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

[killful]

Oh? Well, that's just one more thing we have in common. [So he's from a different world. Or maybe just a different timeline? It's hard to say. Yan Qing doesn't let the thought show on his face, though, appearing carefree as ever.] I might bore you to tears with this one, then! Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and all that? How about I tell you another?

[originalshen]

[To be honest, he's never taken the time to read stories in his youth, outside of a few passages from the classics. The life of a desperate orphan, and all that. But while he's honestly curious, having only gleaned the most commonly known details of the epic of Xuanzhang, he can't bring himself to actually show any curiosity, so—ahem.]

Tell what you want. Another legend? A historical event? [He takes a carefully measured sip of tea.] If you're looking to compare our worlds, perhaps you could mention something a little more recent. Have you heard of the Battle of Bailu, for example? In which the great sects subdued a heavenly demon beneath the mountain.

[killful]

Haha! First time I've heard of that. My current master did something like that recently, though. Mm, they beat... I think six? Seven demonic pillars of Solomon? I wasn't there, though...

[He'd say more, but that's spoilers. Anyway, he is definitely more interested in this discrepancy than Shen Qingqiu is. He leans in, eyes bright and smile wide.]

Oh! Speaking of heavenly demons, maybe you'll know this one! Have you heard of the 108 Stars of Destiny?

[originalshen]

Pillars of Solomon? That's a rather foreign name. [Did the man's master travel to some foreign land? Or maybe it's some strange demon name? Though it doesn't fit in with any of the demons whose names he actually knows.

The fact Yan Qing looks hopeful just makes him calmer, really.] I'm afraid I haven't. Is that supposed to be referring to demons as well? The demons I remember were already trouble enough without getting destiny involved.

[killful]

[He throws his head back as he laughs. If only he knew.]

Haha, I guess you would like 'em then. Those guys like to start a loooootta trouble! The 108 Demonic Stars... Heaven sent them down to Earth as humans to atone for their sins and stuff. Well, it was more like someone accidentally broke the seal on 'em. They tried really hard to save China and get back to Heaven, though? It's a fun story!

[originalshen]

["Like", he says. Shen Qingqiu? Liking demons? Maybe about as much as he'd like a hot branding iron in his mouth. Aside from a narrowing of the eyes and a quiet frown, though, he stays silent until the end of that little description.]

So what you mean to say, is that the heroes in this story were all heavenly demons? That seems more like a particularly bad nightmare than anything.

[Good thing that story's from a totally different world!! He's going to take a slightly larger sip of wine here, thanks.]

I feel sorry for the people of your world, if such a story is true.

[killful]

Someone's got a hateboner.

[ Figures. Yan Qing can't please everybody. He leans back, failing to hide more of his laughter behind a tattooed hand. ]

Relax, they're human now. Not so fond of demons, aincha? I'm guessing it's personal.

[ The likes of Kintoki and Raikou were the same. If he knew anything about demons, he was more than aware that the oni of Mt. Ooe weren't to be trusted. Vampires like Yu Meiren, though — they had their charm. Not that she's particularly charming!

As for himself, well... His own monstrosity doesn't come from what he eats. ]

[originalshen]

[a what]

I'm afraid my own experiences with demons have consistently been less-than-pleasant encounters.

[Torture, slander, death...demons suck, okay? He hates them with every fiber of his being!

Somehow this translates to quickly chugging down the rest of his glass and then fanning himself with irritation as he looks away.]

I suppose you find them fun? It sounds like they have such interesting adventures, after all.

[killful]

Eh, they're okay. I don't like to judge. So they eat people! That's pretty bad.

[The ladies with them start to furrow their brows and murmur. "Have you met such a demon?" one asks.

Yan Qing directs his smile at Shen Qingqiu.]

Well, I wonder. I wouldn't get too close to one if you know what's coming to ya. Our friend here has the right idea.

[originalshen]

[Man-eating demons! How scary! This certainly isn't appropriate conversation for their current location, and Yan Qing certainly isn't getting anything approaching a smile from Shen Qingqiu at this point.

Rather than the location, maybe it's just inappropriate for him. He's staying cordial(?) for the sake of the ladies in the room though.]

Yes, it's best to stay far away from them if you can. Those things never let go, once they've set their sights on you.

[killful]

[Yan Qing can sense the tension in the room, but he doesn't want to leave just yet. After all, for all the stories they've exchanged, he doesn't know a thing about Shen Qingqiu! So he remains, his demeanor collected as ever as he leans in to get a closer look at one of the ladies accompanying them.]

What's your name, miss? Hongyu? Ah, that explains it. [Mischief tugs at his lips.] Your eyes are like jewels... the demons love that. You better be careful. But if you run into one, don't worry.

I hear there are cultivators around these parts.

[originalshen]

[Why is he trying to drag the women into this!!! Hongyu giggles at the cheeky compliment though, curiously leaning closer to their tattooed guest. "Cultivators? Are they strong?"

Shen Qingqiu, meanwhile, has stiffened like a knife's been pointed at his neck. He feels like the man is making a threat - but for what purpose? He just doesn't know! Who the heck is this guy!! Maybe he's a demon himself, that'd explain his favorite choice of conversation topic, right? And that mention of cultivators...]

...You seem rather more interested in your tales of demons and cultivators than in the services offered here. I have knowledge of the topic myself, but should we move our conversation elsewhere, if that's the case? It's rather a waste of money to stay here otherwise.

[Somewhere without defenseless women for you to leer at.]

[killful]

[Gosh, maybe these women are armed with high heels, okay. But Shen Qingqiu makes a good point. In fact, it's the point Yan Qing wanted him to make. A place with wine is as good as any, but brothels aren't the best place for him to let loose. He's not that sort of character, and he doesn't like to make others too jealous. He's sure that isn't what Shen Qingqiu feels now, though.

He chuckles, tickling Hongyu's throat before settling back into his seat.]

I don't mind. Maybe you can try the tea I toldja about while we're at it!

[originalshen]

[If suspicion was a liquid then Shen Qingqiu would be drowning in it, that's how he feels right now. And if Yan Qing's going to keep sitting around, then he'll be the one to take the initiative, thanks—

He gets calmly up from his seat, sweeping a cold gaze over the man before nodding to the girls.]

I'll be taking my leave then. Your company was greatly appreciated. [And to the weirdo in the room:] Well? That teashop of yours won't find itself.

[killful]

[ He was busy buttering the girls up, oh my god. What if he has to come here again? He needs to make an impression! Then maybe they will give him discounts!

Yan Qing visibly falters when Shin Qingqiu seems to get up and leave without him, dismayed and disappointed at the lost opportunity for information and more importantly, company. He can talk to the girls here all he wants, but it's not like they really want to listen to him...

Which is why when Shen Qingqiu calls his attention, he is eager to stand up and follow. ]

Hahaha! Of course, of course. It was nice meeting you ladies! Drinks are on me.

[ Yan Qing quickly pays for everything with a flourish before Shen Qingqiu has a say in it. Well, Shen Qingqiu doesn't want to listen to him either, but meeting with him is far more productive than any other wanton endeavor. ]

Let's go!

[originalshen]

[Clearly he doesn't deserve a discount, just look at him!

Also the eagerness with which the guy gets up to follow him is...not something he's used to, honestly. Should he feel creeped out by it? Maybe he should feel creeped out by it. There's a downwards twitch of the lips when Yan Qing pays for everything, but really he has no idea how to feel right now besides Suspicious and Slightly Confused.]

Are you this generous with everyone you meet, or is this a special case?

[As they head out of the brothel....]

[killful]

[Yan Qing replies only when they're outside with the door shut behind them. He grins.]

I've never had so much money before, so getting to spend it on others feels great! And, well, I can tell it'll take a while before I can get you to relax. You've been looking tense since I got here.

[originalshen]

[Ah, so he noticed. Shen Qingqiu raises his fan again, hiding his frown behind the thin paper screen.]

While I realize I did tell you the address of that establishment, I never expected you to invite yourself to my table. Is it so strange that I'd be wary? [What kind of weirdo invites himself to another guest's company in a brothel? It's weird, okay!!]

[killful]

[ Yan Qing IS weird. Shen Qingqiu's completely justified in his wariness. And yet Yan Qing keeps smiling! ]

Ehhh, not really. I guess I was hoping you'd be so arrested by my good looks that you'd forget yourself. Hahahahaha!

[ There it is again — his annoying, boisterous laughter. ]

Since that didn't happen, I'll just have to do this the old-fashioned way!

[originalshen]

[That annoying, boisterous laughter really grates on his nerves, to be quite honest. There's a slight twitch of the eyebrows at both the laughter and the comment preceding it, though with his fan still up that's about all you can see of his expression regardless.]

I'm afraid I've never paid much attention to the attractiveness of other men. If that was your first idea for making acquaintances though, perhaps you should rethink your overall approach.