Forum Thread

“We appreciate the offer.” Was the clipped response, diplomatic and neutral.

Well that was too bad. Ruo Die thought to herself. She’d much rather the answer have been a yes, because she was going to do it anyway. After all, RuoDie never listened when someone’s health and wellbeing was in jeopardy.

RuoDie thought, personally, that perhaps LeQi was being defensive because she took it as an insult. Which she understood, but then again, LeQi was no expert in woodwork, nor smithing.

So like it or not, she would be trying her best to restore RuoXi to better condition. Even if she had to get He Lei to restrain LeQi while she did so.

She was interrupted from her thoughts as the red cloth snaked over and rested itself on her leg, and RuoDie laughed softly. She found it cute, and she gently lifted the tattered red fabric, repositioning it so that it wouldn’t be stepped on, and instead rested comfortably across her lap.

“Hello, dear RuoXi.”

RuoDie greets, voice a soft, soothing sound that brimmed with tender compassion. Tired but motherly eyes looked down at the red fabric, and she touched it gently, almost reverently, her hand running along the frayed and tattered seams with a near featherlight brush.

The fabric preened under the touch, curling between fingers to tangle itself within the offered comforts. Even the unspooled threads of unhemmed edges danced with delight to press against warm skin. If it wasn't a absurdly heavy sentient weapon with wickedly cracked edges along its every surface, one could have mistaken such reactions as coming from a feline. Even the end of the ribbon swayed as capraciously as a cat's tail.

Of course such blatant sucking up would never escape the notice of the hawk eyed Vie to whom it belonged to. Instead of barbed words thickening the hostility brewing between parties though, LeQi deliberately kept her eyes fixed on the notched blade that only reflected her own indignation and not the tempering warmth it should have. A hand rested against her own wrist, warm palm pressing firmly against the matching red. While she knew that this would be unlike any other repair that had occurred before, a much more perilous recovery to be had, LeQi couldn't help but miss it's presence. To be without a shadow was a curious thing indeed.

Even if she would have to rename it.

What a shame, the name she had originally bestowed it had been so pretty too. But some things were only for to sit upon her tongue alone. Interlopers should know their place, but LeQi was forgiving. She would allow them the abandoned name to be used as carelessly as the next breath, her gracious actions more than enough to settle her personal ire with even the most reticent of them. Actions, after all, were far more their worth on weight than empty words could ever hope to dream of

---