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.
partying
He moves through the party, his heavy-lidded, bored, imperious Valley Master persona translating well to the part he's supposed to be playing. Lazily he murmurs to one of the cognoscenti, "Yes, I'm well acquainted with Donna Vannozza's independent nature. Nonetheless, I'm certain that one of my sons will be able to sweep her off her feet."
...Is this how to advocate for his alleged favored candidate? Probably not, but then he goes on to say, "Naturally the same is true of Don Macaluso, my family can be quite persuasive, and in matters of love it's important to be—how do you say—flexible."
He says the above whilst attempting to meet Zhou Zishu's eyes. Watching the man flirt with other people he is... not taking it too well.
no subject
He catches the comment about how Wen Kexing's family can be flexible and it almost makes him laugh. No. It does make him laugh and he finally spares his beloved a glance, a wide grin on his face - congratulations, Lao Wen, on winning his attention again.
"Flexible? Good! One should always be willing to try new things when the heart is in the balance." He lifts his cup of wine to the other, accenting his words and ignoring how one of the ladies he'd been flirting with artfully collapses against his side with giggles.
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.
Partying
Or, in this case, a wall. One of Zishu's suitors isn't so easily rebuffed and she chases after him ridiculously, her cheeks red with the sort of anger that only comes from vanity. Guangyao gently blocks her way and gives his head a shake.
"He is not part of your future."
And since he has made a name for himself as a prophet, the woman gasps:
"You have seen?"
He doesn't nod or shake his head. Instead, he smiles. Grimly. Letting out a sound of frustration, she turns on her heel and marches off.
Such a good boy :3
It's a relief at the same time, for that particular woman to finally give up. Zishu scoops up a second cup of wine and moves over to offer it to the 'shepherd'. He doesn't say the other had possibly just saved that woman's life. He has better control than that - but his soulmate...?
That's another story entirely.
"I am curious - if you would humor me - what else have you seen that I should know of?"
Sometimes. The rest of the time he's evil incarnate.
Dark eyes widen at the question and then lid. His wine-stained lips curve almost sensuously.
"The way you toy with these women tells me more than any vision ever could."
Yes, he knows this game that Zishu is playing. He has indulged in it himself.
"Either the one you want is out of your reach or they are here with you."
Well yes. Isn't that the best way to be tho?
Zishu resists the grin at that smile, more interested in waiting for the answer. But a smile of his own gets calmly hidden (mostly) by his own cup as he takes another sip. Also just as careful. He wants to numb the pain, not be knocked stupid by it.
"Aah? Another question, master who sees so clear," he bows his head, eyes bright behind the half mask as he leans in, as if to confide in the other man. "What if I am not interested at all, and toying with those here is mere fun?"
Apparently! This dude swears by it.
"I am listening." he narrows his eyes at their proximity, tense under his plain robes, "That is your choice, young master."
How strange for a shepherd to wear perfume. The scent wafts from Guangyao's hair and skin, spicy and tantalizing.
"The more hearts you break, the narrower your window to happiness."
Is that true? He has no idea. Frankly he thinks Zishu should step on who he likes - as long as it isn't him.
lol
He's well aware in most cases - if he hadn't already found his Fated One - any number of the women who have clutched at his clothes would be intelligent enough for him. But he has been claimed. No, not physically. His beloved remains too skittish for that.
But everywhere else that matters.
He ignores how the other tenses (and that scent is missed for the simple fact he can no longer smell or taste anything), pretending he notices nothing unusual. "Aaah," he hums, slowly pulling back as if imparted with great wisdom.
"Master seer is very wise. Thank you for taking the moment to teach this one.
"I do wonder, windows can be reopened. And widened, if the effort is made."
no subject
What a shame that the scent of his perfume is missed! He wears it to allure those he chooses to draw close. If Zishu's nose doesn't work, the effect is ruined.
"How will you know to make the effort? How will you know making the effort will be fruitful?"
Unless...as he said...
Zishu has someone special in mind. Guangyao smiles sweetly, knowingly.
Hunting for a cure
Trying being the operative word.]
Oh dear, I'm so sorry!
.... Ahem, I mean, watch where you're going!
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."