Wei Ying shuddered as the dog's jaws were just far too close for comfort. Then again the dog anywhere within the feeble shack was far too close for comfort to Wei Ying. Earlier that morning, Jiang Cheng had come in furious. Without really explaining anything or even turning to Wei Ying, he had slammed the door wide open in a fit of anger and then turned to leave, and let the dog in the room, leaving Wei Ying to deal with pain from the still healing strikes from Zidian, and the over-flooding fear from the dog which was getting steadily closer to him. Unfortunately, Wei Ying was as far as possible from the vengeful beast. He did not know what had caused the other to get so mad and so angry, but neither could he really focus on such things when his vision was blurring, and his arms where shaking, and his body was quaking. Tears were flying down his face, the dog was simply just too close and in his fear he could do absolutely nothing about it. His fear kept him captive. He closed his eyes against the beast, too scared to even look at it.
He felt something on his shoulder, a brief touch, and he yelped, jerking away futilely, gasping from terror. It did not feel like...claws though, or teeth after a second of consideration, though that did not necessarily mean anything good either. Hesitantly, he opened his eyes, just barely. His eyes caught sight of...white? It was an arm, enveloped in white. Trailing his eyes nervously upwards, he saw a man, not too much younger than himself, standing in between him and that bloody beast. He choked on relief, unable to comprehend all of his emotions at once, and began to laugh. The person retreated, moving away and Wei Ying stopped, inhaling sharply, and grabbing at the other's sleeve, desperately. Nails curling into flesh, even underneath all of the fabric. Terrified eyes gazed into calm ones.
"N-No, M-master, p-please do not leave m-me here." He pleaded. The other's eyes widened at the title, staring at him in shock. As though he had not expected such a reaction or such a title to be placed upon him. Quickly, given the situation, the person gathered their emotions. He smiled softly, and calmly spoke to him, gently lifting Wei Ying's hand from his arm.
"I am not going to leave you here. Do not worry. If it is your desire, I will take you back to my sect with me. I am sure that you will be welcomed." Wei Ying stared at the young master in awe.
"W-would your s-sect leader not be a-angry with you. M-making such claims?" The person smiled gently. Wei Ying liked this smile. It was a calm smile, soothing, and Wei Ying liked it.
"No, certainly not." Wei Ying pulled himself inwards, back to the wall as he watched the young master usher the dog outside, almost collapsing in relief.
"You...Thank you." Wei Ying said, wanting to ensure that the young master knew his thanks. "But...I cannot leave the hut. N-Not without permission." Wei Ying could not really understand why he was so hung up on that, but he was. The other paused. He looked back at him.
"Did you swear?" He asked quietly. Wei Ying nodded slowly. "What did you swear?" Wei Ying furrowed his brows, a bit confused as to why the young master was ask....Oh. Wei Ying scoffed, a bit at himself, and a bit at the situation. He could not believe. He shook his head. Glancing up at the young Master, Wei Ying began to feel a bit more comfortable, since the dog was gone.
"I give you permission to leave if you so wish." The young cultivator said simply, watching him carefully.
...He is in white...
"How do I know that you will not hurt me, should I leave with you? I know nothing about you. You could be just as bad as Master Jiang." The white robed man's eyes momentarily widened and mouth slackened at the information, but once more collected himself within record time. He seemed to be thinking it over.
Do not do it, Sizhui. He warned himself. First and Second Master Xichen and Wangji will murder you if you do such a thing, should they find out. First Master Child Lan Xichen will certainly find out, and when he does he will undoubtedly tell Second Master Child. However, Sizhui could think of no better situation. He decided to do it anyways, consequences to be focused on at a later time. He reached about him, and unstrapped his sword. Wei Ying bit his tongue, and held his breath desperately, eyeing the other carefully. Sizhui slowly moved towards the floor, and placed his weapon on it. Then, after rising, he kicked the sword towards Wei Ying.
The other was shocked more than he could possibly comprehend. The young master had willingly disarmed himself, to prove that he was sincere in his actions and words. It was not often anyone would dare disarm themselves, yet this boy had done so without hesitation just to prove his sincerity.
...Look for the men in white...
Wei Ying curiously picked up the sword, and held it in his hands. It was quite a beautiful sword. Good quality as well, and Wei Ying-despite his weak body-could easily see just how high a cultivator had to be within the formation of their golden core to use such a beautiful sword. He glanced up at the other. Now, utterly calm, and realizing that even if this young cultivator had a high cultivation level, Wei Ying's own was higher (though it may not seem like it at the moment) he stood, gritting his teeth against the pain which flared in his back from the action, and moved towards his flute. ChenQing. His...well, he supposed you could call it a cultivating weapon, even if that was sort of...not really the traditional style of cultivating. He did not care. He had always been incredibly careful not to use it. Then again, Wei Ying had no other method of defense. He had used it only once, and it had not gone well, for either side, more so his opponents than him, and part of that was likely because he had not really understood how to use it. Wei Ying had studied, he knew himself and the flute more now than he had ever before. Still, he pulled on his outer robes, the traditional black and red, commonly found within the Wen clan-Sizhui noted this curiously-picked up his flute and twirled it in his fingers, thoughtfully, glancing up at the man in white.
"You keep the dog away from me, and we will have no problems." Wei Ying negotiated pointing the flute at him with his eyes wide. He would not go anywhere if that bloody creature lashed up at him with its evil maw. Yet, despite all of that his body was trembling in some sort of sick excitement. He was going to leave here. Finally, after several years. He was going to be free from this place.
"Of course," The other agreed easily. Though he may not understand the fear of the animal, Wei Ying was certain that the man would do his best to keep it away from him. Wei Ying smiled, genuinely, for the first time in years. Tossing the sword back to the man, he nodded.
"Then let us leave here."
"Is there nothing more you wish to bring with you?" The man asked, and the shock was easily noticed. Wei Ying smiled, a bit bitter.
"This was not my first home, and it never felt much like one anyways. To bring anything more would only leave bad memories in my mind, and a bitter taste in my mouth. It is best to simply leave. The sooner the better. Where are your companions?"
"Waiting. I was told to search the isle." Wei Ying furrowed his brows, curious. "You do not need to call me master, by the way." Wei Ying watched him in awe, this boy was so...interesting.
Sizhui, as the boy introduced himself, did as he promised and keep the dog from coming at him by locking him in the house, and Wei Ying quickly put a defense on the house, keeping the dog from breaking it too quickly. The red light slowly fading into the wood, Wei Ying followed Sizhui away from the place.
"Why where you searching the isle?" Wei Ying asked. His curiosity would forever remain intact no matter how many times he tried to stamp it down and tame it.
"Because," Sizhui said simply. This was said lightheartedly, the next words, were not. "I had originally hoped that we would find nothing. Yet, it was foolish to hope. The GusuLan sect does not get involved unless there is a plausible reason to be involved. We were told that there were actions being taken within the Jiang sect which needed to be brought to justice. Me, a few of the other disciples, as well as First Master Child Lan Xicheng, were brought to investigate these claims. I suppose, the hopes that they were mere lies is wrong." Sizhui looked meaningfully at him. "I apologize. I cannot even imagine the pain you must have gone through at the hands of this clan."
"It is not your fault." Wei Ying said quickly. He could not believe it. The tone of the voice of Sizhui seemed to imply that he believed it was. The next words confirmed Wei Ying's suspicions.
"If we were only quicker..." Lan Sizhui said, voice quiet, noting that they had reached the pavilion.
"There is nothing you could have done, Master Sizhui." Wei Ying said swiftly, moving to stand in front of the other pulling him to a stop.
He was unaware that they had now come to where the group from the GusuLan sect were gathered. He did not notice Madam Yu, or Jiang Chen, or the Sect Leader of the Jiang sect standing, held back by a barrier made from the Lan Sect disciples, unable to speak from the muting spell known only by the Lan Clan within the GusuLan sect. He did not notice Lan Xichen, who was close enough to touch him, and certainly close enough to hear him. He did not notice the looks of horror on the GusuLan disciples as they realized what Sizhui coming back with a person who was...clearly-if the marks around the neck meant anything...injured meant. Nor did he note the small look of admiration in the eyes and smile of pride which adorned Lan Xichen. His only focused remained Sizhui, who was looking fully guilty and angry with himself.
He stood before Lan Sizhui, holding his head within his hands, and their eyes crossed, meeting each other, a different sight now. Guilty met Empathy, Self-inclined anger met understanding, and Wei Ying moved forwards, so that they were a mere breath apart.
"Sizhui," It was the first time in a long time where Wei Ying did not add 'master' in front of the name. This time, he did not need to. "Of all things, you of all should not be angry with yourself. Your guilt is misplaced and your anger is pointed towards the wrong person. If you did not know, how could you possibly resolve? You are not at fault, you did the right thing, when you were informed and that is what matters. Whether it was sooner or later is besides the point. You did as you were supposed, and that is the point. Do not blame yourself. I do not blame you and if I do not you certainly deserve no right to blame yourself. Put your blame where it belongs, to those who took part in the actions within the first place. Were you part of that?" Wei Ying hummed, waiting, as Sizhui slowly shook his head. "Then you deserve none of your anger towards yourself." Sizhui smiled.
"Thank you..." Wei Ying smiled lightly.
"No reason to thank me, I just spoke reason to you." He said with a light laugh, and a dismissive hand. He turned, and paused.
"Ah, you must be, First Master Lan Xichen, right?" Wei Ying asked, hesitant as he noted Xichen besides them. Xichen nodded, and Wei Ying laughed a bit nervously. "Ah,"
"I am impressed." Lan Xichen admitted softly, not wanting to scare the boy more then what he likley already was. "I assume you will be coming with us to the GusuLan Sect?" He asked, unable to help but notice that the other was not dressed within the Jiang Sect's colors, but that of the Wen clan.
"If that is acceptable to First Master." Wei Ying said, with a bow.
"Of course, you will be accepted within the Cloud Recesses at any time." Wei Ying gave a closed mouth smile. It would seem all of those here were kind so far.
...white, with swords on their person...