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[blindforlove]

[default username is sugardaddy520, frostflower when he remembers to correct it]

	Sexscape Navigator
	» Age: 21 » Species: Human » A5 Card: Open » Seeking: Anyone who seeks company. » Preferences: Nothing in particular. I'm certain that you are all very lovely. » Interests: cultivation, helping around the Unclean Realm, and spending time with friends around the area. There's so much to see and do! » Bio: My life would not be of interest to most, but I'd be happy to listen to your story.
	base code by photosynthesis
	Xiao Xingchen

Comments

from LickYourLollipop to sugardaddy520, much later the same day they first met on the TDM

[noneforyou]

[ When the message had first showed up on his device, much like all the others, Xue Yang had glanced at it and then ignored it. Sure, it seemed a little bit familiar, but he wasn't about to think that a coincidence as unlikely as Xiao Xingchen also showing up here was going to happen.

But after he met with him face to face, a few hours later, Xue Yang starts to wonder.

He scrolls back through his messages until he finds the one that had been bothering him.

sugardaddy520
I've slept in a coffin for years, and now I'm dying to sleep with you.

Xue Yang's own errant messages were a little too correct for him to not at least try to investigate this, even if Xiao Xingchen isn't exactly any sort of father figure. ]

ive slept in a house full of coffins for years

maybe were similar

is that you daozhang

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen is just about to ask who this is, but he figures it out first. Who else could it be?

Whether he's worried for his friend being taken into this strange and unfamiliar place, or happy that they haven't been separated, he has to make sure of certain things first.]

Yes, I'm likely the one you're searching for.

Are you safe? Are you all right?

[For now, he's ignored the name in the messages he's somehow sent out, but he's at least glad it didn't put his name along with all this strangely fitting information.]

[noneforyou]

[ Xue Yang knows that as long as Xiao Xingchen has eyes, he needs to keep these two identities separate. ]

kind of

im in a weird room and i cant leave

ill probably be alright these things keep bringing me food

are you also in a weird room or have you gotten out somehow

[blindforlove]

No, I'm outside the building that I woke up in.

Why won't they let you leave? I'm relieved that you're all right, but you should be out here as well.

[noneforyou]

[ Finally, an advantage of this place being rather inexplicable: he doesn't have to come up with a reason for anything in his cover story. ]

i dont know

everything is weird here

do you know what this thing were communicating with is

[blindforlove]

[It makes sense that the man can't explain what's happening - everything is strange as it is - but Xiao Xingchen can't help feeling uneasy about whatever these people are doing to his friend.]

As long as you're safe. Though you might have it better right now, as the weather outside is terrible. We still can speak this way, at least, but you must alert me the moment they do anything to make you feel threatened.

I can explain to you all that I've learned about what we have here so far. It's a sort of magical tool simply called a device, and it sends messages faster than the blink of an eye.

[Speaking of which, Xiao Xingchen wonders if he should tell the man about a certain incredible development...]

[noneforyou]

i will daozhang

they havent done anything yet i just cant leave

but im glad i can talk to you

good thing your message was recognizable enough

[blindforlove]

[If it comes to is, he is 100% ready to break into somewhere to get his friend out.]

That is fortunate, as I doubt you'd identify me with this "name" I've been given. I've also been informed that its meaning is something inappropriate.

However, I haven't learned how to change it. This device has all sorts of uses that I still don't quite understand.

[noneforyou]

how is it inappropriate

do you have a kid

is little blind actually your daughter

is that why youre a sugar daddy

[blindforlove]

Do I truly come off old enough to have a child of her age? I believed you would know better about that sort of thing than me.

It's a man who supposedly provides for someone often younger, who they are often in a carnal relationship with.

[So embarrassing to say, but just in case his friend has to deal with the strange slang in this network or anything. Xiao Xingchen really has to see about changing this name already.]

[noneforyou]

[ ...

The idea of a carnal relationship is so hilariously unlike Xiao Xingchen that Xue Yang has to pause to laugh before he manages to compose his reply. ]

so does that make you my sugar daddy

you provided a lot for me

you cooked all the meals and we used your money to buy food

[blindforlove]

Perhaps so, but I believe you should avoid using this title, as I assume that last part is often assumed. People might get the wrong idea, if you mention it to anyone else.

[Xiao Xingchen isn't sure what the tone is like this. Is the man joking? Is he serious? At least when he writes a message, he doesn't have to have his own thin face on display as he would during a normal conversation about this subject.]

[noneforyou]

[ But imagine giving them the wrong idea about this pure, ethereal cultivator.

Still, Xue Yang sees an in to get more of his plan into place, so rather than push on what he assumes must be an embarrassing topic for Xiao Xingchen, he pivots. ]

speaking of anyone else

are all those messages from other people

are there lots of people out there daozhang

from LickYourLollipop to sugardaddy520, a bit less than a week after the December blizzard ended

[noneforyou]

[ Well, it seems like Xue Yang died again. Unlike the last time, he at least knows how this works this time. And also unlike the last time, he suspects that Xiao Xingchen doesn't know "Xue Yang" died. He didn't see anyone talking about it on the network, at any rate.

So it should be fine if it's Xiao Xingchen's friend's turn.

Once he's had enough time to rest and recover a little, he reaches out through the bracelet again. ]

Sorry for disappearing, daozhang. This time it was my own fault.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen sees the notification, which quickly lightens his heart. Unlike last time, he suspected that whatever caused the last disappearance must have been the case here, but he'd been so caught up in his emotions that he couldn't even ask more about it. He also didn't want to intrude, but if it seems like the man will at least admit to disappearing...]

I won't pry into anything too private for you to share, but I do wish to know what happened, so I may not fear the worst if this occurs once more.

[He also knows he can't just go to him right away, or else he might just be distracted again.

Quickly, he adds:]

Above all else, I am glad you're safe and still here.

[noneforyou]

The last thing I remember was walking through the blizzard and not knowing which way it was to get back.

[ It's not how he died at all, but it makes for a good story. ]

Then I was back on the beach and the snow was already melted.

[blindforlove]

[Immediately, Xiao Xingchen feels slapped with guilt from the selfish worrying on his own behalf, even if there was only a trace of it. Everyone knows that the dead don't stay as such here, but to have let the man endure that pain...

He needs a moment before he finally responds.]

I should have been there to protect you. I'm sorry.

[If it wasn't for the Augur, he would truly have been lost, and they'd never meet again in this lifetime. Whether this thought sends him into the depths of sorrow or gives him the greatest relief, he knows it ought to be irrelevant when the man might be shaken by this brush with death.]

[noneforyou]

It's not your fault, daozhang. I shouldn't have gone out, no matter how much I wanted to see you.

[ Isn't it a great thought? That Xiao Xingchen's friend was willing to risk death to meet with him once more. Even if they can only meet for a couple hours at a time, he's still so loyal to him. The idea makes Xue Yang laugh as he continues to reply. ]

It's alright. I'm still alive.

[ Now with another person to hatefuck, but that's not for Xiao Xingchen to know. ]

[blindforlove]

[Of course this knowledge squeezes Xiao Xingchen's heart, but he also knows that he has to try to be a little more stern. He can't have anyone risking themselves on his account.]

Should anything like this happen again, please do not search for me. I'll come to you when I can.

[Sure, he needed rescuing himself, but he also doesn't need to let that be known. He feels a great need to see the other man's face, much like last time. Everything he has to say and express, he doesn't think he can contain them all in these letters-- and not simply wanting "comforting" for his own sake.]

May I come to you now?

[noneforyou]

Of course, daozhang.

Let's meet at the place I have. I'm still a little weak and I don't feel like spending time outside today.

[ Not strictly true, but it lets him avoid any potential trouble aside from the time limit. ]

[blindforlove]

Alright. I'll arrive shortly.

[True to his word as always, he sends another message indicating that he's at the doorstep. In his arms, he carries a box with an assortment of fresh pastries.

He has some news to share as well...]

[noneforyou]

[ Xue Yang makes it to his "home" first and waits for Xiao Xingchen to show up. When the message arrives he transforms, goes to the door, and opens it.

His eyes light up at the pastries (and maybe a bit at the man holding them). ]

Daozhang! Come on in.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen gives a warm smile, his spirits lifted again, even if it doesn't fully hide the sadness in his eyes.

Stepping inside, he places the box on the nearest table. The design on it looks much different from before.]

I should have brought you some more proper food than this.

[Something like a medicinal herb soup, to heal the weakness and replenish him. Though he didn't have any prepared at the time and knew that would take some time-- perhaps it was another hurried, selfish desire to see the man yet again.

He pulls out a bit of ginseng root from his sleeve. At least he picked out something helpful as well...]

I'll make tea for you.

[noneforyou]

But this is already what I like! Right?

[ He immediately starts to open it up, sparing a glance towards the kitchen to indicate it. ]

Sure, go ahead.

[ As the host, isn't he he the one supposed to have tea prepared to entertain his guest? Absolutely. Is he going to do that? Absolutely not.

Part of it is a lack of any care for ceremony or politeness, but part of it is also an attempt to ignore that this is anything other than the two of them living together again. Why would he make visitation tea for his own housemate?

The kitchen is sparse, but it has the basics, and at least enough to make tea. Xue Yang ignores Xiao Xingchen for the moment as he sets about opening up the box. He's taken aback for a bit when the pastries inside are the same as what he's used to, despite the other change. ]

Why is the package different?

[blindforlove]

Of course, but you need more than simply that.

[Placing a pot of water on the stovetop, Xiao Xingchen lets that heat up as he takes a knife to start cutting the ginseng into thin slices. If only he had access to another, more proper store with prepared foods outside of sweets. Then they could spend more time together without having to wait for other food...

Though his friend's question reminds him that he has much more left to explain.]

So much has happened since we last met. Do you remember seeing the previous owner from time to time? He... disappeared not long after the storm, but not before leaving the place in my care.

[No use in keeping it secret. Perhaps he also would have much more energy in revealing this news to the other man, the circumstances keep his manner sober. But like the new owner, the box looks much more understated yet elegant, if lacking a bit of color.]