[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
No, I'm not. [She bows her head.] You deserve a better bodyguard. I'm sorry.
avaricious: (You're a dick)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
[There is no chance for him to ponder on that, reflect, think of a way to make it better. His reaction is quick and sharp.]

Don't you dare say that, Ran Fan.

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
I have no right to be your bodyguard. If I cannot control my feelings-- You should not have some as weak as I am.
avaricious: (A time for war)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
[He stood up abruptly when it was clear she was determined about this. It wasn't that he was angry at her, far from it. He was furious that Luceti had driven her to the point to think this was the case. He did nothing to hide it.]

That's crap and you know it. I'm the weak one, remember? You've always known what it took to see things through to the end. Even when it cost you your arm. Even when it cost you your grandfather. I almost lost it when we lost Fu, but you were strong enough to keep going. You put yourself in danger again just to make sure I could keep moving forward. You even fought in that automail long before you should have been able to. How can you possibly think that you're weak after all that? What would Fu think if he heard that kind of talk? He'd never stand for it.

[In fact, Fu would probably smack her right then and there. Ling wouldn't. He could never strike her. He had only his words to drive sense into her.]

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Tears filled her eyes.] That... [Crap. She can't say why. It meant admitting her feelings for him.]

He wouldn't stand how I am now. He'd want me to leave now and come back when I'm able to be the bodyguard you deserve, but he isn't here, so I'm doing the right thing. I won't be gone for long.
avaricious: (Annoyed)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Damn. Maybe there isn't any getting through to her. He closes his eyes, crossing his arms. What is he supposed to do? Demand she stay? He has always accepted her loyalty, but has never demanded it.]

You should know that anything I said or did the past week was not the real me. I don't hold you at fault for anything. [Such as the comment about not needing her.]

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
It isn't about what you did. [She turns away, feeling her face heat up from blushing.]
avaricious: (Intense)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
I don't hold you responsible for what you did either. You kept up the end of a bet you made. That's all. It was... a kiss. Nothing more than that. It didn't mean anything.

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
[She couldn't hold it back anymore. The tears flowed from her eyes.]

It did. [Quickly, she covers her face with her hands.]
avaricious: (Skeptical)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[... not the response he was expecting.]

... Ran Fan?

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[She drops her hands, looking away from him.]

I'm sorry. I... I haven't been honest with you, my lord.
avaricious: (Standing alone)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
[... he thinks he knows where this is going. He didn't ever imagine she might feel that way, but hearing it for himself... that temptation could be his undoing. So. He inhales. He exhales. And then he sits back down.]

If you think you need to prepare more, then you may do so. I won't stop you.

[He doesn't want her to go. But. It's better she move on. For both their sakes. For Xing's sake.]

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Obi-Wan is going to teach me how to rid myself of emotions. [Not all, but the only emotion she cares about right now.] I'm sorry I have failed you, but I promise that when I return I will be someone both you and my grandfather will be proud of.

[She bowed, still crying. Even though she shouldn't care, his reply was a bit of a rejection. This was how it was supposed to be though, and she needed to accept that.]
avaricious: (Making the choice)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[... get rid of her emotions. Is that something he wants to happen to her? He's torn.

He bows his head, not able to bring himself to look at her.]


You've never failed me. But if this is something you think you need, you have my leave.

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, my lord.

[She place her hand on her mask, pushing it toward him.]

I will be worthy to wear this, I promise.
avaricious: (Loss)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wordlessly, he takes the mask. It's hard to believe it's really come to this. Somehow, it doesn't feel real.]

[personal profile] oftheyin 2012-04-12 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Goodbye.

[She bows before finally leaving Ling to his breakfast. Staying here would just be too awkward now.]
avaricious: (Disappointment)

[personal profile] avaricious 2012-04-12 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[He can't bring himself to say the same. So he remains here. Alone. By himself.

Not knowing what to do next.]