I'd like to creep into the wood And see the bonnets blue, And hear the bluebells ringing loud, I wish I could -- don't you?
t's another day, another month, and another time for people to show up in the well. You'd better go rescue them! Never mind the fact that you woke up with a flower in your hands.
It's probably fine. Don't mind it at all. It's not like it's hard to ignore a little flower.
(At least, not until the effects start to kick in. Better go rescue the people in the well before they do.)
Oh, right. Even the people in the well have flowers, so... things are going to be a little ridiculous very quickly, when all of those side effects kick in. Have fun!
Welcome to Awash's Twenty-fifth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event!
If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!
[ A yellow lily is tucked behind Shen Qingqiu's one ear and a magnolia behind the other as he blinks at the person that is suddenly calling out to him. The two of them had just happened to catch sight of one another, and he's being yelled at?! Why?!
He had originally wanted to make a bouquet but ended up doing what he's doing instead. If he had his actual senses, he would be annoyed about it, but as it is, he thinks that this is fine. The two flowers add something to him -- or so he thinks!
One that respresents hatred and pride; the other that represents dignity and elegance. It makes him a lot more flippant and fluffy person. In short, he is incapable of putting on the usual airs that he puts on around people. ]
Could it be that my resting expression gave you offense? My apologies. [ He means that in a sincere way but his tone comes off a little too easy-going. Shen Qingqiu notices what the other person is wearing and his eyes widen in recognition -- at least that the other is wearing cultivation robes. ]
[There were certain truths in Chu Wanning's world that he's accepted. One of them was that no one, except maybe the sect master, ever spoke to Chu Wanning in any way that could be described as 'easy going'. And even the sect master gives him some degree of respect (except for the time he laughed at him for being shrunken to a five year old form.
So the apology was expected but not the manner in which it was given. How does one even respond to that?]
...it's fine. [The words are soft but they were meant to be dismissive! He wonders if it might just be better to keep silent if his voice was determined to betray him today. It's not like it'd be the first time someone thought he was rude anyway. Better than...this.
The recognition makes him stiffen. If anyone recognized him now he'd have no face left! Why did he take the medicine? This would be less devastating if he were Xia Sini!!]
I'm not-- [what? 'I am not the person you think I am'? That sounded stupid even in his head! And his voice just squeaked!! He can't even remember the last time his voice did that.
And meanwhile his heart is still going a mile a minute. Why is this happening to him?]
Who are you? [He finally managed to say and it was only through his impressive self control that he managed to catch himself before he started batting his eyes. What.]
[ A wide smile spreads across his face. Even though, there are flowers adorning his hair, a person could probably get the feeling that even more flowers are starting to sprout from his head. Rarely, if ever, does Shen Qingqiu not feel like he's having his own anxiety party where no one else is allowed but his own screaming. Yet thanks to the flower's influence, he is presently extremely fluffy. ]
I'm glad. [ The idea of meeting another adult cultivator really makes his old man's heart sparkle. It means that he won't have to put on airs by himself. Put on airs?? Should he be now? No, probably not. It's fine. The person did just say as much, too. ]
You're not? [ Is it possible for those imagined flowers to suddenly sprout into question marks, because there are a lot of question marks suddenly sprouting. Oh, it seems like he changed his mind on what to say. Okay. Cool. ]
Me? This one is Shen Qingqiu. [ He presses his hand over his own chest. Flowers once more blooming! ] Ah? [ Right. Proper manners -- ah, proper manners? ] Mmn!
[He's going to pretend he didn't hear that question. Just like how he's going to pretend that smile didn't give him butterflies in his stomach. IT'S THE STUPID FLOWERS!
He opens his mouth and almost says, stop smiling like that! But that's unreasonable, so he doesn't do it. It takes great effort but he meets Shen Qingqiu's eyes. Because like hell was he going to act like a lovestruck maiden!!]
Shisheng Peak. Yuheng Elder.
[There, if he keeps it short then there's no way for whatever is affecting him to twist his way of speaking into something embarrassing.]
[ He lifts his finger to lightly tap it against his chin. Yuheng Elder? Then, should he call him ... Yuheng-xuesheng? Maybe. His lack of elegance and dignity is really going to make him lose all face when he finally realizes what he's been doing!! But at the moment, he's lost on cloud-nine filled with sparkles and bubbles. ]
Yuheng-xuezhang, it is an honor.
[ His head cants to the side as he adds: ] Anyway, it can be quite confusing to be here at first. But if you need any assistance, this humble one will be happy to be of assistance.
[ One might get the impression of rays of sunlight bursting out of him -- and really, Shen Qingqiu will probably crawl under his bed and not come out after all is said and done. For many reasons. Not just this one. But this will be a major factor to it!! ]
[...xuezhang? That wasn't a title he's heard, but it was easy enough to understand the meaning. But...why was he being called that? He looked away, almost reaching up to press a hand to his chest. This was so embarrassing! Why was this even happening to him!?
Also, why was he being smiled at like that? No one smiles at him like that!!]
That's...that's unnecessary! I can manage just fine on my own! [The blush, to his horror, only seemed to get worse. He normally had better control than this!] Worry more about yourself!
[ His hands lightly wave in front of him to indicate that it's no problem. This place can be quite confusing for someone new and there is no reason that two sect elders cannot figure matters out together.
His pink, pink thoughts continue clouding his mind as he takes a step forward -- tripping over his own robes in a most inelegant fashion to come falling forward and grabbing onto the first thing to catch his fall!
Ah! He has his eyes closed, because of course he does, as he looks up. Lifting his hand up, he brushes his long hair out of his face as he cannot believe that he tripped and fell onto Yueheng-xuezhang! ]
Ah... how embarrassing. I'm sorry, xuezhang!
[ At least he has enough sense left to him to apologize as he's clinging onto him. ]
[He caught movement in his peripheral vision. He'd turned just in time to have a cultivator fall into his arms.
Ah--
This was--
It's--
Goosebumps raised on his skin as his hands settled almost naturally on Shn Qinqiu's waist. His mind couldn't think of anything productive except absolutely worthless things like, can he hear how fast my heart is beating? He stared at the person who was...actually, this is doubly awkward because Shen Qingqiu was taller than him (not that he was going to acknowledge that. Ever.)
He couldn't even understand what's being said to him for a moment because his mind was completely overwhelmed with warm feelings of contentment, a by product of both the erica and the lily.]
[His embarrassment catches up with him first. Then he splutters and pushes him back. Keeping his hands on Shen Qingqiu's shoulders so he doesn't get shoved over.]
You-- [Someone please put him out of his misery.] Watch where you're stepping! What if you'd fallen--
[Even as he was asking it, he realized how stupid it was. The man was a cultivator! A little fall wouldn't have hurt him!
He was panicking. And the 'cute charm' effect wasn't helping.]
[ The color of his thoughts are PINK. He loves everyone completely and absolutely and it makes even his normal ranting and ravings quiet. The other flower in his hair removing dignity and elegance makes him little more than a spring flower filled with bright wonderment and affection for the world!!
Shen Qingqiu in the bottom of his heart is holding his head and screaming. But sadly, his other self doesn't quite seem to catch on that there is anything wrong with the way that he's acting.
Instead, he lifts an index finger to lightly tap it against the corner of his mouth. Absolute! Signature! Shoujo! Girl! Language!! Why did these two flower combination make this happen! He doesn't know! He has grievances! But the grievances is with someone whose voice is so quiet that it can't be heard by the actual imbecile that is his present self!! ]
If I had fallen, xuezhang would have caught me.
[ The screen shows a pink-pink Shen Qingqiu. The inside of his heart shows a black-and-white Shen Qingqiu that feels like he is going to have to die. He'll have to invoke Quest 67 for his own sake and hope everyone will understand. ]
I--what nonsense is that? That doesn't mean you shouldn't be more careful, you idiot!
[And then he reaches out and bops Shen Qingqiu on the head (because nothing is as much the opposite of 'mature charm' as 'tsundere love interest from a shoujo series'). Then he completely froze.
Because the sentiment had been his. Definitely. But at some point the words that came out of his mouth sounded like nothing he would have said and since when had he ever bopped anyone on the head like that!? His hand is still hanging in mid-air as he tried to make sense of what the hell he'd just done.]
[ Shen Qingqiu pauses to look up at the hand that almost touches him. He giggles -- actually giggles!! -- as he reaches up to take hold of it to hold it lightly in both of his hands.
In his heart of hearts, he is watching this and feels like he's having an outer body experience. Can a person suffer so much at seeing how ridiculous and embarrassing that they're being that their very soul ejects itself out? Apparently, his can! 'Cause he certainly feels like it!! ]
I'm sorry, xuezhang. This one should attempt to be a lot more careful and aware of himself, shouldn't he?
[ Another bright laugh follows. ] You've just arrived to this place and I'm giving you many things to worry about... so I'll attempt to work a lot harder to make sure that you smile more while you are here.
[ His legs abruptly give out from under him. It has nothing to do with the flowers but the Shen Qingqiu that is in this fluffy one's heart just literally fell over at hearing something so incredibly pink come out of his mouth that the body responded to it in turn. ]
[His heart skips a beat when his hand is held. What is he? A maiden!? Why is his heart pounding just from this?
He made a strangled sound that could have been agreement but was really just...him. Having a mental meltdown. The words coming out of Shen Qingqiu's mouth doesn't help at all! Smile more!? He's pretty sure no one wants to see him smile!!
He had so many complaints but what came out of his mouth instead was,] If you want me to smile more, just worry about taking care of yourself.
[...is it possible for him to just bite his tongue? He could probably stop the bleeding before he died of blood loss. Because it felt like the effect of the flower was stronger...or maybe he was just getting distracted?
He hadn't made a decision on the tongue biting when Shen Qingqiu fell. He automatically reached out to catch him around the waist and pulled him close to his body.
He was going to kill whoever was responsible for these flowers.]
[ Naturally, being pulled closer to someone, his arms wrap around the person. Obviously, naturally! These are the things that Shen Qingqiu attempts to tell himself even though his fluff-headed idiot self doesn't seem to notice just how he's acting.
Let! Me! Fall!! I deserve no kindness!! He wants to scream at the top of his lungs in the small corner of his heart that is holding his head and feeling like every moment with this person is getting worse and worse!! This person is going to have the absolute most awful opinion of him!! Here he had actually been quite happy and pleased to be able to see another sect elder and now look at it! Now look at it!!! NOW LOOK AT IT!!!
Yet does his flower-maddened self have any senses to realize just what he's doing? No! Of course not! Of course not! Instead, he lifts his head up to smile in a bright, bright fashion. ]
See? I knew that if I happened to fall that xuezhang would catch me! [ Another flower feels like it could sprout from his head, because the only thing in his brain is SHIT! ] But you're right... since I want you to smile much more... I'll take care of myself.
[ Reaching his hands up, he puts his two index fingers on corners of the man's mouth to lightly push them upwards. ] Like this. [ I want to die. I want to die. I want to die. The mantra is very disconnected from his actual self, but he feels it deep in his bones. His head suddenly drops as it rests on the person's chest -- he feels like he's deflating somehow.
[He says, but he's holding Shen Qingqiu's hands and it gratified the part of him that had been lonely, made the warm feelings in his chest stronger until it felt like his heart was trying to beat its way out of his chest.
But...there was only so much of this he could take. Not just because of his pride but also because....because he knew these feelings, but they'd never been like this. They'd never been unaccompanied by feelings of inadequacy.
It was less painful like this and if Chu Wanning were a different sort of person, he may have just let himself enjoy it.
But this is worse than a dream. It was some kind of curse. And even if he couldn't know he was sure this was all caused by the flowers. (After all, who would look at him like this? Who would care so much about whether he smiled or not?)]
Shen Qingqiu. [He gritted out.] Give me your flowers.
[At odds with his words is the way his grip tightened like he didn't want to allows this moment a chance to end.]
In his heart, the real Shen Qingqiu cannot help but jump for joy!! Thank you! Thank you!! He owes this man his life!! His face will be saved somewhat!! Sure, he's run around a lot and been a royal pain for everyone, but he has the chance to regain his face a little!! The gratitude that he feels in his chest cannot be underestimated!!
Lifting his hand up, he carefully pulls the flowers free from his hair to place them in the other's hair instead.
His expression immediately changes as he loses the carefree, bubble-brained smiles to a carefully controlled elegantly cold face. ]
I... [ What exactly can I say!? What?! The idea that he has troubled someone so completely and absolutely is one thing. To think that he troubled the person while acting like an idiot-herorine is another. His face can't take it. He always thinks of himself with a thick face, but there's only so much that he can endure!!
Taking a sweeping step backwards, he cups his hands to bow low to the person in front of him. A silent apology!! He can't apologize enough!! Saying it aloud will probably cause them both embarrassment! Because he's been freed from those flowers ruining what good sense that he has. He's been -- oh no, he's been freed! His head snaps up as he realizes that while he might be free, the other person is not.
[Expecting to be handed the flowers. So he was surprised when the flowers are tucked into his hair.
Watching Shen Qingqiu's expression change from a smile to something colder both made his heart hurt but was also a relief.
Dreams that are too good are never real.
But in the next second all he felt was a warm sort of...weightlessness. As if he were free from responsibilities and concerns.
He watches Shen Qingqiu bow with a smile. One that he doesn't bother to hide even as Shen Qingqiu straightens. It's relaxed and soft and entirely unself-conscious.]
[ He locates his fan in his robes to open it up to cover the lower half of his face. Shen Qingqiu feels like any smile that he should give at this point might come off as an insult rather than attempting to lighten the mood. As such, he has the means to save them both from what is essentially a problem that he landed squarely in poor Yuheng's lap! ]
Immortal Master Yuheng. [ He chooses a much more polite manner to refer to him. I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I was so flippant before! Even if you understand it, this old man cannot apologize enough!! ] I have troubled you greatly.
Even now, you're being troubled by this one's actions. [ Like! Obviously! You! Are!! ] If I do not show my proper thanks and gratitude, I fear I will have no face to show you ever. [ Let's just say it how it is, okay? If he doesn't apologize at this very moment, he won't ever be able to forgive himself!! ]
Immortal Master Yuheng, you must have known that these flowers cause such ... behavior... yet you took them from me. I'm grateful for you saving me from further embarrassment, but... [ It's really shitty to leave you like this! Do you think I'm just going to wave bye-bye and run? No way!! That's a good way to make a life-long grudge!! It's a good way to blacken a person's reputation forever! Sure, it isn't the same as killing someone or anything of the sort, but it's leaving a newly arrived individual in a rough patch!! ]
[He can't remember the last time he felt this light, this free.
And there's a part of him that realizes how abnormal that was, but under the influence of so many flowers, each affecting him in different ways, it was harder, and harder to listen to that part.
So he only kept smiling, reaching out with his free hand to pat Shen Qingqiu on the head...which was a bit odd looking with the slight (as he'd say it) height difference.]
Don't be silly...I didn't do it for gratitude. I just wanted to help you.
[ Yuheng Elder. Immortal Master Yuheng. Big Brother Yuheng! Why would you want to help out someone like myself who caused you nothing but trouble! That heart of yours is too big!! While I absolutely don't want to go back to being that idiot, I don't like the idea of someone I barely know having to carry my debt!! That's a good way for karma to come back and devour any luck that I've somehow saved up for myself!! No good! Bad news! I don't want that sort of thing looming over me, okay?! ]
[ He doesn't want to seem like he isn't someone who is going to whine about that point, but!! ]
I cannot deny that I have been helped by your kind sacrifice. However ... [ There has to be something I can do!? There has to be a combination of those flowers that won't turn me into an idiot!! Only I don't know it! I didn't fucking take any flower language course, okay?! ]
... as we are both elders of our respective sects, should we not share the burden?
[Oh, is he also an elder? Since he'd only introduced himself by name he hadn't known. Well, regardless.]
No.
[Also, having patted your head, he notices...]
Your hair is very soft.
[Which is something he would never, in a million years, say normally. He'd sooner die! But right now, it didn't seem as important. Which is why he's now gone from patting Shen Qingqiu's head to running his fingers through his hair.]
He yucks it up for a second at his own joke, because he's going to ignore how goosebumps rise up on the back of his neck at someone complimenting his hair. Well, that's fine since this face of mine is only a little above average. Don't complain about what he's complimenting, me! His mind is running around and screaming since he feels a little guilty about having no sense and forcing a lot of problems onto a complete fucking stranger!!
Shen Qingqiu has been a Peak Lord for many years. He's wandered about the land and attempted to solve issues for people -- because he happened to be around and there was no one else to ask, obviously!! Which is why he feels particularly bad about the fact that Immortal Master Yuheng is now in a bad situation due to him. ]
Why do you say "no?" [ Let's! Just! Focus! On! That!!! ]
You don't need to share this burden with me. I can manage on my own.
[Then again, he'd say that even if the burden was killing him.
He finally lets the strands of hair slip from his fingers before dropping his hand again.]
...are you worried? [A question he normally would rather chew off his own arm before asking. But right now? He couldn't see anything wrong with asking it.]
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t's another day, another month, and another time for people to show up in the well. You'd better go rescue them! Never mind the fact that you woke up with a flower in your hands.
Lily friends!
He had originally wanted to make a bouquet but ended up doing what he's doing instead. If he had his actual senses, he would be annoyed about it, but as it is, he thinks that this is fine. The two flowers add something to him -- or so he thinks!
One that respresents hatred and pride; the other that represents dignity and elegance. It makes him a lot more flippant and fluffy person. In short, he is incapable of putting on the usual airs that he puts on around people. ]
Could it be that my resting expression gave you offense? My apologies. [ He means that in a sincere way but his tone comes off a little too easy-going. Shen Qingqiu notices what the other person is wearing and his eyes widen in recognition -- at least that the other is wearing cultivation robes. ]
Ah.
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So the apology was expected but not the manner in which it was given. How does one even respond to that?]
...it's fine. [The words are soft but they were meant to be dismissive! He wonders if it might just be better to keep silent if his voice was determined to betray him today. It's not like it'd be the first time someone thought he was rude anyway. Better than...this.
The recognition makes him stiffen. If anyone recognized him now he'd have no face left! Why did he take the medicine? This would be less devastating if he were Xia Sini!!]
I'm not-- [what? 'I am not the person you think I am'? That sounded stupid even in his head! And his voice just squeaked!! He can't even remember the last time his voice did that.
And meanwhile his heart is still going a mile a minute. Why is this happening to him?]
Who are you? [He finally managed to say and it was only through his impressive self control that he managed to catch himself before he started batting his eyes. What.]
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I'm glad. [ The idea of meeting another adult cultivator really makes his old man's heart sparkle. It means that he won't have to put on airs by himself. Put on airs?? Should he be now? No, probably not. It's fine. The person did just say as much, too. ]
You're not? [ Is it possible for those imagined flowers to suddenly sprout into question marks, because there are a lot of question marks suddenly sprouting. Oh, it seems like he changed his mind on what to say. Okay. Cool. ]
Me? This one is Shen Qingqiu. [ He presses his hand over his own chest. Flowers once more blooming! ] Ah? [ Right. Proper manners -- ah, proper manners? ] Mmn!
[ He smiles warmly. ]
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He opens his mouth and almost says, stop smiling like that! But that's unreasonable, so he doesn't do it. It takes great effort but he meets Shen Qingqiu's eyes. Because like hell was he going to act like a lovestruck maiden!!]
Shisheng Peak. Yuheng Elder.
[There, if he keeps it short then there's no way for whatever is affecting him to twist his way of speaking into something embarrassing.]
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Yuheng-xuezhang, it is an honor.
[ His head cants to the side as he adds: ] Anyway, it can be quite confusing to be here at first. But if you need any assistance, this humble one will be happy to be of assistance.
[ One might get the impression of rays of sunlight bursting out of him -- and really, Shen Qingqiu will probably crawl under his bed and not come out after all is said and done. For many reasons. Not just this one. But this will be a major factor to it!! ]
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Also, why was he being smiled at like that? No one smiles at him like that!!]
That's...that's unnecessary! I can manage just fine on my own! [The blush, to his horror, only seemed to get worse. He normally had better control than this!] Worry more about yourself!
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[ His hands lightly wave in front of him to indicate that it's no problem. This place can be quite confusing for someone new and there is no reason that two sect elders cannot figure matters out together.
His pink, pink thoughts continue clouding his mind as he takes a step forward -- tripping over his own robes in a most inelegant fashion to come falling forward and grabbing onto the first thing to catch his fall!
Ah! He has his eyes closed, because of course he does, as he looks up. Lifting his hand up, he brushes his long hair out of his face as he cannot believe that he tripped and fell onto Yueheng-xuezhang! ]
Ah... how embarrassing. I'm sorry, xuezhang!
[ At least he has enough sense left to him to apologize as he's clinging onto him. ]
1/2
Ah--
This was--
It's--
Goosebumps raised on his skin as his hands settled almost naturally on Shn Qinqiu's waist. His mind couldn't think of anything productive except absolutely worthless things like, can he hear how fast my heart is beating? He stared at the person who was...actually, this is doubly awkward because Shen Qingqiu was taller than him (not that he was going to acknowledge that. Ever.)
He couldn't even understand what's being said to him for a moment because his mind was completely overwhelmed with warm feelings of contentment, a by product of both the erica and the lily.]
2/2
You-- [Someone please put him out of his misery.] Watch where you're stepping! What if you'd fallen--
[Even as he was asking it, he realized how stupid it was. The man was a cultivator! A little fall wouldn't have hurt him!
He was panicking. And the 'cute charm' effect wasn't helping.]
Re: 2/2
Shen Qingqiu in the bottom of his heart is holding his head and screaming. But sadly, his other self doesn't quite seem to catch on that there is anything wrong with the way that he's acting.
Instead, he lifts an index finger to lightly tap it against the corner of his mouth. Absolute! Signature! Shoujo! Girl! Language!! Why did these two flower combination make this happen! He doesn't know! He has grievances! But the grievances is with someone whose voice is so quiet that it can't be heard by the actual imbecile that is his present self!! ]
If I had fallen, xuezhang would have caught me.
[ The screen shows a pink-pink Shen Qingqiu. The inside of his heart shows a black-and-white Shen Qingqiu that feels like he is going to have to die. He'll have to invoke Quest 67 for his own sake and hope everyone will understand. ]
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[And then he reaches out and bops Shen Qingqiu on the head (because nothing is as much the opposite of 'mature charm' as 'tsundere love interest from a shoujo series'). Then he completely froze.
Because the sentiment had been his. Definitely. But at some point the words that came out of his mouth sounded like nothing he would have said and since when had he ever bopped anyone on the head like that!? His hand is still hanging in mid-air as he tried to make sense of what the hell he'd just done.]
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[ Shen Qingqiu pauses to look up at the hand that almost touches him. He giggles -- actually giggles!! -- as he reaches up to take hold of it to hold it lightly in both of his hands.
In his heart of hearts, he is watching this and feels like he's having an outer body experience. Can a person suffer so much at seeing how ridiculous and embarrassing that they're being that their very soul ejects itself out? Apparently, his can! 'Cause he certainly feels like it!! ]
I'm sorry, xuezhang. This one should attempt to be a lot more careful and aware of himself, shouldn't he?
[ Another bright laugh follows. ] You've just arrived to this place and I'm giving you many things to worry about... so I'll attempt to work a lot harder to make sure that you smile more while you are here.
[ His legs abruptly give out from under him. It has nothing to do with the flowers but the Shen Qingqiu that is in this fluffy one's heart just literally fell over at hearing something so incredibly pink come out of his mouth that the body responded to it in turn. ]
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He made a strangled sound that could have been agreement but was really just...him. Having a mental meltdown. The words coming out of Shen Qingqiu's mouth doesn't help at all! Smile more!? He's pretty sure no one wants to see him smile!!
He had so many complaints but what came out of his mouth instead was,] If you want me to smile more, just worry about taking care of yourself.
[...is it possible for him to just bite his tongue? He could probably stop the bleeding before he died of blood loss. Because it felt like the effect of the flower was stronger...or maybe he was just getting distracted?
He hadn't made a decision on the tongue biting when Shen Qingqiu fell. He automatically reached out to catch him around the waist and pulled him close to his body.
He was going to kill whoever was responsible for these flowers.]
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Let! Me! Fall!! I deserve no kindness!! He wants to scream at the top of his lungs in the small corner of his heart that is holding his head and feeling like every moment with this person is getting worse and worse!! This person is going to have the absolute most awful opinion of him!! Here he had actually been quite happy and pleased to be able to see another sect elder and now look at it! Now look at it!!! NOW LOOK AT IT!!!
Yet does his flower-maddened self have any senses to realize just what he's doing? No! Of course not! Of course not! Instead, he lifts his head up to smile in a bright, bright fashion. ]
See? I knew that if I happened to fall that xuezhang would catch me! [ Another flower feels like it could sprout from his head, because the only thing in his brain is SHIT! ] But you're right... since I want you to smile much more... I'll take care of myself.
[ Reaching his hands up, he puts his two index fingers on corners of the man's mouth to lightly push them upwards. ] Like this. [ I want to die. I want to die. I want to die. The mantra is very disconnected from his actual self, but he feels it deep in his bones. His head suddenly drops as it rests on the person's chest -- he feels like he's deflating somehow.
Why!? ]
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Stop that.
[He says, but he's holding Shen Qingqiu's hands and it gratified the part of him that had been lonely, made the warm feelings in his chest stronger until it felt like his heart was trying to beat its way out of his chest.
But...there was only so much of this he could take. Not just because of his pride but also because....because he knew these feelings, but they'd never been like this. They'd never been unaccompanied by feelings of inadequacy.
It was less painful like this and if Chu Wanning were a different sort of person, he may have just let himself enjoy it.
But this is worse than a dream. It was some kind of curse. And even if he couldn't know he was sure this was all caused by the flowers. (After all, who would look at him like this? Who would care so much about whether he smiled or not?)]
Shen Qingqiu. [He gritted out.] Give me your flowers.
[At odds with his words is the way his grip tightened like he didn't want to allows this moment a chance to end.]
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[ He pulls one of his hands free.
In his heart, the real Shen Qingqiu cannot help but jump for joy!! Thank you! Thank you!! He owes this man his life!! His face will be saved somewhat!! Sure, he's run around a lot and been a royal pain for everyone, but he has the chance to regain his face a little!! The gratitude that he feels in his chest cannot be underestimated!!
Lifting his hand up, he carefully pulls the flowers free from his hair to place them in the other's hair instead.
His expression immediately changes as he loses the carefree, bubble-brained smiles to a carefully controlled elegantly cold face. ]
I... [ What exactly can I say!? What?! The idea that he has troubled someone so completely and absolutely is one thing. To think that he troubled the person while acting like an idiot-herorine is another. His face can't take it. He always thinks of himself with a thick face, but there's only so much that he can endure!!
Taking a sweeping step backwards, he cups his hands to bow low to the person in front of him. A silent apology!! He can't apologize enough!! Saying it aloud will probably cause them both embarrassment! Because he's been freed from those flowers ruining what good sense that he has. He's been -- oh no, he's been freed! His head snaps up as he realizes that while he might be free, the other person is not.
Shen Qingqiu nearly curses aloud. ]
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[Expecting to be handed the flowers. So he was surprised when the flowers are tucked into his hair.
Watching Shen Qingqiu's expression change from a smile to something colder both made his heart hurt but was also a relief.
Dreams that are too good are never real.
But in the next second all he felt was a warm sort of...weightlessness. As if he were free from responsibilities and concerns.
He watches Shen Qingqiu bow with a smile. One that he doesn't bother to hide even as Shen Qingqiu straightens. It's relaxed and soft and entirely unself-conscious.]
Why do you bow? There's really no need for that.
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Immortal Master Yuheng. [ He chooses a much more polite manner to refer to him. I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I was so flippant before! Even if you understand it, this old man cannot apologize enough!! ] I have troubled you greatly.
Even now, you're being troubled by this one's actions. [ Like! Obviously! You! Are!! ] If I do not show my proper thanks and gratitude, I fear I will have no face to show you ever. [ Let's just say it how it is, okay? If he doesn't apologize at this very moment, he won't ever be able to forgive himself!! ]
Immortal Master Yuheng, you must have known that these flowers cause such ... behavior... yet you took them from me. I'm grateful for you saving me from further embarrassment, but... [ It's really shitty to leave you like this! Do you think I'm just going to wave bye-bye and run? No way!! That's a good way to make a life-long grudge!! It's a good way to blacken a person's reputation forever! Sure, it isn't the same as killing someone or anything of the sort, but it's leaving a newly arrived individual in a rough patch!! ]
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And there's a part of him that realizes how abnormal that was, but under the influence of so many flowers, each affecting him in different ways, it was harder, and harder to listen to that part.
So he only kept smiling, reaching out with his free hand to pat Shen Qingqiu on the head...which was a bit odd looking with the slight (as he'd say it) height difference.]
Don't be silly...I didn't do it for gratitude. I just wanted to help you.
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[ He doesn't want to seem like he isn't someone who is going to whine about that point, but!! ]
I cannot deny that I have been helped by your kind sacrifice. However ... [ There has to be something I can do!? There has to be a combination of those flowers that won't turn me into an idiot!! Only I don't know it! I didn't fucking take any flower language course, okay?! ]
... as we are both elders of our respective sects, should we not share the burden?
I died at 'Big Brother Yuheng'.
No.
[Also, having patted your head, he notices...]
Your hair is very soft.
[Which is something he would never, in a million years, say normally. He'd sooner die! But right now, it didn't seem as important. Which is why he's now gone from patting Shen Qingqiu's head to running his fingers through his hair.]
REVIVES.
He yucks it up for a second at his own joke, because he's going to ignore how goosebumps rise up on the back of his neck at someone complimenting his hair. Well, that's fine since this face of mine is only a little above average. Don't complain about what he's complimenting, me! His mind is running around and screaming since he feels a little guilty about having no sense and forcing a lot of problems onto a complete fucking stranger!!
Shen Qingqiu has been a Peak Lord for many years. He's wandered about the land and attempted to solve issues for people -- because he happened to be around and there was no one else to ask, obviously!! Which is why he feels particularly bad about the fact that Immortal Master Yuheng is now in a bad situation due to him. ]
Why do you say "no?" [ Let's! Just! Focus! On! That!!! ]
/rises as a zombie
[Then again, he'd say that even if the burden was killing him.
He finally lets the strands of hair slip from his fingers before dropping his hand again.]
...are you worried? [A question he normally would rather chew off his own arm before asking. But right now? He couldn't see anything wrong with asking it.]
\o/ 1/2
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