[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen presents himself as neatly as he is able, his appearance immaculate right down to his horsetail whisk. Said whisk rests on his lap, his hands toying with it nervously.]

Greetings, fellow travelers. I am Xiao Xingchen. [He gives a small bow at the waist before straightening with a soft smile.] I am a Cultivator who is unaffiliated with any sect. For those who do not recognize the title, a Cultivator is one who can combat, silence or exorcise ghosts, demons or other monstrosities.

[Here, he pauses.]

I have heard that demons are present in our number. I mean you no harm as long as you remain peaceful.

Comments

[mayoninofukucho]

[With Xingchen's trademark white outfits and cool, collected, graceful demeanour Hijikata wouldn't have been surprised if he'd become a winter power holder, but who knows on what basis the allocation happens? And he has a warm, gentle heart, so spring suits him better, in a way.]

Have you figured out any of your powers already?

[He himself has control over fire and is very happy with it, but at this stage he doesn't know much about the other seasons' power holders.]

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen was born in January, so yes, he is a Winter baby. But his nature is much gentler; he is much more akin to the snow melting as Spring begins.]

I believe...it is connected to wind? [He smiles a little as the wind flirts with his hair.] I think it will be quite useful.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Seeing him summon that little breeze makes Hijikata smile too. It suits him so well!]

Wind's always useful. Depending on what really awaits us here maybe we can team up ever so often. You can fuel my fire!

[gentledawn]

We would be very powerful. [Xingchen doesn't really want to imagine a situation where lots of flames are needed, but...] I'm sure your fire is beautiful.

Should we wrap up by sending them to the supermarket?

[mayoninofukucho]

[Leave it to Xingchen to say something so kind! Hijikata doesn't think anyone else would even think of calling his fire beautiful. He summons a small flame (once Xingchen's wind has been completely dismissed, cautious to not cause an apartment fire).]

Well, let's practise our control of our elements so we can make the most of them. But first--

[He gets up from his seat, dismissing the fire.]

We should get you some groceries. I'll buy some for myself as well.

[This is going such a mundane and domestic activity, but he's determined to ensure that Xingchen knows his way around the most essential activities in Nightwake City!]

Yes yes yes~

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen smiles at the possibilities, sighing when the little flame is dismissed. Aw.]

Will you take me to the market? [He didn't see one on the street! Where else would it be?] If I know where to find food, I will be just fine.

[The essentials are important. Obviously. He wants to stock up on tea, too.]

[mayoninofukucho]

The supermarket, yeah.

[There is a difference, and Xingchen is about to find out!]

[gentledawn]

What are your favorite foods? I must keep some around in case you visit.

[Or so he does visit?]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Xingchen, that is such a sweet though... but sadly Hijikata will inadvertently make it difficult for him.]

I'm not picky, I'll eat anything... as long as it's not sweet.

[And whatever it is, he'll drown it in mayonnaise. So much mayonnaise. Xingchen will see him buy a dozen or so glasses (they'd have to look around in more niche markets - or in Sunwaning - to find some bottled variants), and nothing else. Hopefully he can get used to it!]

[gentledawn]

[Difficulties can be overcome! Xingchen is optimistic when it comes to his friends.]

Do you prefer sour or...salty? I find that people are either a fan of one or the other.

[Rarely, both. Also, sir, that's a lot of mayonnaise. Did you know some mayonnaises have sugar in them? Probably to counteract the vinegar.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He doesn't know. He's convinced that mayonnaise factories are wonderlands full of mayonnaise fairies on the inside (no, really).]

I like both. Bitter, too.

[Very helpful, Hijikata! But he seriously will eat anything that's not outright sugary.]

You can never go wrong with rice, though.

[The "Hijikata Special" he always orders at his usual restaurant back home is straight-up just a bowl of rice with mayonnaise. This man can be made happy with very simple things.]

[gentledawn]

[What do mayonnaise fairies look like?]

You have an interesting palate.

[Xingchen will have something his friend will like! He is determined.]

Rice dishes come in many forms. I'm sure I can cook one you like.

[Or so he hopes!]

[mayoninofukucho]

[To Hijikata, mayonnaise fairies look like this. That's Mayorin, the mascot of his favourite brand. His mind is a strange place, truly.]

You don't have to cook for me! But if it's something you enjoy, then I won't say no.

[gentledawn]

[He imagined them...cuter. Hijikata, what is that.]

I would like to learn new recipes. My friend is a challenge and I won't give up.

[Xingchen smiles and then tries to explain:]

Food isn't easy to come by in my world. I like sharing what I can get.

[mayoninofukucho]

[They are cute to Hijikata!!

He finds it concerning that Xingchen apparently has to deal with food scarcity back home. Even in the poor countryside he grew up in things weren't that dire - they didn't have much, but they had enough.]

You should think of yourself more, you know? That aside, what's the problem? Are you just in a bad area for crops, or..?

[There could be so many reasons, from repeated bad harvests to an unequal distribution dictated by the ruling class, or social unrest destabilising rural areas... or maybe it's only hard for cultivators? Hijikata expected them to be held in high regard in their society, but he doesn't really know.]