winepouring | Overflow Post

[ 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! ]

[ He has a feeling if he flew with either of the idiot brothers, things would be far more chaotic. Not that they'd drop him or anything, but the whole reality of wings and their being joined with oni of thunder and lightning makes everything a bit more Exciting.

He's about to answer when his stomach grumbles, a loud enough sound that he's blushing in the sudden, acute embarrassment of how obvious it is. ]

Hahaha, uh, I think that's... still true.

[ It's not his fault he can eat... almost always... even if he was distracted and enjoying this taste of flight in such a different way than anything he knows, something a tad closer to what Murasame experiences as a crow, his body doesn't forget what it needs. ]

Hahaha!

[ How honest! What an honest reaction! He hugs his hand in place of any other friendly sort of reassurance he can't quite give in their current predicament. ]

How about this? We can get something to eat, and after that we can go flying again? I can fly you back to your home.

[ That would be fun, right? That sounds fun. He can't really offer to take him anywhere more dangerous than where he is already. Really, it's better if they stay somewhere familiar, even if he has no fear of running out of spiritual powers of chroma with Shino acting as a convenient chroma-battery-pack. ]

Overflow Post

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject