Video | un: a jug of wine amidst the flowers

[wenderer]

[ A man with long dark hair, dressed in green silk robes, is lazily fanning himself and smiling, as he lounges by a campfire. He’s singing along with a group of children seated next to him:

Stitch by stitch,
The love of a witch
Will unravel

Dusk to dawn
Each morning to mourn
With blood and gravel

He lifts his hand, stopping them. ]

I think I’ve learned it now, I’ll teach you all a verse also, come listen.

[ He clears his throat, and in a formal style, speaks as if he were reciting before a large audience. As he does so, the man’s eyes drift away to something just out of view. ]

When mountain peaks wear away, when all the rivers run dry
When thunderstorms rumble in winter, and snow falls from the summer sky
When heaven and earth seal back together, only then will I dare to—

[ A hand abruptly darts out from off camera, obscuring the scene for a moment. When it draws away, the stone has been forcibly moved, revealing the face of another man. ]

That’s not why we’re here. We’ve found out a few things about Lord Arha. If the song these children have been singing is true, this ghost army isn’t trying to rescue anyone, it’s out for revenge.

[ The first man scoots back into the scene, sitting right next to and parking his chin on the second man’s shoulder. ]

Ah-Xu, the man was betrayed!

[ He clicks his tongue, shaking his head sadly.]

He went to rescue his lady, but she joined hands with her enemies instead. The whole army was slaughtered!

[ "Ah-Xu," with a slightly frozen smile, says through his teeth: ]

Keep it down.

[ The undead army is clearly changing its guard in the background. More softly, the first man says, leaning towards the stone: ]

I’ve met some people who say they know how to deal with ghosts. Kindly share your knowledge, I have a feeling we’re all going to need it.

[ Meanwhile, the children have started softly singing again:

Love, her love
Hatisse’s sweet dove
Arha fell last

Vowed to return
His lady to scorn
And spit on their past

With strike of sword
The love of a lord
Will unravel

Dawn to dusk
His memory a husk
Each year he will travel.


ooc: replies from Wen Kexing wenderer and/or Zhou Zishu fated_dance ]

Comments

[wenderer]

[ His pale cheeks flush. He lifts his fan and spreads it, hiding their faces. For a wild moment, he considers just going for it. If they're going to be fighting against a ghost army soon, shouldn't they take this opportunity to...

He stops.

This wouldn't end with a kiss. If this were just sex between strangers, that would be one thing; but over and over again, Zhou Zishu has treated him with kindness and sincerity. How can he deceive the man to that extent?

He drops the fan, reaches down, and hugs the man's waist instead, pressing his head against Zishu's waist, more like a child than a lover. ]

All I wanted to do is praise you, don't tease me for that!

[fated_dance]

[ For a moment, Zishu thought Kexing actually would. And he wouldn't stop him. Not this time. He searches those familiar eyes, waiting.

And recognizes what stops his silly soulmate this time when Kexing pulls back only to shift down, those arms slipping around his waist. He lets his arms drape around Kexing's shoulders, cradling him close in that same manner of a parent to a child. ]

My thorns will not harm my Lao Wen.

[wenderer]

[ He'd clutched his Ah-Xu like this as a diversion; but once his arms are around the man's waist, he doesn't want to let go. With Zhou Zishu's arm settled around his shoulders, he feels strangely warm and protected, as if he could completely relax in this embrace.

He can't relax.

"My thorns will not harm my Lao Wen."

Would you say that, Ah-Xu, if you ever found out who I really am?

He chuckles, turning his head in Zhou Zishu's lap to show his grin. ]

Hahaha, I convinced you!

[fated_dance]

[ Zishu won't shake him off unless necessary. One hand runs over Kexing's hair, though the other remains curled around his soulmate's shoulders. It's a slice of peace, rare and precious.

The grin and comment has him roll his eyes, but the corners of his lips curl a little upward. Should he tell this wounded soulmate of his that he already knows? Probably. But not yet. ]

Ah. Yes. Very good. [ As if it was just that simple. ]

[wenderer]

[ He luxuriates in Zhou Zishu’s embrace for a while longer, before popping up again all smiles.

This pleased, self-satisfied expression lingers for a while, before he replaces it with a look resembling earnest concern. ]

Ah-Xuuuuu!

[ He draws out the syllable, lips pursed and pouting. ]

Did you ever think ghosts could be real? It’s terrifying to think about!

[ On the word “terrifying,” he clutches Zhou Zishu’s arm; apparently he hasn’t had his fill of touching the man. ]

[fated_dance]

[ It's adorable. Even that apparent concern when Wen Kexing sits up with that pout - he doesn't restrain him. Only waits for whatever seems to have caught his soulmate's attention to be brought up. It always is, when the other man wants his opinion...or just a reaction at all.

This time it happens to be ghosts, but the real ones they've been exposed to here. He doesn't try to shake off that clutching hand yet, gaze lowered away as he considers what to say.

Should he say it? Would it help? No. Not yet.

So he reaches up to pat his soulmate's cheek, lifting his gaze to Kexing. ]

Don't worry, Lao Wen. I have you to protect me.

[ He glances away, though carefully keeps his gaze lowered as he studies how some of the ghostly forms move, watching him from afar. ]

Have you noticed? Ghosts seem to like me. [ He's not just talking about these ghosts. ]

1/2

[wenderer]

[ For an instant, there's terror in his eyes. His heart pounds. Has he been discovered? These sweet words and glances, these fond caresses, are they all just a ploy to draw him out?

A moment later, he realizes that Zhou Zishu is talking about real ghosts. He glances over to the moving shadows.

He takes a deep breath and chuckles, though his heart won't stop hammering in his chest. ]

[wenderer]

That's hardly surprising, clearly they have good taste!

[ He's still clutching Zhou Zishu's arm, so he moves to caress it. ]

[fated_dance]

[ Looking away, he misses those telling emotions. But there was the safety for Kexing, right? The chuckle and caress brings Zishu's gaze back to his soulmate's and he raises a brow. ]

So you don't think I should encourage them to leave? Do you like having them breathing over us, staring, when you wake?

[ Totally not creepily. Nope. ]

[wenderer]

[ His heart, which had almost calmed, starts racing again. He'd been patting Zhou Zishu's arm, but now his fingers involuntary clutch the man's sleeve. ]

That – haha! Technically they aren't breathing, Ah Xu!

But... [ his mouth is suddenly dry. ] But if you don't like them, I'll find a way to chase them away for you!

[fated_dance]

Not breathing, then. But still present and you can feel their gaze.

[ This is important. His gaze is intent on his soulmate - he's not talking about just the actual ghosts. ]

I don't mind ghosts, Lao Wen.

[wenderer]

[ "I don't mind ghosts": that ought to feel reassuring, but Wen Kexing can't trust it. He's spent his whole life looking over his shoulder. Being told that his being a ghost doesn't matter: isn't this what he wants to hear most? How could something like this possibly be true?

Time and time again, Zhou Zishu has walked away from him after glimpsing his true nature. If the man grasped the full extent...

Zhou Zishu's gaze feels unbearably heavy, and Wen Kexing glances away. ]

Didn't... didn't you just say you wanted to make them go away?

[ Without waiting for an answer, he stands. ]

We should eat something, I'll see what they've got in the kitchen tent.

[fated_dance]

[ Time and again he'd walked away. Tried so hard to push this man away. The fact he'd tried so hard so dying wouldn't upset this precious man further.

The fact he regrets it now doesn't matter. The fact he has a reason to live, to seek healing, doesn't matter.

All he can do now is what he should have before - so when Kexing stands before he can answer, explaining he's going to get them some food...

Zishu pushes himself to his feet and follows silently after him. ]