... ]

... what a gap moe.

Edited 2019-01-22 04:58 (UTC)

Event Seventeen.

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yes, give him a medal with which he can slap sqq out of a stupor

best prince berkut

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