Winter Be Gentle And Kind [Open]

[xiaoxiuya]

Who: Shen Yuan's CR group, as well as anyone else who'd like to join in <3
What: Open CR, meeting with people to discuss the Trench almanac, FURNITURE SHOPPING 8D The regularly-scheduled Shen Yuan had just moved into a new apartment in Gaze when Decembered ended, and just because the alternate version will only be living in Trench for the month doesn't mean he's going to sleep on the floor. What is he, a college student? Get out of here.
When: Throughout January and into February
Where: Shen Yuan's new apartment and the Archives in Gaze, furniture and antique stores in the Wilful Machine, more locations TBD

Content Warnings: Oblique references to kidnapping, harem politics, casual violence and romance between a kidnapping victim and their captor. This Shen Yuan comes from an fanfic-inspired AU where he was kidnapped and wooed by a Luo Binghe who had already become emperor, and while he considers himself a fully-consenting partner in their relationship others' mileage may vary. Please contact me privately if you'd like more details or have requests about topics you'd like to avoid while we thread together.

Comments

[xiaoxiuya]

Tenskulls...?

[Still streaming, Consort Shen takes a moment to shuffle through papers left on the kitchen counter -- clearly messages left from the other Shen Yuan, because he looks up and responds,]

Is this Mike-xiansheng, Mike Enslin, or some variant thereof? If so, good morning! [Big, but also gentle smile. The other Shen Yuan was worried about how this change would affect Mike's emotional state, so Consort Shen wants to assure him that everything's fine.]

If Mike-xiansheng prefers, he's welcome to address me as A-Shen or simply use my full name, Shen Yuan. I don't think there's any need to stand on ceremony so far away from home.

[stayscared]

[that ...went better than expected. or maybe better than feared. he isn't sure what he expected.]

That's me. New year, same Mike. [or. well. whatever mike has whatever memories, but that's a little less of a mess than it was before. just a little.] You can call me whatever you want, just don't call me late for dinner.

[this is all so strange he'll even tolerate michael, but at least he'd been warned. that means ...this is temporary. or should be temporary. might not be. that's...

...nope, not going to do that line of thinking just now. let's just ride this out. it might be fine. at least the name he heard wasn't one of the names he'd been warned about.]

A-Shen, then?

[ah, good. unintentional rhyming.]

[xiaoxiuya]

Yes, that's right. Attaching the prefix "a-" to a family or given name turns it into a term of endearment; as the elder in our friendship, it feels natural to have Mike-xiansheng address me this way. Although, not knowing how close he is to the other cultivators in town, I'd recommend against using it with them unless they give you permission first. It can also come off as infantilizing if used inappropriately, like if I started calling you "Mikey" out of nowhere!

[He laughs cheerfully. This all seems to be going quite well! The other Shen Yuan made it sound like Mike was, ehhhh...a little unstable, but so far he seems fine! Of course it's true that he hasn't really seen Mike in a high-stress situation (he thinks) so it may be that he struggles in a crisis. Don't worry, Mike! Consort Shen is a seasoned adventurer, he'll protect you!]

If this one ever has the pleasure of treating Mike-xiansheng to a meal, I'll definitely make sure he gets it on time. Actually [Lightbulb moment!] if you'd like to come assist me in picking out furniture sometime, I'd welcome a second set of eyes! Usually I'd have my husband or one of his other spouses along when I'm trying to fill up a space like this, I fear it might get boring without company. And I'll feed you, of course!

[stayscared]

I'd take Mikey if I had to. But probably not from a stranger.

[unless they were a kid, kids get a pass. mostly. maybe not teenagers. maybe just some teenagers. that part's tricky. mike is just fine in high stress situations, what are you talking abo---

---he is not fine. he is sometimes fine. luckily furniture picking isn't (usually) a high stress situation. i mean. it's trench. anything can be high stress, but it shouldn't be. probably won't be.]

My wife's not here, so if you'll settle for the second best set of eyes, you've got yourself a deal.

[he is not the best when it comes to this. he would like to think so - he's not the worst, but he is good at spotting bargains. and haggling. also: who says no to a free meal. (plenty of people, but his guard is down.)]