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[bringingdowndisaster]

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[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."

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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.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Getting off the streets of Kuizhou would definitely be an improvement. He hates this shitty town. Should the mountains turn out to be worse... well, he can always leave there too. Hopefully he'll have learnt something useful first.

"Alright," he says casually and without thinking much on it, he starts stripping out of his clothes, showing off a skinny, bruised and scarred body.

[gentledawn]

The casual stripping shocks him and he looks away.

But not quickly enough. He saw the bruises...the scars. Xingchen closes his eyes and tries not to think about what caused those.

Or, rather, who caused those.

"Do you need help? I can wash your hair for you."

[bringingdowndisaster]

It's been a long time since Xue Yang felt any kind of modesty about his own body, which is probably not very surprising.

He raises an eyebrow at the question, but he can't help being a little curious. "Sure. Do what you want," he says as he walks towards the other room.

[gentledawn]

He must be so sore! Xingchen searches his pouch for salves before following Xue Yang. Of course the idea of rubbing them in himself makes him feel very shy.

But if Xue Yang needs him to... He will.

"Let's see..." he loosens the thick black hair from any ties and set them aside. Then he uses a comb to make sure the strands aren't tangled.