[ ...The teaser has been teased! She stares at him a moment longer, a bit of her jell-ato melting down the side of her cup and over her knuckles as she delays. ]
Hehe, that I am. [He complimented himself...] It's nice to know I have that effect on people. [Gingerly, he takes her by the wrist.] But, Pyra? You should take care of yourself more.
[ It just a simple wrist-grab, it shouldn't have this much of an effect on her even with chroma! But it also causes her attention to shift to him, her eyes meeting his as he leans in and, and...
She wonders if it's so easy for her to be enchanted by his touch because it's warmth that belong to him. ] So... so it is...
I'll, ah, I'll grab a napkin... [ She says, distracted, while still unable to tear her eyes from him. ]
[His gaze softens when their eyes meet, and his smile is the kind that melts all pretension. So, he has this effect on her, too. How strange. She shouldn't pin her hopes on someone selfish as him. But as selfish as people say he is...]
I can't leave you alone, can I? Be careful. Here, I'll hold yours so you can clean up.
[These are the moments when he seems to shine the most. Not because of kindness or anything noble — that's asking for too much. What he feels is something simpler, and stronger.
He gives her his own napkin and takes her gelato if she's willing.]
[ Whatever had come over her, the spell breaks when he takes her gelato and hands her the napkin in turn. Eyes fluttering as she looks away as if to wake herself from a daydream, she quickly undoes the mess she made. ] Ah-- I'm grateful.
[ She's quick to recover, however, and when she's done, she'll take her little snack back. ] So thoughtful, Shin. [ She replies with just a hint of playfulness in her tone, but then her expression adopts more simplicity than before, an innocence in her smile. ] You know,... you...
[ This gesture from him just now, this look from him.... it's far softer than he usually behaves are around her, too, since most of their times together scrape by playful and flirty. It's different, but it's also... nice.
Should she also say that he usually behaves like a sexy demon around her, too? ]
[ ...No. No, she won't. Because the gesture of offering to hold something so that she might clean up after herself speaks less of him being not flirty, and more of him having experience of caring for others. Like-- like a child, perhaps, or younger siblings.
.... ]
...Could I ask a favor of you, Shin?
[ Set to walk down the street with him again, she asks this. ]
[Thoughtful? He takes it as a compliment, but this is only natural. To pay attention. To be useful. That is why people approach one another. What else does he have but this? Even now, he answers without missing a beat:]
[ She asks, her tone delicately respectful. She glances at him, hoping to catch his expression at the mention of kin. ] Sorry, it's only that what you did just now... it reminds me of what I've seen of others do for, say, their younger siblings or children.
I'd... like to hear about them. If you're willing to tell.
Huh? [Why is she circling him? Why is the spotlight on him?! Not that he usually minds, but...?!?] Why are you so excited?
[He eats some of his gelato, but really, he's just stalling. After all that's happened, talking about the past isn't something he can just do. Especially not after...]
It's not like we're like that... I think.
[He's never thought about it that way. He thinks? Argh!]
What about you, huh? I never hear about your family.
[ She gives him a look. Does she need to pull this card? LOOKS LIKE SHE DOES-- ]
I asked first.
[ But... here, she'll give him a loophole. ] If not about your master then... someone else of your world, who you consider to be like-family. The people that make you... you. I want to appreciate them, too.
[Looking cute while also being curious about him is so not fair! Yan Qing prides himself on his discipline, but he realizes he can't win against her persistence, and he soon he relents.]
I dunno if I told you before, but a lot of things happened and my master and I joined a group of bandits. These weren't just any bandits, alright? My homeland was all messed up. The emperor was useless, and those in charge just used their power to make themselves richer. Our leader Song Jiang had enough of it.
Since we were criminals, all one hundred and eight of us bandits lived far away, in a fortress hidden in the mountains. I dunno if it's your scene, but that place was full of life every day and night. [He looks back at Pyra, his eyes glistening with joy and nostalgia.] Even more than Master Lu's mansion! People from all walks of life were there. We had generals, we had thieves, we had monks and murderers...
[ You know, like him. They soon reach a costume shop, and he opens the door for her. ]
Everyone was welcome under Song Jiang's banner, and we all fought for one thing, no matter what it took.
[ At last she learns just a little bit more about him. The hodgepodge mix of people gathered at the fortress, all living together as outcasts from the law of the land... they truly must have had a good sense of community. While she doesn't hope that she's romanticizing it too much, it sounds as if he truly enjoyed his time there.
She measures her steps with his, so that they might be able to walk side-by-side. ]
The one thing you all fought for... was it for a chance at freedom, then? To live as you all were... in peace?
[ Yan Qing did enjoy his time there, truly. He worked harder than his master as he rose up the ranks but, well... Water Margin wasn't a book with a happy ending.
In the store, he picks up a witch's hat and plops it on her head. ]
Yep! To get rid of the corruption in our lands and live in peace... It ain't something we planned to do, but it was something we felt was right. Hmm... [ He laughs. ] Maybe you should be a sexy witch instead.
Wellll... [ She's going to finish up her jell-ato in the pause as she makes a show of thinking. Is it just her, or does it make her lips tingle? ]
Geistnacht and Halloween... people don't just don the visage of someone spooky. It could be someone they honor. [ A pause. ] Or admire. [ She looks at him. ]
You grew up as a rogue with principles and-- and a sense of justice, from the sounds of it. [ The more she speaks about doing it, the more she seems to convince herself that this is the best idea, ever. ] So I wouldn't mind dressing up as a bandit with your aesthetic. [ She takes a step back from him, eyes roaming his body. ] Hm... but I'd need someone to paint those tattoos upon me...
[ While she's finishing up her jell-ato, he nearly chokes on the cone of his. Admire? Admire? What is there to admire? He hasn't even finished his story yet! Oh well, maybe this is better. Still! ]
Ad— [ No, he's not going to repeat his thoughts a third time! ] I think you're forgetting how much these tattoos cover.
[ Because they don't stop at his chest. ]
Ah, but it would be the best Halloween ever... [ And he doesn't say that out of vanity. ]
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I ain't saying it's a bad thing. I like it! I like that you like me.
[That she would be willing to touch him, and that she want him that much.]
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[ Ooh, she's turning red. ] It helps that you're easily likable....
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[He leans in.]
Your gelato's melting.
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She wonders if it's so easy for her to be enchanted by his touch because it's warmth that belong to him. ] So... so it is...
I'll, ah, I'll grab a napkin... [ She says, distracted, while still unable to tear her eyes from him. ]
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I can't leave you alone, can I? Be careful. Here, I'll hold yours so you can clean up.
[These are the moments when he seems to shine the most. Not because of kindness or anything noble — that's asking for too much. What he feels is something simpler, and stronger.
He gives her his own napkin and takes her gelato if she's willing.]
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[ She's quick to recover, however, and when she's done, she'll take her little snack back. ] So thoughtful, Shin. [ She replies with just a hint of playfulness in her tone, but then her expression adopts more simplicity than before, an innocence in her smile. ] You know,... you...
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Should she also say that he usually behaves like a sexy demon around her, too? ]
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.... ]
...Could I ask a favor of you, Shin?
[ Set to walk down the street with him again, she asks this. ]
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Sure, ask me anything!
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[ She asks, her tone delicately respectful. She glances at him, hoping to catch his expression at the mention of kin. ] Sorry, it's only that what you did just now... it reminds me of what I've seen of others do for, say, their younger siblings or children.
I'd... like to hear about them. If you're willing to tell.
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[Without missing a beat—]
I don't have anything like that.
[Never frowning, he gives her a clear answer.]
My parents died when I was young. I was an only child.
[But again, as always, he laughs.]
I guess I just have a knack for taking care for people, wahahaha!
[Wrong. That's not like him at all.]
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Then smiles in return. ]
But doesn't this mean you've learned to be kind all on your own, just because?
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...No. I'm not that kind of guy. Everything I know, I learned from my master.
[His gaze softens as he speaks, looking toward the horizon.]
He took me in after my parents passed away. Honestly, he really didn't have to... Well, that's all I'll say for now.
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[ She suddenly exclaims, scurrying to round about him. ] No, no, this is... this is important!
[ Hi, hello there, she's wagging her gelato at him. ] Family! Found family. You should say more!
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[He eats some of his gelato, but really, he's just stalling. After all that's happened, talking about the past isn't something he can just do. Especially not after...]
It's not like we're like that... I think.
[He's never thought about it that way. He thinks? Argh!]
What about you, huh? I never hear about your family.
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I asked first.
[ But... here, she'll give him a loophole. ] If not about your master then... someone else of your world, who you consider to be like-family. The people that make you... you. I want to appreciate them, too.
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I dunno if I told you before, but a lot of things happened and my master and I joined a group of bandits. These weren't just any bandits, alright? My homeland was all messed up. The emperor was useless, and those in charge just used their power to make themselves richer. Our leader Song Jiang had enough of it.
Since we were criminals, all one hundred and eight of us bandits lived far away, in a fortress hidden in the mountains. I dunno if it's your scene, but that place was full of life every day and night. [He looks back at Pyra, his eyes glistening with joy and nostalgia.] Even more than Master Lu's mansion! People from all walks of life were there. We had generals, we had thieves, we had monks and murderers...
[ You know, like him. They soon reach a costume shop, and he opens the door for her. ]
Everyone was welcome under Song Jiang's banner, and we all fought for one thing, no matter what it took.
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She measures her steps with his, so that they might be able to walk side-by-side. ]
The one thing you all fought for... was it for a chance at freedom, then? To live as you all were... in peace?
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In the store, he picks up a witch's hat and plops it on her head. ]
Yep! To get rid of the corruption in our lands and live in peace... It ain't something we planned to do, but it was something we felt was right. Hmm... [ He laughs. ] Maybe you should be a sexy witch instead.
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He claims he's a outlaw, but he's a... good outlaw. One that seeks peace. ] Hmmm.... I don't know.
What if I want to be a sexy rogue? [ She lifts the hat off of her head further, replacing it upon the shelf. ]
Like you?
[ Would that mean she'd have to go shirtless all the time... ]
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Uh, you mean like in general or me exactly? [ Maybe his boob strap can go over her nO DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. ] Not that I mind either way...
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Geistnacht and Halloween... people don't just don the visage of someone spooky. It could be someone they honor. [ A pause. ] Or admire. [ She looks at him. ]
You grew up as a rogue with principles and-- and a sense of justice, from the sounds of it. [ The more she speaks about doing it, the more she seems to convince herself that this is the best idea, ever. ] So I wouldn't mind dressing up as a bandit with your aesthetic. [ She takes a step back from him, eyes roaming his body. ] Hm... but I'd need someone to paint those tattoos upon me...
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Ad— [ No, he's not going to repeat his thoughts a third time! ] I think you're forgetting how much these tattoos cover.
[ Because they don't stop at his chest. ]
Ah, but it would be the best Halloween ever... [ And he doesn't say that out of vanity. ]
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