You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.” ((How do you respond?))
note : Yuebing uses He/They/She pronouns Yuebing covers their nose before they can remember how impolite it might seem. Flushed, they force their hand back down to their side, and bared the musk of rotting wood and wetlands. Its- far from the pristine white walls of the Celestial Heavens - but they were raised with manners - so they'd make good use of it.
"Just a visit." Yuebing smiles politely. They feel so vividly out of place - too clean and sterile. Should they slouch a little? She thinks maybe she could- lean back or- pull some strands out of the neat ponytail she's kept her hair in but she thinks it might be even ruder to pretend to be one of them - especially if her image of them is *slob-like*.
"There's not much of a story." He decides to begin instead. "I was raised in nobility as an astrologist - under Shenghuo's guidance. We read the stars, and translated their messages. Our kingdom believed... That they could speak. We worshipped them, and in return - they would help us."
He thumbs the brooch on his neck, a faded, scratched symbol of his kingdom.
"It was spelled - that a plague was approaching. And we tried everything to cure it- i-" Their breath chokes for a moment, and they take a second to recompose, clearing their throat. "...We lost. Even with their guidance, we... lost. Too many lives. Our kingdom lived - survived but-" they smiled. "I am here to learn medicine. To learn of disease and rot and decay, and all the ways you try to cure it. I have sworn - to my family, my mentors and my people I will never fail them again."
"I will not return until I am good enough to serve them."
It's quiet for a moment.
"Do you know anyone who might... Be able to help with that ?"
