[Video] un: gentlebreeze

[bright_moon]

[ A little black nose nudges the screen at first before someone new to the network appears, pulling the black sable away with a wry but gentle smile. Xingchen bows his head politely, hands a little busy with the familiar. ]

Ah, yes. I am Xiao Xingchen. Xiu here reminded me that I have a question for anyone who can hear this - I understand this is how we reach a wider number of people at once than I am used to.

My question, to try and distract from the pain, fear, and uncertainty of the past week, is more a request - for stories. What are your favorite ones?

[ Someone has been begging him for nightly stories and he's running out of those he knows!

His smile grows a little shy and he ducks his head again. ]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[Action - Off Screen]

[cultivatingsin]

[Someone is laughing. Underneath all of his snickering, he is actually touched. He won't ever admit it, of course, and he will pretend this has nothing to do with him. Stories! He doesn't need stories to fall asleep! That's madness.

All the same, thanks, Daozhang~]

[bright_moon]

[ Xingchen's cheeks pink at the laughter, but his smile remains as he looks down at Xiu. Much easier than Xue Yang's laughing face! ]

You sleep easier, don't you? After you hear a story?

[cultivatingsin]

[Yeah, yeah, he can't compete with the cute sable! He can't even compete with his cute raccoon dog. Oh woe is him!]

I like stories~ [His eyes sparkle with amusement.] You have a good voice for them too.

[bright_moon]

[ It's ok, Xingchen can't either. He peeks up at Xue Yang at the compliment, absently rubbing over the sable's ears. ]

You're a good listener.

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

You mean like bedtime stories? My dad used to tell me all kinds of tales when I was little! I'm sure I can think of one or two.

[And he agrees coming up with a distraction isn't a half bad idea, given everything.]

[bright_moon]

Any kind of stories, I am curious about them all.

[ Xingchen smiles and waits, hopefulness written plain across his face. ]

[leicesters]

All right! Then I'll tell you a story about a lost camel. Though I should warn you, the last person I told this story to? She cried buckets.

[Granted, he wasn't expecting quite such a dramatic emotional reaction from Hilda and probably won't get one here, but he might as well hype up the story a bit.]

[bright_moon]

[ His brow furrows at the warning, instantly concerned though it has him tilt his head a little, curious. ]

Is it such a sad story? That poor camel!

text; un: lilmonix3

[peninhand]

Have you ever read Pinocchio? It's not the style of story I'm usually into, but I find it to be a very comforting story.

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[bright_moon]

[ Forgive the long pause before a reply comes through! ]

I do not know that tale. My sources growing up were limited. Do you know of a written verse of it here?

[peninhand]

There should be one in the library, I can check later today.

It's the story about a wooden puppet who becomes alive and want to become a real little boy. It's very heart-warming.

[bright_moon]

Thank you.

It is natural for people to wish to better themselves. The idea of a magical puppet wishing the same is certainly fascinating!

video; un: songdiva

[songstressedout]

Stories, huh? Hm... do you have any preferences? Something that actually happened or something fictional?

[bright_moon]

[ The term fictional perplexes him for a moment, but he can figure out roughly what it means. ]

No. No preference. Just your favorites, if I may?

video | un: maruchan

[fujimaru]

My favorites are the ones with happy endings.

[ It's also hard to pick one that is a favorite, especially given her particular circumstances; how awkward would it be to not name a story, and have the main character of that story come complain to you later? It's half instinct, at this point, to play it neutral. ]

Like, uh-- [ and now she has to think of a happier one, which is weirdly harder than she expected ] --the one with the Weaver and the Herder. With all of the birds.

[bright_moon]

[ Oblivious to the very possibility of characters coming alive, Xingchen can only smile and nod in agreement. ]

Birds can be very graceful. Would you be so kind as you tell me that story?

[fujimaru]

[ Honestly, that's a better way to live. Ritsuka leans back a little in the camera's viewfinder, humming. ]

I'm not the greatest storyteller, but... the version I've always heard that up in the heavenly kingdom, there was a cow herder who fell in love with the princess, who was a skilled weaver. Except I guess up there, people don't get to have a honeymoon phase or anything? It seems kinda strict to me, but what do I know. So because they spent all of their time together, they neglected their duties. And it went on long enough that the Emperor basically got fed up with them and was like--

[ Here she tries to deepen her voice. It's not very successful, but it's at least A Voice: ] "That's enough of that, I banish you two to the opposite sides of the Heavenly River!"

--So, kind of harsh, right? But I guess even if he was a jerk, people managed to convince him to let the lovers meet once a year. And in order to let them cross the river, a bunch of magpies volunteered to act as the bridge. Where I come from, that's the day of Tanabata.

...

I guess it's not the happiest ending, but... they still get to see each other. It's not a perfect happily ever after, but--it's not nothing. I like that.

[bright_moon]

[ Xingchen struggles to restrain the giggling at her voices, listening with intent interest and obvious delight at first. Then his gaze goes wide in some alarm before ending in concern. ]

Maybe not the happiest of endings, but I am glad to hear they aren't completely parted. Thank you for the gift of sharing that.

video; un: dellacacy

[sos_pilot]

Hm... well, I could tell you a made-up story... Orrrr, would you like some REAL stories about the awesome adventures of my family?

[bright_moon]

[ A talking duck. With a feminine voice. Even Xiao Xingchen has to push past the brief startle! And what she's saying is important! ]

Your family has had many adventures? I would love to hear of them, if you would be so kind?

[sos_pilot]

[ She's used to That Look, really. ]

Oh, I've got plenty! Any interest in... the tale of the Money Tree?

video; un: RiverofHeaven

[kokuryuu]

[Souma's face is usually overly serious, but right now, at least his eyes are looking very interested!

He places his left palm to his right fist in his people's gesture of greeting and bows.

He met a Xiao Xingchen before, and that one was a bit older, and to Souma's understanding, he was a sort of traveling spiritualist or holy man, kind of like a sage or an ascetic monk? The resemblance here is uncanny, and it is surprising to see his eyes. Souma decides it could be harmful to mention that he knew another version of a person, but he is so glad to know that the kind man he respected in his last world is still near, in a way.

When he speaks his voice is low and muted, a little smoky.]

Well met, Master Xiao Xingchen. This lowly one is called Souma, of the Dragon Line. Of the People of the Black Thread.

[He points to the adorable sable, trying not to get overexcited by seeing a cute creature.]

Your famil-mil--

[He has to pause for a moment and wait for his mouth to catch up with what he wants to say. Carefully, he sounds it out. That usually helps.]

Fam-il-iar, Sir?

[bright_moon]

[ With Xiu settling a bit to listen, Xingchen's hands are free and he cups them before him and bows more formally in answer. ]

I am pleased to meet you, Master Souma.

[ Obviously no recognition. Only curiosity and gentle interest that quickly turns to fond amusement as Xiu perks up and playfully pounces the communications device. He rescues it before scooping her up and holding her close with gentle words to encourage her to settle. ]

This is Lady Xiu. She is, as you said, my familiar here. [ One black paw tries to reach for the device again, making him giggle and tickle her tummy. ]

A-Xiu, I need that for now. You can play later, alright?

[kokuryuu]

[At that greeting Souma's face flushes. He shakes his head rapidly, with just a small motion.]

Oh, sir. I am not a Master of anything. "Souma" is fine.

[When he sees the sable antics Souma's cheeks turn much redder and he covers his mouth politely so that he doesn't let out any kind of high pitched shrieking noises of being affected by intense cuteness. But he is clearly failing because there is a little bit of squeak in his voice when he speaks.]

O-ohhh....

[He clears his throat and bows just his head.]

Lady Xiu. H-h-hello...

[And just like clockwork, a big black serpent with golden eyes peeks up over the desk to see what's going on. It appears to be a type of boa as opposed to a viper, and its head is a bit bigger than one of Souma's hands.

Quickly, Souma startles and looks down at the snake.]

Kokuryuu, oof--

[He covers his nose with one kimono sleeve and coughs]

What have you gotten into? You smell dreadful.

Video // un; E.A. Poe

[quotetheraven]

A story? Yes, yes I have plenty of stories and poems, which I could share.