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[brushoff]

"You've reached the inbox of one Dorian Gray. Don't forget to leave me a message. If you're interesting, I'll get back to you."

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[riseunparalleled]

Isn't that a type of argument? [He spreads a hand, but not quite in disagreement.] I'm cautious for a reason.

[brushoff]

And I still say you should be less so. That's why we have these conversations in the first place: because you're so cautious and so wrapped up in your own head that you never make the big impulsive decisions that every relationship needs.

[riseunparalleled]

[Xie Lian counts these conversations as pretty big and impulsive, especially on his personal scale.] Perhaps. I can't say making big... moves in relationships has ended well for me before.

[brushoff]

Then you're overdue it actually ending well, [ Dorian points out, with a little shrug. ] That's another thing. If you worry and fret that this will end up poorly then guess what: it will end up poorly.

[riseunparalleled]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't work that way. [That you can be overdue for something ending well; he doesn't disagree with how to make sure things end up poorly. He smiles at Dorian.] Thank you for your advice, both your words and your time are deeply appreciated.

[brushoff]

I've always got time for you, [ Dorian says with a smile and a small nod. ] Hell, next time my room will be back and we can have some tea.

[riseunparalleled]

That will be nice. It's good to have food, but I have missed tea. [A cup of tea might be the last step needed to feel properly settled again. He gives a more serious, if still gentle, look.] I hope you know the same is true of me. I might lack useful advice, in most regards, but I can always offer what I have.

[brushoff]

Oh hush, [ Dorian grins. ] You're more useful than you realize.

[riseunparalleled]

With age can come experience of what you can't do... [Thoughtful, but also a little teasing when he says 'age'.]

[brushoff]

And with youth comes the ability to realize when those old fucks are stuck in their ways. [ because Dorian is well aware he's younger than Xie Lian. ]

[riseunparalleled]

Such disrespectful to your elders. Always a sign of good sense.

[brushoff]

What can I say, I'm a bit of a brat.

[riseunparalleled]

As long as you don't grow out of that too much, you'll be fine.

[brushoff]

Fortunately, I'm not the sort of man who's good at 'changing'.

[riseunparalleled]

Now, you shouldn't say something like that until your third century.

[brushoff]

Alas, I'm jaded already.

[riseunparalleled]

[That manages to get Xie Lian to actually look slightly skeptical.]

You’re many things, Dorian, but I would have to go down quite a ways before picking jaded.

[brushoff]

Really? I've gotten that a lot back home.

[riseunparalleled]

From who?

[brushoff]

Literally everybody?

[ says the immortal in a world full of people who aren't immortal. ]

I suppose it's easy to become jaded when you see the same shit happening over and over again.

[riseunparalleled]

It can be sad to witness such patterns repeat themselves [he doesn't think anyone would disagree with that, including plenty of non-immortals].

But you have far too kind a heart for me to say 'jaded' instead of simply, unfortunately, well acquainted with tragedy.

[brushoff]

[ There's a long pause as Dorian mulls that over. Eventually he continues with, ]

I'm not kind. But it's nice to be thought of that way.

[riseunparalleled]

I've seen you go out of your way to help people, to look after those who need it and to speak up in arguments about people's welling being.

I know many people who don't think they should be called kind. But acts of cruelty or indifference don't make kindness less true, just as kindness doesn't erase them.

[brushoff]

[ He can't help it. Dorian flushes a little before pointing out, ]

That's just...I mean, I was just doing my job. Nothing more.

[riseunparalleled]

Mm. Being willing to chance trusting people, who need someone to take the risk of faith; taking responsibility for your actions; freely offering advice...

It seems to be there are a lot of reasons you were chosen to do this job.