.: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

[filialdeception]

[ Meng Yao looks a little bit proud to hear that, but he also takes note of the fact that Rantarou truly seems to appraise their surroundings closely, and indicates by his lingering gaze that he is just as satisfied as he says that he is.

That in of itself is something he feels content with. Though after the other goes to sit, Meng Yao follows suit, watching he's pulling out the food containers. ]

A special recipe? Something you've come up with, or is it something from home...?

[ The brunet was rather curious and admittedly a bit excited about what the other had to offer. He eyes all of the food that he's taking out, and his expressions turns from assessing to actually surprised. Pleasantly so since there is a familiarity in some of the dishes just from looking right at them!

Then he belatedly realizes the other is holding out a bowl to him belatedly and for a second looks sheepish before he takes it. When he brings it closer to examine, is he able to tell what kind of soup it is? ]

[sisters]

Neither, actually. It's one that was given to me.

( well, shown to him, and they probably didn't expect him to take it to heart quite as much as he did, but still... point is, he seems really happy with it, and meng yao shouldn't have any difficulty identifying it either — it's hot and sour soup. just at a glance, he can easily pick out tofu and lily and a very generous amount of bamboo that went into making this.

once meng yao's taken his bowl though, amami will go on ahead and grab his too. don't hold it against him though, if he seems to pause for a moment, watching for what kind of reaction meng yao will have first. )

[filialdeception]

Given?

[ He catches how happy Rantarou is with it, so...he's catching himself to smile at that, finding it endearing. But also, it's always a good sign when a chef seems pleased with how a dish has come out. A personal dish at that. ]

Then, hopefully you don't mind if I'll start with this one first. Though, I have to admit, the selection you have here, it's...I know you said it's likely we won't finish it all, but I think it'd be remiss of me to not say I appreciate the variety.

[ So Meng Yao is going to go right in and dig in. He has a feeling Rantarou is not going to begrudge him for being actually kind of excited about the selection to just go for it right away. Mind you, this is done with manners in mind!! ]

[sisters]

Haha, I'm glad. I might've gotten a bit carried away — honestly, I couldn't really narrow it down.

( because it's one thing to be given some loose guidelines, and another to turn those into dishes that you have confidence in. amami's confidence even now is probably more around 70-80% than anything over 90. as for the dishes, they might not necessarily be gourmet level, but they're fairly good for sure. it seems like he's had some practice with them, even if there's room for improvement too. for that, the fact that meng yao seems to be pleased with them at a glance is more than enough to satisfy him while he turns his attention to his own soup. he'll start with this one, 'cause it gives him a warm and soft feeling for sure. )

[filialdeception]

Which I'll also chalk up to you being rather thoughtful.

[ Meng Yao is saying this, in between bites, in a light tone but his words are genuine. No one's ever done this for him and at home he doesn't think anyone would. To say that he's pleasantly surprised, even after the fact that it was clear they were eating out, might be actually kind of undermining it...given how grateful and happy he is.

But soon, he's already finished up the soup and moving right onto the mapo tofu. Once he's got a taste of that, though, he'll say something else. ]

...I do want to give compliments where it's due—in both the skill in presentation and how well it tastes. I was actually a bit expectant ever since we discussed this, as I recall that you told me about having skill in preparing food, when we first met. Besides the soup, did you teach some of these yourself while we were here, or did you already know how to make them?

[sisters]

( amami will pause in his own progress through the meal, when meng yao speaks up, and though his smile is bright and warm, he's still a bit embarrassed all the same at the praise. )

Well, I try — glad if I could live up to your expectations.

( after he went and built them up so high! but his eyes do brighten at that question — it's a bit of an opportunity, after all, and it can be fun talking about the places he's been. )

Where I come from, we've got a place called Lanling too. It's pretty different, but the culture still feels pretty close, so this has kinda felt like a trip through time.

( kinda — he can't really say "yeah this is the past," because maybe if they had awesome flying swords and cultivation they wouldn't have needed to come up with airplanes, but there is a pretty undeniable sense of similarity to the vibe those period stories he's seen have had. as for the matter of the actual food though, it's natural that it'd lead right back to that lie he'd shared before. )

Anyway, I picked up the rest of these recipes while traveling in that area back home. Thought it might be nice if they turned out to match what you're more used to.

[filialdeception]

[ He merely gives another smile in response in regards to expectations. Honestly speaking, he's just glad that he is able to give proper praise where it is due.

All the same, Meng Yao reminds himself to be careful not to overdo it, and also pays close attention to how Rantarou explains in an answer to the question he has asked of him. ]

I'm glad that there is a sense of familiarity that it's reminded you of. And that your efforts have clearly paid off. Though I can't say that I expected there may be similarities in places in our worlds, but I'll believe it a happy coincidence, considering.

[ Though, while they're chatting about familiarity and traveling... ]

Speaking of travelling, I know you at one point mentioned that it was a hobby of yours. What do you like most about them? Is it seeing the sights, picking up recipes, or other things, out of curiosity?

[sisters]

What I like most? That's a tough one. ( and he'll bring a hand up to his chin to make a point of considering it. )

I generally spend a pretty good amount of time anywhere I go, wanna make sure I don't miss anything, so it's kind of hard to narrow it down.

( but he'll give it a shot. quiet for a moment as he flips through his experiences. food is good, but food can travel to you the same as you can go to it. most of the more "exciting" things that come to mind feel more like sidequests to him; not something he focuses on, but more the result of rolling with whatever the world happens to throw his way. besides that, its true that he meets all kinds of people, but they're always held at an arms-length at best, and when it comes down to the quiet moments that he appreciates the most... )

If I had to pick, yeah, the sights might be what comes out on top. There's something really special about being all alone and seeing something that puts into perspective just how big the world is. And even if it's only for a few minutes that you stop to take it in, it really... it feels like you're the only person in the world, for that few minutes.

( there's something soft and a little wistful in his voice, but he seems to catch it as he's finishing, laughing a bit to try and play it off. )

It'd be great if I could show you what I mean, but those kinds of views, a— ( camera, he wants to say, but quickly corrects himself— ) a picture wouldn't do them justice.

[filialdeception]

[ Meng Yao watches him curiously, listening to when he starts speaking, and smiling a little when he tries to laugh off the wistfulness. He thinks he can understand why, though. ]

You're right that it wouldn't. Paintings can catch the essence of a place with ease, and the same can be said of the people that may be contained within them. But, capturing the emotions like that behind experiencing it is another matter entirely.

[ He doesn't consider himself a painter or anything, but he is well familiar with the arts, given that two of his prior associations were intimately acquainted with such things. Or at least familiar enough that they perused it, whether because it was their own interest, or it was expected for one of them. ]

I can't even say that I've travel as a hobby, but I've been to various places, due to being a cultivator, so I think I can imagine. Most of the time my focus has been more on the people, what needs to be done, and whatever slight differences in cultures there are from each Sect's region, more than anything else. In the end, I think it'd be nice, though...if I can experience that same thing.

[sisters]

Right, you travel with purpose, huh. That makes sense — but you gotta remember what we said before and take a break once in a while where you can. It wouldn't be such a bad thing if you took the time to see some sights the next time you get the chance.

( it was something about tightening strings too much and they'll snap that he'd said before, wasn't it? a reference to instruments, he's pretty sure, but makes a good metaphor for people too. regardless, the words come with an easy smile; he can't say promises that such a chance will come in precisely the way that meng yao wants it to, but he thinks back on kazuki's words about the soul being shaped by the mundane. it's a nice thought, to him, if the thought would stick with meng yao however he makes his way back home — though amami would certainly be glad if he was able to make it back to where he left off, and where he's supposed to be.

but anyway, he'll shrug his shoulders, because that doesn't seem too fun of a topic to get into at the moment. instead, he'll flash a smile — something that starts out bright, but softens into warmth instead as he continues. )

Well, anyway, I've got to say that even the most breathtaking sights still don't compare to this.

[filialdeception]

Yes, you're certainly right.

[ Meng Yao wonders idly if that was another reason why he jumped at the chance to go on this exchange, in retrospect. Because he does recall having a discussion with someone about how the trip might end up being a twisted version of their homes, and though Lanling isn't home, in his heart he had wanted it to be. He wanted to see something familiar again, and though he knows that is the main reason why he did what he perceived to be kind of reckless (by going), he supposes that other motivations could've factored into it. ​

It's not a bad thing to muse about, at any rate...and his thoughts on the matter temporarily flitter away when Rantarou smiles and he listens to him continue speaking. ]

...No, they don't. There's something to be said about spending time with other people together, and then sharing a meal with one another. Of course, in a positive manner, but I had wondered what that was like. Of course, I've shared a meal with people before. However, it's...different.

I'm not sure how to explain it—ah, wait. Maybe it's because we're able to do so in such a relaxing position with a friendly face. And, well, that in of itself makes all the difference—makes it feel so memorable.

[ A memory Meng Yao won't ever want to forget. ]

[sisters]

Yeah — that's it exactly. You really get me on this kind of thing.

( which is, on some level, something he feels sympathetic to — he didn't miss that wording in wondering what it was like, but maybe his own agreement can express the feeling of slight understanding he shares for the sentiment. right now though, it's the positives they're focusing on. right now is about how this situation is different from that sense of wondering, and for that, amami is more than happy with expanding a little on his own perspective. )

When you're always bouncing from one place to the next, it doesn't matter how amazing the things you get to see might be. Compared to them, I think it's like we said before — that it's the simple things, things like spending time with the people you care about, that end up being the most special.

( and, feeling a bit embarrassed as he tucks a strand of hair behind his ear, he guesses that it's best to put it into words. )

So I guess what I want to say is thanks, A-Yao, for sharing moments like this with me.

( and, you know, for understanding their value in the same way that he does. )

[filialdeception]

[ Yes, special...

At the thought, even before Rantarou gives his words of gratitude, Meng Yao can feel that warmth from before bubble up within him. It's nice, not only having someone to share these moments with, but also to have someone who understands you. It reminds him that though he's felt like the world had been torn from beneath his feet, that though the world can be cruel and try to crush people mercilessly...it doesn't always have to be that way. ​​​]

...I'm honored to know that you would give such thanks, though of course it is no trouble. Truthfully, I'm also thankful that you've given us an opportunity to share such moments together in the first place. Without being accompanied here, I can't say I would be enjoying myself just as much.

[ And originally, he thought he would end up going by himself. At the time, he didn't think it mattered. Now, he understands that it does. ]

In fact, I hadn't anticipated I would be enjoying my time here at all. Part of my original reason for coming here was a form of some curiosity, rather than deciding to spend some time relaxing. Though, I think what helps is that surprisingly, things aren't so bad as I once imagined they might look.

...But with that said, I look forward to us spending more time together again. After all, you do make for good company, Rantarou.