daozhangs | ic inbox, ryslig.

You need to come to Yunmeng so you will learn that being forced to swallow mouthfuls of dirty pond water is just as unpleasant as drinking poison. [ There's a hint of an answering smile on his lips as he herds Xiao Xingchen onto the street, only to falter once he actually has to make a decision about this tracking down an appropriate bar business.

Maybe he should have researched beforehand, or asked one of his contacts in town. But that would have been far too embarrassing. ]

Let's just find some place that doesn't look too grimy, we can move on if we don't like it [ he finally decides and on a whim, decides to go left. ] This city has too many bars. It's so much easier when there is one place with decent wine in town.

( unfortunately, he is very much incapable of coming to yunmeng even if he leaves this place, but he's hardly going to bring the mood down by mentioning as much. instead, he follows jiang wanyin's lead, stopping patiently as the man seems to deliberate on which direction to take them.

left, is apparently the direction they've settled on, though from the sounds of it, that choice is guesswork at best. 'let's just find some place that doesn't look too grimy,' is the criteria they're working with, to which he's about to make sort of mild remark about deferring to jiang wanyin (it's not as if he can assess how a bar looks), but that's when a scent reaches him on the light breeze. he would assume the scent is some sort of cleaning chemical, but it's slightly too food-adjacent to write off quite that way (not to mention the aroma of actual foods, which comes along with it).

he hums thoughtfully, and - ) There might be a place just down the block - three, perhaps four shops away? ( or else someone in this bustle of people is carrying at least three different alcoholic drinks and something fried in oil. )

Edited 2020-09-15 00:42 (UTC)

[ Jiang Cheng's steps falter a little as he tries to wrap his mind around the fact that Xiao Xingchen... No, actually, he doesn't even know how he has done that but as they keep walking he can indeed spy the sign of a bar, and so he just stares at his friend again, steps slowing. ]

How did you know that? [ The most logical explanation would be that he knows the stores in the neighborhood but he had said might not is so... Jiang Cheng makes an incredulous noise. ] Don't tell me you can smell it?!

[ He'd heard about some monsters gaining new or enhanced abilities but this... ]

( his lips press together a moment, resisting the a smile that otherwise might have seemed a bit too pleased with the degree of jiang wanyin's surprise. )

I did say that my senses are quite a bit sharper now, ( he reminds him, too light to be scolding. he said it when he spoke of tidying up all the blood, so it's understandable that his friend had other things on his mind at the moment. ) There's someone walking toward us right now, and they're carrying some sort of - fried potato? ( those are called fries, xingchen. and sure enough, the person appears in the crowd a few yards away, to-go tray of fries in hand as promised.

his head tilts slightly, listening to pinpoint location, ) And there's a hungry cat at an open window to our left, two windows up I think. ( it's a bit in front of them still, not quite to their left yet, but more or less correct. ) Have I convinced you?

[ He lets his eyes wander back to the sign of the bar, then to the woman with the fries - he knows what they are, he had tried them at the awful museum - and finally lets his gaze wander up to the higher windows. His own senses are no longer what they used to be, they are just a common man's now, but when he lets his eyes wander from one house's window to the next, he finally spies the cat. ]

Quite a bit sharper? [ Jiang Cheng shakes his head with an amused noise made in the back of his throat. ] Is that what you call it? That is...

[ It's strange, foremost. And well, maybe he is a little bit envious, too, though the price Xiao Xingchen has to pay every night and every fog can't make up for the advantages. No, at the end of the day he isn't envious, just... ]

It's impressive. You are mastering your new skills well. I had no idea you can even do that.

( to be entirely fair, his hearing was already distinctly sharper just to compensate for his lack of sight, and he would certainly not be able to use it quite so well were he not used to listening for environmental sounds to contextualize each step he takes.

either way, he finally allows himself a pleased little smile at the compliments, nodding a gracious nod. ) It can hardly take the place of my qi, but I'm grateful for it nonetheless. Doubly so that it remains even when the rest of my changes recede. ( not grateful to the fog god, mind you - more so simply to fate and the way it seems to have twisted in this particular case. )

It's a useful skill that will serve you well here, both in battle and outside of it. [ And with that said he starts walking again, aiming for the bar which Xiao Xingchen had pointed out to him. They still have a goal of getting drunk, after all. ] You should keep working on it. Have you gotten another sword yet? It took me a while to adjust to using it without cultivation.

[ More like, that had been grueling and still is. Better to be an armed common man than an unarmed common man, though. ]

( both in battle and outside of it, jiang wanyin says. as they resume their pace, xingchen considers the words - he has yet to see a battle here in a month and a half, but that doesn't mean they don't occur. what is there to battle, now that the poachers have been dealt with?

the question about a sword earns a dissatisfied sigh through his nose. ) I haven't. I've meant to, but I won't do him the discourtesy of showing up without proper coin. ( and he has yet to gather proper coin. that which he has gathered, he's spent on necessities, and on incense and joss paper, and on whatever else has come up. )

Of course you wouldn't. [ And he understands pride, he understands dignity, he just... Wishes Xiao Xingchen could have a little bit less of both right now when it's so terribly inconvenient. ] I just don't like knowing you are unarmed. I'm eager to cross swords with you. [ Not to mention that he is worried. They are so terrible vulnerable now without their golden cores... He'd been lucky so far but the skills of regular people just can't compare to cultivators. ]

I have asked Tsukikage to forge me another sword which holds more resemblance to Sandu than this one. [ He gestures at the European-style longsword he carries, an arming sword coming with a simple, functional leather scabbard better suited to protecting the blade than for being used as a shield in battle. ] I would lend you this one so you will finally have no excuse not to train with me anymore.

Edited 2020-09-16 13:18 (UTC)

( xingchen doesn't even feel like it's a matter of pride or dignity - he feels like it's a matter of not insulting the man who may well forge his blade by asking such favors with no promise of anything useful in return.

in the meantime, both the concern (let's not pretend it isn't) and the eagerness to spar bring the smile back to his lips. not to mention the offer to lend his old sword (which jiang wanyin apparently carries on his person just as he did back home, because of course he does). )

I would very much appreciate that. Perhaps by the time I acquire a sword, I'll have figured out how to use it. ( an exaggeration, most certainly - he knows very well how to use it, and much of that likely carries over even without his qi to sense the world around him, especially now that his senses have heightened - but it's a good-humored exaggeration at least, not self-depreciative in any way that warrants reassurance. )

[ Jiang Cheng snorts in good-natured, amused derision. ] I would hope so! It would be terribly embarrassing to see a cultivator of your renown fumbling around like some hapless junior!

[ As they reach the bar, he sobers, giving a quick look at the crowd inside just to make sure it seems to be a friendly enough place. Monsters aren't welcome everywhere in Bavan these days and though he wears gloves to hide his porcelain hand, it's better not to be foolish on a day they just want to relax.

There are few people inside at this time of the day and they seem unremarkable enough, which satisfies him and has him focus on his companion again. ] It's the small things that keep tripping me up during fights [ he admits quietly. ] I expect to leap high or for a kick to have a certain strength... and then this body just fails me.

( while xingchen is not one for kicks during combat and has not yet tried to leap, he certainly understands the feeling of one's body failing them - a body that would be perfectly serviceable, were it still in possession of the golden core he worked so hard to form. but he doesn't dwell on it. he doesn't need to remain a daozhang to recognize the benefit in accepting that which is rather than clinging to that which was. there's far too much to dwell on in the present to weigh himself down with any bits of the past that he finds himself able to shed.

he does not answer until they've made their way properly inside - more specifically, until he and jiang wanyin have lapsed into enough of a silence to get an approximate read on the place, listening for how many others are here and in which directions. a hand lifts to catch lightly on his friend's sleeve just below the shoulder for a moment in a wordless 'this way' as he makes his way in the one direction in which nobody sounds like they're sitting, into what seems like a secondary room. (it doesn't quite occur to him that they might need to order drinks at the bar - taverns in their homeland bring such things to your table.)

only once his quiet footsteps echo against the nearing wall does he reach out, fingertips finding the back of what turns out to be a couch. a couch which now (temporarily) belongs to xiao xingchen, as declared by the way he decisively sinks down at one end of it. he has led them to a corner between the wall and the window that spans the length of the building, though (through luck more than any planning on his part) the curtains are closed on that window just enough that most of their seating area is less easily viewed by those walking by outside. his knees brush against a low table, which is good, they'll need somewhere to set their drinks.

only after he's seated does he think to ask, ) Is this alright? ( with a 'glance' across the table and opposite chairs to indicate what he's referring to. he hasn't forgotten the topic at hand, it just seemed like a topic that deserved a more seated form of attention. )

[ Once they are inside the bar, Jiang Cheng is content to let Xiao Xingchen take the lead. He curiously watches him orient himself in the place and decide where they will be sitting, making a choice which Jiang Cheng finds himself agreeing with, even if he wouldn't have necessarily gone for a seat so close to the window. But there's no harm to it with the curtains closed and the privacy is definitely worth it. The other patrons are clustered in the main room with the bar, where the radio is tuned in to some sports event. ]

It's fine. Thank you. You have adjusted well to the current circumstances [ he remarks as he sits down in a ridiculously overstuffed armchair next to him. He grimaces at it, wishing this bar had proper seating or at the very least some decent hard wooden chairs rather than furniture which tries to eat you alive. Either way, no need to expound on the circumstances of Xiao Xingchen's limitationsdue to losing his golden core. It's all frustrations and indignities heaped upon them but what would you expect from a foe as dishonorable as the Fog God.

Jiang Cheng looks around, wondering how long it will take the waiter to arrive and take their orders. ] Do you think this place will have decent rice wine? I've yet to come across one here I want to use for more than gargling.

Edited 2020-09-17 22:41 (UTC)

( that is, perhaps, one of the best compliments he can receive - to be told that he has adjusted well, that he is not pitiably crippled by circumstance as seems to be the prevalent assumption when one finds out that he's without his sight. he has certainly tried to adjust well, with varying degrees of success.

the question earns a light laugh-breath, and he's shaking his head. ) I haven't the slightest clue what they'll have. ( he has never been to a bar, has tried very very little wine in his life, and has no idea what forms of alcohol are available here in ryslig. perhaps if he knew what good rice wine smelled like, he might be able to take an educated guess? ) You'll have to tell me your verdict. ( as if jiang wanyin would keep such an opinion to himself even if xingchen hadn't asked. )

[ Jiang Cheng has been to plenty of bars over his lifetime but he hasn't spent more time in Bavan than absolutely necessary, and certainly not been in the mood to socialize here. So he responds with a shrug of his own, before remembering that Xiao Xingchen wouldn't be able to see it. ] I don't know what to expect either. I haven't had occasion to go to bars here. I bought some wine at the stores but like I said, it was for gargling.

[ It had actually been perfectly fine industrial production rice wine, for Bavan rice wine. It just hadn't been like the gentry's rice wine as produced in ancient China.

He taps his fingers on his thigh, frown deepening. ] That is, if a server ever comes to take our orders. They aren't very fast here, are they?

[ Maybe he should have thought this whole getting drunk thing through, it's more complicated than expected. ]

( the complaint earns no immediate acknowledgment. instead, xingchen's brow knits just slightly, head turning as one might to triangulate some sort of sound. he's caught the words 'get another drink' from someone standing up at the far end of the room they're in, heading... back toward the door? no, it sounds like she's stopped at the bar, though he can't clearly make out quite what's being said.

after a good few seconds of silence: ) Is it possible that we're to place our orders up at the bar? ( it seems increasingly likely, all things considered. )

[ Jiang Cheng gives him a wide-eyed look, already halfway to bristling. ] That's terrible!

[ He had not considered that possibility at all but now he is paying attention as well... and indeed, there he catches sight of a woman returning to her table with several drinks. He huffs, scowl deepening. ] This is just another reason to hate Bavan.

[ But he's getting up anyway. Time to find out just how awful the rice wine here is. ]

( a smile flickers along the corners of xingchen's lips, because of course it's another reason to hate bavan. aren't most things, to jiang wanyin? it's terribly endearing, not that he'll say as much.

as the man stands, xingchen lifts a hand like 'go ahead' with a faintly amused, ) I trust in your judgment. ( he wouldn't have the foggiest clue what to order even if he were to accompany him. )

Yes, yes, of course you do [ he grumbles with an eyeroll which is far more fond than exasperated at this point.

Going to the bar, it turns out that you do need to order there. Ordering wine ends up with the bartender trying to pour him some red grape wine, which he can thankfully prevent just in time.

In the end, he returns holding a bottle and two shot glasses of a clear liquid. ]

I had some trouble convincing him I want a bottle and not just a single glass. I don't think the people here know how to handle their alcohol.

( oh, just give xingchen a half hour or so. little do either of them yet realize it, but he'll most certainly have more opinions on his drink selection after he's imbibed in whichever drinks jiang wanyin him.

xingchen hasn't the foggiest clue what exactly jiang wanyin brings back, and he extends a hand palm-up with fingers waiting to take hold of whatever drink he's given. it's not a particularly urgent or demanding gesture, more than content to wait until jiang-xiong ready to hand something over. ) Mm, well neither do I, let's not forget.

[ Jiang Cheng places the empty shot glass in Xingchen's hand and then pours him first from the bottle before pouring himself a shot. ]

The bartender said the only rice wine they have is sake, Japanese wine. When I complained said it's the same. [ You don't need to see Jiang Cheng scowling at that to know he is scowling. But alcohol is alcohol and they did come here to get drunk. ] I'm sure you know how to handle your alcohol better than the locals do, anyway. Who would be selling wine by the glass?!

( ah, but xingchen is quite a bit less sure about that. in fact, anyone who has ever finished an alcoholic beverage of any size is likely able to handle their alcohol better than him, though he supposes his unlikeliness to make truly terrible choices might count for something.

in the meantime, his sense of smell is doing xingchen a great disservice right at this moment, so instead of continuing to sit here and hold the tiny little cup, he brings it to his lips and downs it in one swallow. (ah - he understands the size of the vessel now, it's a perfect mouthful.)

his brow flickers under the edge of his bandage, lips pressing together a moment, and he sets the glass lightly on the table. ) It's not the same. ( an assessment, not a complaint. he may never have found himself drunk, but he has sipped enough foisted wine to recognize that this isn't nearly as potent... though that seems a waste, since it neither smells nor tastes any better. )

[ Jiang Cheng takes his time to sniff on the drink before tasting it, all braced to be dismissive of it just because he needs something else to complain about. He is in the mood to be complaining today - mostly, to be complaining about trivialities so he won't have to think about the things that have actually driven him to get drunk in the middle of the day. ]

At least it doesn't smell terrible [ he grumbles before swallowing it, and then promptly grimaces. ] But how is anyone supposed to get drunk on this? Did they water it down? [ Well, never mind that, he did get a whole bottle, so he quickly pours them the next round. ]

I miss home. Proper inns. With proper furniture. Good wine. Good food.

[ His golden core. His sect. His nephew. But no. Only trivialities now. ]

( it is as xingchen thought, the wine here is less potent - but they've already bought it, so it seems they'll be drinking it now regardless of what jiang wanyin thinks of it.

'i miss home,' the man says, and for the first time xingchen considers what it must be like in this place for someone who might actually return. the rest - the inns, the proper furniture, the good wine and food - he can't really speak to that. he has had precious little experience with any of it (save for perhaps more familiar furniture, however modest). ) It's certainly understandable, ( is what he offers instead. ) But until you find your way home, we'll find ways to make do. This can't be the best of the rice wines in this city. ( a hand falls to the couch seat beside where he sits, thoughtful. ) And this couch is rather comfortable. I can make room, if you'd like?

I doubt it's any less insufficient than this armchair [ he grumbles - and yet he still gets up and moves to the couch. At least they can talk at a quieter volume like this, which is always a good thing when they are two monsters trying to pass for local humans. At least the couch turns out not as ridiculously overstuffed, even if he still finds it uncomfortable. It's definitely neither made in mind with someone who wants to kneel or sit cross-legged, so much is for sure. How undignified, to wobble before you are even drunk!

On that thought, he empties his second glass and instantly refills. ] You're right, there must be better places somewhere in this city. I'll have to ask around, though I don't know anyone else from China.

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, XIAO.XINGCHEN. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 018.07.154.55 * XIAO.XINGCHEN has joined 018.07.154.55 <XIAO.XINGCHEN> You have reached Xiao Xingchen. <XIAO.XINGCHEN>** I am often away from my laptop, but I will do my best to answer as soon as I'm able.

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