Untamed/MDZS catch-all

[ze_uwu_jun]

WHO: The Untamed / MDZS cast and friends (enemies, etc)
WHERE: Anywhere, everywhere, including their assigned lodgings and around all towns
WHEN: February
WHAT: Catch-all because the emotions never end
WARNINGS: The Untamed / Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation / Mo Dao Zu Shi spoilers; canon-typical violence; event-typical violence. Will add more if it becomes necessary

ooc: Go forth and do the things as they come.

Comments

[shuanghuas]

[ he opens his mouth to introduce himself then closes it. how easy it had been before to say i'm xiao xingchen, a whole person, unblemished by the touch of the daily world.

but now all he can think is what follows and this is my friend, song lan. that part is now gone. this is a painful revelation in itself, he misses zichen and their parting words are so still ringing in his head as clear as lan xichen's beautiful music. ]

Sect leader Lan. [ because of course he does know that, he shifts slightly to bow, deep and formal. ] I am —

[ remembers lan wangji and wei wuxian, young and bright — ]

— Xiao Xingchen.

I would appreciate any assistance as long as it is of no inconvenience to you.

[ze_uwu_jun]

Xiao Xingchen Daozhang. [ Xichen reaches to raise him from the bow. He never did enjoy being paid too much obeisance. ]

I am glad to see you, and helping will be little enough trouble, I can assure you.

My brother and young master Wei are both here. For when you wish to meet them. But for now - have you had a warm meal since arriving? Is your housing convenient?

[shuanghuas]

[ he smiles, and sits back more comfortably. ] How fortunate that they are here, it must be a great relief, sect leader.

A warm meal no- but my housing is convenient enough. I - I do not know what to think about this place, mostly my thoughts have been on why we were brought here and how we could be of help.

What can you tell me?

[ze_uwu_jun]

It is, though the two of them remembering different things happening last, and both of them different from mine, makes things... a little complicated.

But I have faith that they will settle down somewhat.

We can talk while I do take you for a hot meal, if you wish? Just let me know.

This is one thing that is to be remembered of this world - people come with different things that have happened to them last, and sometimes, what we are able to do is... a little different. The... buildings are different, much of everything is different, but people are people.

There are few ghosts here, at least, other in one city, and there is much to learn. Though it is, as I am sure you have discovered already, rather loud... Hm.

Are there things you have encountered yet that you would wish to ask about?

[shuanghuas]

Does it mean there are a lot of secrets here? [ he has his own, of course.

and the thought of meeting wei wuxian and lan wangji when he's like this causes him a vague wave of anxiety. of not wanting to confront the past. ]

It is rather loud, though I do not mind it. As long as I can help others and keep busy, that will pass the time until - well, until something.

A few weeks ago, those things that interrupted the swearing in ceremony, what were they?

[ze_uwu_jun]

There are... fewer than we must expect, at least among those of our world. Three of us remember more than almost anyone else - then Wangji requested, or perhaps in at least one case demanded, an account of what happened, so that we are not...

Ignorant. Of the dangers we might face.

It is easier when we doubt each other less.

The things that interrupted the swear-in ceremony were, as far as I know, called Heartless. They used to be people from whom a certain someone removed the 'heart' - not the physical organ, but the ability to feel. Those Heartless were... the shadows that were contained in the heart removed. And could create other heartless from people.

Sometimes, the person without the feelings also remained. That was... not easy, for those who held them dear.

But that seems to have subsided, now.

[shuanghuas]

Is all of this normal here? The instability of the world - is that not dangerous in the long term? For the natives, I mean.

[ he folds his hands on his lap, rearranges them to hide his own uncertainty. he has more questions now but he also is afraid of the answers. he's become a coward since losing zichen, his eyes, his dreams. ]

[ze_uwu_jun]

... I would not know if it is normal, for I have not been here long enough to be able to tell, but - if we are being brought here, then there must be both instability and danger.

But it can be peaceful, often enough, and I do believe those of us who can try to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

[ There is nothing in Xichen's patient answer to suggest seeing the younger man as a coward. ]

Would you wish that we go seek that hot meal, now?

[shuanghuas]

Then if this world needs us, we must do our best to protect it and the people living in it. [ for him it is that simple.

he does not feel like zewu-jun's words have any other implications. he trusts the man to be honest and upright, that is his reputation and indeed, his voice is pleasing. ]

Ah, yes. Have you been assigned a job too?