Come on in, the drinks are fine.

"Does our princess need a special invitation? Don't slouch, let's go. If we get scolded, I'm blaming the whole thing on you spacing out instead of giving me instructions I wasn't aware of." Boyan warned his friend while wagging his finger right in front of his face, before catching Yijia's shoulder and pulling him next to himself.

As always, shameless and focused on only one thing at a time, Boyan was now only interested in getting back to the sect to make use of the time the guest Cultivator was willing to give the young students. Perhaps there would be some good points of reference for the young man to expand on his technique, to learn a few more tricks, some better way of manipulating his qi. For this, he was willing to listen to the boring parts of philosophy and ideology, even though his own approach to cultivation was much more pragmatic.

The boy pulled on the arm of his friend to speed them up, throwing a few more remarks about Yijia and his attitude to any sort of physical exercise. Yijia's robe fluttered as he was half-dragged by Boyan to move faster and faster to the point where they nearly ran into the group of students already seated to listen to the lecture. The way the two youngsters burst resulted in a two dozen pairs of eyes turning and dixing themselves on the two.

Unabashed, Boyan quickly nodded and gestured for everyone else to turn back. The teacher had not yet risen to speak, so technically, Yijia and he were in the clear. They may get a mild talking to for their entrance - if they get caught by their master later - but there should be no punishment. Without hesitation, Boyan pulled Yijia to join the group, and as they stood in formation, he turned to wink at his friend. "You're welcome, by the way. If we came here based on your pace, we'd be late. I'd say I actually save you from punishment, so... remember you owe me." With those words, he turned to focus on the man who rose and started talking. The teachings began.

The touch of his friend was like an electric current shooting right up poor Yijia's spine. As much as the young cultivator wanted to resemble distinguished sages of the past, walking gracefully by Boyan's side, that current had pulverised any poise he had left. And thus, he stumbled over as his shixiong -- who up until just a moment ago was lost in a golden millet dream -- scolded him for running late.

Emptiness is form, Yijia recited in his mind a phrase he's heard his Master say countless of times whenever faced with Boyan's roguish attitude but it didn't work to calm his nerves, perhaps because he was still green behind his ears. When they burst into the lecture hall, he felt his ears burning with taxing shame, especially feeling as every person in the room scanned both unfilial boys from head to toe. Boyan didn't seem to mind, his attitude was that of a pheasant yao. He flaunted his colourful feathers and took his place easily mingling with other students and still pulling his shidi after him.

Yijia ran his hand through his hair, hoping to lessen the damage their running did to his hairstyle. Then, he patted his robes down, straightened the sleeves and let his eyes wander until they fell on the honorary guest -- Yan zhenren. The moment he spotted what their teacher was holding in his hands, Yijia forgot all his embarrassment from before. His eyes shone with excitement. "Collection of Talismans and Related Rituals", the young cultivator would do anything to steal a glance at its contents. A quiet gasp which could only be heard by those standing the closest to him left his lips and he squeezed the hem of his sleeve.

This zhenren came to visit their sect from Azure Dragon Peak, their master announced, and three most promising students from their sect would get to visit Yan zhenren's sect and study under him with unlimited access to Azure Dragon Peak's Library. Yijia looked briefly at Boyan to see whether the other boy was on the same page as him. They both needed to get in. Yijia was convinced he couldn't do it on his own.

how long have you been sober?

i heard the first 90 days are the toughest.

i know it doesn't add up, but i get something from holding onto this.

we're going the wrong way!

oh please, [ NAME ], could you not patronize me?

hey, can you keep it down please?

you know i hate it when you don't take the things i say seriously.

come on sweetheart, i just had a rough day today.

you're drunk, what a surprise!

that's not it, it never is!

you've been saying that for years!

everything looks okay after ten beers.

i could use a little help.

that's a real low blow.

don't you know how tough this is for me?

at least one of us is having a good time.

reminds me of some creepy cult.

this is a valuable, rare, and sought-after collection.

i'd like to have a bath in peace.

the devil himself would struggle with you.

this place is crazy enough without your two cents.

what's all the noise about?

[ NAME ], help! what should i do?!

stop, it's too late!

i'm sure there's nothing to worry about.

there was nothing you could do.

what's happened has happened.

do you trust your head, or your heart?

my advice, for what it's worth, is... to thine own self be true.

i'm not supposed to interfere.

what do you want me to do, [ NAME ]?!

calm down, genius, i already tried making a call.

hey, [ NAME ], how are you doing?

i don't remember being in any crash.

you're probably in mild shock.

i'm fine, thanks for asking.

think of it as a character building exercise.

teamwork at its finest.

i've got no signal either, must be a dead spot.

– and we've already concluded this conversation.

no need for a vote, decision's been made.

we really don't have time to be arguing.

try to be civil, it costs nothing.

try sticking up for yourself sometime.

i'm not wasting another breath on you.

the last thing we need is you causing trouble.

you wanna come along and wait with me?

i still think the smart move is to stick together.

how'd we end up back here?

there's a rational explanation for what's happening.

i'm doing my best to understand this, just like you.

we're trapped in a nightmare.

we have to get outta here right fucking now.

this isn't helping us find help!

there's nowhere else we can go except into that damn town.

i'm not sure this is such a great idea.

we're really going to get into this now?

i need to know 100% that i can rely on you.

we standing here all night or are we going inside?

life moves on, but we don't all go with it.

there's a phone, but it's been dead for years.

anything you can do would be greatly appreciated.

i saw someone in the woods.

nobody would be out here at this ungodly hour.

okay, very good, i'm freaked. who's there?

[ NAME ]? where are you? this isn't funny!

what is your name, sir?

what treachery is this now, [ NAME ]?

[ NAME ], come back here!

how can you not have seen that?!

"stressed", my ass!

you got a better idea?

i'm just gonna say it ... this is exactly what goes down in horror movies.

what the hell do we do now?

i'll deal with this, you stay right here.

who are you? what are you doing here?

what the hell are you? what do you want?!

a black tongue full of riddles, i'll have none of it.

fix your gaze elsewhere!

i am very far from okay ... i'm terrified and confused.

you're blowing this out of proportion, [ NAME ].

fuck that, i'm going another way.

don't you watch horror movies? you never, ever split up.

those movies are dumb.

can we just take a breath and think about what our next move is?

it's not safe for you to be hanging out here on your own.

thanks for coming after me.

the hell are you doing with a gun?

what we don't need is to get someone killed.

make sure the damn thing stays in your pants.

that "terrifying creature" was, in, fact, a cat.

there must be a radio or a working phone inside.

gimme that, i'll smash the window.

if you're feeling under pressure, let someone else do it.

even if you make it, there's no way i'm following.

i might've made a bad call here.

woah, you can't be doing that!

tell me that didn't just happen.

get away or they'll find me!

let's not hang around here, it's time to go.

seriously? you're going in there?

i don't like the idea of being out here on my own.

i'll be as fast as i can, okay?

[ NAME ], the door won't open.

woah, hey, take it easy.

can you stop reacting to every setback like a child?

we'll find a way out of here. we have to.

i appreciate you checking in with me.

who would want land in this godforsaken town?

tell me that didn't just happen.

who would say such a thing?

you look freaked, what's up?

you saw something else, right?

we're really screwed up, here.

can you tell me what you're upset about?

what's going on with you?

i'm going to help you out here if i can, but i need to know your name.

you cannot talk of our secret.

we have an understanding, do we not?

what more proof is needed that the devil walks among us?

the devil is here in this very room.

what the hell was that shit? was that for real?

like i say, i have no good explanation.

when you first told me, i thought you were messing with me.

let's try to force the handle.

still think splitting up was the right move?

personally, i think we're in deep shit here.

maybe the answer lies down the one path we haven't taken yet.

this is fucking crazy, we have no clue what we're getting ourselves into.

[ NAME ], you need to see this.

we were never meant to make it out of here.

i can't see for shit.

you keep saying you're in charge, so... you first.

we can't stay here.

you ever have any family here?

it's already been a hell of a night, but i'm sure we'll pull through.

you don't know that it's safe.

let us pray in silence.

i've done no wrong!

i do not deserve death, i beg you!

who are you ? and how come you look just like [ NAME ]?

the devil is in the wind, seeking to help his own.

[ NAME ], let us conclude our business here swiftly.

[ LOCATION ] is already lost, shrouded in evil!

the devil takes many forms, you know that better than any!

while [ NAME ] still draws breath, [ LOCATION ] is beyond salvation.

i don't know how to tell you what i just saw.

give me a moment, will you? i've just gone through something pretty rough.

what the hell is that?!

don't leave me behind!

i'm coming back for you, [ NAME ]! hold on!

reach out and grab my hand!

that was really quite close.

not that there's anything particularly wrong with death.

that gun might prove to be a lifesaver. or the precise opposite.

this must be very confusing for you right now.

i dare say we'll find out, hmm?

what in the name of holy fuck was that?

it was like something from a nightmare, did you see how it looked?

whatever that thing was, it's gone now.

thank god we're okay.

you are going to tell me right now what happened.

let's ... stay away from that.

i'm all for putting as much distance between us and that hideous thing as possible.

can't a guy get some peace around here?

i don't think there is another way.

[ LOCATION ] isn't a place i want to revisit.

i'm taking this to protect you.

why can't you leave me alone?

it could be leading us into danger, even a trap!

stay close ... who knows what's up ahead.

what did they do to deserve that?

In her ripe age, there were rarely situations in which Liu Shuyi felt completely taken aback or shocked. Yet, there she was, standing in her own classroom, looking at a woman who'd dangled her identification, pin and badge right in front of her nose and was now speaking some of the most unserious and frankly quite delusional nonsense she'd ever heard in her life. Still, the teacher was kind enough and had enough of a sense of self-preservation not to stop the madwoman from speaking, and instead she heard her out and tried to find, at the very least, an internal logic to what was being said.

"A... cursed... piano...?" She finally repeated the last words of what had been said to her. "I... I have heard that this school is haunted, yes, but have you ever been to any sort of building of education, especially one for the kids that were gifted with dramatic flair, that did not, in fact, have a ghost story or two? Why do you specifically think that this one here is real?" Ramblings of the... investigator... aside, there were quite a few tragedies that had happened on the campus recently, and to ignore them would be daft. It all started with that one girl throwing herself off the roof, but... was that not ruled a spur-of-the-moment decision after finding out her favourite boy was in love with someone else?

Human Security Unit didn't have many strict rules. Zhao Anzhe was a peculiar boss who didnt often interfere in her subordinate's work nor question their methods as long as they were bringing expected results. The only clear rule they had was not to disclose any supernatural aspects of the ongoing investigation to civilians. The rule that Zhao Anzhe was breaking herself right now. It's the pressure she was put under. She walked in, fully intending to get the teacher's testimony, saw Liu Shuyi - the music teacher of Shu Xiaotong - and completely lost her train of thoughts. The avalanche of words that fell between them must have sounded like complete nonsense to the other woman but Zhao Anzhe was too busy drowning in her eyes to pay this any mind. Did Shu Xiaotong skip school often? Why does none of her classmates seem to have any sort of significant relationship with her? Why was she staying in the music classroom after classes? Someone said they've seen a student staying by the window long after the school's closing hours. She didn't ask any of these questions and instead jumped right into her deduction.

Only when these mesmerising eyes looked away from her and the teacher focused on the documents laying on her desk, did Zhao Anzhe manage to process the questions asked and the consequences of her own ramblings. Yanluo Lords weren't going to be happy having to send someone to clean the teacher's memory after the case was closed. "Well, that is one of the possibilities that we haven't been able to rule out yet." Neither could they rule out the teacher's involvement, thus Anzhe's visit to Liu Shuyi's office. If only that woman wasn't so distracting. "I request your full cooperation in this investigation. Let's start with the basics: your name, occupation and why have you decided to work here?" While the rest of the team was busy questioning Xiaotong's classmates, Zhao Anzhe decided to open a different kind of investigation, solely for personal gain.

Jianyu could not help but be shocked at the silence that came after he grumbled at the streamer. He was so used to banter and just full-on being ignored by the other that the concept of having Qingyu just shut down for a moment and go silent was something he had not even attempted to consider. Now, he was left with regret as he saw the light just completely dim in the kid, as his little goofy idea had been shot down.

He caught Qingyu's arm as he was picking up the costumes and sighed. "Okay, it may have been a bit of a figure of speech this time. Before I decide whether or not to indulge you and your little idea, show me who you want me to go as, okay? If it's something like the Clown or the Unknown, then you're out of your mind, but... I have a few things I could potentially be okay with."

It was not like Jianyu to change his opinion in mere seconds. Suspicion started growing in Qingyu but he was quick to smother that uncomfortable feeling. He froze at Jianyu's touch for just a second before turning around and passing the costume bag over to him. He used the time Jianyu needed to unpack the costumes  (personally splashed with glowing red paint by Qingyu) to reanalyse the situation.

"Well..." he started off carefully. "I would have never thought of the Clown for anyone with your physique... I thought the Deathslinger would really fit you but in the end..." his expression changed and there's a hint of guilt showing for just a second. "I didn't know if he'd be recognisable without his weapon so I chose the Trapper. Unless... you're more comfortable with Dwight." He doubted it but Jianyu had already surprised him once today. His eyes shone with a hint of hope.

There was a sense of shamelessness whenever Yanzhu spoke. The immortal completely refused to follow the rules of the human world and simply spoke her mind with no regard for the consequences. His lips tightened and he closed his eyes, trying not to think about the invisible eyes of the servants of the palace currently observing every single movement between them. e would surely have to explain this to the King later and he knew very well there was little he could say that would be believable.

He turned to face the dramatic bird. now fallen on top of the table. He noted that while so theatrical in her behaviour, she still had the common sense not to break anything nor to throw herself in a way that would endanger her hairdo or clothes from staying pristine. It was, in fact, quite amusing, and he found himself grinning at the sight. "Fine, fine. This battle has been won by you, Little Miss Not-so-Nightingale." He conceded, throwing his hands lightly into the air, then leaning forward and extending his arm slightly to allow her a dignified attempt at getting up. "Besides coming to see me smile, did you have anything else you wanted to do? And--" He sighed slightly, feeling that this was going to end up as a much longer visit. "Would you like some tea? I have... some sweet cakes you might enjoy..."

The smell of jasmine reached Yanzhu's nostrils, it's sweet scent close to lulling her to sleep. All this needed to be a perfect resting spot was a pillow to support her neck, and maybe slightly more comfortable position, but that was the cost of the performance. Who would have believed her to be passed out if she was smiling contently in her sleep. She had no intention of moving until the dragon lord gave in; no bribery trick would work on the soul of the ever-wise crane immortal.

As he admitted his defeat, she opened one eye to peek at his expression. The man couldn't lie, his eyes would always betray him and reveal his true thoughts. He was being honest and although it seemed like his heart wasn't completely agreeing with the decision he made on the spur of the moment, it didn't seem he was going to back out from his promise.

She leaned on his arm to prop herself up. An almost theatrical sigh preceded her words. "I do have a message for Hua family but how could I visit the court without seeing you." Her flight was short and pleasant. Fengbo must have blessed her journey and sent the favourable air currents her way. Thus, she had arrived much earlier than she anticipated. "I would like some tea..." a slight pause as she pondered. "... and I might be enticed by a cake or two." She's got so much more to say but a lady needed to wet her throat first.

Tianshi was right, it could indeed be anything in there and it was precisely why Moss found the idea of descending down that route unappealing. They closed their eyes and breathed in the damp air, if there was any smell other than stuffiness, they couldn't tell. "I'm pretty sure that whatever is down there would also be very excited to have you as its chewing toy." It's just a thought but it's enough to make them shudder.

However reluctant they were though, they wouldn't leave their friend should Tianshi decide to enter the cave. And all the signals her body sent out suggested her mind was already deep in, exploring the macabre wonders. "Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't recall the time you wouldn't be sticking your nose into an anthill." With arms crossed, they walked behind the woman and placed their hand on her shoulder. "You know I can't fly or even run fast enough to outrun a dog, let alone a hell-beast? If you even as much as dare to think of leaving me behind I'll come back to haunt you." Still unconvinced, she stepped right in, half expecting the entrance to disappear right behind them.

Watching him neglect the bottle she had just opened for him and reach for food instead nearly caused her to steam out of her ears. The ungrateful brat. “È.. You're done already?” Her shoulders relaxed, as she slowly dug into the remainder of her own serving. She even took her time in savoring the heavily-salted broth, which felt welcome on such a cool night and perhaps especially in the frigid shop. The door's bell chimed several times since they'd arrived, each time with another stumbling guest—not unlike the one she had taken to caregiving. Míngqí's head did little to turn and pay it mind, until a familiar voice called out to her, interrupting her attaché mid-sentence.

“Zhēn de shì Chén Míngqí ma?” Hearing her name fill the air caused her spine to stricken, her back straightening, as she turned to face the owner of that voice. What was her luck today? She already had to babysit this guy, and now another headache..? The face that paired with the voice was as striking as she remembered—a woman in her twenties with porcelain skin and perfect proportions in every way about it. Yet, Míngqí's eyes only glared back. “Of course it's me,” she offered lazily, rolling her eyes without apology.

The woman's eyes shifted to Wèi Xiáng for a moment and lingered there, taking in all the ways she could judge him by appearance. “Oh, is that your new boyfriend?” the other mused, her hand fleeing to the strap of her purse. “Why? Are you in the market to steal another one?” A patronizing smile to boot. “Nǐ–!” There was no running, not that Míngqí was looking for a path for it. “Wǒ, wǒ, wǒ.. It's not that hard to believe that I'm nothing like the ugly snake you're so used to being.” There was no bark back. Even the cashier nibbled their lower lip to reel back a desire to snicker. The woman disappeared into an aisle, only reappearing at the counter to pay. “Watch out for that one,” she warned the employee before strutting out with attitude.

A smirk and self-indulgent chuckle followed, as Míngqí cheered a little for herself. “What were you saying? — I'm desperate for connection, huh?” Her face twisted in confusion before leaning into a fist she made. “I like to be around others, yeah, but I don't need to ‘make it big.’ What's the use in fame? You know that woman who walked in a moment ago? She's a pretty big deal these days. Beautiful with an elegant voice to pair…but her actions? Forget it. All that fame and those good looks, wasted on her.”

As he described his home, she picked up immediately on the building of his residence. It was easy to ignore his advances, when she took it all as him joking in his drunken stupor. As he watched him nearly fall over, she lunged forward to prevent the chaos. She rested him on the counter for a moment while she cleared the area. Finally, the woman returned to collect him. Pulling one arm over her shoulder, she supported his weight as they hobbled in the direction of his assumed home. Conveniently enough, it was the same path as hers. At least it wouldn't inconvenience her too much.

“Rob you of your dignity,” she scoffed, their steps finally rewarded by the view of the exact description he gave. “My dignity is at stake, too, asshole. — Look. We're home,” she announced, straightening him against a wall to look at him. “Where are your house keys?” she asked, though her hands were already probing for them.

Wei Xiang quite liked it in this shop. It's busy and thus loud enough to drown out the buzzing sound of his guilt, which was attempting to resurface after the alcohol in his veins stopped pleasantly warming him up and started to instead make him shake with regrets of days prior. He needed the crowd. Without it, he felt outed for a sorry loser he was. A wreck of splendour so distant, he no longer considered it his own. So he closed his eyes and listened, paying no mind to his companion and hardly any to the words being said in the background. In his mind, it's but a pleasant rustle, not unlike the murmur of a mountain stream.

The voices surrounding him warried in intensity and timbre, there's a few drunks, who slurred their words beyond recognition, a mother scolding an unruly child, a faint barking of a dog coming from outside the window. All, similarly unimportant and close to lulling him to sleep. Which, he surely would have, had it not been for a very vocal person whose speech in his drank mind resembled buzzing of a hornet.

Oh, won't you just shut up, he thought to himself but says not a word. Having opened one eye, he watched the exchange of words between his chaperone and currently a third wheeling lady. He waved her off, but the sign itself was so insignificant, it was noticed by neither of them. Thus, with a huff, he returned to the half sleeping state until the woman was gone. Though, maybe, a little note scribbled on the clear mind-page was to remind him to be a little kinder to the woman. To... Mingqi, was it?

How brutal the waking call was. She roughed him up, pushed and pulled. Through the streets, past the familiar exhibitions, shops and market stalls. With the pace she kept, it's a miracle he didn't trip on a flight of stairs. But he didn't complain, figuring her Past meeting her in the noodle shop soured her mood enough on its own.

Home. The signboard of Hongxian brought with it strange feeling. They're standing to the side. The door to what she had deemed his apartment building was in fact leading to the storage. With a smile much softer than before, he grabbed her hand and stopped it from sliding into the pocket of his coat. "That's not the entrance, here... let me introduce you to my family." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her after himself.

The bell above the door rang and the big orange cat snorted at the guests, jumped off the windowsill and disappeared behind the bar counter. "That's Juzi, our saint of cats." He looked around, as if lost. Not exactly sure where everyone else went. "And that... well, it's is our bar. If you want a drink, it's on me." He's not letting go of her wrist. Quite the contrary, he tightens the grip. "Can you... stay for a bit? I still think we might be a match." Or rather, he didn't want to be alone.

The evening was lovely, the warmth of summer truly made the shade of the trees be appreciated, especially for a creature who found herself too old to deal with heat without it. The two bowls of cold noodles in front of her looked very appetising, and she could not wait to dig in, but she knew better than to offend the lovely guest. "What do they call you nowadays, Jade Bun?" She asked softly, looking at the stunning woman with a face so gentle and pale it looked like it was carved from rice cake and moonlight.

She'd invited the healer herself, her old wound was once more reactivating, triggered by one of the battles she'd fought in the mountain pass as the fierce Snowbell. No doctor in the young prince's court could help her, and so, in the evening, he begged her to give him a name to send out for. Now, seated behind the palace, in the closest forest, in a small gazebo, she was reunited with an old friend, one she'd missed but also the only one who could perhaps ease her pain. "Please, have a bowl with me first, and once we had filled our bellies, I..." She signed, unwilling to ask favours or show weakness. "I may have a ask of you."

Tu'er Nainai didn't often heed the call of royal families. Those with enough money to call but any miracle worker from across the country, didn't need their care. Thus, though they had earned themselves a title of the medical prodigy themselves, they only took the cases other doctors wouldn't. Many a call was declined by them, as they cared not for their opinion nor the riches that were offered. However, when a letter from Hua court was delivered to them, they read it at once. A dear friend of theirs lived there now and they promised themselves they would visit at first good excuse they got. Coincidence had it, it was the friend, who needed their help.

When she arrived, Tian Xiaoyin noticed people -- young second prince among them -- treated her with reverence worth of an immortal. She exchanged pleasantries with the hosts and asked of them to lead her to Feixue. "Xuehua, I hear you are in need of a physician," Xiaoyin started but seeing the prepared meal, she shook her head, "As you wish, we shall not talk about this until these bowls are empty. I wouldn't want our words to turn the meal bitter." She sat by her friend. "Tian Xiaoyin is what officials know me by. Though common folk often refers to me just as Doctor Tian. You however may just call me Jade Bun" she has grown used to the way it sounded in the timbre of other's voice. "I quite like it. Especially paired with an invitation for a bowl of cold noodles."

Mo Lan loved to run. There were few things that gave her more joy than escaping the stuffiness of the city and speeding through the woods, her hair falling loose, tangling itself in the branches as her clothes tore against spikes. The pain of the hair pulling and the tears in the fabric of her clothes only made her feel more alive, and she cheerfully laughed as she raced off the beaten path and through the wilderness. She'd get scolded for it later, but as she was, she did not care.

The light breeze that hit her face cooled her as she sped, uncaring, fully immersed in the excitement of her little escape. She felt like a wind spirit and closed her eyes to become one with the environment around her, forgetting about anything else. When she heard the sudden 'watch out!' from the side, it was already too late, and she tripped over... something. When she opened her eyes, suddenly having someone help her get up, she realised that the stone was a stepping stone leading to a small cottage with a large herbal garden. A man was tutting at her, clear panic in his eyes. She smiled, picked herself up and took a bow. "I am fine, this is not the first time I did this." Mo Lan did not truly feel apologetic but she knew it was expected of her. "Who are you, my saviour...?" She asked, then started smelling the air around her. "Oh-- oh... Are you the marsh beast? Forgive me for being rude, had I known we were neighbours, I would have visited you earlier..."

Having helped the stranger up, he was met with happy face in rugged clothes. "You are quite a force of nature." The ruin the stranger brought with herself brought him to view her a messenger of Kunlun gods. The way she ran through the forest, with no care for the barrage of trees in her way, he fully believed she had coerced bushes to move out of her way until he noticed through tore clothes a mesh of cuts and scratches. She's mortal, at least, but the relief that thought brought him had almost instantly drowned in worry for her well-being. "You're bleeding." Among other things but he's not one to bring up how indecent of a sight she currently was. Instead, he politely averted his gaze from the woman. "If it's really not the first time this has happened, you are very lucky. These cuts, neglected, are just inviting infection." He casted his gaze towards the herb garden. He should have something to stop the bleeding there.

"You can wait in the shadow of the tree in the garden or go inside, please do not wait here in full sun. I will be back soon and dress your wounds." He bowed his head at the stranger and walked up the stairs, into the garden, to gather the herbs he needed.

octavia hums in thought, mirth curves her lips as she scratches the response down on a fresh notepad. she takes note of daniel's body language, the way his arms cross, which usually creates emotional distance from the situation, perhaps even from octavia herself. "are you nervous, daniel?" her question pokes at daniel's walls, tries to find a way through them despite knowing him for... two clock ticks, really. "well, you're sitting across from me like an average person, whatever that means. i'm much like yourself, i exist on the fringes of society. my opinion may not align with another person's. they might sense something different about you that i cannot." she leans back, thoughtful as the moments slip between them. "my notebook will be satisfied with that." she mumbles, concentrating on keeping her handwriting neat and readable. "and... what else? don't tell me you're a demon who can't perform a more interesting tricks."

Not even sure what is expected of demons, Daniel laughed bitterly, still not letting himself fully relax. He felt her eyes scanning him whenever she wasn't focused in scribbling in that journal of hers, and he wondered what her thoughts were. How much would be safe to share and how much could be used against him? "So... what exactly are demons expected to do?" Blend into society, he thought, seem like the regular citizens despite not aging. Find a job, live a life, then disappear when suspicions start to grow. "I don't grow old," he added after giving it a thought. "But isn't it more of a debuff these days? I'm not exactly your favourite rockstar that you'd want to stay immortal." Rather, he's a petty thief people would rather gone. "What do you need all that for, anyway? This sort of an archive, would it not be used just to hunt us all down?"

sender   and   receiver   look   through   a   box   of   dvd   tapes,   choosing   a   movie   to   watch.

sender   assesses   receiver’s   reaction   to   the   ghost   story   sender   tells   by   the   bonfire.

sender   brushes   dust   off   of   an   old   ouija   board   they   found   with   receiver.

sender,   skeptical   of   the     potential   danger,   scoffs   at   receiver's   worries.

sender   hushes   receiver   after   hearing   an   odd,   howling   sound   from   the   woods   nearby.

sender   and   receiver   go   to   investigate   a   suspicious   noise   coming   from   the   basement.

sender   challenges   receiver   to   walk   into   a   haunted   house   at   night.

a   horrified   sender   shows   receiver   their   phone   screen   displaying   a   threatening   text   message   from   an   anonymous   number.

receiver   hears   sender’s   screams   coming   from   the   basement.

receiver   finds   sender   bleeding   out   from   a   stab   wound   on   the   ground.

sender   clasps   their   palm   over   receiver’s   mouth   to   keep   them   quiet   as   the   two   hide   from   a   killer.

plunged   in   total   darkness,   sender   and   receiver   hold   hands   tightly   after   their   only   flashlight   runs   out   of   battery.

sender   makes   receiver   promise   to   save   themself   first,   instead   of   playing   hero.

sender   gives   receiver   a   keepsake   of   theirs,   should   they   not   both   make   it   out   alive.

sender   hastily   patches   up   receiver’s   wounds   while   on   the   run.

sender   runs   toward   an   exit   to   safety,   leaving   receiver   behind.

sender   drags   receiver   toward   an   exit   to   safety,   even   though   it   slows   them   down.

sender   shields   receiver   from   a   killer   approaching   them.

receiver   catches   a   glimpse   of   sender   in   a   mirror.

receiver   catches   a   glimpse   of   sender   observing   them   through   a   window.

sender   turns   their   head   after   a   hiding   receiver   steps   on   a   creaking   floorboard.

sender   bites   on   their   own   palm   to   remain   quiet,   hiding   from   receiver   hunting   them   down.

sender   picks   up   a   scrap   of   receiver’s   clothing   torn   on   a   tree   branch   during   a   chase.

a   hunting   sender   taunts   receiver   to   show   themself   in   a   sing-songy   voice.

sender   follows   a   trail   of   blood   left   on   the   ground   by   receiver.

receiver   stares   in   horror   as   sender   approaches   them   with   a   chainsaw   in   hand.

sender   chases   receiver   with   a   knife   /   axe   /   scythe.

sender   slams   a   baseball   bat   on   receiver’s   head.

receiver   falls   into   a   trap   set   up   for   them   by   sender.

sender   at   last   captures   receiver,   slamming   them   down   to   the   ground   with   hands   wrapped   around   their   neck.

receiver   successfully   evades   a   trap   set   up   for   them   by   sender.

sender   ambushes   receiver   at   a   dead   end.

sender   pins   receiver   to   a   nearby   surface,   a   knife   held   at   their   throat.

sender   presses   down   on   receiver’s   wounds,   then   laughs   at   their   pain.

sender   snatches   the   mask   from   their   tormentor’s   face,   only   to   reveal   receiver   beneath   it.

sender   gleefully   removes   their   mask,   revealing   their   identity   to   a   horrified   receiver.

watching   as   receiver   get   escorted   by   the   cops,   sender   flashes   them   a   middle   finger   with   a   victorious   grin.

sender   and   receiver   warm   up   together   under   a   blanket   in   the   aftermath   of   surviving   a   massacre.

sender   and   receiver   plan   a   coherent   version   of   the   story   to   tell,   agreeing   to   hide   the   truth   of   what   happened   from   the   detectives.

The moment Yijia opened his mouth, Boyan knew instantly that he had won. Moving behind the other, he beamed and waved his fist in a sign of victory before turning around with the most innocent expression he could muster, blinking in a way to make his lashes flutter, and he leaned to his friend and began his preparations.

"Yijia, how long have we known each other? When you were being made to work in the fields, who was with you there and singing to lift your spirits? When the others bullied you, who, if not this humble friend, was generous enough to beat them half to death so they would leave you alone? Do you honestly think that someone, who has put your happiness and life before his own, would truly decide to bring calamity into your household?" He hit his chest, as if the idea itself was a wound in his heart. "I bring you wonderful news, my closest friend! I invite you, with me, for a stroll in the forest! Believe me, you will not want to miss what I have to show you."

Crow's sinister cawing was less of a calamity's herald than his friend's bright chirping. Deep inside, Yijia knew that whatever Boyan promised, he was going to get almost the exact opposite of it. But ask this fox for its skin and it's going to tear its flesh with its own teeth and prepare it for you to wear as a coat during winter. He couldn't say no, especially if a request came packaged in Boyan's honeyed mouth and charming smile.

Despite Boyan's comforting claims, Yijia knew better than to come unprepared. He turned to the cabinet which held all the talismans he had diligently worked on for the past three nights. Among them, a relatively fresh warding spell he never had a chance to test in safe environment. He grabbed the bundle of them and put them in a pouch he then attached to his belt. For a moment, he considered taking his sword but in the end decided against it, as he hadn't used it since he left the sect.

"It is not a forest stroll I fear, but the tiger I decided to aid." With a sigh he gathered resolve and finally returned his friend's smile. "You have my attention." He always had. "Show me that discovery of yours. And if things go awry, just don't feed on my corpse, tiger cub."

"Have you ever thought that maybe there's a different way of doing this job?" [qingyu to yueji]

Had it not been for her perfect manners, Yueji would most probably have ended up checking whether her little fist could leave a perfectly round mark on Qingyu's cheek. As she stood, however, she was well-behaved, and before reacting to his provocation, the young actress stood, counted to ten, recited one of her favourite poems and then took a deep and very visible breath before she allowed herself to open her mouth and respond.

"I think about many things throughout the day. However, to venture into the realm of audacity so great that I would indulge in a scenario where I am so great and so wise as to be able to change and improve a piece of art that has been honed and polished by so many masters before me... well... I cannot say I do such things. Humility--" She paused, throwing him a very heavy look, one that should burn a hole in his skin, or keep him up at nights, "was one of the traits that my beloved family had made sure to ingrain into me."

"You seem annoyed." At the mere idea that one could approach something differently. She believed performers by trade were no different than artisans or merchants, that they should pass on the stories they've heard, the teachings they've been taught. He, on the other hand, was of belief that should the story stay unchanged, it would largely be forgotten. Thus, it was required of them to improve on it to keep the things interesting and inspire the common folk. Should this bring them coin, fantastic. Should it instead be met with the scorn from officials, all the better. How else were they supposed to be written into the pages of history. "Is it really about today's performance or is it just my face, that make your cheeks burn red with passion." He propped himself up on one elbow, a corner of his lips twitched slightly before he allowed himself to smile at her.

"There's one more performance ahead of us and since there's still some time, we could practice for it together..." It's an honest offer, as much as she believed him to be a vain god of martial arts, he knew he'd still benefit from her becoming his partner. For that, however, he had to somehow convince her to cross the line. "Unless, of course, my sins against our revered ancestors are far too great and you don't want to muddle your merits by dancing with a silly little monkey."

He waited, making sure to give her just enough time to process what he said but not enough for her to calm down. That run a risk of her making a decision inimical to his plans. "I'll wait by the stage, little lady." Before she could properly react, he fled the crime scene.