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[bringingdowndisaster]

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[notsoblind]

She was just about running out of money, which meant it was time for A-Qing to find another person to snatch a wallet from. It could sometimes be hard for her to figure out who would make a good target in a crowd: she didn't have the leisure of hiding off to the side and scoping people out without them seeing her doing so, so she had to do her best with what she could pick out like this.

A piece of jewelry caught her eye: something shiny and red in color on someone's neck. She didn't get the chance to see the details, but it seemed like it might be the sort of thing worn by someone who was well-off. She might as well try this person.

A-Qing pretended like something caught her attention and suddenly broke into a slight run. It wasn't as fast as she'd go if there were fewer people, but it should be enough to manage a solid bump into this person for long enough for her to get his wallet. At least, that was the plan.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang was finally properly on the mend. His leg still ached a little when it was cold, but he could finally walk without a limp. And so he had insisted on buying the groceries today. He was tired of Xiao Xingchen bringing home subpar produce just because Xingchen was too nice to realize that the vendors were scamming him because he's blind.

He was almost finished when someone bumped into him. "Watch it," he snapped and looked down to see a young, scrawny girl with a bamboo stick in her hand. He immediately noticed her odd eyes - white and milky. Blind?

Had he not been a cultivator, he may not have notice the quick fingers and the hand trying to snatch his money pouch, but unfortunately for the girl, he was and he did notice. He grabbed her by the wrist and held it tight. "Hands off, kid."

[notsoblind]

Shit, this guy was fast! It took A-Qing by surprise enough that her eyes widened slightly, but luckily she was well-practiced at this and kept her gaze unfocused despite the reaction.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I can't see; I'm sorry!"

Though it was her usual line, she said it in a slightly raised voice from normal. Even if this man had caught her going for his money, he'd stopped her before she'd actually grabbed it. He could try to accuse her, but she hadn't done anything wrong yet. All that bystanders would see was a rude man harassing a clumsy blind girl. Surely they'd be on her side in this if he tried to start trouble.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang snorted, but he let go of her wrist. "How the hell do you pick your targets when you can't see? Just randomly?" He couldn't help being curious. "If you keep doing that, you're gonna end up stealing from the wrong person and get your ass beat."

Xue Yang had done his fair share of pick-pocketing when he was a kid, but before he learned a decent technique and how to spot good targets, he'd gotten beaten a lot. Maybe this girl had had that same experience.

[notsoblind]

"Stealing? Don't accuse me of weird things!"

She took a step back to put some distance between them, holding up her pole in front of her body to make it look like she felt threatened by him. Still, she lowered her voice a bit, no longer trying to draw attention but wanting to make a convincing show in case anyone was already looking. Obviously she couldn't glance around to see if there was indeed anyone like that.

"You were suddenly in front of me and I wasn't expecting it. Are you saying it's wrong to use my hand to figure out what I bumped into?"

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang snorted again and crossed his arms over his chest. "That act might work on other people, but I know a little delinquent when I see one." He grinned and lowered his voice. "Takes one to know one, after all." Honestly, her innocent act was pretty good. She'd just bumped into the wrong person to try and trick.

Unfortunately, perhaps, for A-Qing, no one around seemed to have noticed the odd pair and the conversation they were having. Maybe because Xue Yang tended to exude an aura of "don't get involved or you'll regret it".

[notsoblind]

She was definitely getting the idea that she was in over her head with this guy. Who would straight-up admit to being a delinquent like that? Not her! She might be a pickpocket, but she didn't go asking for trouble.

"Stop calling me things! I said I'm sorry!" She gave her pole a few angry taps against the ground, not all that unlike stomping her foot. "If you're just going to keep being mean to me, then move out of the way so I can get going."

She resisted the urge to jab the end of her pole into his foot, remembering how quickly he'd grabbed her hand before, but she did move it forward and knocked it a bit roughly against the side of his ankle in a show of feeling her way around him. Without waiting she started to move past him. It was only once she'd gotten him out of her line of sight that she realized that not only was no one around them watching her performance, everyone seemed to be intentionally looking away. Like they were scared of making eye contact.

... Had she just made a huge mistake by turning her back on this guy?!

@gentledawn (hope it's okay I used prose for this one!)

[bringingdowndisaster]

It's not quite winter yet, but the nights have been getting colder and darker. Xue Yang can handle most things thrown at him, but the cold has always had a way of getting to him. Especially because it makes his stupid, broken hand ache even more than it usually does. The fingers will often stiffen up too, which makes it difficult to do anything with it. At least it's not his dominant hand.

The cold also means fewer street vendors to steal from, and fewer people in the streets to pickpocket or mug. Everything just gets a little harder. Many street kids like him die as a result, but Xue Yang refuses to be one of them. He's a survivor. He won't end up frozen stiff and dead in some dirty alleyway.

Sometimes, he'll go with older men somewhere warmer - a shabby inn or even their house just for a chance to stay warm for the night. The money helps too. It's what he'd hoped for tonight, but the asshole didn't want to pay for the whole night, so he's forced back out on the cold streets. He'd been tempted to gut the guy, but that would've just attracted unwanted attention.

He curses to himself as he leaves the warm inn. Now he'll have to find someplace else to stay the night. Probably somewhere outside, which fucking sucks. Pissed off and muttering to himself, he walks right into someone. "Fuck's sake! Watch it!" he exclaims and glares up at the man he bumped into.

Eyebrows immediately raise at the sight of a young man, not much older than himself, dressed entirely in white robes. They're of good quality, beautiful and pristine. Much like the man himself. Xue Yang feels even more like the street rat he is, dressed in simple black robes and his hair done up simply.

Xue Yang scoffs. Who the fuck wears white in this part of Kuizhou? And so openly displays that he has money? Is he an idiot? He practically screams "rob me". Then Xue Yang notices the sword strapped to the man's back, and is all the more intrigued. A cultivator? No wonder he's walking around like he's untouchable.

I am so spoiled. ;u;

[gentledawn]

He had been a baby when Baoshan Sanren had found him, swaddled and dirty in a deserted house. Something had happened to his parents - perhaps they were Cultivators too and found their end at the hands of a ghost or demon. Or maybe he was simply too much pressure and work on an already strained household. Either way, he found his way into his Master's arms and she had carried him the entire way to her mountain.

She had cleaned him, fed him, loved him and taught him. Xiao Xingchen adores her and so when the time came for his first trip down the mountain, he had listened to her advice carefully, memorizing it by heart.

"Keep your eyes and your heart open. Keep Shuanghua at your back."

Keeping his eyes open is just smart, but his heart? What had she meant by that? Xingchen has puzzled over that portion, confused by it since he isn't meant to meet anyone, until the unexpected happens: he runs into a street child. Oh they are far too numerous, but this one stands out. He is a little boy and when he looks up at Xingchen, the young Cultivator feels his heart ache. Bruises mar his small body and there are signs...

Signs Xingchen doesn't fully understand yet knows are wrong and speak of abuse. He kneels down, disregarding the snow, and smiles gently.

"You must be frozen. Will you please come with me? I have a room at the inn. I can get you food too and a soft place to rest."

<3

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang, on the other hand, had been alone for as long as he can remember. He assumes there has to have been someone who looked after him as a baby, or he would've died, but he has no memories of anyone like that.

He makes a face when the young cultivator kneels down by him, as though he's a small child. In all fairness though, his skinny frame and boyish face does make him look younger than he is. He still doesn't like the feeling of being patronized though, but then the cultivator speaks up.

Xue Yang lets a soft snort escape him. Oh, he's heard sweet words like that before, and he knows what it means. No one ever offers anything without expecting something in return, but it's certainly not the first time he's given his body in exchange for a warm place to sleep, food or money. At least this guy is young (clearly a teenager like himself, but older), and much better-looking than the men he's used to.

"Alright," he says in a voice that can almost be mistaken for sweet, "Lead the way."

[gentledawn]

The face he gets borders on cute and Xingchen smiles a little more, helpless to stop himself. He thinks the other boy is much too thin - accustomed to eating what he can when he can (and it is obviously never enough) - but his face is sweet. What if he could help him more? That would, of course, depend on the boy's spiritual power.

"Of course." he rises smoothly back to his feet and walks in the direction of the inn, keeping a careful eye on the other boy, "I'm Xiao Xingchen. I'm only visiting, so I'm afraid I don't know anyone in this town."

He is meant to acquire supplies and then return to the mountain. Except... He wants to take this boy with him. If Xue Yang has spiritual power, it will be easier to convince his Master that he must stay with them.

[bringingdowndisaster]

A visitor, well, Xue Yang had figured as much. He's never seen this man before, and he knows that he's someone he would've remembered. Xiao Xingchen... well, that's a proper, fancy cultivator name alright.

"What brings you here then?" he asks, though he doesn't really care about the answer. It's just part of the act. Some of them likes for him to pretend as though he gives a shit about their lives, and he gets the feeling that this Xiao Xingchen is like that.

Xue Yang follows him back inside the inn. The innkeeper gives him an unimpressed look, and Xue Yang gives one of his trademark nasty grins in response. He knows that the man won't complain as long as Xue Yang's company can pay, but he evidently doesn't like having street brats like him coming into his establishment. Which really isn't nice enough for the innkeeper to have such a stick up his ass, in Xue Yang's opinion.

At least there won't be a need to talk to the guy since Xiao Xingchen apparently has a room already.

[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."