avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival

KERPLUNK, SPLASH!

Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you.

If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. When not helping people, the turtles are going around and hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals or pushing personal items to the beach near the new arrivals they smell like (belong to). If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.

B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go.

These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service,

avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk.

C ⦿ The Red Spring

The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies.

If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out!

The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there.

A ⦿ Trial and Icy Errors

Winter has arrived in Avalon, and with it has come to a change in the weather. Puffs of breath precede sentences when outside, small fires fill braziers to allow people to stop and get warm for a moment between where they come from and where they are going. Snow has begun to fall; at first, it is the same, fluffy, white flakes many adventurers will have seen. However, as the day progresses, the snow begins to shimmer; it’s like a prismatic effect, a magical light catching against every little crystal and illuminating sparkling flakes, so vibrant it’s clear someone has enchanted the snow.

Shortly after the change, there will be a text alert to all devices:

Tired of the same old routine with your magic? Ready for a little something new? Come on out and have an old fashioned snowball fight with a magical twist. Be sure to practice your new powers and have fun! 😉 -Merlin

Those who come outside to find the rainbow snow already being packed into neat balls by Camelot's citizens; go ahead and grab a basket full but remember, don’t just toss them. Let’s get magic with it!

Different types of magic will have different effects on the enchanted snow:

Use kinetic magic to toss three at once. Nevermind if they suddenly balloon inside and burst into a snow shower over your opponent, throw a couple more; some are bound to hit, right?

Throw a little animal magic in there and morph a few into a bear or some other animal of your intent; sorry about his random dance attack, at least your opponent will be laughing too hard to throw a snowball at you.

Try hiding them in a shield or cast an illusion with some light magic; better apologize when that goes sideways and the snow hardens, bursting into rainbow crystals at your opponent's feet.

Team up with someone who has cognitive magic; they can telegraph you the plan without your opponents being any the wiser... except the snow seems to be picking up on it and sending those thoughts right to your opponent! Perhaps use this as an opportunity to learn control!

Maybe you want to try using a little wind magic if you’re of the elemental class; watch out for the rainbow snow squall your perfectly lobbed snowballs will become.

Healing magic is one you might not see coming-- enchanting a snowball with healing magic can result in positive mood enhancements. Give your enemies a blast of zen to lower their guard and make them an easy target!

A dark magic user might think to add a little hex to their snowball; give themselves an edge... too bad, without practice, that hex might be a little too heavy and burst over the maker before it even leaves their hand! Hope you know how to fix it.

Alchemists are welcome to change the shape of those snowballs. Maybe try and craft them into something a little more stealthy or projectile. Too bad that snow seems to want to turn into a batch of butterflies and be free... magic sure is tricky! But hey, they sure are pretty.

In the end, it seems while adventurers will be able to get plenty of practice in, some of that practice is going to come from trying to stop the side effects of mixing their powers with the magic snow; welcome to your first lesson in control. If one is going to use magic in conjunction with already magically imbued things, they ought to know the right amount, seems Merlin wants you all to learn in a trial by snowball error.

Those who practice their magic and participate in the snowball fight will be given hot chocolate, warm soup, fresh baked goods, or other treats to warm them up after their training is done. But don’t slack off! You’re like to find your hot chocolate spiced with pickle flavor, that warm treat suddenly turns to ice cream in your mouth. Avalonians want that practice to happen, and are willing to add some incentive... whether that means the carrot or the icicle.

All throughout the City of Camelot is a buzz of excitement about the oncoming winter solstice on the 21st. Citizens will tell you of the winter solstice's importance in cleansing the flow of Avalon's magic each year and absorbing sunlight to increase its potency. In other words, the winter solstice generates a significant amount of magic if the proper ritual is followed, so the visitors from other worlds really should head on over to Albion's White Cliffs.

A ⦿ The Darkness in the White Cliffs

The first task that you'll experience during the ritual is asking the Cliff Beast's permission to enter the cliffs. Though they look wholly solid on the outside, these cliffs contain a veritable labyrinth of magical caves that weave in and out of the chalky cliffs. As there is danger within these walls, it is recommended no one go alone. The Cliff Beast will only open a door to the caves for parties of two or more who present him with a gift. The gift doesn't need to be something significant, just a show of courtesy-- a lovely rock or a seashell will do, placed at the base of the cliff. The only gifts he will outright reject are precious gems and metals. Honestly, they make him a little nauseous-- and you don't want to see a cliff beast nauseous. In fact, if you try it, the Cliff Beast will suddenly burst into a rockslide right near where the gem was left. Watch out!

Once you gain entrance, you will find there is no light within the caves and the door seems to close behind you. Non-magical lights won't illuminate anything within these caves, so you will need to either navigate through the darkness or find a magical means to light your path. Be wary-- traveling in the dark will be a much safer journey if you can find your way through the caves and keep track of your companions. The reason there is no light are the bat-like creatures that eat energy like fire and electricity. With the magical light attracting them and nothing to consume, they'll be very aggressive and swarm anything emitting heat.. like an unsuspecting traveler. Make too much noise, and the Cliff Beast will spit you out back onto the sand and you'll have to start over.

B ⦿ "For a greedy man, even his tomb is too small."

Those who persist within the caves will eventually come upon a room whose ceiling glistens with bioluminiscent microbes that are too small for the bats to eat. These little glowing creatures create reflections in the room that show just what it contains-- glimmerings of precious gems, gold, and other treasure cover the walls and floor, save for a large flat stone altar in the center. There are many hand-crafted clay cups filled with what appears to be water. The side of the alter has a very simple message: "TAKE ONE CUP TO THE SPRING, LEAVE THE REST. SPILL NO DROP." Sure enough, this matches with the instructions you were given about the ritual: Take a cup of waters harvested by the Asrai, a fairy that lives within the walls of the cliffs that cultivates it every year to bring to the Red Springs for the Winter Solstice.

There is no clear warning about what will happen if you take anything besides your one cup. However, characters who disobey this instruction and take any of the riches within the cave will initially experience severe symptoms such as magical blockage, an endless common cold, and food turning to ash in their mouth. They will experience dreams in which they are urged to return the treasure and a day later, advanced symptoms if it goes on for too long have been known to result in vomiting frogs and snakes, insomnia, speaking in tongues despite the translation spell, bleeding from the ears, and eventually death.

C ⦿ Drink Up

Those who listen and take the Asrai's cups to the Red Springs will notice while carrying the cups, all creatures and threats will leave you in peace. Neither rain nor snow will touch you, parting from your path in both the sky and on the ground. The effects will only last as long as you don't spill a single drop. The ritual can still be completed, but the protections only work if you don't spill-- otherwise you'll be fighting off weather, creatures, other people, and whatever else you encounter as the effects of a spilled cup will cause those around you to try to steal your cup without thought for your safety, even if they might not even think to do normally.

Upon arriving at the Red Springs, a party of people there to guide those who have made the ritual's journey to a particular pool within the vicinity of the springs. Characters will be directed to take a sip, then pour the rest into the Spring alongside your peers, finally throwing the clay cup itself into the spring. Throughout the day, you will begin to feel strangely giddy, but it will pass. Nothing much will seem like it happens otherwise, but the guides assure you that you will understand on the night of the winter solstice when the ritual is complete and your body becomes a conduit to purify and rejuvenate Avalon's magic.

For now, as thanks, the guides offer you one of the celebratory gifts they have to offer-- free drinks (this time of the age-appropriate alcoholic or sugary variety), a free night's stay at the Red Springs, a yule log, an escort, a Recipe: Snow Dance. (Effect: Snow Dance will cause small flurries to pick up where the spell is cast, resulting in decreased visibility. Only works if snow is already present, as it cannot generate elements.) The choice is yours. Pick one.

MOD NOTES:
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post.
• If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities.
• If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but may contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly.
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

*This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count.
**Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He should be offended at being laughed at but it's somehow reassuring instead.

It wasn't quite the welcome he expected but he'd take this over the cold war they'd been waging for the last four years.

The pixiu remains crouched over the qilin, not quite showing teeth anymore but its tail, split at the end into two, still lashed from side to side a little. Before she huffs and turns back to stand at Chang Geng's side. He had heard that the pixiu was a creature that gave its loyalty to only a couple of people in its lifetime...but wasn't this a little excessive?

Meanwhile, Chang Geng's more than a little confused himself. Gu Yun's warm welcome could be attributed to the entire situation they'd found themselves in but calling him Yan Wang when that wasn't his title?

That was a little strange.

Even then, he didn't hesitate to reach out to take that hand. Whether this were the real thing or an illusion it didn't matter. He wanted to indulge for a moment longer.]

I've made myself look foolish in front of yifu. [The words are humble and soft, but he's smiling slightly, not teasing but just...glad to be talking to this person.] After all this time I had hoped to make a better impression.

[Not of the child he'd picked up at Yanhui Town but that of an adult. He was a little disappointed, if he were being honest, but there was a bigger problem.

If Chang Geng wasn't absolutely certain he would be able to tell if this Gu Yun were an imposter he might have been more worried. But as it was, everything from this person's expressions to the laughter in his eyes to the scent of medicine that clung to him was familiar. Though...it had been four years but this Gu Yun seemed so much older and mature compared to the man in his memories...]

But why is yifu calling me Yan Wang?

[ He can read Chang Geng's lips easily, and picks up every word, even if he's speaking softly. One word stands out: "yifu." Chang Geng always calls him Zi Xi except when they're in bed. Being called yifu, these days, makes his waist ache.

And this overly-humble attitude, "wanting to make a better impression," complaining about being called "Yan Wang," what game is he playing at? Is this some new way of acting spoiled?

He smiles, about to say something ambiguous and teasing, when he becomes aware of a certain familiar scent: calming herbs. He's always associated these with Chang Geng, and the scent is often enough to make him fall into deep and dreamless sleep.

However... ]

Haha! Wasn't it my mount that hit you? I'll offer a formal apology on his behalf.

[ He maintains his grin as he says this, reaching out to dust the snow from Chang Geng's clothes. And then he asks, carefully: ]

Chang Geng, how old are you this year?

[ That scent of calming herbs, it's the wrong smell! Or rather, it's the old type Chang Geng used to use, before Miss Chen asked Gu Yun to bring back a new prescription for him. ]

[As this interaction goes on something else caught his attention. The monocle. Why was he wearing it right now...?

Not even Gu Yun's touch was enough to distract him from that worry (even if he basked in that care, having missed it all this time they'd been apart). A part of him wanted to reciprocate, to find any excuse for any kind of contact

That question only turned his confusion to alarm though it wasn't very obvious, just the slightest crease in his brow. After all, while Gu Yun wasn't a model adult figure by any means and constantly acted like he couldn't take anything seriously Chang Geng thought he could be certain that Gu Yun wouldn't forget how old he was.]

...I turned twenty this year. But it's impossible you wouldn't know that. Unless...

[The only explanation for the question could only be 'somehow Gu Yun expected him to be another age'. As for why that was...he couldn't say. But it was far more probable than 'Gu Yun forgot how old he was'.

Though a second after thinking about it he thought, if people could be brought from different worlds where do the possibilities end? He didn't have an answer to that question and yet there is the muddled shape of an idea that's forming.

His expression a little troubled, he asked,]

...yifu, how old are you this year?

[ Twenty! Gu Yun's mind reels. He looks again, through his monocle, and realizes he recognizes the clothes Chang Geng is wearing. Not that he would generally notice such things, it's just that unexpectedly meeting Chang Geng by the side of the road after four years, is an image that absolutely burned itself into his mind.

That young, though. Even at twenty, Chang Geng had impressed him with the breadth of his knowledge and understanding; he'd put away his childishness and grown into a man. Still, that was before a lot of things happened: before he'd gotten himself drunk and taken certain liberties, before Chang Geng had revealed himself and spat blood in their carriage, after Gu Yun had spent the night kneeling in the snow. It's before that day at the hot springs.

It's before... before....

In this moment, does he perhaps have an opportunity to redirect the path of Chang Geng's life? Not to cut off his lines of children and grandchildren? Not to let him yoke his heart to a man that's doomed to die in a few years?

Back then, he'd had no idea of the depth of Chang Geng's feelings. Back then, he hadn't known anything about the Bone of Impurity. With the knowledge he has now, could he support Chang Geng, without leading him down such a path?

He reaches out, to ruffle Chang Geng's hair, the way he would a son (and not a lover). ]

Hm! I'm twenty-nine.

[ His heart aches, suddenly. Hasn't he grown used to basking in Chang Geng's love? Haven't thoughts of Chang Geng been sustaining him, despite the years they've spent apart?

But this, if he could accomplish it, would truly be the best thing. ]

How young you look, hahaha!

[He didn't fight the hair ruffle though his pixiu's tail started lashing again. Pixiu's were very loyal creatures who generally only liked very few people. Chang Geng is starting to realize it seems to be translating into her being a little possessive of his attention.

He enjoyed the touch but was a little put out by the increased age difference.

He didn't pout because that was childish but there was a moment of mulishness that appeared on his expression.]

It's only a difference of two years.

[But two years...to say it was a long time was false but to say it was no time at all was also untrue.

His attention focused on the monocle. In two years time...

Was it the medicine becoming less effective over time or did Gu Yun not have it at all here?]

...I have read a little about the potions they have here. Perhaps I will continue my study of medicines in this place.

[ Hadn't Chang Geng said to him back then, that he'd studied medicine so that he'd be able to "look after his yifu in his old age"? At the time, he'd thought the young man simply knew how to speak, deadly and sweet. Now, of course, he realizes the intent behind those words—and these.

He sighs, inwardly. Setting Chang Geng on the right path isn't going to be easy.

Lightly: ]

Haven't you spent too much time studying such things already? Yan Wang's great contributions to Da Liang, after all, won't be medical.

[ A beat. Even back then, he knows that Chang Geng won't be so easily appeased, and so he adds, in sign language: ]

As for the medicine, I quit taking it. I can see well enough with the monocle, and I can read lips well also.

[...what would he want to contribute to Da Liang? That was a confusing idea. He had absolutely no ambition of doing too much for the country. If given the chance he would provide aid, of course but to the point of receiving a promotion from Yan Bei Wang to Yan Wang...?

For what reason would he go that far...?

...did something happen to Gu Yun?

He kept his thoughts and his worries to himself for now.]

Naturally, I will do my best not to neglect my other studies. But regardless of what I do or do not accomplish in the future, it seems to take advantage of the gifts I've been graced with here studying medicine will be necessary.

[After all, with this increase in their age difference, it felt like he had to work even harder to be seen as Gu Yun's equal.

Far from being reassured, the additional information relayed actually alarms him more and even though his expression doesn't show it he very quickly responds in sign language.]

Why did you quit taking it?

[But then he also added,]

Let me take your pulse.

[It doesn't occur to him that Gu Yun could be trying to take care of himself. Surely it must be because of something more worrying like the medicine causing problems or no longer working for some reason.]

Um...

[ He clears his throat. And then he just, you know, casually slides his arm into his opposite sleeve, because that looks natural. ]

You—your "natural gifts"? Your magic, you mean?

[ He glances to the side. Hiding his condition from Chang Geng is going to be even more difficult. Not only that, but he remembers how abnormal Chang Geng was at that age.

I only got a little cold that time, kneeling in the snow. Just from that, he got an attack of the Bone of Impurity!

How would he react, if he found out Gu Yun's medicine no longer works? Or simply the accumulated toll on his body, from rushing around for thousands of miles, year after year, or injuries great and small? Gu Yun suppresses a shudder. ]

Chang Geng...

[ After a moment, he signs: ]

I hope you'll use those gifts for yourself.

[ Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

Besides that, one of the great regrets of Gu Yun's life was his ignorance of the Bone of Impurity. He hadn't properly supported or understood Chang Geng. Now, he doesn't have to make that mistake again.

His eyes soften for a moment, before he remarks with a shake of his head: ]

Always wanting to take my pulse, making me feel like an old man. Tsk, this younger generation has no tact whatsoever.

[That was definitely suspicious! But he doesn't call him out on it...yet.

He nods.]

Yes. It seems I have healing magic.

[He sounded like he wasn't sure what to make of it.

The longer this conversation goes on--seeing the tucked in hands, the way Gu Yun gaze shifts to the side--the more alarmed he was becoming. He had thought he was used to the Bone of Impurity after these four years. He hadn't quite learned to co-exist with it peacefully but at least he had been able to live calmly, keeping his emotions at a level of peace that would normally only be found in a temple of monks.

But keeping a calm demeanor meant not only supressing the negative emotions but also the positive ones. The last four years was peaceful in a colourless sort of way.

Even being here hadn't affected him to such a degree...until he saw Gu Yun again. That swell of happiness had seemed to bring the world back into sharp focus.

He's here.

The relief of that revelation makes him realize how foolish he had been to even contemplate a life without seeing this person.

It was not good for him to feel so strongly. Still, it had been manageable, even with the mounting alarm.

Until...

I hope you'll use those gifts for yourself.

For himself? For what reason would he need them for himself.

Had he gotten poisoned at some point in the future? But what could he do about it now?

But then what--]

[His eyes widened. He felt blood at the back of his throat. He reflexively takes a step back.]

What are you talking about?

[ He'd meant to fire a warning shot, not obliterate his target. Hastily he signs: ]

You don't lose your senses, not in the years that I've known you.

[ He steps forwards, reaching for Chang Geng's shoulders, and speaks quietly. Unfortunately, like this, Gu Yun's voice is low and intimate, his peach-blossom eyes gazing into Chang Geng's, full of emotion. ]

I just wish you'd told me. About Xiu Niang, about how she treated you, about the Bone of Impurity. You've suffered. Don't suffer alone anymore.

[His hands don't shake but his expression is carefully blank.]

Haven't lost my senses and yet you know? [This was a secret he knew he intended to take to his grave. His fingers tremble for a moment.

He started to sign Did I hurt you but the motion wasn't completed yet when Gu Yun stepped forward and his thoughts screeched to a halt.]

[Oh.

They're so close right now.

His heart skipped a beat and he's abruptly reminded of the moment when he realized he had to leave.

His face flushed at their proximity, unable to break eye contact, almost entranced by the look in those eyes. Being looked at and spoken to like that as if they were...were...

And those words--those words!--the care in them when he'd always worried about being hated, that if Gu Yun knew the truth he'd surely turn his back on him.]

[He tried to take another step back.]

Is this...another dream? You being here...

[But if this were a dream then it should quickly turn to a nightmare, surely?]

[ At this distance, of course he can see Chang Geng blush. He doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Even with so much foreknowledge, isn't he still doing this all wrong?

So when Chang Geng steps back, out of his grasp, he doesn't resist. ]

[ Instead, he makes a flicking movement with his fingers, and a flurry of snow sweeps up from the ground, aimed at Chang Geng's face. ]

Wake up!

[ Magnanimously waiting until Chang Geng has wiped whatever amount of snow from his eyes, he signs: ]

Heading to the Northwest, we encountered a band of bandits. One of them possessed a knife that once belonged to Xiu Niang. From there, the whole story came out. Only after I knew almost everything, did Miss Chen then fill in the details for me.

[The snow hits him in the face and he sputters at the same time the pixu at his side arches her back in a growl.

He swipes most of the snow off his face, frowning.]

You--!

[But even as he said it, even as he opened his mouth to scold and ask, how old are you? to vent he felt calmer. It wasn't the grey near emotionless state he'd forced himself to maintain in the last four years but like the time they'd spent in Yanhui Town when he felt exasperated but unbearably fond of this person.

It wasn't a simple emotion but it was a lot less to deal with than the chaos of before.

Somehow, compared to when this person only knew how to buy gifts to attempt to appease him, he really is much better at handling Chang Geng's moods.

He placed a hand on the pixiu's head briefly, waiting for it to calm back down before brushing the snow from his face, taking care to wipe them from his lashes.

A bandit from back then...so one of them survived.

He sighed. This...really hadn't how he hoped their reunion would go. He signed.]

It's in the past.

[But also.]

We should go somewhere warmer. I still want to take your pulse.

[ Gu Yun qilin doesn't react to the pixiu's growling. A qilin, by nature, will not punish the just and only attacks the wicked. Thus it can be concluded that the wicked person in this exchange is none other than his own master.

This wicked person is invulnerable to Chang Geng's scolding. Indeed, it only makes him smile.

But when he detects where Chang Geng is going with his signed remarks, he lets his monocle fall from his eye, catches it in one hand, and makes a show of cleaning it with the edge of his sleeve. ]

Hmm? What? You want to go in for a hot drink? All right, that's fine with me.

[ He perches the monocle back on his nose and starts looking about for somewhere suitable. ]

You--!

[...this person!

Chang Geng felt his heart hurt for this person at the same time that he felt like he was being angered to death!

When they were in Yanhui Town, Gu Yun did this all the time so his only surprise was that this person seems to have not grown at all since then!

He considers just taking Gu Yun's hand without asking but it seemed...too bold so he refrained.

Instead he pressed his hand to his forehead with a sigh. When Gu Yun starts looking around he says under his breath, soft enough he's sure Gu Yun won't hear, and moves his mouth less in case he turns back around. His shoulders don't slump, but there's a hollow look in his eyes.]

Telling me not to suffer alone and yet won't tell me anything...am I that unreliable even in the future?

[Could it be that, even four years from now he hadn't become someone who could be confided in? Couldn't become someone who could protect this person.]

[ In his perusal of the street, he notes a bustling ice bar with a warmed outdoor seating area; guests are given heavy fur cloaks so that they can stay warm despite the elements. Next door is a warm and cosy tea house.

...

If he were here on his own, he'd pick the tea house; but wouldn't Chang Geng become (even more) suspicious? No, he'll choose the bar, that's clearly the best option. Perhaps they'll have warmed wine or something.

He turns. ]

Let's go over —

[ He doesn't catch Chang Geng's words, but he definitely notices that hollow look. His heart squeezes. ]

Hm? What't the matter?

[His eyes slid shut for a moment, when he opened them again, the inscrutable mask he'd worn, the one that came with the unflappable calm he'd tried his best to cultivate over the last four years, was on again.]

It's nothing. [But he had learned a thing or two about going on the offensive himself.] I was just thinking...I don't know how long it has been for you but it's been four years for me and I'm glad to meet you here.

[Also, he sees you looking between the bar and the teahouse...and he's thoroughly prepared to argue in favour of the teahouse.]

[ His long brows draw together. Chang Geng's preternaturally "calm" face, back then Gu Yun had attributed it to his spending too much time with a certain unwashed bald donkey. Now he knows, of course, that this was how the boy fought against the Bone of Impurity—and his own feelings.

Gu Yun parts his lips, though at the moment he doesn't know what to say. ]

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two years... four years...... lalalalalala

They're all even numbers anyway!

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