[open] how am i gonna be an optimist about this

[deadvotional]

Who: Hua Cheng, Percy de Rolo and Open
When: Auguril
Where: Around
What: Catch-all for both my idiots; quests, Lunasa, and etc.
Warnings: Possible discussion of an immensely shitty childhood

[ Open and closed starters in comments, come poke me at talkincodes if you want to do something specific! ]

Comments

[zewu_jun]

[Lan Xichen has taken it upon himself to help with as many missions and jobs as he can. Feeling a little useless and with no sect to maintain, he turns his attention to the health of the city and the various word of trouble in different areas around it. When he isn't teaching or in the forge, he goes out on these quests, trying to help in what ways he can.

He's actually happy to see Hua Cheng, the familiar face of his debate partner making this job at least feel less tense for the moment. It's not that he's worried about what might turn into a Geargadas version of a night-hunt, but it helps to know that the one around is someone he thinks is familiar with the custom and won't react strangely to Lan Xichen's methods.]

I have. You seem in good spirits today as well, young master. Have you encountered our rogue creature yet?

[deadvotional]

[ He's not entirely wrong, Hua Cheng supposes. He studies the man for a moment before tipping his head towards the lake, where the spectral figure hovers just over the water's surface. ]

She's not violent unless provoked. [ It's said with utter certainty as he turns his attention back that way as well. If there is anything Hua Cheng knows well, it's ghosts. Even if things may be different here, some things never change. ]

[zewu_jun]

Is she a friend of yours, young master?

[The question is gentle and kind, but the smile Lan Xichen gives Hua Cheng is lightly teasing. He still looks with caution at the strange figure hovering over the water like a human-shaped mist, but for Hua Cheng, some of that serious wariness is softened slightly. Just for him, even if Lan Xichen is still taking the mission seriously.]

You speak with such authority. It is as though you have seen her before.

[deadvotional]

[ One side of his mouth tips up slightly, both an acknowledgement of the gentle dig and a vague amusement in reply. ]

I don't need to know her. [ He says finally, as he shifts to his feet in one smooth motion. He is, he discovers as he turns to face Lan Xichen, of a height with the man now despite the fact that he'd been significantly taller when they first met. Irritating. ] I know her kind.

[zewu_jun]

Her kind? The young master is certainly knowledgeable to speak of such things.

[If Lan Xichen notices the strange shift in their eye contact, he doesn't react to it. That might be a detail slipping by him or a gesture of courtesy, but he keeps smiling as he continues with his curiosity.]

Should we attempt to speak to her? Perhaps we can ask her why she has come here.

[deadvotional]

[ One eyebrow lifts as Hua Cheng takes a moment to really look at the man, taking in the fall of his robes, the sword at his side. A suspicion proven, then. And Hua Cheng snorts faintly. ]

Should I expect you to protect me, daozhang?

[ Nevermind the sword in his own hands, E-ming back at his side despite Hua Cheng's continued disquiet with the blade's stillness. A sword is still a sword, and he is not an idiot to go into this empty-handed. Not now.

Without waiting for a response, he tips his head again and then begins moving towards the shore, expecting the cultivator to follow. ]

[zewu_jun]

Should there be a need, you can rest assured I would not fail to perform my duties.

[ He's pleased by their little game. It's clear that his strange companion is no stranger to fighting and seems to know plenty about this kind of spirit, but playing at master and student is a nice break from the colder reality he has faced with others. He follows Hua Cheng's steps, approaching the edge of the lake. ]

I will follow your lead. Although if you must go into the water, I wonder if I can rescue you?

[deadvotional]

If I end up in the water, we'll have more problems than either of us can solve.

[ If she's that angry. In all his observations Hua Cheng hasn't seen anything like it, but now is not the time to let any kind of guard down.

Not when the spirit's eyes are fixed on him as they step up to the water's edge. Recognition for what he is--what he was--or something else? He meets that stare evenly, E-ming held loosely at his side, and waits.

He doesn't have to wait long. ]

What is your name? [ The spirit's voice is oddly hollow and Hua Cheng barely has time to lift an eyebrow before it continues. ] Your real name.

[ And he pauses. Is this the game, then? If she gets an answer she doesn't like, she attacks? It would explain the randomness. Hua Cheng lifts his chin slightly as he considers his options. Best to start off simply, perhaps. ] I don't have one. [ It's an easy admittance, even in front of the company at his side. ]

[zewu_jun]

[Well, that's concerning, but Lan Xichen thinks he can probably handle this ghost if it does end up violent. That could be his bias from past experiences or it could be from dealing with so many issues since coming to Aefenglom--what would be more difficult than what he has already dealt with? Surely a battle would be normal in comparison.

Of course, that is easy to think, but when the ghost speaks, Xichen really isn't sure what to make of the question. He looks at his companion and back to the lady, confused as they begin their interview.]

Gongzi, you should forgive me for my past failing in manners, but... Is that really true? How could it be so?

[deadvotional]

[ There's a moment's pause while Hua Cheng waits for the ghost to react, and when she shows no signs of movement his eye darts quickly in Lan Xichen's direction. It's measuring but brief before his attention goes back to the greater threat.

Will she still respond if he gives the wrong answer to someone else? Would that bring an attack down on both of them? He lets out a breath, one side of his mouth curving up just slightly. ]

My mother gave me a milk name. After she died no one else cared enough to bother.

[ Still no movement from the ghost. Perhaps it is honesty she's after, then. ]

[zewu_jun]

[With no sign of hostility after the exchange, Lan Xichen hesitates as well. Then, turning his attention to Hua Cheng, he gives the other man a serious look of concern.]

No one? But surely you have not lived alone all this time. What do others call you?

[He's thoroughly distracted from the mission now with the personal concern outweighing the job.]

[deadvotional]

[ One of Hua Cheng's eyebrows lifts, but he doesn't look away from the spirit, who is regarding him back with that same blank intensity. How much of the soul is truly there? He wonders.

But he also snorts in response to the question. He is called so many things these days. Chengzu and Crimson Rain. San Lang. Any of the myriad other names he's given, when needed. But he's been using the one here most often, and that's what he gives now. ]

Hua Cheng. [ It's as true as any of the others. Nothing from the spirit. She hasn't even glanced in Lan Xichen's direction.

The stillness lingers just long enough to nearly catch him off guard when she does speak again. ]

What will you do if he never loves you?

[zewu_jun]

[Lan Xichen listens, mostly settled into a support position as the lady seems to be focusing on Hua Cheng to engage in this strange game of questions. So far there hasn't been any violence, so he takes that as a sign that his companion is passing her tests. It's only his own surprise that prompts him to engage further. He knows very little about the man and hearing it now catches him off-guard. He does give an affronted expression, however, at her next question, stepping forward as if to shield Hua Cheng.]

There should be no need to ask such personal questions. What is it that you wish?

[deadvotional]

[ The ghost continues to ignore Lan Xichen entirely, almost looking right through him as he moves forward. Whatever this is, it is for Hua Cheng alone, it seems.

Lucky that the man himself merely snorts in response. This spirit knows something, apparently. More than just a simple remnant, and that makes him curious enough to keep playing the game. Personal, yes, but Hua Cheng has already exposed himself more thoroughly in this place. This is another easy answer. ]

I don't need him to love me. [ Want, yes. He's wanted for so long that he can't remember himself without it. But he doesn't need it. If all he ever gets is his highness' occasional smiles of thanks, he'll consider himself blessed. ] I will continue exactly as I have been. His most devoted follower.