dawn's stardust

A-Qing preened, raising her chin proudly. Her life had been lonely for as long as she could remember, clever tricks used only for her own benefit, but the daozhang wasn’t like anyone she’d ever met before. He deserved her trust and affection simply because he could spark those sentiments in spite of the bleakness of Yi City, as if his light called out to the goodness within her, chilly mist turned into sunshine.

Let it be noted that goodness for the girl didn’t necessarily mean a faultless behavior, but rather that she could share what little she had – even if her spoils came from thievery.

“No trouble at all,” she replied, shaking her head in another mannerism that would be lost on the blind man. While he was oblivious to her gaze, she watched him move around in his attempt to clean up the place that had become a home for the three rogues. Well… she would have lived happily without the other house companion, the one with the sharp smiles. “Say, daozhang, isn’t it nice and peaceful when it’s just the two of us here?”

The pride in her voice when she said no trouble at all drew a soft, amused smile to his face. Naturally, when she said she hadn’t gotten into trouble, he took her at her word- regardless of whether or not it was true, there was no need to push or any such thing. Xiao Xingchen trusted her. The taoist gave a small hum as he worked, though he paused at her comment about the stranger he had dubbed little friend. 

A cant of his head, lips curved downwards, touched by -- perhaps it was disappointment, or displeasure at this sort of talk. He had found their third companion to be quite charming, truth be told; the other often made him laugh. For Xiao Xingchen, this peculiar, semi-domesticity established in the coffin town was both a relief and a comfort. It was needed, and he relished in it. But he knew the young blind girl wasn’t particularly fond of the third to their home. He shook his head slowly. 

one of xue yang’s hands swiftly reached out for the bowl of soup, his eyes widening ever so slightly as he maintained the steadiness of xiao xingchen’s grasp onto it ; a simple precaution against an eventual imbalance. with his bandages removed and the light touch of pale fingers skimming over his closed wounds, xue yang however rapidly refocused his attention on his own body, keeping close tabs on every move with the eyes of a hawk. the tone of xiao xingchen’s voice roused something in the atmosphere, and though he couldn’t ascertain exactly what, he was positive that it was something close to sorrow. perhaps even slight disappointment. could this be the reason beneath the continuous late night visits? “you’re right. a poor cultivator like me cannot abuse of a taoist’s hospitality, can he?”

the choice of words is only welcomed with an arched eyebrow as he scrutinises the taoist’s careful steps. he should be aware of his own physical condition, the scars he wears onto his skin as a lifelong tattoo are merely a proof of the healing process xiao xingchen seems to perceive as boundless. yet, xue yang still instinctively indulges to the care he’s given by moving closer to the edges of the bed – thusly giving him the access to his bandaged up wounds.   ‘‘daozhang should have noticed by now, those wounds are already healed. so why putting on a show?’’

Ten years learning the ways of cultivators, finding balance- but then... that wasn’t entirely true. He had a deep yearning to return, to help people, to save those who needed it. He would be a hand for the sinking, a prayer for the dying- Xiao Xingchen knew in his heart, without a doubt, that he was going to be a force for good in the world. 

And it didn’t take long for him to find his opportunity to prove himself. Again and again- 

Night hunting was a chore he found peace in. He was swift, he was steady; a man who trusted his instinct without hesitation. But even still, he was not prepared for the person he happened to cross paths with-- quite the serious countenance, and it made him pause. 

“Was that your mark?” Well, shuanghua did not miss. 

Sometimes A-Qing was sure that if she spoke too fast and too sudden she could fool her friend into not questioning her – it tended to work with other people, as most of them didn’t want to upset a blind girl showing a little happiness. Although Daozhang couldn’t see it, she was smiling up at him, pleased with herself as she allowed her eyes to follow the movement of his hand. Gift accepted, she wouldn’t mention it again, simply content with his reaction and maybe hoping that the charm truly worked.

She worried about him out there, with only their mysterious companion to watch his back on nighthunts.

“Daozhang, that’s no way to respond to a thoughtful gift!” She complained, sporting a fruitless pout. In spite of the whining, he would have to try a lot harder to affect her good mood, smile returning quickly. “One of those fell to the ground, I’d say it’s a trick from the gods that wanted you to have it, honestly.”

“You’re quite right, that was rude of me,” a little chuckle- A-Qing hardly seemed bothered by his question, and even supplied what could be a very believable answer. And believe it, he did. 

A moment of hesitation before Xiao Xingchen reached out and patted her a few times upon the head. “Thank you very much,” he added as he did so, smiling that fond way he did, when he spoke to her. She was very much what he imagined a little sibling would be like. Bright and full of energy, testing the waters now and then to see what she could get away... Xiao Xingchen found her amusing, and her company was appreciated. “You didn’t get into any trouble today, did you?” He asked as though he were inquiring over something more mundane, turning to continue cleaning what he could around their makeshift home. 

‘‘  you’re here again tonight.  ’’   it has become a custom now, xiao xingchen seems to have taken a liking on visiting him at night, when even the humming of birds appears to have quietened. once again, this same old wooden box is carefully held in his arms: a medical set that he’s fetched god knows where, and that serves the single purpose of healing those months old wounds ; which are probably healed now, though he man seems to think… otherwise.

〘        @𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗌𝗆𝗌           /           𝘅𝗶𝗮𝗼 𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻.      〙

you can hmu on discord if you so wish tho! stardustisms#1815