Zhou Zishu (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fated_dance) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
westwhere2021-08-20 04:09 am
fated_dance) wrote in westwhere2021-08-20 04:09 am
Entry tags:
Open first part of August
WHO: Zhou Zishu and open
WHEN: August 11ish-20ish
WHERE: Taravast
WHAT: Catch-all!
WARNINGS: Mentions of past suicide-ideation, self-harm/mutilation - others will be added as needed.
Hunting for a Cure
There is the usual searing, maddening pain as the Nails seek to hasten Zhou Zishu's death, and then there is the looming threat of losing the last of his senses. He's been doing some digging on healers - above and below board, so to speak, and the largest obstacle is simple.
He needs coin. A lot of it. The silly fight with Wen Kexing had earned them some, apparently they'd entertained their hapless audience enough for them to throw coins at the end. So he starts by borrowing some of the strange outfits from various closets, exploring the streets and various districts. Dropping hints at needing a healer for something delicate in nature. Exploring options. Sometimes people only say one thing, when there are other, more viable options.
He can be found all over the city and court, talking, or listening, or just throwing suggestions of having someone pay his way. So far he hasn't been stopped, or thrown into prison. So far his word is enough, and he knows just how to act the part he's been assigned here.
And he can be found in both the Healer's district itself, either getting a more direct look over from someone willing to keep their lips sealed (for an added price, of course, which is what he pays upfront) to see what can be done about the cursed nails.
But just as easily he can be found where he really shouldn't be, as an 'upstanding member of court', and so has taken a disguise few would see past. Those who know him. Those who are skilled at seeing through disguises. Those people will spy him speaking with those bumping shoulders with necromancers to do the same. The latter, he haggles over the most because he doesn't like being told of no improvement.
Partying
He might be losing his senses, but Zhou Zishu is a man used to parties and people flinging themselves at him. Here...is no different. Here though, he gets women fawning over him, making sure his wine cup never goes dry. Trying to tease him into dancing with them - or worse, but he rebuffs those attempts and scandalous offers with a roll of his eyes and a pointed look away.
If it makes his beloved Wen Kexing jealous...Well. That's just another benefit, isn't it? How long until the man cracks?
His attitude makes his would-be suitors pout, but the whispers reassure him this is just what is expected of his persona. Just as it's perfectly fine to smile and tease, shifting closer to some more than others - but only until they fall for it and go past what he'll allow. Then he turns a cool shoulder to them and goes to the next.
WHEN: August 11ish-20ish
WHERE: Taravast
WHAT: Catch-all!
WARNINGS: Mentions of past suicide-ideation, self-harm/mutilation - others will be added as needed.
Hunting for a Cure
There is the usual searing, maddening pain as the Nails seek to hasten Zhou Zishu's death, and then there is the looming threat of losing the last of his senses. He's been doing some digging on healers - above and below board, so to speak, and the largest obstacle is simple.
He needs coin. A lot of it. The silly fight with Wen Kexing had earned them some, apparently they'd entertained their hapless audience enough for them to throw coins at the end. So he starts by borrowing some of the strange outfits from various closets, exploring the streets and various districts. Dropping hints at needing a healer for something delicate in nature. Exploring options. Sometimes people only say one thing, when there are other, more viable options.
He can be found all over the city and court, talking, or listening, or just throwing suggestions of having someone pay his way. So far he hasn't been stopped, or thrown into prison. So far his word is enough, and he knows just how to act the part he's been assigned here.
And he can be found in both the Healer's district itself, either getting a more direct look over from someone willing to keep their lips sealed (for an added price, of course, which is what he pays upfront) to see what can be done about the cursed nails.
But just as easily he can be found where he really shouldn't be, as an 'upstanding member of court', and so has taken a disguise few would see past. Those who know him. Those who are skilled at seeing through disguises. Those people will spy him speaking with those bumping shoulders with necromancers to do the same. The latter, he haggles over the most because he doesn't like being told of no improvement.
Partying
He might be losing his senses, but Zhou Zishu is a man used to parties and people flinging themselves at him. Here...is no different. Here though, he gets women fawning over him, making sure his wine cup never goes dry. Trying to tease him into dancing with them - or worse, but he rebuffs those attempts and scandalous offers with a roll of his eyes and a pointed look away.
If it makes his beloved Wen Kexing jealous...Well. That's just another benefit, isn't it? How long until the man cracks?
His attitude makes his would-be suitors pout, but the whispers reassure him this is just what is expected of his persona. Just as it's perfectly fine to smile and tease, shifting closer to some more than others - but only until they fall for it and go past what he'll allow. Then he turns a cool shoulder to them and goes to the next.
no subject
His hands twitch; sadly, a fan isn't part of his current costume, so all he can do is tug at his cape, needlessly repositioning it, before drifting over to Zhou Zishu. Technically, they're not supposed to mingle in public, but technically—who cares!!!
"Were you, too, interested in marrying into my family?"
He says this in a bored voice, reaching for Zhou Zishu's face, ostensibly to get a better look at it. If, with this gesture, he manages to separate the man from his sticky female companion, why that must be just another coincidence.
no subject
But then, neither can the role Wen Kexing is playing be called that.
His eyes narrow just a little at that question, though his grin doesn't fade at all. He could easily stay free of that hand, could easily avoid having his...unwanted attachment be disturbed. She (and a few others) have been whispering to him about this man, warning him to stay away.
He ignores them all by standing with those hands lifting his face up for inspection.
"Mm. I haven't decided yet. I keep hearing rumors, telling me not to. You wouldn't want my reputation to be damaged, would you?"
1/2
But that sentence, regarding rumors and damaged reputations, hits him squarely in the gut. He's speechless. Behind his mask, his eyes have a kicked puppy expression.
no subject
There's madness in his eyes, and it isn't entirely an act.
no subject
Zishu answers that laugh with a little chuckle, eyes fixed on his soulmate's as he tilts his head just a little into those hands. "It would if I married into your family. But I don't care much about it either way."
Clue, silly Lao Wen. Zhou Zishu doesn't give a damn about how others see him anymore. Only his soulmate matters.
"Who would you have me wed, given the choice?" The gasps and stifled sobs from behind him are ignored.
no subject
Zhou Zishu's words fly over Wen Kexing's head, lost as he is in regret and adoration, and so he interprets it as nothing more than banter. He huffs a laugh and releases the man, turning halfway so that he is standing in profile relative to Zhou Zishu.
Regarding the hand that had just cupped Zhou Zishu's cheek, he says, "Most wish to wed you for your money, others for your face. Thus prudence would dictate that you marry somebody rich and beautiful, so that you'll suffer no losses."