[ Xue Yang grins when Song Lan enters their cabin. Both cats are purring as he pets them. ] I'd come and greet you, but... [ He gestures to the cats. ]
[There was a knock on Zichen's door a few days, or a week, or whenever later after the Port had ended and outer space once again surrounded the ship. When Zichen came about, Collins was leaned against the wall next to the door to Zichen's room. There was a bottle of alcohol in one of his hands and his demeanor was that of lackadaisical nonchalance.
Collins glanced towards Zichen when the other man eventually appeared. He held up the bottle.]
[He had been planning on checking on Dennis and this... This makes things both easier and more complicated. Something had happened. He has been perusing the other man's file and trying to work out a good plan of attack. Of course anything he tries will be met with suspicion and, really, he can't blame Dennis for feeling that way. It doesn't seem like he has had many - if any - bright points in his life.]
Of course. [Zichen pretends like this is normal and steps out, motioning for Dennis to enter his cabin. His decor and furniture are humble and tidy, reminiscent of the room he had when he stayed with his Master. But there are a pair of cats, a bird and a black snake too. Of course the only free animals are the cats.]
[Collins pushed off against the wall and stepped inside without a word. He looked around the room but there wasn't much to look at besides the animals. He whistled at the little bird and, walking over close but not invading their space entirely, Collins let the felines sniff his fingers if they felt so inclined to check him out.]
Consider it gratitude fer leavin' me tha hell alone fer a week. Got this while out there at port.
[He indicated the bottle with a little gesture with the hand that held it.]
[The little bird peeps at the new visitor curiously, whistling a soft tune. Owl finches are talkative by nature and this baby is accustomed to being entertained by humans. Additionally, the cats are very friendly, rubbing against Dennis in greeting. Zichen smiles and motions to the table, grabbing two cups.]
I take it you enjoyed yourself...safely? [He hopes? He hadn't gotten any other notifications, but he is aware that his inmate is clever.]
[Collins watched with amusement as the felines circled around him to rub any inch that they could touch, pausing briefly only when he offered a few scratches around their whiskered faces. He extracted himself from them after a few seconds and whistled a return call to the bird as he sat at the table. He opened the bottle as Zichen set down the cups.]
Oh, I certainly had my share of fun.
[Although "safe" might not have been fully applicable for half of it, at least he did manage to stay out of further trouble as promised. Despite all sneaky bastardly things performed.]
[Someone is in a good mood. Though Zichen has a feeling Collins doesn't mind animals as much as people. Sitting at the table, he coaxes one of the cats - a little female - into his lap and rubs behind her ears.]
I wish that gave me comfort.
[But he won't intrude because, frankly, as long as no one was hurt or died, that's progress.]
It was nice to go somewhere else. I haven't been to a market in years.
Xue Yang stumbles through the corridors, trying to find his way back to their cabin, but it's not easy with how drunk he is. He fumbles with the communicator and manages to start an audio call. He doesn't even know if Song Lan will be able to hear him, but... "A-Lan," he slurs, "I miss you and I'm... I'm lost? Drunk. Lost and drunk. Help?"
No matter what forces are at work, Zichen is too stubborn to be kept away indefinitely. He switches places with Wei Wuxian, a little puzzled as he finds himself in their cabin. His communicator alerts him to the call and he picks it up, immediately concerned. When was the last time he heard Xue Yang so...inebriated?
"Tell me what's around you, A-Yang." he answers calmly, leaving the cabin to find the other man, "Why did you drink so much?"
Hearing Song Lan's voice immediately makes Xue Yang feel better. A warmth spreads through him, a feeling like everything is going to be alright settling inside of him.
"Umm... cabins?" he says, "I don't know which floor I'm on..." He leans against a wall and lets himself sink down on the floor. "Dunno... I was with um, Wei... Wei Wuxian. He made me think about... things."
Zichen's concern heightens and he hurries down the hall, heading for the stairs. He will search each floor until he finds him!
"Stay put and breathe deep." he keeps his voice soft, soothing, "Did he upset you? I'm not sure what's happening, but I..." he frowns as he tries to word what he has experienced, "I went back. Without you. I'm guessing he came and...took my place?"
"Okay..." He leans his head back against the wall, feeling the world spin a little. "Yeah... I think so. It's some flood. I've been in and out too..." Though he doesn't know who took his place. He doesn't want to think about that.
A-Lan? I don't want to worry you, but there's a guy onboard now who's from Xie Lian's world. He's basically like... how I was about Xiao Xingchen, but ten times worse. And he basically told me he's looking to try and provoke me into a fight. Just in case he finds out about you... I thought I should warn you. [ Because someone hurting Song Lan would be the easiest and quickest way to get Xue Yang to want get violent. ] His name's Jun Wu and he likes to wear this creepy white mask with a crying face on it.
Xue Yang...? [He can hear the worry in his husband's voice and see it on his face. That alone has his full attention.]
Jun Wu is his name? I will remember. [Zichen scowls, his stomach tightening into an unpleasant knot.] Did he threaten you? I would avoid contact with him entirely if I were you. He isn't worth your time.
Mhm. Xie Lian warned me not to get into a fight with him, and I don't intend to. I just worry that he'll find out about you and try to go after you to provoke me.
It was a very veiled threat. He asked me how high my pain tolerance is and when I told him he wasting his time, he said that he didn't know me yet and to give him time. [ Xue Yang snorts a little. ]
He will not have a chance to touch me - that I promise you. I will not fight with an inmate and so there is no need for you to become involved in something reckless.
[All the same, he narrows his eyes, angered at the question.]
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[Continued Action]
[Oh a gremlin has found him! Zichen smirks and tugs Xue Yang closer.]
Yes, it would. I don't want you to have any blood on your hands.
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Mm... I don't want to disappoint you.
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You don't need to convince me. I believe you.
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A-Lan! I saw the announcement! Congrats on getting permanently paired!
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Thank you, love. I might need your help with this one.
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[Of course they have! He grins and leans in closer to kiss Xue Yang.]
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Collins glanced towards Zichen when the other man eventually appeared. He held up the bottle.]
Care fer a drink?
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Of course. [Zichen pretends like this is normal and steps out, motioning for Dennis to enter his cabin. His decor and furniture are humble and tidy, reminiscent of the room he had when he stayed with his Master. But there are a pair of cats, a bird and a black snake too. Of course the only free animals are the cats.]
What brings you by?
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Consider it gratitude fer leavin' me tha hell alone fer a week. Got this while out there at port.
[He indicated the bottle with a little gesture with the hand that held it.]
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I take it you enjoyed yourself...safely? [He hopes? He hadn't gotten any other notifications, but he is aware that his inmate is clever.]
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Oh, I certainly had my share of fun.
[Although "safe" might not have been fully applicable for half of it, at least he did manage to stay out of further trouble as promised. Despite all sneaky bastardly things performed.]
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I wish that gave me comfort.
[But he won't intrude because, frankly, as long as no one was hurt or died, that's progress.]
It was nice to go somewhere else. I haven't been to a market in years.
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Later, after his hangout with Wei Wuxian
;n;
"Tell me what's around you, A-Yang." he answers calmly, leaving the cabin to find the other man, "Why did you drink so much?"
;3;
"Umm... cabins?" he says, "I don't know which floor I'm on..." He leans against a wall and lets himself sink down on the floor. "Dunno... I was with um, Wei... Wei Wuxian. He made me think about... things."
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"Stay put and breathe deep." he keeps his voice soft, soothing, "Did he upset you? I'm not sure what's happening, but I..." he frowns as he tries to word what he has experienced, "I went back. Without you. I'm guessing he came and...took my place?"
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After his conversation with Jun Wu
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Jun Wu is his name? I will remember. [Zichen scowls, his stomach tightening into an unpleasant knot.] Did he threaten you? I would avoid contact with him entirely if I were you. He isn't worth your time.
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It was a very veiled threat. He asked me how high my pain tolerance is and when I told him he wasting his time, he said that he didn't know me yet and to give him time. [ Xue Yang snorts a little. ]
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[All the same, he narrows his eyes, angered at the question.]
My heart goes out to Xie Lian.
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[ He makes a face. ]
Yeah. Mine too. The guy tortured him and stalked him for 100's of years.
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