[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

[A very different sight greets the network this time (as compared to his first recording). Xiao Xingchen gazes back at anyone watching with eyes. Said eyes are gentle and wise - if a tad shy.]

Greetings. [He bows respectfully, properly, smiling softly.] I was wondering if there are any gardens or...parks?...nearby? I miss the trees and the flowers.

[The next subject is less wholesome and he bites his lip, pausing, hesitating.]

I have heard certain things said about the dead. I beg of you to leave them in peace. Any spells that could awaken them should not be done by our hands. There will be a price to pay for those responsible and I would rather you be innocent.

Comments

[gentledawn]

[That's...a lot to digest. Xingchen grabs hold of the one part that makes perfect sense to him! Smiling gently, he nods in approval.]

You must take care of your soul! Killing should only be done in self-defense. If you have blood on your hands then you must spend the rest of your days protecting others.

[He bows his head, humble about his abilities.]

Spirits can be put to rest in several ways. It depends on what sort of mischief the spirit gets themselves into; if they possess a living person, for example, they will need to be exorcised. We usually accomplish that through the use of talismans.

[woodeneye]

[ Yeah, it's fine, pirate world is A Lot. Ragetti just nods along, pleased to have met a mostly like-minded individual. ]

Self-defense, yeah! That's what I been doin', mostly, since I got rid o' me curse. An' I been protectin' people, too - even saved the Pirate King's life once. Way's I see it, I'm headed straight for salvation, I am!

[ Is bragging about how virtuous(?) you are a sin? You know what, it's fine. It's fine. ]

There's spirits what possess people? Eesh. Sounds like nasty business.

[ Ragetti wraps his arms around his skinny torso, as if it'll keep the spirits out. ]

[gentledawn]

I truly hope that is the case. [Xingchen takes souls very seriously. Protecting, defending and saving are all quite different from attacking, murdering and pillaging.]

Forgive me, but who is the Pirate King?

[There is such a position? Also the bragging is just charming coming from Ragetti, so it's finnne.]

Yes, it can be. The person is held hostage until the invading soul is removed. But you needn't worry.

[He smiles gently.]

I am good at sending them on their way.

[woodeneye]

[ I mean. He still pillages, sometimes. But we don't need to talk about that part, right? ]

Well, the Pirate King's the king o' the pirates, innit? See, the Brethren Court's a confederation o' pirates from all 'round the world, an' it's governed by the nine Pirate Lords, one for each o' the seas an' oceans. An' when the Lords need to make a decision - say, goin' to war - they've got to elect a leader, an' that's the Pirate King. ...Doesn't happen very often, though, since it ain't easy to get a group o' pirates to agree on most anything.

[ hhghhhgh no one's ever called him charming before... ]

Right, if I ever gets meself possessed by a malevolent spirit, I'm coming straight to ye, first thing. What's yer name, come to that?

[gentledawn]

[Ragetti. Don't make Xingchen give him that look. You know the one. The "I'm disappointed in you" look.]

No, I imagine not. [He can't help laughing at the idea of pirates trying to agree on anything.] Said king must not feel very safe either. I know I wouldn't!

[His features softening, he nods.]

I would be honored to help you. My name is Xiao Xingchen.

[woodeneye]

[ What Xingchen doesn't know can't hurt him : 3 c ]

Oh, I don't think ye'd be sayin' that if ye met her. She can handle herself - I knows from experience. [ Wince. ] Painful experience.

[ Yeah, the Pirate King is a woman. Pirates: surprisingly egalitarian, when they want to be. ]

Nice to meetcher! Name's Ragetti. An' I dunno how much I can offer in exchange, but... if ye ever need somethin' stabbed, or shot, or a goddess released from human form, I'm yer man!

[ He shoots Xingchen an only slightly awkward grin. ]

[gentledawn]

[That's true. But if he finds out, he'll be sad.]

The king is...female? [He blinks and then smiles in surprise.] She must be a mighty presence.

[His Master is a woman, so Xingchen is down for this reveal.]

I do not imagine I will need your skills, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends.

[Aw the grin is returned shyly.]

[woodeneye]

[ Oh no... not the sad... don't bring out the puppy eyes ;A; ]

One 'unnerd percent female, yep.

[ He giggles in a way that indicates he's implying something naughty. ]

Don't be so sure, mate - I didn't think I'd be freein' no goddesses, meself, before I did it. But ye wanter be friends...? Jus' like that? Well, I ain't gonna say no, eheheh!

[gentledawn]

[His puppy eyes will break your heart!]

I would be honored to meet her.

[Xingchen gives him a look that a parent might give a naughty child. Behave, pirate.]

You make a good point. Anything is possible. But all the same...

I like making friends.

[woodeneye]

She ever shows up here, I'll be proud to introduce ye! If she ain't here already, that is. Just 'cause I ain't seen her yet don't mean nothing. There's a lot I don't see.

[ You know. With the eye situation. Case in point: he somehow manages to totally miss the Look that Xingchen throws him. Or maybe he's just immune. Being a pirate means that most of his sense of shame departed long ago. ]

Ye like makin' friends, I like makin' friends... Sounds to me like the two of us got somethin' in common already! Friends it is!