abraxaslogs | You don't have to make a sound 'cause they got what you need

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You don't have to make a sound 'cause they got what you need

WHO: Jesper Fahey and you!
WHAT: Catch-all for the rest of March!
WHERE: Cadens and Horizon!
WHEN: Throughout March

various starters (all open)
message at waftingcurtains if you have ideas or just wildcard it up!

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Wen Kexing meets Jesper's look with the fixed, intent look of interest, like a raptor sizing up a potential perch. He takes a moment, giving the young man a good look, but in the end decides that he's very much interested in Jesper's marksmanship. He's too curious not to put him to the test, trying to find that subtle line between a trick and raw skill. It's clear that Jesper isn't completely without the one, but Wen Kexing can't resist the play.

"If you make it, I'll buy you a drink. Is that enough to make it official?"

He misses his fan at this point. It would look more impressive if he could issue the challenge with a casual wave of the hand fan in front of him, to give his words the added air of a gentleman, but he has to settle with a wave of his sleeve instead. It doesn't look nearly as dramatic as he likes, but he keeps his chin high anyway.

"If you don't make it, will you give me something in return?"

"My favorite kind of drink is bought by a beautiful person, well worth the attempt." And what a beauty. Jesper flirts as easily as he smiles, and obviously he spent most of his network post flirting with people solely since he had the chance. It's the best use of his time. The wave of the sleeve is interesting and he doesn't know what it means, but that's fine.

"What do you want for it? And don't make it sound too good or I might miss on purpose." Jesper winks at him, glancing toward the others. They have somewhat of an audience, just in the way that people are enjoying the hustle and like seeing a new challenge. He thinks it's likely he'll have to throw this challenge, otherwise people might guess the truth, but he does like to live dangerously.

Wen Kexing almost laughs at that--having his favorite term thrown back at him is certainly new, and by a handsome face at that! It's ironic, and Wen Kexing puffs up a little more as he enjoys the flattery. Zhou Zishu would undoubtedly be rolling his eyes if he heard this nonsense, but fortunately or unfortunately he's not there to see Wen Kexing receive any compliments.

"What a coincidence. My favorite activity is to drink with a beautiful person. We have so much in common already, we must be fated to play this game together."

Not that it would take any help from fate to convince Wen Kexing to flirt with an attractive face. This is precisely the kind of diversion they all need in his opinion. But what counter stakes should he suggest?

"Hm... If you miss, then you should teach me your secret. Give me a private lesson, and I promise not to share your technique. If you can make me as good as you, then I might just buy you a drink anyway."

Jesper loves flirting but the best kind of flirting is when it's easily volleyed back and forth between him and someone else. He does enjoy annoying people who are too serious, like Sephiroth, out of genuine affection, but there really is nothing like good banter. And when he's complimented in return all he does is playfully wink.

Jesper pretends to think about it and then he does exactly as requested. He throws the dart straight up, looking at Wen Kexing instead of at it, and while he could easily pluck it out of the air without any trouble whatsoever, he intentionally does nothing but stand there as it drops to the ground. He's grinning though, shrugging.

"Looks like I couldn't do it." Jesper leans down to pick up the dart, twirling it in his fingers. He hates losing, but not when it's intentional. "I think my favorite thing is that you thought a private lesson with you wouldn't be a reward." Look at his face! His laugh! He's gorgeous, Jesper will enjoy this, even if he can't tell his ultimate secret.

Jesper looks at him and throws the dart behind him without looking. It hits the bullseye straight on. "Would you believe it's all in the wrist?"

It's rare for Wen Kexing to encounter anyone willing to flirt with him. He considers himself good looking, of course, and he's practiced making himself appear as attractive as possible--the image of a gentleman. But the reality is, in the jianghu everyone with a decent sense of martial arts skill could tell there was something off about him. The bloodthirsty energy that haunts him was just too hard to wash off. Very few people were willing to stand him at home, no matter what he looked like outwardly.

Jesper winking at him should be marked down as a milestone for his stay. Wen Kexing can't help but puff up a bit with excitement, preening at the attention he wasn't expecting. He stares right back into Jesper's eyes, somewhere between challenging and flirtation, as the object goes up and comes back down. It might come off a bit like a threat, with Wen Kexing's unblinking focus, but when the dart hits the ground and Jesper gives his casual response to the loss, Wen Kexing almost flutters over, hovering as he watches the man effortlessly hit his mark with perfect accuracy.

"Would you believe I'm very familiar with working out my hands? I had a fan, but when we arrived here, I seem to have lost it. But I've spent many hours turning it just right. If you teach me how to put that to new use, I'll repay you. Ah, but tell me now how many people you have waiting. I fear for my life already. Half the city will be angry I'm stealing some of your time."

There has yet to be a person that Jesper won't flirt with, including his own enemies and people trying to kill him. It's just his way. He is used to being on the right hand of Ketterdam's own boogey man, a cold-hearted gang boss with a face as lovely as it is icy. Intimidating beautiful people do nothing more than draw him in. Although Kaz has never flirted back with him, not once in all the time they've known one another. Jesper loves when his target is flattered and pleased, it feeds him too.

"Show me your hands and I'll see if I believe you work with them." He wonders if they're as pretty as the rest of him. Jesper glances over to the crowd when they clap at his bullseye and he waves a hand. "You'll have to excuse us now, my friends. You can test me on the morrow." There are plenty of drinks to be had and it means Jesper can turn his attention to his new friend.

"A fan, now that's interesting. What kind of fan? Fabric? Steel? Used for violence or for a nice breeze on a hot day?" Jesper is more interested than prying, he doesn't know many fan users. "I prefer a gun myself, but alas, mine are also not here." He's saving up though. He's almost there.

The air Wen Kexing has is admittedly more comical than impressive. He's not that well-versed in any gentlemanly norms, but he's studied and practiced on his own to emulate them. It's a bit like a wolf learning to dress in silk. He quotes well, carries himself neatly, but certain behaviours and basic knowledge still escapes him. His figurative tail manages to show despite his best efforts. What is genuine is his enthusiasm. He is openly fascinated by Jesper, who is both skilled and handsome--what a combination!--and unlike his lovely, but reserved A-Xu, the conversation is free spirited and a bit wild. It's a good learning experience, really.

He gladly trots right up to the marksman, holding up his hands palms turned to the sky as if he were a child proving they are clean. They are. Maybe overly so, if one really considers their surroundings. He's gone far out of his way to maintain a pristine appearance, manicured nails and all. It's almost enough to detract a bit from the tight muscle lines, proving he does more than simply frolic around and trade compliments.

"It was a silk fan, but the bones were steel." He smiles, but his voice lowers and his eyes wander around them, marking every movement. Wen Kexing might not know much about social niceties, but he does know about revealing his hand. He perks up at the mention of the gun, though. "You mean like they build for the soldiers? Are you going to join them? That sounds dangerous, master. What if you get hurt?"

Jesper's got no skill in the gentlemanly sort of way, he's a farm boy who became a criminal and that's his energy, a schmoozer, a con-man. He's friendly and warm and easy to get along with, and none of this is a con, this is who he genuinely is. The con is more in the hustle, the truths he leaves out, like how anyone could be that good, or why he has secret pockets in his jacket that run deep.

He's delighted to see that Wen Kexing just does what he asks, having mostly been flirting and joking, but he laughs and looks at said hands. They are in fact very pretty. Manicured nails and everything! It makes him think of Nina. Jesper is bold and reaches out to run his fingers along one of his palms, a gentle caress with gray eyes fixed on his target's face. Jesper's fingers are calloused in comparison, but very long and quick.

"You've convinced me. A steel fan, how interesting." It could be a very dangerous weapon, actually. Jesper knows better than to judge on appearances alone, his best friend is a woman who looks delicate and unassuming and could kill half the people in this room before anyone knew. A little mystery is only more inclined to get him interested.

"Worried about me, already, love? How sweet of you." Jesper drops his hands from Wen Kexing, the seduction part of the fun, whether it works or not. His tone is teasing. "And what if I told you I was more dangerous than any soldier they have? Would you believe me?"

It's a nice touch, which shouldn't surprise Wen Kexing at this stage, but still does. He's theoretically gotten more used to being treated like a person, but kindness and definitely interest are foreign to him. He ends up looking at his own hand as if he's surprised that those fingers would explore so earnestly. Despite himself, he can't hold back a bemused smile. This isn't bad at all.

And he has clever hands. Even if the contact is brief, Wen Kexing has grown up with the worst criminals and most experienced deceivers the world spat out. He can tell at the very least that this man knows his work, more than just tossing darts and playing to crowds. Although, thinking about it, he is skilled at that too. He's happy to follow after Jesper, walking at his side like a good companion, one step behind.

"I have no fan and you have no gun. Of course I'm worried. What if something happens?" He speaks with high spirits, letting the flirtation bleed from his tone into the amusement of his gaze. "Even if you are the most dangerous person in this kingdom, there's always a chance you might fall prey to something terrible. What if the other soldiers get jealous and try to damage your good looks? I'm a sensitive creature. Now that I've seen you, I'd mourn for many days if anything should happen to such a nice view."

"Careful, darling, between your beautiful face and generous compliments, you're going to make me fall in love with you." Jesper laughs but he glows with the attention. Obviously someone who likes crowds enjoys being noticed, and he would just shower himself in compliments if he could. Jesper picks out a dart from his pocket, maybe he's stolen it, maybe it was given to him, that's unknown. The pockets on his green jacket are secretly much deeper than they appear, so he stashes a lot of things in there.

"Let's step outside and I'll show you a few things with this, I can't have everyone listening in." He offers the dart over as he leads Wen Kexing outside. The heat of a tavern can be a lot so there's something nice about the cool desert air at night. For all Jesper saying he's dangerous, he is very laid back and friendly, meaning no harm at all to his new walking companion.

"So the first thing is you learn the weight of the dart, so flip this up a few times as we walk, get used to the feeling." Jesper has no real goal in mind although he aims them toward Mag's Inn since that's the way home and there is a dart board in there to practice on later. She just won't let him hustle inside there, which is fair. "And why don't you tell me more about yourself? I'm fascinated."

"Love? I appreciate the flattery, but I haven't heard anything like that before."

Not that he hasn't felt loved, but that was a long time ago. Recently, Wen Kexing is caught still figuring out how to accept any human relationships. The word is detached from its meaning, and sometimes he wonders if he ever really knew what it meant to begin with. Still, he grins and takes the dart with an easy glide of fingers over Jesper's hand, expertly sneaking in the brush of contact before he begins toying with the item in question, turning it this way and that with keen interest.

"Have you ever been loved? Or are you in love with anyone now? Someone with your looks and skill must have plenty of lovers."

He could imagine the man surrounded with admirers happy to keep him company in any way he asked. And that wouldn't be a bad , would it? Not at all. He gently balances the dart in his hand, then on the back of his hand like he might a hand fan. Then he tosses it up and catches like he's directed, playing with it like a cat with a toy.

"About me..." Should he lie? Be honest? He's always lied in the human world before. That was until he met a few people that wouldn't turn away from the truth. That had been refreshing.

"I was a ghost. Longer than I was human. I used to resent the humans of the world, always treating everyone unfairly over their own greed. But then I found someone truly beautiful and I thought if I can haunt beauties, then I won't be unhappy."

He grins as they walk along, playfully holding up the dart to stroke the back of it along Jesper's shoulders, teasing just to get a reaction.

"Are you in love?"

Oh well this turned into a direction he didn't expect. Jesper isn't against it, he talks freely about a lot of things, but he is usually a champion at brushing off serious questions with a laugh. Which he does somewhat do, shrugging with an easy smile. "I've gotten around and then some, I have had a lot of lovers." A whole lot of them in Ketterdam, he had a reputation. Luckily the reputation was him being very charming and fun to be with, but not very serious about anyone. Until Wylan.

"I did have this one boy back home, very sweet and sensitive, a musician. Also a bomb maker." Wylan could be many things at once. The smartest person he knows and also someone who wanted to play the flute and be loved. Jesper hasn't seen him in months now and he's starting to get past the ache. Somewhere Wylan's doing just fine with another version of him, so whatever. "But I'm here and he's there."

He watches the man play with the dart, he can tell he's better at it than he might seem at first glance. A lot of people reveal things in little ways that Jesper picks up on. Jesper's eyes widen at the description and gray eyes are intrigued; he obviously believes him too. About being a ghost, at the very least. There's a lot of weird people in the Summoned, and this fellow most certainly is.

"A ghost. But you're very alive here, I see. You do have that ethereal beauty to you." Out of this world. Delicate. Lovely in a very unique way. Jesper laughs at the dart and even shivers a little, it feels different. "In love with you? Halfway there. I do enjoy being haunted by gorgeous men." This isn't even a joke. It's the truth.

"Who was it that you found so beautiful you changed your mind about humans though?"

It sounds familiar, drifting from pleasure to pleasure. Wen Kexing had once lived like that, waiting and plotting for the day he would ultimately drag the whole world to hell with him. Taking small moments of gratification where he could without any thought for more. It didn't have to be love, he thought. Ghosts disappear in the light anyway.

But then things had changed. Violently, as everything tends to go with him, but they had changed. He peers curiously at Jesper, pairing the image before him with the descriptions the man gives--a lover to many, a free spirit who found someone tender and sweet. It's romantic. Why would a world pulling people in dare to separate people that are together? He spins the dart over his fingers, falling into a restless gesture that doesn't reach his face. His hand redirects the energy, masking some of the expression he might have if he weren't used to being on guard. Point over end, he taps it lightly along Jesper's shoulder, almost without realizing it himself.

"I am alive. But to the world, I might as well have died. There was no place that wanted me, and they would have torn me apart if they could. But I... I became their monster."

He wouldn't have admitted that before. In the civilized world, no one would readily admit to their criminal history. But he was far from the jianghu and forgiven, exonerated by an immortal master, so why can't he admit who he is here? Suddenly, Wen Kexing is struck by a sudden self-consciousness. He coughs and drops his hand, lowering his head slightly as he does so that he's looking up at Jesper, feeling exposed.

"He's- a cold beauty." Wen Kexing laughs away the uneasiness. "At first, all he did was reject me. I met him by pure chance, but he was so untouchable and refined I couldn't look away. And he brought me home and treated me like his servant!"

Which was more human than he had been allowed to be in twenty years. But he avoids that thought. Or the thought that being flirted with so easily still manages to make him feel vulnerable.

Jesper has wondered himself why they would take him here, if they had the ability to pick people, when it was something of a cruel choice. But if he wasn't there, Inej would be alone, and that would be worse. He would pick to be here if it meant he was there for her. Jesper's loyalty is one of his defining characteristics, he'd put his happiness on the whole without hesitation for the people he loves.

The story he is telling is actually quite sad. That is what Jesper is getting from it. To be a ghost, lost and unwanted, and he can sympathize with being a monster in the eyes of some. It is exactly what the Grisha go through at times. His eyebrows furrow at the servant part though, that seems ... very questionable, to take advantage of someone like that.

"Hey." Jesper pauses in their walk and turns to face him. "You don't have to worry about what other people thought about you before. All that matters is who you are now." He taps Wen Kexing's chin gently to try and catch his gaze with his gray eyes. He is serious, despite all his humor. It seems wrong to encourage someone to as anything other than free with a fresh start here.

"There are people back home who think my kind are monsters simply for breathing. They're idiots. I know we just met, but you should know I'm not a judgmental person." Whatever he did or didn't do, whatever. Jesper's a killer, a criminal, there's a lot of darkness behind his humorous easy-going nature, and he is kind and accepting as part of it. "And he shouldn't have taken advantage of you."

Wen Kexing wonders what it would be alike to be truly alone again. If he were sure that Zhou Zishu was alive and well, he might be able to bear it, but only just. He's not ready to live torn away from that man. Jesper speaks so calmly, it's a wonder to him that he can be here with another far away. Lost in thought, gripping the small dart in his fist like a stone, he startles when the pace stops suddenly, brought out of those sad thoughts. The tap of the finger, easily and relaxed on his skin without any fear of his retaliation, is also strange. Wen Kexing finds himself looking into a serious gaze, an expression he didn't expect. With their jokes and laughter so far, it was easier to fall into teasing and making light of his life. Something to help the truth go down. But he certainly isn't expecting sympathy.

"He doesn't take advantage of me." He laughs softly. The idea of his lazy, troubled A-Xu doing anything to him is one he never considered. "Who else would allow a beast into their home? He got followed by a man-eating tiger and called it a cat, asked it to catch his mice and bring him fish and rabbits. How ridiculous!"

Wen Kexing smiles fondly, with a touch of exasperation.

"Although I did claim to be a gentleman, so I can't blame him for humoring that. He's the most beautiful sight in the world, but too generous. All the ghosts in our world were wretched, murderous criminals and I was their lord. What they thought I was, the king of venom and hate, was correct. I am. But he still accepted me. You too... Aren't you foolish for treating a dangerous thing so kindly? You don't know the rumors, but I am the most terrifying villain in all the world."

He keeps marveling at how there are actually many forgiving people around him. Ones he used to think were naive and only destined to be tricked and killed by someone with more cunning. But over and over, they keep proving him wrong. Wen Kexing huffs out a breath, reaching up with his off-hand to squeeze Jesper's shoulder.

"Why are you so good to a stranger? Is everyone trying to become a buddha?"

Jesper has a troubled mind occasionally. Most of the time he really is the shrug off issues and feelings and whatever else, have a good time, who cares about the details. There are times when he wonders if he's a villain, he has killed people and he purposely has avoided admitting that to certain people he wants to think well of him. He'd kill more, and it's never really been a problem for him. He has a lot of sympathy for other people; existence is sometimes a real crock. Full of bad choices.

"I'm a dangerous thing too, darling. And my best friend, my boss, is often considered a villain where I'm from. I suppose so am I, for being one of his favorite weapons." Kaz is complicated, like all of them. He has done and will do questionable and violent things, and there are times the people who love him most aren't sure how dark he'll go. They're all still so young too, they have a lifetime to go in different directions, or simply keep going down the darker path. Jesper's moved toward the light, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it fits him.

Jesper glances around them and pulls him a bit to the side, where people are less likely to be paying attention. There are sideroads in Cadens, his favorite places to scope out and be ready to hide in, if there ever is a need. He takes the dart from Wen Kexing and focuses, throwing the dart behind him with lethal aim. It appears to hit something, it would break if it truly hit anything too hard, and then very suddenly the dart snaps back with a telekinetic pull. It's back in his hand and he turns the point around so Wen Kexing can see he pierced a fly without even having to look at it.

"So now you know the secret to my success." Jesper smiles again and shrugs. This is information that could be used against him, obviously, and he knows that. He's hustling people and while Cadens isn't as hateful against magic as his home, they don't love it either. "Are you going to get me in trouble for it? Or are dangerous things going to look out for each other here?"

It's a strange feeling, having Jesper talk so casually about himself without any real hint of shame. Wen Kexing pretends to live that way. He doesn't feel bad for the things he has done, and he genuinely feels that killing is his only option for survival, but even so he isn't kind about who he is. He still bears the weight of being the leader of the world's unwanted shadows. Zhou Zishu is more forgiving. He speaks like Jesper, saying it doesn't matter what they are, that simply being is enough, and sometimes Wen Kexing believes it. Jesper reminds him strangely of home.

"You're dangerous? As dangerous as you are beautiful?"

He could believe that. Jesper moves with a sure hand and awareness that he recognizes, and he really has no reason to doubt a man claiming to be a villain. What could he gain from that? It's too risky to be anything but honest, right? When he's pulled to the side, Wen Kexing goes with his curiosity piqued. He can't help the wide-eyed look if fascination as he watches Jesper hit the fly without a glance. As good as his martial arts skills are, he knows the limit of reality. For a moment, Wen Kexing looks a lot like one of the kids from the audience who just saw a trick for the first time. The teasing flirtation melts into unguarded, genuine interest.

"I won't tell." It's a promise whispered with open awe. "Can you teach me that too?"

"Well I'm not anything as much as I am beautiful," Jesper says with a grin. He is (mostly) joking although his confidence really is as solid in his sense of self as anything else. He's vain but why not be? If you got it, flaunt it. It's why he tends to wear more colorful clothes than a lot of people, usually in green like now, and he's even worse back home where he has his yellows and reds too. Not the sneakiest look, but fashion goes down for no one.

"But you, you are one of the prettiest faces I've seen here, and that's saying a lot." All the Summoned are hot but Wen Kexing is pretty. Delicate. Lovely skin, lovely eyes, lovely hair. Jesper would love to admire the rest of him too.

As for the trick, well. "I wish I could, but you have to be born with it." Jesper shows him the dart and puts it in the palm of his hand. The object seems to shimmer and crumble into his hand until it appears to be liquid. He makes it into multiple shapes; a circle, a square, and then back to a dart. It seems to be no effort at all to ping it back to a solid object, like nothing happened in the first place. It looks exactly the same, although it is warm to the touch due to the change.

"We're called Grisha back home. It's mostly a curse. People hate you, try to kill you, try to use you. There are only a few safe places in the world." Jesper was from one of them, long ago, so it was his own choice to go to a dangerous place instead. It was more thrilling. "I know what it's like to be different."

"Pretty? You only think I'm pretty?" His expression perks up, flattered despite the way he tries to press for more. "It's because the clothes here don't suit me. I usually buy elegant robes befitting a proper scholar, you know. I don't dress in such thin cloth. I am usually more impressive."

Layers and accessories do wonders to convince people that he's a true gentleman. Before he even had the money to help sell the image. But very few people in his life have paid him compliments freely, and Wen Kexing can't help showing a giddy energy through his attempt at teasing. That energy strengthens to excitement as he watches the dart change shape, eyes widening in honest fascination. When he looks up to Jesper's eyes, he's lost the tension he had when talking about his past.

"Grisha." He tries out the word, smiling as he says it. "If you came home with me, you might become a ghost too. It wasn't a good place, but I would keep you safe."

Picking up the dart between his fingers, Wen Kexing looks down the street they are standing at the end of. He takes a moment to focus his qi into it and tosses the dart, using the extra energy to drive it into the side of a building. He can't do any magic, but he does have strength. That much he's confident in.

"I wouldn't let anyone hurt you or use you. Your beauty and your gift are special."

Jesper laughs and shakes his head. "You look fantastic in those clothes, sweetheart. You're beautiful, gorgeous. I'd hate to see you more impressive than this, how could my poor heart handle it?" He is heavily complimentary but that's true all the time. He likes letting people know good things about themselves, everyone wins, when it's deserved. He can't imagine the robes he's talking about, but it does sound hot, to be fair.

His eyebrows go up when Wen Kexing shows off his strength, and it seems there's a bit of magic in him too. Not the same, but something, he is a ghost after all, apparently. Jesper smiles at him and reaches out to take his hand, it's very pretty too, bringing it up to his lips. He kisses the knuckles gently.

"If you came with me, you'd be in a place that didn't judge you. Villains do terribly well in Ketterdam." Jesper probably shouldn't flirt with that idea, considering he has things waiting for him back there, but well, who cares about that. And also, it seems better than being a ghost. "And what if I said I could bring you home with me right now. Here, in Cadens. What if I said I wanted to see how beautiful the rest of you is?"

Jesper is a flirt but he also never misses the chance to shoot his shot, and there's mischief in his eyes as well as suggestion. He winks and drops his hand from his mouth, letting Wen Kexing keep it so he doesn't feel pressured or held still. "It's okay if no, I'd just be terribly mad at myself if I didn't at least ask. No risk no reward."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You don't have to make a sound 'cause they got what you need

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Sorry I was on vacation to another country! I live!

Ohh, awesome! I hope you had fun!

I did, ty! :D

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sorry was on mini-hiatus again lol am back for summer

No problem! welcome back!

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