[Well, that's a kind of tragedy unfamiliar to him, but certainly not one he can't be empathetic toward. Those kind of sour traits can - and very well do - surface in many, many different types of people.
He doesn't break the gentle rhythm of their dance, but his hold does tighten, just a little - half a reassuring squeeze, half a manifestation of his unhappiness on her behalf.]
...I'm sorry that you had to go through something like that.
[She sighs a little bit, trailing off rather than finishing that thought, still swaying lightly. She feels that new tightness, and it makes a lump form in her throat, though she swallows quickly enough.]
It's about how we got our celestial calendar! [Which he doesn't even think to explain because it's such an Everyone Knows This thing in China... At least it'll probably start making sense as he talks, spinning in a slow, easy circle.]
You see, one year the Jade Emperor decided that he wanted twelve guards at the Heavenly Gate, so he sent a message across the entire kingdom - a race across the river would be held! Any animal could attend, but only the first twelve would have years named after them. Once the race began, the Ox pulled ahead first, with the Rat and Cat riding on its back. The Ox was sturdy and made it across quickly, but right at the end, the Rat pushed the Cat off and leaped from the Ox's head to get first place! So the first year was named for him, and the second for the Ox.
Then there was Tiger, who muscled his way through - and Rabbit, cunning enough to hop across on stones and drift the rest of the way on a log, never once getting his fur wet! Dragon was next. When the Emperor asked why he wasn't first, he said he stopped to put out a fire in a nearby village and blow a gust of wind toward the Rabbit's log to help him along - the Emperor was pleased, and gave him the fifth year.
The Horse was on the way next, but right before she made it across the finish line - the Snake darted out of the grass before her! She was startled into taking a step back, giving the Snake his chance to get the sixth year and leaving her with the seventh.
The Monkey, Rooster and Sheep all came together on a raft the Rooster found. They all worked together, paddling furiously through the water! The Monkey would scoop out reeds as they went, clearing the path - and when they got to the shore, they let the Sheep go first, because she had formed such precious bonds with them and kept their little team together. Monkey was granted ninth and Rooster got the tenth.
After them came the dog, who - despite being one of the best swimmers - stopped to take a bath! He enjoyed the river and had a great time frolicking under the sun, just barely making it in time. The Emperor was fond of his disposition, though. And finally, there was Boar, who had stopped to grab a meal and took a nap afterwards. Only after the Boar arrived did the Cat finally manage to scramble its way onto the bank, but unfortunately, all twelve years were spoken for! And to this day, cats don't get along well with rats.
[WHAT A WILD STORY. He'd been swaying gently the whole time, but pulls back a little after to sideways glance her way.]
[THAT IS SAD but honestly he didn't even have the "friends that are good for me" part, he just has "I don't think I've ever had friends" and that's it. Sometimes... murderous sexboats are good?]
Their loss, our gain! If your friends back home ever give you any trouble, you should just call on us.
[Beck, summoning a herd of hyperpowerful lunatics like a yugioh player.]
[THIS IS A TERRIBLE CONVERSATION but he's laughing too... Even if it trails off into a faintly amused, fond-sounding little hum.]
It's fine, our jars don't have lids like the ones here anyway. No need for help, there! But I'll still call you over so you can come go boat riding with me. We can pick lotus pods and eat loquats together - and go to all of the best restaurants, as I've said!
[He can't help but laugh a little, soft and chiming. It is nice - despite everything, it's wonderful. He enjoys the feeling of the breeze against his face, the smell of the ocean.]
It is, isn't it? Haha, we should have come up here and done this much sooner!
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He doesn't break the gentle rhythm of their dance, but his hold does tighten, just a little - half a reassuring squeeze, half a manifestation of his unhappiness on her behalf.]
...I'm sorry that you had to go through something like that.
[Life really is unfair to the best of people.]
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[She sighs a little bit, trailing off rather than finishing that thought, still swaying lightly. She feels that new tightness, and it makes a lump form in her throat, though she swallows quickly enough.]
Let's talk about something happier, okay?
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Mm, of course. [He takes a little, aimless turn, still swaying.] I could tell you a story about the stars over Yunmeng - how's that?
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Anyway, after a second of thinking:]
Have you heard the story of the Jade Emperor and his twelve animal companions?
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No, I haven't. What is it?
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You see, one year the Jade Emperor decided that he wanted twelve guards at the Heavenly Gate, so he sent a message across the entire kingdom - a race across the river would be held! Any animal could attend, but only the first twelve would have years named after them. Once the race began, the Ox pulled ahead first, with the Rat and Cat riding on its back. The Ox was sturdy and made it across quickly, but right at the end, the Rat pushed the Cat off and leaped from the Ox's head to get first place! So the first year was named for him, and the second for the Ox.
Then there was Tiger, who muscled his way through - and Rabbit, cunning enough to hop across on stones and drift the rest of the way on a log, never once getting his fur wet! Dragon was next. When the Emperor asked why he wasn't first, he said he stopped to put out a fire in a nearby village and blow a gust of wind toward the Rabbit's log to help him along - the Emperor was pleased, and gave him the fifth year.
The Horse was on the way next, but right before she made it across the finish line - the Snake darted out of the grass before her! She was startled into taking a step back, giving the Snake his chance to get the sixth year and leaving her with the seventh.
The Monkey, Rooster and Sheep all came together on a raft the Rooster found. They all worked together, paddling furiously through the water! The Monkey would scoop out reeds as they went, clearing the path - and when they got to the shore, they let the Sheep go first, because she had formed such precious bonds with them and kept their little team together. Monkey was granted ninth and Rooster got the tenth.
After them came the dog, who - despite being one of the best swimmers - stopped to take a bath! He enjoyed the river and had a great time frolicking under the sun, just barely making it in time. The Emperor was fond of his disposition, though. And finally, there was Boar, who had stopped to grab a meal and took a nap afterwards. Only after the Boar arrived did the Cat finally manage to scramble its way onto the bank, but unfortunately, all twelve years were spoken for! And to this day, cats don't get along well with rats.
[WHAT A WILD STORY. He'd been swaying gently the whole time, but pulls back a little after to sideways glance her way.]
What do you think, hm?
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It's kind of sad, isn't it? That they were penalized based on who finished when, but not whether they did good things or bad things along the way.
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[SOMETIMES SHIT JUST HAPPENS AND BAD PEOPLE GET REWARDED AND GOOD PEOPLE DIE.]
But you do have a point. Personally, I feel the worst for the cat!
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Yeah. Parts of it were nice, though... I'd like to think we're more like the Monkey, Rooster and Sheep.
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[He's fond... His heart is tendie!! THIS IS WHY HE GETS SO PISSED WHEN OTHER PEOPLE DIE INSTEAD OF HIM.]
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[Which is a little sad to admit, but.]
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Their loss, our gain! If your friends back home ever give you any trouble, you should just call on us.
[Beck, summoning a herd of hyperpowerful lunatics like a yugioh player.]
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Right. If anything goes wrong, I'll just have you rush in. Don't be surprised if you get a call to help me open a jar someday.
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I'll open any jar you could want, any bottle, any can! Just call on me and I'll be running your way before you know it!
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[There's fondness in her voice, though, even as she laughs.]
You too, you know? Not that I'd be much help as far as jars go.
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It's fine, our jars don't have lids like the ones here anyway. No need for help, there! But I'll still call you over so you can come go boat riding with me. We can pick lotus pods and eat loquats together - and go to all of the best restaurants, as I've said!
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[She nods, though, smiling softly.]
We can see the lake you told me about.
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[Ye olde lids... Wait til you see their alcohol jugs that are all just covered in paper, basically.
His expression lights up at that though, and he's immediately grinning.]
Mm, wonderful! Though it's nowhere near as big as that park of yours.
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[Still swaying gently, she closes her eyes again with a tender smile.]
But this is pretty nice for now, too.
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It is, isn't it? Haha, we should have come up here and done this much sooner!