13006/Introducing Central Park

Introducing Central Park
Date of Scene:	11 April 2021
Location:	Central Park, Manhattan
Synopsis:	Xiang takes Vitali to the place he first arrived in New York.
Cast of Characters:	Xiang Zhao, Vitali Svyatoslav

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Xiang Zhao has posed:
Getting to Central Park from Sunnday had taken over an hour and several bus changes. But now, there has been arrival at the park of Xiang Zhao's, well, arrival. He had selected the last bus specifically because it had a stop at the northern end of Central Park, which is where Zhao's goal was. He walks through a deeply wooded section of the northern end of the park, silent like he tends to be a majority of the time, apparently lost in his own thoughts.

But, his steps are confident. He knows exactly where he's going. There's that confidence about him that is always there, tempered by a peace and serenity, and a humility, that keeps it from appearing to be arrogance. Because that, he is not in the slightest.

This is a place that Soraya would appreciate. In this area of the park, the shadows are somewhat thicker than the rest. It is a place that appears a little wilder than the rest of the place. Up ahead, the ground slopes upward. Zhao turns to follow a miniscule trail down, rather than up, it curves around the high spot.

At a small grove of evergreen trees, Xiang Zhao turns off the trail and steps beneath their branches. In admist them are several that are intertwined that have grown in such a way that they have quite hidden the face of a small cliff. It can't even be seen from here. He pushes his way through the trees, and beyond them, a rocky wall climbs for several man-heights before sloping to join the rest of the hillside beyond. Not that that can be seen from here.

The mouth of a cave is where he's come. He steps inside it, into the darkness. There is a chill within. At first, all is darkness but for what little light comes in at the mouth of it, guarded by those trees. They don't let in much light, all told. Xiang Zhao seems to know where he's going, for he doesn't even call fire to light the way. He rounds a bend, and light can be seen ahead. Pale, glowing luminscence. Phosphorescent in pale greens and blues. Around another bend, it can be seen to be lichen along the walls that glows thus. It's not much light, just enough to see by and give the place an almost magical atmosphere.

The cave opens into a slightly larger area, the floor of it covered in fine sand. A flat rock sits off to one side, large enough for a man to sit on. A small bit of water runs down the opposite side from the rock, from somewhere high up, lost to darkness. The water runs down into a small pool. Within the pool, the water is crystal clear. Perhaps it is a spring. In here, it smells good. Earthy. Natural.

There is no signs that anyone ever spent any time in here, save for footprints in the sands. The footprints match Zhao's footwear.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
This was the first time that Vitali has ever ridden on a bus. He was a little bit hesitant about it simply because it's an unfamiliar sort of vehicle. But Zhao seemed to trust it, and so he followed that lead. And he continued to follow it with each of the bus changes that proved to be necessary, doing so without question. The fact that Zhao is quiet has led to Vitali being quiet during the travel as well. Curious, but quiet. He doesn't know the city anywhere near as well as what Zhao does!

When Zhao disembarks at that stop at the north end of Central Park, Vitali follows him. He hasn't brought Soraya on the bus, though the eagle is assuredly following. She wings her way along, some distance above the buildings to keep from being too easily spotted. He follows a bit to one side, and a bit back from Zhao, and he looks around to take in the wooded area. It brings a smile to the corners of his lips, and he relaxes a bit. He always feels more at home amongst and surrounded by nature. Once they're among the trees, Soraya angles her flight down to wing her way amongst the trees instead, though she keeps a bit of distance between her and her human companion.

At the grove of evergreen trees, Vitali pauses a moment to reach out and touch the needles of them, perhaps a way of identifying it. The needles are soft and pleasant, and he's always liked the smell of them. He doesn't linger for too long before continuing on to follow Zhao, stepping carefully through the branches in order to reach that rocky wall. He admires the height of it, for a moment, and then he quietly steps forward to follow the way into the cave. The chill within the air of the cave doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest. He's used to colder temperatures. He stays close while not being too close (he hopes) as he follows Zhao through the cave, to where it opens into the larger area.

For a long moment, there, he simply does nothing more than breathe in the naturalness of the space. It's almost cleansing, in a way. The sort of thing that reaches to the depths of one's very soul. After taking a long moment to simply appreciate this space, Vitali turns his gaze to Zhao, and a warm smile comes to his features. He doesn't immediately speak, taking a moment to perhaps sort and order his words first. "It is beautiful place," Vitali says quite softly, almost reverently.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Through the entire journey, Xiang Zhao had been utterly calm. And just as utterly patient with Vitali's hesitation. He can understand how that feels. Zhao has done quite a lot of exploring. He had reached the stage of life where he his itchy feet that want to wander. Though Zhao doesn't see the eagle following them, he still knows she's there. He can sense it, simply because of the link between her and Vitali that he can now sense, and see if he looks for it. He doesn't look for it, however. He doens't need to. He knows the bird is along whether he can sense that link or not. The bird never strays far from Vitali, afterall.

The chill within the cave doesn't bother Xiang Zhao either. He's used to cold places, and he's wearing layers. Layers, especially with silk, always helps. Even more, silk is nicely breathable, so when it's warm out, those layers don't tend to be as hot as a single layer of cotton.

Zhao gets into the cave and stops next to the rock. He takes a deep breath and then turns to face Vitali. "This is where I arrived, here. It was not the cave where I went into meditation, that day. But.. I feel it is sort of a home away from home. I like to come back from time to time." He walks over to the spring and crouches down beside it. He lowers his left hand into the water, his right hand has a fan in it, as is common. Today it's the fan he'd been gifted from Diana, with its dragon on it. His cupped left hand rises, and brings the water with it. He drinks of it. It's cold and refreshing, just like the cave itself.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Soraya is never far from him. She roams sometimes, to hunt for herself or for Vitali, but the distance is never too far. This time, Soraya chooses to perch on one of the branches of the trees beyond the cave. Not by Vitali's will but by her own, she chooses to give her human companion space.

As Zhao starts to speak, Vitali's gaze holds to him. His attention does not stray, and each word that's said is listened to. He's trying to be more mindful of the words that he's saying, and trying to use English better. "It is good place to come. Important place of beginning," Vitali says softly, tilting his head a touch to one side. "Maybe is magic, connect here to there. Feel... special, this place," he wonders, uncertain about such possibilities.

He steps towards the water as well, then lowers to one knee next to it before reaching out his left hand to lightly dangle his fingers in the water itself. He gives a faint murmur, a small gesture of his fingers, a whisper of power extended simply to suss out the source of the water, and there's a gentle swirl that shows in the water as he does so. "Water is good, spring deep. Far roots," he says quietly, giving a small nod. He cups his hands together before dipping them into the water to let them fill, and then he lifts his hands to drink of the water. Some of the water dribbles from his hands, falling back to join the pool once more. A soft skitter of cold air swirls in from somewhere unknown within the cave, a touch colder than moments ago, and it seems to scamper around the Siberian and pull bits of his hair free out of the braid he wears. Vitali closes his eyes at the touch of it, and it seems to disappear as swiftly as what it had appeared. There is a shift of something within Vitali himself, a sort of swelling of power, as though what is within him is somehow deeper, somehow different.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Exactly. This is something Zhao knows about his friend. Soraya and Vitali are never far distant. Which actually brings him to wonder something. "How far apart can you and Soraya get before it is too far?" The fact that he's talking again is a good sign. He's being less inwardly focused. Always a good thing. As the other man's English has shifted, Xiang Zhao has noticed the lack of a certain word in place of another. The 'for' seems to be gone. This is a good thing, but Zhao doesn't draw attention to it.

The comment of magic draws a nod from Zhao. "There is magic here, yes. The concentration of magic is stronger in this spot than in most others I have encountered here. It is good to meditate here if I need to replenish my reserves. I had planned to come here over the next few days, and want you to know where it is, in case I am needed." The place really is special, and in more ways than simply because Zhao arrived in the greater New York area in this one spot.

The source of the water is deep underground, between a layer of limestone and a layer of granite. Deep below this place.

As that colder air swirls about within the cave, Zhao's eyes follow it, as though he can see the very current of the breeze that blows it in. He watches it swirl around Vitali. His eyes tighten, ever so slightly. An almost indiscernable movement that gives a hint to the fact that he's in some sort of pain. His lips pale as well. But he doesn't say anything or draw attention to himself.

And then that power swells in Vitali. The fan stops moving. His right hand, comlete with the still open fan held within it, comes to rest lightly over the area just over his heart. His left hand moves from the water to subtly brace himself against the cavern wall. "Your understanding has deepend," he says, tone light, voice soft. Perhaps trying to hide the discomfort.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
There's a slight tilt of his head that occurs with Zhao's question, and one of Vitali's eyebrows quirks slightly up. Then there's a smile that quirks at the corners of his lips. "Used to test self. Ask Soraya to fly as far as comfortable," Vitali says, a thoughtful tone to his voice. "Years ago. When Soraya become adult. Around ten kilometres, then feeling is... mm... faded? Da, faded. Is like needing to shout, when past," Vitali says, doing his best to explain. The information is willingly given. He's at least getting more of the right words in the right places than what's been habitual. His desire to communicate better is a significant sort of thing.

"Not able to feel, to sense, magic, here, but... am not surprised is here. Have feeling of being special place. Place of spirits, maybe," Vitali says softly, a thoughtful tone to his voice. Sometimes, places just have a feel to them, even though he hasn't got a means of sensing the magic that's held within them. "If wish, can come with you, to protect?" Vitali offers, tilting his head a touch to one side. He'll respect whatever choice Zhao makes.

It's only once the breath of colder air has passed that Vitali opens his eyes once again. There is a slight silvery-white glint in his dark eyes that is only there for a second or two before it's gone. There's a brief moment where he looks into the heart of the water, but Zhao's statement brings his gaze over to him. And there's a flicker of worry that finds his brow, creasing it, and he faintly tilts his head to one side. The position of his hand, of the fan, the way he braces himself against the cavern's wall. Vitali remains where he is, still on one knee before the water. "Zhao...? Are okay?" he asks quietly. He's calm, at ease and relaxed.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
The worst of it is that, with Xiang Zhao crouching beside the spring as he is, it's even more awkward to keep himself upright. Slowly, he sinks down to sit, using the wall of the cavern as leverage so that he doesn't simply fall over. At first, his breathing can't be heard, but slowly it becomes audible. As though he can't quite get enough air. And his color doesn't improve. But, on the upside, his color is at least not getting any worse. That is a bonus, right?

Despite this, Zhao listens to what Vitali is telling him about Soraya and their link. "What happens if she goes too far?" He pauses to take a deep, audible breath, slowly exhaling it as he asks another question. "What happens to you if something happens to her?" His asking shows a distinct desire to know what needs to be done if the worst scenerio were to happen.

The offer of coming to protect Zhao is met with a nod of acceptance. "Shi. Please do. You are welcome. Always welcome, Tali-gege." Execpt those occasions when he's running away! But consciously, he has little say over it when his mind decides flight is the better option.

The question asked of him, of his health, has Zhao shaking his head. "I am not," he admits. "If I am honest, going into deep meditation right now is a bad idea, but it is the only way to fix what is injured."

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Softly, Vitali shifts his weight to move back from the water's edge. He rises to a crouch, and then he moves lightly across the floor of the cave to be closer to Zhao. His hands are still wet, from when he'd taken that drink of the water, and he lifts his right hand to lightly brush his fingers along Zhao's jaw, if he's allowed to. "Breathe, Zhao," he says softly, a gentle but firm tone to his voice.

"Link remain, but not able to feel when too far. Not know feelings, not able to reach, to speak with. Not have sense of her when too far. When come nearer, all things of link return," Vitali says softly. He's quiet a moment, considering the additional questions that Zhao asks, and he faintly tilts his head to one side. "Is not good, if happen. If Soraya become hurt, can become unable for act... mmm... unable to act. Stunned, maybe unconscious. If Soraya is killed," he begins, pausing here as he bites his lower lip briefly, his brow furrowing, "If Soraya die, I become unconscious. If I die, Soraya die." He shares the information, even though it's a subject he's not particularly keen on.

Then he gives a small nod, and a warm smile comes to his features as Zhao extends an invitation to him. "Will come. Will keep safe. Promise," Vitali says softly, a promise in the words. "Zhao...? What is 'gege'?" he asks in a gentle tone, having been curious over that for quite some time now. "How can help? Will do anything to help," Vitali adds, staying quite near.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao is breathing! So the look that Vitali gets in response to that firm order to breathe is met with a slightly impatient look. He doesn't move away from the touch, though, to note. "I am," he says. It just.. doesn't seem to be as effective as it usually is. So he concentrates on breathing, and on listening to Vitali talk about the bond with Soraya. "Makes me wonder.. if she goes too far, and you cannot find her and she cannot find you, what happens then? Will she go back to nature?"

He nods about what happens. Stunned or unconscious. Neither are good things, but are things that Zhao might stand a chance of helping with, at least. He looks down at his lap at the mention of Vitali dying, and his voice comes, very small. "You are not allowed to die."

As though the sudden worry of Vitali dying has added and compounded the issue of whatever is going on with him, Zhao's eyes close and he topples sideways as his body goes limp. Toward Vitali, as it happens. And it was just as he was asked what 'gege' is, too. His skin and lips both remain pale.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Softly, Vitali lifts his left hand in order to lightly tap Zhao's forehead with a single damp fingertip. Trying to lighten the moment, perhaps. His right hand remains lightly resting at Zhao's jaw for a moment before softly slipping to the side of his neck. "Breathing was better before spirit bring gift," Vitali says softly, his brow furrowing a little bit.

"Do once, when younger. Push to fly past point of being able to feel. Then feel nothing. Then Soraya come back. Feel again. Is... not good feeling, inside. Am not knowing what would happen if not able to find again. Am not wanting to find out. Link maybe break. Not knowing," Vitali says, frowning a little bit.

Vitali gives a small shake of his head. "Am not dying. Am not planning for dying," he says. It would seem that the correction of his English isn't complete, but at least it's a start. "Are not allowed to die either, Zhao," he says, a firm and determined note to his voice. As if by it being not allowed to happen that it won't happen! Though as Zhao topples towards him, Vitali moves to catch him and draw him into his arms. Holding him, and moving his right hand to lightly brush a touch along his forehead before bringing his fingers to the side of Zhao's neck once again. He closes his eyes, and he focuses. He would give anything, in this moment, to be able to help Zhao. He concentrates and gives a soft murmur, his fingers lightly caressing across Zhao's skin, and he reaches with his magic within Zhao only to find that there's... very little that he finds that he can do something with. It's perplexing. It's frustrating. Every bit of him is nigh screaming out for him to DO something! But all he can do with what he feels within Zhao is to clear the blood from his lungs, and so that's what he does, slowly and gently easing the blood back to the veins and arteries. If he could give some of his energy, then he would.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
The tap to his forehead doesn't seem to really register to Zhao. Or, at least, he doesn't reaally react to it. A slight blink and nothing more. With the Siberian's thumb touching his pulse point, he would find that Xiang Zhao's pulse is elevated. "I do not wish you to find out either," he whispers, just before collapsing.

As Vitali catches him, he'll find that Zhao is utterly limp. There's no muscle tension at all. Nothing done to help himself. He is completely out. As the blood is cleared from his lungs and put back where it belongs, his color starts to improve. Color even comes back to his lips. It's almost miraculous how much easing that blood where it is supposed to be helps him. He's still a touch paler than normal, but not enough that most people would notice.

It's not long after that that a quiet murmur comes from him, and he stirs in the arms that support him. His dark eyes blink open, framed by those long, dark lashes. And he realizes what must have happened. "Duibuqi," he whispers. "Wo meiyou yishi dao ziji shi duomei xuruo." He doesn't appear to realize he's talking in Chinese rather than English.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Save for testing certain aspects of the bond he has with Soraya, he's done his level best to keep the bond safe. And Zhao is the only one here who knows what will happen to him if something happens to Soraya. He's told no one else, trusted no one else with the information. He trusts Zhao implicity, with his life.

With Zhao limp in his arms, he keeps the other man close, supported as best as what he can. He's not letting him go. With a gentle touch of the healing, he also very carefully keeps an eye on Zhao's heartbeat, recognizing the elevated nature of it and easing it towards normal. Even after the blood is cleared from Zhao's lungs, he keeps an eye on it for a moment longer, as though to make sure it's not simply going to start again. At some point in the course of the healing, the worry spawned a teardrop to slip out between Vitali's lashes, to trickle down his cheek.

It's only after the healing is done that he eases his magic mostly out of Zhao's body, the touch of his hand remains at the side of Zhao's neck. It's when he feels Zhao stirring within his arms that he opens his eyes to bring his dark gaze to Zhao's, worry in his eyes. And there's a little smile that finds the corners of his lips when Zhao speaks, and he gives a little shake of his head. "No, not needing to be sorry, Zhao. Not needing at all," he says quite softly, near a whisper. "No dying on me, Zhao. Is not allowed. Will find spirit and put back in body, if must," he says, determined and perhaps a little bit fiercely. There's nothing that he wouldn't do to save Zhao, no matter what the risk to himself. "English... please?" he asks gently.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao does not know that, sadly. That nobody else has been trusted with the information. He'd have thought Willow or Shannon would have been first, as the man was kind of closer to them than he was to Zhao, at first. Perhaps not now, of course, but at first.

At least the sandy bottom of the small cavern is soft to sit on. Or to have one's rump sitting on, as Zhao's is, his upper body being supported by Vitali.

It's probably a good thing that the Siberian is keeping an eye on Zhao with his magic. He'll see that the reason Zhao's heart rate is elevated is because that blood just keeps seeping from... somewhere and slowly trickling in. At this rate, it would take hours to cause further issues, but further issues likely will be caused.

With his dark eyes watching Vitali as they are, Zhao doesn't miss that single tear, and his left hand lifts to brush it gently from the man's cheek. Perhaps surprisingly, he hasn't tried to sit up just yet. "Tali'gege," he murmurs, voice almost a whisper, "Qing buyao ku. Wo hen hao. Wo meiyou si." Nope, still hasn't realized he's talking in Mandarin.

When the request comes, he realizes, and nods. "Am not dying," he says, voice still very soft. "There is a problem with you finding my spirit. If I die, you probably will not be able to find my spirit." The implication is, if he dies, he's ready to die. Of course, those words don't answer for what he'd said prior!

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
It might have seemed that he was closer to Willow or Shannon, but in truth... he wasn't. He's always been closest to Zhao. Vitali shifts a little bit, simply to make himself more comfortable there on the sandy floor of the cavern, and he doesn't let Zhao go, still. His brow furrows a little bit at the information that comes to him from his magic still within Zhao, and he frowns a little bit. He can't stop the bleeding. It's coming from somewhere that he can't see, that he can't find. And that is the most perplexing thing. "Have bleeding, inside. Not able to fix. Come from... somewhere. Not see where, not able to find where," Vitali says quietly, sounding a bit perplexed by it. "Will need to heal again, again, until is fix. Blood go in lungs," he explains. He feels it's better to tell Zhao than to keep it from him, especially given that he'll need to do the healing every few hours.

Softly, Vitali leans just a little bit into the touch of Zhao's hand to his cheek, to brush away the tear that had escaped. And there's a faint little smile that finds his lips. One of his eyebrows quirks up just a touch when there's more Mandarin that he doesn't understand, and he gives a small nod then when English is finally used.

"Had better not be," Vitali says softly. His brow furrows a little bit, and he lightly brushes his fingers along the side of Zhao's neck, his touch soft and warm. "Will not let you go, Zhao. Will find a way," he says quietly, a bit intently. Whatever seems to happen to himself in the process of saving Zhao seems... secondary. And he's quiet a moment, studying Zhao. "Will translate other of what said? Please?" he asks softly. He wants to know.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
It really had seemed that way. But that could simply have been because Xiang Zhao was always out wandering, somewhere or the other. Of course, it's true that the pair of men had met when Vitali first arrived in this place, but... still. He hadn't known that he was this important to the Siberian until now. Zhao's hand doesn't linger long on Vitali's cheek before he drops it back to his lap. He is tired and more than a little weak, so keeping it held up there is not easy.

The bleeding is very definitely coming from somewhere that can't be seen. Only the result of whatever is doing the bleeding. Zhao takes a deep breath. Thankfully, this does not set off any coughing, because not enough blood has filtered into his lungs to cause an issue again yet. "It is my core," he says softly, eyes falling to look toward the spring, which is presently in his direct line of sight when he looks down, from the angle he yet lays at. He still doesn't move from where he is. Perhaps comfortable. Or perhaps still feeling a bit too weak to want to attempt it.

"The other night, during that hunt. When the demon fed from me. He.. tried to take my spiritual energy. That is circulated through my body by my core. He tried to take all of it, including my core. My core is damaged. That is why I need to meditate, though it is dangerous to meditate when it is damaged. It is.. easier for my spiritual energy to deviate. To become unbalanced. If this happens, it will cause further damage. But until my core heals, I cannot use my magic." Chances are that Zhao already knows precisely what is happening. This might not be the first time his core has ever been damaged.

"Without the help and guidance of members of my Clan, I am.. in great danger, as I am." He lifts his hand to rest it against Vitali's cheek again. "If I die," he says softly, "Let me go." That.. is not really a very happy thing to say, is it?

As the question of what he said is posed, his brow furrows. "Okay. I said.." He has to think about it for a moment. "I did not realize I was so weak. Um.. And... Please do not cry. I am alright. I am not dying. I.. think that is all I said. I.. do not remember clearly."

And he still has not answered the question of what 'gege' means.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Softly, Vitali slips his hand away from Zhao's neck in order to catch his hand before it falls all of the way from his cheek. And his fingers gently wrap around Zhao's hand, to give it a faint squeeze before releasing his hand to bring his fingers back to Zhao's neck. Somehow, Zhao has come to be important to him. Very important.

He faintly tilts his head to one side when Zhao mentions that it's his core, and he gives a small nod. "Is... other. Not physical. Can fix physical. Blood go into lungs, need be cleared from lungs. Will do, when need. Wish could fix cause," Vitali says softly, a bit wistfully with the last. It's not a question, but a statement. He will do it.

Vitali is quiet as he listens to the information that Zhao shares, about the fight with the demon and its feeding on him. There's a bit of tension that comes into him, a sense of protectiveness and defensiveness. If the demon hadn't already been dealt with then he'd be wanting to wreak vengeance on it himself. Even though he's likely ill equipped for such a thing. "Is... something, maybe, would help with meditate? Make more stable so can do and heal core with less danger?" Vitali asks, a gentle tone to his voice. "Will watch over, when meditate. Before start, give talisman to have so will touch talisman to bring from meditate if deviate start," he says softly, giving a small nod. He wants to help Zhao to heal in whatever way that he can.

Vitali leans a little into Zhao's touch there at his cheek, and he closes his eyes. How can he be expected to agree to that? He can't! It's not a happy thing at all to consider. "Ya ne znayu, chto mogu... Zhao... please. Not know if can, Zhao," he says quietly, opening his eyes. There's a shimmer in them, but though there might be tears that threaten, they somehow managed not to spill. "Is... something, in me, not want for let go. Want for respect wishes, but not want for let go... feel... torn," he says quietly, emotion in his voice, the words coming a bit hesitant, a bit uncertain. He's never experienced anything like this before.

"Not say what 'gege' mean," he adds, quietly.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
The catch and squeeze of his left hand is not fought against. And when released, of course, Zhao's hand falls back to rest on his lap. He nods about his core being other. "It is magic. Just as my meridians are magic. They are like the veins that carry blood. They go from my core and carry my spiritual energy." Which makes his core sound like his heart. If that is the case, it's no wonder if it's damaged he's having issues. If his heart were damaged, the issues would not be much different.

Xiang Zhao does not argue to the offer of healing when the blood needs to be cleared from his lungs. It would do him no good. If he said no, he knows Vitali would simply wait until he fell unconscious, or asleep, and do the healing anyway. Afterall, if the cases were reversed, that's almost certainly what Zhao would do. Instead of arguing, he just nods. "Hao," he says at a volume little above a whisper.

His eyes lift to Vitali again, a tthe suggestion of something to make him more stable when he meditates. He doesn't immediately say no, so he's at least willing to listen. And then... Zhao just looks confused. Like he's not understanding what Vitali is saying. "Uh? You need me to make you a talisman to bring me out of meditation?" He shakes his head. "I do not know any talismans that can do that." He may be misunderstanding what the Siberian is saying.

Zhao looks serenely at Vitali, at the please. "This is my request to you, Tali'gege. If I die, let me go. If I die, I am ready to die, or I would still be fighting when help got to me." He pauses for a moment. "Unless it happens suddenly. If that is the case, you can do as you wish." His brow furrows as he notices the shift in language. "Tali, gege," he says. "I am not dying at this moment. You are causing yourself distress..." He does not like this, clearly.

And then he is asked about 'gege'. Zhao swallows, visibly, and looks back to the spring. "'Gege' means brother." He pauses for a short time, long enough it might seem he's not going to say anything further. "And more."

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
"Da, did figure was magic," Vitali says softly, giving a small nod. He tilts his head a little to one side, listening about the meridians as well, and then giving another small nod. His magic doesn't work in the same way, but he can relate it to the circulatory system and how that works. And that goes a long way towards understanding how it works. Not that it helps him do anything about it, because that... that will be up to the spirits.

At least Zhao doesn't argue or fuss over the healing that Vitali has promised! He's exactly right in his logic -- if he'd said no, Vitali would still end up doing it. And there's a little smile that comes at Zhao's agreement, even though it is offered in such a quiet voice.

"Will need to think, figure what may work. Am not sure if know something... maybe tea... to make energy stable," he says softly, considering the options a bit in the moment. Then there's Zhao's confusion, and he titls his head a little to one side before he shakes his head. "Ah, nyet. Think was... alert talisman? When snow leopard, tail brush talisman. Make fire. You tell later, is what bring out of meditate. Make that. Keep one on self, somewhere where would feel. Give other part to me. Will watch over while meditated. If deviation start, will touch talisman. Make one you have go poof. Bring from meditate. Da?" he suggests, explaining his idea a bit further. His ability to communicate in English is a thing that frustrates him sometimes, and there are times when it would be so much easier to speak in Russian because that's what he's fluent in.

His dark gaze meets Zhao's as Zhao makes the request of him again. Again! He closes his eyes without saying anything, and he gives a little shake of his head before opening his eyes. And he doesn't want to agree, but he doesn't want to argue! His lips press together as he does, at least, hear out the rest of Zhao's request, and then he gives a very small nod. "Will try, Zhao. Will try," he says quietly. That is perhaps as close as Vitali can get to actually agreeing to let Zhao go. Yes, he is distressed. The thought of letting Zhao die, of allowing him to stay dead, is something that hurts in ways that he'd not expected. "If is sudden, will hunt spirit to far ends of Spirit World if must, will bring back," he promises, giving a small nod.

Then Zhao explains what 'gege' means, and there's a soft flutter of understanding that comes to him in that moment. Shifting slightly, still keeping one of his arms around Zhao, he leans a little over him, his chest over Zhao's shoulder. His dark gaze is on Zhao's face, even though Zhao is looking towards the spring. Vitali lifts his free hand, bringing it to rest lightly on Zhao's hair. "Zhao," he begins, his fingers softly moving over his hair before gently grasping the hairpin to pull it free and set it carefully aside on a rock. If he's allowed to. Gently, he unravels the twist of Zhao's hair before combing his fingers gentle through it. "Zhao, you are 'gege', to me. You are -more-, to me," he says quietly, sincerely, his voice near a whisper in volume.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Really, for how against touch he generally is, Xiang Zhao is being very compliant right now. It's possible he may have come to accept his feelings, finally. Or he's just feeling too weak to put up any fuss at the moment! Though it's hard to tell, there's nothing in his expression to indicate he's putting up with it.

"Music," he says softly. "Music can help stabilize my mind which in turn can help stabilize my internal energy. At least, if it is played with power behind it. Intent." Magic. Something that seems to be pretty unique to Zhao alone. Of course, he's heard that there are people out there who can harm others with music, but he hasn't heard of any who can bring balance with music.

Zhao listens to the explanation clarifying what the Siberian meant, and the confusion leaves him. "Ah. That.. may or may not work. That worked because I was not deeply into meditation. I had not been meditating long at that point. And I may have been trying to come out of it at the same time." He draws in a deeper breath, and as he does so, Vitali's magic would show that it's /not/ because he's having a hard time breathing. More, he's likely having a hard time mentally. "If it does not bring me out, it will leave a burn." And there's potential that if it's inside his robes, it could set them on fire, too."

Xiang Zhao usually at least has a fairly easy time communicating in English, even if he doesn't always understand some things that are being spoken of. He tends to understand the words, just... not their context sometimes. He considers Vitali's words, and then nods slightly. "Mm. If you can hunt my spirit, can you ask me if I wish to go back?" If he can.. well. There's always the possibility that Zhao will say no, in such a situation. If his spirit can be found at all.

As the Siberian moves and leans further over him, Zhao goes entirely still, as though he's almost afraid to move. Afraid of what might be happening. But then it's just his hair loosened. His eyes close as the man's fingers move through his hair. And, perhaps frustratingly, Zhao's lips part, as though he was going to say something, but then close again without whatever it was being said. His eyes also remain closed.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Zhao hasn't fussed at all about any of the touches that Vitali has given. It's something that has been noticed by the Siberian, though he's unlikely to ask after it. Especially considering that a number of those moments of skin to skin contact have been for healing, or for checking Zhao's physical state. That's not something that he wants to lose, that he wants to have taken away.

When music is mentioned, Vitali tilts his head a little to one side, and his brow furrows a touch. "Can play, but... not have magic to put in music. Maybe...," he begins, pausing and frowning slightly as he mentally sifts through what he's able to do, "maybe can invite spirit, to me. Spirit with knowing of doing." Wait... what? Could he really be suggesting what it sounds like he's suggesting? To let himself be possessed? Maybe! The words aren't necessarily clear on the intent. There is no risk too great when it comes to helping Zhao.

"Is worth trying if may work. If will not work, will need other way to bring from meditation," Vitali says, giving a small nod. Then there's a bit of a grin that tugs at the corners of his lips. "Could gnaw on fingers," he offers, teasing. And he could, though he doesn't mean to use his human form for doing so. "Will not let be burned. Will put fire out before is causing burn or burning robes. Not wish to cause hurts. Need maybe way of less danger to bring from meditate," Vitali says, frowning a little bit. He could always try dousing Zhao in ice water. "Maybe very cold water," he adds, quietly. His own meditation is a different sort of thing than what Zhao's is. "Could use name. Not want for use name. Is... taking step in wrong way," he muses, frowning a little bit.

One of his eyebrows faintly nudges up a little, and he's quiet for a long moment after that question about speaking with his spirit. He knows the answer, even though it's not a thing that he's put into practice, as of yet. And he gives a small nod. The fact that his own physical self would be vulnerable in order to get to the Spirit World is something that he keeps to himself. "Da, can speak with spirit, when find in Spirit World," he says quietly. 'When' the spirit is found, not 'if'. There is, perhaps, a sense that the Siberian wouldn't give up. Certainly not easily. And Zhao could say no, he knows. But would Vitali obey? The answer likely isn't as simple as it seems.

Watching Zhao as he is, Vitali both sees and feels that stillness, and it worries him for a moment, makes him briefly think that he's perhaps crossed a line. He doesn't move away, though. He stays where he his movement had brought him to be, and he very softly brushes his fingers along the side of Zhao's neck. Still monitoring his physical condition, but attempting to do so a bit unobtrusively. The fingers of his other hand gently comb through the dark lengths of Zhao's hair and, once they reach the end, slip free in order to repeat the motion. He bows his head slightly and closes his eyes, and for the moment he simply remains where he is, holding Zhao.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
It might be because the Siberian hasn't asked after why Zhao's being so complacent that he's still being so complacent. If he asks... well. Zhao might actually think about it and get all kinds of shy again. At the offer, the suggestion, Xiang Zhao's brow furrows. He struggles to sit up so that he can properly look at the man. Thus is the contact and complacency broken. For now. "Bu," he says firmly. Then, "No. If it goes wrong, I am not strong enough to help you." There is a risk to great when it comes at the potential expense of Vitali's well being. That isn't a risk he's willing to take.

"Very cold water might do it. You could try to pat or slap my face. Try things that you would try when trying to wake someone up who is very deeply asleep." He shakes his head. "No. Not the name. I think that would make my injury worse at this point." And that would be bad. He'd probably wind up bleeding worse.

The problem with Vitali not obeying if the spirit that would be Zhao said no.. is that Vitali might not have a choice in the matter. As strong as Zhao is in magic, Vitali might not have any chance in forcing him. And.. if he was forced back, what kind of life would that be? Would he wind up going to seek death as a result? Now that he's upright, he studies Vitali for a long moment. "You are also more to me," he says softly.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
There is no question aimed at the why behind it. Vitali simply accepts it, and gratefully so. There is a saying about not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Perhaps a similar theory applies here and now. No questions why, just comfort and closeness and warmth. Until it's broken by Zhao struggling to sit up. Vitali shifts, sitting up and lending a hand if it will be accepted, to help Zhao to be sitting up. He tilts his head a touch to one side, listening to Zhao's words, weighing them. There's a frown that finds the corners of his lips, a slight furrow to his brow, and though there is a brief stubbornness that flashes through his dark eyes, he does give a small nod afterwards. There's nothing that says it would go wrong! But then, there's nothing that guarantees it would go right, either. Spirits can be tricky things, sometimes. "Is true, da," he says, bringing his hands to rest them within his lap. It seems that he accepts the reasoning, at least.

"Very cold water often work for wake sleeper. Especially when splashed on face. Is shock of cold. Used to do to brother when sleep longer than me," Vitali comments, a smile quirking at the corners of his lips. "Will find way of not hurting to bring from meditate. Not wish to hurt. Nyet, not use name, no. Know would work, but not worth cost. Have big cost. No. Not do," he says, giving a shake of his head at that. That's definitely off the table. Vitali might be willing to take certain risks where his own safety and well being are concerned, but not where Zhao's are.

The notion of dragging Zhao's spirit back to his body, kicking and screaming, so to speak, is not one that Vitali wants to consider. He doesn't want to do it, he doesn't want it to happen. But given the conversation that they've had, his thoughts have strayed into that domain. It's a thing that he could try, and if he could overpower Zhao's spirit to be successful in the endeavour, then there is the question of what sort of life he's forcing onto Zhao. His thoughts are drawn away from such dark notions by Zhao's words, and he lifts his dark gaze to meet Zhao's own. He shifts a touch, moving close to Zhao, and he lifts his right hand to very softly brush his fingers over his jaw, if he's allowed. "Will always be more, Zhao. Always," Vitali says softly, the words gentle and warm, sincere and heartfelt.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao doesn't fight the accepting hand. Quite the opposite. He's thankful for the help and may not have made it fully upright without it. He reaches out a hand to lightly rest it against Vitali's upper arm closest to him. "I could not live with myself if you died because of me," he says softly. And there's something to the words, something that says Xiang Zhao might not survive such an eventuality. He'd survived it once. He's not certain he could do so again.

There is a nod about the cold water to the face. "If normal means do not work, try cold water." That is blatantly outright permission there, to try whatever is necessary at the time. He nods about the cost of using his name to bring him out of meditation. "And if you use it at the wrong moment, using my name that way could throw me into imbalance." He takes a deep breath and lifts his dark eyes to meet Vitali's. "Interrupting meditation at the wrong point can bring imbalace, too," he says softly, giving that much warning for such things.

What sort of life would that be, indeed. In such a scenerio, Zhao could very eaisly wind up resenting Vitali for the very act of saving his life. Especially if he'd been at peace where he was. If he wasn't at peace, then that is almost certainly a whole different story.

The touch to his jaw is leaned into. There's a very small nod, "Mm."

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
There's a soft smile that finds his lips at the touch of Zhao's hand at his upper arm, and he gives a small nod as well, the touch welcome. Though at the words, Vitali tilts his head a touch to one side. And then he gives a small shake of his head, though he knows that what he's about to say is... not better. "Would die for you, Zhao. Not because of," Vitali says quite softly, giving a small and single nod at that. Because he would. He considers for a moment, perhaps trying to sort the words out first. "Would give all of self, all of me, to protect you. For you. To keep safe," he says, his dark gaze on Zhao. He takes in a deep breath after the words, then lifts his right hand to lightly touch his hand over his heart. "Is here, to give. Choose to give to you," he adds, giving a small nod. "Besides, try for not be easy to kill," he offers, quirking a bit of a grin. Trying to soften the earlier words. He does know how to fight. It's simply not a thing that Zhao has seen happen. He's fought and killed a polar bear in the icy tundra of his home, by himself, not that Zhao has a way of knowing such a thing.

"Da, will try not water first. If not work, will use water. Can make water feel like spider legs on skin. Not always work to wake up, but... little funny," Vitali says, quirking a bit of a grin. He's done that to his brother before as well, no doubt. Of course, it helped that his brother didn't like spiders to start with. He makes a face, then, wrinkling his nose. "Is not good thing to use name. Not want to push to imbalance, to deviate. Want to prevent. Will need to be careful. What point is wrong point?" he asks, curious. If he knows, then he can avoid doing it!

If he has to go after Zhao's soul, Zhao's spirit, then he would prefer to bring it back for the right reasons rather than selfish ones. To bring back a willing spirit is far preferred to wrestling one into submission. The touch to Zhao's jaw lingers for a long moment, his hand softly pressing there as the pad of his thumb lifts to brush over Zhao's cheek, and then he moves his fingers further to very softly nudge them into Zhao's hair, his fingertips tracing softly along Zhao's skin.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
That touch doesn't last too terribly long, though. Zhao is tired. In both physical and metaphysical energy. His hand falls to rest upon his lap again. "If you die for me, it is still dying /because/ of me or something I did. I would die to save you too. But I know how it feels to be the one to survive. It is not a fun feeling, Tali-gege." His voice is soft, quiet, and utterly serious.

Xiang Zhao considers the question, and lifts his shoulder in a shrug. "I cannot tell you that. But it is why when we are at a tricky point in our cultivation, we go into seclusion. So that we won't be disturbed at the wrong moment in cultivation. Because it can be very bad if we are."

Thus far, he hasn't moved away from the touch to his face. He still leans against it, ever so slightly. But when Vitali's fingers go into his hair again, he makes a soft sound, eyes closing once more. The hair is apparently either very nice or very sensual. Witih the clothing he wears, it's really hard to tell for certain!

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Tired is a thing that Vitali understands, and perhaps too well. The Siberian tilts his head faintly to one side at Zhao's words, and then he lifts one of his shoulders in a faint sort of shrug. And then he shakes his head. "Will not argue point, but... is not same, same. To die for or to die because of. Different," Vitali says, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He is a stubborn fellow and it might be challenging to try to convince him that the two things are the same. "Not wanting you to die, either, Zhao-gege. Understand and know you would. Seems are both on same ground, da? Feeling same way," he adds, giving a small nod and accepting that. Neither wants the other to die, and each would give their lives for the other. Vitali's mood shifts to solemn, and he gives a small nod. "Da, am only able to imagine. Am sorry, Zhao... sorry it did happen," he says quietly, a gentle tone to his voices.

The information that's shared about Zhao's cultivation is listened to, though Vitali isn't entirely certain that he understands it. He understands there are dangers. "Will have to do best with knowing when is right time, if need be done, if deviation happen," Vitali says softly, his brow furrowing a little bit. He hopes it won't need to be done, but if it does become necessary then he'll do his best. It's all he really can do.

Gently, softly, he lightly draws his fingers further back, faintly passing them over the curve of Zhao's ear. His fingers trail a little further until... until they find the braid. The braid that he had put in Zhao's hair. So gently, almost as though it were a fragile thing that could break at any moment, he slips his fingers around the braid before drawing it forward over Zhao's shoulder. "Ty ... sokhranil kosu," he whispers softly, the words a bit on the emotional side from how touched he is by the fact that it's still there. So distracted by it, is he, that he doesn't realize he's not using English in the moment. And then his fingers find the end of it, and the tie of silk that's been added there.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao shakes his head stubbornly. "If you die for me, it will still be my fault in the end. Because if not for me, you would still be alive." He takes a deep breath. "If you die because of my presence, that is dying because of me. Even if it is to help me. I do not want that on my conscience." Which, to be fair, is fair. "I would rather die, Vitali, than to have to live through someone I love dying because of me ever again." Vitali may not be willing to argue the point, but Xiang Zhao has very, very clear feelings regarding this particular issue. "I cannot live through that again. I will not survive it." Which implies that he won't live through Vitali's death. He grimaces faintly and nods. Yep. Same ground. He nods at Vitali being sorry for it happening the last time, but doesn't comment further on it. For now, at least.

Understanding that there are dangers might be a tad bit more important than understanding exactly what cultivation is. He takes another breath. "If a deviation happens, you may not be able to do anything except.. keep me contained. You may have to kill me to stop me." The words are level. He accepts his fate if such a thing should happen. Does he want it to happen? Nope. But it might be necessary. Zhao goes quiet as Vitali plays with his hair, and a faint little smile appears at the emotional words he can't understand. He can guess that Vitali is surprised that the braid is still there. And more, that Zhao had taken pains to make sure it stayed there.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Vitali tilts his head slightly to one side as he listens to what Zhao says, and there's a long series of moments after that were he's just quiet. Thinking, and letting the words tumble about in his stubborn Siberian brain a bit. There's a slight furrow of his brow, and a mild pursing of his lips but, then he gives a small nod. "Am understanding point, Zhao-gege. Is making sense, da," he says softly. "Am not wanting my death to be on your conscience. Not wanting yours to be on mine, either. Take one day by one day. Me protect your back, you protect mine," he adds, giving a small nod. He moves his left hand, to lower it to one of Zhao's hands, if he's permitted to, and he'll give Zhao's hand a soft squeeze.

One of his eyebrows quirks up when Zhao mentions that he may need to kill him. And that has Vitali giving a shake of his head. "Is not fair ask, Zhao," he says softly, his brow furrowing. "How can expect for me to kill someone have love for? Is not fair for asking, Zhao. Will trap in ice before would ever cause harm for on purpose," Vitali says, giving his head a little bit of a shake again. "Will stop without kill," he adds, sounding rather as though he has very clear feelings on that matter. He doesn't think he'd be able to bring himself to kill Zhao.

Shifting his weight, he leans in to at least try to hug Zhao. If Zhao will let him. "Was not sure would keep braid. Am very glad did keep," Vitali says softly, giving a small nod.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao tilts his head a bit at the use of the same nickname he himself uses. Gege. That's the second time, the first has just filtered into his brain. His lips curve into a small smile. "That I can agree to. We protect each other. And hope neither has to sacrifice themselves for the other." There might come a day that it happens anyway, but that is not right now. He hopes.

Zhao doesn't move away from the touch to his hand, and his hand squeezes in return. He breathes in deeply and nods. "I know it is not fair," he agrees. "Life is not fair. But if it comes to that point... it might be that you have no choice but to kill me if you cannot get me back into balance and into my right mind. I can hurt people if I have an imbalance and it affects me the wrong way. There may be no other choice. If that should come to pass, you have my blessing to do what you must do."

No, it's not an easy thing. But it might come to it in the future. He doesn't move away from the hug. If anything, he leans into it. His fingers reach up to feel the braid, even though he can only see the end of it. "Of course I kept the braid," he says softly.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Now that he knows what the nickname means, Vitali is willing to use it. More than willing, perhaps, given that he's already used it twice. He notices that little smile that comes to Zhao's features, and it pleases him. It makes him happy. "Will be stronger when fighting together, when fighting for protect each other," he says, giving a small nod. Much like Zhao, he hopes that there will never come a day when one needs to die for the other.

"Will try all else, first," Vitali promises. Everything that he can think of to try that won't kill him or cause lasting harm. He understands having Zhao's blessing to do what must be done, but... that still doesn't mean he'll be able to carry out the request. To kill Zhao. It's a terrible thing to think, let alone to contemplate needing to do. "Will cross bridge if must be crossed, will deal with if happen," he says softly, giving a small nod. That might be the best he can promise, for right now.

With the hug accepted by Zhao, the Siberian doesn't draw away from it, a warm smile coming easily to his features. He relaxes, and his gaze flicks lightly over part of the braid in Zhao's hair. He lightly passes his left hand over Zhao's back, and then he lifts his right hand to softly catch Zhao's hand, gently wrapping his fingers around his hand and the braid before giving a soft squeeze.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
For Zhao, it was less that he wasn't willing to explain, and more that there hadn't been an opportunity to explain thus far. "Mm. We will be stronger fighting together," he agrees. He leans a little more against Vitali, as though he's having more trouble staying upright. He doesn't want to have to die for Vitali. He doesn't want Vitali to have to die for him. It's a thing. He nods about trying all else first. "Mm. Good. I do not want to die," he murmurs.

Xiang Zhao's eyes are starting to slide closed. They open again slowly. And then close again. They stay closed. His fingers squeeze ever so lightly, and then he is still. His breathing slows, but is normal for someone who has fallen asleep. He is just exhausted.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
The Siberian hadn't truly minded that it had taken asking a few times before he found out what 'gege' meant. It was truly worth it. Fighting is easier when one has a truly trusted someone at one's back. And he trusts Zhao implicitly. As Zhao leans a bit more against him, he shifts a little bit, simply to accomodate him a bit better. He doesn't want to die, and he doesn't want Zhao to die either. Neither thing seems acceptable to him. "Da, am knowing, Zhao," Vitali whispers softly, understanding.

He watches over Zhao as the man falls asleep, and a smile turns at the corners of his lips. He draws in a deep breath, calm and settled, listening to Zhao breathe for a long few moments. Gently, he eases Zhao's position in order to settle him more comfortably across part of his lap and within his arms. "Otdykhay ... spi ... ty v bezopasnosti i pod zashchitoy, Zhao-gege," he whispers softly, a warm smile coming to his features. He is content, calm and relaxed. In this safe place, in this place of spirits and of magic, he'll watch over Zhao while he sleeps.