𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥

questions prompt // accepting

@demcngeneral asked: “ can i ask… what happened? ” (for Mei Xing)

The disciple huffed out in frustration as she watched the shadowy figure vanish around the corner, hearing the question that had been asked but choosing to ignore it for the moment, keeping her gaze fixated ahead.

As her anger subsided and her calm composure had been regained, Mei-Xing turned to the other, shaking her head in response at last.

He shifted his attention back to her when she made slight movement the curiosity of the situation in his eyes. Though he didn't give full voice to them save to make sure she was alright. "Many Sects can be violent, but this is ridiculous to come into your territory and wound you in such a manner." it was cowardly tactics to sneak into a place of peace to launch an attack. Others might not see it that way though.

"You should let me have a look at that." he stated holding a handout if she wished him to check for poison. He was immune to poisoning due to his very nature. "Are you about to be at war with them?" he inquired. Though realizing he had yet to introduce himself he did so promptly "I am Nitian ErXing I am the Sect Leader of the Cloud Bird Sect." he pointed upwards, his sect was known to live among the clouds, and they got around on large intelligent birds.

Often exclusive and kept to themselves but time to time Sect business brought him to mainland.

Why someone would want to send assassins after a young woman was beyond his comprehension why people did anything so devastating was to be fair to his train of thought. If they really thought, the Demon God was going to simply allow it to happen they were bigger fools for sending people into this territory. He was known here, and he had friends in this place.

He had dispatched of the would be assassin and taken everything they owned to be placed in his sleeve to examine later. Since he wanted to find out who was sending people after others. It was foolish to him these were people who would simply never return with information, nor would their souls be contactable through any means. His sword was a soul eater, when it came to the cruel and devious.

The silk wrapped boxes were sat on a table in the spacious tea house room. He had rented and he set about unwrapping the silk to set out the bento on the table. There was spiced beef with a chili sauce, spiced fish and vegetables, tempura vegetables & chicken and soup. Two large boxes of rice. "Did you put the tea on ?" he asked politely before he addressed her comment to him.

"You should be you, follow your own path." he stated " If the needle and thread are your calling do not relent, or compromise." he reach up to undo his mask and set it aside. "You are your own person, I am the opposite I am a warrior, I have always been so since I was a boy, and I will be so until I die again." he shrugged his chain armor over his head, leaving the simple leather set on.

"Have you considered doing commissioned work?" he asked He did not bother to speak of the assassin that would never trouble anyone again. It wasn't worth scaring her.

          yet for once, neither had been around to protect her, for she had snuck off to see her new friend, Erxing. little did she expect that anyone would wish her ill will and so when the sudden attack came from the shadows, it took everything within her not to faint but instead run. she knew that she was fortunate that the Demon-God had been around for after she had tripped over a tree root, she knew she would no longer be within this lifecycle.     ❝  of course, i figured you would be thirsty after... taking care of matters.  ❞    she spoke with admiration to her hero, as lifted the kettle and began to pour into one of the tea glasses for him.

        ❝  i do follow my passions. i am most fortunate. my Māmā has taught me a great deal, for she was a lady within the heavenly court before marrying my Bàba. it is thanks to her and to MuMu, that i have time to follow my passions.  ❞    her eyes lifted to look at him, as she gently placed the tea glass before him before glancing back to pour one for herself.     ❝  do you enjoy being a warrior ? is it your passion or do you enjoy other things as well ?  ❞

          the soft smile lingered upon her lips as she finished pouring her drink and settled the tea kettle back within the middle of the table. she allowed the drink too cool, for she did not want to seem improper by rushing to sip.       ❝  you know, i have great admiration for your skills and kindness. you are very much like the warriors in my family; noble, kind, brave and fierce. it is truly a special talent to have.   ❞    she reached to help prepare the food as he took off his armor, making sure to set things for him before herself.

        ❝  i do. i have been blessed to help many ladies at court dress for fanciful events. i have helped some men too, but i am usually chaperoned when they come around seeking a new look. i do so enjoy watching the joy in the faces of those who put on my outfits and it is my desire to design many more things.  ❞    she paused as she finished setting the last of the food out before bringing her hands closer to herself.     

        ❝  i must thank you, for saving my life and though i already impose so much on you, i must ask that you do not let the God of War find out, i do not wish to cause her anymore concern then i already do and... she might figure out my escape route and i will be limited in coming to see you.  ❞

He had not expected her to attempt to come into the Under-Realm, nor had he expected someone to want to kill her. He was sure that his people would have brought her to him immediately being a fairy, and not from the demon realm. However, the person who followed her had not had the flair of the heavenly courts, nor were they one of the Demon Tribes he ruled over. ErXing wondered why someone would wish to kill a fairy seamstress of all things. He had asked the man before he had killed him and had gotten the same pathetic answer most fools who believed their will to be strong would give. I'll never tell you; you will have to kill me. He had promised the first one was a moot point and the second he'd gladly do. The blade had told him once the soul had been consumed the man was seeking to lure out the current God of War and thought if the little fairy was around her sister would not be far behind.

So it had been an attempted strike to hurt the War God. Petty, and ever so stupid.

He snorted "It was more of a challenge gaining lunch than it was dealing with that fool." he answered her as he dipped his head in thanks for her making tea. "I would have been back sooner, but I had to jump to three different places to get the foods I wished for you to try." he said.

Moving to kneel on the pillows he smiled "It is good you can do so." he said "Many are kept in such a position they are bartering chips for their parents, or wed off to someone that will give the family prosperity or wealth or positions of power." he said "It is good to know yours view you as a person and care for your thoughts and dreams." he scooted the cup closer to allow it to cool. "I never thought about it." he stated swishing the liquid around the cup eyes thoughtful "My brother raised me and to he and I it was a game, something affectionate to share. I never imagined he was preparing me for his position, or that the game was lessons in self-defense and combat until I was older, by that point my people were in peril and had to be the ruler they needed much of what I have learned and do now is for my people. " a chuckle followed "I enjoy cooking for myself." he said "I am a crafter I make weapons and armors I enjoy the creation process."

He lifted the tea to smell the aroma and the slight movement of his head sent his long braid swinging over his shoulder. "It is an honor to be compared to your family." he said "I have longed fought for the rights of others, for the chance for people to be free." he stated softly. "It is something learned over the many years, if you fail to have compassion, perseverance and empathy for those who share a world with you. It is hard to consider yourself truly deserving of such things in return."

"I have trained many people of the middle kingdom their lives are so short the burn so bright that spark out." he said "Some gain a fraction of the immortality we have, and it is always something special. I am always proud when they learn from me." he said "I have trained abused woman how to fight, how to protect themselves and I have fought for those who cannot do so for themselves. " It was not the same as making the world beautiful. "You make the world prettier, and I do what I can to make it safe." he nodded to the food and took up his soup first.

He paused with the spoon on the way to his lips. "Eh, I believe the God of War would already know." he said seriously. "She is the War God, where conflict threatens, she knows. I am almost certain she would have you watched Xiu." emerald eyes rose to meet her own as he took a spoonful of soup. "If I had a little sister who was a lady, and who seemed to enjoy slipping off I would not stop her I would have her watched and protected from a distance, so she had her freedom but also safety." he stated "Does this sound anything like you sister?" a thin brow raised.

BURNING FLAMES, episode 20

Here for her?

That didn’t feel true. Though he could tell her a thousand times and she still wouldn’t have believed it. For someone who considered herself a factual person, she has a hard time accepting anything that was supportive to her. Being independent was good, sure, but Feng Wu had managed cross that line into having to do and survive everything by herself. 

Why trust people…when you knew that eventually they would walk away. Even if he seemed dedicated right now, who was to say that it was going to be so in the future. After all, it was better to do without and struggle, than to get used to something nice and it it ripped out of your hands. 

The real question was how did she accomplish that without offending people?

She had a hundred things she could tell him that would cut this conversation dead, refuse help, and managed to put a brick wall in between them… Except she’d noted that when she did that, it seemed to upset people. They were hurt by it. That wasn’t what she wanted to do to people, so instead she was standing there in silence, thinking far too deeply and hard about the subject. 

It would be natural for someone who's experiences had given her so much trauma to not easily believe or to doubt. He didn't mind the disbelief he didn't believe in words being the only expression he would prove it with actions. That was how he also built rapport, actions and affirmation of what was being done so there could be no second guessing.

He had lost everyone dear to him over time. He had caused his brother to sacrifice his life to save his own. He knew about lacking trust in others. It was in part what Erxing was single to begin with. He had no crystal ball to say what the future held, he had no vision to grant him insight he had deeds and personality to see things through. He would not live a life of what ifs, or what will the future hold? Right now, was good enough let each day take care of itself.

You couldn't. You had to be careful with people because everyone was different, and everyone had different needs. It wasn't even about not offending people but rather making connections, which was hard sometimes.

Brows drew together at her silence and how she seemed to be searching for words. Was she thinking he was flirting with her ? Trying to worm his way into her heart ? He was just trying to establish a friendship that always had to come first. Maybe he'd broken her thought process that didn't bring much comfort either come to it.

"I don't expect an elaborate answer, I don't expect an answer at all. It was not said to make you respond, it was said as that is what I feel." he stated simply." Your right it isn't my fight." he said emerald gaze fixing on her. "However, I choose to make it so as your friend." he stated as though this was the most obvious answer in the world to him. "I am not being dragged into anything. I chose to help; I chose to befriend you and I choose to continue to do so." he shrugged his shoulders faintly. "I know your worried about me, and I can't say don't be because that's not human emotion. I can say I will be here regardless."

"Someday - when we are wiser, when the world's older, when we have learned - I pray some day we may yet live to live, and let live."

"It is a case of making such a thing a reality, though it always seems to demand bloodshed, as though a sacrifice must be made." he took a seat close by without crowding the young woman.

She paused and hunched down over his still form. A gentle poke of a finger followed. "A-Sang...A-Sang, did someone tell you, you had to do paperwork again?"