[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]

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.]