fugu: (in the dark as your children sleep)
黑水沉舟 • He Xuan ([personal profile] fugu) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2023-03-29 11:48 pm

would the dreams in the black water drown us far from harm

Who: He Xuan.
What: Catch-all for bodyswaps, couch-crashing, and various other things. There will be open top-levels, and please don't be shy if you would like something just for you!
When: Throughout April.
Where: All over Trench, but especially around the Docks and the rock caves.

Content Warnings: Will always be at the top of the comment or in the subject line on a per-tag basis. HX's info/permissions here.
xiaoxiuya: made by mdzspring (shock and surprise)

1. Sudden Guest

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-03-30 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
With the forecast report complete and several weeks to go before he needs to post the next one, Shen Yuan has more free time than he has in -- nearly a month, actually. He hadn't even realized how much he was neglecting his relationships in favor of work until he answers a knock on his door, recognizes He Xuan, and realizes it's been weeks since he saw or spoke to the other man.

"Oh wow," is the first thing to pop out of his mouth, flustered and a little aghast at his mistake. "Hi!" he quickly adds, and grins a little, embarrassed but very pleased to see Xuan-ge nonetheless. "Come in, come in!" he says delightedly, skipping right over whatever reason He Xuan might have had for coming to see him in favor of ushering him inside before he can change his mind and leave again. "How are you doing?" he asks once the door is shut behind him. "Would you like tea? I'm not sure when the last time I went grocery shopping was but I'm sure I have something we can share..."
centile: (9)

he xuan (makima flavor) and mob | sometime in april

[personal profile] centile 2023-03-30 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
Even if the sleepers have been kind about his mistake many of the people living in Crenshaw all their lives were not so kind.

Mob doesn't blame them. He thinks he's pretty lucky most don't know he's the one who caused the damage. Even still enough people saw that the bowl cut and his age make him easily pointed out, and in turn easily cornered to grill. It hasn't happened often, usually when people seemed to realize he might be the one they ran away. This little group doesn't.

They're angry. Master would say lashing out is immature and they need to grow up, but he never said that about people who lost their homes, their stuff. The buildings are mostly fixed by darkblood architects and his own, meager efforts but the injuries are still healing. He caused a lot of grief, a lot of stress. Probably corruption, and made sleepers look bad.

The little beast comes back here? To rampage again? (91%, 92%, 93%) You're really showing your face- it was you, wasn't it? (94%, 95%) Say something!

Mob opens his mouth and closes it, unable to find words. (Get a clue, 96%) They're still angry, scared, not really getting close but getting bolder, angrier with his lack of response. Freak, monster, things like that. If they had lilac hair and laughter they could be like Asagiri. He's alone in the world. (97%)

He's not alone in the world though.

Mob turns to run, heart beating too fast. His powers stretch under his skin, an overly full cup. He tries to feel nothing but the pressure is too big. He's not alone though, Miss Makima promised. He offered what she wanted and she promised. He slumps against a wall, hoping he isn't followed, and clutches his chest.

"Miss Makima," he exhales shakily, trying to reach into whatever part of him is connected to her now. She said she'd come. She promised she'd come and help him never lose control again.
xiaoxiuya: made by mdzspring (Default)

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-03-30 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
Hmph, it's hardly Shen Yuan's fault that most people lack his good taste!

"By all means," he says happily, all too ready to surrender control of his lifelong nemesis to someone else. But he still fills the kettle and gets it going anyway, just to be hospitable.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" he finally asks, belatedly acknowledging the elephant in the room in as low-key a manner as he can contrive. Perish the thought of He Xuan thinking Shen Yuan is somehow annoyed with him! As far as he's concerned the gap is entirely his fault, for not remembering to send him a freaking text now and then! If his little sister were here she'd be roasting him to a crisp, there's no doubt about it. "How have you been?"
Edited (hit post too soon lol) 2023-03-30 05:09 (UTC)
centile: (67)

[personal profile] centile 2023-03-31 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
She did come.

"Miss Makima," Mob says quietly, a very faint hint of relief to his tone. His voice is small, trying to hold in what feels like thrashing in his chest. He wishes he was strong enough to handle all this on his own but he was- he needed-

"I-I'm sorry. It's... it's getting bad again," he tries. "Not like before but-" But explosive, destructive. Robby must feel it. The thought makes the churning worse.
xiaoxiuya: made by mdzspring (shock and surprise)

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-04-02 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
"The ocean?" Shen Yuan visibly startles, turning to look He Xuan over from crown to toe with sudden concern. "Are you okay? Did someone --" He cuts himself off, shaking his head a little. Isn't he being a little silly? Obviously He Xuan is fine, if he's back now, and even if he weren't, what does he, Shen Yuan, think he can do about it? But then he remembers that they're friends, and perhaps powerful as he is He Xuan will find his concern amusing?

So he raises his eyebrows instead, and in an exaggerated tone he says, "Do I need to kick someone's ass about this?" Making his concern into a joke for them both to laugh at.
overlies: (Default)

[personal profile] overlies 2023-04-02 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ well, that was strange. not argonaut’s presence along with his little people, that should be expected in april. it’s . . . this exchange. it’s easy to realize something has gone amiss, and the first thing she notices are her dogs, her seven furry babies at the hips of— herself? but she was here— ]

—Oh, my.

[ her voice has gone quite deep. the features of her face are sharper, longer, not her’s. she recognizes her dogs more than she recognizes people up ahead, but by the time she lifts her eyes and gets a good look—

people have detailed faces, not just defined by readable expressions. it almost distracts her from going up to . . . whoever this is. ]


And I take it this, [ he gestures to her new figure, ] is yours?
xiaoxiuya: made by reedflavor (closed fan)

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-04-05 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
Hah, it's not embarrassing when he makes himself the butt of the joke, so there! Shen Yuan just grins and leans against the counter, lapsing into concerned frown for a moment as He Xuan describes what happened -- he not only heard about it, he also put in some time putting up new homes for the residents along with the rest of Outreach, which part of the reason why he hasn't been messaging any of his friends or buying groceries -- before nodding and saying softly, "I'm glad."

"That you're back, and in one piece," he explains, and now he is embarrassed, pink and flustered and frustrated with himself, because how dare he have feelings, this is so cringe. "I'd have missed you, once I realized you were gone," he adds, with an awkward little laugh -- wait.

That did not at all sound the way he meant it to.
xiaoxiuya: made by whitedeerxu (nom nom)

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-04-05 09:56 am (UTC)(link)
"H-hey now..." Shen Yuan shrinks a little under that oppressive aura, wilting slightly -- until he notices the frankly ridiculous speed at which He Xuan is handling his cookware.

"I've been busy!" he squawks defensively. "You know, there was the forecast to write, and somebody blew up an entire street in Crenshaw, so there's been a lot of competition for my time! What was He Xuan doing with himself, hm, that he was too busy even to text me for a whole month??"

He crosses his arms and just barely resists the urge to stick his tongue out. Two can play at petty, you know!
xiaoxiuya: (exasperated fan)

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-04-05 10:15 am (UTC)(link)
Oh I'm sorry, does he want something? Like for Shen Yuan to reach over and tuck his hair out of the way? Well fine, he'll do that then! And he'll be really careful and gentle about it too, that'll show He Xuan what's what.

"What are you, my mom?" he grumps. "It's fine, I would've gone and gotten more food tomorrow if you turned up, probably." Or he'd have gone straight back to the library or the School of Mutter for another day of arguing with books and wrangling scholars, one of those.

"Did you even think of me at all?" he asks, treacly-sweet, and pets the sharp corner of He Xuan's jaw with his thumb. "Did Xuan-ge ever worry about me, while he was out 'swimming?'"
xiaoxiuya: made by mdzspring (pissy face)

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-04-05 10:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Hey, who said that?" Shen Yuan demands. "Does Xuan-ge think I'm some kind of pushover? That I'd let just anyone walk into my home and put their stuff all over my table and sleep in my bed? Because I assure you, I wouldn't!"

He huffs, his hand sliding off He Xuan's chin to rest on his shoulder, which he gently squeezes. "You're always welcome here," he says firmly -- and then quickly turns away to ostentatiously check on the tea.

xiaoxiuya: (exasperated fan)

[personal profile] xiaoxiuya 2023-04-05 11:38 am (UTC)(link)
"'Move over,' he says," Shen Yuan repeats mockinly, even as he does exactly that. "The salt's in that cupboard there," he points. "What else do you need?"

Let's get this chili-show on the road. Hopefully it doesn't turn out like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequel -- hm, He Xuan might like that movie, if he likes movies.

"Do you like movies?" he asks, taking himself over to the table so he can sit down out of the way and watch his ghost-friend cook.

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