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Hendrik had left the Luminary's side to see where he could assist. It had been the boy's suggestion to see what aid he could offer and the knight wondered if it was some ploy to get him to leave him alone. So it took no small amount of urging before Hendrik decided to go look for something to do.
It was almost humiliating.
However it wasn't long before he saw a man that had long hair such as Jasper wore. But unlike his longtime friend, this man had dark hair in contrast to his friend's light hair. The man wasn't wearing armor either which struck the knight as odd because he wasn't sure how a man protected himself much without it. He himself could do it of course but still. And while it wasn't wise to assume or underestimate anyone, the man didn't seem like a knight. In an odd way, the unfamiliar person appeared to be dressed something like he'd seen in the village of Hotto back home.
Still, Hendrik approached the other cautiously because he knew looks could be deceiving.
So once the other caught his gaze, the knight nodded, trying to figure out what the other was doing. "Are you in need of aid?"
It was almost humiliating.
However it wasn't long before he saw a man that had long hair such as Jasper wore. But unlike his longtime friend, this man had dark hair in contrast to his friend's light hair. The man wasn't wearing armor either which struck the knight as odd because he wasn't sure how a man protected himself much without it. He himself could do it of course but still. And while it wasn't wise to assume or underestimate anyone, the man didn't seem like a knight. In an odd way, the unfamiliar person appeared to be dressed something like he'd seen in the village of Hotto back home.
Still, Hendrik approached the other cautiously because he knew looks could be deceiving.
So once the other caught his gaze, the knight nodded, trying to figure out what the other was doing. "Are you in need of aid?"
Despite being woken so horribly (thank you random screams and a crumbling house), Zhou Zishu looks completely indifferent towards the problems he encounters. Almost...cold. Dark, bruised bands wrap around his wrists, but he barely spares them a glance. Falling into this curse is almost too easy for him. There was a time where he was nothing...but...this.
From a rooftop, he watches Wen Kexing, unwilling to move, unwilling to call out to him.
Which should be worrisome on its own! But if something bad is happening to him, he doesn't want to pull the love of his life down with him. Wen Kexing is the one who will survive - Zishu won't lose him like he lost the others.
From a rooftop, he watches Wen Kexing, unwilling to move, unwilling to call out to him.
Which should be worrisome on its own! But if something bad is happening to him, he doesn't want to pull the love of his life down with him. Wen Kexing is the one who will survive - Zishu won't lose him like he lost the others.
Edited 2022-03-18 21:14 (UTC)
It was, to say, that it was probably a good thing he didn't have a fear of snakes. If he had then Hecong wouldn't have been able to be around him. Though, he does appreciate the leading priestess driving the serpents away from him.
This place was not Penglai, but it was interesting. Just as he had noticed the behavior of the snakes. Something that reminded him of things back home, possibly even of things that Disha could do.
The young emperor tries not to react to what he does feel, late at night, before he's directed away from everything and toward a village. When asked to drink the elixir, he does so without hesitation. Maybe if he hadn't been poisoned at a young age he wouldn't be overly worried about it. If it helps someone else, then he won't mind doing it.
Of course, being assigned to a place has him walking toward it, hands behind his back even as he checks the outside of the place out. He won't, however, just waltz right into it. No matter what title he holds. Not that the people here know it.
This place was not Penglai, but it was interesting. Just as he had noticed the behavior of the snakes. Something that reminded him of things back home, possibly even of things that Disha could do.
The young emperor tries not to react to what he does feel, late at night, before he's directed away from everything and toward a village. When asked to drink the elixir, he does so without hesitation. Maybe if he hadn't been poisoned at a young age he wouldn't be overly worried about it. If it helps someone else, then he won't mind doing it.
Of course, being assigned to a place has him walking toward it, hands behind his back even as he checks the outside of the place out. He won't, however, just waltz right into it. No matter what title he holds. Not that the people here know it.
Sometimes, those who need them most, push them away the hardest. Wen Kexing knows this lesson, and has taught it himself.
It doesn't make it any easier when on the receiving end.
When he's approached this time around, as he often is when out and around, he's collecting various herbs to turn into a cooking experiment, or medicine - depending on what it is and what he needs. He straightens, tucking the latest plant carefully into a basket, and offers a polite smile and bow of his head. He notices the rather heavily armored figure, but chooses to simply take it in stride.
"Hello! That depends on how good you are at distinguishing plant from weed. Or if you can hunt? I'm looking for ingredients to cook for my family." Be that his assigned family here or his soulmate, he'll not say.
It doesn't make it any easier when on the receiving end.
When he's approached this time around, as he often is when out and around, he's collecting various herbs to turn into a cooking experiment, or medicine - depending on what it is and what he needs. He straightens, tucking the latest plant carefully into a basket, and offers a polite smile and bow of his head. He notices the rather heavily armored figure, but chooses to simply take it in stride.
"Hello! That depends on how good you are at distinguishing plant from weed. Or if you can hunt? I'm looking for ingredients to cook for my family." Be that his assigned family here or his soulmate, he'll not say.
He could do without the strange awakenings himself. And his beloved soulmate is not the only one with growingly dark and heavy bands at ankle and wrist, slowing him down seemingly at every turn. It's bad enough his stomach is starting to churn a little when he cooks, but Wen Kexing is a man used to ignoring his body's demands.
So he moves around almost as normal, forcing each step to be as light as ever. It's when he pauses that he seems to wilt and have to work at breathing. Feeling a heavy gaze on him from above, his eyes narrow slightly before ushering a child inside with a gentle word that food and medicine is just through the doors.
Then he looks up, not needing to look to know who it is that watches him.
"A-Xu! Come down, A-Xu, this child needs you!"
So he moves around almost as normal, forcing each step to be as light as ever. It's when he pauses that he seems to wilt and have to work at breathing. Feeling a heavy gaze on him from above, his eyes narrow slightly before ushering a child inside with a gentle word that food and medicine is just through the doors.
Then he looks up, not needing to look to know who it is that watches him.
"A-Xu! Come down, A-Xu, this child needs you!"
A child needs him - ? The bands feel heavy and sore, weighing him down against the roof. Yet Zishu has never been able to say no to a child. Or Wen Kexing for that matter. Not really anyway. He pulls at his exhausted limbs and with as much grace as he can summon, he descends from the roof. His landing hurts, but he brushes it off and walks cautiously towards his soulmate.
"What's wrong with them?"
Just approaching has made him feel breathless and he curls his hands into fists, holding himself upright through sheer stubbornness. There is a strange ringing in his ears and when he blinks, his vision shifts from focused to unfocused and then back again. What's happening to him?
"What's wrong with them?"
Just approaching has made him feel breathless and he curls his hands into fists, holding himself upright through sheer stubbornness. There is a strange ringing in his ears and when he blinks, his vision shifts from focused to unfocused and then back again. What's happening to him?
At first glance, Kexing believes the man who is wandering around outside his temporary home is the jerk person he's had...words with. And so he latches onto that, despite his A-Xu mentioning his being difficult with Lan Wangji. (In his defense, he hadn't been told to behave! And Wangji is so fun to poke at.)
So he makes a face before smoothing it over into a cheerful grin and amps up his pretense of being in perfect health. No curse here thank you!
"Are you really in need of a good home cooked meal that you go to other people's homes?" He clicks his tongue and shakes his head, sweeping the way inside. "Come on then. I'll feed you." For his A-Xu's sake, if nothing else.
So he makes a face before smoothing it over into a cheerful grin and amps up his pretense of being in perfect health. No curse here thank you!
"Are you really in need of a good home cooked meal that you go to other people's homes?" He clicks his tongue and shakes his head, sweeping the way inside. "Come on then. I'll feed you." For his A-Xu's sake, if nothing else.
Even Kexing has barely explored the roofs since they'd arrived and the bands' restrictions started to make themselves felt. The part of him struggling to hold to his sense of self cared enough about Zishu to coax him down, and he's attentively close enough to steady his soulmate if the other man starts to collapse - just as he would normally.
Just as he shoves away the fact he doesn't care about the child's needs. Not really. Not right now, when so many other things gnaw at his attention. Like his A-Xu, so clearly (to his eyes) struggling that he barely refrains from reaching for him until they get inside and the damn door is closed.
"He almost fell into a well. I think he's hungry, but there are also probably scrapes that should be tended."
Just as he shoves away the fact he doesn't care about the child's needs. Not really. Not right now, when so many other things gnaw at his attention. Like his A-Xu, so clearly (to his eyes) struggling that he barely refrains from reaching for him until they get inside and the damn door is closed.
"He almost fell into a well. I think he's hungry, but there are also probably scrapes that should be tended."
Giving his head a sharp shake to rid himself of the ringing in his ears, Zishu frowns and tries to focus on what Kexing is saying. A well. The child almost fell in. Hungry. Scrapes. He moves in a fog and gathers what materials he can - including a bowl of water. He kneels to tend to the boy, cleaning the scrapes with gentle hands.
Gentle, too heavy hands.
"Let's get you fed." he murmurs, pitching his voice to be comforting even if the boy can't understand him. He gathers a light meal and encourages the child to eat. Only then does he look at his Lao Wen.
Those bands...
They are the same. His forehead furrows and he reaches for Kexing's hands, wondering if he can heal them.
Gentle, too heavy hands.
"Let's get you fed." he murmurs, pitching his voice to be comforting even if the boy can't understand him. He gathers a light meal and encourages the child to eat. Only then does he look at his Lao Wen.
Those bands...
They are the same. His forehead furrows and he reaches for Kexing's hands, wondering if he can heal them.
That effort is almost painful just observing. Kexing knows his expressions lack the full force of his usual mask, even the worried frown he manages and the smile he gives his beloved.
He forces himself to keep moving, knowing the healing part itself is being taken care of. So he makes sure the food Zishu pulls out is suitable for a hungry child, doing his best not to gag on the smell that would normally tantalize his senses.
What matters is the child eats, and drinks the water given.
He blinks when Zishu reaches for his hands, and in almost a parody of how their relationship had started, smacks lightly at them, clicking his tongue. "A-Xu, others need us more. I'm fine." Just cursed. But when has that been a new thing?
He forces himself to keep moving, knowing the healing part itself is being taken care of. So he makes sure the food Zishu pulls out is suitable for a hungry child, doing his best not to gag on the smell that would normally tantalize his senses.
What matters is the child eats, and drinks the water given.
He blinks when Zishu reaches for his hands, and in almost a parody of how their relationship had started, smacks lightly at them, clicking his tongue. "A-Xu, others need us more. I'm fine." Just cursed. But when has that been a new thing?
They work together, seamlessly and yet there is something very wrong. Zishu had presumed it was just with him, but now he sees Kexing similarly marked and burdened. Anger burns under the indifference and when his hands are smacked away, he rises, suddenly, his vision swimming from the shift. Staggering a few steps, he catches himself on a table.
"You're not." he gasps, "Did I -" do this to us?
The child is with them, eating and drinking quietly, so he tries...he fights to be calm. But all he has is either rage or indifference. The emotions feel like they are going to crack him in two!
"I won't be able to handle it getting worse."
"You're not." he gasps, "Did I -" do this to us?
The child is with them, eating and drinking quietly, so he tries...he fights to be calm. But all he has is either rage or indifference. The emotions feel like they are going to crack him in two!
"I won't be able to handle it getting worse."
Funny how Kexing believes this to be Wangji. Has he ever seen the Second Jade of Lan wear a white hanfu with a light grayish-looking cloak, fur at the neck of it? It's also, a bit amusing, to Xie Yun when the other comes out of the place and asks if he was in need of a good home cooked meal. Especially when he can cook for himself just fine. In fact, he's pretty damn good at cooking.
"And what other home would I be at?" He asks with a raised brow but turns following the other man inside. He does not know who the other is mistaking him for, but who would turn down a home cooked meal?
"And what other home would I be at?" He asks with a raised brow but turns following the other man inside. He does not know who the other is mistaking him for, but who would turn down a home cooked meal?
That gasp sinks through the chill that's wrapped around his emotions, enough that he blinks and tilts his head. "A-Xu? No." Even if that were why he's cursed...he wouldn't care.
Kexing runs a purposefully gentle hand over the child's hair, soothing him with another emotionless smile. The grin he sends at his soulmate next is rather crooked, but he forces himself back to his feet. Forces himself to head for Zishu's side - it's easier a little ways from that stench.
"I'm here." And definitely won't let on that food is...something of a challenge for him right now. That's been his A-Xu's difficulty for so long, even he knows that admission would be a very bad thing.
Kexing runs a purposefully gentle hand over the child's hair, soothing him with another emotionless smile. The grin he sends at his soulmate next is rather crooked, but he forces himself back to his feet. Forces himself to head for Zishu's side - it's easier a little ways from that stench.
"I'm here." And definitely won't let on that food is...something of a challenge for him right now. That's been his A-Xu's difficulty for so long, even he knows that admission would be a very bad thing.
The food doesn't bother him - his senses are rather weak to that sort of thing anyway. However the closer he gets to Kexing, the more aware he becomes of feeling...nauseous. Something burns on his thigh and he reaches down to ease the sensation only to find blood on his robes.
"We need to break...the curses." he closes his eyes and breathes deep, taking a seat at the table he had stumbled into earlier, "The story...I was told...was about a priestess who ignored her duties and instead took numerous lovers. The gods caused a long draught to...punish her and the villagers. Their crops died."
So it seems...obvious...what he must do.
"I must make amends at the temples and help plant new crops."
With what energy he has left.
"Tell me your story, Lao Wen. I'll help you make amends for it."
"We need to break...the curses." he closes his eyes and breathes deep, taking a seat at the table he had stumbled into earlier, "The story...I was told...was about a priestess who ignored her duties and instead took numerous lovers. The gods caused a long draught to...punish her and the villagers. Their crops died."
So it seems...obvious...what he must do.
"I must make amends at the temples and help plant new crops."
With what energy he has left.
"Tell me your story, Lao Wen. I'll help you make amends for it."
Kexing doesn't go out of his way to pay much attention to Wangji's appearance so no, he hasn't noticed the odd wardrobe choice for this man. He just knows the face. And irritating way of texting.
"Your own," he lightly retorts, not caring about anything but pretense as he leads the way to the kitchen and gets to work unloading his basket of herbs and medicines. "Last I checked, the great Lan Wangji did not live here." And there's a hint of mockery, teasing at the edge of his lips.
Even he knows Wangji is more humble than to encourage such a comment.
"Your own," he lightly retorts, not caring about anything but pretense as he leads the way to the kitchen and gets to work unloading his basket of herbs and medicines. "Last I checked, the great Lan Wangji did not live here." And there's a hint of mockery, teasing at the edge of his lips.
Even he knows Wangji is more humble than to encourage such a comment.
"Yet, my own would be here. It is, after all, where they put me."
He leans against the doorjam and watches Kexing as he unloads the basket of herbs and medicines. Reaching up he tugs slightly at his ponytail until it's over his shoulder. The great Lan Wangji? Why would this stranger think he was this Lan Wangji person? Whoever it is, they were not overly fond of the person they were speaking about.
"Tell me more about this Lan Wangji."
He leans against the doorjam and watches Kexing as he unloads the basket of herbs and medicines. Reaching up he tugs slightly at his ponytail until it's over his shoulder. The great Lan Wangji? Why would this stranger think he was this Lan Wangji person? Whoever it is, they were not overly fond of the person they were speaking about.
"Tell me more about this Lan Wangji."
He hisses when he sees the blood staining his beloved's robes, anger finally seeping in to lick at this new insult. No one gets to wound his A-Xu!
Kexing manages not to collapse into the chair beside Zishu, leaning forward as if to press against the other - but refrains. Just stays close enough that speaking loudly isn't necessary. And listens to his beloved's tale, before closing his eyes as he thinks.
He...normally wouldn't doubt Zishu's strength, his ability to handle that task. But he can see how much trouble the other is having just walking, even just in breathing.
"Let me help you, A-Xu." At least Kexing hadn't started this with only a fraction of his strength.
He takes a breath, forcing it to be deep and slow, then nods. "Mine is...a drunk let a child fall into a well. He fell asleep and the child drowned. He wouldn't let anyone help him."
He finds an actual smile there, and turns it to the child he'd successfully battled exhaustion to save and feed.
Kexing manages not to collapse into the chair beside Zishu, leaning forward as if to press against the other - but refrains. Just stays close enough that speaking loudly isn't necessary. And listens to his beloved's tale, before closing his eyes as he thinks.
He...normally wouldn't doubt Zishu's strength, his ability to handle that task. But he can see how much trouble the other is having just walking, even just in breathing.
"Let me help you, A-Xu." At least Kexing hadn't started this with only a fraction of his strength.
He takes a breath, forcing it to be deep and slow, then nods. "Mine is...a drunk let a child fall into a well. He fell asleep and the child drowned. He wouldn't let anyone help him."
He finds an actual smile there, and turns it to the child he'd successfully battled exhaustion to save and feed.
If he wasn't so ridiculously in love with Kexing, there wouldn't be any blood. Zishu always wants his soulmate and now those feelings are being turned against him and used like knives or claws. And all because of an amorous priestess who forsook her vows.
"I must do it." he whispers, aching for contact and yet knowing it will only hurt. A small smile crosses his lips at the good news - one curse has been broken at least - and he fights his own curses long enough to kiss Kexing's forehead, lingering tenderly.
"He is safe with you, love. No children will drown." more marks appear on his back and he hisses, pulling away, "I must go."
"I must do it." he whispers, aching for contact and yet knowing it will only hurt. A small smile crosses his lips at the good news - one curse has been broken at least - and he fights his own curses long enough to kiss Kexing's forehead, lingering tenderly.
"He is safe with you, love. No children will drown." more marks appear on his back and he hisses, pulling away, "I must go."
Edited 2022-03-23 13:06 (UTC)
That has him pause and turn a sharp look over his shoulder at this person he'd assumed was Wangji. He knows enough to know better than to believe Wangji would deny his own name. Then shrugs and turns back to his work. He'd said he would feed the other, so...that's what he'll do.
Maybe it'll help ease his curse? He doubts it. "Are you a face stealer?" The grin is almost genuine. "Please tell me your name so I may address you properly." Still not entirely polite. But it's a vague attempt, in interest of not pushing away someone chosen to be part of his 'family'.
"I am Wen Kexing."
Maybe it'll help ease his curse? He doubts it. "Are you a face stealer?" The grin is almost genuine. "Please tell me your name so I may address you properly." Still not entirely polite. But it's a vague attempt, in interest of not pushing away someone chosen to be part of his 'family'.
"I am Wen Kexing."
"A-Xu," he murmurs, finally sounding genuinely upset. Because the love he feels for his A-Xu is just as fierce. Just as all-encompassing.
The lingering kiss to his forehead has him sigh, eyes closing briefly before he can almost feel Zishu's skin split. A sound of distress gets dragged from his throat when Zishu pulls away, but he doesn't argue, only stares at him with furrowed brow and his hands clench at his thighs.
"A-Xu..." Then anger licks at him again and he almost growls. "Don't let me hurt you. If I'm...making you bleed, go. Make amends then come back to me."
The lingering kiss to his forehead has him sigh, eyes closing briefly before he can almost feel Zishu's skin split. A sound of distress gets dragged from his throat when Zishu pulls away, but he doesn't argue, only stares at him with furrowed brow and his hands clench at his thighs.
"A-Xu..." Then anger licks at him again and he almost growls. "Don't let me hurt you. If I'm...making you bleed, go. Make amends then come back to me."
It doesn't matter if his skin splits. Hurting Kexing is worse than any physical blow and they both know Zishu can handle much more than this. Stubbornly, he wraps his soulmate in his arms and presses his face against his neck, ignoring how his insides writhe.
"Stay here." he pushes himself onto his feet and heads to the door, the back of his robes now stained with blood too. He doesn't dare to look back or to stop moving. The villagers direct him from temple to temple, they teach him the proper rituals and prayers. He makes repairs and does his best to fill the shoes of a proper priest...or priestess.
Then he travels to the fields, limping heavily, the bands on him stronger than iron. He kneels in the dirt and plants the tiny seeds, working until he feels the bands loosening.
Somehow he makes it back to where Kexing is staying.
Somehow. And then he collapses.
"Stay here." he pushes himself onto his feet and heads to the door, the back of his robes now stained with blood too. He doesn't dare to look back or to stop moving. The villagers direct him from temple to temple, they teach him the proper rituals and prayers. He makes repairs and does his best to fill the shoes of a proper priest...or priestess.
Then he travels to the fields, limping heavily, the bands on him stronger than iron. He kneels in the dirt and plants the tiny seeds, working until he feels the bands loosening.
Somehow he makes it back to where Kexing is staying.
Somehow. And then he collapses.
They know it, but it doesn't change how little Kexing likes hurting his poor Zishu. Or being the cause of his pain. But he can't deny how those arms feel, wrapped around him, and so allows them this last embrace.
Kexing stares after Zishu, looking rather lost for a moment before pushing himself to his feet with a stubborn glint in his eyes. He also has a curse to break.
By the time Zishu returns to him, he's rescued and fed a number of people, bandaged their wounds. He's made the sad decision to leave off drinking until he's certain he's free of this curse.
And he can feel a little more strength sink in. It's a little easier to breathe. To move. He has a little more energy to cook a much better meal, helped along by the fact the food doesn't make his stomach churn quite so badly.
It's simmering away to avoid being ruined, and he gasps when Zishu collapses at his feet. "A-Xu!" The cold band that had wrapped around his emotions eases, and he reaches to scoop his poor soulmate up and moves him to the fire. Settling the poor man into a seated position, he settles behind him and presses his hands to his back, pushing energy carefully into that wounded body.
Kexing stares after Zishu, looking rather lost for a moment before pushing himself to his feet with a stubborn glint in his eyes. He also has a curse to break.
By the time Zishu returns to him, he's rescued and fed a number of people, bandaged their wounds. He's made the sad decision to leave off drinking until he's certain he's free of this curse.
And he can feel a little more strength sink in. It's a little easier to breathe. To move. He has a little more energy to cook a much better meal, helped along by the fact the food doesn't make his stomach churn quite so badly.
It's simmering away to avoid being ruined, and he gasps when Zishu collapses at his feet. "A-Xu!" The cold band that had wrapped around his emotions eases, and he reaches to scoop his poor soulmate up and moves him to the fire. Settling the poor man into a seated position, he settles behind him and presses his hands to his back, pushing energy carefully into that wounded body.
"No, I'm not a face stealer."
That? It was not a question that he'd expected. Was he a face stealer? No, not in the least bit. There was only one other face that he used and it was that of an old man. Something that he hopes, in all honesty, doesn't need to be used in this weird little place. He does, however, give Kexing a smile.
"Xie Yun."
That? It was not a question that he'd expected. Was he a face stealer? No, not in the least bit. There was only one other face that he used and it was that of an old man. Something that he hopes, in all honesty, doesn't need to be used in this weird little place. He does, however, give Kexing a smile.
"Xie Yun."
It isn't his fault and Zishu certainly doesn't blame him. He loves him. With all that he is. No curse can ruin that or take that from them. That's why he hurries from Kexing's side - to see the curses broken - so he can comfort his beloved like he deserves.
But his strength gives out and he barely sets eyes on Kexing before he hits the floor. The blackness is comforting in a way - he has pushed himself beyond his limits and his body needs time to sort itself out. He remains slumbering even as Kexing knits his body back together, the claw marks on his thigh and back sealing until they are nothing more than scars.
An hour passes before he gasps back to consciousness, grabbing the chair until his knuckles are white.
"Lao Wen..."
But his strength gives out and he barely sets eyes on Kexing before he hits the floor. The blackness is comforting in a way - he has pushed himself beyond his limits and his body needs time to sort itself out. He remains slumbering even as Kexing knits his body back together, the claw marks on his thigh and back sealing until they are nothing more than scars.
An hour passes before he gasps back to consciousness, grabbing the chair until his knuckles are white.
"Lao Wen..."
Kexing keeps up the healing until he's reassured the cuts have all healed, then shifts to place his back against Zishu's and pulls out his xiao to play. Seeking to ease that poor stressed mind and strengthen the energy in his soulmate's body in another way. And he can keep up playing for hours far more easily than the focus it takes to maintain a flow of energy that won't overwhelm Zishu's meridians for all that long.
The music breaks off when he feels his beloved wake, easing his heart with a rush of a breath, and turns to smile hopefully at Zishu.
"A-Xu?"
The music breaks off when he feels his beloved wake, easing his heart with a rush of a breath, and turns to smile hopefully at Zishu.
"A-Xu?"
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