veardant | for liongeneral;

for liongeneral;

[ working for the pleasure houses on the luofu isn't a bad gig, to be perfectly honest. tighnari doesn't mind it. he wouldn't say it's his passion, but it pays the bills, and they allow him to care for the brothel's extensive gardens and greenhouses on his own, so he won't complain. it's not as if this will be his work for the rest of his life. but he's good at it, he enjoys it well enough, so tighnari is content.

he's also quite popular, much to his chagrin. foxians are very common on the loufu, but tighnari is unlike his fellows, a special breed, valuka shuna, more akin to foxes of the desert than foxes of the forests and plains. his ears are larger and taller, for releasing heat efficiently, and his fangs are longer as well. on his hands and feet he bears soft pink pads, and his ability to purr has made others interested in drawing the reaction from him. overall, he is not too different from other foxians, just different enough to be unusual.

at any rate, it's an exciting night at the pleasure district tonight. they say that someone esteemed is visiting, though no one is quite sure who - there are whispers that it's general jing yuan, but tighnari can't remember that man ever stopping in, so he's not convinced. nevertheless, when he's called to present himself for tonight's vip guest, he's ready.

standing in a line with his fellow courtesans of all shapes and sizes, tighnari waits, dressed in his finest clinging silks and gold jewelry, his tail and ears wrapped in chains that jingle softly when he moves. his green-brown eyes are lined in dark kohl, and he smells of flowers and warm fur, as well as something.. a little earthier as well. he's forgotten to clean the dirt out from beneath his fingernails tonight, a fact he has yet to notice. oops. at any rate, the curtains soon rustle as the vip is led inside of the foyer to make their choice.. tighnari tilts his head, his ears swiveling toward the sound of assured footsteps. who will it be, tonight? ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The buzz within the air of the Luofu is not just because it is the one General stepping into the red light district of the ship. But six of the seven. Seeing a couple of General's from either the Yuque or the Xuling are not all that surprising. Some of them are more frequent to the Luofu's pleasure district. But they've never come all at once before and they've never brought General Jing Yuan with them.

There's rumors from some of the Long Life species courtesans that Jing Yuan definitely came here in his youth with General Teng Xiao or just sneaked around when his infamous master wasn't looking but no one can say for certain if these things are true or not. The fact remains he's never truly been seen here until tonight.

The General of the Luofu follows a few paces behind his fellows, fingers laced behind his back and gaze straight ahead, ignoring the stares and gossip. He doesn't want to be here but... Well, he wasn't really given the opportunity to say no.

The six Arbiter-Generals enter the establishment that looks remarkably nice and just past the curtain is a line of courtesans waiting for them. Jing Yuan's golden gaze flickers over all of them, expression flat and lacking that trademark smile that constantly gets photographed. General Huaiyan points to an unusual looking Foxian. "That's the one." He assures, nudging Jing Yuan. "That's the one I was telling you about. He'll be to your tastes."

No offense to General Huaiyan but his tastes have scattered themselves across the galaxy and are currently in the process of killing one another. For a man he's only had strategy meetings with it's quite the bold declaration. But he smiles at the burlier man, eyes squeezing closed as he lets his cat like smile stretch wider.]

Is that so...?

[Some of the Generals are already picking their favorites so he'll simply accept the recommendation to avoid wasting time or causing offense.]

Him then.

[He gestures towards Tighnari and then confirms the pick with a nod. He feels General Huaiyan clap him on the back before picking three girls from the lineup, all Foxian, for himself. In no time it all it leaves just him with the remaining courtesans and his recommended one. The General of the Luofu steps forward, truly looking over the Foxian, eyes drifting over the very notable differences, specifically the longer ears.]

So long as you find that acceptable, of course. Even courtesans should have a choice in their bedfellows.

[ not one general, but six have arrived, and even the unshakable tighnari cannot help but feel a little overwhelmed. popular as he is, tighnari has entertained many high profile clients before, but to see six arbiter-generals is a little bit intimidating, even to the unflappable foxian.

well. just a little bit, really. when general jing yuan approaches, tighnari tenses almost imperceptibly, then relaxes again, dipping his head deeply in respect, setting the golden coins in his hair to jingling. when he lifts his head again, their eyes meet. ]

I'm honored to entertain you tonight, General.

[ tighnari's voice is smooth and easy, confident despite his nerves - this is work, after all, and tighnari is nothing if not a professional. the general's words are kind, even if his smile does not seem to reach his eyes, but in truth, tighnari's choice is thin. of course jing yuan is giving him the opportunity to decline, but tighnari would be a fool to do so. not only would it be a wasted opportunity, should he turn the general down he would surely punished for daring to insult such a powerful and influential client.

thankfully, tighnari has no desire to decline. jing yuan is certainly handsome, especially up close - tall and strong, with a lovely, beautiful face and a luxurious mane of thick hair.. tighnari could certainly do worse. so he reaches forward, boldly slipping his hand into jing yuan's and giving it a gentle tug to lead him back to his quarters.

tighnari's rooms are large and lavish. a small foyer opens up into a wide space, tall walls lined in shelves packed with books, and where there are not books, there are plants - so very many plants. pothos and philodendron tumble in trailing tendrils down the shelves, succulents cluster on the windowsills, and large, tropical monsteras climb the walls. a large brugmansia arches over the doorway, its delicate branches hung with large, fragrant bell-like flowers, and in the corner is a warm bath inset in a tiled floor, nilotpala lotuses blooming across the surface of the water.

and of course, on a raised dais is his bed, large and comfortable, canopied with silks and satins, tapestries and brocades also drape from the windows and walls. overall it's a lovely space, and one that has clearly been personalized to tighnari's tastes. the door shuts and locks behind them, and tighnari steps further into the room, releasing jing yuan's hand to instead turn toward the general, his head tilting thoughtfully. one tall ear flicks. ]

You don't seem pleased.

[Well that response is expected. A courtesan has to know the state of their client in order to make them happy. Jing Yuan can only give him a wry smile as he steps aside to inspect the abundance of greenery within the room. His fingers are careful as he brushes some of the leaves, letting some of the hanging ones rest in his palm as he inspects them more carefully.]

Of no fault of your own, I assure you. [He continues to stride along the perimeter of the room, taking in the plant life.] Does the humidity of the bath within your room help your tropical plants to grow in here? I can't imagine some of these plants would do well within my garden... Unless they're indoor plants specifically? I might be able to manage that then...

[His thumb brushes over a leaf, carefully considering it and where it might best be suited in his home. If not the garden then perhaps the sun room? After a few silent moments of this he finally reaches the end of his plant exploration. With one last sweep of the room the General offers the courtesan a smile, a touch more genuine than the one before it.]

I have a proposition for you.

[ jing yuan is already a challenging client. he hardly seems interested in tighnari at all, which is strange and new - most people come to a brothel for a very specific reason, after all. still, tighnari has patrons that don't come to him for sex, but instead for companionship, for his personality, so he can't be sure just what the general wants, here.

but it's tighnari's job to find out. ]

Yes, the humidity is necessary for most of these plants.

[ many of them are from the worlds the luofu has passed or traded with, after all, and caring for them has been an exercise in devotion and technique. reaching for the flower of a curling hibiscus, tighnari smooths the pad of his thumb along one of the delicate petals, cupping the bloom in his padded palm. his brown-green eyes lift to jing yuan again, alight with interest. ]

Is that so? I hardly know what an arbiter general could possibly offer me.

[ the corner of his mouth curls. he's teasing. ]

I'd like to fill the appointed time slot with conversation. I'd like to hear stories from you. Tales from where you've been, came from and done before this. And then... [He glances around the room once again.] I'd like a clipping of some of your favorite plants in here so I can possibly propagate them in my own home.

[It's not that he's not interested in Tighnari. He is... He's too unique not to be. Sex is... Well, he wouldn't have come here if he'd not been attempting to keep up appearances with the other generals. But he's not about to make the poor courtesan that got roped into this feel any more awkward about it than it needs to be.

And he's personally much more invested in stories from travelers. If he's to be here then that is what he'd like to receive.]

Does that sound acceptable? I do not know if that's an unorthodox request or if you're allowed to just talk to people.

Well, it's not unorthodox, but it's slightly unusual, yes.

[ even those who come to him for gentle support eventually want sex; those who pay for his time usually do, though there are a handful of exceptions, those who prefer instead to simply spend time with him are few and far between. but tighnari is an expensive commodity, few would spend that much money just for stimulating conversation. to be honest, tighnari is a little disappointed - how many can claim to have charmed and slept with general jing yuan? but tighnari is nothing if not a professional.

a warm chuckle rolls in his throat, and he moves to the general's side to better look up into his face, surveying his handsome features. ]

Asking for cuttings from my plants, however.. bold. [ a smile. ] But you are arbiter-general, after all. Sit down with me, then.

[ tighnari gestures toward a small sofa nearby, a low table before it on which are a cluster of candles, as well as a small bowl filled with marimo. ]

[That smile becomes a little warmer, curling at he edges to be a ouch more cat-like.]

I suppose it is a touch bold. You can say no, if you wish.

[He follows and does as asked, taking a seat at the table, removing his bracers as he does. If he's going to be here for a few hours he might as well be comfortable and there's no need to wear quite so much. Should something amiss happen a few pieces of his typical armor not being on will hardly spell disaster.

As he sets the garments down upon the table the General takes note of the marimo in the bowl. All fuzzy and round! Jing Yuan leans in to look at it a bit better, gently tapping at the glass even though it can't respond in any way.]

Oh... And there is no need to be so formal with me. Just Jing Yuan will do... Were I here for the intended services I would hate to be referred to my title... It's quite impersonal.

[ tighnari arches a brow. what a privilege to be given, indeed. ]

Jing Yuan, then. I'm Tighnari.

[ stepping toward him, tighnari folds himself onto the sofa beside him, every movement elegant and smooth. resting one elbow on the back of the sofa, he leans his head against the heel of his hand, then draws one bare, padded foot up beneath him, the golden chain around his ankle gleaming in the light. ]

You enjoy the marimo balls?

[ he asks, watching the way jing yuan eyes the algae balls with a curious glance. ]

I suppose I could spare one for you. They make for very easy pets.

I do... But I'd have to decline.

[An easy pet is perfect for him and his work but you can hardly call it a pet if you can't hug it close. Squeezing the access water out of the little moss ball is simply not the same.]

I appreciate the offer, truly.

[He settles himself in his seat, resting an elbow on the back of the sofa so he can rest his cheek in his palm fairly comfortably. It's warm in here... a little humid with the bath but good for a nap. He's determined not to nod off but that probably would be the expected outcome of the "Dozing" General.]

Let's talk about you instead. [His gaze flickers over the Foxian again, a warm smile pulling at his lips.] I take it you were not born on the Luofu?

[ he's going to turn down the marimo?? incredible. but they're so very cute, and not at all easy to find, on the luofu. ]

Suit yourself.

[ with smile, tighnari turns his eyes upward thoughtfully. ]

No, I wasn't. I was born on the planet called Teyvat.

[ whether or not the general will be familiar with it tighnari cannot guess, it's been a long time since the luofu last visited there. he hasn't seen his home in many, many years, but jing yuan is very long lived, so if his memory is good, he will likely remember. ]

In Sumeru, specifically. Many of these plants I brought with me.

I remember Teyvat... [He closes his eyes, attempting to pull up a memory.] But I did not step onto the planet myself.

[It's a lot of paperwork for a General to step on foreign soil. And some planets don't take kindly to outlanders, especially the worlds that are not proficient in space traveling. But traders go down there and sometimes they recruit others but mostly they bring goods with them. It's not terribly uncommon to collect a few new individuals as they go from world to world. But the Luofu is not prone to stopping for very long, as they are ever on the hunt, so their intake of short life species or others is not exactly high.

He recalls, faintly, looking down on the world of Teyvat, so full of various colors. Blues greens in all shades. It pulled at his adventurous side... ever longing for a time where he had goals of being a Galaxy Ranger.]

If you were able to bring plants with you then you must have boarded the Luofu willingly.

[Trafficking is not unheard of so he needs to be sure that's not what's currently afoot. Much as he'd like to say otherwise he's not unaware of some of the shadier practices. But he cannot solve every problem aboard his ship and has to count on his other Charioteers for these matters. As he's here he might as well ask and judge the reaction from there. He could bring this whole brothel to heel in an instant if there's any hint of that.]

Edited 2024-01-04 04:50 (UTC)

[ ah, so he does know teyvat. somehow, just knowing that lifts tighnari's heart, that there's someone he can talk with that remembers, that knows. after all, tighnari had been the only one to leave teyvat behind that day. even still, tighnari tenses almost imperceptibly, his shoulders tightening a little. ]

I did, yes.

[ and he offers nothing further than that. not freely, at least. ]

I'm not doing this against my will, if you're worried about that. While this might not be my ideal profession, I do enjoy it, and I'm good at it. I'm offered many freedoms.

[ freedoms, and privileges. this is the most renown of the luofu's pleasure houses, after all, and tighnari is one of its most esteemed courtesans. he has his padded fingers in quite a few pies, as it were. ]

[That is what he's worried about but his expression does not change. The sleepy gaze becomes razor focused, seeking out small details of the Foxian. He tenses which is worthy of note but there is enough evidence that what he's being told is true enough. Perhaps some unpleasant conditions or contracts have been signed but nothing criminal... Or that is the assumption he can make at present.

He would never question why anyone would work in a pleasure house. It must bring in quite a decent amount of coin if you know how to please both physically and generally. Someone unique enough like Tighnari would do quite well for himself. So he does not press. Far be it from him to question why someone would take up a profession that wasn't their ideal.

After all, being one of the Arbiter Generals was not his ideal career choice either.]

That's good to hear. I'd have been quite cross at my fellow Generals if they were roaming the pleasure district streets of my Luofu and adding to the suffering of those that do not wish to be in their present positions. It goes without saying but I am unfamiliar with this area of the Luofu. This was not a place I roamed very often and even in my youth... All I was keen to do was get a peek. [He chuckles a little.] Had I been caught my master would have turned me into a little ice sculpture for her garden...

[ tighnari can feel it - that heavy gaze. jing yuan may be a kind man with a handsome smile and a penchant for naps, but it can't be forgotten that he is a powerful general, sharp and perceptive in ways that most are not, and being surveyed by him so keenly feels like being stripped of his skin.

even still, tighnari does not shy away from it, but looks boldly back into jing yuan's eyes, open and honest. tighnari might not be offering everything, but he hasn't lied, and does not plan to. ]

A peek, hmm?

[ tighnari can't help but smile at that, one ear giving an idle flick. ]

Was the young Jing Yuan successful in his espionage?

[The sharp gaze melts away in an instant. The corners of his eye crinkling with a laugh, one that he brings his hand up to muffle a bit.]

I was not... I was friends with a short life prodigy blacksmith at the time. We were the same size but I was older by a handful of years. He was not nearly as invested or amused by my mission and dragged me back before I got us both in trouble. But really... It would have been mostly myself in hot water. Both from my predecessor, General Teng Xiao, and my master.

[In matters of the High Cloud Quintet, Jing Yuan speaks of it as if it was a fanciful fairy tale. Or that he was a distant part of it though the records would clearly state otherwise as would the egregious amount of fiction written about the five. For those that are aware of the legendary group there are only so many people the few he talks about so vaguely could be.

The master would be Jingliu, a name forbidden being spoken of on the Luofu due to her horrific crimes. And the Short Life blacksmith would be the prodigy Forge Master whose fate was presumed lost after the High Elder's betrayal. And though he's brought them subtly into conversation he is as quick to wave a hand over it.]

I don't have many exciting stories. I fear you don't become a General by getting into trouble and what got me the position have been told so frequently and far better than I ever could despite being there. [He gestures to the Foxian.] Tell me about this Sumaru of yours and how you came to find yourself aboard my Luofu.

[ he has a nice laugh, tighnari thinks. to be honest, he knows little about the generals and their history. it's not that he doesn't care or isn't interested - it's more that he's.. a bit cloistered, here. the courtesans rarely leave the brothel, and tighnari is no exception, but this establishment is enormous, filled with rolling gardens and sprawling baths and even a well stocked library. he wants for nothing here. ]

Somehow I think you have more exciting stories than you're letting on.

[ but he won't pry. jing yuan had specifically stated that he wanted to hear about tighnari, after all, so that's what he will discuss, even if the topic is slightly uncomfortable in some ways. with a hum, tighnari taps his padded fingers against his bare knee. ]

Sumeru is beautiful. Rainforest and vast desert, and a great city built into the divine tree. It's the land of Wisdom in Teyvat, and people come from across all seven nations to study at the Akademiya there. I was a student there as well, once. As for how I came to be here -

[ tighnari hesitates, pressing his lips together for a moment. ]

There were people dear to me.. family. They slipped through my fingers. Sumeru had nothing more for me than painful memories, so when the opportunity to leave it all behind fell into my hands, I took it. [ a thin smile. ] Besides, I couldn't resist the chance to see the flora and fungi of foreign worlds.

[He shakes his head at that remark, denying any fascinating stories on his end. Nothing worth telling…

But for now he listens with half-lidded eyes and nods along to what he hears. The end resonates deeply… People slipping through your fingers and being powerless to stop the bleeding of their existence from your life. Had things been different he’d have done the same. He’d have flown far from this place and sought out something else.

But he stayed. He stayed because there was a life that needed him. An unspoken promise to none but himself but he would see it done. It was the only thing he could do in the wake of that horrible never ending tragedy.]

Not many get the opportunity to leave the world they knew behind. That you boarded the Luofu when you did… another chance may never have come your way. It’s quite a fortuitous moment…

Do you have any regrets about leaving your homeland?

[He won’t prod at this old wound any longer than necessary. But he is curious about this one particular thing.]

Sliding the knife so delicately between my ribs, aren't you?

[ perhaps that's a bold thing to say to an arbiter-general, but tighnari is a bold creature, and jing yuan had wanted to be treated like any other man, so tighnari will do exactly that. leaning his chin against his knuckles, his eyes grow distant as he thinks. ]

Mm.. yes, I do. I think it would be impossible not to.

[ sumeru was his home, after all. the luofu is his home now, and he won't leave it behind, but that does not mean that he is without regret entirely. ]

I miss it, sometimes. Avidya forest was more beautiful than any garden the Luofu might produce, if you'll pardon my saying so. And.. I would like to visit their graves. To talk to them again.

[He offers a wry smile at that comment.]

I don't intend to twist it, don't worry.

[But the smile fades as he is told the tale. There are no graves on the Luofu. The ship could not contain the loss of life that happens during war times. Not to mention the risk in keeping dead bodies in such an enclosed space. A large one but enclosed all the same. That said... There are no markers for those he's lost. Those that have slipped away and yet remain out there in the stars. Chasing each other. Killing each other. He knows not what they are currently up to.

It's best if he never learns.]

I made a decision long ago to remain here. Though I did wonder if it would have been easier to leave. But it seems there's an ache no matter where you go or what you decide to do.

[ one who has lived as long as jing yuan, and seen so much war, surely must have many deep and lasting scars. despite his kind smile, tighnari can see the shadows behind his eyes, knows that there are a hundred stories there, a hundred wounds. neither of them will ever see their dearest ones again; it's a deep ache that tighnari knows well, one that sinks right into the bones and settles into the marrow, unrelenting.

reaching out, he closes one soft hand over jing yuan's, squeezing gently. ]

You know.. it's supposed to be my job to make you feel good, not to open old wounds. Unless that's something you're into.

[ tighnari chuckles, his padded thumb smoothing over jing yuan's knuckles, one by one. ]

The memories are painful, but.. I will hold onto them still. It's all we have left of them, isn't it?

Time cannot be reversed and broken blades cannot be mended...

[The words he speaks are soft, gaze fallen onto the hand upon is own, fingers unable to help the small twitch that he experiences at the unbearably gentle contact.

His cheek continues to rest upon his palm, gaze hooded and expression both thoughtful yet sad. But eventually those eyes lift to meet Tighnari's.]

Far be it from me to keep you from your work... [There's a pause between this and the next thing he says. It just requires some thought. A weighing of his moral principles against loneliness.] You may touch... But no penetration. That's my stipulation at present.

I understand. My work only involves making you feel good, in whatever ways you prefer.

[ sex, or no sex. still, it's also tighnari's job to read his partners, to try to deduce and understand what they want without needing to ask, to keep up appearances, and the soft, gauzy impression that everything is better when they are here. people come here to forget their woes, to be soothed.. though sometimes talking about pain is the only balm that cures. jing yuan is a little more difficult for tighnari to get a read on, for him to confidently guess what might make the general feel good. after all, most patrons are here for one thing, and one thing alone.

that deep sadness in his voice.. it jerks at tighnari's heart. this man has seen loss, has endured more than tighnari can guess at. after a quiet pause, he shifts nearer, silk whispering against silk as he moves. you may touch.

and so he does. lifting his hand away from jing yuan's, he instead brings it up to his face, cupping his jaw, smoothing his thumb over the crest of the general's cheek. their eyes meet, and he leans to touch their brows together, their noses nudging, his voice dropped to a soft whisper. ]

Do you want to forget, for a little while?

[The General's eyes flutter closed and he leans into that hand that's touched his cheek. The intake of his breath is sharp and the exhale is a little stuttering. Like if he wasn't careful more would have slipped from the cracks of his heart.

The touch is foreign yet deeply needed and desired.]

Forget... [He muses, a small sad smile tugging at his lips. Of five names three must pay the price. His name is not one of them. A whispered lie in his ear.] My price is to remember.

But perhaps for a few moments it would be alright to forget, hm?

[He nuzzles into the hand on his cheek eyes falling closed once more.]

[ tighnari, for all he is pragmatic and matter-of-fact, is a very kind man, capable of great empathy. he sees the weight on jing yuan's shoulders, he feels it, and perhaps this is one of the many reasons that he is good at what he does - he has this uncanny ability to make people feel seen and heard, cared for. ]

Allow yourself to rest, for a little while.

[ he does not know the general's past, does not know what it is that brings him such pain, and for all tighnari knows, he may be a terrible man capable of terrible things.. but the foxian's sharp instincts suggest to him that there is far more to jing yuan than meets the eye, that his damaged heart is warm, and kind.

with a soft sigh, tighnari leans in, using his hand to draw jing yuan's face in close so he can press a warm and yielding kiss to his lips. tighnari tends to be a demanding lover, but right now he is soft, shifting in close, his hand dropping from the general's face to rest against his chest now, gold ornaments ringing quietly as he tilts his head, and parts his lips. his free hand sifts into that thick mane of pale hair, sinking deep. ]

[The intention, upon being dragged here, was not to do anything. He was not particularly interested in his old age of being physical not to mention the risks of doing anything in a pleasure house, considering his position. With the other Generals boasting of their destination and even loudly proclaiming their pick for him... there was just a lot of risks.

Were it truly so dire he's sure the Master Diviner would have forewarned him of his imminent demise in the pleasure district. All the same it was best to be cautious. How quickly the walls forged from hundreds of years of hardship crumble at the prospect of company. Perhaps also due to everyone within the other rooms enjoying themselves. There's the scent of incense within the halls but it doesn't completely cover up the more obvious scent of sex.

Thus there is an aching longing for some sort of connection. Even if the thought of doing something too physical at this hour makes his joints ache. That first touch against his cheek feels like something shattered deep within him. Just an ache that is on the cusp of finally feeling some sort of balm. A salve to ease the hundreds of years of being alone... Even if it is but a temporary relief. Not more than a couple of hours... The real concern is having to go back to the way things are supposed to be outside of these walls.

Thankfully the raging thoughts come to a necessary halt at the feel of lips upon his own. It causes every muscle in his body to go rigid for a moment. Ah... he probably should have declined this sort of affection as well but... It's very gentle and warm. It coaxes him into it with ease. It gives way to parted lips that move against Tighnari's with what can only be described as youthful inexperience. Ill fitting for a man in the twilight of his years, the risk of mara like thorns around his throat but a truth all the same. The way his hands hover over the courtesan, not yet touching, with uncertainty rolling off of him like gentle waves.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject