{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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[lansizhui]

I wouldn't run from a lady. {That would be rude.} Reasoning with her is...impossible?

Humans can be manipulated by other humans. It doesn't make them entirely blameless, but it is a consideration when passing judgment.

[stealsyourheart]

Ehhhhhhhh... [ He waggles his hand uncertainly ]

She's gotten... better. [ He acknowledges ] But I'd be careful around her anyway. She's got her own weird sense of honor and stuff. She's a good friend, but a bad enemy? I guess?

[ She's helped him out a few times, after all. He just feels as if she always does so with ulterior motives ]

They can. But what makes a monster isn't one mistake but a lifestyle.

[lansizhui]

Then I will try to make her a friend. {Hopefully she won't get too handsy. Sizhui would turn all shades of red.}

And they should be held responsible for that lifestyle. Cultivators sometimes dispense justice of that nature if we encounter evil men or women in the middle of our investigations.

[stealsyourheart]

[ considering that Akako likes to drape to ... best show off her... ahem, assets... [

Mm, it must be hard, having those as well as actual monsters?

[lansizhui]

{His poor innocent eyes!}

It can make things complicated. You have to separate everyone to learn the truth.

[stealsyourheart]

[ Sshh sshh it's okay, she'd at least me stuck in the same outfits as everyone here unless she unbuttons the top ]

Mm, yeah. And that's what you guys do all the time?

[lansizhui]

{He will need to blindfold himself to talk to her!}

Along with more straight forward night hunts. Those are for hunting monsters or displaced spirits.

[stealsyourheart]

Maaaaaaaan, your life sounds really cool! And kinda scary, too.

[lansizhui]

We help people who are scared. I like seeing the aftermath.

[stealsyourheart]

Do you get holidays? Or are you like. 24/7, 365 days a year?

[lansizhui]

We are on call when we are needed. Of course if we are sick or over tired and our presence isn't absolutely necessary, we can rest instead.

[stealsyourheart]

Huh. Sounds pretty hectic. Guess at least you'd get to travel huh?

[lansizhui]

A lot! I've seen many places. I like to travel even if my feet get tired.