Open RP Post

[xiaoxiuya]

Post for personal storylines of all kinds, may contain NSFW material.

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PSL: When in Chang'An

[xiaoxiuya]

A new month brought with it a new type of monsters, of a kind especially horrifying to the Sleeper population. For them death was cheap, but these bites of these creatures caused their victims to disappear entirely. Nobody knew if they'd been obliterated entirely or simply teleported elsewhere; so far none of the people to disappear had come back or responded to inquiries on the network. Shen Yuan had tried to keep his head down and avoid them, but when a group of normal humans were attacked right in front of him, what could he do? He wasn't one of the monsters, after all.

Sorry, Jin-ge, he had time to think just before everything went black. Didn't mean to ditch you like this...

The next time he opened his eyes, it was because the throbbing in his bitten arm had grown too painful to ignore. He was lying on his side, in the dirt; the sky was obscured by thick and leafy branches from the trees that loomed overhead.

So not only was he injured, but once again he'd been teleported into the fucking woods. That was great, honestly. Just great!

[baiyueguang]

There was always a night hunt on, cultivators prowling the thick forests for the things that go bump in the night and all.

Lan Xichen had needed some time to think, now that his brother had recovered from his injuries and slipped off into the world to search for a man he likely wouldn't find. Life was cruel like that, and Lan Xichen had no desire to make it more-so. He let his brother go.

It didn't make the ache of missing him lessen any, but the cool evening air and the fresh smell after a rain helped shake out the more dismal thoughts settling at the corners of his mind and collecting dust.

His musings were promptly disrupted when he spotted someone sprawled prone across the narrow path. He hesitated a moment, in case it was a trap or a corpse, but only a moment, as he weighed his obligation to the wounded as far more pressing than any danger to himself. The man was breathing after all, so he couldn't be the dead walking.

Kneeling beside the man, he extends a hand to help him sit upright.

"Are you alright...?" he asks voice soft, soothing, but there's a lilt of concern.

[xiaoxiuya]

Was he alright? Not especially, no! "I've been better," Shen Yuan answers, making an effort to lighten his tone and sound mildly inconvienced instead of agonized. He looked up at his potential savior -- and nearly fell over again. There was no way to mistake this man for a local.

"Cultivator...?" The word slipped out without his realizing, pain and surprise making his self-control slip. He knew all the cultivators in Trench, and this man wasn't one of them. It was possible that he was a new arrival who'd just stayed under the radar 'til now -- or Shen Yuan had transmigrated again. Only one way to find out.

"Forgive me, gongzi, for speaking so casually," he says, allowing himself to wince and clutch his injured arm. "This one has been injured, and my head...please, where are we?"

[baiyueguang]

"There's nothing to forgive," he affirms, checking this stranger over for injuries. Beside damp debris from the forest floor clinging to his fine garb, there doesn't seem to be anything especially wrong with him, but one can never be too sure. Injuries could often present themselves in ways invisible to the naked eye.

A pair of cool fingers press gently to his wrist, just to check.

To address his other question, Lan Xichen chuckles.

"We're in the hills south of Caiyi Town. You must have hit your head. What do you remember last?"

He touches around Shen Yuan's head, checking for bumps or sore spots. Head injuries could be particularly insidious if not seen to quickly.

[xiaoxiuya]

So he had transmigrated. This next part would have to be managed carefully, then; he didn't want to be mistaken for a criminal or madman.

"I'm not sure," he says quietly. "Fighting, perhaps? Something struck me..."

With another wince he sits up properly, leaning against the tree so he can properly examine his arm. The wound itself is disappointingly small, for how much it hurts: a strip torn out of his robes with a single set of bite marks dug into his bicep. He hadn't even bled very much, unfortunately.

It was easy to appear panicked when he very nearly was. "Please forgive me," he says again, "but where exactly is Caiyi Town? Which is the nearest city?"

[baiyueguang]

He eyed the bite warily, though there was no sign in his vitals that it had contained corpse powder. If he had been fighting a fierce corpse, he was, indeed, lucky. Still, he rummages through his bag to procure the antidote; if he's right and there is nothing amiss, then he wastes a cure. If he is wrong, and the corpse powder is in his system, then it's a wasted life.

Lan Xichen knows which he'd prefer.

"Gusu," he explains, as he unstoppers the bottle. "May I look at the injury on your arm? I have some medicine to prevent infection."

[xiaoxiuya]

"Ah, please..." Shen Yuan turns to the side, holding his sleeve up for the stranger to work more easily. "Gongzi is very kind, very generous..."

With his face turned away he can plot more carefully. Unfortunately he's transmigrated into much less advantageous circumstances this time; no established identity, and no welcome pack either. In circumstances like these even the System's advice wouldn't be entirely unwelcome. As it is he has to make a difficult choice between appealing to a stranger for help now and possibly getting into trouble later, or trying to make it completely on his own.

"May this one know his savior's name?" he asks quietly, turning his head to peer at the stranger through his own untidy hair. (Independence has honestly never come easily to Shen Yuan at all.)

[baiyueguang]

He cleans the wound and applies the salve with practiced ease, as though he's done it a thousand times over. Something at the back of his mind perks it's ears; that something about this situation is... perplexing. Something he can't quite put his finger on, though nothing feels sinister. Just a lingering feeling in the air around him that something had shifted.

"My apologies for being remiss; secrecy was not my intent. I am Lan Xichen," he introduces himself, watching for, perhaps, a sign of recognition. "Which clan are you with? Or are you here on your own?"

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Yuan holds the man's -- Lan Xichen's -- gaze for one heartbeat, two, before sighing and looking down at his own lap. "I...I don't know," he says quietly. "My given name is Yuan, I can remember that much, but...the rest..." He shakes his head. Shen was a common name in Beijing, but he can't assume the same is true here. Better to wait until he can gather more information before accidentally claiming any stray family ties.

"Surely there were others," he pretends to mumble to himself. "I wouldn't...what kind of person just wanders into the woods alone?"

Yeah, Cultivator Lan. What kind of person does that?

[baiyueguang]

Rogue cultivators, that's who. Nothing to be alarmed about, but if Shen Yuan was, indeed, with a group and had been separated, then it would be best to make sure they were all reunited quickly.

His smile gentles as he corks the bottle and stows it away. No sign he knew of his status; that made things easier; they could both speak more freely, and Lan Xichen could help him find his missing group.

"They cannot have gone far. Please, come back with me and we can organize a search while you recover. Night will fall soon, and these hills are no place to be when you're hurt."

His own hunting would have to wait. Caring for the injured always took priority in these cases.

[xiaoxiuya]

Without a single spec of malicious intent in his heart, Shen Yuan still can't help but think, 'gotcha.' He's careful to keep it off his face.

"Lan-gongzi is so kind," he gratefully murmurs, climbing to his feet. "So generous, his ancestors smile on him. This lowly one cannot apologize enough for causing so much trouble..."

He studies Lan Xichen again once they've begun walking, a polite distance between them as the other man takes the lead. Pure white robes, jeweled headband, a very fine sword at his hip...none of it rings a bell to Shen Yuan, apart from signifying wealth and cultivation. He's fallen into the territory of a pre-eminent sect, obviously, but not in a world he knows. He suppresses a sigh. That will making getting himself established here tricky, especially since he still has yet to form a new golden core. He doesn't even have Xiu Ya with him -- although that might be for the better. The presence of such an obviously valuable sword might raise yet more questions he can't truthfully answer.

[baiyueguang]

"It's no trouble," he says gently, holding up his hands in a pacifying gesture. This is why he frequented these hills, after all! Even one life saved was a victory worth savouring.

As they walk, Lan Xichen keeps his pace slow, but even, occasionally shooting the stranger - Yuan - a sidelong glance to check to make sure if he was walking alright.

"Do you remember anything at all before you woke up?" he asks as they come to a particularly steep slope, leading back down to the main road.

[xiaoxiuya]

There's nothing wrong with Shen Yuan's legs, and he's not confident in his ability to convincingly maintain a limp -- so he walks upright, but at a slow pace, with frequent glances at their surroundings, like the lost person in unfamiliar surroundings that he is.

"Nothing that I haven't already mentioned," he says, and turns his head to give Lan Xichen a sad, weary look. "But this one can't blame Lan-gongzi for being suspicious. It's only natural, in circumstances like these...I shudder to think what might live in these woods, if they require patrols of armed cultivators to secure them."

[baiyueguang]

"Ah, it's not you I'm suspicious of. Rather it is worrying that you have no memory and an unfamiliar bite on your arm. I'm not sure what could have done that," he explains, making his way down the slope. When his feet hit the cobbled road, he gestures to Yuan to follow after.

"Or even if the two are related at all. Perhaps food and rest will help."

[xiaoxiuya]

"I wish I had more information to give gongzi," Shen Yuan says truthfully. This would be a lot less stressful if he had a good cover story. "If I remember anything else, I'll certainly say so."

By which he means if he manages to put together something believable, he'll definitely share it. But with so little information to go on, it's better to keep silent and be thought a fool than speak and abolish no doubt, is it not? Even if he does feel a little bad about tricking someone so honest and upright, he can't help but be grateful it was such a person who found him first!

So he keeps silent as they walk up the cobbled road, speaking only when directly spoken to, and carefully observes anything and anyone they happen to pass by. He doesn't know how long he'll be here after all, whether it was a permanent transmigration or he'll eventually snap back into Trench or what. Any piece of information could be useful.

[baiyueguang]

The road leads along a vast lake dotted with boats. As the air cools around them, a fine mist rises off the mirror surface and the chatter of fishermen floats through the air. Lan Xichen doesn't press his line of questioning further, but instead tries to point out landmarks in hopes of jogging Yuan's memory.

"This is Biling Lake," he says as they pass more and more houses dotting the shore. Soon they are passing into the town proper; likely a bustling place during the day from all the markets, but it doesn't seem to have much of a night-life. Storefronts and market stalls are closing down for the evening, a few pedestrians hurrying to make last minute purchases before getting home.

"Caiyi Town," he remarks, hoping for any sign of recognition as he heads for the inn.

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Yuan nods at each landmark that's pointed out to him, thanking Lan Xichen when it seems appropriate. Still nothing rings a bell, which seems manifestly unfair with how much time he spent reading xianxia in his first life. Maybe, if he has landed in another book, it was one written after he left...?

"Perhaps the innkeeper will recognize me?" he quietly suggests, knowing that they'll do no such thing but wanting to be seen as willing and cooperative.

Sure enough they definitely don't, nor has any group of rogue cultivators recently passed through town. Shen Yuan allows himself to look nervous again as Lan Xichen first asks his preference, and then begins to lead him upstairs towards a private room. "Gongzi," he asks softly as they reach the second floor. "Forgive this one for asking such a troublesome question, but...what will become of me if my memory doesn't return? If we can't find anyone who knows me?"

[baiyueguang]

Lan Xichen lets his guest make himself at home, heading instead for a small chest of supplies too cumbersome to lug around on hunts, but nonetheless handy.

The question catches him by surprise, and something twists in his heart at the worry in Yuan's voice.

"Hopefully, it will not come to that point."

The box clicks open and he draws back the lid. The contents are quite dull; books and scrolls and some spare incense.

"If, however, it does, do not worry. You can come stay in the Cloud Recesses until you are able to make your own way."

He plucks a folded rectangle of paper nestled between a pair of books, and unfurls it on the table. It's a map, carefully marking the location of each of the major cultivation sects, along with cities, towns, villages and other landmarks.

"If you are able to read, this may help. If not, I can read it for you; names and places may help your memory."

[xiaoxiuya]

"Is 'Cloud Recesses' the name of gongzi's sect?"

It's a relief to confirm that he'll have some place to stay after tonight. Whether he'll want to stay there for long is another matter best tabled for later consideration. Shen Yuan obligingly comes closer, peering at the map over Lan Xichen's shoulder. "I can read it," he reports with some relief; he hadn't been sure in Trench, but the System-given ability to easily read traditional characters remains.

He looks for 'Gusu' first, recalling that Lan Xichen had already called it the nearest city. It's as a good a place as any to start familiarizing himself with the lay of the land.

[baiyueguang]

"It is where the Gusu Lan Sect is located, in the mountains."

He draws his index finger to it, not far from the town their in. "Here."

He couldn't blame anyone for not wanting to stay in the Cloud Recesses; they were beautiful, but the rules and traditions could be... stifling for outsiders.

Standing, he steps away from the map so that Yuan can sit and inspect it at his own pace. While his strange new friend re-familiarizes himself, Lan Xichen takes care of some paperwork long overdue his attention.

He's beginning a letter to his friend in the Lanling Jin Sect when there is a gentle knock at the door. He opens it to greet the innkeeper, bearing a tray laden with their dinner.

There is quite a selection - quiet as the town is, there was certainly a steady enough trickle of travelers to warrant the better class inns wanting to show off the local cuisine. Once the table is cleared and they are seated, Lan Xichen pours them both tea.

Technically, he is not supposed to speak during meals, but this is a rather unusual occasion.

"Did the map help at all?" he asks, letting Yuan have the pick of the litter of the small banquet laid out for them.

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Yuan holds onto his questions until they've both sat down to eat.

"I'm afraid not," he says regretfully. "Or rather, it's useful to know where I am in the world; but I can't recall ever having visited any of the places on the map before."

He fills his bowl, leaving many of the best pieces for his host. "Is Lan-gongzi someone of importance to his sect, then, since he bears its name as his own?" he asks curiously. "If so I fear I may never be able to repay my debt to him."

[baiyueguang]

"There is no debt, so please, do not trouble yourself over such matter. I am only glad you were mostly unharmed."

Grievous memory loss and weird bitemark notwithstanding.

He picks his own favourites; small portions and avoiding any dishes with obvious meat in them.

"In any case, most in the sect carries the name 'Lan'," he explains, hiding a small smile behind his sleeve. "Though I do occupy a position of power within. I am the Sect Leader."

It feels awkward saying it like this over dinner, and while he's glad for the subject to come up naturally, he'd have preferred things to remain less socially stratified for the time being.

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Yuan stares, blinks, and stares some more. An unbidden image springs to mind, of Yue Qingyuan -- or worse, the Old Palace Master -- tramping around in the woods as Lan Xichen had done, looking for whatever trouble found him. It's so incongrous with their personalities and status that he has to literally bite his tongue not to laugh out loud. But then his mind starts playing a lowlights reel of all the things that can go wrong on a night hunt -- that time Liu Qingge got swarmed by succubi, the time Shen Qingqiu himself was kidnapped and stripped by a skinner demon, every time he's nearly gotten a facefull of psychoactive pollen while trying to gather herbs for the sect -- and instead of laughing he feels the urge to grab Lan Xichen by the arms and shake him. 'What were you thinking?' he wants to demand. 'What do you think would happen to your sect if something happened to you??'

But that's none of his business or his place to say; if anything it would be bad for his cover, so Shen Yuan refrains. "I see," he says instead, subdued. "Then I can only thank Sect Leader Lan, once again, for his kindness." He bows his head slightly in gratitude and focuses on eating.

A few minutes later he helps himself to some of the pork and chicken Lan Xichen is obviously avoiding. Just so it won't go to waste, of course.

[baiyueguang]

In Lan Xichen's defense, he was strolling, not tramping; he has never tramped, tromped or even galumphed in his entire life.

It's against at least one of the 3500 rules he adheres... fairly strictly to.

"I am only glad that I was able to help," he says, a small, serene smile passing over his face.

It's good that Yuan has an appetite, he thinks. There's a reason he asked for variety.

"I have read that taste and scent are the best ways of breaking through amnesia. If we can even restore your short term memory, then we may be able to work backwards from there. In the meantime, I will ask others to keep an eye out for anyone who may be looking for you."

[xiaoxiuya]

Lan Xichen is being so earnest about him that Shen Yuan feels a little bad about tricking him like this. Not enough to stop though. He nods, not even actually feigning the polite interest and gratitude, and says, "Sect Leader Lan of course knows best. In the meantime this Yuan will do his best not to be a further source of inconvenience for him and his sect."

He's already thinking about his next move. If this latest transmigration reverses himself and he wakes up back in Trench, great. But he can't count on that, which means he needs to start establishing a legitimate place for himself in this world. The protection of a powerful sect would be perfect in that regard, even if he can only find himself a place in it as a servant or outer disciple. He can always build on that later if he needs to; right now he just doesn't want to end up sleeping in the streets.