winepouring | Overflow Post

Continued...

[ From her seat at the table, Shi Qingxuan can see a flash of black hair, a hint of white shifting to black, a figure vacillating between childlike and adult-

Her fingers tighten around the base of her fan. Of all the things she expected from a possibly demonic spell, this...this is really bizarre and unusual, completely outside her realm of experience. And because she doesn't understand it, it's even more frightening. It's definitely not a stable memory like the rest of this! If she wore one of those clips in here, maybe she could try changing things, but as it is, she can only rely on his own experiences.

This is because she mentioned that disciple, isn't it? Ah, she should have kept her mouth shut! Leaving aside how strange things are outside, he clearly didn't want to think or talk about him either! He looks like a ghost!

She tears her eyes away and clears her throat. Maybe if she helps him focus, the thing outside will become a normal part of the scenery? ]

Is he one of your senior disciples?

[ She'll use present tense if it makes him stop wavering! ]

[ It's a good idea, getting him to focus. Thinking about the present, or the immediately recent past, means he's thinking about Luo Binghe as the young man standing on that rooftop, facing off against Liu Qingge and drawing his sword.

Then the same young man more hazy, saying words Shen Qingqiu half heard. And then nothing. ]

Luo Binghe?

[ Yes, of course, it's not like they're talking about anyone else! And is he? He's... actually the most junior of his disciples. There hasn't been another recruitment period where Cang Qiong Mountain Sect was open to new disciples since Luo Binghe arrived, and he's not even sure what made the original goods take him to his peak!

He couldn't have wanted someone to abuse that badly, could he? Could he?! ]

He's my top disciple, but not one of my senior disciples.

[ In what world would the protagonist not be top disciple. He's the top of everything! ]

His accomplishments are astonishing given his age.

[ Enough to drive the original goods mad. Not to mention the rest of the damn world! He's a prodigy to end prodigies!

Shen Qingqiu admires the tea in his cup as a distraction; outside, the image of Luo Binghe firms into the young man of twenty, black robed, dark haired, dark eyed. Breathtakingly beautiful, a sculpture made of the most exquisite white jade. Only living, and breathing, looking away from the sword mound with his name above it, eyes glittering like a sky full of stars. This time, there's a sense and feeling to him: this time, Shen Qingqiu remembers what he'd felt like right after he'd poured his spiritual energy into him.

Like a righteous sect cultivator. Human. Not demon, though he was half demon, because Shen Qingqiu remembers what Luo Binghe feels like when he's in balance, and not pooling the miasma of his purple-black-red demonic energies into his open palms.

Those unfathomable dark eyes turn toward the window, the movement powerful and elegant, the way a tiger moves in his territory. And if Shi Qingxuan looks out the window, she'll find this figment of polygonal imagination meeting her gaze and holding it, no visible emotion on Luo Binghe's face or in that sea of stars held within his gaze. ]

[ Seeing the figure outside flicker one more time and solidify, settling into one person, a single impression, her grip on her fan relaxes a little. She shouldn't need to use it; they can keep having a nice tea time! As Shen Qingqiu speaks, she casually looks over his shoulder at the person of his memories, dignified and handsome, shining, truly the picture of a bright, top disciple with boundless potential.

For a moment, she wonders if he looks this beautiful because that's how Shen Qingqiu personally sees him, but that thought is quickly forgotten as an earlier bit of information clicks into place.

Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe, like the name on that sword mound he's standing by?

When Shi Qingxuan first saw the sword mound, she didn't immediately think it necessary to dwell on. Now that the name was said, though, and the deceased is standing by it, she feels her chest tighten. While she doesn't know him, she now knows he is very, very important to the person sitting across from her. It's no wonder Shen Qingqiu looked like a ghost when she asked about his disciple. To have his shining, top disciple pass away without even a body to bury... This whole situation now is just cruel.

As if Luo Binghe finally felt her staring at him, they managed to lock eyes.

And she tears her gaze away and stands up! ]

Lord Shen, we should leave. As comfortable as things are now, it's impossible to say if it's truly safe here.

[ The abrupt motion has him on alert, and he doesn't waste time asking why. His IQ is not that low, thank you! When a self-confident individual of some apparent skill is stating something in no uncertain terms, the benefit in arguing at that moment is low.

He doesn't see Luo Binghe, but he stands, blocking the view of his disciple standing by his sword mound. He reaches for the transmitter on his ear, fingers brushing over the smooth surface. ]

As Lady Shi requests, so shall this humble one obey.

[ He presses down on the transmitter...

...

... Nothing happens. The virtual world retains its shape, and the device on his ear blinks like an LED attached earring. The wind blows by in the bamboo trees outside the small bamboo house. Thin strains of practice on the qin wind through, Three Variations on Plum Blossoms.

Unseen to him, Luo Binghe takes steps toward the small bamboo house, shadows seeming to cling to him as he moves.

Shen Qingqiu frowns, only the smallest downturning of the corner of his lips, and takes the transmitter off entirely. Nothing seems to change, which has him cursing inwardly just as soundly: what the fuck, technology, if there's no respect for deactivating the program, this can only be called a bug! Too big a bug for beta! ]

We may need to make ourselves heard to the ones overseeing these constructs.

[ Shi Qingxuan may see that Luo Binghe is coming inevitably closer, wind tugging at his long, dark hair, robes shifting with each movement, silver glinting in the light. There's something dripping from one hand: a closer look will showcase that whatever it is, it's purple. Bleeding purple? ]

Is it not working?

[ Really? Really?? She takes a breath and flicks her fan closed and opened again. Part of her really wants use it, but this is still a part of Shen Qingqiu's fond memories. She can't just desecrate them after he's only been truly kind and hospitable towards her. ]

I'm sorry, but I don't believe trying to reach out to them would help. This is their creation; surely they must already be aware of our situation?

[ In the end, this is still probably demonic!!

At the moment, all Shi Qingxuan is happy for is the fact Shen Qingqiu is not looking towards this illusion of his deceased disciple who, for whatever reason, is dripping purple from his hands. Is it...meant to be blood? Right now, although he's still quite handsome, he has something of a foreboding aura around him, looking every bit the resurrected soul that he somewhat is. And that is more reason for her to absolutely not let him see this version of Luo Binghe! Forget damaging his house; having this image of his disciple is much worse!

So she will stay right where she is and keep an eye on both of them. If she needs to, she can always try to blow something in front of the window to hide the view. If he tries to come in through the window.. She'll figure that out. ]

We came in here through a door, and we might still be in the same room. Even if taking off the earring won't stop the spell, a distance-shortening array should still let us out. If they won't end this themselves, then we'll just leave!

[ What sort of connection points there are here is extremely questionable, but it's the best idea she has. ]

[ So casually talking about a distance-shortening array... he lights a candle in his heart, because yes, he knows them, yes, he can technically make one, and no, he is not able to save qi in doing so! This is the problem with theoretical and not practical knowledge! Like hell he knew he'd need it here!

Remaining ignorant to what's approaching from behind, which may sometimes be a life metaphor with Shen Qingqiu, he steps to the side, away from the window, heading for the door. He's planning on calling out first, because they'd been told they were under observation, so it stands to reason deliberate call-outs will be noticed against the backdrop of the simulation. ]

We're in the same room. It may be as simple as allowing ourselves to feel only that, and not everything else interfering with our senses.

[ He's almost at the door. Meanwhile, Luo Binghe is definitely at the window, staring in at Shi Qingxuan, then dragging his gaze to Shen Qingqiu. He opens his mouth to speak. ]

Shizun—

[ Truly a shame; distance-shortening arrays are the quickest way to get around. ]

That may work as well, but...

[ Her words are cut off by Luo Binghe's. She was not expecting the memory of his disciple to call out to him! Enter, yes, but not to actually speak!

Without hesitation, she flicks her fan forward, making Shen Qingqiu's hair and outer robes flutter back and forcing a gust to knock Luo Binghe - no, definitely not the actual Luo Binghe - off balance.

(She still says a silent "sorry" to that memory, though.)

Even though she did it without thinking, she knows there's no way he could have missed being called out to like that. Right? Ah- This has really gone poorly...! ]

... is the comment reply style new this code push, text why are you so small

peerlesscucumber - 2019-06-23 04:40 (UTC) - Expand

It's...better on mobile but it still confused me fjdjdnd

winepouring - 2019-06-23 17:47 (UTC) - Expand

i was so glad when it evened out the next day LASDLKJ now i like the update

peerlesscucumber - 2019-06-24 17:17 (UTC) - Expand

Continued...

[ Handwaving ordering drinks. Not really knowing the selection in the least, Shi Qingxuan simply picked whatever wine sounded the most interesting. Berry wine? Yes, she'll go with that. ]

Of course. I don't know how anyone could trust something like this. As I said, it's far too suspicious...

Speaking of which... [ She pulls out the little crystal she was given earlier. ] Did you receive one of these, too?

[Ritsu picks something fairly weak and fruity as well - he doesn't actually want to get drunk here. That would be bad.

He fishes out his own crystal from his pocket.]

I did. It's supposed to be the currency of this place, right?

[He asks with a tilt of his head, a sort of "is there something about it you find suspicious?"]

Right, or something like that.

[ She sets it on the table. ]

They're more like purses than actual currency, aren't they? We're supposed to hold onto them. Since I got it, I've wondered if there's more to them or not. Little stones like this aren't hard to enchant.

[ ...So she's been wary about actually carrying it from the start. ]

...Ah.

[He understands exactly what she means by that, having come from a world where crystals served similar functions.]

Can they be turned into monitoring devices where you come from? Where I come from... they can be used to change a person's demeanor; and given how they expect us to earn our keep here, I wonder.

[The thought is... repulsive enough for him to want to immediately ditch the crystal, but he can't exactly do that, can he? He's stuck with it.

The people running this show really planned this out quite thoroughly. Damn them.]

It wouldn't be impossible...

[ There were all sorts of spells you could put on something: ones to listen, ones to track, ones to suppress... But the thought of having one that can change a person's demeanor or character makes the hairs on her neck stand on end.

She pushes right on ahead rapidly: ] Do you know a way to test if they have that sort of enchantment? I can test if there's any demonic influence or spells, but the kind of power you're talking about... I'm not sure if I'll be able to.

[ Which is terrifying to think about. What kind of experiences does he have where he's seen such a thing? It isn't that a spell like that can't exist, but more so that if it does, it would need to be powerful, and if it were that powerful, some talismans aren't likely going to be enough to detect it, much less dispel it. ]

I can't, I'm afraid. But there's something I may be able to do to counteract it if it works as a slowly corrupting or mind controlling influence. It's a... rather violent method, though.

[He'd show her, but he's not sure here's the place to do it. It's best to wait until they're somewhere more private, he decides. He doesn't want to attract needless attention to himself.]

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if you mean drunkenly use his wind powers to cheat and make it go extra high: absolutely

this is the best possible use and i want it

you know he would do it

shino would think this is great, shizun would be like.........................................

let this wind god live a little, immortal mountain shizun!

he thinks he lives plenty already tbh???

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