{Video}

[lansizhui]

{He is dressed like a proper Lan disciple. The robes are more comfortable - more familiar to him - and, of course, he can't ever dispense of his headband. The plucking of strings can be heard, but since the camera is focused on his face, the guqin isn't in view.}

I've tried several times to commune with spirits, but there doesn't seem to be any nearby.

{The idea occurred to him when he heard others talking about voids being places spirits travel through.}

I didn't know if that might be comforting to anyone. We're not among the dead.

Comments

[dredefulchilde]

Animal blood will keep one alive in the direst of circumstances, but it doesn’t sustain. The vampire curse requires human blood.

Killing can be quite fun, when it is all one knows.

I was much younger then. I only kill the truly deserving now.

[lansizhui]

What changed you into a Vampire? {He does feel bad for this kid. Can he still be called a kid? It must be hard to live that long, having to survive in that way.}

[dredefulchilde]

A woman who saw a dying child who would not be missed, and wanted a pet.

[lansizhui]

I am so sorry. {He can almost understand that.} I was taken in too when I was a child. Thankfully the people who looked after me were good.

[stealsyourheart]

Well, it's less common now but still happens a bit, I think? Some business man adopts his second so he can keep the business 'in the family' as it were.

[lansizhui]

Oh that isn't what happened to me. I was adopted by the Lan Sect because I was safer under their protection. The Sect in which I was born did...a lot of bad things. As a result everyone except for my uncle and I were killed.

{And since his uncle is a Fierce Corpse, Sizhui is basically it.}

Hanguang-Jun was very kind in rescuing me and putting his reputation on the line for my safety.

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[myblueskies]

[He has never seen anything like it before! But he thinks it might be a bit like a harp, he has heard a harp before.]

A weapon too, sir? How can you use it as a weapon? [You could hit someone, he supposed but that might brake the guquin.

[stealsyourheart]

Huh! We don't really see that sort of thing happening in Japan. Not these days, anyway. Might be that it happened back when we were more warlike.

[ He smiles ]

I'm glad you found a new family.

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[lansizhui]

{It is akin to a harp, though it is plucked horizontally instead of vertically.}

The strings give out a magical force when they are strummed. {And he can use it to physically knock an opponent out too. His guqin is made out of strong materials.}

[lansizhui]

I get the feeling I am from a distant past compared to most.

{Which is...fine? Just weird.}

I'm lucky and I will find a way to return what I have been given.

[heavybreathing]

It is possible. [ It is more possible that whatever dwells in the void is to be kept from sentient life forms at all costs. ]

[stealsyourheart]

I think so. [ He agrees ]

Also you have magic and my world doesn't, so there's that!

[lansizhui]

None at all? Are you sure? My power comes from my golden core.

[lansizhui]

I will keep trying to speak to any lingering spirits in that case. I might get lucky.

{And if they need help, that is what he does.}

[stealsyourheart]

Well there's Akako, but she's... special.

Otherwise, no. None at all!

[lansizhui]

Is she present?

Are there no monsters in your world either? No curses?

[stealsyourheart]

Oh kami no! [ He shudders ]

She likes me but... she likes me, you know? And... she doesn't really take 'no' for an answer. I really hope she never comes here.

[ He shakes his head ] Only monsters are those in stories or the real human ones.

[lansizhui]

Oh, I see. {She is aggressively flirtatious? Sizhui hasn't encountered that problem, but it does sound harrowing.} I can help you avoid her if she does.

{Bros have to look out for bros.}

Which can be as bad as the actual thing.

[stealsyourheart]

That's presuming she doesn't pick you instead! She has this thing of All Men Should Worship Me going.

[ He nods, agreeing ] In many ways I reckon they're worse, you know? Like. A monster is born a monster, right? It can't help it. But humans? We chose.

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[myblueskies]

A magical force? [He grinned] That sounds good sir! Did you do lots of fighting back where you are from?

[lansizhui]

I would need to be strict with her. {In his...soft-spoken voice. Yeah, that would work well.}

That's true. But I've seen humans manipulated by other humans - or monsters - into that state. You can't jump to conclusions.

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[lansizhui]

Yes. Cultivators are trained to fight - usually from a young age. I have my sword with me too.

Re: video

[myblueskies]

You have a sword too! [He must be a very strong fighter!] What's a cultivator?

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[lansizhui]

Someone who is trained to deal with spirits and monsters. We use our swords, talismans and the Lan Sect uses guqins.

{He is so skilled with his because he enjoyed the lessons he had with his adoptive father.}

[stealsyourheart]

You would need to run.. [ Kaito grins wryly ] Although that might make her chase. Well. She's better than she used to be, maybe.

[ He shakes his head, and reminds him ] We don't have monsters, in my world. If anyone is a monster, it's because they chose, and they kept choosing.