video

[originalshen]

[The feed opens to a trio of pretty prismal girls in what appears to possibly be a Caihong brothel, judging by the aesthetic. Another young woman can be heard from the recording end: "There, it's on! Say hello, girls!" The girls happily wave at the camera!

"And now if you press this right here—" Ah there we go, selfie mode! Instead of those other girls, we now get a vision of another local lady with a curious-looking man in soft green robes.]

That easy, is it?

["That easy!" as she hands the communicator back to its rightful owner. He stares at the screen for a moment, contemplating whether he should just turn it off - but those girls are coaxing him to try saying something, so eventually he relents.]

So people can see this, is that right? [Awkward!] ......Well. I suppose if anyone here knows of quiet areas to visit or stores that serve good tea, I'm...open to suggestions. [Ahem.]

That is all.

[Aaand after some fumbling (and more help and laughter from his friends), he manages to turn the thing off. All replies will be in voice from here on out!]

Comments

[bailian]

Who else chose me as his disciple?

[ The man he's come to know as Shen Yuan has attributed worlds of good to Binghe's life, but this one gift that made the rest possible is still undeniably Shen Jiu's doing. ]

This one knows he has trouble containing himself. But if Shizun wants to teach me patience, then I'm happy to listen.

[ It's a fact, but also an admittance that opens the door for the other man to take pride in his assessment. Because what teacher doesn't appreciate being told his deductions are flawless and his beliefs right?

Except the notion, or perhaps something more akin to a pipe-dream, of happily falling into old roles that the two of them never healthfully observed is sidetracked by Shen Jiu's next question. One which makes Binghe's exuberant expression flicker for a moment. ]

Why would I abandon you over that? There are plenty of other places to visit, and I'd be happy to accompany you to any of them.

[ And he means every word, offering out a hand for Shen Jiu to take or ignore, but with the clear invitation to escort him to any local the city has to offer. ]

[originalshen]

Is that what it sounds like to you? That I'm afraid you might abandon me? [He barely suppresses a bitter little laugh, as he turns his head away.] Ah, what in the world goes through that twisted little mind of yours? It's almost as if the beast doesn't understand human speech.

[Abandon? Oh, how he'd love to be abandoned by this man, this beast, this sham of a disciple. And yet saying all these provocations aloud, he can't help wondering if it'll be the last straw that cracks the kindly facade Binghe insists on keeping up - doesn't take that offered hand, only watching it like maybe the next instant he'll find it wrapped around his neck, or rending his arm from his body once more.

If only the man would just snap his neck and get it over with.]

...If you wish to accompany me, heavens know I couldn't stop you if I tried. If you wish to learn patience, on the other hand—then see how long you can manage to keep out of my sight.

[bailian]

Would you like to hear every single detail of precisely what goes through this one's head?

[ If Shen Jiu is happy to let relinquish some of his refinements to take a jab at Luo Binghe, then it's only fair if he too steps out from behind the version of himself better suited for Shen Yuan. The harmless disciple persona that he's fashioned to mold himself around his other master's demeanor doesn't seem to work here.

So perhaps bold-faced honesty and taking three steps closer will. ]

I'd offer, but some of those things are better off not being aired in public. Unless Shizun can't restrain his curiosity?

[ All smiles, his expression contrasts starkly with the message, making it sound a little like Binghe is threatening to reveal exactly what he means. ]

I do wish to, very much. [ A nod, eager once more. ] Now that it's settled, where should we go?

[ Shen Jiu may not take his hand but Binghe isn't deterred enough to passively sulk over the rejected invitation. There's more than one way to hold hands, and he takes the initiative to reach for Shen Jiu's before the man changes his mind altogether about Binghe's company. Once done he gradually starts off towards the thick of the city, gently coaxing Shen Jiu along like a little boat at his side. ]

[originalshen]

I don't want to know. [The smile drops in an instant. While he hadn't expected anything good to come of his insults, the answer he actually gets is as outside his original expectations as it is predictably threatening. Luo Binghe's words successfully get him to shut his mouth, lips set in a thin line of displeasure at the thought of this man declaring in public whatever thoughts he has toward his shizun.

Certainly, having the world hear what a disgusting murderous freak he is would be nice; but on the other hand, they'd be thoughts about Shen Qingqiu himself, and isn't it possible he might start going through his long list of supposed crimes as well? A repeat of Jinlan City, a brand new imprisonment in a brand new world. Considering the way this new Binghe acts, he's afraid a "brand new imprisonment" might involve being imprisoned in the man's bedroom—

As usual, he backs away with every step the demon takes toward him, only to get caught regardless and coaxed along like a pet on a leash. And though he gives in to being led along like this, that doesn't stop him from continuing his useless acts of protest, this time by going silent. If his disciple can play at having selective hearing, then he can do the same.]

[bailian]

[ Shen Jiu's smaller hand is warm in his, magnified by the steady stream of chroma stirred to life by moonlacing. He thinks he could be content to just hold his first master's hand and tug him around the town until dawn, but he's well aware that's bound to end soon enough. So he nods slightly as they walk on, acquiescing to stay mute on a subject he wouldn't have voiced anyway. ]

Then this one will not speak a word of it.

[ For just a short while, in the duration of silence that follows Shen Jiu's insistence on staying quiet, things almost appear far better than they are. There's a clear relief in the lack of scathing insults reducing him to the ugly truths of what he is, being an orphaned bastard or the issue of his bloodlines reducing him to a beast in Shen Jiu's eyes. Even for all that he's gained in life- those are more effective injuries than this man can know. Without them his tension drains, alongside the white noise of nervousness that made it harder to appreciate anything but the fury of the person at his side.

The seasons are colder now, more so at the hour creeps on. In the city there's little to buffer the occasional chill that whips through the air. While Binghe is resilient and Shen Jiu a cultivator himself, the issue still sparks an idea in his mind. ]

Has Shizun been able to shop for winter attire yet? He may be able to endure the cold, but being comfortable seems like it'd be much better.

[ There are shops decorated for fall and eateries offering strangely flavored beverages and foods, many of which are some bizarre spiced pumpkin flavor which he mulls over. But what draws his eye are the places whose shop windows sport warmer things; all in a familiar traditional style the Prismals prefer which luckily mimics their own world's tastes. Alongside layered robes with thick linings are assorted fans and hairpieces on mannequins posed despite their complete lack of faces on white lacquered forms. ]

What do you think? Is there anything you'd like to go look at?

[originalshen]

[He might have appreciated the silence, if he weren't so tense with apprehension. Even the chroma only serves to make him more uncomfortable, reminding him of the feeling of blood parasites running through his body, another inescapable mark of ownership from the demon now holding him. If the word "beast" had once referred only to Luo Binghe's demon blood, his actions now define him as one more than his heritage ever could.

His gaze had been sweeping over the streets as they walked, but it's only when the beast in question brings up winter attire that he actually blinks and focuses on the stores they've been passing.]

....Your concern is unnecessary. The coldest winter weather would be more comfortable than the water prison.

[Whether that's true or not, he honestly doesn't care. The words do acknowledge his lack of a wardrobe though - with everything else that's been happening, new clothes have been the last thing on his mind.]

[bailian]

[ There's such a large gap between the paltry few things Luo Binghe knows about Shen Jiu and a full understanding of a past he can only guess at. He's been left with more questions than answers so far, considering all the accusations of violence thrown his way.

Many of which have been nothing short of horrifying; nearly too much to believe as more than mad ramblings at first. Talk involving taking limbs and lives important to a man he once called teacher more than a decade ago.

Now one of the few places he's wronged his own Shen Qingqiu finds itself brought up, leaving his blood to go so ice cold at the mention Binghe can't stop himself from stilling in his tracks. Anything would have been preferable to facing his master now, with thoughts of his own crimes playing guilt out upon Binghe's features, but he cannot stop himself from wholly facing Shen Jiu like a man on trial. ]

You- [ Mouth dry, he doesn't know where to begin. ] ...Shizun is familiar with the Huan Hua Palace's water prison?

[ Of course he must be, considering it was infamously inescapable and gained such fame throughout the land that a Peak Lord such as Shen Jiu must not have been unaware. That much at least isn't too bold an assumption, even if everything else about the man might be. But he's not really asking if the man has only heard of it in passing; not when Shen Jiu brings it up like an experience he knows. ]

[originalshen]

[The man's apparent surprise is almost comical. Has the beast not listened to a thing he said so far? To the atrocities he's been accused of so far?—Of course not, that would require him to actually care what came out of his teacher's mouth.

Shen Qingqiu levels a firm glare at the demon before him, his expression that of a man who has been denied all other forms of defiance but this. So what if this is a different Luo Binghe? He's still just as overbearing, just as despotic, just as greedy as the one he knows. A creature who bites onto its prey and refuses to ever let go.]

Where else do you think your dear shizun must have spent his last days, but the cell you so kindly chained me in? Or did you lock up the other one in your palace instead, with immortal binding cables as a welcome gift?

[His words are bitter and biting, his tone tired and worn; he'd hoped that last stroke of the blade would have finally given him peace, but even in this foreign land he's stuck staring at the face that now haunts his every nightmare, trapped with no place to go. The grip on his hand feels like a soft vice, the eyes on his like spikes nailing him down—the more Luo Binghe pushes, the more he simply wants to give up and close himself off to the world.

Everything this new beast has done so far has consistently made him feel like a rabbit being toyed with by an affectionate tiger, and honestly, he's exhausted to the core.]