Open! Catch-all is for March

[jiangzaid]

WHO: Xue Yang and open!
WHEN: March
WHAT: Frolicking! Training new wolf pup! Meditating! Poking around town!
WHERE: Gazin
WARNINGS: None come to mind! Any thread that needs a warning will get one in the subject line.



Meditating: [ Semi closed to anyone who happens to be around his house. ]

As he does every day since learning how, Xue Yang settles down in the morning light and focuses on his core. He's noticed the difference in himself since Zichen had taken the time to properly teach him - his concentration is sharper, he has less nervous energy, and his core looks and feels much stronger, less chaotic underneath the outer layer that is just him. Zichen says he doesn't hate that bright layer of chaos, because it's his personality, and anything his A-Lan doesn't hate can't be bad. His precious little squirrel is curled up with him too, taking a nap in his tunic for the moment. Always just for a moment.


Wolf training/frolicking:

Rescuing the young wolf pup from an odd trap had both pissed him off and worried him, but he couldn't find any injuries so simply fussed over and fed the pup. Only to find himself essentially be adopted by the pup - maybe another orphan? He hasn't seen much in the way of wolves here. But this one has a sweet, if mischievous, personality and it makes him laugh as they start to playfully chase each other.

As the days pass though, he gently sets to teaching the intelligent creature a few things. Rewarding as needed, careful scolding also as needed - no abuse, just enforcing correcting behavior. He refuses to harm any child. And eventually, when the black pup with white muzzle and socks feels like it, they walk side-by-side, cute little ears pricked at him with frequent swiveling and nose twitching at new sounds and scents.


Going for a ride!

After that cold winter, his poor horse needs a good ride! So of course he obliges, leaping into the stallion's saddle and grinning gleefully as the strong muscles bunch before they shoot off in what looks like a wild gallop - but there is no danger. His stallion is a protective mountain of teeth and hooves when he's threatened, and they've learned how to move together. Even when the horse chooses to slow down a bit just to give his hind quarters a good kick, Xue Yang manages to stay in the saddle (mostly by throwing his arms down around the strong neck and tightening his legs) but he doesn't get kicked off.


Market/Around town

He makes a strange sight some days, animals (horse led by reigns, little black squirrel perched either on Xue Yang's shoulder or on the saddle, and now the little wolf pup trotting along with them) at his side when he comes in for supplies. But he loves it, even grinning cheerfully at the stares they get until those he's made friends with laugh and any tension eases.

So he gathers supplies - food and medicines as needed - and takes down any new orders for the forge people stop him to place and describe, and tucks them all way in the saddle bags his sweet stallion has agreed to carry for him.

Comments

Meditating

[zichen]

He enters the room with quiet care and lowers himself so he is sitting beside Xue Yang. The effort the other man puts into his core thrills him and he wants to help. Some of that bright chaos - in the past used as a weapon - can be wielded in other ways too. He is still a bit shy about touching - especially when it comes to romantic touches - but he announces his presence, in case Xue Yang hadn't already noticed him, with a soft kiss to his husband's lips.

Chaos can be transformed into passion and once the passion is spent, contentment can follow.

[jiangzaid]

Zichen is the best help! Always. Xue Yang is aware enough of the feel of his husband's core approaching that he doesn't flinch from the soft kiss. He smiles instead, and nuzzles into the sweet kiss, eyes blinking open to peer at his sweet, shy husband.

"Morning~"

[zichen]

Though it is early, Zichen is dressed for the day, prepared for what awaits them. A pink tinge rises on his cheeks when the other man looks at him. They had spent the evening, as they usually do, in the same bed and yet greeting Xue Yang in the morning always feels special.

"Good morning." he softens when he spies the squirrel, "Are they assisting you?"

[jiangzaid]

He loves that flush, it's so cute! He reaches up to brush fingertips over a pink cheek and kisses Zichen a second time, though keeps it chaste for now. He can never get enough time with his husband!

A fuzzy little ear twitches and Xue Yang grins, tilting his head down to nuzzle dark fuzz. "They're good company." Though he turns a playful look at Zichen. "Though you might be better."

[zichen]

He leans into the contact, pushing himself because he knows, as his heart stops racing, everything will be pleasant. Xue Yang has good hands - strong yet remarkably gentle - and Zichen likes when he is touched. He just can't help how his body naturally responds.

The kiss makes him smile and he leans closer, peering down at the baby squirrel who is growing.

"Hello, small one." Zichen strokes a finger over the baby's soft head. The playful look isn't missed and he bites his lip.

"Am I distracting you?"

Wolf Training

[zichen]

"A-Yang..." he breathes upon seeing the little creature, his eyes widening, "Is that a wolf?"

How...? When? Where? Zichen is both amused and worried, bending slowly and holding out a hand to the pup. They are a family who doesn't have the heart to send such a small child away, yet he realizes that there could be trouble when the wolf gets bigger. Certain instincts cannot be overcome with training.

[jiangzaid]

He beams at his husband, resting a soothing hand on the pup's back. "I rescued him! Isn't he handsome?" Zichen's already taken in one wild thing, why not another?

The pup cocks his head curiously at the stranger but sniffs at the offered hand, tail low but no threat - Xue Yang has already helped soothe much of the fear.

[zichen]

"...yes, very." Zichen isn't afraid to smooth his hand over the pup's ears and caress a furry cheek, "But their mother? Did something happen to her?"

His brow creases at the thought and he makes a mental note to find more milk. Unless the pup has already adjusted to meat? They can experiment and, if Xue Yang can hold him, Zichen can get a look at those teeth.

[jiangzaid]

The pup slowly melts under the gentle caress, leaning into it and that tail starts to wag.

Xue Yang rubs approval over the young back too. "I found him in a trap," he keeps the fury out of his voice, not wanting to distress the pup. "The birds told me what I needed to know about his pack." Namely that said pack is either all dead, or enough were killed to chase the rest away.

[zichen]

"A trap?" his voice hardens on that last word and he wastes no time lifting the pup into his arms. Zichen is gentle as he inspects the young animal for cuts or bruises. He even stretches those little legs, searching for sprains or fractures.

"Did you get rid of it?"

It might not be their place, but his anger over the contraptions would lead him to destroying them.

Around the House

[cantseeyoursin]

Xingchen has been making his way around the house, making tea and doing his best to prepare some kind of lunch for them. He has slowly gotten used to items in the kitchen and how they are used. That doesn't mean he has gotten used to making anything besides basics. But he does his best to prepare a light and simple lunch with rice and vegetables. Just something to take the edge of hunger off but hold them to dinner.

He still eats so little, far too used to his time in Yi City where they lived so meagerly. Even after being here for these last several months he has a hard time breaking out of that routine. But once the lunch if ready he moves towards where he thinks Xue Yang is meditating. He doesn't want to disturb him but he wouldn't want the food to go to waste either.

"Xue Yang...?"

[jiangzaid]

Xingchen continues to amaze him every day with how well he moves and works without sight. Xue Yang smells deliciousness in the air announcing the sweet man's arrival. He smiles and bounces to his feet when he hears his name.

"Here, A-Chen!" He chirps, moving to reach for the other's hands. "Something smells good!" It doesn't take much to warm him from his sweet daozhangs.

[cantseeyoursin]

He smiles as the other man takes his hands, "I've prepared some lunch. You should eat." It's not much but hopefully it is edible and will sustain them. "I'm not disturbing you am I?" He would hate to have stopped Xue Yang from finishing properly.

[jiangzaid]

He loves that smile! Xue Yang threads their fingers together and squeezes delicate, elegant fingers, letting them swing in a playful motion.

"You never disturb me~ Have you eaten?" He hopes not, he wants to eat with this sweet man! "Thank you for cooking!"

[cantseeyoursin]

"I have not. I was waiting for you." He had just finished it so he was in no hurry to eat quite yet. He will be able to sit and enjoy the meal with Xue Yang.

"The water should almost be ready for the tea." He had made sure to start that before he went in search of the other man.

Market/Around town (and finally a reason to use this icon)

[obliviouspatriarch]

Wuxian himself is in far brighter spirits as of late, even with Sizhui's disappearance, and is bouncing around looking for things to do and people to help. Distractions are helpful to stay in good spirits, until he hears a bark or two, darting off away from the sound.

Poor fortune for him, he runs right into Xue Yang and sees yet another canine and his face pales as he stares at the pup. His luck has run out, dogs are everywhere all of a sudden much to his horror.

"D-don't l-let it b-bite!" It's a miracle he hasn't fled again.

omg XD

[jiangzaid]

The pup's ears perk hearing another bark, but doesn't go tearing off to explore, which earns him a rub to his ears from Xue Yang and an approving murmur. The squirrel scampers in to hide in his tunic though, which makes him giggle before it settles in the interior pocket he has for just such a reason.

And then Wuxian appears and reacts so very curiously, which has Xue Yang blink at him in surprise. The terrified stutter has him scoop up the wolf pup, showing it's harmless (at least to him).

"He won't hurt you, Senior." He smiles when his chin is licked.

[obliviouspatriarch]

The moment Xue Yang picks up the pup makes him at first relieved the animal is contained but then again is filled with dread. Now it's a wonder why he hasn't fled and surprising he hasn't fainted on the spot, feeling like his heart and soul both could leap from his mouth any second now.

An unexpected yelp leaves his mouth, sounding extremely pitiful for someone once so feared they wanted him dead.

"D-d-d-DOG, it's a DOG. Mean-- Terrible-- Always biting!"

Getting words out is definitely an accomplishment, and no matter how much Jin Ling has tried to tell him Fairy won't bite, none of it sticks past nervous side glances towards Fairy and Fairy alone.

[jiangzaid]

That's...still worrying. Xue Yang puffs his cheeks out in a huff and nuzzles the sad young wolf's sweet head. He could laugh, most would expect him to. But it bothers him now that Wei Wuxian would be so afraid of an animal, especially one so young!

But he understands a moment later, as he thinks about it. He remembers the wild dogs as a child, fighting for food with anyone unfortunate enough to live on the streets and hungry. With that in mind, his Senior's terror makes a horrible amount of sense.

"He's not a dog, he's a wolf. More wild, but also more loyal." Not the most reassuring he could be, perhaps. "Make him see you as pack and he will bite the throat from anyone who even looks at you wrong." Much better, see? Reassuring and vicious!

"But he's still too little, he can't even eat meat yet."

[obliviouspatriarch]

That is... certainly not reassuring in the way Xue Yang had hoped, and the undignified yelp that comes from it is further proof. If he wasn't so stubborn and struck with more fear, Wuxian would have just collapsed on the spot.

"S-still a DOG!" Deep breaths, inhale, then exhale, contemplating revealing why they're so terrible to him and that he had to fight with dogs as young as the age of four until Sect Leader Jiang had taken him in. But by the way he's shaking, it may be obvious that none of it is sinking in and the reassurance made it worse than intended.

Wolf Pup

[song_of_fire]

"He's handsome." She had seen a few others adopt some of the wild animals around, but never really a wolf before. There was a part of her that was envious, wishing for her dragons. But seeing such a sweet creature, it was easy to smile and kneel beside them both, offering out her hand for the pup.

"Where did you find him?

Sorry for dying all month...and a half..../sobs

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang beams at the praise and the pup looks at him for permission before scampering over to sniff at her hand. The silly antics makes him laugh.

"He was caught in a trap," the reminder has him frown and reach out to run a gentle hand over the leg that is still wrapped, but clearly no longer bothering the young animal. "I got him out and he's stuck to my side ever since."

Wolf Training

[notarambler]

Of the two brothers, Sam had been more the animal person so when he saw the wolf pup walking beside Xue Yang he couldn't help being curious. He walked over and greeted the other man. "Hi," he says warmly, "where did you find your new friend?"

Sorry for vanishing! /flails and dies

[jiangzaid]

He smiles at the taller man, remembering him from before. Taking the cue not to bow, he still nods his head in greeting - being 'nice' is still an ongoing process for him, but it's getting easier. "Hello!"

The wolf plops down at his feet, ears turned curiously to Sam and the head tilts to one side...just as Xue Yang's does. "In the forest, he was caught in a trap."

Re: Sorry for vanishing! /flails and dies

[notarambler]

Sam smiles down at the wolf and then back up at the other man shaking his head. "That's terrible," he replies, "no animal deserves to be trapped. I'm glad he had someone to help him."