Video; un: petalpink

[pinkblinded]

[Gaura is honestly rather used to getting lost. He's been fired from enough jobs for being late to work because of it, after all. So now he feels like maybe that happened here? Yes, he's had everything explained to him but that certainly hasn't stopped the confusion.

But after going in circles for several hours he's finally discovered this feature and he's giving it a go.]

Hi there. [He gives a smile. A look he's figured out is usually the thing to get someone to help.]

Could someone help me out? I seem to have lost my way to my apartment and nothing is really looking that familiar. Is Koreatown familiar to anyone at least?

Comments

[pinkblinded]

I never had siblings. It must have been so nice to have friends around you all the time like that.

[gentledawn]

It was nice. We were one large family. [Sharing chores and meals.] I know they are safe.

[pinkblinded]

[He smiles at that then finishes his meal. Setting his utensil aside, he settles his hands in his lap instead so he can keep talking to Xingchen.]

Where did you grow up? What was it like there?

[gentledawn]

[Knowing Gaura is fed sets part of him at ease. Tomorrow is tomorrow - they will conquer it then.]

She took me to her mountain. I stayed there until I chose to leave. It was like paradise. We took care of our own animals and crops. We rarely left the mountain peak.

[pinkblinded]

You had an entire home on a mountain peak? Your entire family?

[gentledawn]

Yes, I did. Of course none of us are related by blood, but that doesn't matter.

[pinkblinded]

I read a story once that said that family is what you wish it to be. That it doesn't have to be blood. So if you believe they are your family that's truly all that matters.

[gentledawn]

Exactly. My Master brought us together and so she is our Mother. If I had stayed there, I could have likely become immortal like her.

[pinkblinded]

[His eyes widen in surprise.]

Immortal?

[gentledawn]

Mm. [That can be hard for some to accept, he realizes.] She cultivated her way to immortality.

[pinkblinded]

Cultivated? I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand...

[gentledawn]

You know how I told you I can fight evil spirits, demons and monsters? I can only do so because of my golden core. I have been cultivating my core - that essentially means honing it - since I was little. Some Cultivators reach a point in their honing where they can sustain their life indefinitely. It's rare since most Cultivators don't live that long.

[pinkblinded]

[That draws a soft gasp from Gaura.] But she did? She managed it?

[gentledawn]

She did. She is an amazing woman. [Who has been through...a lot.] She likes keeping away from normal society, but I can't blame her.

[pinkblinded]

She's...so... [Xingchen just said amazing but he's really not sure what other word to use. It's so perfect.]

[gentledawn]

I wish I could introduce you to her. Without her, I would have died as an infant.

[pinkblinded]

I'm really happy you didn't. Or we never would have become friends.

[gentledawn]

That would have been tragic. [Joy comes in many forms - he now knows one of those forms is Gaura.]

[pinkblinded]

[He smiles softly as he looks down at the hands in his lap.] I think so too. I like you a lot.

[gentledawn]

[Rising, Xingchen goes to Gaura and embraces him.]

I like you a lot too. Are you comfortable here? If not, you are more than welcome to stay the night with Zichen and I.

[pinkblinded]

It's alright. I won't want to be a bother to you both. There's a futon that I'm airing out right now and it'll be ready when I need to sleep! [But he does return the hug, unable to resist doing so.]

[gentledawn]

You could never be a bother. [Xingchen strokes back that pink hair.] If you need anything, just call or send me a message.

[pinkblinded]

I will. I promise. [Because he plans to keep that promise and he hopes it will offer reassurance to his new friend as well.]

[gentledawn]

I will check on you in the morning. [He has never felt unsafe at night, but... It's better to be sure.]

[pinkblinded]

I'll keep the door locked while you're gone. [Just to help his friend feel better about leaving him alone for the night.]