[Text; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

I'm alone.

[It hurts to type; it hurts to think, but Xingchen is a considerate man. Others should know.]

Xue Yang and Runyu have returned.

[The next part is the hardest for him to type.]

I need help. I've lost Zichen, too. Everyone seems to move on without me. Is there a reason why?

Maybe that's a silly question. I'm sorry. I just don't understand.

Comments

un: happyaround

[roundandaround]

Oh, no... I don't know. I'm sorry. I know they wouldn't want to leave you. Isn't that part of why we all fight to keep this world safe?

[gentledawn]

I have been. I've fought. I've done missions. But they still left and -

I can't follow.

[roundandaround]

Yet. You can't follow yet. I know someday they're gonna fix things so we can all be in whatever world we want.

Text | UN: mayorinfan35

[mayoninofukucho]

[This really hurts to read. Xingchen was so happy with his loving household, and for him to be left behind alone is too cruel. Hijikata can hardly believe it.]

I know I haven't checked in in a while, but would you like me to come over?

[He wants to comfort him in person, clumsy as he may be at it.]

[gentledawn]

What if they have been separated? I will need to find them. Runyu in Heaven and A-Yang in Yi City. Then I must wait for Zichen, too.

I had hoped we could move together.

Text

[gentledawn]

[It can't be helped. Xingchen is just...in mourning. He will come out of it in time.]

Do you have time? I don't want to be a bother.

["Please come over" in other words.]

[roundandaround]

It's not all on you, though. I'm sure they want to get back to you just as much. Even though you're separated now, you all must be able to find each other again.

[gentledawn]

What if they don't remember the time we spent here?

[roundandaround]

Sometimes people who forget remember again later.

[gentledawn]

If the memories haven't been taken from them entirely.

[roundandaround]

I know you're worried. But I still think it's possible. They're important to you, and you're important to them. I'm sure they'll remember someday. After all, the Research Centre works hard every day to find a way to fix things.

[gentledawn]

I will try to think like you, dear friend. Thank you for remaining hopeful.

Even if they don't remember me, I will remember them. I will find them.

[roundandaround]

I believe in you! You're gonna be together again, I know it!

Also this is for you

[Attached: a scanned crayon drawing of Xīngchén that looks like a small child drew it. Written underneath: SORY YOR SAD. FROM MECCHAN]

[gentledawn]

You didn't need to -

[He stares at the drawing, tears brimming in his eyes. Rubbing them away with a handkerchief, Xingchen inhales shakily.]

Give Mecchan a hug for me.

[roundandaround]

I will! He was really worried about you. Hina-chan too.

1/2

[mayoninofukucho]

You're never a bother! I'll be over in half an hour.

[Even if he weren't free, he'd make it so.]

2/2

[mayoninofukucho]

[As soon as Xingchen opens the door for him, Hijikata hugs him, ignoring whatever cultivator etiquette he may or may not be breaching (maybe he's wrong in assuming that they're less physical just because they're so ethereal, anyway).]

Xingchen, I'm so sorry. For all of them to be called away at once, that's just too much.

UN: Ultimatelifeform, Text

[shatteredprison]

It is not you. The magics of this world can be fickle in who stays and who does not.

That is not your doing.

{Audio} un: lordwolframvonbielefelt

[bielefelt]

... When you say you need help, are you in immediate need of assistance? What kind?

[ Wolfram remembers this one from the earlier discussion held by them, even if all these names are unfamiliar. ]

( And for now, spares Xingchen Wolf's own awkwardness by responding via audio instead- )

( after a moment of hesitation ) I don't... think it's just because it's "you".


No one from my world has shown up here in almost a year now, so...

.. though it'll still be just over a few months since I've been here a year.

[ If anything, Wolfram also sounds a bit emotionally exhausted, but is holding most of it in for Xingchen's sake. ]

[gentledawn]

They are such sweet little friends. I will be alright. Please tell him that?

[gentledawn]

[He uses the time to clean himself up, to mostly hide the evidence of his tears. He even dresses himself in one of Runyu's robes - indistinguishable from his own white robes except for the blue band around his waist and the much finer fabric.

Then he greets his friend. The embrace shakes him and he clings to Hijikata, breathing shallowly.]

I'm just...so worried for them! I don't know how to...stop being afraid.

Text

[gentledawn]

I have been here for years.

I should have found an answer. I should have found a way to guard them.

{Audio}

[gentledawn]

[His voice is broken, shattered with grief and the heavy burden of failure.]

My heart...it hurts. My dear ones were taken from me and I can't follow.

[He can't be sure it isn't him. His tragic reputation of loving and losing started long before Ellipsa.]

You're...Wolfram, right? [Xingchen does his best to say the name without difficulty.] Do you like horseback riding?

[roundandaround]

Okay. Hold on, let me let him type to you.


helo
its god yo wil be ok
we lik yo
hav god day
from mecchan. 🦎 tats me