Sometimes if you don't show up to whatever banquet they decide to throw, or if you get pulled into a game and don't play along, they punish you by taking away some of your chips. It's their way of forcing us to do what they want.
[ Usually without warning! So if you value your chips, when in doubt, cooperate. Xue Yang doesn't always value his chips; he has the bank of Xiao Xingchen to fund him if he needs it. But sometimes it's easier, or at least less boring, to go along anyway.
Xue Yang glances at Wei Wuxian, his expression neutral. ]
From just the ropes? Nah. But if you try to get me off on purpose then it'll happen.
[ Xue Yang is not inherently horny for being tied up--even by the great Yiling Patriarch--but he is also not so chill that he won't rise if beckoned. Wei Wuxian can consider himself warned.
The two of them are enthusiastically beckoned into House Finch immediately upon arrival. Very quickly they're being ushered towards one of the many private rooms, which has already been arranged with plenty of rope and some cushions just for them. ]
[ When in doubt, cooperate. Okay. Good to know going forward. He doesn't know if he could stand having his chips taken away for such a petty reason. Stupid House...
But off they go into House Finch and they're ushered towards their room. Wei Wuxian is at least able to get in a word edgewise about wine so they give him a bottle of huangjiu and two cups by the time they're settled in the private room.
Full of ropes and cushions. Good god. ]
Okay... well, are there any instructions around here or do I just tie you up?
[ He's going to busy himself with pouring some more alcohol for himself however. ]
[ Xue Yang watches as Wei Wuxian pours himself a drink. Not because he wants any himself, but because it's not as if he's ever seen Wei Wuxian like this. Did he drink like this before dying, too? It didn't make it into any stories, but the answer still seems like a solid "probably". ]
I haven't noticed anything aside from the message they sent us. Maybe they're not too picky.
[ He pulls his attention away to inspect some of the ropes, running his fingers over them. These are... significantly softer than he'd thought ropes could be. Are they going to just snap the moment he pulls on them? He gives an experimental tug, but at least for the moment, they seem to be holding just fine. ]
You know how to do this, right?
[ Fellow criminals probably at least know the principles of tying someone up, if not necessarily the exact process. Probably. ]
[ The stories do paint a more frightening picture of him and being a lush isn't really that scary so, it would figure it's one of the things that didn't make it into the fiction. But Wei Wuxian is a lush and so, he won't stay away from alcohol just because it doesn't fit the "vision" people have of him.
Wei Wuxian just watches as Xue Yang inspects the ropes and considers how to approach this in his head, considering what Xue Yang said. No, they're probably not too picky, as long as they get the job done. Alright, he can do this.
So, he gets a nod at his question and Wei Wuxian reaches out to take one of the bundles of ropes in his hand. Huh, they really are soft. ]
Like wuhuadabang, right? So, I bind you around the neck and arms. Restrict your movements. I can do that, easy.
Pretty much. You can probably get the Watch to tell you more if you need to. I once had a guy stop right as he was about to fuck me so he could look something up.
[ (The "guy" was Xiao Xingchen and the "something" was lubrication information.)
Xue Yang pushes one of the pillows aside so he can sit directly on the floor in front of Wei Wuxian, his back to him. He settles his arms at his sides and crosses his wrists behind his back, the motion casual and easy. Even if Wei Wuxian didn't know it already it's more than clear that Xue Yang has been tied up before. It's previously involved plenty more manhandling though, and he doesn't think to move his hair out of the way either. ]
[ Wei Wuxian is the pleasant point of tipsy again after drinking his wine so he doesn't think much of it as Xue Yang settles on the floor before him and offers his wrists up for Wei Wuxian. ]
Sounds like a weirdo.
[ Who needs to do that?? Of course, Wei Wuxian doesn't know the details of the situation so he's just making idle commentary about it as he tries to think of how to start to tie up Xue Yang. He's going to... start with his wrists, he thinks. That makes sense. So, he'll kneel behind Xue Yang and start getting to work. ]
... You've been here for a while, haven't you? You haven't gotten close to completing Game 52 though, huh?
The shrug he follows with is mostly lost as Xue Yang keeps his lower arms still. ]
Haven't really been trying. Sometimes I fuck someone and get something extra for it but it's not like things are bad as they are. [ Because he spends most of his time catfishing a daozhang, same as before. And when you're having a fun time running such a long con (and that's definitely the fun part of it, definitely) why deal with other potentially annoying stuff? ] There's all sorts of things they want you to play along with here but making you horny and taking away your money are the worst consequences you'll ever deal with. Even when they throw you in prison they don't really mean it.
[ Hm. Worrying suddenly about who this specific weirdo is and if it's Xiao Xingchen with how fond Xue Yang sounds. But. Well. He doesn't want to deal with that if he doesn't have to so... not gonna ask.
He'll listen to Xue Yang as he continues tying him up though. Hopefully the ropes aren't too tight but they seem to be made to feel good so he doesn't think he's hurting the guy, at least.
Xue Yang's reply is not... surprising but it does give him some insight into where the guy is. For a while now, Wei Wuxian has had the suspicion that he doesn't remember their confrontation in Yi City and this definitely helps cement that. He wonders what it is he last remembers then. ]
That makes sense. If you have all your needs met, then there's little reason to be desperate to go back. What ... [ hm. ] What was life like for you back home?
[ He really can't help but be curious what Xue Yang's perspective is. ]
[ Don't worry, even if he was hurting Xue Yang, his pain tolerance would mean he probably wouldn't bother saying anything!
Xue Yang idolizes Wei Wuxian and is happy and enthusiastic to talk about all sorts of dark topics with him... But even he has some discretion, especially around this particular thing. ]
I had a few different workshops I was running experiments in. Things were pretty good until the Jin Sect decided they were fucking done with me. Did all that shit for them and suddenly they were dragging me out and putting a sword in my stomach. Fucking hypocritical cultivators.
[ He even manages to sound properly pissed about it.
And to be fair he really did get a sword through his torso, and slices in a few other places for good measure, but it all intentionally missed his vital organs. It was an outcome he and Jin Guangyao had been preparing for, serving both their interests as long as Xue Yang managed to lie low. He "dies" in front of several witnesses, his body is abandoned in a ditch with no burial, and no one goes looking for him. He'd still be supported by the Jin Sect from the shadows, and Jin Guangyao would be seen as someone reasonable and decisive in the eyes of the cultivation world.
The fact that Xiao Xingchen of all people was deceived and pulled in was just a bonus, someone for Xue Yang to play with to amuse himself as he let the cultivation world move on. ]
[ That lines up with a version of events he knows, though is far, far earlier in the timeline than he expected it to be. That's not even when Xue Yang was living in Yi City. ... Yet? There's always the chance Xue Yang might be futzing the truth a bit, might be glossing over some facts, but he's banking on Xue Yang's good opinion of him to give him a nugget of truth.
So, Wei Wuxian will make an appropriately disgusted sound of sympathy. Oh no, that terrible Jin Sect. Soooo bad. ]
Must've been disorienting. But that's the Jin Sect for you, not very loyal unless you're clan.
[ They truly prioritize the blood over anything else. Even if that's barely, considering how many bastards of Jin Guangshan might be running around. It truly icks him out every time he remembers his current body is related to that man. Gross. ]
[ Even idols take second place to bro code, especially when Xue Yang doesn't want anyone messing with his catfishing. He's been "dead" for multiple years, and he'll continue to be that way until the time is right. ]
Not sure it's better or worse. I barely get to mess with demonic cultivation and that sucks, but I've found some other things to experiment with instead. But if the alternative is being dead, yeah, this is a pretty good deal. I wasn't as notorious as you are so I don't think there's any self-destructive nutjob looking to drag me back into their body the way you got.
[ It still sounds like a pretty sweet deal that Xue Yang is absolutely going to experiment with if he gets back home and has the chance. Thanks, Senior Wei! ]
[ He's almost done with the ropes, at least. It's been kind of soothing just focusing on tying Xue Yang up and it's added to the nice little buzz he has from the wine. Hm. Maybe he will do the horny ropes another time. Probably with Lan Wangji. But for now, this is fine as it is. ]
Yeah, I got lucky. [ He guesses. He's not sure if he should be saying that but, eh. He's also still not sure he should have told Xue Yang that but the cat's outta the bag now. ] What do you experiment on then?
[ He's probably up to some weird shit, Wei Wuxian thinks. ]
Poisons. [ A beat. ] The flowers, mostly. It's easy to make people horny with 'em; the trick is isolating the other effects. [ He won't go into much detail there; none of Wei Wuxian's notes indicated he was into poisons or medicines so it's not a topic Xue Yang can meaningfully boast about.
He feels Wei Wuxian slowing down with the tying, and one of Xue Yang's arms twists a bit to feel the restraints. At least initially, they hold. ]
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[ Usually without warning! So if you value your chips, when in doubt, cooperate. Xue Yang doesn't always value his chips; he has the bank of Xiao Xingchen to fund him if he needs it. But sometimes it's easier, or at least less boring, to go along anyway.
Xue Yang glances at Wei Wuxian, his expression neutral. ]
From just the ropes? Nah. But if you try to get me off on purpose then it'll happen.
[ Xue Yang is not inherently horny for being tied up--even by the great Yiling Patriarch--but he is also not so chill that he won't rise if beckoned. Wei Wuxian can consider himself warned.
The two of them are enthusiastically beckoned into House Finch immediately upon arrival. Very quickly they're being ushered towards one of the many private rooms, which has already been arranged with plenty of rope and some cushions just for them. ]
no subject
But off they go into House Finch and they're ushered towards their room. Wei Wuxian is at least able to get in a word edgewise about wine so they give him a bottle of huangjiu and two cups by the time they're settled in the private room.
Full of ropes and cushions. Good god. ]
Okay... well, are there any instructions around here or do I just tie you up?
[ He's going to busy himself with pouring some more alcohol for himself however. ]
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I haven't noticed anything aside from the message they sent us. Maybe they're not too picky.
[ He pulls his attention away to inspect some of the ropes, running his fingers over them. These are... significantly softer than he'd thought ropes could be. Are they going to just snap the moment he pulls on them? He gives an experimental tug, but at least for the moment, they seem to be holding just fine. ]
You know how to do this, right?
[ Fellow criminals probably at least know the principles of tying someone up, if not necessarily the exact process. Probably. ]
no subject
Wei Wuxian just watches as Xue Yang inspects the ropes and considers how to approach this in his head, considering what Xue Yang said. No, they're probably not too picky, as long as they get the job done. Alright, he can do this.
So, he gets a nod at his question and Wei Wuxian reaches out to take one of the bundles of ropes in his hand. Huh, they really are soft. ]
Like wuhuadabang, right? So, I bind you around the neck and arms. Restrict your movements. I can do that, easy.
no subject
[ (The "guy" was Xiao Xingchen and the "something" was lubrication information.)
Xue Yang pushes one of the pillows aside so he can sit directly on the floor in front of Wei Wuxian, his back to him. He settles his arms at his sides and crosses his wrists behind his back, the motion casual and easy. Even if Wei Wuxian didn't know it already it's more than clear that Xue Yang has been tied up before. It's previously involved plenty more manhandling though, and he doesn't think to move his hair out of the way either. ]
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Sounds like a weirdo.
[ Who needs to do that?? Of course, Wei Wuxian doesn't know the details of the situation so he's just making idle commentary about it as he tries to think of how to start to tie up Xue Yang. He's going to... start with his wrists, he thinks. That makes sense. So, he'll kneel behind Xue Yang and start getting to work. ]
... You've been here for a while, haven't you? You haven't gotten close to completing Game 52 though, huh?
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Yeah, definitely a weirdo.
[ (Affectionate)(???)
The shrug he follows with is mostly lost as Xue Yang keeps his lower arms still. ]
Haven't really been trying. Sometimes I fuck someone and get something extra for it but it's not like things are bad as they are. [ Because he spends most of his time catfishing a daozhang, same as before. And when you're having a fun time running such a long con (and that's definitely the fun part of it, definitely) why deal with other potentially annoying stuff? ] There's all sorts of things they want you to play along with here but making you horny and taking away your money are the worst consequences you'll ever deal with. Even when they throw you in prison they don't really mean it.
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He'll listen to Xue Yang as he continues tying him up though. Hopefully the ropes aren't too tight but they seem to be made to feel good so he doesn't think he's hurting the guy, at least.
Xue Yang's reply is not... surprising but it does give him some insight into where the guy is. For a while now, Wei Wuxian has had the suspicion that he doesn't remember their confrontation in Yi City and this definitely helps cement that. He wonders what it is he last remembers then. ]
That makes sense. If you have all your needs met, then there's little reason to be desperate to go back. What ... [ hm. ] What was life like for you back home?
[ He really can't help but be curious what Xue Yang's perspective is. ]
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Xue Yang idolizes Wei Wuxian and is happy and enthusiastic to talk about all sorts of dark topics with him... But even he has some discretion, especially around this particular thing. ]
I had a few different workshops I was running experiments in. Things were pretty good until the Jin Sect decided they were fucking done with me. Did all that shit for them and suddenly they were dragging me out and putting a sword in my stomach. Fucking hypocritical cultivators.
[ He even manages to sound properly pissed about it.
And to be fair he really did get a sword through his torso, and slices in a few other places for good measure, but it all intentionally missed his vital organs. It was an outcome he and Jin Guangyao had been preparing for, serving both their interests as long as Xue Yang managed to lie low. He "dies" in front of several witnesses, his body is abandoned in a ditch with no burial, and no one goes looking for him. He'd still be supported by the Jin Sect from the shadows, and Jin Guangyao would be seen as someone reasonable and decisive in the eyes of the cultivation world.
The fact that Xiao Xingchen of all people was deceived and pulled in was just a bonus, someone for Xue Yang to play with to amuse himself as he let the cultivation world move on. ]
Then I was here.
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So, Wei Wuxian will make an appropriately disgusted sound of sympathy. Oh no, that terrible Jin Sect. Soooo bad. ]
Must've been disorienting. But that's the Jin Sect for you, not very loyal unless you're clan.
[ They truly prioritize the blood over anything else. Even if that's barely, considering how many bastards of Jin Guangshan might be running around. It truly icks him out every time he remembers his current body is related to that man. Gross. ]
No wonder life is better here for you then.
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Not sure it's better or worse. I barely get to mess with demonic cultivation and that sucks, but I've found some other things to experiment with instead. But if the alternative is being dead, yeah, this is a pretty good deal. I wasn't as notorious as you are so I don't think there's any self-destructive nutjob looking to drag me back into their body the way you got.
[ It still sounds like a pretty sweet deal that Xue Yang is absolutely going to experiment with if he gets back home and has the chance. Thanks, Senior Wei! ]
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Yeah, I got lucky. [ He guesses. He's not sure if he should be saying that but, eh. He's also still not sure he should have told Xue Yang that but the cat's outta the bag now. ] What do you experiment on then?
[ He's probably up to some weird shit, Wei Wuxian thinks. ]
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He feels Wei Wuxian slowing down with the tying, and one of Xue Yang's arms twists a bit to feel the restraints. At least initially, they hold. ]
Want me to keep sitting?
[ For his legs. ]