yogen | .:An Adventure to Remember:.

Entry tags:

mo dao zu shi: meng yao

.:An Adventure to Remember:.

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?

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( amami nods, like this is about the answer he'd expected. well, maybe not down to any specifics — but he'd figured out enough to piece together that they might be on the more dangerous end of the spectrum, rather than something protective. attracting spirits does sound pretty impressive though, and he can't help but wonder if there's any practical applications for those. if not here, then...

he takes a more careful look at the patterns drawn across the surface of the paper. )

Oh, you know, just around. Stumbled on them, and it seemed like they might be pretty important.

( the original owners certainly didn't seem like they were all too keen on sharing, that's for sure. but amami stays relaxed, holding out the slip for meng yao to take himself, if he wants. )

Here, all yours. I'll let Akehoshi-kun know too.

[ Meng Yao does, in fact, take it. ]

Stumbled upon them? I suppose it's possible, but it's likely you did not in the proper side of the market.

[ Or it's possible people are lauding demonic cultivation as a righteous one, but he doubts it to a degree. If anything, they are likely just being lenient, and still allowing sale of these sort of talismans anywhere—either by someone at a stall or respectable cultivator—was unlikely. ]

I do think it's best to warn him, however. It'd probably be good to warn him away from wherever you were purchasing these as well. Who knows what else they had?

[ Meng Yao knows he's far from a righteous man, given the things he's done in the Sunshot Campaign, but he does want to be to an extent. Not so much it inconveniences him, though. ]

Oh, we didn't buy them. Like I said, we came across them more or less unattended.

( not for long, mind you, but when they first found that box? yeah. he'll shrug though, taking the whole thing in stride. )

Guess it might've been a shadier part of town though, yeah, but it's important to know about those places too. Never know when it might come in handy, right?

( like, hypothetically speaking, what if they happened to need some kind of shady thing to trade for another shady thing to trade for the information you were looking for? and, sure, you can pull the wool over someone's eyes with a counterfeit, but they'll still probably ask where you got it, and knowing the right answer would be pretty important at a time like that. all hypothetically, of course. )

Ah? Oh, well, how careless of someone to leave those behind.

[ Did Wei Wuxian come on by to visit? He doesn't have much reason to do so, but then again there was the fact that around this time that Jin Zixuan was trying to court Jiang Yanli properly. Though that has been a work in progress, or so the gossip mill has turned.

Surprisingly, he does nod to the question, thinking carefully about what he's been given for a moment. ]

...Yes, you're right. There can be much to be found in a place like that.

[ He definitely feels the other has a point, probably because Meng Yao is likely to have been by that part at some point. His habit of gathering information or intelligence is practically subconscious by now. So he allows a little wry smile appear. ]

To be honest, I think I'm a little impressed as well. You would think that it can be a reasonable conclusion to make, but some people don't make the same kind of observations. Not to say that those types of people are foolish, mind you. It is just based on what I've noticed in general.

If you manage to run across more of these, though, please let me know. I wouldn't be surprised if you do, considering how someone has managed to engineer demonic cultivation to his benefit...

I guess not everybody ends up finding it useful, but hey, it's good to know when you're among like minds.

( it's one of the things that had drawn him to meng yao initially as well — not unguarded, but still pleasant and easy to get along with, and seemingly practical in how he goes about things. amami can't help but relate a bit, and despite some of the difficulty he faces in closing the distance between himself and others, meng yao is increasingly someone he finds himself able to rely on time and time again. really, it'd be nice if he could repay him for that somehow, but... well, nothing comes to mind off the top of his head. suppose he'll have to think on that one for now. )

Demonic though, huh... Don't worry, I'll let you know — can't say that sounds like the kind of thing an amateur should be messing around with carelessly.

( he says this as if he hadn't considered figuring out what it did by trying to use it. desperate times, y'know?

but anyway, meng yao doesn't need to know that, and amami's quick to move the topic along. )

But right, sorry — we were supposed to be doing lessons today, yeah? Thought I'd bring those up before I forgot, but I'm pretty ready otherwise.

[ He'll smile and nod, at both things, really.

Truly, there are many who have glanced upon demonic cultivation by now and considered it.

Well, probably not if they're a Lan or a so-called model cultivator. He follows the shift in changing topics easily, however, seeing no need to linger on it himself. He trusts that Amami wouldn't do something reckless with them while they're here, so he has no worries. Which is probably saying a lot considering how little trust he places in people in general... ]

Yes, we were. Ah, speaking of which, I made sure to finish up preparing some tea and some snacks since we're probably going to be at it for awhile. I hope they are to your liking...Amami.

[ There are, of course, enough portions for Subaru because Meng Yao is thoughtful like that, but hey. He goes to get some cups and places it on a table nearby them, pouring the sweet and high quality tea without even thinking too hard about it. Not a drop spills as he rights the teapot once he's done. ]

So for now we'll start off with talisman work. But if you're diligent enough, I'll see if I can squeeze in a few extras beside that after we're done, if you're interested? Generally, I'd like for us to focus on this for just shy of a week, but it'll only be a couple of hours.

[ Here is where he begins to detail on how writing out talismans can and may work. He'll more or less instruct Amami to copy the same characters that he does for now. Though he does inform him of their meanings as he more or less communicates the intention is important, and he can very well use his own language when they're not in Lanling because he doesn't want any side-eying. ]

Does that all sound good to you so far? Please let me know if you have any questions. Even if they're outside of the lesson.

( there's an aspect of the offer that catches his notice, but more important for the time being is making sure that he properly compliments the tea once he's taken a sip — discerning taste, he'll call it, because it's easy to tell that the quality is nothing to scoff at.

but to his credit, he'll be plenty diligent with a topic of study like this. the things that are practical, where he can really see the applications of the material — those are the things that hold his attention best, after all. his calligraphy isn't something he's practiced with too much formality though, and he seems to have some trouble with capturing the type of loose, effortless, but still nimble strokes he's going for — grimaces as the energy comes out more "clumsy teenager" than he's really all too fond of, but otherwise picks up on the meanings themselves easily enough. seems like he'll be taking the question period seriously too, judging on the absent hum he gives at the offer.

so he pauses momentarily, tapping one end of the pen in his hand against the surface of the table in absent thought — and it's quite a bit of thought from the looks of things. his eyes linger on the last talisman he'd tried to draw out, and maybe he's wondering if he doesn't need to angle the brush differently to get this particular character to thin out the way he wants it to, but what he actually comes out with is: )

How about Rantarou?

( he lets it hang in the air a moment, the question he's decided on, but elaborates rather quickly — leaves only just enough time that it doesn't feel impatient when he continues. )

Well in the end it's up to you, but after what we've done together, I dare say that a camaraderie formed between us.

( and seeming rather amused now, he glances up to gauge meng yao's response, a smile equal parts playful and uncertain across his lips. )

[ Meng Yao is able to easily observe the other's efforts easily, given how close they are together, and he's glad the other is taking this so seriously. He can't say he knew how the other would take to the lessons, even if he suspected that he would give the proper amount of focus on them.

Then, Rantarou presents his question, and it's far from what he expects.

For a moment, surprise overtakes Meng Yao's expression and he almost spills his tea all over himself because he had been about to take a sip, though thankfully he rights himself quick enough so instead it's only a drop. Though, words do fail him for a second more. ]

Of course! Rantarou—ah, sorry, give me a moment.

[ He's happy. It's a nice, warm feeling that spreads to his face and lights up his eyes. Then his expression evens out to something sheepish as he composes himself. It's such a simple thing, but Rantarou offering is surprising to him (perhaps it shouldn't be, given what they faced together, however the fact is that it is.) ]

You can address me as casually as you would like...or, still the same. I don't mind either way.

I'm also grateful you decided to come on this journey as well. There are familiar faces, but it's not the same, when they don't recognize you. Though, I can't say I've had much of a chance to take a break of sorts with anyone I know, even back home. I'd always been busy performing tasks of some kind and it wasn't something I'd considered possible.

My apologies for rambling on a little, I'm afraid I have been unable to help myself. Though I hope I haven't disrupted the lesson too much...

Edited 2021-10-27 22:07 (UTC)

( warm, huh. yeah, amami's cheeks are feeling pretty warm right about now too, but it's a visible relief when the other accepts the offer, and it turns out to be a good kind of surprise he's shown. amami almost has to laugh — resists the urge to though, grinning wide as he leans back from the table a bit. )

Don't worry about it, A-Yao.

( his gaze flickers back over at this, measuring, 'cause he's pretty sure he's caught on here, but he also knows he's not exactly a native who can say with certainty. he might need to adjust. )

If anything, I'm probably the one who dragged us off topic. Plus, I should be the one thanking you for letting us come with. Not sure who else would've had me, and maybe I'm just not used to staying in the same place for so long, but it's been nice to get out of there.

( since it's not like heading back to his "home" was on the table — not when the only listing he recognized was a certain ultimate academy for gifted juveniles. )

Anyway! I guess we're keeping you kinda busy here too, aren't we? With the lessons, tours, and... ( the camera cuts to the messes amami and subaru have probably gotten themselves into so far, some of which seem to have needed meng yao's help to clean up. ) Well, it'd be nice if we could set aside some time for a real break. What do you say?

[ A-Yao.

It's been awhile since he's heard someone call him that. The Lan Xichen that is here doesn't know him, and was never rescued by him—they'd never had the chance to become friends. He believes he didn't know how much he missed hearing it until now. And it feels right to hear the other say it. ]

...Then, I won't. I'm also grateful that I've allowed you this opportunity.

[ He states softly, accepting of the name Rantarou will call him just by his answer. And at the proposal of a real break. ]

I don't think I've had a chance to take a real break, yes. Honestly, I'm wondering if that's something I can even really manage, since there is always something around here that catches my interest. [ He can't help but laugh a little here. ] But, it's not impossible, right?

[ He also has definitely recalled when he's had to bail the other two out of trouble, though he's smiling, finding himself amused despite it all. ]

There's more than enough time to just relax, or spend some time just sitting around outside together and enjoying a meal in a nice open space. Though Lanling is a large city, there are places where you can enjoy nature that haven't been monopolized by the Jin Sect...if you know where to look for them.

A meal, huh. Why don't I put something together? If you're taking a break, it's the least I can do to keep some of the work off your hands.

( he might not look like it, but that is one of the first things about himself that he mentioned to meng yao. showing off a little might not be such a bad thing. )

Oh, and if you have a favourite dish, let me know. I should be able to make it — well, the style might end up different, but...

( while he has a pretty broad pool of familiar recipes to draw from, even he can't expect them to have stayed the same between a period like this and the time he comes from. though, actually, maybe if he asks around to some of the locals about it...

but now's not the time for that — he'll set himself back on track before he lets himself get too distracted. )

We'll call it my way of saying thanks.

I...

[ Eating a meal made by Rantarou in Lanling... he doesn't think he wants to refuse, even if part of him is so used to being the one to do preparations in any given situation that he finds himself a little surprised by the offer. Not to mention he is doing this to thank him. But, maybe he does deserve to be treated for once.

It's a little nice, actually. ]

Ah, well—I would love that, if you don't mind doing so. I'm also not a picky eater, though I might be partial to spicy foods. [ Even if he's from Yunping specifically, he's a Yunmeng native at heart. ] And...well, I do have a liking towards seafood as well, so either of those two elements will be more than enough. But, really, whatever is easiest for you, since I don't want to make this difficult at all what with you going through the trouble.

So... what I'm hearing is that you have good taste.

( there's a bit of a grin accompanying the words, but it's true! he's definitely not against stronger flavours himself — spicy in particular is a favourite, but anything made well is worth trying, and he has confidence in his skills on that front. in any case, that's pretty helpful, and he looks more than pleased with the answer. )

I'll keep it in mind. Don't worry too much about the trouble either, 'kay? It makes me feel better if I can to pay you back somehow for everything, even if it isn't much.

( seriously! this is phase one in a multi-step plan to somehow return meng yao's kindness, he just... needs to figure out what the other steps might be, is all. and on that note: )

If you think of anything else I can help with though, you can always let me know.

You flatter me.

[ Meng Yao's voice is light, though there's still a smile there, alongside a bit of amusement, and a sense of contentment on his own end as well.

At the reassurance, however, his expression softens. ]

I won't, then.

You know, you say it isn't much. But sometimes it is the little things, isn't it? That, in the end, do make as much as an impact as the bigger ones. That's why I can say I look forward to it, and, well...I can't think of anything right now. Though, if I do come up with something I will let you know.

[ Which is going to admittedly be a little challenging because he's hardly ever asked anyone for help with things; hell, he didn't even get a recommendation for asking, it was just because a certain someone overheard his conversation with someone else. ]

( for a moment, amami almost looks faintly surprised at the reassurance meng yao offers, but the expression quickly clears up into something soft and warm. a sincere smile lights up his features, and he nods along to agree. )

Yeah, I think you're right. When someone wishes you happy birthday, or having tea with friends... ( and he offers meng yao a smile here, as if to make his point, ) At the end of the day, I think it's the peaceful moments like this that you really hold close to your heart.

( it's not something he has the opportunity to indulge in either, not as often as he'd like, so maybe it's a little bit sentimental about it, but... it's nice to find someone who feels the same as him. stretching his arms out in front of him, across the table, he gives a long hmm as he thinks. and by the time he's done with that, he looks pretty satisfied with the conclusion he's reached. )

In that case, even if you can't think of anything, I'll do my best to make sure we can share more of these moments — pretty sure we'll need the breathers when we get back too.

[ "When someone wishes you happy birthday...", which strikes him because that sort of thing is not something he believes he has experienced in quite a long time, but the second of those things? Yes, definitely.

And he can be more than grateful for that, catching the other's purposeful smile well enough when the other speaks those words. This allows another smile of his own to linger, blooming with that certain happiness. ]

Yes, we will. I think I've forgotten how precious moments like these were, but I don't believe I feel like I've not benefited from for being re-acquainted to them again.

[ Which means that it is something he'll be truly looking forward to in the future, as he has said. ]

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.:An Adventure to Remember:.

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