Jiang Cheng Catch-All

[lotus_of_rage]

Who: Jiang Cheng and You!
When: Throughout March
Where: Aefenglom various
What: Wandering, recovering, maybe quests
Warnings: Some kidnapping aftermath


Home and Nearby - Recovery
Jiang Cheng was getting rather bored with all of this, being stuck like this. A forced recovery since he had never been intending to get Cwyld. It had been entirely the cult's idea that he needed to. Of course, now he had to deal with it and it was taking longer than he had expected to recover.

To be fair though, he had been a cultivator back home and had never really been sick that he could recall. So maybe it wasn't actually taking that long, but he wasn't used to the fact that someone was telling him that he had be taking it easy. That was not something that he liked to hear... or do.

At least he had been told that it wasn't a bad case, meaning that he could go home and if he was cautious, he wouldn't spread it. Which was good with him. He didn't want to give it to Nami and he didn't want to have to stay somewhere not his house.

But it was boredom that had him out of the house and lingering by one of the gates of the garden so that he could see out, curious to what the rest of the world was doing. One arm, uncharacteristically for anyone who knew him, was covered with a glove.


Out in the City - Shopping
Finally! He was given the okay and he could leave his house again without extra precautions. As such he was more than willing to dress to the nines and head out into the city again. He wasn't sure if he was really looking for anything. It was mainly the fact that he had been allowed to go anywhere for quite some time.

It was nice, but he found himself feeling far more paranoid than he had felt in quite a long time. He had brought his sword with him as this was something that a gentleman of his world did, but he was gripping the sheath far tighter than he needed to. His other hand was almost an itch trigger, as though he'd be ready to draw his sword at any moment.


Out in the City - Swimming
The call of the water was too great to ignore it for long. He had been told to ignore it for the most part in order to recover, but now that he didn't have to, he headed to the pier dressed in the robes that Nami had given him that dried faster than average cloth. He appreciated that far more than anyone could really know.

When he reached the pier, he stopped, staring out over the water and enjoying the smell of the air. It was like an old friend that was calling to him. An old friend that he needed to see right now.


[ooc: If you have any quests you want to do with Jiang Cheng, let me know. I'm happy to start a prompt for quests]

Comments

The pier

[stardustofdawn]

Close by, he isn't the only cultivator out for a stroll. Sitting on the pier of the wooden dock, having a picnic with food in his basket and a long staff for a walking stick, there's a man wearing all white robes with long billowing sleeves. Jiang Cheng may not know him, but his dress and style is too similar from his world.

Except the man is blind with a blindfold around his eyes. Still, he would not be able to greet him properly because he cannot see anyone, but he is enjoy the sound of the water and the waves. He would greet if spoken to.

[lotus_of_rage]

He looked familiar at least. The robes told him that he was someone from a world similar to his if nothing else. Deciding that jumping in the water could wait a few minutes, he headed along the pier to where the other sitting.

"You have good taste in places to have a picnic."

Not as sarcastic as it might seem. Being a merrow, he rather enjoyed the water now.

[stardustofdawn]

He perks up his head, listening to the sound of his voice. Xingchen is accustomed in speaking to strangers and doesn't mind a chat.

"Hello. I was guided here. I was a traveler back home, but never before I visited the ocean." He can't see it, but he can feel it in the air and the sound of the waves and the water.

"We're at the beach, correct? Or is it the harbor? If I have a fishing rod, I would surely fish here too." He grins with an upbeat.

[lotus_of_rage]

"More of a harbor," Jiang Cheng remarked. "Though if you had a boat, you'd eventually get out into the ocean. So, close enough."

He looked out over the water before back at the other. "Guided? In what way?"

[stardustofdawn]

"That would be nice, isn't it? To ride in a boat with someone and row it out there to the ocean. I remember seeing it a few times before I..." He paused, feeling an ebb of pain of his memory. "I lost my sight."

He smiles softly, "Oh no, I meant the townspeople and fisherman of this city. They lead me here when I was lost and when I hear the ocean, they recommend that I sit here and meditate on this dock. To help clear my thoughts."

A pause, a beat. "I'm Xiao Xingchen by courtesy name. Nice to meet you."

[lotus_of_rage]

"I see. Well, there are a few here who would likely take you if you wanted to experience it again." Not that he would be able to see it, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy it still.

Ah, so literally guided.

But the name definitely told him a lot, including that he had already met him.

"Ah, daozhang." And he would bow to him even if he couldn't see it. "Forgive me for not recognizing you. We have met before. Jiang Wanyin."

[stardustofdawn]

Literally by holding hands and using his magic in his enchanted staff. "I would like that, but I'm afraid I can't swim." And dying isn't something he's interested in. "So sitting here on the dock and on the beach will do."

That's proof enough they came from the same world. "I think we did. Long ago. You're one of the Sect Leaders. It's nice to meet you." He bows back.

"May I ask you a question if it's not too much trouble for you? I'm looking for my nephew, Wei Wuxian. We met briefly in the marketplace and he took me to his house for a visit. I don't know what happened to him. Any information will help."

home

[deadwenwalking]

[Continued from here.]

Wen Ning is still a bit nervous when he knocks on the door of the address Jiang Cheng had given him. It's not because he's afraid of talking to the man in general (no, he considers them on equal terms) but because the situation itself has him on edge. Jiang Cheng is being nearly friendly by his standards. He would hate to ruin this by saying the wrong thing.

What if he doesn't like that he was talking with Nami? Nothing had happened, but they were bonded after all. He could be acting more subdued only to threaten the former puppet once they were in the privacy of his home. It isn't likely, he knows. He'll be concerned all the same.

He has a potted plant under each arm, which might also make for an awkward greeting. They could be necessary, however, for what he needs to do.

[lotus_of_rage]

Jiang Cheng had been pretty much staying home since his initial treatment for cwyld. It wasn't too bad so he could... as long as he didn't leave and infect others and did what he was supposed to treat his condition. Not that he enjoyed basically be stuck at home.

But at the knock at the door, he came to answer. For once, he didn't look entirely put together in his full sect robes and he had a glove covering his hand to limit transmission as much as possible through contact... and also remind him to be careful about it.

"I don't know that I've ever been greeted with two potted plants before," he remarked, but he moved aside for Wen Ning to come in.

[deadwenwalking]

"They're weeds," Wen Ning explains casually as if this makes his arrival with them perfectly logical. He does his best to bow in greeting with his arms full, then he carefully steps around the other man to come inside.

"Sorry... I know it's a little unseemly. The life energy required for healing has to come from somewhere a-and... if you were infected it's best if there are no direct transfers between us." Otherwise the witch would give his own gladly. It would only be a temporary setback.

"If there's a table o-or somewhere I can set them..." He pauses, not wanting to seem like he's ignoring any other formalities. "It's good to see you, Sect Leader jiang."

[lotus_of_rage]

"I see." He moved out of the way as Wen Ning came in. He knew that he shouldn't touch others right now. At least they had determined he probably couldn't share it by breathing.

"It's fine. I know that I'm not supposed to have contact with others at the moment. It was one of the things they made sure I understood." Not that he usually went around hugging people or anything, but still.

"There," he gestured to a table as he was closing the door. "Li Mei, you need to move." This he said the calico cat sprawled on the table. The cat looked up, meowed and then teleported into thin air, reappearing on a nearby chair.

"Thank you for coming."

[deadwenwalking]

It might have been a good idea to ask Jiang Cheng if he was still contagious before coming over. The appropriate measure will have to be taken to make sure nothing is truly passed between them. Wen Ning isn't going to be any good to anyone if he contracts the very thing he was meant to help someone with - especially since he still doesn't have a bond.

The head of a small rabbit pops out from the front of the former puppet's robes. It wriggles free and rolls out only to unfold small un-rabbit-like wings and flap its way up to Wen Ning's shoulder. It sits there anxiously as the man finishes getting the plants set up, its eyes trained on the teleporting cat the whole time.

"It's not a problem. I know we haven't gotten along in the past, but you're Master Wei's brother. Your well-being is important to me." And Wen Ning isn't a puppet here, just a witch. There's less reason to be concerned that he'll lose control. (Though exploding isn't out of the question.)

[lotus_of_rage]

If it made him feel better, Jiang Cheng could certainly put on a mask. He had them around, quite prominent as a matter of fact. He had been told he wasn't contagious except through touch, but it made others feel better if he was masked.

Jiang Cheng watched as the rabbit-like creature poked out from Wen Ning's robes. Of course, there was a rabbit... and of course, it had wings. At least it really just went to Wen Ning's shoulder. Li Mei didn't move at least, but she did sit up and trilled at the creature, not sure what it was.

"Not for you," Jiang Cheng told her.

Fine then! Li Mei jumped down from the chair and wandered out of the room.

"Hmm..." Yes, it was true that they hadn't gotten along in the past. Very much so. "Which is more impressive for why you came."

wildcard;

[weatherscience]

She's spent as much time in the house as she's been able to without too much risk — splitting her time between magic classes, her own house and running the errands around town that Jiang Cheng has been unable to do during his confinement.

But it's been long enough, now, for him to go back to the hospital, for his infection to be checked. Nami waits for him to come back, anxious to hear the news, and so when she hears the gate open, she rushes to the garden quickly.

And upon seeing that it's indeed him, she asks, a little rushed,

"How did it go? What did they say?"

the wildest

[lotus_of_rage]

Jiang Cheng had been rather happy to be able to go back to the hospital to get his infection checked. It had been too long in his opinion, but one day would have been too long to him. Once he had been given the all-clear, he had, of course, headed straight home as he needed to tell Nami.

Also, he wanted to go out and see the world again now that he was allowed to, but there were priorities.

He couldn't help a smile as she rushed out into the garden to meet him.

"They said it is cleared up now. I no longer have it."

[weatherscience]

For a moment, she stands still, letting the information sink in — that he's truly alright, that he's not sick, not in danger of dying or infecting her or anyone else. That it's over.

Then, she breaks out in a brilliant smile —

and rushes to him, quite literally throwing herself in his arms, now that it's finally, finally no longer dangerous to touch him.

"I'm so glad," she whispers, like the overwhelming sense of relief has taken away the strength to speak any louder.

[lotus_of_rage]

He's more than happy to finally put his arms around her again as she rushed over to him, holding her there with him as she held onto him. It was no longer dangerous for either of them to touch each other.

Frankly, he was surprised it had been as hard as it was given that he wasn't much of a touchy-feely guy.

"I'm glad as well," he replied not quite as quietly, having had time to adjust to this on the way home."

[weatherscience]

In that, she balances him out; where he is not someone used to easily touching others, Nami thrives on casual touches. It's the way she expresses her affection, and to have been deprived of that... it hadn't been easy.

It's part of the reason why she clings to him, unwilling to let go — but when she does, she doesn't really step away from him. Instead, she stays where she is, looking up at him, and propping her hand on her hip.

"Now that you're better... you know you owe me something, right?" She purses her lips, mock-displeased, but it's likely easy for him to see her displeased attitude is all an act. Her eyes sparkle as she adds,

"And a pirate always collects what is owed to her."

[lotus_of_rage]

He liked that about her. That she was more easily able to do that. It was something that he was lacking and he had honestly always thought it would be missing from his life. Odd that he had to travel to a world that wasn't his for it to happen.

He tilted his head slightly to the side in amusement as she put her hand on her hip looking up at him.

"Oh do I?" he added with a bit of mock surprise, but he was too amused to be able to completely mask it. "Then I suppose I have no choice, but to give you what is owed, huh."

shopping

[yesdoubt]

[Momo is out and about again himself now, considering he's gotten back to work as well as of earlier in the month, when the radio station he works at had finished up in their thorough ejecting of anyone who hadn't been thoroughly disillusioned from the cult's ideals after what happened at the party. He's just glad he works somewhere fairly Mirrorbound-friendly, though his regular ventures to the harbour bars have done plenty to remind him that not everywhere is like that even after something as harrowing as kidnappings.

He's weaving his way through the crowd, a shopping bag held under his arm and mostly aiming to get home as quickly as possible, when he almost ends up walking into Jiang Cheng - he stops himself short as soon as he realises who it is and as soon as the cursory scan Momo does of anyone he runs into picks up the tension on the sword grip. His expression runs through several phases before settling into something difficult to read, but with a definite edge of guilt and self-consciousness.]

...I'd offer you a hit, but I don't think my partner would be very happy with me if I did. [Because honestly, Momo feels bad enough to at least take a smack or three with a sheathed sword, but he and Yuki both have a tendency to try and thump anyone who so much as breathes the wrong way around the other one of them, and Yuki would probably not agree that Momo deserves it as much as Momo thinks he does.]

[lotus_of_rage]

[Jiang Cheng couldn't help but tighten his grip on his sword when he saw who it was. Rationally, he knew that he probably wouldn't be back on the street if whatever brainwashing that had been put into place was still active.

But the brain is hardly completely rational. It was far easier to go on the defensive]

Funny you should know what I was thinking. [He said it completely deadpan]

[yesdoubt]

[Well, that's not reassuring. But at long as the sword isn't actually being swung at him, he feels like that's still a decent reception considering what happened, so he manages to force half a smile for about half a second.]

Lucky guess. [Momo used to have a "friend" who was about as obnoxious and taunting as he'd been to Jiang Cheng in the basement, and Momo had openly threatened to punch his face in on multiple occasions. So he was mostly just projecting that mindset onto what someone with a sword would be doing. In any case, that fleeting expression fades very quickly into something more melancholy.]

I'm sorry for what happened. I might've been under someone else's influence, but I'm the one who got myself into that situation thinking my protections would be enough to stop it happening, so I won't hide behind that.

[He's still a little bit bitter about the fact that magic tattoos running out of energy eventually meant that as soon as the cult actually had him long enough to feasibly burn through his longstanding anti-brainwashing tattoo by forcing him to use it repeatedly, he was done.]

[lotus_of_rage]

[The sword stays by his side even if he really wants to use it. That's a lot of restraint for him. After a long moment, the grip on his sword loosened a bit so his knuckles weren't as white as before and he sighed]

Clearly, they were rather determined in what they were doing that they could break it.

[Not truly forgiveness, but at least acknowledgement that he wasn't completely in control of what had happened]

[yesdoubt]

[Momo hums an assent to that - he doesn't really want to talk about it, but he supposes he should at least be clear as to why he thought it would hold out under normal circumstances.]

Magic tattoos are usually either use-limited or time-limited, and that's how I was defending myself. It was fine for just infiltrating the cult, but...as soon as I caught wind of the details of what they were doing in the basement, I snapped and blew my cover and they captured me. As soon as that happened, all they really had to do was keep trying brainwashing spells long enough to burn through the protective magic.

[In other words, Momo essentially went through an extended period of something along torturous lines as well before he got assigned into the basement. His was just more a purely psychological experience.]

[lotus_of_rage]

I see. Unfortunate.

[Though he doesn't say what is unfortunate about it]

Did it take long for them to reverse it?