[Video]

[rivertreasure]

[ He's been looking everywhere but hasn't found any sign of his wife or babies. This has him rather frantic by the time he resorts to this strange new format of contacting a larger range of people. ]

Please forgive my bluntness, I am looking for a woman and two twin babies.

I have checked all the healers and they haven't been found. It is very important...if...they are here, that I am reunited with them.

[ His heart shudders at the idea his family might not be here though. ]

I am Jiang Feng. If anyone has been asking for me, I would ask you tell me.

Comments

[wu_xi]

Unfortunately, it is not always the case that those close to us arrive here. Sometimes they do arrive later, though.

[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

Babies? [His heart lurches in fear at the thought of infants being deposited somewhere in the city. He leaves behind everything to walk outside, carrying the camera with him.]

I have not heard your name, but I will help you find your children. Where are you? Can you describe your surroundings?

[rivertreasure]

Then I hope they arrive soon.

[ It isn't good enough. His wife is weak...and the twins have only just been born.

He hates feeling helpless. ]

[rivertreasure]

They were born not even an hour before I came here.

[ Frantic papa is frantic! But he tries to take a breath and he looks around at being asked where he is. Jiang Feng has barely paused to rest since arriving, there's just too much ground to cover and he has exhausted all the places he's learned of that his wife might have sought refuge in. ]

Thank you, gongzi. I just left the clinic in... [ what's this city called again...? He presses his lips together and draws himself inward, tugging recent memory into focus. ]

Tokyo...Little Edo.

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen doesn't bother walking or running in this case. He mounts his sword and flies to Little Edo, the wind whipping through his robes and hair as he speaks.]

There are many kind souls. If someone finds them, they will care for them, I'm sure of it.

[Who could resist hugging such little babies close?]

Breathe, friend. We will find them if they are here.

[He lands in Little Edo and closes his eyes, seeking out the pull that is Jiang Feng. That frantic desperation won't be hard to locate and when he does, he runs to the poor man's side.]

I am Xiao Xingchen. Did you hold your children?

[rivertreasure]

[ It's all he can do to stay put and wait for the white robed daozhang. The reassurance the other man tries to offer barely helps, but he doesn't comment. Not until the other reaches him.

Jiang Feng spares a bare moment to cup his hands before him. ]

For a moment. We were about to keep moving, but I was able to help my wife deliver them safely. Gongzi, we were being hunted when I was brought here. She delivered too soon to reach my brother and safety.

[gentledawn]

[He fights to keep his expression calm, but the details worry him further. If the babies came too soon... And there are two of them... The odds are against them. Yet he is determined to fight in their favor. In this man's favor.]

Let me hold your hands. [Usually he is more polite than this, yet he feels time keenly - and this is a subject near and dear to his heart.] I will be able to sense if they are in the immediate area.

[rivertreasure]

[ Early births, twins, and on the run? No. The odds are stacked against his precious family. He doesn't usually trust so quickly, certainly not easily, but this Xiao Xingchen has an air of reassurance and calm that reaches him. Hearing what the other can do, he immediately holds his hands out. ]

I will do anything it takes to find them.

[gentledawn]

[The mother too will need to be taken to the hospital. She could be bleeding internally. Xingchen feels awful for this little family, but there is hope and he won't let go of it. He takes hold of Feng's hands and closes his eyes, centering himself, seeing beyond the usual chaos of Tokyo.

What he seeks is a match for the light that the babies shared with their father and mother when they were born. Even after sweeping through the area twice, he finds nothing.]

...no. They're not here. [And it wouldn't make sense for them to be any further away.] If they were brought here with you, they would be close.

[rivertreasure]

[ His beloved is strong - but the birth hadn't been easy, despite being quick and sudden. He forces himself to breathe, gaze fixed on Xingchen's face for any hint even before the other man speaks and dashes his heart to pieces again. He can't help how his eyes close.

But he latches onto the last bit and shakes his head, eyes blinking open with stubborn resolve. ]

I have been here for a few days, searching every clinic and hospital in every city and village I could get to. No woman with twins has been brought in.

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen releases one hand to wrap an arm around Feng's shoulders. He frowns sadly when he hears of what Feng has done to locate his family. After all of that, and without hearing a single word or lead, he believes it is likely that the mother and babes were left behind.]

If you are worried about leaving them in your world, you needn't be. Time does not move for them while we are here. They won't notice your absence.

[rivertreasure]

[ Having someone unfamiliar embrace him like this has him stiffen, but he doesn't pull away. He only relaxes - a breath huffing sharply from him - when he's told his absence won't be missed. ]

...My head says I shouldn't believe you so quickly, but my heart says you only speak the truth as you know it.

Do you speak from experience?

[gentledawn]

[He suspects Feng is running on fumes at this point. The embrace offers him a place to rest - as well as a reminder that he isn't alone.]

Those with more experience than I have told me as much. I believe them; they have no reason to lie.

Furthermore, the magic that brings us here seems to operate by certain rules. If you were near your wife and children, they would be near you now if they followed you.

I know how agonizing it is to be parted from those dear. [He pauses and looks around.] When did you last eat?

[rivertreasure]

[ To put it mildly. But he can't let himself rest just yet, not until he's reasonably safe.

But listening to Xingchen helps. Enough he does finally let himself lean a little against the other man. ]

If time is paused, then that is fine.

[ He doesn't even care if he's technically wasted days in his search. He'd needed to try.

Eat? That brings him up a bit short, as evidenced by the blink at Xingchen. ]

I have had little on my mind other than finding my family. Food and rest have not been a priority.

[ He thinks he might have had something to nibble on forced on him, but he doesn't remember. ]

...If I have eaten since arriving, I do not remember it.

[gentledawn]

You are a good father. [He has no doubt about that! A small smile follows Feng's tentative trust.] For the sake of your wife and children, allow me to rectify that?

There are many good restaurants, but perhaps...somewhere quieter...would be best.

[Xingchen lets go of Feng and leads the way forward.]

I can help you acquire a place to stay too.

[rivertreasure]

I hope to be. One of them looks like me, the other is like his mother. [ This finally draws a proud little smile from the quiet man. He ducks his head a little at the kind request. ]

Mm. For their sake...yes. A quiet place to eat would be acceptable.

[ Jiang Feng somehow stays steady on his feet and follows closely. ]

Anywhere is fine so long as it can be kept safe and clean. [ For if, or when, his family comes to him. ]

[gentledawn]

[His smile grows. Is that pride he detects? Good. The babies have every reason in the world to live.]

Twins are such a blessing. I have assisted with one birth and it is a special experience.

[To see new life come into the world is humbling.]

Your sons... [He hesitates and glances at Feng.] Their energy felt masculine. Am I correct? They will be waiting for you or...

You might encounter them from another time. [That too can happen.] Either way, I will help you organize your apartment to your liking.

[Xingchen keeps his steps slow, sensing the other's fatigue. He chooses a restaurant that has impressed him and leads Feng inside.]

[rivertreasure]

[ His babies are innocent and perfect. They deserve the best life possible.

He nods, confirming the suspicion.

Then to hear he might meet their future selves! His heart gives a little leap. ] It does not matter what time frame I meet them in. [ His love for them would be no less.

Jiang Feng lets another breath sigh out. ] I am in your debt. Thank you.

[ The restaurant itself is calming, which helps ease his nerves a little. ]

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen won't be difficult to convince on that point. Please let him hold the infants?]

As I said, you are a wonderful father. [And it is his honor to treat Feng to a good meal. He also makes sure the man has enough tea and water.]

All I ask is your friendship. You needn't be in my debt.

[rivertreasure]

[ Should the babies come in, Xingchen will definitely be one of those allowed to hold and cuddle them~

Jiang Feng takes a seat and sets his sword down on the table. He lets Xingchen order for them - he'll eat anything put in front of him right now.

All that's asked in return is friendship? Have another rare little smile. ]

That is easily given. I would be honored to call you a friend.

My wife's name is Hua Yuenu.

[gentledawn]

[His heart will explode with joy! But...quietly. He wouldn't forgive himself for startling babies.

Shuanghua is set near Jiang Feng's sword as Xingchen settles on a comfortable seat. He orders a filling meal with plenty of vegetables just in case the other man doesn't care for meat.]

Thank you. [He is genuinely and thoroughly pleased to have a new friend.] I won't forget it. I will ask my Zichen and my friends to keep watch for her.

[rivertreasure]

[ They are strong babies already! Just young.

When the tea is served, he drinks carefully. ]

Your Zichen? I thank you again. It is nice to know there are good people here.

[gentledawn]

Mm. My soulmate. [His cheeks pink and he busies himself with drinking some water.] Song Zichen. He is someone you can depend on too.

[rivertreasure]

[ He hides the next smile behind his teacup as he takes another sip.

Although hearing this soulmate of Xingchen's is male has him a bit surprised - it's not his place to judge. So he only nods in acceptance. ]

I am glad you have him with you.

[gentledawn]

[The bond is unique and definitely unexpected. Xingchen is accustomed to seeing surprise; he has even shouldered nasty comments. None of it changes how he feels about his Zichen or how joyful he is to have that beloved connection.]

He has helped me adjust. There are others too that you should know: Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu. We are all Cultivators.

[rivertreasure]

[ If Jiang Feng hears any nasty comments said about Xiao Xingchen, they will be met sternly. ]

Cultivators? Of the martial arts? It is good to know there are others.

video; un: tapir

[dreamvour]

What is her name? I can try to find her if she and her children are here.

[gentledawn]

[He would never ask someone to take his side. That has never mattered. But Jiang Feng's kind regard will warm him to the man further.]

Indeed! I see you have a sword. Mine is Shuanghua.

[wu_xi]

I do hope so for you and then.

Is there anything I can do to help you otherwise?