Oh! A-Yi! Please come in! I was just making cookies so you can let me know if they're good.
[Taking the box, he waves him inside. Curious to know what has been made for him, he opens the box to look inside and gasps softly. It's simple but that's fine. To him it's one of the most beautiful things he's ever beheld.
Lifting it from the box, he admires it even as they walk.]
[When he sees the recognition, he gives his friend a quick bow and follows him inside. He grin widens as Gaura opens his present and looks so pleased with it.]
It's a Chinese blessing for wealth, health, love, long life, and honorable death. Basically overall great life. I'm not as skilled at talismans as my elders are so it doesn't have any spiritual power, but the gods will hear it.
[He stops and gestures to the tassel.]
Oh! And I made a knot for you so you can always tell it's me! I thought you could see it further away than if I had a bracelet and my sleeves might cover it too much. But what do you think? Is it easy for you to see?
[Tracing the characters, he smiles more then finally puts the bracelet on. He knows he's going to treasure this always. But he's soon pulled from his thoughts at the mention of the tassel, eyes widening.]
You made that for me?
[He's so touched almost doesn't know what to say. But soon he breaks into a smile and nods.]
Of course! What are friends for? It was kind of fun making these too. I might make a few more since I still have more string. I won't use the same color though.
[He knows Henry will just be so happy that Gaura's little brother cares about him that much. His heart belongs only to one man and he's very sure that one man knows it.
[Jingyi smiles pleased with that answer. While he finds Gaura delightful, he strongly respects other people's relationships- especially cute ones like theirs. That and his heart belongs elsewhere too.]
I'm really glad you like it. Maybe we should celebrate!.. with cookies.
[Jingyi follows and he gets excited as he smells the cookies. He doesn't know them by name, but he likes the flavor of ginger. He picks one up and takes a bite. His eyes widen and he looks at the cookie in surprise.]
I've never tasted anything so sweet that's so spicy! Is it called 'snap' because it's such a sharp flavor?
[He's unsure if he likes it, so he takes another bite. Then another.. okay maybe he does.]
It's because if you break one in half it makes a snap.
[Picking up one of the cookies, he carefully breaks the hard cookie in half until it snaps. Taking one half, he starts to eat it while offering the other to Jingyi.]
They've very good with tea. Now, come over here. You can help me by stirring this bowl for me with the wet ingredients while I get the dry ones ready to add.
[It's almost comical how the 'revelation' of the cookie's name melts Jingyi's confused expression into an enlightened grin.]
What a clever name!
[He accepts the other half of the cookie happily before turning his attention to the bowl. He picks up a spoon to start stirring, clearly being familiar with this part of the process.]
This is much more pleasant than it normally is when I have to do this. Having to work in the kitchen under the cook is often a punishment for breaking one of the minor rules. There are other servantly chores or feats of endurance. Usually an endurance punishment is for something more significant.
We are taught how to start a campfire and forage if we're separated during a night-hunt and need to fend for ourselves. That's different though, that isn't in our sect. At Cloud Recesses we focus on learning cultivation, our guqin, and swordsmanship.
[There are far worse punishments and he has a couple scars on his back from it.]
But you enjoy it? This doesn't feel like a chore to you?
So you are taught how to survive but anything more than that is considered beneath your station.
[Gaura nods in understanding, not judging the other harshly for his upbringing. Some are born to a higher status. He knows that. He's not going to think poorly of his dear friend for what life he was born to.]
No. This is very comforting for me. Several years ago I actually ran from home and had to find a way to survive. Learning to cook and the act of it? It was reassuring to me when I had nothing. Now I can use what I learned to take care of those I love and that means the world to me.
[Jingyi is once again faced with something that is so normal to him being strange and new for his friend. He really didn't know what servants did? Well.. why would he? Gaura said he wasn't among the nobility where he's from and everything else about his world was so different.]
Well.. it's not just that though. It's our duty to protect our sects too. That includes everyone from other cultivators to the lowliest peasant from ghosts, demons, and monsters. We travel wherever we're called to cleanse areas of bad energy or sometimes more mundane things. Like one of the minor clans who depend on us- since we're one of the major clans- had a big fire in one of their barns. It ruined most of what they'd stored for winter so it is our job to lead anyone who died to peace and provide food for those still alive.
[He does smile when he hears how much Gaura likes what he's doing.]
[Coming over with the dry ingredients, he adds a cupful at a time to Jingyi's bowl while he listens to the explanation. It does make sense really. One would perhaps be too busy to learn things like this with a duty like that. It must mean that a more normal life would be impossible.
He can't feel sad though. He knows that Jingyi is happy.]
I think we all often don't think of things in a different way the first time we hear of something. We're used to what we know. But it's nice to learn about a new way of looking at something.
[It is probably strange to someone outside the cultivation world, but Jingyi was very happy there. He likes learning and training with his clan and he loves helping people. His words and his heart don't always coordinate- such as being very clear someone is a 'commoner' or 'servant' and yet care for them.]
I wonder if this is why shushu likes being a servant at that brothel..
[His eyes widen and he flashes a guilty look at Gaura- not that he can see it.]
Uh.. I mean.. he's not.. he's not one of the whores. He serves drinks and food there.
[Jingyi frowns, unsure if he should be insulted or not. It doesn't sound like a mean laugh though. By the end, he's staring at Gaura like he has four heads and a doughnut noses. Fortunately, he remembers to keep stirring as he talks.]
You don't think there's anything wrong with working at a brothel? But.. it's so.. disgraceful.
[The word is said like it might taint Jingyi just by saying it.]
And what's the difference between a server and a servant?
I worked at a place like that once. About four years ago.
[He's honestly done a lot of different work just to stay on his feet after running away from home. Some things he's not proud of. But working there? He's not ashamed he did it.]
A servant is someone assigned to do tasks to take care of a building and the people they work for. A server is someone hired by a food or drink establishment to bring the food to the customers as well as to find out what they'd like to eat.
[He doesn't know what to think of Gaura working at a place like that. Now he knows three people who he respects greatly who have done the 'unthinkable'. It goes against all he'd been taught about being stoic, disciplined, and modest.
He shakes his head trying to imagine how Lan Qiren would react. He looks a little worried even talking about this and his hand stills.]
If I did that and my elders found out I'd be beaten or disowned.
[He can see where the term might be a little different, but it still sounds like the same lowly rank to him. However, he just nods- haunted a bit by the other part of their conversation.]
It takes time to see things in a different light when you've been raised to see the world in only one way. You're being exposed to ideas that you've never had to think about before. But if you approach these ideas with an open mind you can learn so much about the people around you.
[He gently rests his hand on his shoulder and gives him a warm smile.]
You don't have to agree with different ideas. But try to not judge others based on what you've learned alone. The universe is a big place and we all have such different and beautiful stories.
If you don't judge people how will you know if they're a good person or not? If you aren't careful, you might end up trusting someone you shouldn't. They'll either hurt you or fool you into hurting others.
[If he uses his own judgment and not the judgment of his clan, then how will he know if his judgment is sound? Isn't it better to trust what has been established by generations from his clan?
Although.. there have been a few times his clan and the elders have been wrong. He only has to look at Hanguang-Jun and Wei-qianbei to see it. There's also the time when all the elders were cowering in the cave. The most damning evidence of their poor judgment is Hanguang-Jun's back.]
You can follow your heart without deciding who someone is based on their stories.
[Gently, he stops him from stirring and has him look at him.]
I ran away from home six years ago. I lied about my age and name for all that time so I wouldn't be found. I worked any job I could to live including sex work. Every job I had fired me for being unreliable because I was late to work most of the time. I've stolen food and supplies.
[Gaura tilts his head.]
If you judged me based only on those details you'd never know me. Who I am. Why I've done what I have.
[Jingyi is surprised when Gaura makes him stop, but it really brings the point home. He struggles with the answer a bit, but finally speaks up again.]
You're right, those things don't change who you are. I don't approve of everything you've done but you're right they don't make you a bad person or anything.
Do you believe there are universal things that are right and wrong? Did you feel bad taking things that didn't belong to you?
[Gaura hums softly as he thinks about that and actually gives that question the thought it deserves. Both questions actually.]
I don't think that there are universal things that are right and wrong. We want the world to be black and white but it isn't. I stole things because it was the only way that I could live. Another will do so for the fun of it or to hurt someone. The intention behind these crimes and that is what changes the crime. Even the act of killing someone. Soldiers go to war to fight and kill because they have to fight for their country. Or a mother kills a person trying to hurt her child. This is still murder, it's still taking a life, just as much as someone slaughtering a family for the cruel pleasure of it.
[Moving the bowl between them now, he gives them each a tray and shows him how to take some of dough to roll into balls before putting them on the tray.]
I do feel guilty for what I took. As soon as I could afford to, I left money and a letter for each store I stole from. To apologize for what I did and to thank them because I was able to live another day.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[Taking the box, he waves him inside. Curious to know what has been made for him, he opens the box to look inside and gasps softly. It's simple but that's fine. To him it's one of the most beautiful things he's ever beheld.
Lifting it from the box, he admires it even as they walk.]
What does it say?
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It's a Chinese blessing for wealth, health, love, long life, and honorable death. Basically overall great life. I'm not as skilled at talismans as my elders are so it doesn't have any spiritual power, but the gods will hear it.
[He stops and gestures to the tassel.]
Oh! And I made a knot for you so you can always tell it's me! I thought you could see it further away than if I had a bracelet and my sleeves might cover it too much. But what do you think? Is it easy for you to see?
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You made that for me?
[He's so touched almost doesn't know what to say. But soon he breaks into a smile and nods.]
Yes. I can find that easily.
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Of course! What are friends for? It was kind of fun making these too. I might make a few more since I still have more string. I won't use the same color though.
[Pink is clearly for his gege only.]
This won't bother your suitor will it?
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[He knows Henry will just be so happy that Gaura's little brother cares about him that much. His heart belongs only to one man and he's very sure that one man knows it.
Slipping the bracelet on, he smiles down at it.]
I love it.
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I'm really glad you like it. Maybe we should celebrate!.. with cookies.
[He snickers at his own joke.]
Are they already made or can I help make them?
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[He smiles brightly and brings him to the kitchen where the smell of fresh cookies fills the air.]
These are called gingersnaps. And the ones I'm making next are chocolate chip.
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I've never tasted anything so sweet that's so spicy! Is it called 'snap' because it's such a sharp flavor?
[He's unsure if he likes it, so he takes another bite. Then another.. okay maybe he does.]
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[Picking up one of the cookies, he carefully breaks the hard cookie in half until it snaps. Taking one half, he starts to eat it while offering the other to Jingyi.]
They've very good with tea. Now, come over here. You can help me by stirring this bowl for me with the wet ingredients while I get the dry ones ready to add.
[He indicates a bowl with butter and eggs in it.]
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What a clever name!
[He accepts the other half of the cookie happily before turning his attention to the bowl. He picks up a spoon to start stirring, clearly being familiar with this part of the process.]
This is much more pleasant than it normally is when I have to do this. Having to work in the kitchen under the cook is often a punishment for breaking one of the minor rules. There are other servantly chores or feats of endurance. Usually an endurance punishment is for something more significant.
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[Though he does wonder what an endurance punishment is. It sounds so...intense...]
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We have servants for that.
[Obviously.]
We are taught how to start a campfire and forage if we're separated during a night-hunt and need to fend for ourselves. That's different though, that isn't in our sect. At Cloud Recesses we focus on learning cultivation, our guqin, and swordsmanship.
[There are far worse punishments and he has a couple scars on his back from it.]
But you enjoy it? This doesn't feel like a chore to you?
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[Gaura nods in understanding, not judging the other harshly for his upbringing. Some are born to a higher status. He knows that. He's not going to think poorly of his dear friend for what life he was born to.]
No. This is very comforting for me. Several years ago I actually ran from home and had to find a way to survive. Learning to cook and the act of it? It was reassuring to me when I had nothing. Now I can use what I learned to take care of those I love and that means the world to me.
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[Jingyi is once again faced with something that is so normal to him being strange and new for his friend. He really didn't know what servants did? Well.. why would he? Gaura said he wasn't among the nobility where he's from and everything else about his world was so different.]
Well.. it's not just that though. It's our duty to protect our sects too. That includes everyone from other cultivators to the lowliest peasant from ghosts, demons, and monsters. We travel wherever we're called to cleanse areas of bad energy or sometimes more mundane things. Like one of the minor clans who depend on us- since we're one of the major clans- had a big fire in one of their barns. It ruined most of what they'd stored for winter so it is our job to lead anyone who died to peace and provide food for those still alive.
[He does smile when he hears how much Gaura likes what he's doing.]
I never thought of it like that.
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He can't feel sad though. He knows that Jingyi is happy.]
I think we all often don't think of things in a different way the first time we hear of something. We're used to what we know. But it's nice to learn about a new way of looking at something.
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I wonder if this is why shushu likes being a servant at that brothel..
[His eyes widen and he flashes a guilty look at Gaura- not that he can see it.]
Uh.. I mean.. he's not.. he's not one of the whores. He serves drinks and food there.
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A server is not a servant. And there's nothing wrong with working at a brothel. As a server or as a prostitute. It's all honest work.
[Pouring the rest of his bowl into Jingyi's, he went to the sink to rinse it before coming back.]
Make sure that's all mixed until it starts to form a large ball.
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You don't think there's anything wrong with working at a brothel? But.. it's so.. disgraceful.
[The word is said like it might taint Jingyi just by saying it.]
And what's the difference between a server and a servant?
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[He's honestly done a lot of different work just to stay on his feet after running away from home. Some things he's not proud of. But working there? He's not ashamed he did it.]
A servant is someone assigned to do tasks to take care of a building and the people they work for. A server is someone hired by a food or drink establishment to bring the food to the customers as well as to find out what they'd like to eat.
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He shakes his head trying to imagine how Lan Qiren would react. He looks a little worried even talking about this and his hand stills.]
If I did that and my elders found out I'd be beaten or disowned.
[He can see where the term might be a little different, but it still sounds like the same lowly rank to him. However, he just nods- haunted a bit by the other part of their conversation.]
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[He gently rests his hand on his shoulder and gives him a warm smile.]
You don't have to agree with different ideas. But try to not judge others based on what you've learned alone. The universe is a big place and we all have such different and beautiful stories.
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[If he uses his own judgment and not the judgment of his clan, then how will he know if his judgment is sound? Isn't it better to trust what has been established by generations from his clan?
Although.. there have been a few times his clan and the elders have been wrong. He only has to look at Hanguang-Jun and Wei-qianbei to see it. There's also the time when all the elders were cowering in the cave. The most damning evidence of their poor judgment is Hanguang-Jun's back.]
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[Gently, he stops him from stirring and has him look at him.]
I ran away from home six years ago. I lied about my age and name for all that time so I wouldn't be found. I worked any job I could to live including sex work. Every job I had fired me for being unreliable because I was late to work most of the time. I've stolen food and supplies.
[Gaura tilts his head.]
If you judged me based only on those details you'd never know me. Who I am. Why I've done what I have.
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You're right, those things don't change who you are. I don't approve of everything you've done but you're right they don't make you a bad person or anything.
Do you believe there are universal things that are right and wrong? Did you feel bad taking things that didn't belong to you?
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I don't think that there are universal things that are right and wrong. We want the world to be black and white but it isn't. I stole things because it was the only way that I could live. Another will do so for the fun of it or to hurt someone. The intention behind these crimes and that is what changes the crime. Even the act of killing someone. Soldiers go to war to fight and kill because they have to fight for their country. Or a mother kills a person trying to hurt her child. This is still murder, it's still taking a life, just as much as someone slaughtering a family for the cruel pleasure of it.
[Moving the bowl between them now, he gives them each a tray and shows him how to take some of dough to roll into balls before putting them on the tray.]
I do feel guilty for what I took. As soon as I could afford to, I left money and a letter for each store I stole from. To apologize for what I did and to thank them because I was able to live another day.
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