[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

[He is going through his daily exercises, holding Shuanghua - his sword - as if the blade is a mere extension of his body. His feet barely seem to touch the ground as he dances through his various sword positions. Snow is kicked up here and there, creating a dust of white against his already white robes.

Needless to say, he seems otherworldly - perhaps more elemental spirit than man.]

Is anyone available for a spar?

[Xingchen lands before his communicator, his sleeves fluttering like wings.]

I do not mind if you are a beginner or exceptionally talented. I can adjust.

[Smiling encouragingly, he tips his head back, chuckling when a snowflake melts on his cheek.]

Comments

Video; un: shoto

[itsmypower]

[If he's up for it?]

Swords only?

Video

[gentledawn]

[What's keeping you?]

I know swords best, but I'm open to other weapons?

[itsmypower]

[If Xingchen's well, he's well-!] I mean without magics and things like that- [Quirks, spells...]

I don't have anything more than my sword, though.

[If that works?]

Where are you?

[gentledawn]

[He bows his head and smiles, excited.]

Then I would be honored to spar with you. Please, if you can make the journey? Otherwise I will come to you.

[He gives directions to the clearing in a wintry forest near his home.]

[itsmypower]

On my way. [A little bow to say "it's mine"; then 10 more minutes before he arrives at the "battlefield"; what feels like home—]

Why winter?

[For a spring-type, he means. Jogging right up-]

I'm not sure which of us has the advantage...

[gentledawn]

Winter is the season of my birth and the season I most enjoy if I can stay warm.

[If he must be cold and miserable, well, that's a different experience altogether. Also Shuanghua means "frost radiance" or "frost glow".]

Do not think of advantages. Just enjoy yourself.

[itsmypower]

[What's more freeing than a fight? At Xingchen's prompt, he shifts to thumb the flashy, customed sword to draw it free with his left. Its 8 gold crows adorning its hilt, thinks of his sensei's perfect stance before he's falling to one of his own, becoming himself, at home in snow and in his blood's same element—pleased and calmed.

His smile's sweet.]

Same here.

[Born in winter; of winter.]

I'm only half its ice, though...

[gentledawn]

[It's a pleasure to see his opponent - his friend - looking so at ease. Shuanghua glints, frosty and alluring, in his hand and Xingchen takes up a stance of his own, slender, graceful, strong.]

Then shall we?

[He comes at Shoto first, striking at his blade to test it. Shuanghua's spiritual aura glows, spreading out like a flower.]

[itsmypower]

[There's a child-like joy in meeting with blades like this: the simple freedom afforded in fights; an equal explosion in clouds of frost and fragile, smoky wisps of diamond dust; the opportunities still to absorb and strive for his own power's growth. And immediately, he's pushing back; breaking away a second or two, turning his wrist to sweep a line of brilliant golds in an up-slash...

He feels at peace.]

I never knew you had a strength like this...

un: happyaround

[roundandaround]

Sure, that sounds fun ♪ Do you wanna go to one of the guilds or the Grand Colosseum or where? Or the Titanic Dome, but that's a ways out.

[gentledawn]

I have a better idea. [He sends her directions to a clearing in the forest near his home.] Dress warmly.

[roundandaround]

Eh? Okay!

[action]

[Rinku's in her regular armour, but she can make herself warm with magic anyway, minidress or no. She arrives on a massive komondor with fairy wings on its back and flowers all over it, and she pets it before climbing off and feeds it Creature Treats.]

Thanks, Mop-chan!

[Dog attended to, she turns to Xīngchén with a smile.]

Hi, Xīngchén-san! What did you wanna work on?

[Action]

[gentledawn]

[He chuckles at her arrival, stepping forward to greet her and her fairy dog.]

Mop...? [Well, it is a fitting name! Xingchen bows to Rinku and flicks some snow off of his blade.]

Flexibility. Do you have a sword, Rinku? If not, I can give you one.

[roundandaround]

I do! I was gonna use a training sword, but the last person who asked me actually wanted me to use the real one 'cause he was basically immortal... although that kinda went wrong because I still don't wanna hurt people.

[Mop sniffs and seems satisfied by the new person, shuffling off to wait at the side.]

[gentledawn]

We will not hurt each other. [Xingchen promises and crouches down, briefly, to rub over Mop's head. Aw, what a sweetie.]

Would Mop prefer to stay indoors? My home isn't far from here and he could lay by a warm fire.

[roundandaround]

[Mop snuffles around his hand and makes a happy bark. Rinku pets it -- her flower fairy dog never gave off the vibes of having a gender -- and thinks.]

Do you wanna? I know you usually stay outdoors when I don't summon you, and you don't always live at my house either.

[Mop barks again. Rinku smiles.]

Yeah, I think it wants to try that out! We live in Solarpeak, so Mop-chan's never seen a fireplace, I don't think.

[gentledawn]

[Well gender doesn't matter - it's just something that is commonly assumed in his time. Mop is precious all on their own.]

They are welcome in my home as long as they don't chase my little fawn friend.

[He suspects said fawn is accompanying Runyu, but just in case, it's best to be safe.]

This way. [Xingchen leads them to his door and opens it. There are fluffy cushions near the fireplace and even a bowl of water.]

Rest easy, little one. Rinku will be safe.

[Video] un: candyman

[jiangzaid]

[ Xue Yang blatantly watches Xingchen with a warm smile before grinning and bouncing to his feet. ]

Jiangzai and I would love to play with you and Shuanghua! It's been a while since we've sparred, A-Chen~

[Video]

[gentledawn]

You know how to find me. [He gives Xue Yang a flirtatious, eager smile.] Have you been keeping Jiangzai polished? Shuanghua loves how they shine.

[Video-->Action!]

[jiangzaid]

[ Oh~ He smirks, head tilting cockily. Playfully as he brandishes Jiangzai in the feed. ]

Of course! [ He chirps. ] We're on our way~

[ He hops onto Jiangzai and zips off to find his sweet love. He laughs when he spies Xingchen and flies down to wrap his arms around the gorgeous man. ]

[Action!]

[gentledawn]

[Laughing, Xingchen notices that Shuanghua vibrates - almost as if the sword is chuckling too.]

They are terribly charming, aren't they. [He caresses his sword's hilt and then waits. Xue Yang doesn't take long and he gasps happily, holding open his arms. The warm pressure of his lover is wonderful in the cold and he hugs Xue Yang tighter.]

Hello, darling.

[Action!]

[jiangzaid]

[ Jiangzai's happy wiggling through the air has him giggling, even if it gives an extra bit of challenge in staying on. His sword will never let him fall off though! He beams as he flings himself into familiar arms and snuggles in close before claiming a hello kiss. ]

Hello~ [ He chirps, grinning into his husband's eyes. ]

[Action!]

[gentledawn]

[Shuanghua sings when the other sword is near. The two swords collide - not viciously - the moment Xue Yang is near. Xingchen knows how his sword spirit feels! He gathers his husband into his arms, nice and snug, smiling into the kiss he is given.]

Did you miss me that much?

[jiangzaid]

[ Jiangzai wiggles eagerly, humming in answer as they rub together. Xue Yang beams and claims another playful little kiss just because! ]

Always~ Did you?

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen laughs and claims a kiss of his own, oh so warm despite the cold.]

I didn't miss myself one bit.

[He teases and spins Xue Yang around, sighing.]

Of course I missed you.