farsickness | Arrival of another Chinese wizard!

Entry tags:

xue yang | the untamed

Arrival of another Chinese wizard!

WHO: Xue Yang + Various/Open!
WHEN: First couple days
WHAT: Finishing up TDM threads, plus fresh stuff!
WHERE: Around Gazin and the forest
WARNINGS: The Untamed general warnings aka ghosts, necromancy, dead things, killing said dead things, possible torture....and then there's Xue Yang who is kind of insane but trying to get better. :D EDIT: Gaaaay in thread with Xiao Xingchen. XD Just kissing though.

Arrival/Around Town:

Learning a whole new language in this way is interesting to say the least, but does it matter when it's useful? Yes, because he wants to learn how to do it too! Xue Yang plans to study that sort of magic if and whenever given the opportunity. Finding Xiao Xingchen alive again is enough to get his cooperation though, even without certain others playing into him promising not to go around stabbing just anyone. It's boring but...worth it.

Now though, he wanders through the town, sword sheathed at his back as he strolls along each street and alley, poking his head through open or unlocked doors to see what sort of people are doing what here. When he sees something he wants, or thinks Xingchen would like (or even Wen Qing...) he buys it before moving on.

Forest:

It can get boring in around the town though, especially when he has to behave. So forgive him, Wangji, Xingchen, for going out beyond the border of the town to let off steam and play with the other monsters out there again. Besides, it plays a part in keeping the people in town safer, right? He's being nice and helpful! Like a 'proper cultivator'! Instead of the half-crazy hooligan he's better known as, if not flat out rabid attack dog.

He mostly just uses his sword though, slashing, cutting, stabbing at everything that moves around him, often with a yell or mocking laughter to spur others on into moving foolishly and giving him an even better opening.

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After they had established their truce slash alliance the evening of the town festival, Wen Qing is determined to keep this alliance going.

She is pleasantly surprised to run into him again while he is poking around the market.

"I thought I would have to hunt you down," she says in greeting. "I never thought to ask where you are staying." She is carrying a basket with her groceries, looking quite domestic in her peasant's dress.

Xue Yang pauses at the familiar voice, and turns with a ready grin that turns a bit more genuine (less toothy) when he registers who exactly has found him. She's not the only one in new clothes, though his are still muted in color and simple (but tough) in make. Very sturdy for the work he's starting to do, but also to fit in a bit better, be less of a target for blatant money-gougers.

Practical.

And he also has a basket dangling from an elbow with produce. "I'd have found you if we didn't run into each other again soon." In truth he already knows where she works, and suspects where she lives. But because he does know...And he's trying to honor their alliance in more than just name...

"We have a set of rooms at the edge of town. I'm to guard the merchants' stores."

See? He even has honest work!

She sizes him up, genuinely amazed by this news.

"You have settled in well," Wen Qing notes, speaking both of the news of a home and a job, and pointedly letting her eyes wander over his basket and the new clothes he wears. Xue Yang looks comfortable here to her eyes. He looks like he fits in.

The pragmatist in her insists it's only a matter of days before he grows bored of this costume play and drowns the town in blood but the optimist remembers that he had worked for the Wen for years. He had been Wen Ruohan's attack dog but he hadn't been a rabid dog, not truly. It isn't like he'd let loose in the Nightless City, if he came to see Gazin as his homebase...

"These clothes suit you." She frowns a little. "Although I find the wool here very itchy."

He knows it's a shock so brushes it off with just a slight jut of his chin in silent almost challenge. Almost. More amused than insulted. And there does seem to be praise in her voice as well, which is...actually kind of nice.

So the chin settles back to the normal jaunt as he studies her right back. She's right, too. He rather likes it here. Maybe it's a little boring but...he's adjusting. He has reason to.

"Of course," he chirps in answer. As boring as he can see it might be...he likes it here. He'd rather be bored than be without the light that is Xiao Xingchen again.

But her complaints about the itchy wool has him step closer, reaching out to finger one of her sleeves with a slight frown if she lets him (no hint of weapon in sight). Something to work on, and for Xingchen as well. He pulls back quick enough though, stepping half a step back.

"You're working at the apothecary, right?" He says instead. No real doubt- doctor.

She frowns as well at the familiarity of him simply reaching out and touching her clothes, but as startling as it is to have a man as dangerous as Xue Yang suddenly so close, his intentions turn out harmless enough. He's never cared much for social conventions, she remembers that much from what she had seen of his audiences with Wen Ruohan.

Wen Qing gives a quick nod in response to his question and makes the decision not to take a step back from his inquisitive hands - a conscious decision not to be seen budging. "I do. I was lucky he needed someone to help with the customers and preparing the medicines. He didn't care that I have no references, I just had to prove my skill to him." She tilts her head a little. "I prefer working more closely with the patients, actually diagnosing and treating them than just selling them cures to treat themselves, but I still get to help sick people. I won't be here for long, so it's good enough."

Dangerous...but not so much to her. Xue Yang gleefully spits at the normal conventions of their society, even just barely toeing the line before Wen Rouhan. And only then, because of their agreement.

And she does deserve respect for how she'd kept her head before Rouhan's cruelty. "I'm sure that didn't take long," he responds, resisting too much sarcasm. But he also does mean it. She doesn't waste time or energy, from what he's learned of her.

But there is something he feels she should know, and the slight tilt to his head might clue her in. "Hanguang-Jun is here." Abrupt. But he's also clearly not full of holes, so...miracle?

"Wei Wuxian too, though I haven't run into him yet." And won't that be fun?

She tenses ever so slightly, though it lasts only a moment before she regains her composure and a pleasantly blank face - though that, in itself, might give away as much as honest expressions would, considering Xue Yang would know her to be the most composed when she is ill at ease.

She folds her hands in front of her stomach and gives a small nod of acknowledgment. "I'm aware," she says, "I have run into both."

No point in hiding this, pretending surprise would only do unnecessary damage if they mention having met her. Even if it begs the question why she didn't seek him out...

She is also well aware that he has only mentioned Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, which might mean he is still unaware of Jiang Cheng's presence. This, if nothing else, is a relief.

"Neither of them seems to be seeking trouble, or eager to continue conflicts from home."

Her composure despite nerves is exactly one thing he respects about her. Xue Yang grins at her simple answer, though his eyes roll a bit.

The fact she hadn't come looking for him immediately...he brushes it off. He hadn't asked her to help keep him safe, after all. Only Xiao Xingchen ignorant of a specific truth.

And frankly, while he's been told that Jiang Wanyin is here...he doesn't care about that one. So he doesn't think to mention him.

Not seeking trouble? It makes him laugh a bit, shoulders shaking a little in amusement. "Not from you. Only reason Lan Wangji didn't stab me is because I put Jiangzai away and dared him to stab an unarmed man."

See? He's trying! And it's bloody hard.

"Yet whatever his reasons, he didn't stab you," she points out dryly, "that's a lot more than can be said for every other run-in between Wen and Lan in the time I come from." She starts walking, though much as the night of the celebration where they had made their truce, she peers at him, silently inviting him to walk with her. "Not being attacked is the best we can hope for from most people. I found Hanguang-Jun quite reasonable and respectful... as long as you don't endanger him or his."

There comes a pointed look. He is clearly protective of Wei Wuxian, though she can't say how or when that came about.

"We're not here to make friends." She reconsiders. "Well, I'm not. You should, since you will have to stay."

Well since she's invited him...Xue Yang falls in beside her, rolling his eyes at her point. "I'm disappointed actually," no he's not. It's just something he's used to.

Kindness is something he's only received from Xiao Xingchen, and only because that precious man doesn't know who it is he's been living with. Who he'd rescued and healed.

His steps falter at her mentioning him needing to make friends. He blinks at her, grin fading as he considers it. Then steps a little faster to catch up. "...Then I'm off to a good start," he almost sounds hesitant. A little confused as he feels his way through the alien idea.

She does give a vaguely sympathetic little hm at his obvious discomfort with the whole friends idea but she doesn't back down either, just nods at his words. "You could be doing worse, for sure," she agrees.

He has made one ally who he has neither manipulated nor threatened into being friendly with him and she's going to assume he didn't get his job through violence, either. By what she knows of Xue Yang's standards, that's nothing to scoff at.

"You will want allies here. Being alone... being isolated is difficult in the long terms. There is a lot we don't know about this place or living here. And living in a small community, it is better to be on good terms with the community." She pauses for a moment. "Especially since you can't expect anything from the people from our world."

Of course she doesn't back down. He expects nothing less than this from Wen Qing. The fact she agrees he could be doing worse has him grinning though. Praise a dog, treat it well, feed it, and it will be loyal.

She's done all three.

She'd be right about the merchant. He'd only had to show the man what he can do and what he wants in exchange before their terms were agreed upon and drawn up. So in a way, it still involved violence. Just...not in the usual form.

"So we'll keep our senses open for all information." He rolls his eyes at the reminder of what he can't expect from their fellows. He knows.

Oddly enough though it reminds him of something he'd found the day before and had enough to buy. He pulls it out of his new clothes' pocket and holds out the small whistle set. "The quality is poor, but the sound is alright," he tells her simply.

He doesn't ask for anything in return, and the look in his eyes is almost childish, head lowered but still watching her.

She makes the conscious decision not to tense up when Xue Yang reaches for something - half the secret to surviving in the Nightless City is to fake it until you make it.

When his hand comes back holding nothing but a musical instrument, she still feels a twinge of guilty relief along with the genuine, delighted surprise.

"For me?" she asks, eyes widening. Apparently so. She reaches for the whistle set and gives the tiny instrument a try before turning her eyes on Xue Yang again, who is looking so...

Her heart gives another twinge, this all fondness, as the eagerness to please reminds her so of her absent brother. It's dangerous to lower her guard around a man as mercurial as Xue Yang, yet she can't quite help herself from feeling genuine fondness.

"I can't thank you enough," she says, and she means it. "Genuine kindness is so rare in these dark days, I treasure it all the more for it." Even coming from the least likely people.

Xue Yang will never complain at her instincts, because they're in place to keep her as safe as possible. And he is himself, which is generally enough to give most people cause for concern. Generally. Just because he's trying to make an effort now doesn't erase years of being nothing more than a selfish, dangerous child.

...Her delight and surprise is worth more than he will ever say, though his sudden smile and exhale (of relief? of delight?) might give some of it away. Yes. Doing something right. Being rewarded and praised for it. Genuinely. It goes both ways.

Before, he might scoff at her, tell her he'd just picked it up on a whim. And while strictly true...he hadn't had to remember her fondness for whistles.

"I can keep an eye out for other things, too. Just tell me what you want."

"I..." She tries to think of something to say but her mind is blank, the idea of having an ally not her brother whom she can just ask this of too overwhelming.

"I'll have to think about that," she says, and then, her eyes softening a little more, she adds, "but you don't need to buy me things. I appreciate them. But there is no need. It's not..." She trails off, this needs to be worded delicately. He is dangerous if offended or rejected, so she can't be as curt with him as she is with most people. "We are allies, I don't need my continued loyalty to be bought."

She looks down at the whistle, rubbing her thumb over it. "It is a very thoughtful gift. I didn't have my whistle on me when I arrived, I had already thought I would need to buy a new one."

Quick to take offense, quick to anger (though it's generally only skin-deep) and quick to act. That's how Xue Yang lives and breathes.

And Wen Qing knows this very well, he's sure. Just watching her, listening to her, tells him that she knows to be careful with her words, even with their alliance. But she is someone Familiar, with a shared connection that he needs more than he'll admit. So when her words approach the dangerous line, he watches her expression instead. Watches how her eyes soften. How she looks down at the whistle.

It cools the fury that might otherwise have had him lash out at her. So he huffs out a breath instead, tolerance curling his lips.

"What if I want to?" He says lightly instead.

"I got this for you because I wanted to." Not just because of the alliance, but he doesn't state that in so many words. He also knows he doesn't think of everything, that there are some things she might need that just wouldn't occur to him. Some things that she doesn't have because of when she'd come from, rather than him with almost everything important to him.

"I..." She has to think about that, even beyond the need to think about carefully measured responses. It's just. She purses her lips. "I think if you want to, then it's different," she says, speaking slowly as she still thinks about her words. "I think that is a good feeling. To have someone who gives you things simply because they want to be nice to you."

She looks down at the whistle, rubbing her thumb over the smooth material. "I don't have many people in my life who do nice things for me simply because they want to," she admits, "I'm not very experienced in how to handle it."

There's her brother and... Well, there's her brother. Other relatives who do care for her that much, but she doesn't get to visit them often. It's mostly just the two of them and now it's her.

He doesn't push her to answer before she's ready. There'd be no point, and might do more damage than he wants to deal with fixing.

But what she says ends up giving him a strange feeling. Unfamiliar. But...Good. Maybe. He hadn't expected her to tell him anything personal, which this is bordering on.

Xue Yang thinks of the long rotted piece of candy he still keeps. The last thing Xiao Xingchen had given him before dying. His gaze drops away in the end and he nods.

"I've only ever had Xiao Xingchen give me anything nice." Quiet. Fragile. Wary. But he tells her anyway, because he understands.

"I see," she says gently, looking very thoughtful as she thinks back to what he had told her about Xiao Xingchen and himself the first time they met here in Gazin.

He'd told her the full ugly story, a true horror story for the so devastatingly kind man who is being deceived. Guilt nearly chokes her again at the reminder that by telling her the truth, Xue Yang has made her complicit in the deception, at the same time at which he made clear that she wouldn't survive trying to reveal it. Her fingers clench around the whistle. She has never much liked knowing too much, seeing too much but in this she was given no choice.

She doesn't understand him, she truly doesn't. Why be so cruel to the only person who has been kind to you? Maybe it should be a warning to her as she holds her own gift that Xue Yang's moods shift easily.

Yet she can't help feeling sympathy, even a faint sense of kinship with him here in this foreign place, where for all their stark differences he still feels more familiar than anyone else.

"You should treasure him," she finally says when she realizes that social conventions demand an answer to his revelation. "Treasure his kindness while you have it. Good things are easily lost... but you know that already."

Looking back at it now, with what he knows now...he feels guilt too. It gnaws at him with every breath, every moment of his miserable life. But the most he'll say about that guilt is that he refuses to let it happen again here, with this second chance. That he'll destroy himself completely before he willingly let's harm befall Xiao Xingchen again.

And he wishes to try and do better, be better for that same man. Even if it does end up with his own destruction. He's accepted he'll die, that doesn't bother him.

Wen Qing's words, when she decides on them, have him blink at her with a flash of confusion before he slowly nods. "...I know." Oh how well he knows. "I'm trying to do things differently here," he says with a shrug. Even if he might be doing some of them badly.

"I'm aware of that. And I believe you are genuinely trying to do better." Whether he will succeed, or if his interest will even outlast the shine of doing something new and different, that remains to be seen. But she can believe that in this moment in time, he is genuine in his desire.

It's more than you can say for the good intentions of many people. She will take it.

"I should return to the apothecary soon," she says. "There is work and..." A sigh. "Well. There is work. Not much progress yet on finding a way home. But at least work is keeping me from being idle."

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Arrival of another Chinese wizard!

in town

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