The Worst Hangover (or is it?)

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WHO: Xie Lian, Xiao Xingchen, and whoever wants to come pick the hungover hobo daozhangs
WHEN: May 7-8
WHERE: The old salt hangar and then the salt mines and then back in the city.
WHAT: Xiao Xingchen and Xie Lian were invited kidnapped to the meeting of Anurr's fanboys and drank the thing they probably should not have drunk for... interesting results
WARNINGS: Some people are ending up naked. It's Xie Lian. He's 'some people'.

(See threads for starters)

Comments

Meeting of the hobo daozhangs

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[So far, Xie Lian has managed to avoid being roped into getting one of those red tattoos - twice - and deflected most of the aggression by smiling and acting a bit clueless.

He's not quite sue how he ended up here. The people complained about the pigments, so most probably that merchant wanted to swindle them and not suffer the consequences himself and... well. It's happened. It's not like Xie Lian is in much danger from a bunch of drunk humans anyway, although... some of the ones wearing those dark cloak feel decidedly not quite human, but it's difficult to discern what, exactly, they are.

Mostly, everyone looks like the sort of rough dock workers or day laborers you'd expect in a big port city like this... except one. The flash of white robes, similar to his own, has Xie Lian call out before he can stop.]

Daozhang!

[And then of course everyone is looking at him because he shouted an unknown word in the middle of other conversations.]

.... Ha, it's nothing, I just saw a friend I didn't expect to be there.

[binghua]

[Xingchen, on the other hand, has had a much more amicable experience on his way to the docks, having been led here amongst a group of servants from House of Dew. The sword on his back, however, occasionally hums in disquiet, but since no one else in the group seems to notice anything amiss, Xingchen ignores it. His presence here isn't particularly secret, but neither does he want to make himself stand out by attacking what is probably yet another corpse - there really are too many here - without asking questions first.

And then, as soon as he's sat down to wait for...whatever his little group is about to do next, someone yells out a familiar title. Xingchen doesn't recognize the voice, though, but then his appearance is enough to garner such attention. Apparently his companion has gotten the attention of those around him, as well, if the confused murmurings are any indication. But if he knows to use that title, then that must mean he's from home...!

Xingchen offers quick apologies to his traveling companions and excuses himself, heading toward this other man.]

My friend, you've come, too?

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[As soon as the other man approaches, Xie Lian notices two things. The bandage over the other man's eyes - blind, apparently. And that the other man is, thankfully, playing along. Maybe his luck won't be too bad this time.]

I didn't really mean to, but these gentlemen invited me along, and well... I couldn't say no.

[He's going to hand his bowl of pigment to someone so he can catch the other man's arm and take a few steps to the side. From up close he can tell this person is human, but also a skilled cultivator. And he has a sword. So that's good, he can defend himself.

He'll still keep his voice low.]

Are you from the House of Dew as well?

[binghua]

They're quite persuasive, aren't they?

[Xingchen could have refused himself, and he probably should have since he is putting himself in a precarious situation here, but this is a great opportunity to learn something the rest of them may not get from the network alone.

He allows this other man to pull him away, sensing no malevolence in his actions. They must form a fast alliance in this place, even with the eyes on them. Perhaps because of the eyes on them. He pitches his voice to match his new friend, though he keeps a pleasant smile on his face. Surely to anyone watching from a distance he can persuade them that they're just two friends catching up.]

I am. I don't recognize your voice, though. Did you come in on the ship?

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I guess you could say so, haha.

[Speaking in a low voice is easy enough, among the raucous conversations, and Xie Lian didn't even notice that they seem to be speaking the same language, thus making the use of the crystals unnecessary.]

Yes, I did. My name is Xie Lian.

Daozhang, there are a few people here wearing cowls that don't feel... very human. No many, but they're situated around the room and watching what is going on. I'm quite sure they'll notice us if we try to leave.