[ ...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. ]
So it's decided! [ She giggles happily, stepping up to him. ] I'm going to be a [ Spoken lowly, fluttering her eyes, making a show just to parody his tease. ] sexy rogue...
In honor of you and the 108 other bandits that made up your family!
[ Buuuuut unable as she is to hold onto that sultry tone, she straightens up and laughs. ]
[Pyra approaches and Yan Qing nearly stumbles back, his face flushed with color. She would do that? For him? She hasn't even read a single page about him, and she would honor him nonetheless? Like the time with her when he arrived, his heart skips a beat, and the same feeling rises to the surface once more. He should be his normal self and laugh this off, but when she smiles at him like that, he suddenly doesn't know what to do.
The sultry voice isn't helping.]
... Haha, do what makes you happy.
[He picks up a mask to hide his face. It feels too hot to show it to her right now.]
Then... I'll go as you! I don't know anything about your family, though. [Tell him?]
....Let me tell you about my... found family. [ Actual family? Nah.
Even if she's decided on a costume for herself, she'll still browse the masks on display. ]
We traveled a number of Titan-continents together, a band of-- a prince, myself, a child we had found, and then later came a mercenary and her partner, another child they had found, and finally an emperor and his two vassals. [ SIMPLE. ]
That was my "family", although we didn't have any sort of place or fortress where we all made a home for ourselves.
[ It's... actually taking a great deal for her to talk about them in general, for most of them have perished, or otherwise completely forgotten her. ] We, too, wished for peace for our world.
[ Yan Qing puts the mask down and follows her along the aisle as he listens. She speaks in a way he hasn't heard before. Her words would often come so easily. At times, he'd be envious. He was candid, but never honest. Not in the way she is, when she can tell him how good he is and how much she cares. But now, Pyra seems to struggle with even a happy memory. ]
Hehe, I always knew you were a good guy! They sound like a fun bunch. I bet every day was an adventure with them around!
[ But she doesn't talk about her real family, and like him, it sounds as if she is talking about a past too far for them to return to.
After a moment of hesitation, he reaches for Pyra's hand. ]
Hey... I'm no prince, but you know you can count on me too, right? You already know things about me, but I think that's the first time I've ever learned something about you.
You always show me kindness, but there are times when you feel so far away. Even when I asked you out today, I thought that maybe... I was just being a bother.
[ Hand taken by his, her fingers carefully curl to interlock with his fingers, accepting the pull towards him. In the same fluid motion, he directs the subject from her to him, something for which she's grateful; for as much as she can pretend to speak of her family and past, the memories are five hundred years too raw for her to think too deeply about it. When she parts from him and returns to her home, there will be nothing but tears over the loss of them all...
But this? This is worrying, too. ] A bother...?
[ But why? ] To... spend time with me? [ Perhaps, she thinks, she must have missed something. Boisterous as he is, that he may have this sort of insecurity never even occurred to her before. ] Not at all.
[ She shakes her head, squeezing his hand. ] I-In fact, I'm extremely grateful that you asked me out at all!
[ Oh boy doesn't saying "asked me out" make this sound like a date!! ]
[Oh no, Yan Qing looks far too smug to pretend he doesn't know what this sounds like.]
Yeah? [He chuckles and squeezed her hand.] That's great, then. I don't ever want you to feel like I'm holding you back.
[But if she wants him around, he wonders if he'll be able to stop himself from doing anything too crazy. Far too many people have left him, and he has yet to heal.]
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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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In honor of you and the 108 other bandits that made up your family!
[ Buuuuut unable as she is to hold onto that sultry tone, she straightens up and laughs. ]
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The sultry voice isn't helping.]
... Haha, do what makes you happy.
[He picks up a mask to hide his face. It feels too hot to show it to her right now.]
Then... I'll go as you! I don't know anything about your family, though. [Tell him?]
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But then he inquires about her own family.
Ah, yes, she did say "you first", meaning she would have to share... something. ]
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Even if she's decided on a costume for herself, she'll still browse the masks on display. ]
We traveled a number of Titan-continents together, a band of-- a prince, myself, a child we had found, and then later came a mercenary and her partner, another child they had found, and finally an emperor and his two vassals. [ SIMPLE. ]
That was my "family", although we didn't have any sort of place or fortress where we all made a home for ourselves.
[ It's... actually taking a great deal for her to talk about them in general, for most of them have perished, or otherwise completely forgotten her. ] We, too, wished for peace for our world.
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Hehe, I always knew you were a good guy! They sound like a fun bunch. I bet every day was an adventure with them around!
[ But she doesn't talk about her real family, and like him, it sounds as if she is talking about a past too far for them to return to.
After a moment of hesitation, he reaches for Pyra's hand. ]
Hey... I'm no prince, but you know you can count on me too, right? You already know things about me, but I think that's the first time I've ever learned something about you.
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You always show me kindness, but there are times when you feel so far away. Even when I asked you out today, I thought that maybe... I was just being a bother.
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But this? This is worrying, too. ] A bother...?
[ But why? ] To... spend time with me? [ Perhaps, she thinks, she must have missed something. Boisterous as he is, that he may have this sort of insecurity never even occurred to her before. ] Not at all.
[ She shakes her head, squeezing his hand. ] I-In fact, I'm extremely grateful that you asked me out at all!
[ Oh boy doesn't saying "asked me out" make this sound like a date!! ]
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Yeah? [He chuckles and squeezed her hand.] That's great, then. I don't ever want you to feel like I'm holding you back.
[But if she wants him around, he wonders if he'll be able to stop himself from doing anything too crazy. Far too many people have left him, and he has yet to heal.]
But, Pyra? Does that mean we're on a date?
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