--Cultivate--

[eyesofaproxy]

[When Wise was very young, or at least younger than he is now, he'd gotten lost in the forest outside Helios. He was only saved by a passing wandering cultivator, and to this day he's wanted to meet the man again to thank him. It doesn't matter that Helios fell and he and Belle moved to Yunkui Summit, he wants to find that man and thank him for what he did that day. He changed the trajectory of Wise's life, he's pretty sure, and he deserves to know that.

Granted, a wandering cultivator isn't why Wise (and Belle) is now the heir to Yunkui Summit, that is entirely because of Yixuan-shifu and their own unique abilities, but all the same. That man inspired Wise to get with Belle to create Phatheon, a nameless somebody who is able to hire people to handle things the larger temples and sects can't or won't.

Right now, though, Wise is not acting in the guise of Phaetheon. Wise is acting in the guise of a very annoyed older brother being strongarmed into going down the mountain for an annual check up, since apparently the doctors are all afraid of coming up the mountain after last year's run-in with Eous the spiritual monster rabbit. Cowards.]

I don't need to go right now, Belle, really.

Yes you do! And because there's bandits on the road, I even hired you a bodyguard!

Belle...

Comments

[eyesofaproxy]

Wise--please don't try to use any titles. They're not necessary, I promise you. Belle, where's--

[His sister has left, but comes back after a moment with a gorgeous white-and-blond horse.]

Right here! Do you need help? Don't want you falling again~

[fuegor]

That works for me. I'm not one for titles either.

[Damn, though, was that a gorgeous ride. And Lighter took to it immediately, approaching the horse with confidence and familiar gestures of a man well trained in riding. A few universal commands in the local dialect were whispered to the horse before Lighter saddled up with perfect ease. Then he offered a hand to Wise to take.]

Here, just take my hand. [To Belle:] I'll make sure he doesn't take another tumble.

[eyesofaproxy]

[He's just dying inside as he takes Lighter's hand to get up on Artist. The horse in question just huffs, liking this new human.]

Thanks, but it was one time--

And you broke your arm, Wise! We're being careful from now on.

[fuegor]

[Lighter had a strong grip, but not too strong. At least not upon hearing that Wise broke his arm once. He's not trying to cause that to happen himself.]

You're a delicate one, huh? One time's already too many to have a broken arm. Those take weeks to recover. Just make sure you have your feet secure and hold onto me real tight. We'll get there faster than you think.

[Should they be trusting the half blindfolded guy to ride the horse the right way? Who knows, Shifu hired him not them.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[They're close friends with a man-turned-wolf who is capable of insane feats of skill, and Yinhu-ge is an enlightened panda. Wise is not questioning Lighter's ability to ride.]

You must know your way around horses?

[fuegor]

Heh, I'd say so. I've spent more time around horses than people.

[Lighter instructed the horse to move, starting at a slow and steady pace to get Wise used to the movement.]

Part of it comes with the practice, but when you're a drifter like me you find ways to get around on the open road faster.

[eyesofaproxy]

A drifter...so you're not a member of any temple or sect?

[fuegor]

Nope.

[Not anymore.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Well, if you ever need a place to stay, Yunkui is always open to travelers.

[He won't try and recruit, obviously. That's rude.]

It was one of our requests, when Belle and I joined.

[fuegor]

Pretty nice of your Shifu to allow that. Maybe when I have time I'll swing by a bit more. Yixuan pays pretty well for my services anyway.

[Lighter's guard was up as they kept going along the trail down the mountain. Bandits were in fact everywhere even if they were hiding. He did pick the pace up just a little more on the horse, but did so carefully.]

Let me know if I'm going too fast for you, gongzi.

[A light tease, but also a way to express understanding of both their stations. An acknowledgement that would carry this job until it was done.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[A soft whine.]

I said no titles...

[fuegor]

That'll be the only time, Wise. Cross my heart. Well, I can't do it now but I promise.

[He can't cross his heart while he's horse, Wise!

He may notice that even in picking up the pace, Lighter has been directing their horse to swerve a little bit. It may seem weird at first glance but if his passenger had a keen eye, he would see traps laid for them.

Lighter saw another one a bit of a ways out. And he commanded the pace to pick up more.]

We're going to jump in a second, so hold onto me as tight as you can!

[eyesofaproxy]

[Yeah, Wise has noticed. He hasn't said anything just in case there's people around.

He just nods and wraps his arms around Lighter's waist, holding tightly.]

I'm ready.

[fuegor]

Hup!

[A verbal command this time to speed up more considerably. Indeed, they set a much more brisk pace and a few feet away from where the trap was sprung Lighter commanded to launch well over it with a few feet of clearance as they continued to run.

He tugged the reins with a low Whoa to signal slowing down, then stopping for a moment. While he was petting the horse for being a very very very good bean, his gaze flicked backwards and past Wise as if daring any bandits to try their luck with him.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[There's a few bandits that Lighter can spot, but when they see the red scarf they promptly get back in the shadows.

Wise is not letting go of Lighter.]

Anyone following us?

[fuegor]

No, not anymore. If they know what's good for them.

[Said still looking at the now retreating bandits until there's no sign of them. Or at least no sign they'll be making any moves.

Once that's confirmed, he'll look back at Wise.]

You good to keep going?

[eyesofaproxy]

[He looks up at Lighter and for a moment he's a young kid being saved by his hero again.

Huh.]

Yeah, I'm good.

[fuegor]

Good. The rest of the trip should be smooth sailing.

[The bandits saw the red scarf. Hongse Sanren. An independent cultivator with a well-earned title that no one would dare cross carelessly.

Lighter didn't pay mind to that and instead with a shift of the reins and a click of his tongue commanded the horse to move again once it was ready.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[And on they go. It'll be a bit of a ride to the town where Wise's doctor is located, but it'll be an easier one now.]

Did Shifu and my sister pay you to escort me back as well?

[fuegor]

Sure did. Sorry, Wise, you're gonna have to be stuck with me for a little longer.

I'll be right outside once your visit with the doctor is done.

[He gets the job done, bro. Sorry not sorry.]

[eyesofaproxy]

No, it's fine. I don't like getting a bodyguard, but I'm not mad that they hired you.

[He's just independent.]

...especially since I would have fallen off my horse trying to escape those bandits back there. I didn't pack any talismans.

[fuegor]

I'll give them credit for one thing, they know to avoid a pointless battle.

[Turned tail the moment Lighter was recognized. He huffed, adjusting the bamboo hat to be secure on his head again.]

Don't worry about not having talismans for the ride back. Still, I'm surprised you noticed them with how hidden they were. You're pretty sharp.

[eyesofaproxy]

Eh, they weren't that well hidden.

[Wise's eyes flash blue for a moment, but just a moment.]

Not with those traps everywhere.

[fuegor]

Oh.

[Most of Lighter's eyes were hidden behind cloth and hair, but the surprise in his tone was very clear. That's an art Lighter had yet to see.]

Sharper than I even expected.

[eyesofaproxy]

We have to be.

[Thank you, Carole Arna.]

...do you mind waiting a bit after my appointment? I'd like to do some shopping.