westwhere | The Worst Hangover (or is it?)

[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.

[If you happen to be strolling in downtown Sa-Hareth on the morning of May 9, you might stumble upon the local constabulary giving a dressing down to someone who is looking vaguely embarrassed and bowing a lot and apologizing.

Said someone is mostly covered in blood and the parts of him that aren't look well on their way to be turning blue from the cold, and you can see all that because, as it happens, he's completely naked, except for a white bandage around his right wrist. Something that the local townspeople, apparently not that bothered by the blood, seem to be fully appreciated, because the young man is, in fact rather well built.

He's trying to explain, but...]

I'm sorry , officer, I really don't know what happened to my clothes! I had them yesterday! ... Was it yesterday? Excuse me, what day are we right now?

[The guard just slaps a piece of paper in Xie Lian's hand, and he just stares blankly at it. he doesn't understand the writing at all except for the numbers.... 5000???]

'Make sure to the go to the guard post and pay your fine before the week is out, you scoundrel!'

Ha? Officer, wait! A fine? But...

[The guards leave, shaking their hands, and Xie Lian ends up standing in the middle of the street with his fine in hand, and still little idea of where he is. He should probably ask the way... but as he looks up, he is met with people's stares and he strikes him that a naked bloody man asking for the way to a brothel might... not be the best look. He'll just start walking and find his own way, after giving a small laugh and wave (?) to the people gawking.]

[ Because of how complex the situation is, even with people he has not talked with yet, Xunxian tries to keep an ear out for anyone taking sanctuary at the House of Dew running into actual trouble.

He still does not manage to find the man before the officers do...

But he does bring some clothes, including a shift and lined warm cloak.

Beneath his own, his robes are still undone a little too low, and he walks with the strut of someone aware he is beautiful - its own sort of making him not too conspicuous. ]

Perhaps these will help?

[ He doesn't look like he's extending this out of pity or gentle care, an eyebrow arched up as if daring the man to... either accept or refuse, it's unclear. ]

[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?

[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?

[Over the years, Xie Lian has learned to look at a gift horse in the mouth. he so rarely got gifted anything that he will accept pretty much anything at all, and he takes the clothing, but holds it at arm's length at first.]

Thank you, but I should probably wash up a little first. I'm disgusting.

[Maybe he can juts rub some snow on himself to get most of the grime and blood off?]

[ Well, this is a great time for him to exercise caution... Xunxian recognizes his voice now. He doesn't sigh, instead arching his eyebrow just a little higher. ]

As it is for the safety of all of us if none of us attract too much attention, it might be better for the washing to come after you are in private.

[ He does, in fact, have selfish reasons for this. ]

Ha... Yes, alright.

[It doesn't feel great to put the clothes on top of the blood and grime, but he does see the logic, so he'll put them on.

His feet and hand are definitely turning a bit blue with the cold, but he doesn't seem to notice.]

Which part of the city is this? I'm not quite sure how I arrived here. Oh, and how did you know to find me here?

[Probably rumors of a bloody naked men have been spreading, but fast enough for someone from their refuge to come carrying clothes?

He looks at th piece of pape in his hand.]

How am I supposed to pay this? I don't have any money.

[ Xunxian reaches to settle the cloak around his shoulders, pursing his lips about the bare feet in the cold but there was only so much he could do. He also does not touch unnecessarily, withdrawing his hands as soon as the heavier fabric is settled around him. ]

We all arrived here without any coin, and had to borrow to survive. Coin can be earned and returned at a later time. I do want to keep someone safe, and so you need not worry - I will take you back to the establishment promptly. As to how I know... a little bird told me.

[ A seagull circles around them, then lands next to them and stares at him, so he laughs slightly. ]

Or, perhaps, not that little.

[ An arm held out in the correct direction. ]

Shall we? I think we can get you boots on the way back, as you would need a pair that fits you anyway.

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?

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.

Thank you, that's very kind.

[Xie Lian starts walking... and then all of a sudden he stops and pats himself down, eyes going wide...

He relaxes when he feels it around his neck, the chain with its ring. It wasn't very visible, under the grime, but it was still there, thankfully. Ruoyue would need a bath, but it was alright too. The rest...]

... I lost a hat I was really fond of. I'm sure the robes are gone, but I wonder if I might manage to find the hat again.

[ Xunxian starts to object, and then he realizes than in such a situation, he absolutely would go back to look for his fan, regardless of its state. He tilts his head to one side. ]

If it is still there now, it will probably stay where it is for a couple of more hours until you are bathed and properly attired, but if you do insist on going to search for it immediately, we are getting you boots, first.

[ ... that's non-negotiable. ]

Hmmm... yes, you're probably right. Besides, I think I've made people stare quite enough for today, haven't I?

[He might not really pay attention to the cold, or the myriads of other aches in his body, but he should try not to draw so much attention, if possible. Three days in and look at this mess. His luck is always like that.]

It can wait until I've cleaned up, I'm sure. It's not the kind of thing people would want to pick up and keep for no reason anyway... and if they have, well, too bad for me, I guess.

[But he would really miss the hat.]

I haven't even asked for your name. I'm Xie Lian.

[ Xunxian actually relaxes slightly. ]

Su Xunxian. And I can help you look, after - I have gained some knowledge of the city over the last weeks.

[ But shoes first. Then bathing and tea. It will be easier to move afterwards, he promises. ]

Thank you.

[Xie Lian... isn't really moving like someone who finished the night naked and covered in blood and with what looks like frostbite on all his extremities should, to be honest. He should probably be limping, or at least look a little sore but he.. doesn't.]

... How long were we gone, exactly? I'm not quite sure...

[ Su Xunxian doesn't think, no matter how the man moves, that it is a good idea to continue barefoot. So the agreement gets an approving nod. ]

Your message over the crystals was yesterday, so perhaps not extraordinary long. As to how long it felt to you... perhaps we can talk once we have returned off the streets.

So... just a night. It felt both longer and shorter, somehow.

[Once they stop for boots, Xie Lian feels a little sorry for the merchant, who clearly makes a face at his state. He, too wouldn't want someone so dirty to touch his wares when selling nice boots. But finally a pair is acquired and put on his feet and they can start walking again.]

Did anyone find... bodies, this morning? Dead bodies?

[ Xunxian's smile grows a touch more fixed. ]

These are questions to not be asked among a crowd of people. Preferably. I will answer in better privacy.

Ah?

[But no one in the crowd seems to pay attention to them. Now that he's clothed, Xie Lian looks more like a slightly dirty vagrant, a thing which Sa-Hareth has a lot of.]

I don't think anyone really cares...

[ He has made sure the boots are comfortable, too. And left just enough money for the merchant to be content.

At the comment, he shakes his head. ]

Appearances can be deceiving. Humor me - and pay attention to what people talk about around those they don't know well, some day.

... Alright.

[He did make a mess of things yesterday, so maybe it's better to just follow instructions until they're back and he can clean up.]

The Worst Hangover (or is it?)

Meeting of the hobo daozhangs

The Walk of.... Shame?

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