eastbound | [Text] un: live in the moment

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[Text] un: live in the moment

Before speaking with the healers of this fair city, I wish to reach out to my fellow travelers. It is a delicate nature, hence this missive instead of the other features I have been informed are available.

In short, I am in need of the arts of a master healer. Someone familiar with healing spiritual meridians. I have only just arrived, so am short on funds for the moment, but there is precious little time before it is too late.

My word is good. This is too important for me to lie about. In exchange for this service immediately, you may name your price and I will see it done in haste.

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They're breaking?

[Oh. That's not good. Xingchen isn't so sure he'd be much help after all.]

Do you know what caused this?

[If they have a cause, then hopefully someone can get to the root of the problem. It's better than going in blind and potentially making things worse.]

Yes. I know the cause. [ He sounds terse, maybe a bit cross - yes, Zishu, he's still upset you even ever did that to yourself. He'll never get completely over it.

Here he hesitates, knowing his soulmate's preference for privacy if at all possible. ]

Gongzi, I would feel better if we could discuss this more in person, if that is not too much trouble?

[That tone is hard to miss, so Xingchen gives this man time to continue. And when he does, his request isn't surprising.]

Not at all. I can come to you or there is a garden in the palace if you prefer a more neutral setting. Whatever makes you most comfortable.

[ The patience is noticed. ]

I know of the garden. It might be best to meet there, unless you are another member of Vannozza Spina's party here? If you are, then I would prefer to meet you in my room, so you can meet the one needing healing at the same time.

[ And so he doesn't have to be apart from Zishu for very long at all. ]

I am not, unfortunately, and I would not wish to arouse suspicion for your sake.

[He cares less for his own, after very much not endearing himself to either of the cousins, but it's best not to drag others into his own problems.]

I will meet you in the garden, then. My name is Xiao Xingchen. I'm blind and wear a cloth across my eyes, so I imagine it would be difficult to miss me.

[ It's not for himself that he cares about the divide. But until Zishu is healed, at least enough that death isn't an immediate threat, he's treading a bit more carefully than he otherwise might. ]

I am Wen Kexing. I will see you soon.

[ Blind...something that had been looming over Zishu. ]

...Ah, yes. That is enough of a description for me to find you.

[ Content that his soulmate won't immediately die while he's out (thanks to Eleven's efforts), Kexing heads for the garden, fan out and wafting as he walks, appearing unconcerned about anything going on around him. Once outside, he glances around for someone with a cloth around his head, as directed. ]

[Xingchen would usually pick a spot in front of certain flower bushes to sit and enjoy, but right now he stands in what he feels is a more open area in the garden. Some flowers still surround him, of course, but he's taller than them and, in his white robes, he should act as almost a beacon. That visibility is the most important part right now. He and Wen Kexing can find a more secluded corner when the time comes.]

[ It's not all that long before Kexing spies the tall man in white, and approaches - making an effort at a casual stroll rather than the beeline it is. ]

Xiao Xingchen! Wen Kexing greets you.

[ He lifts his hands before him and bows, trusting the rustle of cloth to make his likely intent known to a man who is clearly used to being blind, and therefore likely has better hearing than the average person. ]

[He does, in fact, hear the fabric's movement sharply and can infer what Wen Kexing is doing once he's close enough. Xingchen returns the bow without difficulty or awkwardness.]

Wen Kexing. We are well-met. I wish it were under better circumstances.

We are.

[ If his attention weren't so fixated on Zishu's looming death, he'd admire Xingchen's quiet grace and beauty. And he'd make his admiration blatantly clear.

His smile's warmth fades and he nods. ]

Some things cannot be helped. Walk with me?

[ He doesn't have the same urge to fuss with Xingchen, he feels confident in the other's familiarity with his lost sense to compensate enough for a walk - after all, Xingchen had found his way here, presumably without help.

So he starts walking, making his direction simple to follow - leading the way to a more secluded section of the garden. ]

Forgive me for being blunt, now that we are in person. Nails were driven into the seven meridians in my husband's chest. Then were removed without proper preparation.

[This man is concerned, and with good reason, so Xingchen wouldn't have minded if he had offered help or a hand or any kind of guidance usually issued for the blind or unable, but he still appreciates that Wen Kexing trusts him enough to get by on his own. Pride is a silly thing, and yet they all have it in some amount.

so he follows, listening for rustling fabric and footfalls, as well as sensing the other man's presence at bare minimum. It's easy enough and they quickly make it to some desired area. Only for Xingchen to be hit with a horrible truth. It's what he asked to know, however, so while he breathes in, surprised at the description of Wen Kexing's husband's wounds, he does not recoil.

Nails that targeted the meridians in particular. This was done intentionally. And such damage must be terrible. Xingchen really doesn't trust himself to help beyond sharing energy.]

Wen Qing.

[Her name always come to mind when people speak of wounds or healing, though Xingchen doesn't want to refer every single case to her, especially if someone can get by with some simple bandaging.

This situation isn't going to get better with a simple bandage.]

She's a doctor among our group and one my shizhi speaks of highly. If he believes her to be one of the best in our world, then so do I.

[He bows his head.]

I wish I could do more, but I would not risk my measly knowledge of treating superficial wounds on someone you hold dear. Otherwise, I could help to purify a space or lead him in meditation, things that might slow down the degradation.

[ For this, Kexing makes an effort to not mask his trail, where normally he'd make a point to make himself as difficult to track as possible.

He snaps his fan out and wafts it as they walk, focusing on the simple, slow motion to master his nerves and worry. He half turns when Xing answers with a name, and hides a frown behind the white fabric. He lets the blind man expand on who this woman is and why he should reach out to her, but then he lets out a quiet breath. ]

You are the second to mention her to me. With such recommendations, surely she must be exceptional, and someone I will be sure to speak with.

[ The apology, so sweet and formal, makes him smile though. ]

He is meditating and resting right now. If Lady Wen asks it, would you assist?

[If someone else recommended Wen Qing, Xingchen wonders if Wen Kexing has spoken to Wei Wuxian. That would make the most sense.]

Some time ago, some of us were poisoned here, myself included. Wen Qing was involved in creating a cure from scratch. We all survived.

[She seems to have a knack for finding solutions to problems previously without them.]

Of course, I would. No one should have to suffer like that.

[ Poison! His eyes widen then narrow and he listens closely. And what he hears does indeed give credit to Wen Qing's skill as a doctor. ]

We are fortunate to have such a talented doctor to tend to us all.

[ Formally ingratiating. A habit he has for when he deals with 'humans', especially martial artists - which is what he assumes Xingchen to be. ]

Thank you. I will speak with her, and let you know if you are needed.

[Xingchen nods in acknowledgment.]

Do not lose faith. Our group is good at finding trouble, but we come together when it counts.

[He can't promise that all their problems will be solved or that Wen Kexing's husband will recover, but he does know they'll try.]

I will not keep you if you would like to return to him. I understand.

You can count on Zhou Zishu and myself to help when we can. Once he is healed, he is a magnificent fighter.

[ As if he could give up hope now! Kexing takes a deliberate step closer to Xingchen and reaches out to clasp his wrist. ]

My call for help has been answered by many people. How can I give up when hope shines so bright?

Yes. I would like to return to him.

[There's a quick inhale at the revelation of just who Wen Kexing's husband is, of who is in such a horrible state. Xingchen brings his other hand to grasp at Wen Kexing's.]

We will do what we can. I will give whatever I can, for either of you.

[He gives a comforting squeeze, then loosens his grip to pull away and give Wen Kexing an exit.]

[ He blinks, before finding a smile - so. Xingchen and Zishu have already met. He lets himself step past the usual jealousy such a revelation would spark, and just be relieved his beloved has already met such a good man. ]

Thank you.

[ He lets his smile grow a little, and answers that squeeze before pulling away just as Xingchen does. ]

Your kindness won't be forgotten.

[ Kexing bows once more before swiftly leaving, this time not bothering to make his path known after leaving the immediate privacy of where they'd spoken. ]

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[Text] un: live in the moment

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