[The Nie are the Nie. They have their own tells, their own language, and their own culture. Huaisang's always had an innate talent for reading people and attuning himself to their rhythm. Everyone has their own subtext, their unconscious tells and reveals. They'd been on their own for far too long after their father's death and Huaisang had sacrificed and invested too much of his own life in the aftermath of Jin Guangyao's treachery to simply turn a blind eye and pretend none of it had ever happened, no matter how much his former friend appears to want him to.
He and Jin Guangyao are former friends. How could he easily rush back into friendship with the man who'd destroyed his life and robbed him of his only family? No matter what messy feelings lingered on for the decade and more the pair have known each other or how much part of him wished to return to a time when they weren't enemies.
Huaisang's loyalty to his brother, regardless of form, will always come first. There's no way it cannot after so much blood shed and sacrifice done in his name. But he's still a man of honor and peace, a diplomat if no less ferocious than any other Nie on his battlefield of choice. As sharp and ruthless as his words might be, he'd agreed to a truce with his enemy and intends to honor it to the best of his ability.
At those words, another decision is made, his expression clearing. One that will hopefully help maintain peace in the home that he built with the help of others and only recently returned to himself.]
Yes, I am wounded. It is a tactical retreat.
[He pauses a moment, chewing his lip a moment as he figures out the best way to explain the situation to his brother that will not break the truce while appeasing his own conscience and rapidly growing fear and unease. He's clever and skilled with words, a gift honed even further in the years he's led the Qinghe Nie.]
My comrade and I took mortal blows during an ambush. He fell in battle but I survived. Still bleeding, I engaged in pursuit of the enemy alone and remained on the move for ten years. Eventually, I caught up to him and struck him down. I thought the enemy had been vanquished and the battle was over. But I have found him again in the stronghold. He claims he is no longer a threat and wishes to change but I do not believe him for his crimes are heinous. But in the interest of keeping peace from shattering into war once more... Against what I feel is my better judgment, I have chosen to give him the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to change.
[Huaisang swallows, lifting his gaze to meet Mingjue's directly in a way he'd never quite been able to manage in his youth. His eyes are filled with the tired, sorrowful wisdom born of seeing horrors on a battlefield: a shadow and darkness they'd never held before. The true face of Nie Huaisang he seldom trusts anyone enough to show but if he cannot trust Nie Mingjue, who else can be trusted to do anything?]
It is for the better for both of us if I am not here. But I wish my comrade well and hope he will keep himself safe in the days ahead. I cannot protect him as well as he's protected me in the past but if he calls upon me for aid or just to talk, I will answer him.
[The demon king can rot. He's not letting fear of Jin Guangyao steal away another day of his life.]
this tag wound up really long, oops
He and Jin Guangyao are former friends. How could he easily rush back into friendship with the man who'd destroyed his life and robbed him of his only family? No matter what messy feelings lingered on for the decade and more the pair have known each other or how much part of him wished to return to a time when they weren't enemies.
Huaisang's loyalty to his brother, regardless of form, will always come first. There's no way it cannot after so much blood shed and sacrifice done in his name. But he's still a man of honor and peace, a diplomat if no less ferocious than any other Nie on his battlefield of choice. As sharp and ruthless as his words might be, he'd agreed to a truce with his enemy and intends to honor it to the best of his ability.
At those words, another decision is made, his expression clearing. One that will hopefully help maintain peace in the home that he built with the help of others and only recently returned to himself.]
Yes, I am wounded. It is a tactical retreat.
[He pauses a moment, chewing his lip a moment as he figures out the best way to explain the situation to his brother that will not break the truce while appeasing his own conscience and rapidly growing fear and unease. He's clever and skilled with words, a gift honed even further in the years he's led the Qinghe Nie.]
My comrade and I took mortal blows during an ambush. He fell in battle but I survived. Still bleeding, I engaged in pursuit of the enemy alone and remained on the move for ten years. Eventually, I caught up to him and struck him down. I thought the enemy had been vanquished and the battle was over. But I have found him again in the stronghold. He claims he is no longer a threat and wishes to change but I do not believe him for his crimes are heinous. But in the interest of keeping peace from shattering into war once more... Against what I feel is my better judgment, I have chosen to give him the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to change.
[Huaisang swallows, lifting his gaze to meet Mingjue's directly in a way he'd never quite been able to manage in his youth. His eyes are filled with the tired, sorrowful wisdom born of seeing horrors on a battlefield: a shadow and darkness they'd never held before. The true face of Nie Huaisang he seldom trusts anyone enough to show but if he cannot trust Nie Mingjue, who else can be trusted to do anything?]
It is for the better for both of us if I am not here. But I wish my comrade well and hope he will keep himself safe in the days ahead. I cannot protect him as well as he's protected me in the past but if he calls upon me for aid or just to talk, I will answer him.
[The demon king can rot. He's not letting fear of Jin Guangyao steal away another day of his life.]