text; un: li_min

[kiss_it_better]

I've found myself with more free time than I know what to do with in the evenings.

[Which is to say, he's sleeping as little as humanly possible for the foreseeable future.]

I may as well do something productive with that time, right?

So I was thinking that I would be interested in learning a new language. Or maybe two, though I feel as if learning one at a time may be better. If anyone would be willing to teach me theirs I would appreciate it.

I am also interested in taking up new hobbies if anyone has any suggestion. I have a special interest in engineering and medicine, but in truth my interests are fairly eclectic.

Oh, and I was considering building a new chicken coop for our two hens. I don't suppose anyone has any advice on that? Or on raising chickens in general. I've done a bit of reading but I would enjoy hearing from people who might have more practical experiences.

[He just wants things to do to pass the time since he doesn't have enough to do here compared to back home where he had so many schemes going...and he needed the distraction.

Also, despite his attempts at depriving himself entirely of sleep, he's posting this at a very reasonable hour in the morning...or rather, he's purposefully posting at a reasonable hour so hopefully no one will suspect anything was wrong.]

Comments

[kiss_it_better]

[He paused, seeming to think about it. What he has found over time is being open about select things helps prevent people from asking about the things he is hiding.

His past is no great secret. Who doesn't know that the Fourth Prince, Yan Wang had been lost in the countryside until he was brought back by the Marquis of Order? And everyone knew, up until recently, apart from going to the palace to collect his New Years money, he and his brother barely interacted. If his expression lacked any obvious warmth, as long as it didn't deviate from his usual mild manner who would question it or even suspect what his true feelings were?

He huffs, a sound that could almost be called a laugh, dry if a little humourless.]

Neither. Travelling had been interesting, but I had been away from home and it was undoubtedly a little lonely. And I have many treasured memories from my childhood but the best part of growing up was undoubtedly those first few months I spent when I first arrived at the capital.

[Those mornings where he'd go to Gu Yun's courtyard with the iron puppet, with a sword and breakfast...to spend time with that person.

Those memories evoke in him warm affections though only a fraction of it is reflected in his eyes...but the memories sour quickly. Because hadn't that period of his life ended like recent events?

Gu Yun had left, saying he'd be back shortly only to disappear for an undetermined amount of time.

His gaze naturally drifts to the space Gu Yun's armours are normally kept, that flicker of warmth dying like the last embers of a hearth.

But he doesn't frown.]

What about Huaisang-xiong? What would you say was the best part of growing up?

[huaisang]

[ he notices the way a-min's gaze drifts briefly and while he notes it, huaisang does not intend to pursue it. prying too hard into anyone's past here is not a wise use of his time, and he has other things to deal with when he goes home.

in truth, huaisang's main pastime right now is thinking of increasingly colourful ways to put an end to jin guangyao. ]

Hm, well, when I was a child of course! My brother used to spoil me - ah, back then I wanted to be like him. Strong and skilled with the sabre, to cultivate my golden core but my talents lie elsewhere.

Still, childhood and good memories tend to be brief, right? So my only complaint is that it did not last longer.

[kiss_it_better]

How nice. [And he sounds like he means it at least.]

I wonder if I could have had a relationship like that with my brothers if we had grown up together?

[He says that but he knows the answer is 'probably not'. As far as he could observe, being of royal blood seemed to ruin any prospective brotherhood.

But he does wonder...if he had grown up in the capital, then he could have met Gu Yun earlier.]

Mm. I think that's normal to want more of those good times. No matter how much time we do get, it never feels like enough. People are greedy like that.

[huaisang]

Difficult to tell, but maybe. [ huaisang is... or he can be intense about family given his circumstances, but he appreciates being able to speak a little about mingjue without feeling like there is a knife waiting in the dark for him. ]

A-Min, if you keep saying those nice things you're going to spoil me and then what will you do? [ he shakes his head ]

I think greed can be a very dangerous thing to indulge in some people. Always best when to know enough is enough, ah. But, I don't know. I don't know...

[kiss_it_better]

[His smile is amused but also more genuine for a moment.]

I suppose, if that happens I shall have to take responsibility.

[Yes he knows exactly how it sounds but if asked he will pretend he doesn't.]

All things in moderation, I suppose. Though sometimes it's hard to say how much is too much until everything is all over, isn't it?