[open post - dream big]

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe does not need to sleep every night, and at home he is too busy to do so. But there is less to do here, and he grows bored in the nighttime when there is no chance of seeing any of the few people he likes. And Nina must not have any nightmares on his watch.

He curls up on his bed now, enduring the ache he always feels to be in it alone. Sleeping alone is one of the things he most despises. The only saving grace is that his powers let him make himself sleep instantly. In his youth, he often ended up fighting his thoughts for hours in place of sleep, even when physically exhausted. He wishes Shen Yuan were here, or if not, perhaps Sagramore—not to do anything that would disrespect Shen Yuan, but just to warm Luo Binghe's bed with his presence. But he would prefer almost anyone in the mansion over no one.

He ignores this customary melancholy and forces himself to sleep. He will first check on Nina, to guide her mind towards its best dreams without intruding, as he promised. After that, all dream paths are open to him.

[If you'd like a Luo Binghe dream visitation, please comment with how and where your character is sleeping, and perhaps what might be on their mind. If Luo Binghe does not know the character well, the dream will be more generic. However, he can read thoughts and memories, so feel free to DM the typist if there's anything you'd like Binghe to pick up on. Sweet dreams!]

Comments

[protagonisthalo]

"Oh, yes! Your new abilities—it went well?" He grins. "All were properly dazzled by such a beautiful Corpsewitch? I thought of you, but I was confident you could handle things yourself. Or that you'd call me if needed." He makes the puppy lie down at her feet, wriggling contentedly.

[ravkanwitch]

"Who wouldn't be dazzled by me?" Nina asks, tossing her hair just slightly -- but then she becomes distracted by the puppy, patting its head and cooing at it for a few seconds. "I did great, though I was thinking I should see if someone would help me craft a bone sword, something slightly more powerful than my bone shards. Nightingale agreed to help with the metalworking, at least."

[protagonisthalo]

"That's an excellent idea. Cultivators often use qi to manipulate their swords without touching them. I imagine you could use your powers similarly." Then he realizes. "Someone here knows how to work metal? Do you think I could have a sword? I can't understand why every other cultivator here was able to keep their spiritual weapon, and mine was stripped from me on arrival. My sword and I are very closely bonded."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina's brows knit slightly. "You've mentioned this sword in passing before... Does it have any special abilities or is it just attuned to you? I'm not sure what level his metalworking skills are at, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. For myself, I think I'll need a bone blade and a metal hilt."

[protagonisthalo]

"It's unique—no sword could replace it, but anything would be better than nothing. Xin Mo is a sword of legends. Very few people have been able to wield it. It will turn on the wielder if they have insufficient power and strength of will." He has missed it while here, especially in times of distress. Xin Mo does not help with dark feelings—often, it amplifies them—but it gives him a solution. It lets him pour his frustrations into battle or carnal pleasures with a new wife, so he can stop thinking. Xin Mo knows more of his darkness than any living person, and Luo Binghe will never be too dark for it. He never has to fear its rejection. "Even for those able to wield Xin Mo, it exacts a toll. It demands enormous reserves of power, generated through combat or dual cultivation with a partner. But for cultivators, swords are our companions. They are individuals, with their own spirits. Xin Mo and I are closely attuned, and I've often wished I had it with me."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina nods, partly in understanding, partly in curiosity. "I see. In our word, we have amplifiers. It's a complicated situation -- but you have to be an extremely powerful Grisha to obtain one and it provides you with more power once you obtain it. It sounds similar... except maybe a more symbiotic relationship--" She trails off, clapping a hand to her mouth, realizing something important that she's forgotten to ask (lost in how distracted she's been with the dream, the puppy, the talent show, and everything). "I'm sorry to change the subject, but how did your date go?!"

[protagonisthalo]

"Oh!" Luo Binghe flushes pink. "It was—wonderful. We were compromised by the truth spell, but—it was for the best. I understood him more, after. And we spent some time together after the attack, too. It's..." He shakes his head, an irrepressible smile breaking through his attempted compisure. "It's hard to put into words—it's hard to believe even when it's happening. Nina, I love him beyond meaning. He... He called me his boyfriend."

[ravkanwitch]

“Oh, I’m so pleased for you!” Nina says, grabbing his arm with happiness — and she absolutely means it. This has been a long time coming, ever since Luo Binghe asked her to go speak with Shen Qingqiu (then) and then the terrible conversation that had him emotional and distraught. “Sometimes… it’s better to speak the truth. It makes things easier and freer. I’m glad it worked out and I’m really glad he called you his boyfriend. It must be the best feeling in the world.”

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe flushes deeper, oddly self-conscious about being so happy—as if he might not be permitted. "Yes—I couldn't make sense of his actions before that. He was so alternately hot and cold, affectionate and withholding. It scared me to want someone so much, and not comprehend what I was doing to push him away. So..." He laughs, more with relief than humor. "Perhaps everyone should be forced to speak truthfully with a new lover. I think I can understand it, and it seems his affection for me never wavered—it is his understanding of himself that has changed as we've grown closer. And on my side... Well. I think you know I am not the easiest company. To have him hear what was in my heart, and still care for me after..." He shakes his head, speechless yet unable to stop smiling.

[ravkanwitch]

"I think that just goes to show that the two of you are meant for each other. If you can hear each other's truths and still care for each other... well, the sky's the limit now." Just like her and Matthias; they were both terrible in their own ways and terrible for each other in different ways, but they knew that and they still loved each other. "Hopefully you can come together to the-- oh, I'm hosting a talent show next week!"

[protagonisthalo]

Meant for each other causes Luo Binghe a spasm of hope painfully indistinguishable from fear. He loves Shen Yuan, but he's grateful to change the subject—talking about it too much seems like inviting something to go wrong. "What is a talent show?"

[ravkanwitch]

"It's a performance, usually on a stage, where everyone takes turns showing off their talents. It's entertainment and a social event rolled into one. Most people show off an artistic talent... like singing, dancing, or playing music." Nina looks down at the ground for a brief moment, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. "I was wondering if you'd like to perform a piece together? Acting is one of my best talents -- but I don't think I could find something to perform alone."

[protagonisthalo]

"What kind of a 'piece'?" Luo Binghe has never done any kind of performance before, unless you count making nice with his enemies before turning around and destroying them. But he has done a great deal of that.

[ravkanwitch]

"Acting. Do you have plays? I think you'd be really good at it. Being dramatic, playing a part..."

[protagonisthalo]

"We do." Of course, he nearly said, but there is no 'of course' when so many basic features of their worlds can be entirely different. He preens a little at the compliment. "I've never done it before, but... I have no fear of performing in front of others. Show me the scene sometime, and I will try it. Who else will be in the show?"

[ravkanwitch]

“Last I saw, there were five or six people signed up… Hopefully more soon. Tress is doing a spores demonstration and Aziraphale is performing stage magic.” She smiles fondly at the stage magic, the impetus behind starting this talent show in the first place.

[protagonisthalo]

Aziraphale! That's who Crowley charged him to protect. Then this will be an opportunity for Luo Binghe to figure out who he even is.

"Oh, that reminds me of something I meant to ask you. Shen Yuan and I spoke recently of who we are close to in the mansion, so that we might know to be good to each other's friends." Well, Shen Yuan is good to everyone, so really it was so Luo Binghe knew who not to manipulate, but that's beside the point. "You are very important to me—if there are people here you care about, I would like to know, so that I may see to their wellbeing, if it's in my power."

[ravkanwitch]

“Hmm.” Nina thinks it over. Aside from Aleksander, there’s not really anyone in the mansion that she has issues with. “I’m close with Sagramore. Janet and Laertes as well… we’re all activity buddies. Nightingale, of course, since we’re organizing this talent show together— but I don’t think there’s anyone I really have an issue with at the moment.”

[protagonisthalo]

"Sagramore and Janet are friends of mine as well." Luo Binghe says this with a hint of pride. He has multiple friends, and isn't married to or employing any of them. "I should like to meet Laertes."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina doesn't tell him that they've already met and that the report Laertes came back with wasn't the best -- but he also said it was early in the morning, before sunrise, and Nina isn't her sharpest or her friendliest then either. "Laertes is great. We met under stressful situations and I had to scold him for his first aid skills... but everything turned around after that. That seems to be the case with a lot of people here... difficult first meetings."

[protagonisthalo]

"When I first met Shen Yuan here, I threatened to tear his hands off."

[ravkanwitch]

"The traditional greeting on the streets here then," Nina says breezily, waving her hand at their backdrop of Ketterdam. They're near 5th Harbor and there's a nearby canal that runs towards East Stave; where East Stave and West Stave meet is the Barrel. She's heard and witnessed much worse there... and besides, Shen Yuan still has his hands.

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe laughs. "In the demon realm as well. Where are we, then?"

[ravkanwitch]

"This is Ketterdam!" Nina says, with a little spin. "I loved this harbor area and all of the food stalls here. It isn't Ravka, my country... I think I mentioned I was kidnapped onto a slaving ship when I was in Ravka with the Second Army-- the Grisha Army. After the ship went down, I ended up here in Ketterdam instead and ...I think this is where my story really started. This is where I betrayed Matthias and then saved him." All of this is said in a much more matter-of-fact tone than Nina has used in the past; she's fairly certain Binghe will understand the importance of this place to her.

[protagonisthalo]

"It's beautiful." Luo Binghe does understand the value of a home made from a place you didn't expect to end up in. Especially if it's associated with someone so important. Then, with a teasing smile: "I'm not surprised your dreaming mind took me to where the food is. Do you have any other favorite places here? I can bring them forth from your memories—I would love to see."