#bloodicdfeathers

[enduringdevotion]

When the car arrived he gladly helped his love from the care. It felt so... Quaint, dainty, a sensation entirely not Nicholas. Anyone who knew him knew him as a gruff, violent, sharp, angry, aggressive male that would sooner punch you than be soft.

And yet....

He opens the door to his home, helping the other in and led him to his bedroom. There, he set the bags down, ignoring the clothing bag and instead pulled out the bottle of wine and the crystal cups he'd slipped into as a side purchase, a cheeky grin on his lips.

"I wanted us to have special cups to remember this by. Pretty sure these are goblets rather than classical red wine but they looked pretty." On the stems were phoenix's, twisting up from the ash stained base, representing rebirth whilst still being smooth to the touch. "The bathroom is through that door if you want to change. I'll figure out the veil thing once you hand it to me." He looks around, eyeing the items scattered, the bag firmly at the foot of the bed away from him so he couldn't see.

Open and clear respect for Xuanyu wanting to surprise him when normally he's the nosiest person you might meet.

It's all still buzzing through Mo Xuanyu's head, and he's overwhelmed-- but of all the ways to be overwhelmed, he supposes this is a good one. Soon, enough they'll be married. He'll have a husband.

Something that, when he was younger, he had been content to only fantasize about-- now it was happening for real.

He makes a small noise of surprise at the lick to his finger, jumping a bit before carefully poking at Nicholas' nose. Every movement still hesitant, but... he's trying.

It will be easier someday. Now, it's just about making it to that 'someday.'

And they'll get there soon enough.

"I-- I want to do things for you too," he insists, intertwining fingers. As sweet and wonderful as it sounds, it's hard to think about something like being pampered without feeling a little bit guilty... alright, maybe a lot guilty.

He's not the only one who struggles-- Nico has his own ghosts that haunt him... and if Mo Xuanyu can't exorcise them, he'd at least like to try to keep them quieter. "If I-- if there is something I can do to help, I want to do it. I want to try. I won't be the only one leaning on you."

He'll try his best to be someone that Nicholas can rely on as well... even if it's hard. He clasps his soon-to-be husband's hand even more tightly. For Nico, he'd find some way to push through the fog.

[ttauriwanderer]

While he may not be a member of Aevum's echo-based police force, that wasn't going to stop Steven from doing his own little patrol of sorts, keeping an eye out for anything new and unusual or anyone that might need his help. Granted, he wasn't doing so quite as often as usual, with Deidara hiding in his and Ito's place. Someone had to be around to keep an eye on him, after all.

But, since he wasn't actually working during his patrols, he had every opportunity to stop and chat with people on his self given rounds.

Or spirits, in this case. Annoying ones.

"No, I don't have a job for you to do, I can't direct you or anything right now, can't you tell that?" He hissed quietly at the simple little spirit trailing him. Probably a young spirit that hadn't lived more then a couple of lives, or something like that, enough to talk but not really smart. Enough to want to help but not enough to know that Steven couldn't make use of it right now. Or at least not directly...

"Okay, okay, fine, if you want to be helpful, can you go keep an eye on Deidara for me? There you go, that's a good task for you. Thanks. Oh." He stepped around a corner and blinked at the young man suddenly across from him before smiling.

"Hey there! Don't mind me, just uh... talking to myself. Heh." He tried to subtly wave a hand at the little spirit to shoo it away, tilting his head at the new person. "I don't think we've met before, I'm Captain Steven Gobair."

@bloodicdfeathers

[clxscdeyes]

@bloodicdfeathers

"I have a question." he must find it odd that she'd find him of all people. He's probably heard of what happened and if anything, maybe he's seen the ghosts that had marched their way to Silverbrook. Nonetheless, she is here for that reason.

"Would you be able to show me something?" She didn't know if his abilities were a little bit stronger than before. "I would like to know how to protect myself against spirits a little better."

[angelictragedy]

"Not everything needs to be understood to be fact or accepted." Nai hums, chuckling as he set a few containers of food down.

"All in all, I think we have a good plan for the future. A way for you to get Keys, something to put your effort into during the day. You yourself found reasons to eat and selfcare in Nico." He laughs as Gato slides into one of his legs, earning the pup bundled in feathers and held in air jail.

"Don't try to understand why why's. Simply comprehend the facts. You are here now, you have a brighter chance and a lover to boot. That's all that matters, not the past and not the 'but why me and not' whoever you think of. They picked you." He tucked the items into a bag now, releasing the pup. "Allow me to get the book. Think of things you may want to ask me whilst I do, I am always happy to answer where I can."

That's... a lot. Mo Xuanyu's past and regrets are a whole lot more mundane than Nai's. It's something that he's slowly starting to get used to, when it comes to Nico and people from his world. Apart from the horrifying scene he witnessed in the Coda, it seemed there was still endless more things that were confusing, or terrifying, or both... or just on a scale that the young man found difficult to comprehend, and even more difficult to offer any words for.

It wasn't as though he were some skilled orator to begin with.

His own past is next to nothing in comparison, he thinks-- but still can't entirely shake that feeling of unworthiness.

Still, what Nai says does make sense, so he nods his head, and tapping his fingers rhythmically on the surface of the table, he offers the faintest of smiles in return.

"I like that explanation," he agrees. The beings that brought them to this place, maybe they had their reasons. Mo Xuanyu has spent his whole life tossed around by forces he hardly understood-- what's a bit more, only to go in a more positive direction this time? "Though... even if I can accept it, I'm not sure I'll be able to understand it."

In the end, though, he supposes that's alright.

[bluestringpuppeteer]

@bloodicdfeathers

There are many things that this world has that are vastly superior to the world that Legato had called home. Water, for one. Green, growing things.

A library.

A whole damn archive of a library, in fact.

Legato had never really read just for pleasure before coming here. He hadn't had time or inclination to do so back home, occupied as he was with Knives' plans and his own. Now, though, there were many evenings he spent quietly curled up on the couch with the Plant, both of them with a book of some kind. It was comfortable, cozy even.

Of course, this meant that he needed to find books to read. Which meant visiting the Archive on an increasingly frequent basis.

Today, he had an armful of returns, both his and some from Knives, since he was coming here anyway. May as well get all their returns done at once, after all. And pick up a hearty stack of new ones.

It unfortunately means that his arms are quite full when he rounds the corner of a shelf at the same moment as someone else, both of them noticing the other just too late to dodge. Books go tumbling, and Legato makes a dismayed noise in the back of his throat.

"Dammit," he hisses as he drops to begin gathering his back up again. "Apologies, I am distracted lately." There's books on weddings mixed in, and he's not sure if they're from him or the other man. "I... which ones are yours?"

He still shifts away slightly, putting himself a bit further from the books perhaps but also further from the threat of being touched by the other man too. Just in case.

[aevummarket]

I'd like to redeem the following anniversary items for Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi:

M.I.M.I. Hologram

Pendant Necklace with emotion rune

Aether Staves

Today is 11/21. Thank you!

The following items can be added to your Muse's Stats Page!

ILLUSIONAL TOY (EMOTION RUNE) These toys can be found at Buster Barns Toys in the Crystal Heights Mall. While these toys may seem ordinary, each of them is enchanted with minor effects to give them some extra pizzaz. This pendant will match the wearer's emotions. AETHER STAVES Curved staves that, when used together, can locate pools of Ebenos (silver) and Ivurie (gold) Aether. A specialty craft by the Ebenos Metal Arts Council, who once used them to siphon Aether into ancient magical tools and weapons. The practice is no longer as prominent, but they are cool collectibles! M.I.M.I. HOLOGRAM M.I.M.I. is the well-known virtual assistant of all Kiwi Electronics. While she typically can only be heard, East Tower Company has manufactured a holographic version of the beloved A.I. Now anyone can have a mini M.I.M.I. of their own!M.I.M.I. typically takes the appearance of a teal cat that follows nearby when she is activated. She cannot directly interact with the real world, but can interface with technology when instructed.

Thank you for being part of Aevum Isle's first year anniversary! :)

— Mod Leillis  🌸

[aevumisles]

Hi! I would like to move Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi’s housing! His previous housing was Seaside Province 202, and he’ll be moving to his personal housing in Downtown Arcanus. Today’s date is 11/20.

You relinquish your OLD HOUSE KEY to 202, SEASIDE PROVINCE in exchange for A NEW KEY. The receptionist at CITY HALL gives your permit one last once-over before signing and dating it.

"Ah, it must be nice going out to the countryside, away from the city. Nice and quiet, surrounded by nature and all of that. It's a nice place you got."

Congrats! Your muse, MO XUANYU, now has MOVED HOUSE. You can find your housing listed under HEARTHSIDE DWELLINGS on the Aevum Isles Map, or on the CUSTOM HOUSING PAGE.

You receive the following:

A House Key. Emblazoned upon it is: Mo Xuanyu's House.

— 🏵️ Creo

[drunkelreporter]

"They're pretty; you can sort of hear them flying when there's that many. Between the Worms and the stars, it's never dark at night in the desert. If it wasn't such a hell-hole, it would be beautiful." He's... almost wistful. It had been all he knew his entire life after all. There was nothing in this world that was even close to what he knew.

"Apparently, yeah. Don't know if it's all the small Worms that can do that or just that group, but apparently, they're a whole hive mind, so it's probably all of them if I had to guess." He glances over and smiles a little at the note-taking. Good habit to be in, that. Roberto had most of his notes in his head, but that was mostly from long practice. He did still carry his notebook after all.

Writing by hand was more familiar and comfortable. Phones were still not the most natural thing for him.

"I felt the wind when they flew past me, so I don't think it's an illusion. They made the little tiny ones form up into shapes and change colors, so I'd say it's probably something like the bigger ones forming the bulk of their body and the tiny ones making the details and outside form. Or something. At least the Worms just kidnapped us, though one of the big ones did swallow us up before. If I had to guess, that was probably to get Nicholas with our group at the time." He hadn't exactly pulled all that over properly since. Not a lot of time between finding out about where Wolfwood came from and dying and coming here. But now that he's thinking about it, it makes sense.

"Ah, Nicholas was working for the same guy the Worms were. I really don't think it was willingly, though. Didn't get any of the story from him, so I won't go guessing more of it." Not his story to tell, after all.

The question of souls and reincarnation is above Roberto's pay grade, really. He's not terribly keen on knowing more than what little he can make a vague guess on. Knowing the tiny bit more about Plants that he'd learned from Vash was more then enough for him.

There were things in the world that humans probably weren't meant to explore, and he was content with that.

Worms are at least a much easier subject.

"I think the people who named them saw the big, long ones in the sand at first and called those ones Worms. Probably didn't realize they were all the same species at first. They're just different stages of the same thing, and they get even smaller, too. When they spawn, they look like an aurora for all the glowing little dots floating in the air." He leans back and sighs, stretching out his side again.

"I don't know how that one takes human form. I know Meryl and I got attacked and knocked out by a swarm of the things, and then that one showed up. When I tried to shoot at them, they broke into a swarm of the little ones and then formed back up. All I know is they were talking like they're all the Worms and wanted to know who to throw their support behind."

[enduringdevotion]

Bonded by Circumstance ||@bloodicdfeathers||

After trying to break the idiot old man out of his head strong charge then rushing and almost breaking the door down to get Astarion to go after him, he was now left alone with this strange kid he had no idea who the hell he was.

"Nico, meet my son, Xuan. Xuan, my son Nico. Play nice."

Gods, both of his 'dads' love to adopt the sad looking ones. Now he was left wondering how the other acted as he shouldered the massive hunk of metal on his spine.

The soldier reaches into his pocket, bypassing the smokes as he decides best to be less imposing... Well, as much as one can with a massive gun.

He pulls out a sucker, tearing the plastic off the top and pops it in his mouth, looking around the love hotel. Ugh, it was as bad as he imagined. He rests his gun against the wall carefully, rolling his shoulders to crack them.

He sniffs the air, scenting the space and looked to the other.

"They'll be fine. If anyone can get those two out, it's each other." There's a frown as he tries to place the scent. "Why do I smell blood? You got injuries that need patching?" He imagined Astarion would have already done so, especially seeing his dad's signature clothes on the human.

"Nicholas D. Wolfwood. Whatever Astarion said about me, it's not true, unless it was how cool I am." He flashes the other a grin around the candy, turning his hand over to reveal he was offering the other a sucker too. "You look like you could use something sweet to ease the day."

[drunkelreporter]

It did not take Roberto long to figure out that this place was wrong. Things moved, very little was where it should be, and the people were just as shifty as the locations. Thieves and sneaks, thugs and knives, this was more of an underbelly to the Isle then Rosewood District ever could be.

Roberto was almost, almost tempted to relax in the face of a more familiar setting. These were people he knew how to deal with; the rough and rowdy, the wary and watchful. The people in Arcanus Isle were nice but... that wasn't what he was used to. He was used to the fight for survival in an unfriendly place and this felt far more natural then what he'd seen in Arcanus.

Sonare Isle was alright, for someone who knew how to keep his valuables tucked away, how to appear less then he was, and how to blend in. Or mostly, with the last one. Somehow people still marked him as an Echo, and gave him suspicious looks. No matter, they wrote him off almost as quickly as the people from Arcanus did and didn't stop him from poking around a little.

Or getting lost, which was the most annoying part. As if navigating a city wasn't hard enough, try one that moved.

And had weird, loud, silver rain. He'd been caught in the stuff before he had a chance to take cover and had been rather drenched but rain wasn't a mystery anymore, he could deal with being wet.

What he couldn't deal with was the lack of train back at the station, even as he caught sight of more Echoes here and there. No amount of hanging around brought a train and no amount of calling Astarion or Wolfwood brought an answer. He may have miscalculated.

Why was everything a struggle here? Not the things he was used to either, all the things that seemed simple weren't. What a pain.

And then things got weirder.

Voices that he knew by heart, flickers of movement from the corners of his eyes. Things that made no sense, that couldn't be, but somehow were. He'd caught the smell of familiar perfume once or twice and had shaken it off as thoughts about the past seeping into the present. Nothing more, nothing less.

He stopped telling himself that even after he swore he saw Meryl with her camera and had to double check that it was just a young boy with a very different model. The click had been the same, up until it wasn't.

Something was going on here and he didn't much like it.

Wandering the Pizzicato Road wasn't much better, but it was movement, which was preferable to sitting in one place. The kid with the camera had (for a handful of keys) told Roberto where the road lead 'reliably' and that it otherwise went "wherever Pizzicato wants to go", so he'd decided to explore a bit. Apparently the neo-terriers knew the way, if you were asked nicely and had a treat for them, so he wasn't worried, exactly. But the little map he'd been trying to make in his notebook made not a lick of sense and he'd just resolved to give it up when he saw someone else who looked distinctly lost.

A young man, bit pretty and meek looking, not at all the kind of person, at least by appearances, that would fare well back home.

"Hey there," Roberto said before he thought about it too much. "I've been told the neo-terriers will lead you around if you're lost out here. Here, I got some treats for them before I started exploring." The reporter sticks his pen behind his ear and digs into a pocket for a couple biscuits, stepping over to hold them out for the guy.

It's now physically impossible for Roberto to pass up a younger person who looks like they might need a bit of help. He's going to be very cross with his kids for this later, he's sure.

@bloodicdfeathers

[aevummarket]

I'd like to redeem a Custom Housing Permit for Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi using the Anniversary Voucher, please!

He was formerly housed in 202 Seaside Province, and will be moving to a two-bedroom, two-story custom house in a cottage-castle aesthetic style with a moderately-sized courtyard garden, located in the forest in the western part of Downtown Arcanus near the lake.

Stats under /stats, emblems under /emblems, and today is 11/16. Thank you!!

You enter CITY HALL and make your way to the RESIDENTIAL SECTOR. Here, you can buy various permits to create your own living quarters.

The following item can be added to your Muse's Stats Page!

CUSTOM HOUSING PERMIT 1500 Emblems free! You purchase a lovely cottage-castle-inspired, two-bedroom and two-story home. Included is a courtyard garden where one may spend countless afternoons in peaceful flowerbeds. The land is located in western Downtown Arcanus by a lake.

ORIGINAL BALANCE: 0 TRANSACTION: FREE (AEVUM ISLES ANNIVERSARY VOUCHER) CURRENT BALANCE: 0

NOTE: You do not need to buy the custom housing permit to move housing, or to move into another character’s personal housing. To submit a moving request, please submit to the Masterlist Inbox. All moving housing must be approved by the Masterlist Blog in order to be verified and updated.

— 🏵️ Creo

[aevummarket]

Hello! Two unlocks for Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi please-- his spiritual cultivation and his spiritual tools. Today is 11/16, stats under /stats and emblems under /emblems. Thank you!

When you awaken, you feel rekindled. As though some small piece of you has assembled itself back together….

You have regained your of SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION.

ABILITY UNLOCK 500 Emblems *250 EMBLEMS ALL Abilities and Items listed on a Muse’s application can be bought back at any time. Application unlocks are limited to two (2) abilities/items per Activity Check without exception.

and ...

As though it never left your side, your SPIRITUAL TOOLS has found its way back to you, manifested at your bedside when you open your eyes.

SPECIAL ITEM UNLOCK 500 Emblems *250 EMBLEMS ALL Abilities and Items listed on a Muse’s application can be bought back at any time. Application unlocks are limited to two (2) abilities/items per Activity Check without exception.

ORIGINAL EMBLEM BALANCE: 500 TRANSACTION: -500 Emblems *(AEVUM ISLES ANNIVERSARY: 50% OFF) CURRENT EMBLEM BALANCE: 0

— Mod Leillis  🌸

[aevummarket]

Also purchasing a pet registration for Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi, stats at /stats, emblems at /emblems, and today is 10/6.

A special item has been delivered to your home and placed in a mailbox that wasn’t there yesterday. The box, and the item both have your name on them.

PET REGISTRATION FORMS 150 Emblems How you gain this creature is up to mun discretion, whether the 'special item' is simply a bundle of all the necessary supplies to take care of your new pet, or the 'special item' is both the supplies and the pet. You can buy an animal from a pet store, or register an animal you have found on your adventures if you so choose. 

ORIGINAL EMBLEM BALANCE: 150 TRANSACTION: 150 CURRENT EMBLEM BALANCE: 0

— 🏵️ Creo

[aevummarket]

I'd like to get an ability unlock for Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi. His talisman & array creation ability please! Stats are /stats and Emblems are /emblems, today is 10/6!

When you awaken, you feel rekindled. As though some small piece of you has assembled itself back together….

You may create talismans which have effects against spirits.

ABILITY UNLOCK 500 Emblems ALL Abilities and Items listed on a Muse’s application can be bought back at any time. Application unlocks are limited to two (2) abilities/items per Activity Check without exception.

ORIGINAL EMBLEM BALANCE: 650  TRANSACTION: 500 Emblems  CURRENT EMBLEM BALANCE: 150

— 🏵️ Creo

[aevummarket]

I’d like to rank up Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi to Ardent rank, please. My Stats Page is at /stats, and my threads are /threads. Today is 09/14.

Your experiences have led you to deeper ties in this world. Young Echo, may you cherish them well.

Congrats! Your muse, MO XUANYU has ranked up to Ardent Rank! You now have the following benefits:

Access to Tier 2 of the Marketplace

200 emblems per Activity Check

All other benefits are listed on the RANKS PAGE.

— Mod Leillis  🌸

[aevummarket]

I’d like to purchase an Ability Unlock (Demonic Cultivation) for Mo Xuanyu from Mo Dao Zu Shi. My Stats Page can be found at /stats, and my Emblems can be found at /emblems. Today is 09/01.

When you awaken, you feel rekindled. As though some small piece of you has assembled itself back together….

Your DEMONIC CULTIVATION has been restored to you.

ABILITY UNLOCK 500 Emblems ALL Abilities and Items listed on a Muse’s application can be bought back at any time. Application unlocks are limited to two (2) abilities/items per Activity Check without exception.

ORIGINAL EMBLEM BALANCE: 850  TRANSACTION: 500 Emblems  CURRENT EMBLEM BALANCE: 350

— 🏵️ Creo