angryhearts | Date Night

Date Night

WHO: Xie Lian and Hua Cheng

WHAT: A date between a god and a ghost

WHEN: Near Christmas

WHERE: Around the hotel

NOTES: Content warnings: Things could get NSFW in comments

Xie Lian knows that they have very few options when it comes to what they can do in the hotel in regards to courting but he thought it would be nice for him and Hua Cheng to enjoy something of the kind. He knows that Hua Cheng doesn't really have to eat and that they don't really need to go and do anything special for the both of them to be happy. But given the feeling in the hotel and how everything is so beautifully decorated it just seems like a good time to enjoy even just a casual stroll and enjoy the surroundings.

With all the snow on the ground and trees decorated around the hotel it is as close to walking outside as they could possibly get. He doesn't really have any plans besides spending some time with Hua Cheng and exploring these feelings that have been building up in him.

He looks up at the other man with a smile, "Are you ready to explore, San Lang?"

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He had been here for a while. At first, everything seems new, but then over time, seeing the same twilight scene out the window with the scene never changes, and unable to explore what the outside world is like, it does feel a little repetitive.

Still, he gets to spend with his dianxia everyday and being in his presence, it's more than enough to fill him with gratitude, taking a stroll, cheering him up, making sure he is never alone, and never leaving his side. While the hotel is beautiful and breath-taking, it just pales in comparison with Xie Lian.

He smiles back softly, "I'm ready. However, I don't think there's much to explore and I do wonder what the outside of this world is like."

"We can't really go outside, but the whole hotel is decorated with snow and trees. If we just use a little imagination we can almost pretend we are walking outside." Xie Lian wants to enjoy their time out in the hotel in a different way. They can't go on the same adventures that they would on their own world so they have to make do with what they have at their disposal.

He nods, having discovered that they can't go out. "I did send a butterfly out to scout. When it returns, it only finds a lot of forests and some monsters out there."

Still, he sees his dianxia cheerful. "I'm not familiar with the holiday, but it is beautiful." He is just missing his boots and silver bells, where it jangles when he walks.

"Yes, we can use some imagination to take a walk." He offers his hand to take his hand. "I'll accompany you."

"The colors of this holiday remind me of San Lang. There is a lot of reds and silvers everywhere. The staff says it is a celebration and a way to spend time with loved ones."

Xie Lian doesn't understand exactly what the holiday is but the staff seemed excited. He takes Hua Cheng's hand and heads towards the elevator together with him.

Holding his hands, he goes for a stroll with him, heading toward to the elevator to head downstairs to the lobby. Spending time with his beloved is something he's working on.

Once they came out, it's a festive mood everywhere, that even the staff is cheerful. "It's not like the color of leaves and maple. But the reds does match my robes." He remarked thoughtfully as he walks with him side by side.

"What kind of holiday they're celebrating gege?"

"They call is Christmas. It has something to do with a certain religion but the idea of it seems to be that you gather with the people you love and exchange gifts as you reflect on your time together."

Xie Lian only has one person he loves and he is with him now so this is the best way he can figure out how to celebrate. He looks up at the decorations as they walk along, thankful that the snow beneath their feet isn't too cold to walk on.

In his opinion, dianxia is the only religion that is real and matters to him. But he smiles, feeling laid back as he likes the idea.

"Christmas..., I think giving presents to your loved ones is nice. Sounds like a holiday basing on the idea of charity and kindness." The very thought does fill him with a certain warmth as he can feel it in the mood of the place.

Though this place is quiet enough, his dianxia is the only loved one to give a gift too, the only soul and person he loves. So he couldn't think of anyone else. Perhaps his pair of assistants also count, but they're back home.

"I'm not sure what kind of gift I could give you," Other than his absolute loyalty, love, and devotion. "Other than I wish I can find materials to make a pair of shoes for you." He didn't like it that Xie Lian has to walk barefoot over the cold snow.

"Being here with you is gift enough, San Lang." Xie Lian smiles up at him. He had been here alone for several months so being able to walk beside Hua Cheng again is enough of a present. He couldn't ask for anything more.

He looks down at this feet as they travel through the snow. "I'm getting rather used to not having shoes. And the snow isn't cold so it isn't that bad."

It is still odd to be barefoot and he doesn't really understand why they can't have them but that is the hardly the strangest thing he has encountered in the hotel.

"Still, gege. You deserve a pair of good boots at least to keep your feet warm." He doesn't feel anything being considered a ghost, but he does feel cold to an extent. Still, it gives him much relief that he found him at last. He didn't want gege to suffer and be alone. So consider it a miracle that he's here with him, to enjoy the holiday with him.

Looking at the shops open, at least, open by the staff who care enough to come and keep it open, he looks at the only toy store with toys on the shelves for sale.

"Gege, do you like toys?"

"Toys?" Xie Lian looks into the shop with all the varieties of animals and things displayed.

"I've never really thought about it. I've been training since I was a child so all I've really known is swords and cultivation."

He hadn't really thought about toys or the typical things that children would have wanted. He could have had anything he wanted, his parents willing to spoil him any way that they could.

"Strange they sell toys for the children here. I wonder if they expect anyone to come?" This hotel has been quiet after all, and he did see the other cultivators wandering.

Still, he's curious to take a closer look with his hands in his pocket and enter the store while browsing through. There's a strange array of toys from dolls, musical instruments, and gadgets from other worlds.

He found a red toy drum rattle from their world and he picks it up to play it. "gege look, a toy rattle drum." And he plays for him.

Xie Lian wanders around looking at the various toys. He pauses at the stuffed animals and picks up what looks to be a ferret. It's kind of cute but he puts it back down when Hua Cheng calls to him.

He walks over and looks at the little drum. "Do you remember having toys like this when you were young, San Lang?" He knows that he was a poor child but he often thought that the children in the kingdom were often playing with such things. He remembers very vaguely having toys similar as well when he was young.

He sees the ferret he picks up and puts it back. He goes over to pick it up, and realized the doll is meant for him, instead of the toy drum, that this is the one he should give to him.

"Dianxia, here. I think little one wants to go home with you."

At his question, "No. I don't remember much of my childhood. When I was a child, I remember having to fight everyday and my parents would beat me if I want something or even talk. I don't have much to live for. I'll be lucky to have food and clothes on my back. The only thing that kept me from dying is the vision of your face on the statue and sleeping at your temple."

Xie Lian instantly feels bad about asking about Hua Cheng's childhood. He knows that he is the boy that feel from the tower during the parade and he knows what little he remembers of their interactions after that. But it is all still so little when considering how long they have known each other and how much history there is between that point and this one.

He walks back over and places his hand lightly on the man's arm as he looks at the stuffed animal. "He is very cute. I like him."

From his perspective, he saved his life several times. Beneath the mask, he sees more than a god. He is his reason to live.

He smiles softly at him, gazing into his eyes, pleased with the gift. He give that ferret good luck. "Then take him home. It's my offering. The same way I will take you back home."

"Thank you, San Lang. I'm sure he will be very happy in his new home." He collects the little ferret into his arms and looks up at him. "Is there anything in here you would like?"

He doesn't know if Hua Cheng really desires anything. There aren't any weapons in this place so he can't gift him with a new sword. But he wonders if there might be something else that catches his eye.

"What about an art set?"

Hua Cheng doesn't have many desires, other than the love and affection of his god. But at his suggestion, he took it to the heart and he realized it pleases his god to draw and paint.

"There is a small art store I see a while back. They don't have much selection but let's go there now and then I'll take you back to our room, and I'll paint what pleases you."

He smiles softly and taking his hand, they walk out and go to the nearby art store to look for an art set and art supplies.

"So many of these stores seem aimed at children but there aren't any to be seen...There was one time when this place turned most of us younger but that didn't last."

It is odd how there is a strangely high male population in the hotel as well. It is something Xie Lian has noticed. Many of the staffers are female but the guests are mostly male.

Not that he has met all of them, which he would like to do at some point.

"Hm, this place is Wonderland gege. And there's one ruling Queen whom we don't know much about." He listens, he wasn't there when the children turn younger. "I see. I don't about that."

In the art shop, most of the art supplies are free, so he takes as many as he wished, smiles at the clerks, and thanked them. With the art supplies, he plans to draw a lot of pictures today.

"I got most of the art supplies I need to do paintings gege. Maybe today I shall go to your room?"

"If you would like to. My room is not as impressive as San Lang's is." But it is familiar since it is the shrine the both of them spend so much time in. It is comfortable for him at least but it isn't as fancy as San Lang's home in Ghost City.

"What are you going to draw?" He heads back towards the lobby.

"It's the best room because it's comfortable and it's your temple. I think with care, that's where you will feel your best."

He smiles softly at him as he has an idea that struck him. "Whatever gege wishes. Since we're going to your room, go to your room and I'll meet up with you later. I need to gather some more supplies to prepare."

"Oh? Alright, San Lang. I'll go and prepare some tea for when you arrive." Tea is the one thing he can make and expect to turn out fine without any sot of deadly capabilities.

He is curious what else San Lang has to get but he will do what he said and go off towards his room and get things ready for the other man.

"I want to build your temple gege." He smiles sweetly, but also rueful. He knew he has good luck though he can feel it, that his spiritual power has been greatly diminished, so he requires to put in more extra effort in his tasks. Hua Cheng gathered the things he needs, but then he has an idea, so he gathers a little extra from the spa also to make his night special.

When he arrives in his room, he sets it up. He set up the altar putting up candles and burning incense, and place candies and fruits for offerings on plates.

"There, gege look. I did it. I set up an altar, your altar." It looks beautiful and decorated with incense, candles, and place of offerings.

Xie Lian sits on the mat, watching him create the alter with awe. He never really expected such a thing in this place. "It's beautiful, San Lang. I'm not a god in this place...there won't be anyone who would bring offerings and appreciate it."

But he is touched regardless. San Lang is always so thoughtful towards him and it does make it feel a little bit more like home. He will be able to look upon it every day and that makes him happy.

He stands up and walks over, "Thank you, San Lang."

It saddens Hua Cheng to hear that he doesn't have any followers and the staff never heard of him.

"You're always the god I remembered in my heart, and in my heart, there's the temple where I always worship you in there." Then softly, "But here, I brought you offerings." He had it all laid out on the altar he made. "There's fruits, chocolates, and candies, so help yourself."

Meanwhile, he did promised him a painting, so he's going to assemble a blank canvas and placed it on a wooden stand. Then he brought up a chair and he filled the bowls of fresh water, and make preparations for his painting with the watercolors of paint and using a brush.

Dipping the brush into the water and paint, he looks over from the canvas. "What kind of drawing you like gege? Your kingdom and the way you are 800 years ago? A favorite animal you like? Give an idea, a dream, and I'll paint out like a vision for you."

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