forgingfires | Seasons Inbox

[ As she regains her senses, it helps to be around those she cares about, anchoring her mind and feelings. Maybe Red Son also needs to do some scans on her, but primarily she's there because she weaseled her way into spending time with him. She has a matter of weeks left before her hibernation after all. ]

I've been meaning to ask you... with all that happened I didn't get a chance yet. I don't know the details of what happened with Wukong and your family, and I don't need to know, but I know it's complicated. How has it been, having him here?

[ She's asking primarily because she cares, but also to establish boundaries for herself. ]

[There are definitely scans. He needs to know if things changed. If nothing else, it helps track how much time they might really have.]

[There's definitely some nodes getting stuck to her, a few sigils drawn, standard stuff by this point.]

[There is a pause at the sudden question.]

...not as much of a nightmare as it could have been. Infinitely easier with the Noodle Boy, so I know I'm not being taken for a ride.

[ She will put up with the indignity of nodes because it's him and goodness knows this whole mess has caused him enough pain. ]

I thought so... that it could have been difficult. He's kind of a lot, and I can see that making things challenging when you spent most of your life undoing what he did to your father.

He also seems unable to fully grasp just how much damage that did. I suspect because he's old, he forgets some of us didn't have that time as only a fraction of our lifespans. Or the difficulties present because of mother's situation specifically.

He wants to act like he cares, but its hard to take it as genuine when its only coming now.

[He keeps fiddling with the devices, taking notes on the readings.]

I've gotten to know him a little. Seems like he's the type who buries the serious things beneath layers of overly casual ribbing. I know that sort quite well.

[ Boy does she. ]

I don't know if he understands you very well, to be honest. I said there was probably a limit on how close I can get to him, and he didn't seem to quite understand why.

Yes, well, that doesn't do much for the child who was deprived of his father almost his whole life that was then filled with the repeated failures of removing his cursed staff.

[There is]

[An actual pause at that.]

[Staring at his writings.]

Do you want to be close to him?

[ Yeah there it is. ]

If I wasn't close to you, I would. But I know what he took from you.

He gave me his blood when I needed it. He offered to give it to me when I didn't need it. I said I can't, not if it would bother you.

...his blood would be very potent. He's immortal at least six times over and that's just documented accounts.

[He is still staring at his papers. The words spoken distantly.]

It is. But he could be immortal a hundred times over and his blood wouldn't be worth hurting you over.

... you can be honest. I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't want to hear what you think.

[It would be good for her. It could do a lot to help her potentially. His blood was full of so much ridiculous nonsense, who knows what it might do for her.]

[But he knew how intimate her drinking was when she wasn't doing it as an in the moment necessity. How much it meant to her emotionally.]

[The thought of Sun Wukong sharing that with her, of that simian being so close to her-]

[The pen in his hand ignites and explodes, snapping him out of the near trance he was in, jerking back as ink splatters over his notes and his arm.]

[...goodness. She slowly steps closer and rests a hand on his shoulder. That reaction was a lot. ]

.....ah.

So that's what jealousy feels like.

Yeah, I thought that looked familiar. [ She's never exploded a pen but sometimes the feeling has been strong enough that it wouldn't be out of the question. ]

I can carry some of the blood packs you made with me, so I don't have to drink from him at all, if you prefer that.

[ Use your words, please. No more blowing shit up. ]

....

[He swallows.]

Yes.

Yes, I would prefer that.

I know I said I didn't want to be a limitation for you, but when it comes to Sun Wukong, the thought is...

[He raises his ink covered hand.]

[ She grasps his ink coated hand tightly. ]

I don't mind some limits if it's important to you. I just need to know what they are.

[ Like is she allowed to get drunk and gossip with Wukong, or... ]

[He takes a breath.]

[Lets it out.]

[Its a bit shuddery.]

[He does it again.]

I don't want you drinking his blood if you don't have to.

Obviously never endanger yourself to avoid it, but-

Then I won't. [ Simple as that. And she understands why, especially given her reaction when she did drink his blood, necessarily. ]

Do you mean blood drinking specifically, or is it being close to him at all that bothers you? [ Not like in a trying to seduce him way, she's clear on that. ]

He's living here, so I thought it would be fine to get to know him. But...

[That he has to]

[Think on.]

[A while longer. Though at least he doesn't blow up another pen.]

That is harder to say, but...

I know Wukong is always going to be important to the Noodle Boy. And the Dragon Girl does care about him, even if I'm unclear how close they are.

And...

There are only so many reasons my parents would be at the beach with him present. Three that I can think of.

One is gratitude in being saved from the scroll.

Two is I asked them to give me time finally.

Or thre, father found he missed his brother more than he felt hurt by him.

Or a combination of the three.

But if father is allowing Wukong to get close, I should...get used to him being close to those who are close to me.

It could be a combination of all three reasons. I hope so. [ Red Son needs and deserves to have relationships outside his family. Even if they are heroes. ]

What you should do and what you want might not be the same thing right now. I want to respect that. I'm not great at keeping my distance [ in fact she sucks at it ] but I can do it.

I won't drink blood from MK either, then? [ She just assumes it's going to be the same thing. Please don't blow anything else up. ]

..... [He has to think about that.]

[MK drinking from Saya is]

[Hum.]

You can drink from MK.

As long as you record and share asking him the first time.

Sorry, he already offered. I didn't have to ask. [ C'mon, you can't be surprised. He's kindness incarnate. ]

I'll limit it to emergencies. [ Or cases of amnesia oops ]

[He huffs.] How disappointing. [A pause.] Though he may not realize what he signed up for. My impression was his social life doesn't extend much further than his friends and Mei laughed for a solid fifteen minutes when I asked if they were dating. Everyone else is very...parental.

But when it comes to Noodle Boy, I don't...really mind.

Part of my complicated feelings for him was based on the fact I liked him while under the impression my parents would never approve of our friendship and that was...

Painful to think too much about.

But I don't feel jealous of him.

[Ultimately, he doesn't associate MK with taking away his loved ones.]

Edited 2023-08-10 21:21 (UTC)

[ She nods. ~~The moral of this story is clearly that she should seduce MK and tell him Red Son sent her!~~ ]

All right, if you're sure. And if you change your mind, let me know. These things work best when people talk, even when that's hard to do.

[~~I mean, Saya DOES like Spicynoodles-~~]

I will. Just...

MK may be Wukong's successor, but the feelings are very different.

...

I'm not going to oppose being friends with Wukong. It'll be an adjustment, but I know my father, at least a bit in these matters. He...

He is not as hard in heart as mother. I don't think he could stand to be around Wukong without things giving one way or another.

And I wish to believe the truce will continue. Selfish, perhaps, but I do.

And you will have more patience for my adjustments than father and I do not know how the Noodle Boy would react to something more than the occasional barb.

Edited 2023-08-10 21:44 (UTC)

Your mother probably took the betrayal harder, I find it's always harder to forgive actions taken against the ones we love than the ones taken against ourselves.

... It's not selfish to want friends. Your parents know what you did for your family, and what that cost you.

But yes, I'll always have patience with you. As you have with me.

Post amnesia stuff

Re: Post amnesia stuff

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject