He would think differently, [ huaisang says with a smile that is as self-deprecating as it is sorrowful — what wouldn't he give, to have da-ge shouting at him in disappointment, just one more time? ]
He was always displeased with me, with how little I did, how little I wanted to do. I was never good with the saber, so I didn't see the point in trying. What I was good at — painting, caring for my birds, poetry... those aren't what the Nie are known for. We're warriors. Do not abide evil.
[ their sect motto, recited. ] And da-ge... he was like no one else. His saber quick and sharp, his judgement swift, his mind just and fair.
[ shaking his head a little, huaisang turns to itachi with a smile, still, one that at the same time looks entirely honest and like a well-crafted lie. ] I only told you his title, that was remiss of me. His name was Nie Mingjue... and as much of a disappointment as I may have been to him in life, I refuse to be so any longer. If I couldn't appease him in life, I will endeavour to fight so that his spirit may rest.
It is the duty of those that fight to make space for those who wish to paint and write poetry. Your other pursuits are worthwhile, even if they are not what your clan expects of you.
๏ผ his tone is soft, sombre. not everyone can be a soldier, or a shinobi. he had known no other life, and had never protested the violence it yielded, but now that he is older and has spent nearly a year removed from it — he wonders what his world may have looked like if instead he had turned away from that path. ๏ผ
But if you would like to improve your technique, I can assist in training. I am not entirely a stranger to this method of combat.
... maybe. But not when your entire sect is warriors. That's what we're known for.
[ wryly said. and then, with a self-deprecation that somehow doesn't quite match up with his guileless, babbling personality, ] Well, we used to be, anyway. I may have ruined a lot of the reputation we had.
[ he laughs, but there is little humour in it. it was all for a purpose, multiple purposes, and yet. how da-ge would hate it. ]
... would you? You've already done so much, Uchiha-xiong. I'd hate to trouble you for more... but I really might need the help.
๏ผ he does understand it — the pressure and conformity of a clan's expectations, set all too young onto the shoulders of those expected to build its future. but while there exists no resentment in him for how that pressure shaped his life, there is value to be had in others pursuing freedom his life did not afford.
still, there is no point to discussing or dwelling on it. instead — ๏ผ
Itachi.
๏ผ it's corrective. no titles. ๏ผ
It isn't any trouble. I already spend a great deal of my time training — teaching someone else is simply a different sort of it for me.
[ somehow, the multiple question marks come easily through his tone, only reinforced by the dismayed face he makes. ]
That's even earlier than when the Lan wake up... are you crazy? Don't you sleep at all? Not even da-ge started to train so early! Ahh... can't I come in a little later? 0700.... 0800?
๏ผ he has been willing to demonstrate mercy for others — but huaisang's culture is too close to his own for him to be willing to extend the same in this instance. ๏ผ
I leave at 0800. If you arrive any time between those four hours, I will train you. If not, I will program something into the simulation room for you to use at your leisure, with the understanding it will not be as effective as the real thing.
๏ผ a bit of a Look. it looks neutral enough... but there's some judgment there, too. ๏ผ
One cannot always choose the time a battle finds you. Perhaps it would be beneficial for you to break out of your routine as a form of training itself.
[ in his hand, huaisang's regular fan has been open for a while, now; he flips it closed with something resembling a slap. ]
Do you know, da-ge always yelled at me when I didn't want to practice, and it never got to me at all — our cousin, Nie Zonghui, he had a far more efficient method. He just looked all disappointed, and I hated that.
[ it sounds like a non-sequitur, until huaisang looks at itachi and says, somewhat accusingly, ] You sound just like him.
[ a huff. ] Fine. I won't be there at four, but I'll be there before eight.
[ in the suddenly-empty room, huaisang looks around, eyes wide — and then huffs, entirely exasperated, ]
I can't believe that guy! How is Wei-xiong such good friends with him?
[ and then, immediately after, ] What I am saying, of course Wei-xiong has found the weirdest possible friend he could and managed to annoy himself into becoming his friend. Right, well. I guess that's one way of escaping conversations.
[ and then he leaves, too, to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day, thankyouverymuch. ]
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He was always displeased with me, with how little I did, how little I wanted to do. I was never good with the saber, so I didn't see the point in trying. What I was good at — painting, caring for my birds, poetry... those aren't what the Nie are known for. We're warriors. Do not abide evil.
[ their sect motto, recited. ] And da-ge... he was like no one else. His saber quick and sharp, his judgement swift, his mind just and fair.
[ shaking his head a little, huaisang turns to itachi with a smile, still, one that at the same time looks entirely honest and like a well-crafted lie. ] I only told you his title, that was remiss of me. His name was Nie Mingjue... and as much of a disappointment as I may have been to him in life, I refuse to be so any longer. If I couldn't appease him in life, I will endeavour to fight so that his spirit may rest.
no subject
It is the duty of those that fight to make space for those who wish to paint and write poetry. Your other pursuits are worthwhile, even if they are not what your clan expects of you.
๏ผ his tone is soft, sombre. not everyone can be a soldier, or a shinobi. he had known no other life, and had never protested the violence it yielded, but now that he is older and has spent nearly a year removed from it — he wonders what his world may have looked like if instead he had turned away from that path. ๏ผ
But if you would like to improve your technique, I can assist in training. I am not entirely a stranger to this method of combat.
no subject
[ wryly said. and then, with a self-deprecation that somehow doesn't quite match up with his guileless, babbling personality, ] Well, we used to be, anyway. I may have ruined a lot of the reputation we had.
[ he laughs, but there is little humour in it. it was all for a purpose, multiple purposes, and yet. how da-ge would hate it. ]
... would you? You've already done so much, Uchiha-xiong. I'd hate to trouble you for more... but I really might need the help.
no subject
still, there is no point to discussing or dwelling on it. instead — ๏ผ
Itachi.
๏ผ it's corrective. no titles. ๏ผ
It isn't any trouble. I already spend a great deal of my time training — teaching someone else is simply a different sort of it for me.
no subject
Ah, fine, fine! But in any case... thank you. I will continue to take up your time, then.
[ and if he makes a concession with how to call itachi, he doesn't do so for how to thank him; he bows, his fingers closed over his fist. ]
no subject
๏ผ at least he's aware it's... an Ask. ๏ผ
no subject
[ somehow, the multiple question marks come easily through his tone, only reinforced by the dismayed face he makes. ]
That's even earlier than when the Lan wake up... are you crazy? Don't you sleep at all? Not even da-ge started to train so early! Ahh... can't I come in a little later? 0700.... 0800?
no subject
๏ผ he has been willing to demonstrate mercy for others — but huaisang's culture is too close to his own for him to be willing to extend the same in this instance. ๏ผ
I leave at 0800. If you arrive any time between those four hours, I will train you. If not, I will program something into the simulation room for you to use at your leisure, with the understanding it will not be as effective as the real thing.
๏ผ a bit of a Look. it looks neutral enough... but there's some judgment there, too. ๏ผ
One cannot always choose the time a battle finds you. Perhaps it would be beneficial for you to break out of your routine as a form of training itself.
no subject
[ in his hand, huaisang's regular fan has been open for a while, now; he flips it closed with something resembling a slap. ]
Do you know, da-ge always yelled at me when I didn't want to practice, and it never got to me at all — our cousin, Nie Zonghui, he had a far more efficient method. He just looked all disappointed, and I hated that.
[ it sounds like a non-sequitur, until huaisang looks at itachi and says, somewhat accusingly, ] You sound just like him.
[ a huff. ] Fine. I won't be there at four, but I'll be there before eight.
no subject
Very well. I will see you then.
๏ผ and on that note, he's just. gone???
he's gone.
ninjas, man. can't trust 'em. ๏ผ
no subject
I can't believe that guy! How is Wei-xiong such good friends with him?
[ and then, immediately after, ] What I am saying, of course Wei-xiong has found the weirdest possible friend he could and managed to annoy himself into becoming his friend. Right, well. I guess that's one way of escaping conversations.
[ and then he leaves, too, to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day, thankyouverymuch. ]
no subject