blindforlove | Golden Peacock inbox

[ It's not the sort of thing they do every night, but it's not rare either: Xiao Xingchen exploring the halls of the hotel and poking into whatever nooks and crannies he comes across, and Xue Yang tagging along to do his own information gathering and keeping a close watch on just what it is that his sort-of-roommate is finding out about. Just because there hasn't been much that it's been dangerous for Xiao Xingchen to discover hasn't meant it's been nothing, after all.

Tonight hasn't been particularly exciting up to this point, a few traces of ghosts that led nowhere being the most notable occurrences. Xue Yang is just waiting for this most recent trail to go cold too, but as they follow the ghost along, what happens is anything but. Suddenly the entire space seems to shift, the temperature not truly dropping but feeling chilly all the same. Xue Yang feels a familiar pricking sensation that's not all that unlike a couple of his workshops back where they came from. Places heavy with spirits and the feeling of lingering. ]

Daozhang, do you--

[ sense that, are the words that he loses as he suddenly spots an odd shimmer ahead. Instead what comes out of his mouth isn't the end of the question, but a much more certain, ]

There's something ahead of us.

[Xiao Xingchen keeps the pace in his stride as he walks, but he tenses. His brow furrows, words nearly silent for only his companion to hear.]

What does it look like?

[He strains to listen. So far, the most unusual matter about this area happens to be how quiet it is compared to the rest of the resort so far, with him only hearing a few clinks and clattering sounds. Unlike the strange area beyond a mirror he once found himself inside, this place still has the comfortable temperature around most of the place.

Though he has no reason to assume this new find is dangerous yet, he keeps up his guard for the both of them.]

Lights.

[ The answer is immediate, clarification less so: even with a cultivator's sight it's a bit hard to make out until they get a little closer. Xue Yang continues to focus on making out the different shapes, letting Xiao Xingchen be the one on guard for any sudden attacks. ]

Lanterns. Lots of lanterns. People, too, I think. Not sure if they're alive. [ It's hard to tell if they're breathing from this far away. ] Most of them are in sitting positions but not really moving. There's a whole space here.

[Naturally, Xiao Xingchen can dispel threats without his sword. His hand still curls around where the hilt should be. He isn't sure if playing the game will make the hosts of this resort return it to him, just as he's unsure about anything regarding this supposed game, but he can't wait for even his own self to settle his feelings about what to do there.

He needs to confront matters like these. Out of the concern of the safety of others, as well as a sense of normality in his own life.

Without speaking further, he continues ahead. If they're still only sitting people, he has no reason to ready himself for combat yet, only listening close in case they eventually react violently. He relaxes slightly, but still stays on guard.]

Lanterns... yet it's rather quiet for a celebration.

[The image conjured in his mind is that of people observing a festival. In this place, it wouldn't be unusual for others to notice the ghosts doing so. A wistful memory of a lantern festival - the only lantern festival he had ever seen - softens his expression for a moment.]

[ Xue Yang is too preoccupied with studying the space to be paying attention to see that change in expression, much as he would have loved having a new sore spot to "innocently" prod. Instead his brow furrows. ]

Yeah. It sure looks like one though. The people sitting are running stalls--sort of. They've got blankets with stuff spread out on them. I can't see any food but it looks like they're selling objects. Hey.

[ Xue Yang calls out to one of the nearby peddlers, someone with skin so aged and sunken that it's hard to tell if they're man, woman, or otherwise. They slowly lift their gaze to meet Xue Yang's, expression mostly exhausted and a bit hollow, but their eyes seem human enough. ]

What's up with all the decorations?

[ The person is silent, and after a few seconds, lowers their gaze back to continue vacantly staring at their wares. Xue Yang scowls and makes a soft tch under his breath. ]

[Xiao Xingchen only hears his companion's displeased response, and comes to the conclusion that the other party must have signaled no desire to answer. Lightly clearing his throat, he decides to ask as well, just to be sure.]

Pardon me, but what is the nature of this business?

[He receives as much of a response his friend did, the question hanging awkwardly. Though he can only guess the reason for their reticence, he turns his attention back to his friend for more answers, his expression a bit confused and embarrassed.]

I have my doubts about a business stall that doesn't advertise their wares... but what sort of objects do they appear to be selling?

[Knowing that the objects are laid out on blankets, he keeps his steps small and deliberate.]

Junk. A lot of it looks like it's jewelry but it's all broken and dirty.

[ He reaches down and grabs what looks like a quarter or perhaps a third of a thick bracelet. ]

Shit like this can't even be worn or put anywhere. What's anyone gonna do with this? Melt it?

[ "It binds to the ankle," the shopkeeper suddenly speaks up. Their voice is as old-seeming as their face, raspy, perhaps a touch feminine. "On the left will give you a taste of what you've long dreamed. On the right will give you a whiff of what you've recently desired. A day and a half's time."

Xue Yang stares for a couple seconds before muttering without fully meaning to, ]

The hell does that mean...?

[Xiao Xingchen waits for the vendor to respond, but the voice falls silent. Ever since he could remember, Baoshan Sanren would also speak in soft-spoken and cryptic tones; he would often explain further for all of his shimei and shidi when needed. Humming in thought for a moment, he answers.]

Perhaps... if you wear it on your ankle, you'll smell or taste what you enjoy.

[The two of them have encountered stranger objects here before.

He crouches down, reaching around for anything that feels particularly interesting.]

Huh? That's stupid.

[ If he'd been here for less time he'd also call it bullshit, but at this point he really wouldn't be surprised if it actually did that. He turns it over in his hands a few times idly, watching carefully as Xiao Xingchen's fingers brush over the different items.

"For those who seek not to be weighed down, a moment may their feet leave the ground," the shopkeeper murmurs raspily as Xiao Xingchen's touch traces what seems to be a broken pin or some other sort of hair accessory. The next thing seems to be some sort of gemstone set into a dull fixture, even the stone itself looking like its lost all sparkle. "Chilled to the core that one is, never to warm, no matter how flames and fire lick." ]

Oh? I'd have thought you'd love to have the taste of sweets on your tongue for a day.

[Xiao Xingchen picks up the items, the pin in his left hand and the stone in his right.

Rolling over the stone in his hand, he supposes he'll take the shopkeeper's word for it that it won't warm, given how bitingly cold it feels right now. He searches for the fixture for a moment before he sets it back where he found it. If he had any less self-restraint, he'd rub his hand against his leg to heat the skin back up.]

I suppose someone else can find a use for this stone.

[But not him, so he turns his attention to the pin.

He twirls it between his fingers, trying to find what's so unusual about it. However, he certainly notices the very moment that his feet lift off of the floor in front of the wares--he just can't tell if he's ten feet above the ground or just above it! By the time he tries to reach for the floor, his fingers just miss it as he starts to rise higher.]

Ah...!

[His robes and hair billow as if underwater, also unconstrained by gravity as he reaches for anything to hold onto.]

[ At the response to his muttering, Xue Yang's expression screws up into a slight scowl. Something about Xiao Xingchen's statement is wrong, but he's having a hard time figuring out what it is, much less how he'd try to explain it, so instead the remark is met with silence.

When Xiao Xingchen starts to panic, Xue Yang can't help it: he lets out a burst of laughter. He definitely didn't expect to get the chance to see Xiao Xingchen flailing about tonight.

From how his voice still comes from above Xiao Xingchen's crouching form, it's easy to guess that Xiao Xingchen hasn't floated very high. Still, Xue Yang shifts slightly, positioning his right side a bit more prominently towards him. If the man flails enough that he tries to grab onto Xue Yang, he wants to make sure his left hand is far out of reach. ]

Guess that one works, huh? You really aren't weighed down at all.

[Xiao Xingchen hears the man's laughter... from over him, and immediately feels both relief and embarrassment. At least it was only his friend here to see him lose his composure this way (though he will ignore all of the other embarrassing situations he's ended up in).]

Oh.

[Reaching towards the other man, his hand closes above his friend's right elbow. He can judge from the feeling of it where he's oriented and he straightens himself up just in time for gravity to set back in. His feet land lightly and without sound, hair and clothing falling back into place.

He gives his friend a small smile.]

I suppose it does. Though I am... not too suited for flying anymore. Especially now, when we're indoors practically all of the time.

[As much as he'd tell himself to not dwell on the past, the loss of flying has less reason to trouble him these days anyway. His smile becomes a bit sad, but he merely crouches down and feels around for where he found the pin. As he does, he brushes against something that must be like a miniature face, made of the smoothest stone. Curious, his fingers explore more of it and he finds himself brushing through what feels like realistic hair. It does feel disconnected from a body, however...]

The garden and vale are probably not too bad to fly in. Too bad about our swords, though.

[ And Xiao Xingchen would certainly continue to not fly even if he had his back, or a replacement.

"For that which crowns, long shall it be."

Xue Yang isn't even paying attention to the words anymore as he turns over the item he's still holding in his hands, then almost shoves it in the peddler's face. ]

So how much are you asking for this junk?

[ "..." They're quiet for several seconds. "A day and a half's time. Or fifty chips." ]

[Xiao Xingchen turns to face his companion. Faintly, he notices his head feeling a bit heavier, but pays it little mind at the moment.]

Is that something that you'd like?

[He reaches towards his sleeve, almost on instinct, before more hesitantly tugs the fabric.]

Ah... I don't remember how much I have. But it surely must be more than that.

[While the resort has added to his chips a few times and he has done his best to live a life free of excess, he didn't check how much it had all too often. Besides that, he has fallen into a mood to spend his money with less care than he ordinarily would.]

Not really, but I figured I might as well try one of these things out to see. Better than something that just stays cold, right?

[ He turns back to the peddler. ]

Ten chips.

[ He gets a scowl in return. "What insult you levy. Forty chips." ]

Forty? This thing's garbage and not even worth half that. We'll pay fifteen.

[ "Thirty-five, and no lower." ]

Thirty-five? Who the fuck would buy your garbage? There's barely anyone here but us. Eighteen.

[ "Thirty-five, to include his." They gesture towards Xiao Xingchen, and Xue Yang turns towards him as well. ]

... Hey daozhang, do you want that thing you've got there?

[Xiao Xingchen lets his friend do his work with the haggling, even if he is more than ready to forego the awkwardness that comes with it and pay the price. Money is certainly a difficult matter to deal with.

He stands back up, looking uncomfortable as he holds the head with both hands. The bottom of his hair swings lower than it had before, past his knees.

Though he doesn't know what it does...]

I-I'll take it.

[His want to finish the transaction is what's more important. That ought to be a good deal anyway, right? And he is surely he can replenish the money... somehow. Though he would have preferred to try searching the place some more before settling on something.]

Then thirty-two. Take the offer or we walk.

[ There's a long pause, during which the peddler glares at the two of them, mostly Xue Yang, or perhaps they're simply appraising the items the two of them are holding. Finally they let out a ragged sigh, like the rattling of old bones, wind through the sparse leaves of trees half-dead, or a draft rustling the paper windows of a run-down old house. A sound almost nostalgic for the place they had shared together before coming here.

"Thirty-two, and not a chip less." ]

[Xiao Xingchen suppresses his own sigh of relief as he puts forth his device, now tucking the doll head within his sleeve.]

Thank you...

[Such thanks are both for the merchant as well as his companion. It must be the polite thing to do as they conclude a transaction, even if a bit more awkward after the attempt to whittle down the price. Surely there's no need for that to create any resentment. And since that must have gotten them talking, perhaps they might talk a little more?]

I have some questions about the other wares here, if you do not mind.

[The ensuing silence has him suspect that he might have assumed too much.]

[ Xue Yang waits for a reply for several seconds before crossing his arms. ]

What? Don't want to sell anything more?

[ There's a brief pause before the reply comes.

"Rookery is all but closed for the night. Even should you not haggle, you would not buy in time."

That catches Xue Yang by surprise. ]

Rookery? That this place? [ He gestures as he glances around. ] Don't try to pull some bullshit about closing. Things never close around here. Do you think I arrived yesterday?

[ But he's barely turned back before there's a sudden wooshing feeling. Like breath being sucked out, then returned with the odd sense that you hadn't even been breathing before. The chill of the other world disappears along with the lanterns, stalls, even the wares directly in front of the two of them.

It's abrupt enough that Xue Yang doesn't even manage to react at first. ]

[Xiao Xingchen says nothing for a moment as his breath returns to him. The artificial pleasant temperature consistent throughout most of the resort returns, but that's all else he can notice immediately.

He's been around here long enough to pick up on when something has changed in this place, at least.]

What... what happened?

[Acting on a hunch, he crouches down and reaches for the items he touched a moment ago. He doesn't even feel the blanket the wares were on. His hair spill across the floor behind him, far longer than it once was.]

Edited 2024-05-26 08:00 (UTC)

It's... It's all gone. The whole thing just fucking vanished. All the people and all their stuff. Not even sure what happened.

[ Was this what that old bat meant by "closed"?

His eyes fall to where Xiao Xingchen is reaching down, and it's only then that he finally notices. ]

... Daozhang, what's up with your hair? Has it always been like that?

[Xiao Xingchen stands back up, expression incredulous, before he also thinks on the works he just heard. He pulls up his sleeve and slides his fingers across his device, the electronic voice announcing what he’s touching. On touching the clock icon, the voice announces that the time set by this place is currently 06:02.

Just past sunrise…]

They must have closed the very moment the morning began. But I’ve certainly never heard of a market that disappeared when it closed. Perhaps it shouldn’t be a sur—ah?

[He reaches to touch his hair behind him. It’s as soft and silky as ever ~~how would he be an ethereal cultivator otherwise~~, but he can’t notice how his hair now resembles a waterfall of ink. If he was to ever slouch, his hair’s ends would brush the floor again.]

I don’t believe I’ve done anything different with it…

Well, it's a lot longer now than it was yesterday.

[ Saying it in case Xiao Xingchen can't quite tell with sight alone.

But Xue Yang soon turns from it to the seemingly metal scrap that he got out of that deal. He turns it over in his hands a bit and even tries to press it to his free wrist, but nothing about it stands out and it doesn't stick. (If Xiao Xingchen is listening, he can probably hear at least a bit of Xue Yang's messing about.)

His gaze lowers to his feet and legs. As stupid as the shopkeeper sounded at first, everything else seems to have worked so far... ]

[Xiao Xingchen pauses, before reaching back towards his hair. Carrying the long, somewhat slippery bundle in his arms, he feels for the ends of it. Indeed, it's much longer than he expected.]

Oh. I suppose I don't mind all that much, though I do hope it doesn't grow much longer any time soon. It might become an inconvenience during night hunting.

[He lets it back down carefully. Yet to realize that other people from other worlds cut their hair, he can't quite understand what use it could have. It all does feel like someone's beginner enchantment attempts. Though if it can happen with one part of the body... a seed of an idea has been planted in his mind.

The sound of that messing around doesn't sound too close to the floor, where the ankle would be.]

Do you need any help with yours?

[ Xue Yang glances over again when Xiao Xingchen lets it down. He's having similar thoughts, but he's also thinking about how Xiao Xingchen is going to walk around without people stepping on it. Well, he could probably just use a more elaborate style to put his hair up in. Some of the Jin Sect ladies managed to get their hair up entirely without any of it hanging down, so if Xiao Xingchen did something similar it should at least keep it from being long enough to drag. ]

Not really. Hey, what side do you think I should put it on?

[ He's asking more out of curiosity for which Xiao Xingchen would choose, rather than because he can't decide. That means it's not asking for help. Right? Right. ]

[At the question, Xiao Xingchen hums in thought as he recalls what the merchant described as the difference of where it's placed. On the left, a taste of what you've long dreamed. On the right, a whiff of what you've recently desired.]

What side, hm.

[He lets the silence hang a bit longer than it likely needs to, just as he may be thinking about it all too much as well. Finally, he answers:]

Perhaps... your right ankle. Smelling what isn't there is likely less disconcerting than tasting what you haven't placed in your mouth.

[While he did suggest having the taste of candies to his friend earlier, that makes more sense after some thought. He also has another reason for his answer... but that would definitely feel like thinking too hard about it.]

Yeah, that's what I thought too.

[ That was not what Xue Yang thought but it can be now.

He turns it over a few more times before finally bending down and pulling up a pant leg, then placing the metal against it. He leaves it a second then tries to take it off again, and unlike all the times before, this time it doesn't budge. Xue Yang tugs it, and it still doesn't come off.

After a moment he straightens up. ]

Huh, it really stuck.

[ Is he smelling something yet? Maybe. He hasn't gotten a good sniff quite yet but he's noticed something seemingly in the air. ]

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[action] - sometime before the bulletin board on the 5th

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