--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

[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.

[fuegor]

I still see why you'd need a bodyguard.

[The sharp eyes didn't make Wise not delicate. But he nodded, adjusting his scarf somewhat. It had to look nice as well, not just as a symbol but also because it was cool.]

Not a problem.

[eyesofaproxy]

Thanks.

[They get down to the town soon enough, and Wise's doctor isn't too far from the entrance they come in. The visit takes a minute, and he comes out looking mildly annoyed.]

Herbal tea...ugh.

[Where's Lighter...?]

[fuegor]

Not a fan?

[Lighter was here the WHOLE TIME. Smoking from a long pipe but snuffing the embers out as soon as Wise came out. How did he sneak up on Wise when his vision is so damn obscured? Don't worry about it.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise jumps and yelps, getting some attention because that was loud.]

Don't do that--no, I'm not. Too bitter.

[fuegor]

Oh, sorry about that. It's just the way I move.

[Sure he leaned ostentatious but otherwise he was as quiet as most other cultivators when need be.

The yelp was a little funny, but he did feel a little bad.]

I heard something about adding honey to it to make it sweeter. Or are you on doctor's orders to have it as is or something?

[eyesofaproxy]

Has to be as-is. "Weakens the effects," or something.

[The face he's making makes it clear that Wise does not buy that.]

I still have some shopping to do. Do you want to wait here or come with me?

[fuegor]

Well, doctor's orders are doctor's orders...

[His tone said "that's bullshit but whatever".]

I'll come along with you. I've got a bit of my own shopping I need to do anyway.

[eyesofaproxy]

Thanks. This way.

[They head for the markets...and Wise is instantly distracted by a pretty black cat perched on a pile of boxes. He makes a slow beeline for the cat, cooing.]

Hey, Inky.

[fuegor]

[It's kitty!! Anyone would be distracted by kitty. It is the way of cat law. Lighter will stand as a slight distance but smile.]

Is this one of your friends?

[eyesofaproxy]

You could say that. I've been trying to coax him up the mountain with me, but it's taking some time. That, or he thinks if he goes he won't get any more treats.

[Wise digs a pouch out of his sleeve and pulls out a bit of meat for Inky.]

But I'd give him all the treats if he came with me, obviously. Eous likes cats, too.

[fuegor]

He'll warm up to you eventually. I don't know much about cats but I know when they choose a person they tend to stick around.

[They're loyal like dogs just in a different way.]

Eous?

[eyesofaproxy]

[Hm, how to describe Eous? Wise stands, scritching Inky behind the ears before he heads off.]

I guess you could call them our little sibling. We're not entirely sure what they are, but they're basically human?

[fuegor]

[So, not quite human. No need to do anything about it if it's not a threat, and less so if they're a friend of Wise. Some spiritual things can be left be.]

Maybe I'll have a chance to run into them if your Shifu hires me again. Pay's good so I don't mind.

[It's boring work but someone's gotta do it. Phaethon was the one to give the really good pay and jobs.]

[eyesofaproxy]

I'll let her know.

[They get what they needed in the markets, and then Wise is escorted home.

Whenever Lighter gets to where he's staying, be it inn or a camp, there is a message waiting for him from Phaethon. The calligraphy is messy as always. This is what they get for letting Eous write their messages.]

A job for you, red scarf. Details located at the Wolfblood Inn

[Lycaon's place. It works well enough for information drop offs.]

[fuegor]

[As long as it's legible and the Phaethon pay remains good, it can be as messy as it fucking wants. Lighter was camping on his own when the message came, ready to move onto the next town. But it seems him staying a day longer would be lucrative.

It took some time but he arrived at the drop off point, securing the specially made gloves on his hands with a tug.

And waited in silence for those who protected this place to confirm his arrival and presence. In a silent agreement between those people and himself, he removed the cloth that half-covered his eyes.

To show the unique red color in their center.]

There's a message waiting for me.

[eyesofaproxy]

[The head server, a tall woman who doesn't tend to actually walk, smiles and gestures for one of the younger girls to lead Lighter back to the room where the message is waiting. It's just another letter, but privacy is key with this work.]

We have reason to believe there will be an Exaltist meeting in your location in three days time. We would ask that you work with those listed here to help bring this meeting down. If you agree, leave your agreement with the owner of the inn and be at the following location in three days. Your payment will come a day later.

[fuegor]

...

[Fucking Exaltists. Zealots, more like. Three days to take whatever they want to do down. He'll need to start planning, maybe calling a favor or two in.

But nonetheless, an agreement is written on the back of the letter. No one but Phaethon and their associates know what "Champion's word" means. It's nonsense to everyone else.

It was just their signature when agreeing to a task.]