.:An Adventure to Remember:.

[filialdeception]

Who: Meng Yao, Subaru Akehoshi, Rantarou Amami
What: Some basic lessons are happening in the background, but some (mis?)adventures as well. Surely nothing will go wrong in a wonderful place such as this? Other than MY growing premature grey hairs. Either way, it's Exchange Program time, bby.
Where: Lanling Proper, and Koi Tower.
When: October 11th - October 17th.
Warnings: Potential death which will happen regardless and/or violence. Disturbing themes may be mentioned because JGS exists and golden end Lanling is still questionable. Just happier.

WELCOME TO LANLING—



The city is home to what is currently the largest cultivation sect around. It is prosperous and filled with many smiling faces. There are children who run through the streets, shop owners showing their wears, and people frequenting the establishments—inns, restaurants, you name it.

At the heart of the city is an important compound, Koi Tower. It seems to unfold before anyone who comes near it majestically, starting with the stairs and ending with the peerless infrastructure. It's terrific state is more than can be described in mere words, needless to say.

There are various gardens here or there, filled with a majority of the sect's symbol and flower—Sparks-Admist-Snow white peonies.

There is also one lotus pond located on the premises, but that is located somewhere towards the inner families' lodgings, and anyone passing through had better be someone who is part of the Jin Sect or a servant lest they wish to get into trouble.

As expected there is a magnificent reception area, a banquet hall, and another more extraordinary garden that houses a painting well done by a cultivator of renown. Said cultivator can be found around the city at certain points.

On the flipside, there are cultivators who are rather stuck up, though that goes the same for a good amount of the residents. Though the Sect Leader, Jin Guangshan is rather insufferable even if he is unfortunately talented at conducting himself with grace. Then there is Jin Zixun, who is neither graceful nor talented, but far more easy to encounter.

There is also, of course, the Treasure Vault. Another place that is actually guarded periodically though there are some dips in security due to the overconfidence the people have here.

Though even in this idyllic setting, there are places of ill repute if someone were to go looking around. Such as where others would sell weapons or other...things that are illegal or frowned down upon supposedly in Lanling. Hidden deep within the forest nearby that is essentially also part of Lanling, there is even a strange training ground that has been sectioned off by members of the Jin Sect. Going further where that is concerned is something that should be avoided lest anyone would want to experience a rather trying time, putting it very lightly. At the very least they'll shoo any wanderers away as long as they don't cause trouble or try to truly sneak in.

This is a city of golden times. But it doesn't mean that is the case for those outside of it or not caught within its golden age.

But whatever the case, their ends will be the same. Though, before that, shouldn't they enjoy their time while they still can?

Comments

AND SO IT BEGINS.

[filialdeception]

The three of them arrive in Lanling on a fine day, and even at the beginning of an early fall, Lanling is relentless in its splendor.

Meng Yao is all smiles, though it's a cautiously hopeful one, and his eyes seem to reflect the golden color that is seen across the city like a blanket of unforgiving brightness.

The town is abuzz, talking about how great it is that the Sunshot Campaign has just come to an end, thanks to two heroes. He tells his two companions with a hint of bashfulness that he's one of those two heroes, though he seems to wonder what kind of title he will be bestowed with. He doesn't say that when he had arrived in Yogen, he's never heard them or his father give him one yet.

He is sure when he returns home—truly home—he'll know. Or maybe, he'll find out here.

Meng Yao has, ever since his arrival here, been wearing what he was after he took off of his disguise, and his companions look like they stand out like a sore thumb. Though he intends to procure some outfits for them at the very least (likely through shady means.)

Either way the people are too happy right now to care what they look like.

However, even though Meng Yao makes his way to Koi Tower and tells them to 'wait outside', he doesn't get too far. The guards, the cultivators, and even Jin Guangshan himself—though he does not deign to see him—do not recognize him as Lianfang-zun and so he finds himself back with the others.

It's better than what happened the last time he attempted to claim his rightful place...they just simply seem to think he's crazy. Funny how they treat who they suspect have lost their marbles different from bastards.

It also hurts that his mother is also not even recalled as a existing memory for the Sect Leader who slept around, for she seems to truly not exist in this world.

In the end, he hides the fact that he's sulking, but he manages to get his companions time to stay at a reputable inn and some clothing if they care for it at some point.

He also lets them know at some point he would like to show the two some basics, especially since they're in a familiar world, so showing them how to utilize talismans will be easier.

With all of that aside, how will his fellow companions fair in this city? Only time will tell.

((Ooc note: This functions as a separate top level to give some information about the current time. There's no need to tag into this one, though it can be used to interact with MY even though I plan to tag into whatever top levels you guys feel like putting up!))

meng yao 1

[starrypoint]

[sorry to meng yao,

but there might be a pair of familiar voices bickering nearly day one of being here. maybe day two if we're lucky. one is infinitely more familiar to meng yao than the other, but the other one is more easily recognizeable since, well, they go to school together right now.

that is: subaru is absolutely seeming like he's picking a fight, or has had a fight picked with him, over... seemingly nothing, but--

it's jin zinxun, so, who can say!!!]

S'not my fault if your belly's so big it takes up the whole street!

[mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm]

[filialdeception]

[ Jin Zixun is so unpleasant.

He sneers and scowls right over at Subaru, looking at him like he's nothing worthy of being anything but the dirt on his shoe. Indeed, this is what this inner Jin disciple believes to be.

He shouts at Subaru, "I'm the perfect size to crush anyone who is stupid enough not to get out of the way in time!"

Also waving his fist as if that's going to intimidate the other.

Just in time, however, does Meng Yao appear...dressed instead in yellow instead of the greys he's been accustomed to during his stay here.

Honestly, he hides a sigh at Subaru getting himself into trouble with the Jin Sect from the start. Well, he covers up his annoyance and decides to put on his attempts at mediating and then helping Subaru making a quick exit from this blustering fool of a cultivator. So he's putting on a polite inoffensive smile that seems appropriately concerned. ]

Excuse me, may I ask what might be the problem here?

[ Of course predictably Jin Zixun is going to blame Subaru for everything, and so this is just a way for Meng Yao to eventually follow-up with a scripted response he's already put together in his head. ]

[starrypoint]

Gutso bumped into me and said I was at fault!


[subaru's beating the cultivator to the punch, verbally, because he definitely would have done it physically too if blessed meng yao hadn't appeared.]

I dunno how he walks through the streets with an ego as big as his head, but it sure is impressive!

meng yao 2

[starrypoint]

[this place... is quite spiritual. and subaru knows that meng yao handles a lot of that stuff, too -- had helped the little shopkeeper once before, so maybe... maybe...

anyway. subaru'd asked for a nice place to have tea with his fresh friend and so here they are, having tea. he's just trying to figure out how to bring this up without spilling too much information that isn't his to really give, so after a lull in a conversation about "if a bird had human arms, do you think it'd swing it and wing it (hit and run) or do you think it'd be more ground based"--]

Can I ask you something kinda funky, Maimai?

[like

the bird question wasn't funky. also maimai is his nickname now i'm sorry.]

[filialdeception]

[ Meng Yao is having himself some classic Jade oolong tea.

His ... current associate has a knack of making for interesting conversation. However, Meng Yao doesn't seem bothered by it, giving a polite customer service smile™ for most of it. His responses are relatively more down-to-earth as much as they can be in such outlandish or unique topics. It does also get his mind off of certain...things and keeping him from getting too caught up in his own head.

However at that question, Meng Yao pauses, and resisting looking to see if the other had been addressing someone else because he does catch on relatively quickly. ]

...Maimai?

[ ... ]

Yes, go ahead. What question did you have?

[starrypoint]

[the faster someone accepts a nickname the better, so meng yao is doing well.

subaru probably got the same just for simplicity's sake, and he stares down at the liquid as he works it out in his mind.]

So, like... you do soul stuff. I was wondering if you knew what to do when a soul was taken out of the cycle. Like, can it be put back in, or is it just... gone.

meng yao 3

[starrypoint]

[meng yao teach him talisman stuff. he's been watching him and amami go at it, and it seems pretty... fun? interesting anyway, so maybe once meng yao is done with amami for the day is when subaru slouches onto the other (whether meng yao has expressed his dislike of this or not) and whines,]

I wanna learn toooooo, Maimai! Hey hey, teach me something! I'm getting bored just watching you two!

[-- besides meng yao offered and now he's taking that offer seriously since it sounded boring before and now he's lonely]

[filialdeception]

[ Meng Yao is rather absorbed in what he's doing. Why wouldn't he be? He's just the type of person who manages to get as much whenever he is embroiled in a task that he feels requires that amount of focus. It also helps he wants Amami to be able to protect himself in the event he's not around, and so the time to work on the task where he's concerned passes relatively quickly.

...Surprisingly, the way that Subaru acts right now reminds him of Nie Huaisang more than a little, actually. That whiney little brother of Sect Leader Nie who used to cling to him or hide behind him or act so childish...

Even if at first Meng Yao is first taken aback at this (usually no one else would even want to touch someone like him), it's probably the follow-up whining that makes a surprisingly fond smile come. Like given to a younger sibling or something. ]

Yes, well. I certainly can't begin if you're just slouching on me like this, can I?

[starrypoint]

[subaru brightens up happily and lets the other go, half-dancing away to give meng yao space.]

Whoo! What's first? Ghost banishing? Demon banishing? Punching them with spiritual might? Spirit guns?

amami 1

[starrypoint]

[subaru considers himself having a nose for trouble.

and amami is quite the adventurous person.

so they're naturally checking out the ins and outs of the city, because it's fun and out of the way of people subaru otherwise has an issue with for looking down on him (jin zixun his detested), when

they come upon a wooden box. it appears just to be a plain wooden box, not too large, something that's easy to carry and hide if needed. but it's got sort of a surprising heft to it when subaru lifts it, tilting his head curiously...]

What d'you think's inside? Gold bars?

[sisters]

( there's a matching curiosity that shines in amami's eyes as he peers at the box in subaru's hands, lit up with interest, though... it's hard for him to guess when he's not the one lifting it. you know what would make it easy to guess, though...? )

What do you say we take a look?

( which is just what you do when you find a mysterious box that doesn't belong to you on the street, and not at all an excuse to snoop. )

If it's something that's been lost, it'd probably help find the owner if we know what's in it.

( because looking left, looking right, the small alleyway they're tucked away in, somewhere between the main streets that are lined with merchants and stalls, is out of the way enough that it doesn't look like others pass by here all too frequently. it's hard to say if this is where it's supposed to be, or if the owner is gonna be able to find the winding path they took to come across it again. they're just being good samaritans, y'know? )

[starrypoint]

And if we can't find the owner, we'll just take it for ourselves~.

[because it's finders keepers rules, clearly. he did this about some sports equipment too, though he doesn't think they'll be finding mitts and balls in here... maybe it really is gold bars. what do gold bars weigh. he doesn't know, but his imagination wants there to be gold bars.]

Let's see...

[it's a pretty sturdy little thing... definitely meant to be hard to get into in that wooden box sort of way, but luckily they do have these little knives. so subaru'll carefully try and work it open... he doesn't want to nick the bars...!!!

...

...

... these aren't bars of gold. subaru doesn't know what they are, because i'm going to make you decide, enh, but they are not bars of gold and are definitely something two teenage boys shouldn't have possession of,

though it's debatable they they have much a choice when there's some footsteps heading back their way]

amami 2

[starrypoint]

Mmm....

[everything here is so... interesting to subaru. there are things that are similar by different names, and things that aren't anything like he's seen before. the jewelry is the same anyway, and then there's clothing pieces he keeps looking at, and also some books he steps over at a merchant to see if anything would be interesting there...

all in all, it's actually an unusual amount of considering subaru is taking for something at the moment, since he has other souvenirs already bought for everyone else amami could think of him having bought one for.]

[sisters]

( amami, for his part, is holding off on souvenirs for the time being — would rather see everything there is to see before he makes any specific picks. that doesn't mean that he's not up for helping someone else pick though, and he glances between subaru and whatever the other's eyes might happen to be resting on for now with a spark of curiosity in his own.

he notices that thoughtfulness, and you know what? he'll bite. )

Looking for something specific?

[starrypoint]

[it's best to get them early...! subaru believes this, but then he's going to buy so many more souvenirs as he sees them anyway. this doesn't matter, but it also does--

and you know what, amami speaking up seems to startle him, because he forgot the other was around. but... maybe he's the perfect person to help subaru, too. at least in this case. right now he's reaching out to play with some windchimes.]

Soooooorta? [hm. subaru glances over, then back away, a grin tugging on his face despite obvious efforts to bite it away.] I'm looking for a gift for Boss, but it's hard to know where to start.

[books... maybe. or something they can look at... books would probably really make them happy, but then they might just sit there and read and not pay attention to him...]

amami 3

[starrypoint]

[it's a clear, starry night in lanling.

the end of the week had passed, and now they lingered in the days subaru had pleaded from the both of them -- just a little longer, even if he was yearning to get back too just a little longer, because the knife sitting at his bedside right now is terrifying to think about even if he won't ever say that's the reason for it -- and

he misses keigo, misses sitting on the roof of the school, and wonders if they'd like to do that when he gets back. once he gets the courage to. it might be nice, laying together watching the stars. it won't be hard for amami to find subaru, in essence, since there's no one else out so late and he's gone often enough to the roof of the inn even if he really should not be up here.]

[sisters]

( when amami's rib is broke, and you say it's time for him to find his way up to the roof.

he's not going to do that, actually; he has a hunch as to where subaru's disappeared off to, despite the fact that it's hardly the first time subaru has gone and done so. evenings where amami comes back with tea, and the other is mysteriously gone. he doesn't pry too much, but some shuffling sounds overhead have pretty much betrayed the other's trips either way — it's just too bad that the roofs here are... not the easiest to climb, when you've got some injuries that interfere with that kind of thing.

so amami has to compromise, kind of. he'll head outside, but on the ground level — gives himself some distance from the building, then looks up to see if he can spot a head of red hair standing out against the sloped tiles up there. if he does, and if subaru happens to see him in turn, he offers a bit of a wave. doesn't move, though. you come down to him. he has an excuse. )

[starrypoint]

[subaru hears the door below and looks down, catching amami's eye and wave. maybe he's been up here too long, or too often... he hates to worry others, or make them think like something's wrong, so he'll go with the compromise and stand up, making his way off the roof the only way he sees fit:

jumping and rolling.

and he can do so without injury, outside of a little soreness maybe, because he knows how to tuck just right. it drives me up a wall. regardless, he'll stand and brush himself off, grinning brightly. ah, of all people that should know, amami's definitely one of them. but isn't it bad enough that komaeda already found out? on the other hand, it's cruel to leave someone close to keigo out of the loop, and he's already told meng yao at this point what he needed to know for his own answers too, and...]

Out for a walk~? Lemme join you, the night feels really good~.

☆ meng yao

[sisters]

( lessons! not gonna lie, amami's pretty excited about these — it might not be something he catches onto naturally, but to build up even an inkling of the skill that meng yao has, in a place like yogen? you can't put a price on that. so when they decide on a time to set aside, amami's already made himself comfortable at a table, leaning against the surface with a smile in meng yao's direction. )

Right, actually, I had a question about those — the talismans, I mean.

( reaching in his pocket, amami pulls out a thin slip of paper with red incantations patterned across the surface, and holds it up between two fingers. his eyes are bright and practically sparkling with curiosity, maaaaybe just a little bit more excited than he should be, considering just how dangerous the spirit-attracting talisman in his hand is, but it can't be helped. it is something new to him, and that means it's something exciting. )

Came across these the other day, and I figured you might have an idea of what kind these are.

[filialdeception]

Oh, those are...

[ Meng Yao pauses as he actually takes a look at the spirit-attracting talismans.

He remembers during the Sunshot Campaign when some of the Wen forces were decimated by these talismans because they had no clue as to the nature of what they were. Of course, Lan Xichen had managed to get that information over to him thanks to the fact that he'd been acting as a spy, and, well, there were field reports as well. ]

Rather complicated, and shouldn't be used lightly. They can attract spirits and whatnot, and I don't think it'd be wise for us to use any of those for any reason whatsoever.

Where did you find this?

[ This isn't a light warning, given the tone he's speaking with here. ]

Infilitration into the Treasure Vault

[filialdeception]

[ Now, Meng Yao can't claim he's a man full of morality, but he's always been behind the idea of helping the poor and the weak. People that are defenseless and without ability to elevate or help themselves or others deserved a helping hand. Someday, he hopes he'd be able to do that on a grand scale.

But today, it'll be something smaller; yet it was still something relevant all the same.

Meng Yao had managed to get himself during their time here as enrolled as a Jin disciple, though of course at a relatively low rank. That being said, he used underhanded means to get the information he could, and may have bribed a few servants to slip in sleeping medicine for security so of course this means they're knocked out.

...not that there were many around here in particular because the Jin Sect is sadly that arrogant. So here they are in the dead of night, sneaking around, with said treasure vault literally around the corner, in disguises so that they wouldn't be immediately revealed in the event that they were stopped (think simple, dark purple robes with a head covering not dissimilar to a ninja's.) ]

Are the both of you ready?

[ He doesn't have any hangups about this anymore morality wise but he's still wondering how his current companions, or rather, would-be partners in crime are holding up... ]

[starrypoint]

[subaru, on his end, is super stoked.

it's helping those in need, which is good at all, but like the real exciting part is that he gets to do something as fun as a heist!!! he gets to see a lot of shiny treasures and gold and maybe he'll keep some for himself As He Is Also Of The Less Rich and swim in it and

anyway he's very excited for the Thrill of the thieving and the bonus justice part of it is just that: a bonus. he's fiddling with his outfit, not to make sure it doesn't show too much but just because he's excited and this is the least noisy thing he can do.]

Yup, yup! Oooh, I'm so excited...☆ Just thinkin' about the amount of riches that're hidden behind those doors is getting me jazzed!

Interlude ~ Lunch with Amami

[filialdeception]

[ There are many things to do in a place like this, but it doesn't mean that Meng Yao has to keep himself busy at all times. Back when he was in the Nie Sect, it was natural for him to do so as the deputy, and when he was in the Wen Sect...well, the less said about that the better, but he was definitely busy without much time for rest for different reasons.

Now that he's found himself in a world that is almost like his home one, he had felt the need to busy himself until Rantarou had proposed a break. Part of him is a little surprised he even agreed to cool down some, but he only thinks it a positive, and so here they are.

And here is Meng Yao, leading the other to a nice spot to enjoy their meal.

It's the perfect spot, what with the fact it's in a cozy spot still in the city, but on the outskirts of the nicer part. There's a river running nearby, and he sets down a particularly sizable cloth for them to sit down upon, because of course he has to come prepared in some manner. ]

Does this area look alright? Please let this one know if you find it to your liking.

[sisters]

( amami seems distracted as he sets up, if only a little, looking off in the direction of the river. it's a small thing, but somehow, it feels fitting, and his attention snaps back when meng yao speaks up. more than the scene around them, he's quick to direct his smile at meng yao. )

Yeah, it looks perfect. ( which is in part because, if it's his break, any place that he likes would be the best to pick, but that's beside the point. amami likes it too, and it's probably clear from that absent, distracted look he'd had about him just earlier. ) I knew you'd find us a good spot.

( anyhow, he'll set down the bag he'd had slung over his shoulder first, plopping himself down comfortably on the cloth that meng yao's set up for them so that he can start digging through it. from there, he can start pulling out the food containers of whatever kind they have in lanling because i'm not deep-diving that far into wuxia worldbuilding, but they're probably home to pretty small, reasonably sized servings, and setting those up between the two of them. )

I decided to make us a couple things, so I don't expect us to get through it all; we can just share anything that's left over with Akehoshi-kun. Oh, but there's one I was really hoping to show you — it's a recipe that's kind of special to me.

( because, this time, he'd erred on the side of things that were familiar to him. it's better to share what he knows and find something positive in that, he thinks, than make a poor attempt at whatever may be contemporary to lanling and disappoint both of them. he likes to think that the sentiment would count for something. so, he sets out a couple of the dishes to choose from — some mapo tofu, orh jian, some sticks of youtiao in a nice little basket in the middle (he's been working very hard, and probably very noticeably practicing and double-checking the recipes) — but it's actually a small bowl of soup that amami decides he'll hold out for meng yao to take personally. )