Oda

[nosediving]

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[nosediving]

[ oh, no. he strides over to pick up a roll of bandage. ]

Let me help. Are you still bleeding?

[odasaku]

Yeah.

[ a pause, as he looks at the wound continue to bleed with no expression on his face. he could be watching paint dry, for all that matters. ]

Didn't break a bone. Just muscle.

[nosediving]

This is . . . Sir, this can become serious if you don't take care of it now. Let me at least fetch some water, so you can clean your leg.

[ setting the roll of bandage down, he briskly exits the laboratory to return with a bucket of water and a washcloth. ]

[odasaku]

That...

[ well, he can't tell sqh that he shouldn't go since he's already gone but...when he comes back, oda can't look at his face. ]

Thanks. Sorry for the bother.

[nosediving]

[ he ran back and forth as fast as he could! setting the bucket down, he wrings excess water from the washcloth and offers it to oda. let the man keep face and wash his own leg. ]

It's no bother. Making sure that everyone's looked after is what I do.

[odasaku]

[ he already screamed himself hoarse in front of the remainder of the contestants he literally has no pride left.

but he'll take the washcloth, applying it around the wound to soak up the blood. ]

Mouri...said you're a lord. I never expected it.

[nosediving]

A lord?

[ his face crinkles in confusion as he reaches for the same roll of bandage that he put down earlier. his other hand offers oda a hand towel. then it clicks. ]

There's been a misunderstanding. I may be a Peak Lord, but this is a title given to the twelve leaders of my sect. My origins are rather humble.

[odasaku]

Sorry, I didn't know there was a difference.

[ he takes the towel to wipe the water and blood. ]

It must still be difficult to be a leader.

[nosediving]

[ good, good. he'll take that washcloth and hang it on the edge of the bucket. ]

It's nothing that I can't handle with my sect brothers and sisters by my side. When you work together, you can achieve great things.

[odasaku]

Is that so...

[ oda trails off as he continues wiping off water and blood alike, his gaze set on the wound...but not really that focused. as if his mind was elsewhere.

eventually, he sets the towel on the table, reaching for the bandages. ]

To have such close relationships...I'm a little envious.

[nosediving]

[ having waited for this moment, he deposits the roll in oda's outstretched hand. his gaze, however, lingers on oda's face. ]

Sir?

[ a penny for your thoughts? ]

[odasaku]

[ he takes the roll with a murmured 'thank you', but then looks up when shang speaks up again ]

Huh?

[nosediving]

[ there's a beat of silence as shang qinghua studies oda's face. then he glances aside with a smile. ]

This afternoon, when we investigated the east wing, it felt as though I was a chief disciple working beside my sect brothers again.

[odasaku]

Mm?

[ oda stares for a couple seconds, unsure of what to make of that or how to respond. could shang quinghua be saying this only to make him feel better? oda doubts it-- this man is simply too kind.

too kind for someone like him.

he sighs and begins to roll the bandages around his leg, a solemn look on his face. ]

I...don't think I deserve a comparison like that. Maybe Mouri but...not me.

[nosediving]

[ he blinks. this man, does that loneliness stem from some sort of personal conflict? sincerely, shang qinghua replies: ]

Why not? I remember a mission in my youth where my two sect brothers fought ceaselessly, even when we were in danger. Compared to that, our experience today was very good.

[odasaku]

That’s not the point.

[ oda grits his teeth as he continues to bandage himself. the tension, however, has nothing to do with the pain in his leg or the aching pain in his whole body— it’s a dull pain in his heart, as shang qinghua’s kindness stabs into him like the knives that fell at the trial. ]

Though I haven’t killed anyone here... I’m still a murderer. I’m not someone you want to associate yourself with.

[nosediving]

[ with nothing to occupy his hands, all he can do is clasp his right with his left. it's better than wringing them—that might send oda the wrong message. ]

More than anyone else here, I've seen you grieve the lives lost to the great gods' contest. Why wouldn't I want to associate with someone who values life this much?