Whispers follow him in the market, especially when he walks alone. He's volunteered this time, no drawing of straws, to collect sweets for Qing and their friend. Both have such an insatiable sweet tooth and find such joy in small gifts, that Xingchen can hardly help himself. The words of strangers do not bother him; he gave his eyes to someone who needed them more than him. This blindness can be survived. In a world full of such darkness, he can still provide a light without his eyes.
He counts steps to the first produce merchant, but instead of dealing with him as usual, the merchant refuses. The wood of the shop table creaks and then something wet hits Xingchen's face.
Get out! Go!
Did- Did someone spit on him? Xingchen steps back first, fingers rising to his cheeks. Warm. Viscous. No metallic stench. The dregs of a meal. Liquor.
Spit. Someone spit on him. How unpleasant. But hate can never be conquered with more hate, darkness with more dark. Instead, Xiao Xingchen bows, turns back toward Yi City without completing the errand at hand. Halfway back, he comes across someone else. The last thing he wants is to be spit on again, to stink of another man's meat and wine, so he steps to the far side of the road, but the person steps in front of him, blocks his path.
Where is the cripple and the little blind?]
I want no trouble with you.
what if i didn't suck at things. that would be nice wouldn't it.
[ whispers in the dark and sharp words about his person are things that Xue Yang is used to. he grew up in the streets, in the shadows, grew up moving from place to place and learning how to kick and bite the hands that held ill intent towards him. he has grown thick skin when it comes to dealing with those that might try to wound him with words (or blades, or hits for that matter), knows how to take care of himself.
which means that he also knows how to take care of those that he has grown somewhat fond of.
Xingchen, really it's just Xingchen. A-Qing is an unfortunate extra in this situation but-- well, Xingchen enjoys her company so he might as well protect her while he needs to. if only to keep Xingchen happy. (there are few things that Xue Yang would not do in order to keep Xingchen happy, to see that smile that often curls his lips just so, and no he won't admit it).
the point is, he knows how to take care of himself, knows how to pay attention and perhaps has a temper that is slightly shorter than it should be considering his range of knowledge, but these are the cards he was handed. and he is the hand that is being dealt to the poor fools of the village who have decided that they have no self preservation and want to die. and maybe, just maybe, if Xue Yang had stayed back, they would have a chance. becuase there was no way that Xingchen would tell him what transpires in the town, no way he would tell him about the issues he deals with. would just smile that serene smile he has and endure.
Xue Yang was not that kind of person.
he is halfway to town, something wriggling in the back of his mind about how he should go, when he comes across Xingchen and-- someone that clearly has nothing good planned. it makes his blood boil, white hot and vicious. making himself known with a snort, Xue Yang makes his way closer.]
Yah, are you sure you're alright there? He said he wants no trouble with you.
[ the grin on his face is sharp, almost as sharp as the knife in his sleeve, as the sword he can summon. it is clear that, limp or not, he might not be someone to trifle with. which is why he is so adament on getting between Xingchen and the stranger.]
[Xingchen is not so naive to think that the world will be kind to him. He knows the whispers, has heard them following him since he left the mountain a second time without his eyes. But even now, with spittle on his cheek, he would not change anything. Zichen needed eyes and Xingchen had them. If bloody tears and the flow of whispers were his only payment, Xingchen would accept the price any day.
The same goes for now. He has the groceries for the next couple days. If he must pay an extra measure of humiliation, he would do so to keep both of his companions laughing and happy. And the less they knew of these "additional costs," the better. He did not need to burden them with undue strife.
Which is why, at the sound of another voice, Xingchen startles. These things happen, but he does not want either A-Qing or their nameless friend to witness them.]
I am fine. It is nothing.
[The uneven gait draws closer and Xingchen wants this transgression past before his friend can see the mix of bile and wine on his cheek. The drawn breath is the only warning he gets for the next insult.
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xxc gets bullied by merchants and xy Disagrees
Whispers follow him in the market, especially when he walks alone. He's volunteered this time, no drawing of straws, to collect sweets for Qing and their friend. Both have such an insatiable sweet tooth and find such joy in small gifts, that Xingchen can hardly help himself. The words of strangers do not bother him; he gave his eyes to someone who needed them more than him. This blindness can be survived. In a world full of such darkness, he can still provide a light without his eyes.
He counts steps to the first produce merchant, but instead of dealing with him as usual, the merchant refuses. The wood of the shop table creaks and then something wet hits Xingchen's face.
Get out! Go!
Did- Did someone spit on him? Xingchen steps back first, fingers rising to his cheeks. Warm. Viscous. No metallic stench. The dregs of a meal. Liquor.
Spit. Someone spit on him. How unpleasant. But hate can never be conquered with more hate, darkness with more dark. Instead, Xiao Xingchen bows, turns back toward Yi City without completing the errand at hand. Halfway back, he comes across someone else. The last thing he wants is to be spit on again, to stink of another man's meat and wine, so he steps to the far side of the road, but the person steps in front of him, blocks his path.
Where is the cripple and the little blind?]
I want no trouble with you.
what if i didn't suck at things. that would be nice wouldn't it.
which means that he also knows how to take care of those that he has grown somewhat fond of.
Xingchen, really it's just Xingchen. A-Qing is an unfortunate extra in this situation but-- well, Xingchen enjoys her company so he might as well protect her while he needs to. if only to keep Xingchen happy. (there are few things that Xue Yang would not do in order to keep Xingchen happy, to see that smile that often curls his lips just so, and no he won't admit it).
the point is, he knows how to take care of himself, knows how to pay attention and perhaps has a temper that is slightly shorter than it should be considering his range of knowledge, but these are the cards he was handed. and he is the hand that is being dealt to the poor fools of the village who have decided that they have no self preservation and want to die. and maybe, just maybe, if Xue Yang had stayed back, they would have a chance. becuase there was no way that Xingchen would tell him what transpires in the town, no way he would tell him about the issues he deals with. would just smile that serene smile he has and endure.
Xue Yang was not that kind of person.
he is halfway to town, something wriggling in the back of his mind about how he should go, when he comes across Xingchen and-- someone that clearly has nothing good planned. it makes his blood boil, white hot and vicious. making himself known with a snort, Xue Yang makes his way closer.]
Yah, are you sure you're alright there? He said he wants no trouble with you.
[ the grin on his face is sharp, almost as sharp as the knife in his sleeve, as the sword he can summon. it is clear that, limp or not, he might not be someone to trifle with. which is why he is so adament on getting between Xingchen and the stranger.]
Daozhang, are you alright?
oh hush
The same goes for now. He has the groceries for the next couple days. If he must pay an extra measure of humiliation, he would do so to keep both of his companions laughing and happy. And the less they knew of these "additional costs," the better. He did not need to burden them with undue strife.
Which is why, at the sound of another voice, Xingchen startles. These things happen, but he does not want either A-Qing or their nameless friend to witness them.]
I am fine. It is nothing.
[The uneven gait draws closer and Xingchen wants this transgression past before his friend can see the mix of bile and wine on his cheek. The drawn breath is the only warning he gets for the next insult.
You rely on a cripple to fight your battles?]