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[bringingdowndisaster]

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[gentledawn]

Since his name had been chosen by a proper fancy Cultivator it makes sense that it would have that effect! But Xingchen isn't fancy. Far from it. He is humble and though he is morally upright, he doesn't let it blind him to all sides. His Master has taught him that the world isn't black or white; unlike the life they live on the mountain.

"Supplies." he answers simply, showing Xue Yang a bag of seeds. Nothing goes to waste on his Master's mountain and when they need new seeds, they purchase them in their simplest form - rather than extracting them from produce. The work that goes into growing them is no issue since they are always caring for the land anyway.

The innkeeper's look is ignored - Xue Yang is his charge - and Xingchen whisks them away to the rooms he has purchased. He smiles when he sees a meal awaiting them and nods to the other boy.

"Eat. I'm sure you're hungry."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Supplies? Maybe Xiao Xingchen belongs to some small, remote sect. Against his will, Xue Yang finds that he is a little curious after all.

However, his curiosity is forgotten for the moment once he sees the meal waiting for them. His stomach growls loudly. He hasn't eaten properly for a while - only whatever he'd been able to scavenge and steal, which hadn't been much. He had made some money today, but it would not have been enough for a meal like this.

Without hesitation he sits down at the small table and starts eating, completely ignoring any kind of table manners. Too eager for food to even pick up the chopsticks, he instead eats with his hands.

[gentledawn]

He does! A small, remote sect that Xue Yang will soon know personally if Xingchen has his way. He can hardly leave his little friend to suffer in the snow.

Just seeing that appetite increases his resolve. This boy has been starving - and for a long time. It might have had an effect on his growth, which makes him think that cute face is older than he realizes.

Warming up the tea, he brings Xue Yang a cup and then sits across from him. He eats daintily, choosing mostly vegetables - and, yes, he does use chopsticks. But, really, he can understand forgoing them.

"What's your name?"

[bringingdowndisaster]

Once the worst of his hunger is sated, Xue Yang pays some more attention to the other man. The way he eats, how he carries himself... definitely someone who has never known what it's like to be hungry and desperate. Exactly why Xue Yang hates cultivators and those like them, but he'll play nice as long as he can get what he wants (and needs) from them.

He raises his eyebrow at the question, but responds: "Xue Yang." He's not used to being asked for his name. Most don't care, or they'll have something else they want to call him. He does have something of a bad reputation in Kuizhou, but those who seek him out for this, well, they either aren't aware or they don't care.

He doubts that this Xiao Xingchen has been in Kuizhou long enough to hear anything about him, anyway.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen can hardly help being rescued by a wonderful woman! He would have starved - likely to death - without her aid. Then he would have never seen the cute boy across from him and that would have been a shame.

Xue Yang. He likes the name, it suits his companion. Pausing to sip on some wine, he watches the other boy, trying to understand what is going on behind those dark eyes.

"I have a question for you. Do you know anything about Cultivators?" he sets his wine cup down and pushes his hair back, dabbing his lips with a napkin.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang sips carefully at the wine. He doesn't mind the taste, he just doesn't want to get impaired. That can be dangerous for someone like him.

The question, once again, surprises him a little. He gives Xiao Xingchen a slightly wary look. He does know a fair amount, but that might come across as strange for a street kid. "A little," he says, "Why?"

[gentledawn]

He had requested a light wine - it's not as if Xingchen has any desire to become drunk either. Usually he relies on tea, but after being so cold, the wine has a nice effect.

The wariness intrigues him. Has Xue Yang crossed paths with a Cultivator before?

"I am training to become one. Forgive me, but I sense potential in you." he had noticed the signs almost immediately, "You do have a Golden Core."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Unfortunately, he has. His left hand aches at the memory. Without thinking he almost cradles it with his other hand.

Xue Yang frowns. "I do?" he questions, eyebrows raised. It can't be very strong then, or surely he would've noticed...? Then again, he has no idea how it's supposed to feel to have one.

[gentledawn]

The motion brings his attention to said hand. What...happened...? His stomach drops and it takes all of his training to remain motionless.

"Yes, you do." he frowns, worried, "Xue Yang, what happened to your hand?"

Had a Cultivator done that? But why?

[bringingdowndisaster]

That question immediately makes him recoil a little, hostility in his eyes.

"None of your business," he almost hisses. He's wearing a supportive brace on his hand, with a fake finger attached to where his pinky should be - something he'd made himself. He never takes it off unless he has to. One time a "client" had ripped it off of his hand. He'd gotten a knife in the gut for his troubles.

[gentledawn]

"It's alright..." Xingchen tries to soothe, holding up his empty hands, "I'm not going to hurt you or force you to do or talk about anything you don't like."

He doesn't know the worst of what happens in big towns like this. If he did, he would be sick and furious. All he sees is a frightened boy with an injured hand who desperately needs a good home.

"The reason I brought up your Golden Core is...because you have one...you are welcome to return to the mountains with me. I know my Master would train you."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Some of Xue Yang's hackles lower a bit, but he's still on guard, definitely not ready to trust this young cultivator. He's still ready to pull his dagger out of his robes at any provocation.

Then Xiao Xingchen says words that make Xue Yang's eyes widen in suspicion - and surprise. "The mountains? Who the hell is your Master?" he asks, frowning deeply. And why would they want someone like me?

[gentledawn]

"Baoshan Sanren." he supplies readily, smiling curiously at the frown, "She often takes in orphans and those who show promise in Cultivation." Xingchen pinks and looks down, "I'm one of said orphans. She found me when I was a baby and carried me up to her home."

How does he explain the mountains?

"It's beautiful. We grow what we need and rarely have to leave."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang's eyebrows raise even further. "Baoshan Sanren? The immortal cultivator in the mountains?" Oh yeah, he's heard of her. Anyone with even a passing interest in cultivation most likely has.

It's a lot to take in. He doesn't think the older boy is lying either. He seems ridiculously sincere, though of course that doesn't mean Xue Yang trusts him.

[gentledawn]

"Yes, that's her." Xingchen responds brightly, blushing harder, "Anyway, if you like, you are welcome to return with me." he finishes up his dinner and then sips on the wine some more.

Telling Xue Yang that he needs help would probably go over like a lead balloon, so Xingchen refrains.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang at once feels conflicted. He has no idea what he can expect on an immortal cultivator's mountain, but as he understands it, Baoshan Sanren is not involved with any of the sects. And he does want to learn cultivation... Mainly so he can get his revenge on Chang Cian, but there's definitely other benefits to it.

Still, with how distrusting he is, this all sounds too good to be true. "Is that all you want from me?" he asks, looking intently at the older boy. "To return with you? What's in it for you?"

[gentledawn]

What's in it for him? Xingchen looks confused at the question, puzzling over it. He hadn't thought what he might gain! Why would he gain anything? Oh he knows!

"A friend?" he pitches his voice hopefully, "I mean, if you're willing to be my friend."

Is he asking for too much?

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang can't help but to laugh.

"A friend," he says, sounding dubious, but he also finds that he believes that Xiao Xingchen is sincere. Xue Yang is decently good at reading people, and this one is clearly naive as hell.

He snorts and can't help but to smirk. "And here I thought you wanted to fuck me."

[gentledawn]

"To...to what?" Xingchen pales and then blushes darkly, "Does... Do you mean...sex?" he gapes and looks around in shock. What had given the other boy that impression?! Is it something in the room? On him?

"N-No! We just met and... I wouldn't..." his voice is breathless and flustered.

[bringingdowndisaster]

That just makes Xue Yang laugh harder. Oh, he can definitely believe that Xiao Xingchen grew up isolated on a mountain.

"A heads-up for the next time you leave the mountain; asking a street kid to go with you to an inn is gonna send a certain message." He snickers at the expression on Xiao Xingchen's face. He looks so scandalized, it's hilarious.

[gentledawn]

"Really?" he leans in closer, horrified. After a few breaths, he shakes his head, frowning.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you think..." no wonder Xue Yang had been defensive! "Xue Yang, you don't have to worry about that sort of thing around me, alright?" he peers at the other boy intently, "I like you. I think you could be very strong with the right teacher. That's all."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang snorts a little again. "Where do you think you are exactly? This part of Kuizhou... it's expected." Had he really known nothing about the place he was visiting?

"I'm not worried. It's no big deal if that's what you wanted." Though he definitely prefers not having to fuck random strangers to get food and a warm place to sleep. It's hard to trust someone who essentially says they want nothing in return for something, though. Maybe it's more about pleasing his Master for Xiao Xingchen.

"How can you tell?" he asks instead.

[gentledawn]

"It shouldn't be." Xingchen hadn't researched this town - he had merely come for supplies! Shuanghua on his back had kept most trouble-makers away from him - and any who wanted to fight were taken care of swiftly.

"You deserve better than that." he continues, rising from the table, "Feel free to use the bath or warm up on..." he was going to say bed, but there are certain connotations to that now.

"It's... Once you're aware of your own core, you will be able to sense others if...if you wish to learn. I thought it a useful skill."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang rolls his eyes. What a typical do-gooder attitude. As if saying shit like that is going to change anything.

A bath sounds nice though... it's been a while since he's been able to have one. During warmer months he can clean off in the river, but when it's cold he usually has to make do with a bucket of water and a wash cloth at best.

"A bath sounds good," he says and stands as well.

He would definitely like to learn some cultivation... he peers a little suspiciously at Xiao Xingchen, but gives a hesitant nod. "Guess I wouldn't mind... learning."

[gentledawn]

"The tub is full in there." Xingchen points to the adjoining room, "Take your time."

He is straightening the room when Xue Yang gives his answer. A surge of warmth fills his chest and he smiles at the other boy warmly. He might be a do-gooder, but he's not a peacock.

"Then come with me. You'll like it."

The air is clean, the water is fresh and the land is pristine.