farsickness | (no subject)

WHO: Wen Qing + OPEN
WHEN: late June
WHAT: Moping at the tavern, also catch-all for your wildcard options
WHERE: Gazin tavern

As a rule, Wen Qing doesn't like Gazin's taverns much. They are far rowdier than the ones she is used to and you can't even get a bowl of decent rice wine.

Yet these days, she can often be found going to the tavern when her work at the apothecary is done, sitting at some out-of-the way table and taking in the background noises while she nurses a cheap ale which she barely touches over the course of the evening.

She looks quite lonely sitting there all by herself in the nice red woolen dress Xue Yang gifted her, never trying to involve herself in conversation and politely refusing when someone offers her a drink.

The only thing that gets her animated is when one of her patients from the apothecary seeks her out asking for advice or complaining about her illnesses, then she will listen patiently no matter how long-winded or oversharing the diatribes become.

One night, there's something of a stir all of a sudden as she leaps to her feet, holding the wrist of a boy who had been reaching for her bag of coins. "Now what was that?" she asks sternly, "I'm not drunk. You will have to try harder if you want to steal from me."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Theft is a crime." Song Zichen's shadow falls over the pair and he gives the boy a faint frown, "If you need food or drink, ask. There are those who will share with you."

He is one of them and he knows Wen Qing is another. Gazin is not completely deplete of kindness.

"Are you well, Lady Healer?" he shifts his attention to her, noticing that she looks...

Lonely? He should know that emotion well.

Edited 2020-07-05 09:05 (UTC)

"It is indeed a crime," Wen Qing chimes in. She looks from Song Lan to the boy, who is looking quite cowed now that two people are confronting him about his attempted theft. With a sigh, she releases the little wrist, taking note of how bony it is. "Go," she says, then nods at her bowl with today's stew, which is nearly untouched still. "And take this."

She turns her attention to Song Lan then, greeting him with a short bow.

"I am well, thank you for your concern." Well, just lonely, yes, but it isn't a physical ailment which you can complain about without feeling silly. "Work is a good friend. How are you? Have you settled well into Gazin?"

"But not one that cannot be forgiven." he too notices how frightened the boy looks and he gives a faint smile at Wen Qing's kindness. Without thinking twice, her orders her another bowl and, cautiously, takes a seat beside her.

"Well in body and mind I can see." but he is concerned about her spirit, "I have two to rely on for company. I worry about you."

There really is no reason why she should have to be alone. Song Zichen and Xiao Xingchen had wanted to start a sect of their own, after all, and she would be a catch with all of her skills.

Her eyes follow the little boy, who has scurried away with the bowl to sit under the staircase, scarfing down the food as if it is his first meal of the day or longer.

There's a small smile on her face when she turns her attention back to Song Lan.

"You are kind towards all people, even the lowest," she notes, not that it surprises her with his reputation, but... Well, it is still noteworthy, it warrants respect. "And you don't need to burden yourself with worry for me. I have food and shelter, and I have protectors in you and your partners." As for the rest... She looks down at the table as if the wine stains were particularly interesting. "At home, I would care for my brother. He is not here. It takes... adjusting."

Cassandra spends a great deal of time in taverns. It’s a good place to gather information, hear rumours, and it’s a good place to sit and just... watch people. So she sits, and watches, when she’s not writing or drawing in her journal. She’s seen a great deal of Wen Qing lately. Which is odd.

Something has happened. What, she’s not certain. But something. So she closes her journal and pockets her pen before taking her mug of ale and settling into the chair opposite Wen Qing.

"Cassandra."

She gives her a small, somewhat wan smile in greeting. Yes, she has taken notice of Cassandra's presence in the tavern as well but with her people watching or writing while Wen Qing is lost in thought, they are all too often occupied with their own business. Not so tonight, apparently.

"It is good to see you again. How is the herb gathering faring?" It seems an innocent enough topic.