when the moon kisses the sun

She blinked a few times noticing his red cheeks. “You are so cute like a lost puppy” She sure had no filter on her mouth, always speaking what first came to her ever-cheerful mind.

“You just left and no one tried to stop you or no one was there to stop you in the first place?” She chugged her cup and already had the next full. “What kind of place did you live in? When I look at you I can’t think of anything else but a rich noble family? Or the captive prince who was supposed to be exchanged?”

She noticed his look and hid her face behind the fan chuckling. “Please you can’t think what I think you do. I am not a God just a free spirit probably too free for anyone to take it. But if you want to visit one of Wind Masters’s temples I can take you there”

“Me as wind master..hahahahahaha…..hahaahah…What funny thing can you even imagine that” Shi Qingxuan tended to laugh when she was nervous. This boy was very sharp and intelligent or she had too much wine and her real personality was showing out too much.

"A lost...?" Oh, goodness. Wen Xun has never been referred to by something like that, understandably, but it had never even crossed his mind. He wasn't sure how to react; whether to laugh or hide his face away.

Fortunately, the conversation was moved along, even though some of Shi Qingxuan's words still made him feel flustered.

"No one was there to stop me, to my surprise." All that, and nobody was even around. He huffed, but quickly ran a hand down the side of his own face. "Definitely not a captive prince! I wouldn't even know which exchange would take place for me... But I suppose it must have been a noble family. I lived well. My home was not a grand, sweeping hall or annex, but it was big enough to hold its own courtyard and pond. All for me..."

He couldn't help but sound somewhat melancholy when thinking back to his prior life. It was a good thing he was pacing himself with drink.

Again, those thoughts were knocked out of his brain when she spoke as if she'd seen his thoughts! He felt truly embarrassed then, lifting his hands together in a gesture of apology.

"I'm sorry, I let my mind wander! I simply was thinking, what with the picture painting itself in my head, that... Ah, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to offend," it would be terrible if the night ended badly and it was his fault! "I'd very much appreciate if you took me to the temple..."

Even if Xue Yang wasn’t like other kids, he wanted a friend.

Not hurting someone just because he had been told not to do so might be hard, though. He had no impulse control and always did what he wanted. Well, as much as his mother would let him before now. She wasn’t in the way anymore.

Picking out some clean clothes, something caught his eye. Xue Yang silently moved over toward the shelf, picking up an action figure he had always wanted since catching a glimpse of it on the television. It was even more spectacular in person!

It was a figurine of a young boy from an animation he’d seen from time to time. His mother refused to get him anything he wanted, though. He never had toys.

He had to have more faith. In himself, in Xue Yang, in the world. It would just take some getting used to, that was all. It was better than the alternative.

Having the figurine inches from his face actually helped him relax; it was thus he realized he'd not been afraid of Xue Yang, exactly, but rather the idea of danger itself. Now that he knew said danger did not exist, he could feel his heartbeat regulating once more.

Besides, the sparkle in Xue Yang's eyes was something he found to be soothing in itself. To see him happy over something was infectious.

"It's very nice," he replied honestly, lightly poking the top of the action figure's head. "I think my brother had some like these when we were younger. Sometimes they had buttons that made the arms move on their own."

Suddenly, for some reason, being the one being questioned makes Wen Xun laugh again; a warm, genuine thing that makes his eyes close. It’s curious, as when he lived alone, he always looked rather stern and studious, but now that he’s out in the real world, he feels like his face benefits from smiling most of all.

He appreciates the young maiden’s quick addendum to only answer what he’s comfortable with, and he files it away for later as a future approach to grilling someone with questions. It also provides him with some comfort, knowing she surely can’t think too lowly of him if she’s sticking around and attempting to make conversation. 

“Just me, yes. Other people lived there at some point, like my father, but… Not anymore. I’m afraid I can’t really say why, since I don’t know for sure myself.” Tugging on his sleeve a bit, his smile begins to wane again at the memory of his home. “Something bad happened. I was spared whatever it was thanks to being behind a barrier.”

That is really the only thing he can truly thank the barrier for. Even if it had been to keep him safe all along, it’s always been a reminder that he was a prisoner.

“I wish I knew more, but I haven’t come across anyone else until now, and it doesn’t seem to me like you’d know the answer, either,” he concludes, not to be impolite, but simply to state the facts.

He watches her tap the pole and decides to take a seat on the grass. Perhaps if he shows he’s not a threat, she’ll calm down a bit? Unless she is calm, and this is just something she likes to do… Well, either way. He’s a bit tired, there’s no harm in sitting.

“Yi City? What’s that like?” He tilts his head. Someplace far? Had she run away from it, much like he had, or was she just exploring to explore? “Ah, only tell me if you want.”

Nice save!

She’s a bit shocked to hear him laughing in response to her questions; at first, she almost feels the need to get defensive, because why in the world would he be laughing? It’s not like she’d said anything particularly funny, not that she could think of, so was he laughing at her? But that would make no sense, as he had been kind to her this entire time. While it was possible he could be that way as a means to an end, she doesn’t get the impression that he is that type of person. It’s, really only, that thought alone that makes her able to ignore her main instinct.

He really does smile so much, though. She can’t help but to note to herself, and it makes her wonder why as she hears his answer of “just me”. If he’s been on his own for so long, wouldn’t he be sad? Besides Daozhang and Xue Yang, she’d never lived or known anyone else for a long time, so it’s not like she wasn’t used to being on her own, but it still made her sad, sometimes! He really is such an odd person! 

Refraining from making her thoughts obvious, however, she repeats after him once again, “‘Not anymore’… So that means your father just left you behind on a mountain? That’s just stupid; I’d be trying to find him to give him a piece of my mind, if I were you!”

It’s a reaction that she has before she can think better of it—and it really is such a bad habit of hers, she needs to get it under control—but she, again, can’t help it. She may have never had parents of her own, but she’d seen plenty of them around, whether they be good or bad or just there. He seems like a decent person, so surely he’d have been a decent kid—why would his father have abandoned him? And he hadn’t even mentioned a mom, which also has her curious; did she abandon him too? What was with some people?!

At noticing the fact that his mood has again fallen, however, watching as he tugs at his sleeve, she pushes her own feelings about the situation down and switches up her approach. She knows what it’s like to not want to talk about something, so she won’t make him; she won’t even bring the barrier he mentions after that up! Instead, she takes no offense at all to his follow up statement and agrees with him.

“I really wouldn’t.” And she can’t, as it isn’t even a lie, because being dead really has that effect on someone! “But if you’re okay, then that’s what matters most. That’s what Daozhang would say, at least.”

Not that the stranger would know, but that wasn’t the point. Surely such words were comforting, right? And if they aren’t, it doesn’t quite matter, as she’s got bigger things to worry about, anyway; she doesn’t immediately know how to respond to the other’s last questions. It hadn’t really been the best, once she’d died, but that was neither here nor there. It’s not like she could talk about that, though, either, for fear of scaring him off or him asking too deep into it. Which really just made things even more complicated, but he’s also giving her the option to back out of talking about it…

It’s not like she doesn’t have good things to say, though, so she could say something—

“It was nice, when I was there. ’s not a very big city, but there were other towns and all close by, so it was okay. The people there were kind enough, most of the time, too, so… Yeah. Nice.”

Precisely because he's been alone for so long is the reason he smiles around her, even when that smile loses its lustre when he thinks on the past. He doesn't have all the pieces to his own puzzle, and now he's burdened with a tremendous sense of loss that is only buried by the constant overload of new sights and sensations.

"More or less," he gives a little chuckle and a shrug, amused by the young maiden's irritation at his predicament. "I mean, maybe that isn't fair of me to say. I haven't seen him in a while, and like I said, something bad took place. It may be that I simply don't have a father anymore, and haven't for some time. I wouldn't know."

He wants to ask who is Daozhang?, but knows better now. He will keep his questions to himself. Instead, he offers a little hum and smooths out his hair. "I suppose I am okay."

As okay as he can be under the circumstances.

"Ah," he says rather plainly after hearing her very vague description of this Yi City. He surmises that she really does not want to talk about her past, so it's best to let it go. "Seems... Nice."

To not risk the conversation going nowhere fast, he looks over his shoulder, then back at her. "I was thinking of, um. Having lunch. If you wanted to join me?"

"It's nothing to worry about, it has been a long time ago." Of course, Hua Cheng could tell that this young man didn't swallow completely his story. There was doubt shimmering in his eyes, however, the word given is the word this one shall uphold toward this human. even when word following him was the one that he care little about others and that he only acts in his own best interest. He is after all not evil or good completely. One could say he is neutral not doing good deeds or taking part in evil or barbaric acts.

Unless clearing lairs of other ghosts could be called evil deeds? Or taking down Heavenly officials and their temples? He shakes his thoughts focusing on the young man near him.

"Reading and learning about the world through books doesn't mean that you are spoiled. It means that you needed more freedom to explore things. You seem as if you were held on one spot all your life"

A healer with very powerful spiritual powers, that was yet not honed or trained. He had an ability that needed to be shaped, were his powers the reason to keep him hidden? secluded like the most expensive gem? Are there people after him?

"Oh.. you healed my palm so easy. I promise not to be so clumsy next time. Are you not aware of your power? Uh-Oh...easy I got you" Hua Cheng lightly held the boy who swayed a bit, lightheaded from using his powers. Hua pressed one finger over the boy's forehead lending him some spiritual power. "How that feels? Better? Have you never used your powers before?" Maybe that or maybe it's just going on without food or water for too long. "Can you walk?"

Wen Xun wanted to tell Hua Cheng that, indeed, he had been rooted to one single spot his entire life, until three days ago, but he was too preoccupied attempting to digest all the information he'd just been fed.

He'd healed Hua Cheng? He had powers? What was going on, what had Hua Cheng just done, and why did he no longer feel woozy? He didn't dare let go of the arm now holding him, afraid the shock would send him tumbling down.

"I, ah... No, I don't think I can walk right now, I'm sorry," he managed to murmur, feeling rather pitiful. "I think I need to sit down."

There had been signs, if subtle ones; he'd just not known where to look or what to look for. As far as he was concerned, everyone could tend to plants with ease, and no one held a cut or bruise for very long. To think this whole time he'd had an ability that nobody had bothered to tell him about, that now nobody could tell him about...

It made him angry. Above all else, above the confusion and the hurt, it made his blood boil.

He didn't want to take it out on Hua Cheng, though. It wasn't his fault. Instead, he took a gentle step back and tried to compose himself.

"Oh, I..." Touched and more than a little surprised that she would be complimenting him in such a way, Wen Xun had to resist the urge to hide behind his sleeve. He'd never had the chance to feel shy before, so it was a little embarrassing! "You won't make fun of me if I'm not sure, will you? I haven't really had the chance to discover myself."

His voice was slightly sad as he admitted to this, so he took another little sip from his cup to do away with any lingering bad feelings. When Shi Qingxuan admitted to simply having tripped, he perked up a bit. "Oh, I might be able to mend..."

He stopped himself from offering further. What kind of person made offers like that to strangers? She'd surely think him so rude! Rubbing at his temple slightly, he sighed.

"I suppose I could be of noble birth, as my home is lavish and I live on some sort of estate, but it hardly matters, since... Ah, no matter," he mumbled, "I don't need to hide, since no one knows who I am. But enough about me, tell me more about this Wind Master you mentioned. I must become familiar with the outside world! I may have read a thing or two, but I want to make sure I have the right information."

Come to think of it, the texts he'd read did mention a somewhat capricious god of wind, fond of a good time... But it would be best not to jump to conclusions.

With a soft laugh, and grateful that he hadn't offended, Wen Xun gently shook his head. "I speak the truth! For better or worse. I'll gladly keep you company, if you want to stay away from home for a bit. I know what that's like, and I won't tell anyone you're here."

After all, who could he tell? It was pointless reassurance, but he hoped it would keep making her smile.

She gasps fanning herself. "I would never make fun of you, that would be so mean and pointless. Besides I tripped and you didn't make fun of me." She took a sip, well more like a gulp listening to him, he was offering something but cut himself in the half of telling her. "Please do tell, you might be able to mend? To mend what?"

"No one knows who you are? Are you then an escapee? Are there people coming after you?" She had a good nose to sniff out an adventure, helping a mortal to escape still was not added to her list. Like the wind, she will go and blow where something interesting is about to happen. is it moral to talk about herself like that? It's like promoting to get more followers? Eh..what the hell, why not...

"Well as you can see people here worship Wind Master, because of wine they also call him 'The Young Lord Who Pours Wine.' Some of his statues are male others female, some people claim that he can change to a woman, but the base is male, or the opposite who knows. Maybe some of his followers got too much wine after all."

She giggled, pouring them some more, thinking what else may be interesting to tell him. "It is said that he is also an honest, moral person and is deeply loyal to his friends and family. He maintains a cheerful personality even in the worst of circumstances, fast as the wind and moody as one. Also mischievous and enjoys teasing and messing with others, but never out of malicious intent...hopefully"

"Maybe if you ask something more concretely, I can answer better. Company is always welcome, and you are doing a great job so far...I wish that all my companions are as cheerful as you"

Wen Xun would not make fun of someone for falling over! Like Shi Qingxuan said, it would be mean and pointless. He'd help them get back up, and that's that.

With burning cheeks, he shyly finished his offer. "Oh, the robe. I might be able to mend it if need be."

He quickly shook his head at her questioning, raising his arms to reassure her. "No! No, nobody's following me, not that I know of. I don't think what I did qualifies as an escape, either. I just... left."

Hoping to leave himself and his situation behind, Wen Xun leaned forward to better listen to Shi Qingxuan with rapt attention. The person she was describing did fit his accounts, but more than that, with a few differences here and there, it fit her. He didn't want to make a wild accusation based only on how she poured her wine as she spoke, but... Could it be true? Could gods really exist, and could he be in the presence of one?

That was rather intimidating, actually. He suddenly felt small, but he didn't want to risk making this interaction go sour. He wanted to keep Shi Qingxuan smiling.

He was probably just jumping to conclusions due to some innate desire to live out a fantastical adventure.

"This Wind Master sounds like a wonderful person. Or god, rather. I think I would like to pay tribute, if given the chance," he spoke, sweet and honest. "I only ask how to go about doing so."

To ask is it you? would truly be too much, though it may add to his 'cheerful company' points if they could both laugh about it...

@xunque sent: 💋 - xunque :3c (From here! Still accepting~)

Wen Xun gets a quick peck on the cheek before she turns away, blushing.

oh no you guys what if there's bugs!! as with every november 28th i am once again indulging in xunyang day... it's genuinely just a gift from me to me, and i love it!! i wanted intimacy to be the theme this year, so of course i put the boys outside. naked. right there in the grass. but i mean can you be mad when they're this cute?

REJOICE xunyang comms be upon ye (it's xunyang day!) i'll add these to the big comm masterpost eventually but right now i need you to check out the artists for their phenomenal work😎💘

Beautiful drawing of wen xun I did last night for xunyang day (for @wifiwuxians ❤️)

For Xunyang day!!!!!! The first piece goes out ti Dawn Chorus written by @wifiwuxians who started it all ❤💞❤💞❤💞❤