![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
[open]
WHO: Shen Qingqiu and OPEN.
WHERE: Castle in the woods.
WHEN: Early August.
WHAT: An idiot decides to stay in the haunted castle.
WARNINGS: None.
i. Living in the Castle
[ He isn't certain how he thought living in the castle would go. The main issue is that he is completely cut off from the network -- and consequentially, every person in Chroma. But villains are supposed to be ostracized and a giant haunted castle seems like the best place to be!
Shen Qingqiu certainly talks up his situation, but he absolutely isn't sure how it is going to go. The place is filled with traps. He's busying himself with attempting to put evil-warding talismans everywhere in order to make it relatively safe for his person.
This doesn't do jack shit. ]
a. During the day
[ If a person comes to the castle during the day, they will definitely see a sleep-deprived Shen Qingqiu wandering the hallways like a ghost. Whenever he falls asleep in the castle, he has nightmares -- horrific nightmares! Sure, a cultivator could stay away for a few days without trouble, but his sleep has already been shit and now it's gotten significantly shittier.
So, he wanders the hallways with a dazed, empty look in his eyes. From lack of sleep and that alone! It may take a few times calling out to him for the man to realize that someone's calling out at all. ]
b. During the night
[ As if nightmares weren't awful, he's also being chased around by shapeless shadows! He's summoned balls of fire (great balls of fire!) to circle around him in order to light his way at night, because the last thing he needs while being chased is to run into a wall or a literal pitfall!
Shen Qingqiu sprints down the hallways at a high sprint -- he doesn't even pant as he rushes about while forms made out of darkness and void crawl all over the walls after him.
He throws a few talismans that he's made in order to banish them, but it only does so much when the entire castle is filled with these entities. Fucking shit!! It is only as he's sprinting by does he realize that he's not alone.
Skidding to a halt, he rounds backwards to the person. ]
What are you doing here?! Don't you know it's dangerous?!
ii. Return of the Hero
[ Three days past. Shen Qingqiu realizes the error of his ways in that short time. He realizes it when his right hand starts to lose color and creep its way up his arm. His emotions become more muted -- which surprisingly helps with the constant anxiety he has been feeling -- and allows him to think a little more rationally.
This was silly. I'll head back. His words are calm. Extremely calm and empty. He leaves the castle that tormented him for three days and heads back to Chroma. ]
a. Hewwo, I made a bad decision
[ Partially black-and-white, Shen Qingqiu returns to the city. He blinks at everything in an uninterested fashion -- rather than feeling relieved to be home!! -- and heads back toward Bluo to rest.
One may notice that his clothes are torn and ruined. It's what happens when one fights shadow creatures for over three days on little sleep. He does not look the best, but he doesn't seem bothered by it. For those who know what a discolored state means, that probably isn't the best thing. ]
iii. Wildcard.
[ None of these work? Let's make something that does! ]
WHERE: Castle in the woods.
WHEN: Early August.
WHAT: An idiot decides to stay in the haunted castle.
WARNINGS: None.
i. Living in the Castle
[ He isn't certain how he thought living in the castle would go. The main issue is that he is completely cut off from the network -- and consequentially, every person in Chroma. But villains are supposed to be ostracized and a giant haunted castle seems like the best place to be!
Shen Qingqiu certainly talks up his situation, but he absolutely isn't sure how it is going to go. The place is filled with traps. He's busying himself with attempting to put evil-warding talismans everywhere in order to make it relatively safe for his person.
This doesn't do jack shit. ]
a. During the day
[ If a person comes to the castle during the day, they will definitely see a sleep-deprived Shen Qingqiu wandering the hallways like a ghost. Whenever he falls asleep in the castle, he has nightmares -- horrific nightmares! Sure, a cultivator could stay away for a few days without trouble, but his sleep has already been shit and now it's gotten significantly shittier.
So, he wanders the hallways with a dazed, empty look in his eyes. From lack of sleep and that alone! It may take a few times calling out to him for the man to realize that someone's calling out at all. ]
b. During the night
[ As if nightmares weren't awful, he's also being chased around by shapeless shadows! He's summoned balls of fire (great balls of fire!) to circle around him in order to light his way at night, because the last thing he needs while being chased is to run into a wall or a literal pitfall!
Shen Qingqiu sprints down the hallways at a high sprint -- he doesn't even pant as he rushes about while forms made out of darkness and void crawl all over the walls after him.
He throws a few talismans that he's made in order to banish them, but it only does so much when the entire castle is filled with these entities. Fucking shit!! It is only as he's sprinting by does he realize that he's not alone.
Skidding to a halt, he rounds backwards to the person. ]
What are you doing here?! Don't you know it's dangerous?!
ii. Return of the Hero
[ Three days past. Shen Qingqiu realizes the error of his ways in that short time. He realizes it when his right hand starts to lose color and creep its way up his arm. His emotions become more muted -- which surprisingly helps with the constant anxiety he has been feeling -- and allows him to think a little more rationally.
This was silly. I'll head back. His words are calm. Extremely calm and empty. He leaves the castle that tormented him for three days and heads back to Chroma. ]
a. Hewwo, I made a bad decision
[ Partially black-and-white, Shen Qingqiu returns to the city. He blinks at everything in an uninterested fashion -- rather than feeling relieved to be home!! -- and heads back toward Bluo to rest.
One may notice that his clothes are torn and ruined. It's what happens when one fights shadow creatures for over three days on little sleep. He does not look the best, but he doesn't seem bothered by it. For those who know what a discolored state means, that probably isn't the best thing. ]
iii. Wildcard.
[ None of these work? Let's make something that does! ]
no subject
It isn't?
[ More color has returned to Shen Qingqiu as he reaches for his fan. Snapping it open, he covers the lower half of his face. ]
Did not Immortal Master Chu say that he is the greatest cultivator of his world? [ How could you talk about having a shitty reputation when you have something like that under your belt! ]
no subject
[Look, he has no problem admitting to his achievements, though he doesn't like to make a big deal out of it. The bigger problem here was that he didn't want to give Shen Qingqiu any false ideas about himself.]
Apart from being known as the strongest, I also have a reputation for being cold and aloof, heartless and violently short tempered.
[And really, he had to admit that most of that was true.]
no subject
Well, that is the personality of the original goods! He suddenly feels like his heart is outright bleeding for Chu Wanning. He can't help but reach out to take his hands! Solidarity! It's in solidarity!! ]
You are nothing at all like that... the only image that this one has gotten is your kindness and warm heart. [ Right, right! If Shen Qingqiu heard someone say that, he would feel so relieved!! ]
If people see that... they do not see you, and for that, I am sorry.
no subject
I---you! [He averts his eyes, but then he ends up staring at their joined hands and that made the blush worse.
What...should he do? What should he say? 'Let go'? What is he, some kind of maiden!?]
...ridiculous. What do you even have to be sorry for?
1/3
He can't help but want to yell! This is a very normal thing to say! Don't say it isn't!! He's moved and has to say something! Don't blush! Who thinks that this person is cold-hearted?! He blushes even when his hands are held by another man! Obviously, he's pink-pink-pink on the inside! ]
no subject
no subject
[ He breathes out a small sigh. ]
It is something that can run a person down and so... I can only offer my condolences.
no subject
He looked confused for a moment. Because...he didn't see it. This person, who was so kind and good...what was there to be misunderstood?
But then, he remembered that conversation with Wei Wuxian, where he said that he and Shen Qingqiu are similar.
He still didn't see it but...the person himself would know best, right?
His fingers twitched, as if he wanted to close them around Shen Qingqiu's, but worried that it wouldn't...be appropriate (or that Shen Qingqiu may pull away if he did).
His expression is unusually soft for a moment.]
...you shouldn't listen to things like that. It's a waste of your time to give any attention to it.
[And maybe he wasn't the best person to give that advice but...well. He understood.]
no subject
[ But it's difficult! It's real difficult! The whole situation is fucked! How could he not listen to these things?! Life and death hang on the balance of these things.
Still, he isn't a person that likes to complain! He really hates it! The idea of suddenly complaining to Chu Wanning along the lines of: "Well, I'm not a very strong cultivator so if people start hating me too much... it might end up a bad situation!" Sure, he is one step higher than before with his core, but he STILL doesn't have a golden core.
Of course, it doesn't seem like that really matters in terms of strength 'cause Airplane-bro is an idiot. But it matters in terms of PLOT. If the plot says, this person doesn't have a strong core and fights someone with one -- or a group of them -- that spells disaster, okay?! That's just common sense!! ]
Then, we will not listen to them together, ah? [ He really can say whatever the fuck he wants in this setting! Amazing!! ]
no subject
[A non-committal sort of answer, maybe. But then, unlike Shen Qingqiu he felt his own personality really was terrible.
But also...why are they still holding hands? Wasn't this too embarrassing...? But...if he pulled away first would it hurt Shen Qingqiu's feelings?]
...your hands.
no subject
[ He lets go of the other cultivator's hands before cupping his own. ]
Sorry... I reacted without thinking. [ Should he say that being here has made him completely forget how he should act? Wait, didn't he always act this way? There was a lot of stuff that he just didn't know due to being a modern kid that liked stories, after all.
But really! It makes sense! A man doesn't want their hand held so long by another man! ]
no subject
There's nothing to apologize for.
[It was easier to keep his composure like this. Even if a part of him still missed the contact.]
If Peak Lord Shen wishes to... [Hold hands. Somehow, he couldn't just come out and say it. It was too shameless! The tips of his ears turn pink again.] ...I wouldn't mind.
[Because it's not that he likes holding hands! That's not it at all!
And then he turns and starts leading the way again because that's enough embarrassment for one day!!]
no subject
He thinks that is quite endearing, though! Really! It's quite cute! A gap moe! Who doesn't like those sort of things? It also makes sense -- if people think so poorly of Chu Wanning, of course, no one would hold his hand easily.
Shen Qingqiu is feeling -- actually feeling -- a little mischievous. It might come from coming off such an extreme high of terror and fear that left him living in a castle for a few days, but!! He feels like doing something a little fun. ]
Of course. [ So, he acts like an airhead disciple that goes to grab onto the sleeve of Chu Wanning. It makes him laugh a little on the inside. What a cute elder! Of course, we'll hold hands! We're friends! ]
no subject
He doesn't startle when Shen Qingqiu comes closer, they are walking in the same direction. But his shoulders tense when he feels a slight pull on his sleeve.
Slowly, almost mechanically, he turns his head and, ah. Yes. That's...a hand holding his sleeve. And that hand is attached to, who else? Shen Qingqiu.
The blush on the tips of his ear start up again before he snaps his head back to stare resolutely in front. It's true he said...he could do that. But all the same he hadn't expected it to happen this soon!
This is fine! He's fine! Everything is fine!
But if he just ignores this...doesn't he lose face? He was who gave permission for handholding and here he was, acting like some unsure maiden who said one thing and then acted another way?
He straightened his shoulders and pulled his sleeve out of that grip, then reached back and held Shen Qingqiu's hand.]
If you're going to do it then do it properly.
[He sounded stiff and curt, but he's...not letting go.]
no subject
Besides! A good bout of teasing seems to be what he needs! People have been rather cold and small-hearted to him! So, it seems right to show him a better side -- and he really can't help but pick on someone who is so extraordinarily pink! ]
Mmn, of course!
[ His heart might also feel a little bit more at ease because -- ah, this is what people had been trying to tell him, huh? That he'd feel better if he was around friends rather than by himself? He supposes. And it also seems like Chu Wanning hasn't had all his brains come leaking out of his ears upon meeting Luo Binghe.
Or, or -- so he hopes!!
Not only that, but, well, he didn't want anyone to have to kill or die! Not over him! Please?! It's a little ridiculous! He's a minor character as far as anything and EVERYTHING is concerned. And yeah! He'll admit it!! He cares too much about everyone to want them to suffer because of his shitty mistakes! So! Come on!! Leave him with enough good karma that he's able to not be transmigrated into some other novel!!! ]
Uh... Immortal Master Chu... you haven't ... you haven't met someone by the name of Luo Binghe here yet, have you?
[ Is there still time?! ]
no subject
He still half-expects Shen Qingqiu to let go at any moment. But the longer their hands remained like this, the less he worried about it.
He...actually had met him. But he remembered right before he was about to answer, that it had been when he was in a five year old body.]
No.
[But also...]
Why?
no subject
There is still time! He's safe! This is great news! He feels his heart grow a little lighter! Finally, someone who might understand!!
But as soon as he opens his mouth, he realizes that he can't get into what the problem is. If he gets into it, it'll sound like what? "I'm terrified of this person and he might kill me?" What would Chu Wanning do? A pink, honorable person like him would end up doing something about it, wouldn't he?! That's just like when Yue Qingyuan was used to act as shield and meat for the original's sake! ]
Um.
[ ......... he latched on without thinking and now he has nothing that he has to say about it! What the fuck does he do now? ]
... oh, just making conversation...
no subject
(But that totally happened.)
Still...the way he starts to speak and then changes his mind is...well. It's worrying.
His eyes narrowed.]
Will you tell me or not?
[In other words: he's calling bullshit.]
no subject
[ He really hates this! He really hates this! He sounds like some valley girl! He sounds like some school girl! It doesn't help that he's hugging onto Chu Wanning's arm and going, "Teehee! I didn't know what to say so I said this instead!"
Somebody shoot him! ]
There is no meaning to it, so do not worry, Immortal Master Chu.
no subject
[Was he going to let this go...?
Haha. Of course not.]
So you refuse to tell me.
[There's a golden glow in his free hand.]
TianWen, come forth.
[And then there's a willow branch whip in his hand. But don't worry! No one's being whipped! But the end of it does curl around Shen Qingqiu's arm (probably the right). Then it glows. Funny how he never mentioned he has a special weapon that can compel others to tell the truth! Which he's using. Right now. Because he's worried and Shen Qingqiu's being stubborn.]
Why are you asking about Luo Binghe.
no subject
[ He draws that single sound out as he sees the willow branch whip suddenly manifest in Chu Wanning's hand. His eyes sparkle just for a second because this is the first time in a long time that he's seen a cultivation weapon of this caliber! It's definitely something like a golden finger, isn't it?! He has yet to see Xin Mo -- and quite frankly, he would like to stay as far away from that as possible, thank you!! But this is held by a friend so he isn't too troubled.
But wait, why is it being summoned at all?
He wonders to himself before the whip wraps itself around his right arm. WHY ALWAYS HIS FUCKING RIGHT ARM?! WHAT THE FUCK DID IT DO TO ANYONE AND ANYTHING?! His eyes widen as he realizes that he's getting the Wonder Woman treatment from Chu Wanning! What the fuck is that shit about!? Yet he can't even voice that upset! ]
Because I believe he is going to kill me and those that interact with him tend to lose all senses to be able to help in my plight. [ Well, that's the big and small of it!!! ]
no subject
Why do you think he is going to kill you?
[The whip isn't glowing but, of course, if he doesn't get an answer it could still happen.]
no subject
Yet Shen Qingqiu keeps all the upset off of his face. At best, he looks just slightly wronged that Chu Wanning would use such a weapon on him.
Also! What's with that face?! Don't go glaring at me! Do you think that I'm saying that you're a no-good cultivator and that's why I didn't bring it up!? Not even! Who said it! ]
Why? To put it simply... no, to put it honestly, I caused him a great deal of pain in the past. [ Jeez! What is this?! How many times does he have to confess? But he supposes that it makes sense!! A villain attempts to make friends with a protagonist only to have his schemes figured out seconds later!
Villains aren't supposed to be friends with anyone. Yeah, yeah. He gets it!!! But it's kind of garbage! Anyway, if he faffs about with the press release of his crimes, he'll be forced to tell the truth. Cool. ]
I shoved him down into the Demon Realm.
no subject
...why?
[Shen Qingqiu...didn't seem like that sort of person?] Why did you do something like that?
no subject
Only, he thought that Chu Wanning would throw his hand off of him and call him scum upon hearing what he has done to Luo Binghe. He would have thought the cultivator -- as elegant and regal as he is -- would actually turn his head and spit!
He really thought he was in for having his warm, fuzzy feelings being crushed under heel with a disparging "PEH".
His gaze slips toward the whip around his arm. Yeesh! I'll have to tell the truth, then! Well, a truth that makes sense, at least. ]
I had received a warning years prior that if he was not thrown down into the Demon Realm that I would die. It was a prophecy that has haunted me for years until the day it came true.
[ Really, if I could have avoided it, I would have! But I didn't want to die! ]
I had read in that same text that he would survive the fall into the Demon Realm... that he would become a great and powerful demonic cultivator.
[ He opens and closes his mouth. There's really no reason that he should get into the fact that Luo Binghe would have wives upon wives upon wives. Like, that has nothing to do with the story. But he feels like it's kind of important? ]
That he would come to have many allies and those that would love him deeply. But these things would not happen if he did not fall into the Demon Realm. [ He frowns. ] And if I attempted to change fate, I would die.
I've said it is for the sake of his future, but I fear it was more for the sake of my own life that I pushed him down. [ He really doesn't want that whip to come back to life and make him confess more than he needs to! Like how he's transmigrated into the body that he now is in! That he's aware that he's part of a fictional world! No need to break and shatter and destroy the fourth wall here!!
He'd like to keep that intact as best as he can, and so he'll admit to the weakness of that time, and that he is little more than scum for sacrificing someone else's life for his own. He's thought about it, of course. That if he had died, it would mean Luo Binghe would be alone and a half-demon in the cultivator world. Without his golden finger, he would be hunted relentless. Even if he won't die, that's a terrible existence to have, okay!?
But... it's only something he thought of after. It's really only something he thought of after the fact.
He wilts a little, losing all that fun and joy that he had experienced just seconds ago in teasing Chu Wanning. His heart feels like it is going to drop down into his stomach!
Really! This might be the fastest that he's lost a friend!! The fastest loss of a friend after the declaration of friendship! He feels a little whiplash from it!!! And that's not meant to be a joke!!! ]
(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)