winepouring | Overflow Post

[ Shi Qingxuan nods. Yeah, he can see how that would be similar to a priestess or monk. There can certainly be overlap there. ]

Teachers, maybe? I suppose most people in those kinds of positions are focused more on their gods than necessarily traveling to take care of malicious spirits...

[ And not all gods deal in that kind of thing, either! (Or with much at all, aha...)

Back on the topic of the knot— ]

It is, isn't it? It's holding together well! [ Smiling over at him. ] Would you like to do the last of it? It's just repeating the motions I've been doing.

Ah... something like that. Mostly their belief seems to be a deterrent to spirits with mischief or harm in their minds. Or in their energies. A jealous god is a good guardian of all their believers, I guess.

[ He says this with a shrug, because in his experience, it's proven true to an extent. Murasame can certainly break apart those barriers, but that's almost what his existence is meant to be: something which levels demons, gods, and formless things to mortality, technically.

Not that he concerns himself with this for the most part. Shino's not interested in demonhunts, let along godhunts, and is primarily interested in bead hunts back home, because once he repays Rio Satomi for his help five years ago, he'll be free.

To do what is a question he has no answer to yet, other than to be with Sousuke in whatever he does, doing his church work perhaps, and to support Hamaji as she continues toward her goal of becoming a doctor. Even if he has to sneak her all kinds of suspicious books in the process. ]

Hm? Me? [ He finally lifts his finger away, looking at the two bits of ribbon remaining, and reaches out for them... a little tentative. ] Are you sure? If I mess up, you'll have to redo them yourself.

[ He says this, but he's taking those end pieces and repeating Shi Qingxuan's motions with more fumbling, but clearly having paid attention to the other man's work with the intricate knot. It's not perfect, far from it, but it doesn't look as bad as Shino was expecting, so he's pleased... if bothered that it doesn't look smooth enough. ]

[ "A jealous god," hm... That's the first time he heard of jealousy being a reason to protect believers. Well, not all gods have good reputation with their followers, regardless of how faithful that believer base is. In the end, Shi Qingxuan just nods. ]

I suppose if their god is proactive and reliable, many beings wouldn't want to get involved and risk their lives by causing trouble in their domain.

[ Though how many gods do that to a point where the mere belief in them is a deterrent to malicious ghosts... They must be extremely proactive. Maybe they're jealous of anyone that enters their domain at all... Gods are still human, in the end.

It's an interesting thing to think about, and he can't deny he's a bit interested in knowing more about this jealous god, but that's for another time. ]

It's just for fun, it doesn't need to be perfect. [ Shi Qingxuan smiles at him encouragingly as he holds the floppy knot in place. ] This way, it'll be something we made together. I started it, but you finished it.

[ So in a way, it's still a knot that shows a bond! As Shino finishes up the pattern, Shi Qingxuan continues to watch, nodding in approval. Is it perfect? No! But this hasn't really been perfect from the start. To him, it still looks pretty! Oddly folded and twisted parts and all. ]

Ah, you finished it! It doesn't look so bad for its size. [ Proud smile! ] Now we have the best knot on this tree. If the knots represent bonds, then ours must be off to a good start.

[ Who said anything about protecting believers... it's more what protects the church in the Imperial Capitol, but as he didn't clarify, and sees no reason to do so, it won't come up that he sees this one God as jealous about letting any other Gods into His territory.

Instead, with that encouragement, he feels torn between taking the praise and looking for an insult... but it's not in his nature to assume the worst, and so he smiles, rubbing the back of his neck in mild embarrassment. He can see how imperfect it is, and far from being up on the ideal of imperfections being part of an artform, it's more like failing to have lived up to an expectation. Next time! Next time he randomly needs to tie a knot out of ribbons around a tree, he'll get it right! ]

Doesn't mean it looks so good. But it's fancier than a plain knot, so... here's to being fancy friends?

[ ... that makes no sense. He groans as he says it, stomach rumbling, and he rubs his face and shoots Shi Qingxuan a sheepish look. ]

Or maybe food friends? I haven't eaten well the last few days.

[ He makes to start climbing down, his hand coming to rest on top of Shi Qingxuan's foot on accident. He tries to pull his hand away but instead finds..................... it's firmly stuck there? He tries to pull away again, and it's obvious he's leaning away, but his hand just. Stays there. ]

What the—

[ Fancy friends? Food friends?! Now Shi Qingxuan laughs, though it's not derisive. Shino has such an honest face, he can't help but find all of this really amusing. ]

I don't see why it can't be fancy food friends in that case! Since you helped me put together this knot, I'd be happy to treat you to something nice.

[ It's an excuse that he really doesn't need. If he hasn't eaten much recently, he absolutely should feed him...

Those are the thoughts going through Shi Qingxuan's head as he suddenly feels a firm pressure over his boot.

And looks down to see Shino's hand laying over his toes...and the rest of Shino reeling away from it.

Of all the strange magic here, this is the first time he's seen someone stick to another person's foot before. He isn't sure if to laugh or cry at this situation. But he laughs anyway - less warmly and more awkwardly. ]

Wait, wait, wait, don't lean backwards so much! I can take off my boot!

[ Now let's how Shi Qingxuan doesn't lose his own balance by clinging onto the knotted branch with one arm and trying to one-handedly pull his foot free with the other, with Shino's hand getting dragged along for the ride. ]

Don't lean back?!

[ Meanwhile, here's Shi Qingxuan, lifting his foot and boot, which ends up... lifting Shino? He's losing his footing on the lower branch, and then while he's trying to find a new one, making all sorts of panicked wait wait wait noises, his hand brushes against Shi Qingxuan, and he finds a new foothold branch, going to once more pull his hand away.

It almost works, and he finds himself loosening his grip on Shi Qingxuan's foot—except then just as inevitably, he's taking hold of his hand, their fingers lacing together seamlessly, like it's fated.

What's worse is how Shi Qingxuan, without even straining, continues to lift his hand, with Shino attached.

Which means Shi Qingxuan now has a dangling Shino staring wide eyed at him, second hand having come up to grab onto Shi Qingxuan's arm, using that to lever himself higher. ]

How strong are you?! It's not enough you're so tall, you have to have super strength too?!

[ Ah. Aaaah!! Shi Qingxuan stares wide-eyed down at Shino, just as shocked by this whole thing as Shino himself is. On one hand, at least his boot didn't need to come off this way.

On the other hand, he's now holding Shino's hand more closely than he's held anyone's hand, and while, yes, he can just use his spiritual powers to keep him held up, is this really the best way to grip someone's hand?! Not only that, now that he's off the branch and holding onto him, is there really any way to climb down this tree normally!? ]

This is spiritual power, this is my spiritual power! [ If you could see the arm beneath this sleeve you would fully understand that... ] Ah, while I don't mind keeping hold of you, if you can find your footing again, could you let me go? This kind if grip is a little strange...

[ Kind of...dangles him over the branch Shi Qingxuan is shifting to stand on himself? At least standing side-by-side, the position isn't as physically awkward or dangerous for Shino. Now it's just socially awkward. ]

Spiritual power? How does spiritual power do this?!

[ Not that he fights being lowered onto the same branch, but while one hand releases Shi Qingxuan—the hand which he'd brought up to join the one whose fingers laced through the taller guy's fingers—their joined hands remain as they are.

Standing side by side on the same branch, Shino uses his free hand to grab onto whatever branch is closest, which happens to be more or less behind them both. ]

I'm not choosing to hold your hand. [ In fact, he starts shaking their joined hands. ] I'm trying to let go. Will you relax your grip, huh?

[ He tries - and fails - to release his hand. And on one hand, it isn't so bad to hold hands! The flow of chroma is extremely pleasant and as addicting as always! But he's still in his right mind, still fully aware that this whole thing is strange, especially to a newcomer.

Well, not wanting things to stay awkward, Shi Qingxuan starts talking. ]

Ah, it looks like they're stuck. [ He hums. ] Mm, the magic here is so unpredictable and hard to deal with... It's harmless, though.

[ So! Nothing to do but accept yet another awkward situation with a half-smile. ]

Anyway, that was my spiritual powers! Of course I can use them for something as simple as making my arms stronger. It isn't difficult at all.

Spiritual powers? They work like that?

[ He's addressing the "harmless, unpredictable, hard to deal with magic." After having said... or groused, over what Shi Qingxuan's spiritual powers are doing.

Then again, he supposes out of the people he knows who've all ended up bound to demons of some kind, they all have greater powers that are probably energy related? Just not... spiritual? Or are they? Not worth the headache of trying to figure out. ]

And this magic... [ he squeezes their held hands. ] You're so calm about this? We're stuck up in a tree, you know!

[ It's that, not being so close to him, not the fact that they're moonlacing and its flowing up his arm, not even the magic... it's them stuck in a tree. How long are they going to stay like this? ]

Yes?

[ That is truly how spiritual powers work! Part of the point of cultivating is to strengthen one's body as well. Even if he really doesn't have a body built for martial arts, he can still use his spiritual powers to make up for that lack of strength.

Though, ah, that squeeze on his hand feels a little nice... Shi Qingxuan blinks, suddenly just focused on their current situation again. ]

That's right! We can't climb down normally this way... [ And jumping down—maybe he could do it with someone he knows better, but he has no idea how agile (or durable) Shino is, and he would rather neither of them just fall and get hurt. He hums, thinking, but in the end, do they really have many options? ]

I can get us down, but it will involve using the wind, so it will be a little chaotic.

[ Being in a tree surrounded by ribbons and all! ]

That's so much cooler than what that stupid monk tried doing...

[ Congratulation, cultivation is cooler than a monk cultivating demons to attack, well, demons.

Anyway.

He's about to object that they can figure it out if they coordinate efforts, but holds off as Shi Qingxuan proclaims with such certainty he can get them down. Shino blinks, thinking of the brothers and their oni forms, then blinks again. ]

As long as you don't call down a typhoon, we should be okay.

[ He accepts the wind use without much comment, because frankly, he can call down rainstorms, the brothers can call thunder and lightning along with rain, and there are far more mystifying things (like electronic money) to him here. Wind use?

Novel, yes, but much more familiar. ]

What do you need me to do?

[ Hang on to him? Get around him so they can move their arms so he can get on his back? ]

[ The state of mortal cultivators is as sad in Shino's world as it is in his own... He laughs a little at that comment, but leaves it at that.

Regardless, they have stuff to do! Shi Qingxuan pulls his fan from his belt and snaps it open. Very appropriately, it says wind across the front. ]

You don't need to do anything, but you can hold on to me if you'd like. [ IF YOU'RE SCARED OF HEIGHTS but he doesn't want to embarrass him by saying that... Not that they'll be going far at all. ] There won't be any typhoons or tornadoes; nothing so dramatic!

[ A flick of his fan, and the wind starts whipping across their legs, rustling the ends of their knot. ]

It won't take long.

[ Whether he holds on or not, as long as he doesn't start protesting against it, the wind will just pick them up and set them down without even making either of them get a face full of the other's hair. ]

[ He doesn't need to, but it feels stranger just holding hands and waiting for whatever's going to happen, so he as nonchalantly as possible loops an arm around Shi Qingxuan's waist and tucks himself against his side. Which, being on the branch, means shuffling and not using their joined hands, but he'll ignore that for now.

Being scared of heights isn't one of his problems: the whole event happens so quickly he's more caught off guard by suddenly finding themselves gently set on the ground without their hair even whipping around in their faces that he stays pressed to Shi Qingxuan's side, eyes wide and blinking, trying to make sense of what the heck just happened.Magic's good enough as a word, okay!Still hugging him, and really having forgotten even if he's feeling the moonlacing as a pleasant sort of buzz, Shino stares back up into the tree, spies their floppy knot, then whips his head back around to look up at Shi Qingxuan's face. Which is more craning than usual, he's so close, but he'll choose to overlook that continuing fact of his life for the time being. ]

Can you do it again!? How far can you fly? How high can you go?

[ And so, he's being hugged! It's...a lot of contact, honestly, and he should be more embarrassed about being clung to, but moonlacing feels nice enough that he's started not caring about that... It's useful for both of them! They both get to build their chroma! It's good, really.

And it feels good in a different way to have Shino be so exciting about his powers! He forgot that mortal humans don't get to see this kind of thing often, so of course he would be excited by even a small display of magic like this. Grinning, he laughs and fans himself. ]

This was nothing! I can fly to the heavens! Hahaha!

[ He is so proud of himself right now even if he isn't wrong in saying that it was really nothing. ]

But weren't you just saying that you were hungry? We can fly any time! You should eat first!

You could fly us to eat—

[ He points out as he lets go and steps away, or lets go as much as he can considering their fingers are still laced together. He can cope with this, he just stands off to the side he's joined to and stretches as if having climbed up and been flown down a tree is a great affair.

Mostly it's to disguise how he almost tries folding Shi Qingxuan's arm behind his head along with his own arm. It's not like he's forgotten he's holding his hand, but he has, temporarily, forgotten it's not so easy to simply let go. ]

Anyway, recommendations, Lord Windy?

[ kazesama, more or less, okay! ]

[ Lord...Lord Windy?! Not "Lord Wind Master" or "Wind Master Qingxuan," but "Lord Windy"...

The corners of his mouth twitch before he bursts out laughing. What a casual title! What a nickname! ]

Lord Windy, is it? Hahaha! Yes, this Wind Master has a few places to recommend, but I don't know your tastes. Then I can fly us wherever you like.

[ Lord Windy...hahaha. He's composed now! Composed! He doesn't even care about their joined hands being dragged around - he's still amused by that nickname! ]

Though first, I must ask, is there a certain way you like to be called?

[ Lord Windy, Wind Master, don't they imply similar things? He's still excited by this idea, though again, now he's turning his head toward Shi Qingxuan and smiling up at him, in an instantly better mood than earlier. Easy to please, or just simpleminded? Dealer's choice. ]

Shino! Shino's fine. What about you? Lord? Windy? Master Windsome? Shi Qingxuan? Qingxuan? Shi?

[ Give him something or else he's likely going to default to Too Familiar for Shi Qingxuan's tastes, because his general opinions on things are distance measures are best served to people you cannot stand. ]

As for food, I love meat! Beef, chicken, squid, anything but liver! Spicy, sweet, sour, I'll take it all!

[ Either option is good by Shi Qingxuan!

Just calling him "Windy"... Truly just reducing him to his role as Wind Master, isn't it? And he has no idea what "Wind Master" means! If he did, surely he would have a different reaction to that title!

Really, he should start just letting people call him "Lord Wind Master" like usual since it doesn't seem the mortals here know that "the Wind Master" is the title of a god...

Well! Regardless! ]

It's usually "Qingxuan" or "Lord Wind Master" or "Wind Master Qingxuan," but I won't object to "Lord Windy," either. [ He laughs a little as he says that again. Ahaha, he loves the people here, they're all so laidback! Truly, "Shi Qingxuan" would be just fine, but if he's letting him call him "Shino," then he can call Shi Qingxuan by just his first name, too. They're friends, after all!

Food friends! ]

Ah, you're one of those types! [ He gestures at him with his fan. ] In that case, I know a place that should suit you.

[ He'd be more respectful, it's true, because he has more respect for gods and demons (who aren't being stupid) than he does for humans, and he's... not even aware of that bias. Or how it's slowly been growing, because of his awareness of the power most supernatural beings hold compared to an average human.

Doesn't mean he doesn't still piss people off, or walk into areas he shouldn't be uninvited, but at least he has a sense of what it is to be respectful. ]

Qingxuan, then. Lord Windy when you're being impressive.

[ He may or may not later lower his face into his hands if he ever learns Shi Qingxuan is, actually, a god. It's. Just let him be for now.

Regardless, he grins, shrugging his shoulders and swinging their joined hands a bit while staying in place. The fan makes more sense now, as something he otherwise tends to associate with women by his point in history, or with actors. ]

What, a meat-lover? Who doesn't love meat! But if you know a place, then let's go!

[ Truly, if he knew he was a god, he might expect more respect, too. But since he's been playing mortal cultivator with most people, and most people have been friendly and easygoing, he doesn't mind the lack of title.

Really, hearing "when you're being impressive" just makes him preen, grinning proudly behind his fan. Yes, he is impressive, isn't he?

Enough about that, though! He lets their joined hands swing, thinking, He's like a small child, isn't he? ]

Yes, someone who only loves meat. Ah, do you want to hold onto me again before we go? We'll be going higher this time.

[ He may or may not want praise. ]

[ He is like a child in some respects, and carefree mannerisms are one of them; then again, Shi Qingxuan is the one subtly looking for praise and showing off. They're in good company. ]

I don't hate other things, but meat's the best! And sure, sure.

[ He's in such a good mood with the idea of food coming along soon that he steps out and faces Qingxuan, wrapping his free arm around his waist. It leaves him facing him, honestly, though he looks out over his own shoulder, their joined arms tucked up between their chests because it was the easiest way for Shino to position himself when it's all just a touch awkward. ]

Whenever you're ready, fly us away, Lord Windy!

[ They're both small children at heart, aren't they...

Normally, being this close would be too embarrassing and ridiculous to handle - really, he's so close, Shi Qingxuan can smell his hair and see the individual lashes of his eyes - but the comfort of moonlacing really is amazing, isn't it? He gives their linked hands a reassuring squeeze as he flips out his fan.

It's only the matter of a few simple waves before the wind takes his command and rises them up. Shi Qingxuan's own billowing robes flap against their legs as they go higher and higher. Shino wanted to know how high he could go, and the answer truly is "to the heavens," but he stops much shorter than that, though he carries them high enough that the entire park is in view, along with the nearby streets, building, and anything else.

The air is particularly cool at this height though the sun is warm in their shoulders.

It feels good to be so high up and just enjoy the view, enjoy the cool whip of the wind against him. He's all smiles as he looks down at Shino again. ]

What do you think? How's this?

[ Shino is soaking up the affection and attention. The moonlacing is something he's getting more used to, like a cat sprawling out in the sun, because the sheer pleasant warmth of it is addictive to someone who already believes in casual physical affection for his family, the people he cares about.

Extending it to strangers is... part of why he's on board to make them friends. Strangers could be the whole of everyone on this planet. Friends are what he really needs.

He squeezes back, more of an I'm ready than a I'm reassured. He's already placed his faith in Shi Qingxuan, and just like that, he has no particular doubt. It's Shi Qingxuan's confidence that helps lend Shino that faith, and he's grinning without realising as soon as that fan moves and the wind around them lifts them up.

The robes hitting his lower legs put him in mind of Rio Satomi as they rise higher, and higher, and for a moment, up here, he feels like they're like birds, higher over the park. Not as high as Murasame might fly, but this isn't a view Shino generally has, and he's wide eyed soaking it in, grin morphing into a smile of pure pleasure. ]

We're flying.

[ He states, and yes, it's obvious, and no, they're not magically birds, but it's such a thought and a reality that stating as much has him laughing, purely spontaneous. It's not what he'd have expected. He could probably fly with the brothers if he needed to, but it's still a little different, and after days of distress and the stress of this place settling over his shoulders, this?

This is freeing.

He can't pull his eyes away from what they're seeing at first, but when he does, his bright green eyes are sparkling up at Shi Qingxuan. ]

What do I think? This is incredible, Windy!

[ See, there's the nickname for use when something's impressive. Which again, if he knew, if he knew he was talking to a god... eh. He'd still be enchanted with flight. He'd just also be more aware of how fickle such a state might be. Gods and demons, as he knows them, are not steady, unflappable personalities. ]

You're totally showing off, but it's great! How long can we stay up here?

[ Is he still hungry?

Yes.

Is he distracted from that by this whole new experience?

Yes.

Give a guy a break, he's eaten every day of his life that he could manage, he's never flown or hovered like this! ]

[ Freeing is just how Shi Qingxuan thinks of it too. This is freeing, it's enchanting, and no matter how much he does it, no matter how much plays with the wind, it never loses its appeal.

To have Shino laughing and smiling with him, he feels like he's found a kindred spirit in this. While certainly many mortals would find flying fun, at the moment, this feels like something special only the two of them are sharing. Which, technically, is the case, as he's never taken anyone else into the air like this purely for the joy of it.

The wind ruffles their hair, gently lifting it from their backs and adding a bit of coolness under the bright sun.

It's nice. He really could happily stay here all day.

Between his spiritual powers and the constant chroma generation between him and Shino, could they do that?

Maybe when Shino isn't hungry. Shi Qingxuan, for all the fun he's having, hasn't forgotten that. ]

How long would you like to stay up here? As long as you want to stay, we can stay! But weren't you hungry a moment ago?

[ Eating in the air is not as fun as it may sound! ]

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inuko - 2019-10-03 07:58 (UTC) - Expand

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