#greedbent

[Hey there! ٩꒰ ˘ ³˘꒱۶~♡ ]

More Munday Questions [ACCEPTING]

I lose interest pretty fast if the ship is just totally stagnant. Like, mindless fluff...? Don't get me wrong, fluff is okay, but if you're only interested in having our muses be cutesypoo? No thanks, a relationship isn't just the honeymoon period. I want our muses to fight and have conflicting opinions/interests- I want them both to experience the journey of life together in all of it's forms and struggles.

This is why I often tend to veer towards angst because at least there's something that is motivating my muse to react or pushing them to develop in a way that might be unexpected. If your muse challenges my muse in some way- Be it physically, ideologically, or whatever then I think that has way more potential than 'we're sew in lahve or we're best frands and everything's perfect and never hard or stressful ever'. Conflict is a necessary and important aspect of storytelling.

It's always more enjoyable to me when we are actively thinking about our muses in different scenarios and the muses are learning things about the other or learning how they personally feel towards events involving them. Are they finding more in common about each other, are they still diametrically opposed but finding it more tolerable because 'you somehow buck the trend', are they in the process of growing and developing in more complex/complicated ways?

"I have a prediction. Would you like to hear it?" Changsheng's voice floated into the front room of the pharmacy from somewhere up in the rafters. She hadn't shown herself once since he'd begun work that morning; Baizhu had assumed she'd been with Qiqi or Gui.

"Well, don't leave me in suspense," the doctor replied airily. Faced with a break in patients for the afternoon, Baizhu had begun filling prescriptions. Even while conversing, practiced hands moved of their own accord: one adding leaves and petals from the trays of mint and qingxin beside him to a large medicinal cauldron, while the other worked the milky substance within beneath a starsilver pestle.

Naturally though, Changsheng did exactly that. He'd nearly forgotten she'd said anything by the time she divulged her 'prediction.' "Sssomething tellsss me that today isss about to get interesssting."

Baizhu hummed, attention fixed on his work. "Oh? What makes you say that?"

Her answering snicker came from directly above him. He paused as Changsheng dropped onto his shoulders so he wouldn't spill anything. "You'll sssee sssoon enough," was all she said as she adjusted her coils, and the doctor shook his head fondly. With her affinity for the vague and riddled, sometimes Baizhu wondered if his companion wasn't some long-lost adeptus in disguise.

Minutes passed with only the scrape of the pestle along the cauldron's base to fill the silence. Then footsteps sounded on the stairs leading up to the pharmacy—but there was something...unique about them. Not just a rhythmic tap-tap of shoes on pavement, but with an additional tone layered in unison. Metal on stone. Tap-tapclink.

That could only mean...

Ah. Well, in all fairness, Changsheng was rarely wrong about these things.

Baizhu didn't look up until the steps arrived in the entryway. To anyone else, the sight of a man clad in all black, gazing into their shop with such intent, sharp eyes may be cause for alarm. But Baizhu simply smiled, hands pausing to give his newfound visitor his undivided attention.

"Why, Kaz, what a pleasant surprise. How nice to see you." Likely not a sentiment heard often, but it was entirely sincere. He pointedly ignored Changsheng's muttered 'I told you' that tickled his ear. "Is there something I can do for you? Oh—unless you're here for your 'prescription'?"

🌼🐌 answered asks ! // unprompted. ( always accepting ! )

@greedbent sent: "Ari." His tone is sharp. Clean-cut. Leaving no room for even a slight misinterpretation of those two syllables. He swings his weight onto one hip, closer to his cane, and uses his free hand to open up his long coat. Like drawing back a curtain, Kaz exposes the area around his legs, and he jerks his head in a gesture to call the child to him. "Stay close. I don't want a repeat of last time." And there, he gives her a deliberate look to really nail down that point. "Hold on to me, if you have to." //Kaz not letting the sweet gorl get lost again u.u <3

IT'S DIRECT, IT'S COLD, AND IF HER NAME WAS SAID the same way by anyone else, Ari would assume she had somehow fallen into the Deepest Trouble. But that tone of voice was normal for Kaz—Ari was used to it, and it no longer alarmed her. If anything, having Kaz's attention filled her heart with great satisfaction. She liked it when he noticed her! 

So she turned around to face the man who wore a severe expression, a brighter, happier one meeting it. But the smile that spread across her freckled face slowly shrunk as she understood The Offer that was made. 

Oh … 

She can come Close … ? 

Kaz didn't like Close. It was one of many things made very clear when she had first fallen under his care, and Ari made quite the effort to avoid any and all types of Closeness: absolutely no hand - holding, certainly no hugging, DEFINITELY no cuddling … 

Admittedly, this was a bit difficult for a child who felt love best through TOUCH—who was deprived of it all her short, lonely orphan life—but thankfully there were others that handled this hunger of Ari’s with great care, since Kaz could not. 

That was her Understanding. 

So why is he offering Closeness now … ? 

" fff … for me, peas … ? " 

Tiny fingers met at her chest, twiddling together, and all the sunshine in her face had melted away so the Shadow of Reluctance could take its place. Then, all the Whys came to mind—the notoriously intrusive and unsettling WHYS. 

Why … why … why … 

Oh. 

Is it because she had once done that BAD THING? That very, very Bad Thing? The Thing Kaz had asked her Not To Do? 

Oh yes, Ari was now certain. THAT was the correct Why. 

There were no terrible consequences for such actions—if you could bear the weight of a Disappointed Parent comfortably. Ari, however, could not; upsetting Kaz felt nearly as terrible as stepping on an ant—entirely accidental, but guilt can have a remarkably tight and uncomfortable grip around one’s heart and conscience despite that. Even if he could forgive her, could she forgive herself? After all, doing Bad Things makes you difficult to love. That was her Understanding. Therefore, Ari desperately wanted to avoid doing the Bad Thing ever again, and that apparently meant staying Close. 

So Ari slowly shuffled forward. For a child that loved touch and hoped someday it would come from a parental figure—if she was ever LUCKY enough to have one to call her own—she sure looked far from happy about having to come near. But it wasn’t that she was uncomfortable with the Closeness. 

Ari simply did not want to do anything that would hurt Kaz's heart. 

She then fixed herself at his side, burying her tiny frame in the nook he created out of his coat for her. Her body curled, careful not to make Too Many Touches, and the additional offer to " hold on " was purposefully disregarded.

Ari lifted her anxious gaze to meet with Kaz.

" I … I stay. " 

" www … will I hur … I hurt mr. Kassie, peas … ? "

So... The more isn't always the merrier.

Once upon a time, Derek himself was considered fresh meat — hell, the same could be said even now. Compared to the rest of the lot, he's still new to the ' hunt; ' still subject to mockery, his protesting barks and threats always trivialized, as if he's the butt of everyone's joke. He HATES being stuck in this stupid hazing ritual. No one takes him seriously, even when he's proven himself a dozen times over by now...

Do they even know who they're fucking with, exactly? What he's truly capable of doing...?

Clearly not. But, Derek's nothing if not stubborn. They'll get what's coming to them, and that includes the even fresher meat that's somehow wormed his way into this year's desert trip. He can't be bothered to even remember the smug asshole's name — all he knows is that his face looks entirely too punchable, that his very aura mocks him.

It's obvious from the get - go that Derek's eager to first exact his revenge on the newbie. As they're huddled together, deciding on which begging victim sat just a few feet away will be chosen as first blood, it begins with a sneer, coupled with mumbles of verbal abuse similar to that of which he's heard before from all of his ' buddies ' here.

And thinking himself oh so funny for his derisive commentary, Derek's occupied with glancing ( perhaps all too hopefully ) around the circle, proudly smirking all the while... far too occupied, in fact, that he's unable to react quickly enough to dodge the following swing of the emo band reject's cane to his poor noggin.

This fuckin' GUY...

"Ow! What the hell...?!" In a vain to soothe the freshly formed welt on the back of his head, he gently holds a hand there over his scalp, his lips pursed into a displeased pout as he momentarily shoots the other a look that could damn near kill. He tightens his grip on the bat since held in his other hand, only to lift it up and over in the direction of his attacker, practically growling at the man when he speaks up once more.

Seems their little meeting will have to wait just a moment.

"Excuse me, I do hope this seat isn't taken." The cheerful velvet of Kaeya's voice eased through the chatter in the Cat's Tail. He offered a grin and brief thanks as he claimed an empty bar stool next to a man clad in all black. A stranger, technically, although Kaeya had his suspicions.

Once settled he flagged over a bartender, striking up easy conversation and ordering a glass of Dandelion Wine. Casual. An ordinary patron here for drinks and socializing. Certainly not here out of curiosity towards the "random" patron he'd sat beside. He was dressed down, forsaking the outer layers of his outfit for only his plain white shirt, and his Vision was hidden out of sight, tucked up inside billowing fabric. Better to keep his cards close to the chest at a time like this.

Kaeya didn't address the other man again. He continued chatting with the bartender as she poured his drink, which he then leisurely sipped as his gaze wandered the night's customers. Only when his eye trailed naturally to the one beside him did Kaeya pause, scrutinizing his features as if he'd just noticed anything peculiar.

THE CHILD IS CAKED IN DIRT, and yet perfectly content despite it, for cleanliness is a small sacrifice for a Bit of Fun—and for the making of a Surprise! Kaz had given her so many nice things, and Ari was desperate to show her appreciation.

The tiny Mud Monster stood before Kaz with a toothy grin, a bright set of eyes, and a pair of little hands that offered out his Special Gift: a mud pie! Stones, twigs, and leaves were used as sprinkles to decorate its face. She hoped with all her heart that he’d like the arrangement!

Teen Wolf Season 1 Sentence Starters || Accepting! || @greedbent

((i mEAN EVEN IF HE WAS, IT WOULD BE VALID X'D and Baizhu is well aware of that alsdfksj bUT B3c he's amused regardless))

At first the doctor merely hummed, offering passive agreement in the midst of rearranging one of the pharmacy's shelves to hold new stock. But after a few beats of silence, his response flowed buoyant and playful, "I don't think I've ever heard that much optimism from you before. I'm a little impressed—unless, of course, that was meant as a less-than-subtle jab at me."

Most rational, Celestia-fearing people of Teyvat would call the search for immortality as 'unrealistic' as one could get. But such people were closed-minded; confined within the known and narrow by a frankly concerning amount of complacency.

While he'd never known Kaz to harbor any fondness for the norms of the world (societal, legal...take your pick), Baizhu did wonder if he thought his personal quest was far-fetched to the point of foolishness. He wouldn't take offense, even if so. Someday he'd have to ask.

Look, Kaveh was a pretty understanding guy. He truly believed that most people were inherently good deep down at their core. And if that were true, just think about how much higher those good people could strive with a little belief and encouragement!

So, yes: ninety-nine percent of the time, Kaveh made an effort to be empathetic and kindhearted. To connect with people rather than making assumptions or passing judgement.

But—! BUT.

Every once in a while, someone came along who was an exception. Not to name names, but it'd come as no surprise that a certain roommate of his had more or less invented this category. It wasn't that Kaveh didn't want to give those people all the same kindnesses, mind you! It was just...hard to do that when a person did everything in their power to purposely drive him to his breaking point.

This was another one of those times. There were two of them, now. Just lovely.

When Kaveh burst through the door of the busiest tavern in Sumeru City, the storm clouds in his expression were starkly out of place. Any hope of drinking and merriment this evening had already been dashed—and he'd just about had it with the person he knew had to be responsible. Again.

Vermilion eyes scanned the crowd, passing over anyone wearing a single speck of color or with any trace of warmth, compassion, or overall joy for life in their expressions. And when he finally spotted the man he searched for, Kaveh bristled like an enraged rishboland tiger. (Well...more like a rishboland kitten, really. Before there were any claws or fangs or intimidating features to speak of.)

"Hey!" A harsh shout disrupted the atmosphere for a few beats. Kaveh ignored those who turned to stare in favor of pointing at the black-clad figure across the room. Storming up to Kaz with his feet stomping like a toddler, he plastered on his best 'no-nonsense' face.