Backdated 10/20/22; multiple messages

[xiaoxiuya]

It begins with a private apology. Three days precisely after his argument with Jin Guangyao, Shen Yuan wakes up in his little screened-off section of the barracks to a worn and crumpled fox mask falling off his face. He stares at it. Turns white as his sheets. Rolls over and buries his head under his pillow.

Eventually he reaches for his omni and initiates a voice recording.]

Bro, I -- [No, not that. He didn't have the right to call Jin Guangyao that before and he definitely doesn't have the right now. He starts over.]

Jin-gongzi, I -- this is Shen Yuan. I'm contacting you to apologize for my behavior three days ago. It was beyond inappropriate. Thank you for trying to cure me. I apologize for my actions with regards to that, too.

[Please don't give up on me, he doesn't say. Instead he opens the field for a public text post.]

peerless_hobo writes --

So, I've got good news for anyone who was struggling with the blood price to cure a transformation brought on by an enchanted mask. It appears that after three days, the mask will fall off on its own, and the person it affected will return to normal. Unfortunately the memories of the things they did while transformed will remain indelibly etched in their and others' minds forever. ♡૮₍ ˃ ⤙ ˂ ₎ა💢

[And finally, to Duty he writes,]

Boss, it's Shen Yuan. I can't go to work today. Or ever. I'm going to stay in bed and put all my efforts into transforming into a dried-up little pillbug instead.

Comments

text | un: duty | private

[martyrofduty]

I expect to see you at work every day even if you become an undead pillbug.

[xiaoxiuya]

Boooooooooooooooss

You don't understand, I've been laid low. Humiliated. MORTIFIED. If I have to show my face in public right now I will literally fall over and die. Ask not for Shen Yuan, for you will find only an embarrassed squid flopping on the ground.

Squid can't build buildings, boss. They don't have skeletons to help them hold the tools.

[martyrofduty]

The only way out is through.

Squids can mix mortar, or I'll ask John for a squid exoskeleton. Problem solved.

[xiaoxiuya]

Fiiiiiiiine. But if the whole project gets delayed on account of suddenly squid, don't say I didn't warn you.

[martyrofduty]

If the whole project gets delayed because of you, I will hold you responsible.

switching to log to keep the banter train going, choo choo~

[xiaoxiuya]

[Maybe Duty had the right idea. By the time Shen Yuan arrives at the work site -- not the outpost, for once, they're fixing a townie's wall that was knocked down by some over-enthusiastic partiers earlier in the week -- he is feeling somewhat better, at least to the point that he doesn't cringe when other people look in his general direction. He can't resist teasing Duty a little bit though --]

"Booooossss!" he greets the older man. "You're so mean to me! Aren't I your hardest worker?"

[martyrofduty]

Duty looks at Yuan who, by his bar, is hardly less dramatic today than the day before. Perhaps it's less about how dramatic and more about the company.

"To whom much is given, much is expected," Duty replies.

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Yuan rolls his eyes cheerfully. "'With great power comes great responsibility,'" he rejoins. "Like the responsibility to give your hardworking, loyal employees the day off after they embarrass themselves in public."

Even as he's saying this, however, he's rolling up his sleeves and collecting the tools he needs to get to work. They've got a wall to rebuild, after all.

[martyrofduty]

Duty holds his gaze on Yuan. "Congrats, me," Duty says evenly, "I've powered up." Dead even but a joke nonetheless.

"Let you anchor that shame?" Duty asks, "No. Keep living, and it will disappear."

He matches Yuan with similar tools and leads the way to the fence. Some of it was manageable, but the fence posts need to be anchored deeper.

voice | un: wheninlanling | private

[poorlittlesange]

[He receives a voice response a short time later. Jin Guangyao sounds perfectly agreeable as he ever does, and attentive.]

Shidi is very kind to offer his apologies, but they are not necessary. Are you well now?

[xiaoxiuya]

[Shen Yuan responds with a text message a few hours later, as Duty did indeed make him go to work.]

Is it still shidi

Yeah, the spell wore off at some point last night. I was back to normal when I woke up this morning, apart from the withering embarrassment >_>

I know you said it's not necessary but I really am sorry for how I treated you, I'd crawl into a hole and die there if I didn't have prior committments. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you Jin-gongzi you, please let me know. Okay?