voidtreckernet | video; poi 16

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video; poi 16

Um.. hi, everyone!

[ Madoka is smiling on the screen, though it's definitely a faint smile. A smile with something awkward around its edges, like the girl is trying really hard to smile, even though it's difficult. ]

I hope everyone has seen the art car already.. I turned my points into votes so we could get it as soon as possible, and it seems like it really worked. [ Thank god for the train actually following up on its promises. ] The carriage is really nice, so.. please make sure to check it out. Even if you don't think you like art, it can be a good way to.. um, to just.. release your feelings a little, I guess.

[ And that's something a lot of people could maybe use right now, she thinks. ]

And.. there's something else too. Maybe some other people got messages from the Ministry too, but I also got one, right around the end of the mission.. It said..

[ ...

Madoka suddenly grows quiet. ]

.. It said my world is gone, just like I thought. I.. um. [ She bites her lip, obviously having more trouble speaking. ] I just thought I'd share that information. Because.. I think it's important to keep remembering that a lot could be happening back home while we're stuck here, s-so.. it'd be really nice if the people who want to go home could go home soon, and make sure their worlds are okay.

[ There's another pause, and then the girl sucks in a breath, shaking her head before quickly adding: ]

D-Don't worry about me, by the way! They said that they.. they'll try to see if my world can be restored somehow, s-so.. um, I'm sure it'll be okay! [ Look at her suddenly talking so much more quickly, like she wants to get saying this out of the way as soon as possible. ] A-Anyway, please enjoy the art carriage..!

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[ Jiang Cheng doesn't push; he gives her the time to think about it. She can probably pick up on the fact that it's some form of distraction, the little that he can offer in this moment, but at least it's something.

It's better than nothing whatsoever, which is what he keeps telling himself.

Watching his rabbit and Madoka together softens some of the tension in him, though, and he raises an eyebrow as he looks at her. ]

It's as hard as you make it. [ He hums. ] Learning is easier than mastering, but neither of them are simple.

[ There's something a little intimidating about that statement.

But then again - hasn't Madoka been stuck in an intimidating situation for so long now? Maybe it's better to instead mostly deal with things that are intimidating on a smaller scale, like a brush and a piece of paper. At least failing at that doesn't threaten the collapse of her entire world, the way she got confirmed her absence in her own world has. ]

W-Well, I can try. [ It's said a little shyly - much like Madoka - but it doesn't sound reluctant in any way. ] As long as you're willing to be patient with me..

[ Because she definitely can't give any guarantees about being good at it, even with practice.

But the least she can do is try, right? ]

[ Unfortunately, there isn't much he can do to make it more comforting.

Instead, he leans back against the wall, watching his rabbit and ward with a careful eye before he speaks, voice a little lower, a little softer now. ]

Then we can start practicing soon. It's one of the few things I'm good at and I didn't think you'd want to learn how to use a sword.

[ He can leave those sorts of practices for a-Ling, when he wants to do time in the gym and training rooms. ]

.. yeah, I don't think I'd be very good at that anyway..

[ Learning a bow was already an uphill climb, though Madoka did manage relatively well for someone who came from a place of very, very little experience.

But at least a bow is a distant weapon. Madoka is pretty sure that she could never face someone in the sort of close-up combat that's required when one uses a sword instead. ]

But calligraphy.. Who knows, maybe I could be at least kind of decent at it? And I'd like to do it, since it always looks so pretty.. [ No wonder Jiang Cheng is good at it, she thinks. He's very pretty too. It suits him.

Madoka grows quiet for a few moments, her hands still buried in rabbit fur, before she speaks up once more. ]

But.. you know, I think there are a lot of things that you're good at. [ Because she sure did catch him saying 'one of the few things', and with Madoka being Madoka, she's not going to let that slide. Everyone will be praised in her presence, it's how this works!! ]

Many of my students think that before they start.

[ Some come with better knowledge than others - the idea that they could simply pick up a sword and become a cultivator without pause or hesitation - but they all have a great deal to learn. If Madoka had wanted to learn then he would gladly do it.

She'd be more tolerable than some of the juniors.

Leaning back, he hums a little before he glances at her. ]

I am a good Sect Leader. I have become a good uncle, I think, and I'm good at writing letters. I don't need more than that.

[ He's not a good brother, or a good friend, and he would be an awful husband, he thinks. There's no point denying it. ]

[ She shakes her head. ]

I think there's even more.

[ Because she - apparently - refuses to let the list of Jiang Cheng's good qualities end at only three entries. ]

You're also good at calligraphy. [ Apparently. She just heard it! ] I think that's different enough from writing letters. And you're also good at being kind and patient, and listening to people.

[ Because that's basically what he always does for her. Especially last time, but.. even this time too. ]

.. and you're a good bunny dad.

[ Because.. well, just look at this rabbit here. How contently it's lying across their laps here right now. ]

[ It almost makes Jiang Cheng laugh - almost.

The very idea of being described as someone kind, or patient, or able to listen is unfathomable to a Jiang Cheng who is well versed in his own failings. He has been the opposite of those things for so long that he can barely register the compliment as it is.

He manages to resist the urge, however, biting it back with a twist of his lips and a shake of his head, fighting back the denials. ]

I'm doing the best I can. That has to be enough for now.

[ He reaches out, scratching at Lili's head. ]

That will have to do for now.

[ If Madoka had absolutely any idea how hard the man was trying right now to not deny any of it, she would be super proud of him. But as matters stand right now, she's just smiling at him, happy that he seems to be listening to what she's saying all the same. ]

You are doing your best!

[ It's a little easier to not think too hard about her own world and the confirmed state of it when she can instead focus on someone else's wellbeing. ]

And.. I'm glad you're here. [ So that's got to count for something too, right? Madoka sure thinks so. ] I'm glad that I could go to you now when I was feeling bad.

[ Because it does help. At least a little. It might not make the problem go away, but at least it means she's not alone in it. ]

[ Watching her, all he can do is offer an awkward smile. The level of optimistic faith she has is almost a mirror of Wei Wuxian's, and that's enough to have him feel both a mixture of on edge discomfort and familiarity.

It's not a surprise that the two of them get along. ]

You can come to me no matter what. Feeling good or bad, I don't mind.

[ He rubs the rabbit's eat, too. ]

And you can visit Lili whenever you want.

.. right, Lili is important too.

[ Nevermind the fact that Lili is a rabbit, and probably doesn't understand anything they're saying here.. It's as if Madoka just feels an intense need to say that all the same, lest the rabbit starts feeling left out here by all the compliments and affection going around.

Even though Lili is getting her well-earned share of pets all the same. ]

She's so fluffy.. Just that makes me feel a little better too. [ She smiles. It's small, and tight, but it's there. ] I have a little friend too, though he isn't fluffy at all-- A-Ah, but he's still cute in his own way!

She's a very good listener.

[ Because she's not a person and can't really say anything in response, can she? It's what makes her a perfect companion to Jiang Cheng - while he doesn't talk to her, she is a fantastic creature to have sat on his legs and offer him some kind of comfort.

Turning his head, he raises an eyebrow. ]

What's your little friend?

[ Madoka does think Lili really suits Jiang Cheng - though she isn't.. so sure about her own little friend's compatability with the man.

Still, it's not like she wants to keep secrets for him. So after digging in her pockets for a moment, Madoka seems to grasp something, taking out a small ball. It opens up, and flying out comes..

Well. It's just a sentinent keyring. There are no other words for the tiny creature floating in front of the two of them now, happily jiggling its keys. ]

Um.. That's Klefki. He helps me out during missions..

Oh. The thing that was in the kitchen?

[ Jiang Cheng has the vaguest of recollections of this thing - Klefki? - being somewhat terrified of him all those weeks ago when he, Madoka and Tidus had spoken together in the kitchen about lotus rib soup.

It feels like another lifetime, now.

At least it appears much happier. ]

What does it do?

[ Yes, admire its bravery, Jiang Cheng! At the very least it means the man can get an actual good look at it now, rather than watch it scurrying about in the distance.. ]

Klefki can lock enemies in place! You know, to keep them away from me, since I'm no good at up close combat.. [ It's hard to do that sort of thing when your weapon is a bow, after all.

Or when you're a tiny girl that lacks any sort of physical strength. ]

And in return I let him collect keys in other worlds. It seems like he really enjoys that kind of thing.

[ Braver than some, at least, and he doesn't reach out to touch. It seems rude, somehow. ]

That's good to hear. [ It's nice, to know she's going to be safe.

Maybe he ought to find some protection tools for her, just to be safe. ]

I will bring you any keys I find, then.

[ The very instant Jiang Cheng says the k-word, the sentient keyring starts getting excited. It's so obvious too. It starts jiggling those keys more and more quickly, and Klefki starts flying around Jiang Cheng, almost seeming to dance in the air.

Madoka doubts that it needs any clarification, but she still can't help but say with a small smile on her face: ]

You're making him pretty happy with that promise.

[ He is definitely not prepared for that reaction and his expression tenses for a moment before he shakes his head.

It's the easy, is it? ]

I can see that. What an interesting reaction.

Interesting..?

[ It's a word Madoka has never heard anyone use to describe her little friend with, so she sounds a tad curious.. though it truly only lasts a tad, before said little said decides to just drop down, falling to rest on Jiang Cheng's lap. At least Klefki still barely misses Lili, so the poor rabbit doesn't get hurt.. ]

A-Ah, Klefki, please be more careful so you won't hurt anyone..! [ Granted, it's a very, very light sentient keyring, but still.

Madoka is always extra cautious.

Klefki seems to totally ignore her though, instead looking like it's trying to cuddle up to Jiang Cheng in its current position.

Looks like someone made a new friend today in the most simple way possible. ]

[ Jiang Cheng ends up just staring at his lap, completely baffled for a moment.

How often does a sentient keyring float down and settle on your lap like a kitten?

Never, until now, which is a bizarre and frightening thought. ]

It's fine.

[ Because it is, and he is hesitant as he shifts, dropping his hands down to his lap. Do you pet sentient keyrings? ]

[ Time to find out, Jiang Cheng.

Try to pet the ring. ]

.. really? [ Madoka seems a little unsure at first, but then again - she doesn't know Jiang Cheng to be the type to say something like this is fine when it isn't, so that's giving her at least a little more faith in it. ]

Thank you.. I think Klefki is being a little bit less cheeky because you're being so nice. [ Because, well.. Madoka has seen that keyring do some stuff. Not to her, since she is nice to Klefki too, but general mischief. ]

I am not being nice.

[ Not, at least, in his own view of things - he's just being sensible. If he finds keys and has no use to them he might as well give them to someone - or something - that would enjoy it, to say the least.

Better than just hoarding useless things. ]

But... It's alright, I don't mind.

You are being nice!

[ Oh no. Look what you've done, Jiang Cheng.

You're starting to make this girl grow a rebellious streak. As far as insisting someone is nice can be considered rebellious, anyway.. but it is by Madoka's standards, considering the girl tends to be such a shrinking violet when it comes to differing opinions. ]

Trust me.. I really like Klefki, but he's usually never like this.

[ Which is just her way of saying that he is one wild little sentient keychain. There's a reason why she doesn't often bring him out when there's other people around. ]

He's in a good mood.

[ At least animals - or creatures? - have always been more fond of Jiang Cheng than people. It's not a difficult thing, considering his reputation. ]

[ Madoka glances at Jiang Cheng.

g l a n c e s.

This is the look of a girl who is pretty sure you're making up excuses, Jiang Cheng. ]

Well, it's a good thing he likes you either way..! It's nice to have Klefki behaving so politely sometimes. [ Even if it's through people bribing the keychain with keys. ]

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video; poi 16

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