localweirdo | City Inbox

I suppose once I arrive at the graveyard I should follow the sound of your voice? So then tell me what song should I expect to hear? Will it be one of your classic tunes?

As for how I managed to make that bunny appear, wait until I arrive then I shall show you.

You know the one. The one that goes "Silly Billy Hilicurl"! I'm sure you'll recognize it the moment you hear it.

But I look forward to seeing you show it to me. You shouldn't keep me waiting any longer!

[That said, should Xingqiu be around? He might hear a familiar tune]

[ With Hu Tao's last text read his phone is put away. He sends no reply feeling that it's unnecessary, he already said he is on his way (although it is tempting to respond to that teasingly impatient message). It's not long before Xingqiu is outside on his way to the graveyard. He knows the shortest path, but it is going to be a few minutes before he arrives. He is walking after all... hopefully she won't have to repeat the song too many times or spook anyone who decides to go out on a stroll through that place...

Not long after he arrives at the graveyard he begins walking down the main path, picking up on her song he follows the tune. Finally, after a couple of minutes, he sees his friend up ahead. ] You know I considered hiding to see what you would do if I took too long.

[As she waited, she decided to keep singing her merry little tune as she walked around the graveyard a bit. Compared to some of the others she had seen in her world, this graveyard didn't seem too bad. While it certainly had a spooky aura, it made her feel at home. Giggling to herself, she wondered how long it will take for him to see her.

Although, he didn't have to wait long. When she heard a familiar voice, she greeted him with a smile.]

Then I would simply just leave you be. I know you wouldn't keep me waiting without a reason!

Leave me be? You only noticed my arrival because I spoke. And there is reason enough to leave you waiting. You should know. [ His critical expression fades to be replaced by a smile. ] Aren't you always playing these kinds of pranks on Xiangling? Although I doubt I could spook you by jumping out of my hiding place with a boo. [ With his hand on his chin he nods to himself, more so for himself than for her, he knows she isn't easily rattled. ]

Well, have you made your decision? I can show you where I am currently staying. Perhaps you would find the lodgings there appropriate? If not then you can always make some changes to be more accommodating for you.

And yet, it never stopped you from trying to surprise or impress me. Knowing you, you would probably figure out a way to scare me one day. [She said crossing her arms before giving a firm nod to herself.] It might not be now or here but I have a feeling I'll need to keep my eyes open in the near future. [She gave a giggle.] I am looking forward to it.

[But as she continued to follow him, she still had that same smile on her face.] But perhaps I'll go to this mysterious restaurant you were planning on showing me. Afterwards, I would love to see where you currently are residing.

The truth is that may take some time. You see I haven't given the idea proper thought. Frightening you would be a challenge and though nothing is impossible perhaps I should focus on our poetic spars instead. [ Because there would be plenty of time for them to engage in crafting verses together and while there were countless books to be found here in the city none contained a single word in their pages. Well, that's not entirely true. He has a poem book however it originated from their world. ]

Although I can admit that it's tempting since you're so eager to be scared.

[ There is a slight shrug of his shoulders as if he is dismissing the thought. He knows this is more of Hu Tao's area of expertise — shock and awe. Or this may just be a test. Isn't it important to know a friend thoroughly to play a good prank on them? ]

Huh? Do you want to live in that restaurant? I thought you were displeased by such meals. [ He is taking her to the apartments and he will mention specifically why. ] Besides, I don't believe there is a way inside without trespassing on that property. It's locked.

If it is a poetry battle, then I gladly accept! It is nothing we haven't done and it'll make our transition from Liyue to here a little easier! [Giggling to herself, at least it was good to hear that nothing has changed too much. Even in a strange world, it seems that their spirits were still the same.]

But if you still want to attempt to scare me, you are more than welcomed to. I am looking forward to the day that has happened!

[She said before leaning in closer. The thing was, it would be a little difficult to scare her but she was trying to see if he would actually do it.]

Is that so? Then perhaps it might not be a good idea after all?

[ Poetry is what united them once. Words strung together into poem were bait on a line that drew him once to seek the Versemonger of the Darkest Alleys. On an auspicious day with gift in hand, he came to exchange words with her, and their ritual of crafting poetry together began. And it would continue even here. Fortunately, they have their unbiased umpire here to help. That does remind him, he hasn't gotten a chance to tell Hu Tao that Chongyun is around. Perhaps he'll let her find out on her own.

While that would be a surprise, it wouldn't cause her a fright. It seems she's seeking a heart-racing moment. Does she want to experience that same thrill she causes Xiangling? As she leans closer he raises an eyebrow, noting how keen she seems on the idea. Then was he correct? ] Let's get you settled in first, you're already thinking far ahead.

Not that it's a bad thing.

[ It's not long before he guides her to the apartment complex he lives in. He lives on a floor filled with others their age although he pauses to think for a moment. She might be one of the few girls... In the end, he'll show her his apartment first. Leading her to his front door he opens it for her to have a look inside. ] This is my current residence. It's comfortable. Go on, you can have a look inside.

[Until they get settled, it seems that their battle would have to wait. For right now, Hu Tao gave a small smile as she followed her friend to where he lives. The moment she stepped inside, she raised an eyebrow or two. She been invited to his house a handful of times but she never stayed too long.

This time, it felt strange being invited to his apartment. Knowing that it wasn't his family's place did put a strange feeling to everything.

That said, she took two steps in before she gave a small sigh.] As much as I feel flattered you invited me to your current residence, it surprises me to see so many things scattered around.

[Not that she should say anything when her room was just as messy.]

[ While this is a place he can call his own away from his family's influence and interference he has allowed himself to grow lax when it comes to tidiness. Without household staff, there is no one to pick up after him and with his brother safely away in Liyue there is no one to lecture him on the merits of cleanliness. However, in his opinion, she is making the situation far more dire than it appears. He stands there a moment hands on his hips as he surveys his lodgings.

Soon his gaze settles back on Hu Tao. It really isn't that bad. At least, not the main living area. His room on the other hand might be a bit chaotic. He hasn't made the bed nor picked up his sleepwear which might be strewn about in there. That's why he isn't inviting her into the bedroom. ]

There aren't too many things. Perhaps my desk is a bit untidy, but I don't have many belongings here to scatter all over the place. [ That's mostly because he takes an interest in certain particular things and his main hobby has become an impossibility within the city. There are no books for him to read through and collect. The only books he has found are completely devoid of words.

He has obtained a few notebooks and though they are haphazardly scattered across his desk they won't be found anywhere else within the apartment, probably thanks to Chongyun intervening. ] Although since you are here perhaps you want to volunteer and help me tidy up?

I think I shall pass but I think a certain exorcist might be willing!

[After all, she doesn't have the time to clean up! She was much too busy trying to find ways to promote her business. Even in a strange new world, she needs to keep herself busy. That and the idea of cleaning was much too boring for her, she would rather do anything but cleaning.

With a sigh, she ventured further into the place before raising an eyebrow or two.

So far, she was hoping to find something interesting that she could find out about her friend. Perhaps something that she would embarrass him with? Nothing really comes to mind despite knowing how much of a mess he was.]

And here I thought I was hoping to find something else about you.

[How disappointing.]

Oh! Then you already know that Chongyun is also here in the city. Incidentally, we are currently sharing this living space...

[ Which begs to question how it got so messy; at this point, it could be easy to assume that the exorcist may have gotten fed up with cleaning after Xingqiu or more than likely the mess was made after Chongyun left to go on one of his excursions. It's often that Chongyun seeks to go in search of clues, often, Xingqiu will join him but he has been here so long that most avenues have already been explored. However, he doesn't miss the opportunity to spend time with his friend. Today is a rare occurrence which is fortunate for Hu Tao otherwise he may not have thought to send a message.

Now watching her as she scans the room they're standing in, he can guess she is trying to decipher something. Although he wonders if she is trying to get to know him better. She could have been a guest at his home back in Liyue but partaking in their shared hobby there would have been much more difficult. He hasn't exactly received much in the way of encouragement towards that subject.

When she finally speaks again, he smiles, and there is the sound of a suppressed laugh. ]

I do believe I've already shared something with you but if you wish I can teach you something else.

[It explains why things have gotten so messy. While she could understand Xingqiu not wanting to clean up after himself, it was another to hear how Chongyun wasn't much for chores either. Crossing her arms, she stared at the place once more as she pondered just how much they could get away with. Or better yet, she also wondered what would happen should she decide to stay here.

Was it going to get even worse? Perhaps, she wasn't once for cleaning either. But at the same time, she wasn't sure where else to go. She could find a place of her own but it seemed so much liver to be staying with friends...]

And what might that be? What else can you teach me?

[She gave a smirk as she pondered what else he might do.]

[ Rather than deeming Chongyun messy perhaps he finds that sharing living quarters with Xingqiu is overwhelming; not due to how disorganized Xingqiu is! It's been noted by Xingqiu on occasion and it does make him smile slyly. Chongyun can be so naive and entirely chaste at times. Really that's what she would be dealing with when it comes to these two boys here. Of course, when he invited her over he thought to give her temporary refuge, or depending on how she felt she could extend that stay.

That means they will have to come to some consensus on how to keep this place tidy. Two could be messy enough, with Xingqiu being the more disorganized one but adding a third. They could figure it out later right now, he takes his phone out. ]

Remember what I said earlier through messages? I'll show you how to use those images. Here follow along carefully.

[ Getting close to Hu Tao so that she could see his phone's screen he is going to show her exactly what he did to send those texts earlier that included the bunny emojis. ] It's really simple, don't you think? I know you're clever enough to get it on the first try.

[As she raised an eyebrow at the phone, it didn't take her long to realize what he was saying. With her eyes widening, she couldn't help but give a small gasp before nodding her head.]

Of course, please do tell me how you use those faces! Don't hold back, let me know everything!

[She said before looking at her own phone too. As she got it out, she was scrolling through to see where he might have gotten those faces from. So far, it seems that her search was fruitless as she gave a sigh.]

...What a bother....

[ Inserting the images into messages isn't difficult, but it isn't obvious either. It functions much like sending pictures or sound. He pulls up their last exchange on his phone and presses the tab that has the emojis. Of course, this shows basic face emojis. His gaze flickers over to her face to catch her expression and what he sees is disinterest. ]

Try over here. This here.

[ He doesn't know that the ribbon he selects from is called "stickers" and that's where he seems to have gotten a variety of images. In fact, it's from here that he can send pictures and songs. Not that he has any music on his phone. He doesn't know about that! He soon swipes over to the bunny stickers. ]

See. Yours doesn't have it... Perhaps you have to do something first to get them to appear. I know I was looking around and it asked me if I wanted to... download(?) stickers.

[As soon as she saw what he did, he had to copy what he was doing. Looking at the tab that said emojis, she raised an eyebrow or two. While it did show her some faces, she had to wonder just how common it was if there was a whole section for it...

Either way, she didn't think too much of it. Instead, she'll just look for said ribbon that says "stickers". Narrowing her eyes at her phone, there wasn't anything on there just yet. However...?]

Then how do I 'download' these stickers? Perhaps I could find something that is a little different from rabbits?

[ It doesn't surprise him that rabbits don't exactly garner her attention no matter how adorable he might find them. Then again, rabbits don't exactly bring Hu Tao to mind which leaves him to wonder what she would want. Although looking at his own phone, he knew he had played around with it out of boredom one day and that's how he came upon the option to get those images. ]

So if not rabbits then what do you prefer?

[ He tries messing around with his phone to see if the option for more images comes up. It took him a moment, he hadn't been paying full attention when he had been exploring what the device had to offer. ] Look here, see, I think you can select from this spot. Did you follow or should I do that again?

Look there sure are a lot more rabbits to choose from.

No, I don't think you need to. I'm sure if I look around, there would be some 'stickers' that I'd like.

[That said, as she scrolled through the various images is said 'sticker' section, there were quite a few that didn't seem to interest her. Was she being picky or was she just struggling to find out what she might like? Either way, it seemed to be a bother until there was something that came up.

Narrowing her eyes, it seems that there was one she might use often.]

How about this one? This seems lie something I would a lot!

[She said before showing him a series of stickers on her phone.]

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