text; un: ᴊᴜᴇʏᴜɴ ᴄʜɪʟɪ (open to all clans)

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My family say that birthdays are big days for Tianheng Thaumaturges and that we should never take them lightly.

I had planned to go up the mountain to perform prayer rituals with the elders of my clan this year ... that no longer is possible. Still, I'm left thinking about how it would have been, as well as what I would have listed for my wishes. I know that I would have prayed for my cherished friends, and those that I've met. Since I can't climb Mt. Tianheng for the ritual now, I'll say it this way.

I wish you all pleasant journeys, safety, and peace.

Aside from that ... one great wish I have this birthday is to learn more about the spirits and supernatural of other worlds.

Since we have all come from different places, I was hoping — will you tell me of your experiences with the otherworldly, when you were back home? I'd like to hear true stories, but I do also really enjoy a good hair-raising story or legend if you know of any.

( spooky stories for september! ♥ feel free to threadjack as you please. )

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[ Judging Matoba to have as much as a sweet tooth as himself, Chongyun happily chops off another third of the cake and rolls it onto another paper plate with the knife before sliding it in front of the older man. Then, he rests the knife onto the flattened box and grabs a fork to start digging into the hunk in front of him before it melts. ]

No, Liyue isn't cold. There are seasons where it's cooler and the harbor has the breeze from the sea, but generally the climate is temperate or warm. I couldn't go outside on sunny days, or if I had to go out, I would bring my parasol. [ he takes a generous bite of the cake, chewing it down before continuing on, ] I take all my meals cold, wear light clothing, and avoid gatherings with too may people. Often times it's easier for me to isolate inside, especially during the summer or events like festivals or parties. Hot springs and hot baths are also a no go, I can only bathe in cold water. Even getting heated during quarrels can trigger some of the negative effects of my condition. Many times, it was better to be alone.

[ He cuts off another generous hunk of cake, ]

It's ... difficult at times, having a body that disagrees with so much by virtue of an innate trait, but I've gotten used to maintaining it. I always have to be vigilant.

[worldbent]

[The enormous portions this cake is being served out in does not escape the notice of the cafe staff or its patrons, who are now hate-watching this happy birthday bash and whispering amongst themselves. Imagine the diabetes.]

Oh? I see, so it is a warm coastal town... [Matoba's eye flutters shut for a moment as he nods, a peaceful expression crossing his face.] My hometown is quite warm most of the year, as well. We still experience snows in the wintertime, but it is pretty humid even then.

Ice cream is one of the few respites from those humid summers. Haha, when I was your age I would have practically an ice pop a day, even on school days.

[He happily scoops a big piece of cake into his mouth, listening to Chongyun talk about his affliction. All this trouble, to ward off ayakashi... If Matoba was honest, even if it was its own sort of prison, it was still a step up from his own. Guaranteed safety, in exchange for Chongyun's freedom. But at least he had that much.]

[With a small sigh, Matoba represses away the jealous thoughts. It was no good... The grass was always greener, he supposes.]

Perhaps you should try living in the mountains. [He grins.] --Joking... Well, it would be easier to manage, but I suppose relocating an entire clan is nearly impossible.

...May I ask, Chongyun-kun? It is your aura which repels ayakashi, isn't it? Perhaps it is selfish of me to say so, but I suppose I don't see what's so bad about letting it run free.

[If it could repel even that monster...]

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Actually, Liyue as a nation is extremely large and mountainous in some areas. My clan originated from one of the mountain regions. It’s too bad I can’t take you there, I think you’d like seeing it.

[ He contemplates that last question, realizing that perhaps he hadn’t been clear on exactly what all those efforts are meant to suppress. He nods, slowly chewing his piece of cake before continuing. ]

Why not leave your enchanted parasol at home, or remove the ward over your eye? [ he stabs his fork into a crumbly bit of cake, mixing chocolate with a party blast of colors, ] My efforts aren’t to suppress the warding effects of my energy—it’s too strong for that and the very nature of my spirit won’t change. They’re to suppress and manage the negative side effects for my own sake. The physical and mental tolls can be extreme if I don’t.

To say … if you had a flame, you could stoke it in a fireplace or use a candle to nurse it. The nature of my condition is that I must hold wildfire in my bare hands. The flames can’t be quelled, but I can try to ease the burns.

[worldbent]

[Matoba smiles. It is a shame, isn't it.] Yes... My family home is also in the mountains. They're quite forested. I think I would have enjoyed it, as well.

[When he leaves this realm, he will have to leave Chongyun behind. He will be able to handle himself just fine, Matoba thinks, but it will still be a shame to lose that connection.]

[Stickin his fork into another big chunk of ice cream, Matoba listens as Chongyun describes the nature of his condition. An inability to suppress one's aura had nasty drawbacks, such as being unable to conceal one's presence, but he supposes that overwhelming might meant that you didn't need to choose stealth. Perhaps it wasn't such a loss. But the burden of such an aura on the physical body must be immense. His own aura was strong, but it wasn't that strong- and it was evenly distributed.]

[He wonders if Chongyun wasn't always in pain, and hiding it with an excellently trained suppression. It makes him pause, and look at the boy anew for a moment.] ...I see. [He thoughtfully works at another small bite of cake.] ...Haha, my constitution at your age would have been put to shame.

Perhaps even now. [Such gloomy birthday talk. Such was a party with exorcists, huh? He almost has to laugh.] I still have to remind myself even now, sometimes, that I am slipping.

[Let's just. Hide that admission in more cake, shall we.]

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[ Slipping?

It's something that Chongyun wants to question, but he can sense the vulnerability there. Maybe it's a thread better not picked at ... which is why the young exorcist just nods and reaches across the table to pat the top of Matoba's hand. A touch of reassurance. Even if he may not fully understand what the older man is dealing with, he can offer his support as a friend.

Happier thoughts. Which is why Chongyun steers the conversation in a different direction now that Matoba understands the purpose of his efforts to surpress his condition's side effects. ]

May I ask when your birthday is?

[worldbent]

[The admission was probably too much as it is, even if it's couched in sarcastic self-deprecation. His life doesn't have time for regrets, so he doesn't bother to rethink saying such a thing in front of the young exorcist. But when Chongyun reaches across the table and puts his hand over Matoba's, he can only stare at it in bafflement.]

[The confusion isn't the boy's meaning- he's not that stunted, despite everything about him which was burnt out from him. That still didn't make it easier to process the application of that empathy towards him.]

[He's still somewhat distracted by the motion when Chongyun decides to move things away from the gloom, glancing up at his question.]

Hm? Ah... The first of November. [He cracks a grin.] Not too far away. Perhaps this will be the first one where I am not besieged by clan attendants and can enjoy it on my own.

[He can imagine that perhaps Chongyun, too, was used to a fuss being made about his birthdays.]