[Video] Kazoo 16

[ayao]

Forgive me for being...selfish...

And I warn you, the subject matter of my question might be sensitive...

[But why not make this inquiry here rather than in his world where it would surely bring negative repercussions.]

What are your thoughts on two men being in a relationship? [He doesn't dare say married, but he is drawn to the idea.] Do you perceive it as...wrong? Should the men instead continue their respective lines with wives?

[Heirs are important. Yet can they not be had in other ways? Of course said ways are illegal and immoral in the land he knows.]

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[zombiemessiah]

Not sure what a cultivator is, so I probably am not that. But you've got me curious.

It's not as miserable as you'd think. Some of them are just a little lost. Some of them just want people to see them again, and don't understand what's happened to them. Some of them are even at a strange kind of peace, just wandering and thinking simple thoughts.

[Up until they get hungry, anyway.]

Point being, that's a godawful thing to have on your mind when you go.

[ayao]

Cultivators are those from my world who deal with, banish and/or kill monsters, ghosts and demons. They use spiritual energy for those tasks.

[It hurts to hear those scenarios and he closes his eyes.]

Do you help them find peace?

[He nods slowly.]

I don't want to die with regrets. More importantly, I don't want my loved ones to live or die with regrets because of me.

[zombiemessiah]

Sometimes. If they want it. There's... a lot of dead where I'm from. A whole lot. Way more than there are people alive.

[But that's enough grimness for a heartbroken man.]

But hey, guy, come on. Get some self-esteem. You're one of those guys that's model hot. Here you are going on about being crazy lovesick and giving a shit about someone, and I'm sure they must have noticed the model hot thing. Stop worrying about whether or not you're worth it, assume you are, and if they're into it go for it.

[ayao]

How did that come to pass? Was there some great battle?

["Zombies" don't technically exist in The Untamed (though they do in the novel version).]

I...have never thought of myself as that attractive. [He takes after his mother in looks.] My mother was a beauty and my father had his pick of women.

[zombiemessiah]

Believe me, you're absolutely rocking it. You have done your mom proud.

[The more serious thing, though?]

Both. It was an illness that made people violent after they died. I don't know if you've heard of a 'zombie' or not, but there was this sickness that went through everybody- no one knew they had it. The symptoms didn't show until people had kicked the bucket and got back up again.

Nobody handled it right and now the one guy who can communicate with them is- [he points to himself.]

[ayao]

You are too kind.

[Despite his jumble of emotions, he flushes and gives him a small bow.]

...how awful. [To put it lightly!] How do you communicate with them? Do you use some sort of instrument?

[There is a special song for that for Cultivators.]

[zombiemessiah]

Nope. They're just there. It's more like another sense. Hearing, seeing, feeling, but not.... Well, strange thing actually...

I usually only hear the dead or people with a very particular brand of the illness. [The one only he can spread, the one that makes people immune from rising and safe from the zombies, but unable to spread it themselves.]

But here? I've been able to sense some other people in the same way.

[ayao]

You have a remarkable gift; one that could be put to good use in my world too. I hope you are not called upon to use it while we are on this train, yet I fear you might.

Who have you been able to sense?

[zombiemessiah]

I'll leave it to them to say. Some people are shy.

[And he doesn't want to give away what they might be keeping secret.]

Yeaaaaah I was wondering why the train would want me. [It does not look good, in his mind.] Attempts at heroics in my world have never ended well. We would inevitably get some big strong handsome protector type to travel with us, and then they would die nobly, and inevitably another mouth in the horde, ready to go after their friends.

The only reason I've been successful is because I'm incredibly cautious. And this train is full of big strong handsome protector types.

[ayao]

That is understandable. If they too have connections with the dead, that is not always viewed in a positive light.

[Demonic Cultivation is the sort of magic that would deal with controlling the dead. Fierce Corpses are the result of that.]

Keep yourself safe. You are useful beyond your muscles. Let others be heroic if they wish.

[zombiemessiah]

[He's surprisingly strong. Strong enough to easily handle an elite soldier. But he is also not immune to bullets and can't handle a superhero. So that part he's not going to say out loud.]

Oh, you don't need to tell me. People have either wanted to catch me and kill me or catch me and get money using me for years now. It gets old and very annoying. But uh, I appreciate it.

[So very few people actually express concern for him that he's shook every time it happens. He doesn't always deserve concern, true, but the more he likes someone the more his better side rears its head.]

I'm Murphy, by the way. If you ever need someone around that definitely won't judge who you're into.

[ayao]

[There is more power and cleverness concealed in Meng Yao; he will tap into it all to be Jin Guangyao. However, right now, he is painfully aware that he is not at the level of his fellow Cultivators. That makes him more empathetic to those like him who find themselves in situations over their head - or in situations that are outside of their expertise.]

I am Meng Yao if I did not say. I appreciate your advice and your offer. I too will not judge you if you need a friend.