[ caihong never fails to reel out feelings of homesickness out of him, if only because it reminds him too much of the streets of guangzhou. the festivities are similar to their own holidays, but there's always that touch of magic, of mischief and troublesome things, that easily set it apart from what he's familiar with. it normally wouldn't bother him, but it's not like he really wanted to be out here...
someone managed to drag him out, told him come on, it's worth checking out! that someone also happens to have (very impressive pecs) an insanely powerful puppy dog look that ye xiu had no strength nor energy to refuse, and so now he's here, being led through the numerous stalls along the way. the current one they're looking at has a wonderful array of yukata in all different patterns and colours.
he raises an eyebrow, ignoring the need to have a smoke. ]
You're still questioning my fashion choices?
[ mostly said out of wry amusement. he huffs quietly and looks at the spread. his fingers reach out for one that's mostly black with hints of gold and dragon motifs. the obvious choice, really, but maybe ryuu has something else in mind. ]
I wouldn't mind. If you're offering to pay for it.
Huh? [ head canting, ryuu's expression immediately starts. ] Come on, I'm not questioning anything! I'm serious. Wearing a yukata in this weather feels great... plus, I wouldn't offer and make you pay!
[ it's a small dose of something that feels like home in this scenario where things should feel much more comfortable than they actually do. but even in unfamiliar waters, ryuu doesn't like to stay down. he might not recognize a thing tomorrow, or the next day, when daylight arrives and the streets return to their normal colors... but it doesn't mean he doesn't want to experience what's in front of him now, either.
leaning over, ryuu glances down at the pattern that ye xiu seems drawn to most, expression mellowing. ]
[ delicate hands continue to caress the silky fabric, bits of gold shimmering underneath the sunlight and festival colours. there's a moment where he takes a few seconds to realize that ryuu is still talking to him but his transition is smooth. it's like he was never lost in his own world. ]
Do you think it'll look good?
[ he's never worn a yukata in his life so he has no idea. ]
I wouldn't know how to put it on though, if we get it.
[ noting the thoughtful trail of his hands as if they're roaming over more than just intricate thread, ryuu's gaze darts back up once ye xiu replies to him, gaze locking. ryuu is attentive, if nothing else, easily influenced by the energy of what's around him. the comment has him smiling. ]
It'll look good! It's a bit fancier than what I would have thought, though...
[ compared to many of the other muted designs. but go big or go home, right? ]
Either way, I can show you. I bet you'll want to wear one all the time, after this.
[ if ryuu were to ask him the reason why he's so drawn to this particular pattern, ye xiu would have no idea how to explain it. the dragon has always been associated with him, not only because it was tied to his main class but also because of the mysterious qualities that came with its reverent air. ye xiu never felt like it ever fit him, but now there's also a black one inked on his back so maybe it's just a sign.
or maybe it's just a load of bull he shouldn't buy into too much. ]
Then you'll have to do your best to convince me. I'm still pretty skeptical, you know.
[ he doesn't mean anything by it. he's always been so easily influenced by others, so his heart is set on trying the yukata out as soon as it's purchased. ]
Do you already have enough money for it?
[ by that he means, has ryuu moonlaced enough? what a player. ]
[ what can he say - he may not look it, but he's competitive.
with a happy hum, more than a little confident, ryuu is pulling the sleeve of a deep blue yukata out, the edges of it swirling with waves and dragon scales. only at the accusation does he seem to freeze, a somewhat thin laugh catching in his throat instead. ]
I do. B-But it's not what you're thinking!
[ he thought he was safe... betrayal. ]
I happened to land a pretty good job not long after getting here... it was just a one time thing though!
[ he pulls the full length of the yukata out. look, they match. ]
[ even if ye xiu tries to look innocent, it doesn't exactly work. it comes across as too smug for his own good, all at the expense of a guy who's just trying to help him out. he also has the audacity to laugh a little when ryuu goes all stiff because of his mild implications (accusation, more like). ]
But ah, if it's thanks to good luck, then I guess I won't mind celebrating that.
[ after all, he knows the benefits of being the one lady luck smiles upon. he's been missing her for a while now. ]
You're getting the same pattern?
[ it's going to look good... but what does he know. ]
[ ryuu might be a little dense, but he knows an accusation when he hears one! it happens to him all the time! which he thankfully doesn't say out loud, to further dig his grave with. it's not the first time his runaway mouth would have gotten him into as much trouble as his face... hm.
but instead of wallow, ye xiu's comment has him going from mildly embarrassed to excitable in an instant. up the yukata goes, held to his tall frame for reference. ]
Hearing you agree makes me want to go all out, so! Wouldn't it be fun to match? Or is the pattern too much for me...?
[ ye xiu can appreciate enthusiasm even when his own person doesn't look all that enthused. it's not because he isn't genuinely interested, but his lackadaisical nature is just too overpowering at this point. he does, however, still participate in the small things.
taking a step back, he gives ryuu a complete up-and-down lookover as he tries to picture him wearing the yukata he has pulled up next to his tall frame. ]
Isn't there only one way to find out?
[ that is, they have to wear the yukatas themselves to see. ]
[ ryuu hums at that answer, lowkey glad he's won him over a little. ]
Yeah, you're right! You don't mind sharing a changing stall since we're both guys, right? I think that'll be easiest.
[ it's like having such a sedate personality to play off of makes him all the more vibrant in comparison - it's not like he's not used to having more composed types around him, though he's far from the most hot-headed. either way, he's collecting up the pair of yukata to go pay and get a place to change and deposit their clothes in. ]
[ since ye xiu isn't the one paying for anything, he watches ryuu go through all of that. the prismal by the register points to a stall that's lowkey just wide enough to fit both of them, but it still looks like a tight fit. ye xiu is heading over there regardless. ryuu wanted to share the space, so.
he holds the curtain open, waiting for the other man to follow him inside. there's really only one outcome that can happen here... (at least it's a happy ending.) ]
[ given that TRIGGER's recently gone indie, it's probably not the worst conditions he's had to change clothes in, really.
once inside, it's a tight squeeze, but the curtain closes well enough and as long as he's not stripping in front of more than one person he's pretty content. plus, he has a wholesome goal in mind, and that keeps him focused on what's actually important about this endeavor. ]
There! [ curtain secured! he hums. ] Well, I guess I can go first so you can see how it's worn?
[ he doesn't wait for a confirmation, shirt's just coming right off. ]
[ it's a wholesome goal and thankfully, he isn't stuck with a perverted person? at least, ye xiu isn't thinking nefarious thoughts even though both of them are about to get naked. he's more interested in learning how to put this thing on anyway...
it seems complicated? for such a simple-looking garment. ]
I figured the shirt needed to come off, but what comes after that?
[ pants also. "show" is probably a strong word given that he's got no finesse right now... ]
Well, everything except your underwear? You don't want to go out wearing more layers than you went in with. It defeats the purpose!
[ of not dying from the heat.
thankfully he's still not making much of a show of it, and his underwear's just some black sporty stuff, so it's nothing to write home about. stripped down, he reaches to pick up his yukata with an "excuse me" because there's not much room to not be bumping into one another. shrugging it on, he arranges the collar and folds one half over. ]
So, it's right side over your body first, then left over right! If you do it the opposite way, people will look at you weird.
[ finesse or not, there's still an idol stripping down to the bare necessities in front of this gamer nerd. of course, the lack of reaction from ye xiu beyond mild curiousity makes it a moot point but still. what a god. ]
Why would people look at you weird?
[ while he asks this, he starts pulling his own shirt over his head. there are glimpses of black ink every time he twists his body to accommodate the lack of space, even more so once he starts tugging down his pants. he manages to grab the yukata he picked out and... somehow can't figure out?? which side??? is which??? hello?
It's - wait, wait. [ a laugh as ryuu gives a tiny step forward to help, foregoing tying his closed until ye xiu at least has his on rightside up. ] This way!
[ picking up the edges of the garment from the bottom, ryuu gestures and tries to flip it. ]
[ sometimes i'm thankful the tka gods have given me a version of yx where he's useless.
but also: this one doesn't seem bothered that ryuu had to show him the correct way of holding it up. it's not like he wears yukata a lot so that's his excuse, and it's probably better he leaves this in more capable hands anyway. ]
Sure, sure.
[ with nothing else to say, he turns around, a black dragon now in full-view. it looks like it's definitely creeping way past his hips, oops. ]
[ your thirst depends on his being a klutz, incredible ]
No, it's okay. [ if he minds the attempt that was just made, he's not saying so. (he doesn't.) ] Just holding them out a little helps. Anyway, right over left is for funeral rites, so...
[ leaning down, ryuu spreads the yukata wide and goes to help slip it on, only to pause when his gaze flickers up to the inked skin he's supposed to be covering up. his motions stall. ]
[ trips and falls into thirst like an anime heroine ]
Oh, no, sorry! I just noticed this...
[ with the collar of the yukata still bunched in his palm, he's close (and distracted) enough to lay the pads of his index and middle fingers against a swath of ink etched into his back. it's pretty bold, but his awe's got the better of him. ]
I've never seen anything like it in person before. It's amazing.
[ it takes him a while to realize what ryuu is talking about. it's helped by the fact that he can feel the guy ghosting his fingers over the ink, almost as if he's wanting to trace every sharp curve and line that makes up the entire dragon on his back.
not that it would be the first time someone has been so captivated by it. it isn't really surprising at this point. ]
If you want a better look, feel free. [ time to straighten up so ryuu can see the spread of this giant lizard better. ] I got it pretty recently.
[ although that's putting it lightly... he's not sure he's ready to explain the mechanics of being someone's master just yet. ]
Did you? It's really impressive! I was surprised... you don't really look like the type, you know?
[ takes one to know one, he supposes. with a puff of laughter, he goes about his original task, leaning over to start slipping the yukata onto his arms and pulling it up over his body. ]
[ there's a funny kind of laughter. you know, the one that doesn't quite sound all that humurous. ]
I'm not. I didn't really plan for this...
[ now it just sounds like it was an accident. which technically, it isn't, it's 100% something he agreed to but maybe not to the extent of realizing he's about to get marked like this.
still, he stands motionless in place, allowing ryuu to put the yukata on him. it feels like silk against his skin, or maybe he's just not used to fancy fabrics like this one. (always a slob, now and forever.) ]
But no. I didn't pick it because of that. The class I used to play in this one game, it's associated with a dragon, so that's why I picked it.
[ honestly that just raises more questions, because of the ways he knows how to get tattooed - not planning for something of this size to be forever emblazoned on his skin seems near impossible. ryuu's motions slow in thought, giving away that he's seriously trying to think about this, but in the end, he lets it lie. he caught onto the laugh, because while he's kind of dense, he can also be pretty sensitive.
maybe another time. ]
So it's an interest of yours! [ listen he knows the magical❤kokona theme song by heart, he doesn't have any right to shame someone for being a nerd. ] That makes sense. It's a good symbol, right?
[ up the collar goes into the right spot. ryuu tugs it around a little before smoothing it down. ]
[ the fabric sits neatly and properly on his frame, but ye xiu has no idea how to appreciate the effort it'll take for ryuu to fix it until it's all done. maybe he'll realize it once they're at the finishing touches. maybe he won't. he'll stay still and thank him for all the trouble later on.
ryuu can probably feel the way his shoulders shift with every breath he takes, slow and steady. he nods his head once in reply to the first part of that remark, and then he rolls into a half-shrug. ]
Dragons are supposed to be revered and elegant, so I would hope it counts as a good symbol.
[ it's not that long ago when he once spoke about what dragons meant in his homeland. respected, headstrong. a symbol of strength and good fortune. ]
The one on my bank is supposed to be a promise.
[ but he won't expand on that. ]
What next? [ he turns to face ryuu, effectively killing the moment, head tilting to the side. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
someone managed to drag him out, told him come on, it's worth checking out! that someone also happens to have (very impressive pecs) an insanely powerful puppy dog look that ye xiu had no strength nor energy to refuse, and so now he's here, being led through the numerous stalls along the way. the current one they're looking at has a wonderful array of yukata in all different patterns and colours.
he raises an eyebrow, ignoring the need to have a smoke. ]
You're still questioning my fashion choices?
[ mostly said out of wry amusement. he huffs quietly and looks at the spread. his fingers reach out for one that's mostly black with hints of gold and dragon motifs. the obvious choice, really, but maybe ryuu has something else in mind. ]
I wouldn't mind. If you're offering to pay for it.
[ heh. ]
no subject
[ it's a small dose of something that feels like home in this scenario where things should feel much more comfortable than they actually do. but even in unfamiliar waters, ryuu doesn't like to stay down. he might not recognize a thing tomorrow, or the next day, when daylight arrives and the streets return to their normal colors... but it doesn't mean he doesn't want to experience what's in front of him now, either.
leaning over, ryuu glances down at the pattern that ye xiu seems drawn to most, expression mellowing. ]
Is that the one you like?
no subject
Do you think it'll look good?
[ he's never worn a yukata in his life so he has no idea. ]
I wouldn't know how to put it on though, if we get it.
no subject
It'll look good! It's a bit fancier than what I would have thought, though...
[ compared to many of the other muted designs. but go big or go home, right? ]
Either way, I can show you. I bet you'll want to wear one all the time, after this.
no subject
or maybe it's just a load of bull he shouldn't buy into too much. ]
Then you'll have to do your best to convince me. I'm still pretty skeptical, you know.
[ he doesn't mean anything by it. he's always been so easily influenced by others, so his heart is set on trying the yukata out as soon as it's purchased. ]
Do you already have enough money for it?
[ by that he means, has ryuu moonlaced enough? what a player. ]
no subject
[ what can he say - he may not look it, but he's competitive.
with a happy hum, more than a little confident, ryuu is pulling the sleeve of a deep blue yukata out, the edges of it swirling with waves and dragon scales. only at the accusation does he seem to freeze, a somewhat thin laugh catching in his throat instead. ]
I do. B-But it's not what you're thinking!
[ he thought he was safe... betrayal. ]
I happened to land a pretty good job not long after getting here... it was just a one time thing though!
[ he pulls the full length of the yukata out. look, they match. ]
Think of this as celebrating good luck.
no subject
[ even if ye xiu tries to look innocent, it doesn't exactly work. it comes across as too smug for his own good, all at the expense of a guy who's just trying to help him out. he also has the audacity to laugh a little when ryuu goes all stiff because of his mild implications (accusation, more like). ]
But ah, if it's thanks to good luck, then I guess I won't mind celebrating that.
[ after all, he knows the benefits of being the one lady luck smiles upon. he's been missing her for a while now. ]
You're getting the same pattern?
[ it's going to look good... but what does he know. ]
no subject
but instead of wallow, ye xiu's comment has him going from mildly embarrassed to excitable in an instant. up the yukata goes, held to his tall frame for reference. ]
Hearing you agree makes me want to go all out, so! Wouldn't it be fun to match? Or is the pattern too much for me...?
[ it is a bit loud, all things considered. ]
no subject
taking a step back, he gives ryuu a complete up-and-down lookover as he tries to picture him wearing the yukata he has pulled up next to his tall frame. ]
Isn't there only one way to find out?
[ that is, they have to wear the yukatas themselves to see. ]
Show me how to do it.
no subject
Yeah, you're right! You don't mind sharing a changing stall since we're both guys, right? I think that'll be easiest.
[ it's like having such a sedate personality to play off of makes him all the more vibrant in comparison - it's not like he's not used to having more composed types around him, though he's far from the most hot-headed. either way, he's collecting up the pair of yukata to go pay and get a place to change and deposit their clothes in. ]
no subject
[ since ye xiu isn't the one paying for anything, he watches ryuu go through all of that. the prismal by the register points to a stall that's lowkey just wide enough to fit both of them, but it still looks like a tight fit. ye xiu is heading over there regardless. ryuu wanted to share the space, so.
he holds the curtain open, waiting for the other man to follow him inside. there's really only one outcome that can happen here... (at least it's a happy ending.) ]
no subject
once inside, it's a tight squeeze, but the curtain closes well enough and as long as he's not stripping in front of more than one person he's pretty content. plus, he has a wholesome goal in mind, and that keeps him focused on what's actually important about this endeavor. ]
There! [ curtain secured! he hums. ] Well, I guess I can go first so you can see how it's worn?
[ he doesn't wait for a confirmation, shirt's just coming right off. ]
no subject
it seems complicated? for such a simple-looking garment. ]
I figured the shirt needed to come off, but what comes after that?
[ pants?? is he getting a free show??? ]
no subject
Well, everything except your underwear? You don't want to go out wearing more layers than you went in with. It defeats the purpose!
[ of not dying from the heat.
thankfully he's still not making much of a show of it, and his underwear's just some black sporty stuff, so it's nothing to write home about. stripped down, he reaches to pick up his yukata with an "excuse me" because there's not much room to not be bumping into one another. shrugging it on, he arranges the collar and folds one half over. ]
So, it's right side over your body first, then left over right! If you do it the opposite way, people will look at you weird.
no subject
[ finesse or not, there's still an idol stripping down to the bare necessities in front of this gamer nerd. of course, the lack of reaction from ye xiu beyond mild curiousity makes it a moot point but still. what a god. ]
Why would people look at you weird?
[ while he asks this, he starts pulling his own shirt over his head. there are glimpses of black ink every time he twists his body to accommodate the lack of space, even more so once he starts tugging down his pants. he manages to grab the yukata he picked out and... somehow can't figure out?? which side??? is which??? hello?
is he holding this thing upside down?
(he totally is.) ]
no subject
It's - wait, wait. [ a laugh as ryuu gives a tiny step forward to help, foregoing tying his closed until ye xiu at least has his on rightside up. ] This way!
[ picking up the edges of the garment from the bottom, ryuu gestures and tries to flip it. ]
Turn around and I'll help.
no subject
but also: this one doesn't seem bothered that ryuu had to show him the correct way of holding it up. it's not like he wears yukata a lot so that's his excuse, and it's probably better he leaves this in more capable hands anyway. ]
Sure, sure.
[ with nothing else to say, he turns around, a black dragon now in full-view. it looks like it's definitely creeping way past his hips, oops. ]
Should I hold my hands up?
no subject
No, it's okay. [ if he minds the attempt that was just made, he's not saying so. (he doesn't.) ] Just holding them out a little helps. Anyway, right over left is for funeral rites, so...
[ leaning down, ryuu spreads the yukata wide and goes to help slip it on, only to pause when his gaze flickers up to the inked skin he's supposed to be covering up. his motions stall. ]
- ah...
no subject
Oh, I see. [ a morbid part of him keeps that in mind, mostly if it becomes necessary some other time. (please, no.) ] What's wrong?
[ he's not exactly sure why ryuu paused. he'd ask if there was something on his face but it's not like the guy is looking at that right now... ]
Did you forget how to do it?
no subject
Oh, no, sorry! I just noticed this...
[ with the collar of the yukata still bunched in his palm, he's close (and distracted) enough to lay the pads of his index and middle fingers against a swath of ink etched into his back. it's pretty bold, but his awe's got the better of him. ]
I've never seen anything like it in person before. It's amazing.
no subject
[ it takes him a while to realize what ryuu is talking about. it's helped by the fact that he can feel the guy ghosting his fingers over the ink, almost as if he's wanting to trace every sharp curve and line that makes up the entire dragon on his back.
not that it would be the first time someone has been so captivated by it. it isn't really surprising at this point. ]
If you want a better look, feel free. [ time to straighten up so ryuu can see the spread of this giant lizard better. ] I got it pretty recently.
[ although that's putting it lightly... he's not sure he's ready to explain the mechanics of being someone's master just yet. ]
no subject
[ takes one to know one, he supposes. with a puff of laughter, he goes about his original task, leaning over to start slipping the yukata onto his arms and pulling it up over his body. ]
Is that why you picked this pattern?
no subject
I'm not. I didn't really plan for this...
[ now it just sounds like it was an accident. which technically, it isn't, it's 100% something he agreed to but maybe not to the extent of realizing he's about to get marked like this.
still, he stands motionless in place, allowing ryuu to put the yukata on him. it feels like silk against his skin, or maybe he's just not used to fancy fabrics like this one. (always a slob, now and forever.) ]
But no. I didn't pick it because of that. The class I used to play in this one game, it's associated with a dragon, so that's why I picked it.
[ what a nerdy response. ]
no subject
maybe another time. ]
So it's an interest of yours! [ listen he knows the magical❤kokona theme song by heart, he doesn't have any right to shame someone for being a nerd. ] That makes sense. It's a good symbol, right?
[ up the collar goes into the right spot. ryuu tugs it around a little before smoothing it down. ]
no subject
ryuu can probably feel the way his shoulders shift with every breath he takes, slow and steady. he nods his head once in reply to the first part of that remark, and then he rolls into a half-shrug. ]
Dragons are supposed to be revered and elegant, so I would hope it counts as a good symbol.
[ it's not that long ago when he once spoke about what dragons meant in his homeland. respected, headstrong. a symbol of strength and good fortune. ]
The one on my bank is supposed to be a promise.
[ but he won't expand on that. ]
What next? [ he turns to face ryuu, effectively killing the moment, head tilting to the side. ]