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[There is really no logic that can explain this. With how Vidyadhara are, Dan Heng literally inhabits the body that once belonged to Dan Feng. His egg formed from the former High Elder's corpse.
But that's a bit beside the actual point, here. The point being that someone is in Dan Heng's bedroom, which, while it is technically not a bedroom and technically is a public amenity, still is left well enough alone while he's sleeping. The Nameless know to leave a resting Dan Heng well enough alone, given his position as the twitchiest member of the Astral Express Crew. So he's snapping fully awake when he hears the slightest movement, sitting abruptly upright to assess the situation.
The situation being that a far-too-familiar someone is standing in the Archive.
And since, as previously mentioned, there's no logic to it, Dan Heng just throws the whole idea out the window as another of his usual nightmares and dives for Cloud Piercer where it's propped against the console near the foot of his futon.]

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They need to be buffed; cloudhymn sticks to them. Sometimes mine itches at the base if I spend too much time at seashore. Salt in the air you know?
[he turns back with a bottle of shampoo, waving his hand a little to clear the steam.]
I told you to relax. [he arches an eyebrow.]
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...I've never spent that long by the sea.
[his tail wraps around himself defensively as he visibly searches for his next words. they come out a little stilted, almost rote.]
By the traditions of the Vidyadhara, one's reincarnation is considered an entirely new individual, not beholden to the crimes of their predecessor. I was not afforded that pardon.
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No. [he surges forward to grab dan heng by the shoulders.] No. I was sentenced to the lowest level of the Shackling Prison. I- the chains- [his pupils had constricted into slits.] Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you don’t know what corallium feels like.
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...Not the nails. If that helps.
[he knows it doesn't. knows even mentioning those means Dan Feng will know he remembers, even just that. even just that would be awful.
he'll worry about the rain if it risks leaving the bathroom. for now, it's all he can do not to bail on this whole situation.]
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[he looks stricken as he realises:]
No. Since you hatched? No, Dan Heng, that’s inhumane. They wouldn’t.
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and then - he moves, reaching out, trying to fold dan heng into a frantic embrace.]
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and it's worth it. after a few moments of stunned dead-fishing, he hesitantly brings his arms up to wrap around dan feng in turn, curls into him.]
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You didn’t deserve that. [his voice breaks.] I’m sorry. [he can feel the incandescent rage coming up his throat but that can wait. never in all the years of torture had he apologised for what he had done. but now, he needs to- he needs to—] I’m sorry, Dan Heng.
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Yeah.
[softly. then, firmer, but a little like he's surprising himself:]
They chose that. Not you.
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[he is going to rip someone’s throat out with his teeth. how dare they. he could take anything they put him through but this went beyond the pale.
he presses a kiss of comfort to the crown of dan heng’s head, right between his horns. yingxing used to do it because a) he was a tall bastard and b) it always made dan feng feel better, so he hoped it worked for his successor.]
I’m glad you’re here now.
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Me too. The Nameless... they're good to me. And... I think the General got me exiled as quickly as he could.
[so still centuries of being chained in a dark room, but, well.]
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[it was hard to think of anyone else being the Divine Foresight. he starts petting a pointed ear absently.]
Did he give you the bracer and the jade token?
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He did. I keep them with me. But...
[he may be in slight denial about who they're for. Blade doesn't wear the bracer, after all, and dan heng can ignore a piece of jade, when its wearer is constantly after his life.]
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Mm. You’re not me, of course, but I told Jing Yuan to tell you it should be your choice to seek out the owner of the other half of them.
[he finds it extremely charming that dan heng’s ear is sensitive, so he starts petting the other one too.]
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I haven't been. I've been running away, not searching for anything or anyone.
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[he hums thoughtfully, before giving in and nipping curiously at the tip of one ear.]
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[he squeaks, utterly derailed, tail whipping straight up out of the water like he's a startled cat.]
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This is why you shouldn’t hide your Vidyadhara features, you know.
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It's really not a problem I'm likely to encounter often.
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[he does the predator head tilt again.]
Live a little. Aeons know I didn’t.
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I'm already adventuring with the Nameless. Lower your standards.
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No.
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tipping his own head at a wry angle, huffing a soft puff of breath just short of a scoff.]
Don't tell me you're going to start matchmaking.
[they both know that isn't even slightly the vibe here.]
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