cuckoo-among-beasts

[cuckoo-among-beasts]

@antihxroiism sent: "Uncle Fairy !!! I have been so excited to see you, come let us sit and chat for a while. I have some tea and cookies !!"

Huaisang chuckles at Xiu's excitement. When he first met her, he was a little nervous that she might not like him, and he really wanted her to like him, since she is one of the most important people to Mulan. He needn't have worried. Xiu seemed to take an instant liking and his flair for the dramatics and the artistic.

"Xiu, I've missed you too," he replies, smiling. "I have so much to tell you." It's gossip hour. The two of them together are a pure gossip machine and there's pretty much nothing Huaisang doesn't know and he is willing to share most of it. Some, he keeps to himself, either out of security or due to Xiu's tender age. Don't want her to know too much of the darker side of the world just yet. Or at least as little as possible.

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chinese gardens in winter by 糖果味道

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Quote from Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult.

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the world is full of insecure overachievers. have you tried being a secure underachiever? you'll have more life in you that way

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The baby is adorable. Normally, Huaisang doesn't find babies to be cute, but there's something special about little Yuan. Maybe it is because he has Sizhui's eyes?

As Mulan sits down on the cushion, explaining that the baby is usually calm and easy to care for, he finds no comfort in the words. Despite that, he sits down next to her. "See, it's probably because he doesn't like me." Huaisang has handled a lot: war, betrayal, sect running, death. Now, he looks terrified, honestly terrified, by a baby.

Being closer to the boy now, he seems to notice the guest, head turning towards Huaisang and a chubby hand reaches out for him. Wasn't babies blind at first? He had heard something about them being unable to see properly. Then why did it feel like the little boy looked straight into his soul?

Before realising it fully, Huaisang reached out and the chubby fist grabbed his index finger. "Oh!" he exclaims, the fear in his eyes mixed with surprise and the baby makes, what to Huaisang sounds like, a happy noise.

Moments later, he has the boy in his arms. It's awkward and they're staring at each other, but the baby seems to have calmed down. For some reason, Huaisang can feel his eyes tearing up and it makes no sense. "May your life be pleasant, little Yuan. May you never see war or feel the sting of betrayal. I promise, I will do everything in my power that you will live as happily as possible." This generations shouldn't have to go through what his own had, what Sizhui and Mulan had.

For a moment, there is such a determination in his expression, that anyone who knew Mingjue would've been taken back by the resemblance. Thankfully, the expression is soon gone, replaced by a soft smile and tear-glassy eyes.

🌸  ┊ letter received from @cuckoo-among-beasts        Nei Huaisang : " a-actually, maybe you better keep holding him. i mean, what if i hurt him by accident? or what if i scare him? babies don't like me, they never have! " / 𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙎𝙏-𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙎 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙏𝙎 (𝙋𝙏. 1)

          Mulan rocked her son within her arms, her body swaying ever so slightly as the fabrics of the cloth holding him draped over her arms. she smiled at Huaisang, for she was truly so happy that he had come to visit her for a change, especially since she was still in recovery after the birth of Yuan. the infant was awake, his violet colored eyes holding a curious light to them as he watched his mama talk to her friend. he had just been changed, fed and the remainder of his needs taken care of. most days, it would have put him right to sleep to be held like this and sang to, but today he was fussing as he seemed to sense that someone knew was around.

          she could not help but smile, for it was a nice change from the usual pace, especially since Sizhui had to tend to the Sect for a short while. the company alone was appreciated, though she did wish that Huaisang trusted himself a bit more.

        ❝  if you do not feel comfortable holding, Little Yuan, then you do not have to. but, i am more then sure you are capable of keeping him safe.  ❞    she assured him, as she carefully moved to sit on a cushion, a soft hushing sound made to keep the boy from squirming too much at the movement.      ❝  he is usually a very calm baby, often times he only fusses when he needs to be changed or is hungry.  ❞

          lifting her eyes from her child, she looked at Huaisang and smiled even brighter, her long hair loosely cascaded around her body as she did not yet have the time to put it up in order to host properly.     ❝  he takes after his, Bàba in many ways, and i am sure that one of them will be liking his Uncle Fairy.  ❞

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cont. from here with @h3artf3ltint3nt

Huaisang is not a brave person. Not when it comes to things like pain and death. Not in the way his brother is, or many of his peers. Though seeing one of the Nie disciples being so ruthlessly attacked, getting his core melted, by Wen Zhuliu, both terrified and angered him. How dared they hurt a Nie? Of course he doesn't speak up. Doesn't show his anger. Instead he lets nothing but fear be visible, which isn't hard since he is indeed terrified as well.

Having noticed his shimei's reaction, he quickly grabs her hand, squeezing it. It's rare to see her scared, but he doesn't blame her. Getting your core melted is every cultivator's worst nightmare. Except Huaisang's. Not that he wants it to happen to him, but it's also not his worst nightmare.

He nods in reply. "Wens have no honour. Don't forget that," he replies, voice so low that Kexin is the only one able to hear him. Never trust anything any of them say. Wen Ruohan had killed his father and now, a disciple just for speaking up. Yes, Mingjue would've punished such brazenness too, but it would've been something like laps or cleaning the stables, not something like this. They had to get out of here. All of them.

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"Hanguang-jun I thought pets were forbidden in Cloud Recesses?"

"Mm."

(Headcanon that since Huaisang was already in Cloud Recesses during the war, after discovering Wangjis secret stash of bunnies, he made habit of visiting and feeding them)

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"A-Sang will train every day!" he proclaims loudly. Oh how wrong that is. Both his father and brother would end up chasing him to train. More Mingjue than their father though. Huaisang will come to hate sabre practice, but he has forgotten all about that now. Just as he has forgotten what Han-shushu did and that he should be very much dead.

Suddenly something changes with Ruohan and he can ask about it, the man is gone. Did he do something wrong? Huaisang doesn't understand. He didn't break any rules or said anything wrong. Was it the kiss? But Han-shushu had never disliked a kiss on the cheek before? A-Sang is young, but he is already good at sensing changing emotions and he is sensing something off with the man. Something that has been off since the start, but he didn't say anything and he isn't planning on doing so now. Adults are confusing and often they feel one way, but say they are another. Da-ge says that Huaisang will understand when he is older, but he isn't sure he wants to understand.

Fearing that he will upset Han-shushu more, Huaisang remains on the spot as he waits for the other to return. To not feel bored, he hums to himself. A song his father use to sing when he works.

“They... They surely will be, A-Sang.” His voice makes it clear that he knows otherwise, but he’s sure the toddler won’t be able to tell. Still, he works quickly to raise another smile to his features, is sure to force a genuine lilt to it to mask everything preceding.

“But of course you will—in fact, I’m more than sure of it.” He ruffles the boy’s hair with a small laugh. “Just do your best in training, as your da-ge does, and you will be just as he is soon enough.”

He’s horrible. He’s horrible for feeding into this disillusion, but he can’t ruminate on it. For his sake; for Huaisang’s; he’ll worry later—For now, it’s time to find adequate clothing.

Though, as he begins to set the young boy down, as he thinks, Ruohan’s brow furrows. Is...Would I even have anything adequate?

He hadn’t been searching for any robes that would fit a child, after all. He never expected to have to. Must the world be so cruel so continuously?

...The answer is apparently yes, what-with the way Huaisang kisses his cheek so suddenly. If the boy hadn’t been out of his arms already, Ruohan is sure he would have been stunned into dropping him.

“A-Sang...”

Such tenderness, such kindness—oh, is he selfish to wish the boy won’t remember this when whatever is afflicting him wears off? Will he be allowed this one joy, when all is done? Will he allow himself to remember it?

Terrifyingly, a tear wells up in his eyes. Ruohan has to turn his back on the boy before it falls, lest he bear witness to it.

“Han-shushu will be back.” Is what he leaves with, is all he can leave with, all but running into a room opposite. Huaisang had already resolved to staying put, so he just has to trust that the boy will be alright.

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A commission I did for @toppazz !! Thank you so much for commissioning me <33

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"Indeed she is," Huaisang agrees, like ha hasn't already gushed about the horse in such a way that many would believe him to be insincere. Unless they know who he is. The Headshaker is known for exaggerated emotional words. Though he does truly mean them this time.

"I am guessing she is not for sale then?" If she is, he'll pay whatever is needed to get her. If not, that's a pity, but he's not about to hassle Deng Wanqing about a horse, no matter how beautiful the horse is or how much he actually need to buy more horses. Although mainly for his disciples, not himself, and this horse would definitely not be used by anyone but him, if she is for sale.

"She is a beauty, isn't she," Deng Wanqing agreed, watching off to the side while the horse ate.

She had seen and bred many horses in her life already, that one just happened to be one of the prettiest ones in all those years. A beautiful walnut shell brown, with deep soulful eyes.

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Oh he is absolutely playing him and Huaisang loves it. There are few who catches on that he is acting and when they do and still play along, he can't help but feel a little thrill. As much as it can be daunting to play the Headshaker, it's also fun. A good way to be ignored so he can observe and get out of tedious work. "If it can preserve my beauty, perhaps I should let it remain?" Obviously he doesn't mean that. As much as he takes great pride in his looks, he wouldn't stray so far as to let poison fester in him, spiritual or not. The sabre spirit might not like spiritual poison either. Although his spirit is week, it's still present and fickle.

"I can ride on her?" he replies, sounding astonished and then he does something many might find odd, but he bows deeply to Garuda, showing her respect. This is not just because he loves birds, and horses, but because he can see and sense her intelligence. She is much more than just an animal and you would be foolish to judge her simply based on her animalistic appearance.

"Oh, yes. Yes, of course. My apologies. I get carried away easily sometimes." Huaisang might be a sect leader and cultivator, but his heart and temperament was more that of an artist or scholar and he easily got lost in his mind and emotions. Looking at the man and then at Garuda, he tilts his head a little. "May I pet you, Garuda?" he asks, waiting for her to show some kind of sign that he's allowed to do so before he lets his hand gently brush against soft feathers. "Perfect..." he sighs, utterly smitten by his new feathered friend.

A moment later, he looks back at his saviour. "The Unclean Realm is that way," he replies and gestures towards south-east. "It's not far." Of course not, since he had walked here, although he had walked further than usual, just so he could use this as an excuse to miss the planned meal with another sect leader he rather not spend more time with, and his horrid daughter.

He had been involved in the Sunshot campaign himself but he had not met with the Sect Leaders due to his own nature. He and his clan had been air support, though his army had helped defend an area. Had he heard of the head-shaker, to him no one was a waste of space, there was always some contribution to the world made, for good--or ill. People would judge as they saw fit but the over all balance of the world did mean something. Though upon meeting Sect Leader Yao by accident did have him questioning this view the man could talk non-stop and make himself the center of attention, an amazing accomplishment for a man who told stories of his greatness borrowed from others actual accomplishments.

Was he playing with Huaisang he absolutely was since the other wanted to play the damsel in distress he would give him a hand. "Grievous Poison." he said solemnly. A smile did not touch his lips but his eyes twinkled at the over the top behavior. "Would it reassure you to know, it will preserve your beauty ?" he asked but he was serious about treating the man's wounds. "It is spirit poison but I can help you with it." he promised.

A soft laugh did escape him at his response to Garuda. "Garuda, meet our newest passenger." he said to the bird. Which held a dove grey color but its wings were magnificent like the phoenix bird in colors. The bird dipped into a bow. "She is a beauty." he agreed "She is willing to carry you as well, if you want a ride." he said as he gestured for him to move with him. "She would be delighted to allow you draw and paint her, but not out here." he warned "I do not want the monster bird to return." he stated firmly. "It already attempted to take you once." there was no teasing or act to those words. Where he might have been tempted to use him as bait he was concerned of him being harmed. "It will be a few days before it will dare show its beak again." he moved to hold a hand out to Garuda who lowered her head for strokes along her beak. "Come friend, would you like to pet her before we fly ?" @cuckoo-among-beasts

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Please enjoy 20 seconds of a softly beeping peahen as she gets her neck rubbed

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resetnyc

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brunie.co

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The smile Huaisang gives his shimei is genuine and he shakes his head a little. "Judging by your appearance, you haven't slept properly either. I will not hand over extra job to you." He's a good actor, but even he is amazed at how cheerful he manages to sound. Then she adds that it's not just paperwork and a part of him wants to lie, but he has already lied to her so much and he doesn't want to lie to her more. Since they're alone in the room, not even a servant present, Huaisang sighs and lets his shoulders drop, as does his mask, not fully, but enough. "No. No, it's not," he admits. "It will get better, I know that, but it will take time." Though, he had not expected to feel this... shattered and empty once the revenge was done. Not that he had expected to feel anything, but he did survive and now he has to live with that. Somehow, he had hoped he could partly go back to who he was, but that's not possible. It never will be.

"Let's just have some breakfast," Or at least tea. He's still feeling queasy, but he will eat something. Tea and maybe a mantou. "Have a seat," he tells Kexin as he calls for a servant to get them some breakfast, before he too sits down.

Kexin had headed to the dining hall earlier than usual, due to the fact that she hadn't been able to sleep herself. She hadn't been at Guanyin Temple, but she'd heard about what happened, felt the resentment from the coffin right before it was entombed. And she'd been at the siege, had listened to the women at Lotus Pier about San-Guangyao's...crimes. It was a lot to take in and she couldn't help but think about how much of San-Guangyao's apparent care for them was just an act. But above everything, she was worried about Huaisang. She hadn't even been present at the end, but he had been. If she was having a hard time dealing with things just from hearing about them, she couldn't imagine how difficult it must have been for him. But he'd locked himself into his office as soon as he could.

So when she spots him walking into the dining hall, she's relieved. Then she sees how tired he looks and the worry creeps back. When she asks him if he stayed up all night, she's not surprised by his response. Nor does she believe it for that matter. Not entirely at least. "In that case, let me do the paperwork for you. I did it all the time for-" she lets her words trail off. "I know how to do it," she says instead. Then after a moment, "It's not just the paperwork though. is it?"

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Huaisang loves compliments, almost as much as he loves art and being spoiled (of course, none of that even remotely reaches how much he loves his da-ge, but that's a given). Despite this, the boy blushes when Kexin praises him. "Thank you, shimei," he mumbles, his gaze lowered and a soft smile on his lips. "And you are getting better at braiding hair, I was mostly just teasing you," Huaisang admits.

If she were a meaner person, she would likely pull his hair more on purpose. But she wasn't. Nor would she ever want to actually hurt him. So she just hmphs and pouts instead. She stops her movements for a moment, to concentrate on being gentle before continuing. "It's not all you have A-Sang. You're also funny and creative and nice and give really good hugs," she replies.

[cuckoo-among-beasts]

Nie Huaisang

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Like he knows what Hayase is thinking, Huaisang smiles and says "I'm done with my tasks for now." And he is, unless someone finds him and demands him to do more work, but somehow many seem to be slightly scared of the young dragon, which baffles Huaisang. Sure, Hayase could do a lot of damage should he want to, but he has been nothing but kind to Huaisang. Okay, he gives him the occasional headache, but he has never been bad on purpose and he is terribly cute.

Huaisang takes the book and then holds out his hand for Hayase. "Let's sit somewhere more comfortable to read and I can ask a servant for some snacks for you too." He knows his young friend tend to always be hungry.

Oh, big bro Huaisang is offering story time? Just like that? Not busy? Oh heck yeah baby wants that!

Nodding furiously, Hayase holds out the book to Huaisang, almost trampling the ground under his paws in excitement. Any more excitement and he might shoot himself into the air.

Where are they gonna sit? Where is Hayase going to be all comfortable for story time? What is actually in the book? Are there going to be princesses? Oh he loves princesses being saved. So romantic! Heroic! Like mama and papa! Mama and papa are the best.