[Voice]

[flirtatiousdancer]

All these ghostly and festive preparations! Very good!

[ A clap of hands, then a fan snaps out to join the overly cheerful voice. ]

What is the point of it all? I had thought most people were afraid of ghosts. Am I wrong?

[ A bird trills at him, wings fluttering to make him laugh. ]

One might believe they need protecting! Are you among that number?

Comments

[Voice; UN: DemonsandSugar]

[cultivatingsin]

I'm terrified of them! Don't even say that word! [His laughter flies in the face of those frightened cries.]

...protecting? From what? They're dead.

[flirtatiousdancer]

[ He grins. ]

Even the dead can come crawling after you~

[ Another quiet chuckle. ]

[cultivatingsin]

With their rotten hands? Gross!

[But he would like to see it again.]

I bet Death is one of your abilities, hm?

[flirtatiousdancer]

Are they all rotten? I hadn't noticed!

Oh no, no. Back home I am called a Philosopher. What business have I with death?

Unless you're among the wicked. Then we will have to have a talk.

[cultivatingsin]

Your nose must be broken! I would find a healer quick or...don't. Maybe you're better off with it broken.

[He snickers - he can tell a fib from a mile away!]

Philosophers don't worry about ghosts, do they?

[A fake gasp!]

What will you do to me?

[flirtatiousdancer]

Ah! Excuse you! [ Mock affront - but he's chuckling cheerfully. ] My nose is perfectly fine.

Just so.

[ He grins, though if this were a video feed, Xue Yang would see his eyes narrowing just a little. ]

That depends on just how wicked you are. As good a man as I, I could hardly bear to rest before cleansing this place of evil!

[cultivatingsin]

Then you will eventually smell the rot. [There's a downside to everything!

Oh no, someone else is gonna cleanse him? Perish the thought!]

I'm as bad as they come, but...

Someone is keeping me under his watch, so stop worrying.

[flirtatiousdancer]

When I do, I will just have to find and share it with you, won't I? What is your name?

Why shouldn't I worry? Perhaps you will come after me now!

[cultivatingsin]

Please do! There's plenty I can do with souls. [Some of his magic depends on them.] Xue Yang~ What's yours? I'll call you Ghost Philosopher if you don't tell me.

I'm busy right now.

[flirtatiousdancer]

Ah! So you're the one who uses them! [ Someone he really should know. He chuckles. ]

I would answer to Ghost Philosopher.

But my name is Wen. Wen Kexing.

Then I am safe for a little while longer. [ Yeah he's still grinning. ]

[cultivatingsin]

I do! Death magic was given to me by Camelot. [As if it doesn't suit him, right?]

Wen Kexing. Alright, I won't forget. But I might call you Ghost Philosopher anyway.

[He laughs and it sounds like Ying, the raccoon dog spirit is chuckling too? What a strange sound!]

You're never safe. This place can go nuts.

[flirtatiousdancer]

Make sure they don't use you instead. Then I really would have to step in. And then where would we be? [ He tuts, as if this is a sad thing. As if genuinely worried.

Only to chuckle at the additional sound ringing with Xue Yang's laugh. ]

It sounds like you aren't alone. Shall I leave you be, o master of death and ghosts?

[cultivatingsin]

Do Philosophers often tell fibs? [Xue Yang is the type that would think it funny if his soul was used in some disgusting spell.]

That's just Ying. She's my familiar. [A familiar who is now getting ear rubs.] Sometimes when I laugh, she makes that weird barking sound.

[flirtatiousdancer]

Why should I lie?

[ He huffs, pouting at the golden pheasant who's perched beside him, and directs his words to him instead of Xue Yang. ]

Little Phoenix, why don't you laugh with me? You chose me, so you should laugh!

[cultivatingsin]

Because it's fun? [Why else would you lie? Cocking his head, he slowly grins.]

What's Little Phoenix look like? Don't laugh with him, bird, you'll just encourage him.

[As if he is one to talk, part two thousand and fifty two!]

[flirtatiousdancer]

I don't need to lie to have fun. [ Prim and proper, thy name is Wen Kexing!

He takes on an affronted tone. ]

A peacock.

[ That gets an irritated chirp, which makes him laugh. ]

My little Phoenix is a golden pheasant with beautiful feathers. His personality needs some work though. [ s i g h ]

[cultivatingsin]

Tell me your secrets! How does Wen Kexing have fun? [Don't mind him, poking at that prim and proper attitude.]

Really? [Oh no! Poor bird.] Try again?

[Ah a golden pheasant!]

He sounds like the perfect companion for you. It seems like our familiars are well-chosen. There's something in them that's like us.

[flirtatiousdancer]

A young master does not just give his secrets away. What would other people say if I did?

[ More tutting, as if that would be the worst thing he could do.

But he does rub a hand over his familiar's feathery back, smoothing them down with gentle touches. ]

What is your Ying?

[cultivatingsin]

Unless the secrets are juicy, they won't care.

[Aw, see? That's nice. Their familiars deserve affection - for a little while anyway. Ying starts to bite when she's had enough.]

A raccoon dog.

[flirtatiousdancer]

All the more reason for me not to answer.

[ He likes this boldness. ]

Aaaah I see. And does she bite your fingers?

[cultivatingsin]

So they are juicy. Good for you, Lord Ghost Philosopher.

[He huffs.]

All the time. And she steals stuff.

[flirtatiousdancer]

You'd love to know, wouldn't you?

[ Smirk. ]

I like her already.

[cultivatingsin]

I would. I'm not going to lie.

[These two are siblings separated at birth.]

Then get her something green.

[flirtatiousdancer]

Then come find me. Perhaps I'll tell you...some of my secrets then. Or maybe I'll just show you?

[ Absolutely horrible. ]

Green? Perhaps I shall.

[cultivatingsin]

Do I get any clues? You're gonna make me work for it and then stab me in the back.

[Because that's normal.]

She really likes green. I'm not sure why.

[flirtatiousdancer]

No. But I will tell you this: if I decide to kill someone, it won't be in the back. They'll be looking at me as I work. [ There's a deadliness in that earnest voice.

That brightens the next moment as he responds to the comment about green. ]

I hope she likes what I'll bring her.

[cultivatingsin]

Kinky. [He likes that deadliness and he has to respect a man who goes about things in the open.] I'm not sure how I want to die. It's not like it will matter after it happens.

[Ying sniffs the communicator, tapping it with her little clawed feet.]

She's eager~

[flirtatiousdancer]

[ That gets another laugh - yep, definitely liking this guy.

And Ying! ]

Then you'd better find me sooner than later.

[ He'll just have to start looking for all things green, won't he? ]

[cultivatingsin]

Alright! Ying, find him. Bite his foot!

[There is a distinct snort from the raccoon dog. She doesn't bite people at random or on command, thank you.]

[flirtatiousdancer]

[ Kexing just chuckles at that snort and ends the connection. They'll either find him, or they won't. ]

[Action]

[cultivatingsin]

[Oh he isn't getting away that easily! Xue Yang isn't exactly quick in finding him, but eventually he does. He points an accusing finger at Kexing and Ying makes a strange squealing sound. Gotcha!]

Found you!