[Video; UN: laowen]

[ghostlord]

[Wen Kexing should be recognizable, but his white hair might be confusing. He gives his communicator a curious smile. A busy city can be seen behind him - as well as the stares he is attracting.]

A-Xu? Were you bored by our mountain? You should have told me we were moving.

[Does he have any idea if Zishu is present? No. He just...trusts.]

Ah, I've forgotten how to properly introduce myself. Forgive me. Wen Kexing, at your service.

Comments

[yeoldmonster]

If you aren't a lunatic, why are you asking me dumb questions?

[He glances back at Kexing with a smirk.]

It's been several months. You must be starving.

[Ice and snow just aren't that satisfying. As he takes Kexing to a booth, he tells a waiter even before they have a chance to introduce themselves that they want a bottle of plum brandy and something called 'trail mix'. (It's good, just trust him on this.)]

[ghostlord]

Eh?! I didn't say I was ready to start decaying! [He frowns stubbornly the entire time, unconvinced that Baiyi isn't trying to end his immortality early. But why would he? He's the reason he achieved it in the first place!]

What happens to me if I eat and drink?

[yeoldmonster]

You become a hag and die immediately.

[He laughs and shakes his head.]

You'll be fine, fool. I don't look any older than the last time you saw me, do I? If you're worried, no one is forcing you. Your husband isn't an immortal yet here so he will eat and drink.

[ghostlord]

As if you'll be rid of me that easily!

[Guess who will become a ghost? Just guess!]

Huh no...I guess you don't. [He acts like it's difficult to tell, but in truth, Baiyi looks great.] I can't sit around eating snow while people eat and drink!

[yeoldmonster]

One can dream, can't they?

[Baiyi scowls at him when he sees unsure. He knows he looks great tyvm! Hrumph.

Before he says more the waiter comes over to deliver the wine and a bowl full of nuts, dried fruit, little colorful chocolate pieces, and some kind of toasted grain (Jikan's version of Chex cereal).

Baiyi takes the bottle and pours both of them glassfuls. He drinks some of his before speaking again, this time more seriously.]

I require a favor of you.

[ghostlord]

Dreams rarely come true.

[At the moment, that fact is funny instead of depressing. And, yes, he does look great! Thanks for noticing~ Kidding.

The food and wine interest him greatly, but he tries small pieces and sips first. It would be awful if he got sick in front of Baiyi!]

I'm listening.

[yeoldmonster]

[Baiyi would never let Kexing forget it if he did! They might be allies now, but he is still, well, Baiyi.]

Someone else is here. You hate him and you have every right to. However, Xie Wang is following a new path here after he's experienced his death. He is under my care and I will protect him.

I'm not asking you to forgive him or ever lay down your guard around him. I'm asking you not to harm him.

[ghostlord]

[They will always be teasing one another. It's what they do.]

Ah? [The amusement fades and his gaze hardens.] I don't want him anywhere near A-Xiang. She has been through enough.

[Even if she hasn't experienced her death yet.]

He's important to you?

[yeoldmonster]

[Baiyi nods in agreement. Taking his time to answer and takes a drink of his wine first.]

This boundary has already been firmly set and he has been honoring it dutifully. You have my word, he will not hurt or bother her again.

[He should've expected this last question, but here he is dropping his gaze for a moment before coming up with the right words to answer. He isn't ashamed of his relationship with Xie- far from it- he just..

It's awkward, okay? Given the history of their world and also simply sharing something so personal with this brat (or anyone). The last time he attempted to be vulnerable to a friend, he'd been called names and ripped to shreds where he was most soft.

Still, Zhao Jing would've side stepped this question or denied it outright. Baiyi is and never will be anything like that man.]

Xie'er belongs to me.

[ghostlord]

[He will watch nonetheless. No one touches or tricks his girl and gets away with it. Not that Xie had gotten away with it, really. The avalanche had seen to that.

Even so, Kexing is angry and he grits his teeth.]

If he steps one foot over, I won't be merciful.

[Then...something strange happens. Something new. Kexing has never seen Baiyi so...awkward! His brows rise and he understands in increments. Is the ancient fool in love?!]

He's not hard on the eyes, but aren't you afraid you'll be stabbed in the back?

[yeoldmonster]

[Baiyi doesn't even blink at the threat. He knows it won't happen. Xie would have to be under magical influence or have lost his mind to violate Baiyi's trust like that.

And.. yes, Kexing. The Old Monster is an in love Old Monster now. The question has Baiyi scoffing at the nonsense.]

You must've hit your head while you were on that mountain to think Ye Baiyi would be afraid of anyone.

[His bravado softens and he gives Kexing a small smile.]

Least of all him.

[ghostlord]

[Oh boy. The Old Monster has really done it. He has fallen for a villain. Not that Kexing can talk, being a villain of sorts himself for years. But this is a turn he hadn't expected! Obviously A-Xu knows about this - why hasn't he done something to knock sense into Baiyi's head?

Unless... Does it go both ways? Is the Scorpion wrapped around Baiyi's finger?]

Fear is one thing; having a knife in your back is another. It hurts.

[He stares...and stares...before groaning.]

You're in deep. Once...if...he shows his true colors, let me have a few minutes with him.

[yeoldmonster]

[Yes, he’s well aware of the sting of betrayal. The pain lingers whether it’s recent or ancient. He nods but doesn’t feel the need to explain himself. He doesn’t need the brat’s blessing, after all.]

He will never hurt me, Kexing.

[While he understands his descendant-in-law’s anger and his wary attitude, his eyes narrow, his nostrils flare, and a deep, dangerous rumble comes from the ancient… bear.]

Say that again and enjoy immortality without a tongue!

[ghostlord]

[Goodness! Such a temper! Kexing blinks several times before he smiles, defeated. Love is strange. He will never understand it, though he is damn glad it exists.]

I take it back, I take it back. Don't growl at me.

He's lucky.

[In...a lot of ways.]

Not in falling in love with you. Your temper must be miserable to deal with day in and day out.

[yeoldmonster]

[He’d growled? Damn, that was becoming so natural to him he barely thought about it. He wasn’t ready for either of his brats to know he was becoming a bear of all things!

Anyway… the apology has him calming and he rolls his eyes.]

It’s better than dealing with your vanity. I saw your closets while I was staying with Zishu and you have more robes than brains.

[ghostlord]

[Oh! He came for his vanity! Kexing places a hand over his chest, grimacing as if wounded.]

A-Xu needs me to be pretty! What am I to do? If I lost his interest, I will have to live with you.

[As if that would ever happen. Ever.]

[yeoldmonster]

[Baiyi chuckles and takes a handful of trail mix. He wags a finger at the younger man.]

My house isn't big enough for your ego. [And Baiyi's!]

[He shakes his head and his tone turns more serious.]

You should know that there was another version of you here and he left about a month ago. He was from an earlier time than when you and I are from, but the same as Zishu. His/ your leaving.. it just about killed your husband.

[ghostlord]

My ego is cute compared to yours! [He narrows his eyes and steals a few nuts, popping them into his mouth. The sensation of food on his tongue - actual food - makes him shudder.]

Mm? [And then Baiyi drops a bomb. Kexing swallows and pales.] I would never do that to him! Not...not on purpose. I won't leave him ever again.

[yeoldmonster]

[Baiyi shakes his head quickly at that.]

I know- he knows that. It isn't something that can be helped here. None of us have any control over that. I'm telling you this happened so you know just how much he's going to be downplaying how hellish this last month has been for him.

You see, these bonds aren't just like normal relationships. The kizuna magic binds us together in every way. When or if a bond breaks, it is felt physically as well as emotionally.

It's something you need to be aware of.

[ghostlord]

[Kexing grits his teeth and glares at the table. If he could glare at the one responsible for sending him back, he would. But the table will have to do.

Poor A-Xu. Him leaving had just worsened everything. Zishu isn't even healed yet! Banging his fist against the table, he growls (though not like a bear):]

How can I stop it? If the magic tortures him the moment I leave, it's not good. [Even if it gives Zishu cute fox ears and nine tails.]

[yeoldmonster]

[Just as he suspected, this information is new to Kexing. Whatever his husband told him had not been the full picture. It's noble of his descendant, but it isn't fair to Kexing.. and for once, that matters.

He doesn't react when the young man strikes the table. He knows he'd react similarly if this was him- well, a version of him who has been here a while. His emotions are much more pronounced than they were at home. He doesn't know if that's a result of the kizuna magic or if it's just being here in a new place and everything that's happened here.]

If you ever find out, tell me. I have a wish that needs granting if you ever find out who is truly in charge of these things.

[He shakes his head again and pushes the bowl of nuts closer to his friend.]

Don't let this consume you right now, we can work together on that later. There are more important things like caring for your husband and that little imp you call a daughter.

[ghostlord]

[They hadn't been able to talk...much. But he had sensed Zishu's desperation and it had worried him. Now he knows the reason behind it. The kizuna magic had just made their parting a thousand times worse!

Opening and closing his fist, he refocuses on Baiyi and nods at his request.]

I won't keep it to myself.

[Many refugees must be suffering - and for no reason! How is that fair?]

I'll take care of them. No one is more important to me.

[yeoldmonster]

{Baiyi doesn’t say it and wouldn’t, but the pain hadn’t been limited to just those two. Losing the pest had been like a knife on Baiyi’s own heart- along with a few other loses at the same time.}

There may be others who were close to you who you won’t know.

{He smirks and his gaze lifts to Kexing’s hair. He chuckles.}

Although your hair should be a clue to them you’re a different idiot than you were before.

[ghostlord]

[He knows you love him secretly, Baiyi. Your duels with him are too fun for it to be otherwise.]

Are you saying you missed me?

[He's...teasing. But not. If Baiyi was hurt because of him, that sucks and he doesn't want it.]

You're really very charming.

[yeoldmonster]

I wasn't meaning me!

[But he can't deny the truth in Kexing's words either. He'd been thinking about others here in the city that might have been friends of the brat's- those not from their world, perhaps. It had seemed like something to warn him about.

He chuckles at the jokes and gulps down the rest of the sake in his glass. He takes the bottle to refill his cup and Kexing's if needed.]

Yours wasn't the only bond break I've dealt with recently, but I wasn't nearly as bad off as Zishu.