farsickness | April Catch All

Entry tags:

xue yang | the untamed

April Catch All

WHO: Xiao Xingchen and Open to All
WHEN: Throughout April
WHAT: Meditation, Shopping, Hunting/Sword Practice
WHERE: Gazin
WARNINGS: None
NOTES: Written in prose but happy to switch to action for tags

Meditation
Xingchen has found himself at the edge of the river, sitting down on the shore and listening to the water as it moves down across rocks and roots. It's calming and the perfect location for meditation and clearing one's mind. The days have been cold but slowly starting to warm with spring arriving quickly. And so with the nice weather it meant he wanted to be outside more.

He is glad he was able to find this spot, fully aware that he shouldn't stay out too long. But easily losing track of time as he sits there. If the sun is setting he won't notice it.

Shopping
He doesn't often go shopping alone but on this day he headed out to the market because some things were needed in the house and the other two were quite busy with their own tasks. He didn't figure he would be gone long and he is perfectly capable of handling such chores himself. He trusts the people of the town to not swindle him out of things considering he usually has a partner that make sure that they don't.

He will do his best on his own though as he wanders down the street. He briefly gets distracted by a smile child running past and in doing so he accidentally bumps shoulders with someone else on his other side. He turns to them and gives a little bow.

"Forgive me."

Sword Practice
With the warmer weather he is happy to be out and practicing in the sunshine. White robes billowing around him as he slices through the air with all the grace one would expect from a swordsman of his level. Even though he could still train during the winter, there is nothing quite like being able to feel the heat of the sun on your face and smell the scent of spring in the air as you work.

he senses someone come up behind him and he stops his movements. He turns towards them, "Are you here to join me?"

Hunting
There is only one way to make sure his senses having dulled since being in this place and that is to go out on a hunt. Just because he is blind doesn't mean he can't catch something himself to prepare for dinner.

He pauses as he hears something ahead of him. He finds a tree to hide himself behind as he tries to listen for what type of animal it might be. The steps seem heavier so perhaps this is something he doesn't want to mess with. As the sounds of the creature gets closer he realizes that this probably isn't prey at all.

A small twinge of concern fills him, unsure if what is approaching is friend of foe. He has been warned against some dangerous beings in the area but he has yet to actually encounter any. He isn't sure he wants to now but he has his sword and so he is well armed should anything attack.

he wonders how he managed to go from being the hunter to the hunted...Not wanting to be caught off guard he raises his sword and steps out from behind the tree, ready to attack if he senses any sort of ill or murderous intentions.

"Who is there?" If it is a creature the answer will be an attack. If it is a human...well hopefully attack isn't their first response.

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He grins at that warning for caution but doesn't stop until he's beside the blind man, taking a moment to stare the creature down who'd thought to attack his precious daozhang.

"A-Lan would be upset if either of us got hurt. We can handle this beast together, shouldn't be too much trouble."

At least now that he's calmer, having made it in time. And his stallion is helping by distracting the creature, deadly hooves lashing out in warning whenever it tries to get close again.

As the scene becomes a little more chaotic it becomes harder for him to focus. It's been a long time since he has actually fought anything. Not since arriving in this place several months ago. He should have done a better job of preparing before coming out but he hadn't expected to encounter anything large.

But he tries to focus, "We shouldn't kill it if we don't have to." Just because it is mad that Xingchen invaded his home doesn't mean it needs to die for his mistake. But Xingchen also doesn't want it to attack anyone else and will take it down if it is a threat to others.

Only Xingchen's words have him pause, dropping back to just defending as he considers options and consequences of just getting Xingchen on the horse and galloping away. In the end though, he reaches out to snag the other man's sleeve to give it a tug backward, panting a little as he tamps back on the urges to stab and kill.

"This one won't follow if we leave. It's one of the few that only attack when they feel threatened."

For Xingchen, he'll retreat. "Be ready to mount, I'll get us out of here, A-Chen." He whistles to his horse, watching sensitive ears flick to him and hears the snort of answer as the powerful body shifts over to make it a little easier for them to get on.

Xingchen gives a small nod of his head, glad that Xue Yang knows enough about the creature to make a decision on how to proceed. And even more glad that the creature won't have to die. Xingchen has never seen much reason for unnecessary killing. Even more so in a place such as thing when things have been so peaceful.

"It's my fault that it felt threatened. I didn't know I entered it's home."

He stays close to Xue Yang so that the other can signal when it is time to take their leave. The more they back away, the less the creature seems to wish to pursue.

Over a year of experience, he'd dealt often with many of the creatures that call this forest home. A few more steps back, and the beast stops advancing, only watching them warily and pawing threateningly at the ground.

That's what he was waiting for, and he hops up into the saddle before reaching for Xingchen's hand to help him up. "Come up behind me!" He doesn't put Jiangzai away just yet, though it does slip back to it's smaller form.

Only when Xingchen is settled behind him does he encourage the stallion to turn and canter away.

He feels and hears the beast calm slightly as they put distance between themselves. He feels his own heart rate settles as well knowing that the danger seems to be passing.

He takes Xue Yang's hand and lets him pull him up, settling in behind him and wrapping his arms around his waist to make sure he doesn't fall off. He probably shouldn't have come out here alone but he thought he would have been able to surprise them with something he had caught for them for dinner. He often feels like there is so little he can do for them.

But this is for the best. Leaving the forest behind for now. He is lucky that Xue Yang came along when he did. He stays quiet on the ride back. Not wanting to be a distraction and also staying mindful should anything else dangerous appear.

He flushes happily as those arms wrap around his waist, the reason doesn't matter. He trusts his Daozhang to hold on as he keeps careful control, though not enough the horse can't move smoothly along the best path to safety. Only when they're far enough away does he retract Jiangzai and tuck it away, letting the pace slow to a gentle walk.

He rubs a hand over Xingchen's arms before resting it over them, holding on in return. Turning his head enough, he peeks over his shoulder at the sweet blind man. "You didn't get hurt, right, A-Chen?"

He gives a small shake of his head, "I'm fine. You arrived before anything could happen." Probably lucky for him though that does make him wonder why Xue Yang had gone all the way out to the forest.

"Were you looking for me?"

Perhaps he had missed something important because of his wanderings.

Relief makes him smile, and he twists just enough to have a chance at reaching Xingchen's cheek for a kiss, only partially so the blind man has a hope of knowing he's smiling. "I hope to always get to you in time." Because Xingchen is precious to him and Zichen. Because...so many reasons.

He could say yes! But...he hadn't been. And even a little lie...to his daozhangs? No. "No. We were just out exploring, enjoying the warming days...and I have been trying to teach us both how to communicate and move together without words or hands. My strong friend here heard something was wrong and I let him take me to the source. We found you." And he's grateful for it.

He smiles at the kiss and listens to the explanation. He had been doing much of the same lately. Only he was doing so on foot rather then on horseback. But the warmer weather was nice for exploring. Something he felt he hadn't done enough of since his arrival. Exploring a new place in colder weather isn't the wisest of decisions.

"He did good to lead you there in time. I'm glad we all made it out of there unscathed."

Even the creature that tried to attack was left unharmed. And that is how he preferred things. He really did blame himself for starting the trouble.

Xue Yang grins at that smile and squeezes Xingchen's arm a little before returning his attention forward - he trusts his horse to get them home, but sometimes the spirited creature likes to be...playful and take a new route. Which he's trying this time...and Xue Yang lets him. A longer ride with his A-Chen? No problem!

"You didn't want the creature hurt," he answers simply. And it's really that simple for him. Xingchen doesn't want something to happen? He'll do his best to make sure that want is met.

"I'm glad it let us leave."

"I didn't want anyone hurt." He corrects. That includes himself, Xue Yang and his mount. He wanted to make sure that no one had to die today. Although he had gone with the intention of hunting. So something was supposed to die so that they would have a meal. But that is quite a different scenario then the one that ended up playing out.

"But I am glad of that as well. You should give your horse a little extra food today as a reward for making sure we got away safely."

And Xingchen should probably reward Xue Yang for agreeing to not harm the creature.

The correction makes his cheeks flush in sudden wondering awareness. He was included in that. He has to swallow before speaking, though starts with a laugh.

"I will! I'm going to give him a nice rub down and yummy oats." His head tilts to one side as he thinks, leaning forward a little to give the stallion a pat on the neck (and earning him a smug snort).

"And an apple or carrot. He likes those too. Do you want to help me feed him?"

"I can help if you want me to." Xingchen is still getting used to being around the animals but he has gotten better about it. He still has to be careful but he has enough sense around them and they are smart enough to be careful of him as well.

"we will make sure he is bedded down well."

"I do! And we can fuss over your sweet one too." And Zichen's, if his husband isn't out riding too. He understands Xingchen's discomfort around the large animals, but hopes it just will take more time and spending it with the one he'd gotten for the blind man.

He snickers when the stallion starts prancing, ears flicking and neck arched as if he knows exactly what they're saying - and he might! But it has him adjust his posture and he makes sure Xingchen isn't about to slip off just because his silly horse decides to show off.

Xingchen holds on just a little tighter as the horse starts to have a slightly more disjointed gait. It's harder to sit but still not completely unsettling. He still feels fairly secure on his back.

"We will make sure they are all well taken care of and then we will take care of ourselves."

They will need to get cleaned up and eat as well.

"All done, my silly friend?" He laughs at the stallion, loosening his hold on the reigns to allow for the tossing of head that the horse does before the gait smooths out again a moment later.

"Much better, hm, daozhang? And of course we'll take care of the four of us." Four, because throughout it all, his little black squirrel has been huddled in his tunic, and only now peeks out. Which makes him chuckle, smiling down and sparing a moment to pet the fuzzy little head.

"Everyone who needs it will be cared for." Not even a little squirrel to be excluded. He relaxes as the gait becomes easier to sit again. It would be quite unfortunate to be saved from a monster only to get unseated and injured on the way home.

"It is probably getting late. We should get home quickly before it gets dark." It's hard to tell how much further it is since he wasn't really sure how far out he had gone after wandering around for awhile.

Xue Yang notices how Xingchen relaxes at the gentler pace and gives a signal to his stallion to keep the smoother gait. The faster paces are fine when it's just him, but his A-Chen is too precious to place in needless danger.

"We're not too far from home now," he reassures, rubbing over an arm wrapped around his waist. "A-Lan might have dinner started for us."

He smiles as he thinks about Zichen having dinner ready. It's such a warm home that they have with any of them being able to complete such tasks that welcome the others back into it. To walk in and hear his voice welcome him back is a treat he is not sure he will ever grow tired of after being apart as long as they were.

"Hopefully we haven't caused him to worry or made dinner get cold for being out too long."

It's a nice image! Xue Yang grins as the stallion's walk speeds up just a little, though remains steady and smooth - their excitement for getting home must have spread! But he doesn't mind, how can he?

"He worries about us anyway. Less so now about me since I started work at the forge, but he just worries. It's sweet!" Because it means Song Zichen loves them. And that is a treasure he won't abuse.

It's not long before the sound of the path under the horse's hooves changes, indicating a beaten path. Closer to home. "Can you hear the river?" Just ahead, another sign they are close to home.

He nods, listening to it as it gets closer. It's a good indication of location. He adjusts his grip so that he can hold on just a little tighter.

"Let's hurry back home and to him."

Ready for a sudden increase in speed should Xue Yang decide to ask for it.

That tighter grip and the comment makes him grin giddily before leaning forward to pat the stallion's neck with a happy chirp - "Hurry!" He's ready for the brisk trot the stallion happily settles into with his neck and tail up for the last little bit.

Only a few minutes pass and he sits back a little to tell the horse to slow, then stop as they reach the little meadow their cabin is in. "Here we are!" Xue Yang swiftly dismounts and lets the reigns dangle to tell his spirited mount to stay still, then reaches up to help Xingchen down.

"I'm right here, I won't let you stumble."

He reaches out and lets Xue Yang help him down, sliding off the horse carefully. He lands lightly and smiles at the other man. "Thank you." For the help off the horse as well as the ride home. Since he would be quite a bit longer if he were attempting to get home on his own.

He steps away from the horse so that Xue Yang can start leading him back towards the cabin.

This trust in him is something he'll never take for granted again. Ever. His hands are gentle as he helps the blind man down, holding on a moment to make sure Xingchen is steady - and steps in to press a kiss to a pale cheek at that thanks, lips curved in a smile. Then steps back to scoop up the reigns again to lead his horse into the stable they'd built.

"Did you like that ride? He has a nice steady gait!"

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