Betrayed. Captured. Experimented on. For the good of the black dragonflight.
His entire life, a series of exchanged wrongs -- some more deliberate than others.
He takes a careful step back and lowers his head, drawing on his slowly returning energy reserves. Gold-flecked smoke swirls around him, and as it dissipates the more familiar (if now more tired) shape of his mortal visage is stood in the slushy water.
This, he imagines, may save them both further embarrassment -- but he does feel... particularly small now. Perhaps it is something about Wangji, how steady his judgemental gaze can be. It makes him feel caught out, as if he has taken part in a deception. Another wrong for his list. Hermione he had told openly, but this was different.
There are, of course, different kinds of deception.
The obfuscation of truth, to lead someone. This one he has taken part in, for his own means many a time.
The shared deception, where two people mutually agree an untruth. Everything will be fine. This doesn't look that bad. This is popular among mortals, he finds. Often in a way that makes no sense.
The denial you are meant to counter -- oh, it's nothing or it's not very good, a false modesty where you are intended to correct.
Mortals so rarely say what they mean.
Wrathion wonders if Wangji really believes what he says, or if this is another form of deception. He is of the firm belief Wangji already did not like him, and surely a deception would further cement that notion?
He's used to being a problem. It's easier to embrace the role he is painted in than to placate.
The cold of the icy water is too much against his hot blood. Wrathion shivers, moves sideways out of the slush until he finds firmer ground. Perhaps that might help the confidence return to his voice. ]
I would... appreciate if you kept this to yourself. Some among our party are less adept at knowing when to speak openly and when not to. I'd like to avoid Hok-Shinn members chasing me down in the hope of a reward for presenting me to their patron.
no subject
All his life, Wrathion has been wronged.
Betrayed. Captured. Experimented on. For the good of the black dragonflight.
His entire life, a series of exchanged wrongs -- some more deliberate than others.
He takes a careful step back and lowers his head, drawing on his slowly returning energy reserves. Gold-flecked smoke swirls around him, and as it dissipates the more familiar (if now more tired) shape of his mortal visage is stood in the slushy water.
This, he imagines, may save them both further embarrassment -- but he does feel... particularly small now. Perhaps it is something about Wangji, how steady his judgemental gaze can be. It makes him feel caught out, as if he has taken part in a deception. Another wrong for his list. Hermione he had told openly, but this was different.
There are, of course, different kinds of deception.
The obfuscation of truth, to lead someone. This one he has taken part in, for his own means many a time.
The shared deception, where two people mutually agree an untruth. Everything will be fine. This doesn't look that bad. This is popular among mortals, he finds. Often in a way that makes no sense.
The denial you are meant to counter -- oh, it's nothing or it's not very good, a false modesty where you are intended to correct.
Mortals so rarely say what they mean.
Wrathion wonders if Wangji really believes what he says, or if this is another form of deception. He is of the firm belief Wangji already did not like him, and surely a deception would further cement that notion?
He's used to being a problem. It's easier to embrace the role he is painted in than to placate.
The cold of the icy water is too much against his hot blood. Wrathion shivers, moves sideways out of the slush until he finds firmer ground. Perhaps that might help the confidence return to his voice. ]
I would... appreciate if you kept this to yourself. Some among our party are less adept at knowing when to speak openly and when not to. I'd like to avoid Hok-Shinn members chasing me down in the hope of a reward for presenting me to their patron.