[open] i fought fate

[deadvotional]

Who: Hua Cheng and Open
When: Ieneuer, full moon
Where: Around Aefenglom
What: A fae goes feral. Surely this can't go badly at all.
Warnings: Possible violence, attempted kidnapping. Will update as needed.


[ Hua Cheng has never been the most restrained of figures. Oh, he has plenty of control over himself, but he's also spent centuries doing exactly as he likes whenever he likes, and caring about the opinion of one single person. Who is not in Aefenglom. He has no reputation here, nothing to live up or down.

It's little wonder, then, that he doesn't immediately notice his control slipping. He's been through a few full moons since this transformation, he knows what to expect. Certain instincts towards mischievousness heightened, a greater chance towards viciousness when he feels himself slighted. Nothing he can't handle and nothing that's particularly bothered him so far. He doesn't notice this time getting worse until it's much, much too late.

By the time the moon rises, it's impossible not to notice something is off. The figure that drifts through the streets seems ever-changing, appearance shifting apparently at a whim. Young, old, male, female, it never stays the same for long. Occasionally in-between flickers the fae himself can be seen: long, loose hair, one too-large dark eye. Shimmering scales along his hairline and down his throat. And a pair of large, iridescent butterfly wings jutting out from his back.

Perhaps you've seen the mess of different appearances wandering the streets, perhaps you've caught sight of his eye narrowing as it lands on someone who probably does not want his attention right now.

Or perhaps you've noticed the black-robed figures, who either think they've found an easy target or are willing to risk something less simple for the sake of something so susceptible to the cwyld. Don't worry, Hua Cheng has noticed them too. And the grin on his face isn't promising anything good. ]

Comments

[bingyun]

[yan bingyun has noticed both these things, which promises nothing but trouble. normally he would keep to himself - this is what he tells himself. this isn't his kingdom, this isn't his concern. but somewhere in the shifting faces, yan bingyun sees someone he knows.]

Hua Cheng.

[he calls out, taking two steps forward and then waiting for a response. a reaction. because he has to wonder, does the man still know him in the state that he's in?]

[deadvotional]

[ There's a pause before Hua Cheng turns to look at the newcomer, long enough that it's difficult to tell if he's reacting to the name or the motion. No recognition in any of those shifting faces, though the smirk that spreads across all of them widens.

And then someone else moves, pulling Hua Cheng's attention to them with an almost audible snap. There's an aborted move towards him but Hua Cheng is quicker, crossing the distance with enough speed that he almost seems to take flight for a moment.

It ends with too-long fingers wrapped around the man's neck, slowly lifting him off the ground. ]

[bingyun]

[as observant as yan bingyun is, as quick as his reflexes are, he might as well be frozen in ice when compared to the fae's speed. his eyes widen when the figure moves, a hand instinctively reaching for his sword. but hua cheng already has him in his grasp.]

Are you sure you want to do this?

[his voice is even, impassive. he's not concerned with the robed man's fate - he's the one who made the first move and there are consequences for failure. but hua cheng isn't thinking clearly, and there might be consequences for him too.]

Perhaps another night would be wiser.

[deadvotional]

[ He'd been studying the man dangling from his grip almost impassively, but the moment Yan Bingyun speaks Hua Cheng's attention is entirely on him again, his previous target almost forgotten. It's becoming clearer that he's acting entirely on impulse alone, any consequences or reactions either forgotten or ignored.

The man drops suddenly as Hua Cheng's hand opens, and he proves himself at least somewhat intelligent as he rapidly scurries away. It's given the others pause as well, some choosing to slip away before they draw the fae's attention as well.

Some of the more foolhardy are still watching, but it's as if Hua Cheng has forgotten their presence as he stares down Yan Bingyun. His eye slides down to the sword in the man's hand and lingers. ]

A challenge? [ He sounds almost pleased by the idea. Nevermind that his own saber is nowhere to be seen. ]

[bingyun]

[yan bingyun tenses at the question. is he asking him for a fight? he wouldn't mind sparring with him at any other time, thinks he would actually enjoy it. but hua cheng doesn't even know who he is. any regard that he might normally have for his life is gone.

but...should yan bingyun be able to best him, he might also be able to help him. his eyes start to narrow on the fae.]

The prize for winning?

[deadvotional]

[ The idea of any kind of outcome is a bit beyond him at the moment, but the amused arch of Hua Cheng's eyebrow is an odd moment of normalcy amongst the rest of his behavior. The question spark something at the back of his mind, enough to break through the haze of petty impulse. ]

What do you want? [ What will you wager? There's no gambling house here, but the reply is almost second nature after running one for so long.

He's less interested in the reply than he probably should be, but it's managing to keep him in place our of sheer habit for the moment. ]

[bingyun]

For you to never let this happen again.

[possibly an abstract reqest to him right now. what yan bingyun wants is for him to find a bondmate once this is done. they've talked about it a little before, when yan bingyun was finally forced to seek one out. stay in aefenglom long enough and it's inevitable.]

[deadvotional]

[ Judging by the way Hua Cheng's attention is sliding back towards those lingering hooded figures, it's not an answer that's registering. But his eye flicks back towards Yan Bingyun again before his focus is totally lost. ]

Fight? Or not?

[ Likely the best anyone is going to get out of him at the moment. Hua Cheng is not someone given to fidgeting, but there's something almost vibrating in him to move, to keep going. Still and talking is taking up every shred of concentration he's managing to claw back from the moon's influence. ]

[enkidoh]

[When Enkidu returns from the Wilde the moon has risen and the streets seem to be swarming with people dressed in hoods. They're used to odd things happening here, in the end it would be more alarming if the streets were empty and quiet.

And they notice the little scene that is unfolding itself in front of their eyes.]

I think you should leave them be.

[When they address the fae the tone of their voice is neutral.]

I take it the moon is affecting you? [A pause. Hakuno looked like this as well. Wings, scales...maybe a little less glittery powder but...] Are there other things you want to do?

[deadvotional]

[ It takes a moment or so before Hua Cheng's eye slides in the direction of the new voice. He stares for a moment, expressionless even through the flickers of different faces.

The cloaked figures shift slightly around them, apparently not sure what to make of the newcomer either, but Hua Cheng seems content to ignore them for the moment. Hard to tell how much of the conversation he's parsing, but the attempt has certainly caught his attention.

It may not be a good thing.

He drifts slowly closer towards the new figure, never once breaking eye contact. ]

[enkidoh]

[Enkidu doesn't move and they aren't really entirely aware of how dangerous the situation might be.]

I know fae have a mischievous nature. One of my bonded has been one as well.

[Yes, of course they are aware of the fact the other is staring at them but also that is no reason for them to move or take a step back.]

Where is your bonded?

[deadvotional]

[ Hua Cheng's head tips to the side slightly, an almost considering expression as the words wash over him, but the mention of a bonded earns a dismissive snort. So some things are getting through the haze, at least.

There's a slight motion, one of the robed figures making to move, and without breaking eye contact with Enkidu, Hua Cheng lazily raises a hand and releases a small, silvery butterfly. It darts through the air, moving to hover over the crowd of cloaks, who as one back up slightly in somewhat bemused confusion.

Just that much seems to satisfy the fae, at least for the moment, judging by how pleased he looks with himself. ]

[enkidoh]

You are not bonded then?

[They can't blame him. Bonding is...a hassle, to say the least. Not that strangers can't be trusted...it is just not right to open a heart to ones unfamiliar to what is inside.]

Did they take your mouth too?

[Perfectly possible. This place has always been quite unpredictable. Still, they have no idea what is going on and they watch silently as the small butterfly starts to flutter above the robed figures.]

Will something happen to them?

[deadvotional]

Are you always so curious?

[ A lazy question in return, though from the tone of his voice, Hua Cheng doesn't actually care much about what the answer is. He's much more concerned with watching the butterflies dart towards the hooded figures, hands thrown up to protect themselves from the butterflies that dive at them.

If they were true extensions of his power, they could rip those figures to shreds in seconds. As it is, they pass harmlessly through even the most upraised of arms. And Hua Cheng just snorts in amusement. ]

[enkidoh]

Yes. Most of the time I am. If I do not ask questions my intellect will never be stimulated.

[They say it in a casual tone. Sky is blue, grass is green and Enkidu is always curious.]

Hmm...even now, after being here for so long there are still enough questions left to ask.

[They follow the butterflies with their eyes, curious about their purpose and, in the end somewhat disappointed that they do not seem to have any purpose at all.]

I expected more of those butterflies.

[deadvotional]

[ That gets Hua Cheng's attention in a way that nothing else has yet. His one large, dark eye fixes on Enkidu in a way that might seem almost unsettling before the moment is gone again. Focusing on any one thing for long is not something he can manage well, not now.

But something is lingering, at least. ]

What is it you want?

[ Wagers, Hua Cheng can do. Favors earned, perhaps. Or the opposite. A grin slashes across his mouth. ]

I can give many things. For a price.

[enkidoh]

What I want? Hmmm...currently I'd like something to eat and after that I would like to take a nap.

[Oh how nice it is for them, a former Servant, to be able to sleep again or to enjoy food.]

Hmm? A price? [Enkidu is aware of the other's grin but once again, they aren't very good at reading a room.] I am well aware that I need to buy my food, yet my bed is free, so far.

Yet the things I truly want are things you cannot give. And the price for such things goes beyond currency or gold.

[deadvotional]

[ If Hua Cheng were as he should be, perhaps that might not be true. It had once been within his power to grant almost anything, as he saw fit. Now, he is relegated to simple illusions, as interesting a puzzle those may be.

But unfortunately it means he's losing interest again. What intelligence had managed to creep through the fog in his head is fading again as his eye flickers back towards the cloaked figures that don't seem to have worked up the intelligence to run yet. ]

Then find it.