homophonic ❆ nahri

[bindings]

nahri

You're not just a memory.

CODE

Comments

[bindings]

... That is kind of you.

[she says, after a moment.]

When I found out you also had been on one, and I could do nothing for you, it was... bad.

[ashmark]

Bad? [ this is worrying in a different way. ] Because we were separated?

[ like, she assumes, but just wants to make sure without putting too fine a point on it. ]

[bindings]

Yes.

[a pause.]

You are not allowed to get mad at me if I tell you what happened.

[ashmark]

[ a pause. she tries to look at her - maybe through her - while adjusting her grip on the vision. ]

I won't. I promise.

[bindings]

I asked Matsui to kill me. We come back after a couple hours, here.

It was nice to not have to exist for a while. When I came back, I was calmer.

[ashmark]

[ there's a long pause. she isn't mad. but she is a little distraught and trying not to be. ]

Is that how it works?

[ it's different because she asked. it wasn't cold blooded murder. but nahri still isn't very enthused to talk about it. ]

[bindings]

[a little nod.]

I haven't asked again. I needed it, the way that I needed you to turn off my emotions, weeks ago. [...] Fei Du helped me, too. He always does.

[ashmark]

[ that manages to get a tiny smile out of her. ]

Yeah, he's good at that.

[ --!! WAIT ]

Shenhe, your ropes. Is that why you don't need them anymore?

[bindings]

[she tilts her head, and then:]

It may have helped. [she says, slowly, like she hadn't even thought about it.] I took them off when I fought Gerard, and then I - I never put them back on.

I have been learning how to control myself better. Without the ropes. [she's a little proud of herself for it, honestly.]

[ashmark]

[ she deserves to be proud!! nahri is proud. her smile gets a little bigger. ]

It's hard, isn't it? Emotions never do what you want them to.

[bindings]

[aaaaaaa the smile on nahri's face makes shenhe smile in return, and it's like. it's such an easy motion. she smiles like she's never had a problem doing it before.]

They do not. But I prefer this. [...] If things go right, I will show you how I feel.

[ashmark]

[ this is a blessing. shenhe's smile is a blessing. ]

Then things better go right, because now you have me looking forward to it.

[bindings]

[that makes her laugh, a little, just a small heh.]

You should be. [...] There were things you said you wanted to tell me.

[ashmark]

Oh, yeah-- haha, um. Those things can... wait...

[ they had such a nice moment and for what. ]

[bindings]

[HELP]

Alright. [she's curious, but not pushy.] Whatever you want.

[ashmark]

I'd like to spend more time with you. That's what I want. [ she tries to keep her tone light, but can't help a little melancholy seeping through. ]

Guess I'll always be selfish.

[bindings]

[there's a little bit of melancholy for her, too, at this.]

... Wolfwood told me to stop talking about the time we have left like it's on a countdown, but it feels a little like that. I don't know that I'll be able to see any of you again, after this.

[ashmark]

Wolfwood says a lot of things. [ although not untrue things. he's pragmatic and she hates it sometimes, like now. ]

...If we're not a timer, and things turn out okay, what is it that you want after all this? Just-- pretend.

[ because she doesn't want either of them to be set up for disappointment. but a little dreaming doesn't hurt. ]

[bindings]

[yeah, her too, honestly. sometimes she appreciates it, but other times she really wants to set him on fire.

as for that request, she slides her legs down to the ground, away from her chest, thinking.]

I want to see everybody again. [she says, finally.] I want to take you to Liyue. I want you to meet the Traveler, and I want to take you to see the sky light up when it's the Lantern Rite. I'd like to go to Sumeru, and see Kaveh and Nahida.

I'd like to visit other worlds. I want to save Fei Du from the trouble I know that he's going back to. I'd like to free Rang, and take Vash and Wolfwood to see the ocean, and find a place for Jonas and Alex to live.

[there's a lot of things she wants. it kind of all just tumbles out.]

[ashmark]

Me too.

[ maybe not those exact sentiments, but the general idea-- spending time with friends made here, seeing new worlds. ]

I'd like Wenzhou to cook for me. I'll let you handle Fei Du. I'd only get him into more trouble, I think. I want to see the library where Netzach lives, because maybe I could help him. I want to spend more time making jokes with Eiden and see those clan members he talks about.

...And I want to see what Liyue looks like. It sounds an awful lot nicer than the desert.

[bindings]

[she glances up at nahri from where she's sitting, smiling a little.]

It is a lot nicer. [...] You'd like it.

[and then, after a moment, as she tucks her hair behind her ear:] I think I'd like to kiss you again, too.

[ashmark]

[ her face lights up red, but she doesn't shy away. ]

Then you better hurry up and get back on this side.

[bindings]

[HUFFS. she gives nahri a look that could be described as pouting.]

I've been trying.

[ashmark]

[ she giggles. ]

I don't doubt it. [ softer, this time: ] I've really missed you, Shenhe. The boys don't like holding hands like you do. [ a beat. ] I don't think they'd be as nice to kiss, either.

[bindings]

[it doesn't matter because they still can't touch, but she moves a little closer. nahri can probably see her disgruntledly push something aside as she comes closer, like something on her side is in the way.]

Vash would be awful to kiss. [no comment on wolfwood though she's not touching that one] I've missed you just as much.

The people on this side don't hesitate to touch. I have never wanted you to die, but you would have liked it here.