[Open] August Catch-All

[pureyang]

Who: Chongyun and YOU
Which: Open Log
Where: Around Reverein, The Wild Harvest, the Beach
What: Helping out with wind-caused damages, beach zoology surveys, and a pure-yang spiral caused by some spicy food
Warnings: Energetic, spontaneous teen on the loose in the pub, watch out!

Watch the Wind!
[The winds sure have been strong lately. So strong, in fact, that Chongyun would assume that the Anemo Archon himself was passing through Reverein. But with all the added windstorms, there’s bound to be damage, and when Chongyun hears that people need help dealing with the damage caused by the winds, he’s more than willing to help out where he can.]

[He’s not a carpenter by trade, so he isn’t the best at building repair, but he can help carry away broken bits of wood or help return animals back to their pastures. Anyone who works with him will find that he is quite a hard worker, and when he pauses for a break, he takes a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow.]

At least the winds help to keep us cool while we work.

[Although, as he says that, a particularly strong breeze blows by. He brings his arm up to shield his face, before turning to who he’s working with.]

Be careful. The winds are really strong today.

Coastal Zoology Survey
[New creatures are very exciting to discover, especially the strange and wonderful beings here in Reverein. And with a whole new ocean to explore, Chongyun will definitely come along to help take details about these new creatures. He does have experience with this; his family owns a Field Guide which has been used to record information on all kinds of monsters and evil spirits in Liyue, so he understands to an extent what sort of things should go in a field guide.]

[However, despite his experience with field guides, those who work with him will definitely find that Chongyun asks questions that… aren’t exactly ecological.]

Do you think this sort of creature may have any abilities that may affect humans, such as an aura of some sorts? Or perhaps can commune with spirits? They are dream-borne creatures, so would they be closer to a living beings like us, or a dream spirit? I wonder how they would react to thaumaturgy, or other such exorcism techniques… Not to say I would use such techniques on these creatures, but I wonder just how physical they are…

[Those who end up teaming up with him may soon realize that he might not be the best person to bring on this survey.]

Spicy Food Challenge..? - Part A
[The Wild Harvest is not a place that Chongyun frequents, but he has come across others who work there and have tried a few of their samples here and there. And since he heard that they were serving foods that he was somewhat familiar with, Chongyun decided to go and give them a try as an actual customer. He wasn’t fully aware of the Spicy Food Challenge, but even if he was he doesn’t intend to enter it, not with his condition. Instead, he places an order of regular, non-spicy ramen, even asking for a few ice cubes so he can help cool it down to a temperature that’s safe for him to eat.]

[It was an innocent mistake, really; his order getting mixed up with one of the spicy specials the pub was serving. He should have noticed the red tint to the broth as a sign of the mishap before he took his first bite. But once he took that first bite, his eyes widen, and he realizes the mistake just as the corners of his vision go blurry.]

[For those who just casually observe him, his eyes go wide as sweat builds on his brow. He goes stock-still, and even trembles a bit, almost worryingly so at first. But then, all of a sudden, he shakes his head and stands up on his chair, puffing out his chest with a wide grin on his face.]

Hey, everyone!! Order whatever you want!! Everything’s on me tonight!!

[Does he even have the money to cover such an outlandish claim?? Probably not, but he doesn’t really care right now. And then, he leaps off his chair and onto the floor, and begins to approach the first person he sees with a wide grin.]

The food here’s great, huh?? Oh, what’s that?? I’ve never had it before!! Lemme try some!!

[And that’s kind of how he goes around; chatting up practically everyone he sees, sampling foods impulsively, and overall just getting into everyone’s business. If he hears a particularly catchy song, he will definitely go and dance to it. If he hears raucous laughter or gets challenged to a dare, he will go in and participate. Having a conversation? He'll probably jump in and act like you're an old friend of his. He’s just acting like an excitable, energetic teen right now, which is very out of the norm for those who know him. Be careful what silly requests you suggest around him, because he will definitely go through with it given his current state!]

[[OoC: For this prompt, Chongyun will be in a pure-yang state, meaning he is much more spontaneous, rowdy, and energetic than normal. He’s not dangerous, destructive, or violent in this state, but he is very impulsive and will probably very much do that ridiculous dare that is suggested to him. Feel free to either try to help him calm down, or egg him on! And feel free to shoot me a message if you wanna ask for anything specific!]]

Spicy Food Challenge..? - Part B
[The next day, Chongyun wakes up with a pounding headache and a nauseous feeling much like a hangover. Chongyun has no concrete memory of what happened the night prior, but he knows the feeling of the aftermath of a yang-spirit spiral all too well. And he can only imagine with great mortification just what kind of ruckus he caused.]

[He’ll return to the Wild Harvest Inn once he’s feeling a little more human, and bows deeply to the workers there once he arrives.]

Please forgive my abhorrent and buffoonish behaviour last night. If there is anything I can do to repair any damages, please let me know.

[Even if he’s told there’s no need to repay anything, Chongyun will still probably be lingering around The Wild Harvest, looking for any sort of work he can do to help out.]

Wildcard
[Got something you’d like to try out? Feel free to write up a starter, or PM me here or at pocketnoivern to plot something!]

Comments

Spicy A to start!

[judicialassistant]

[ It's the loud clattering of a bowl that catches her attention first. Susato jumps, back straightening abruptly as Yumie and Ryu, the two dream snakes that have been following her around the garden, slither to hide in its shrubbery. ]

Ah! What...? [ In a blink, they are gone. How can snakes even move so fast? They are so skittish. Today, however, it sounds like it was for a good reason. She nearly drops all the Devil's peppers she'd been gathering to use, in light of the uptick in spicy orders for the challenge. There's a moment where she's recovering from the surprise, but that relief quickly turns into unease.

She has to investigate.

When she bravely enters the main dining area, she finds Chongyun, standing atop a chair. One would be forgiven for thinking he was going to continue right onto the table, but the one in front of him has its tablecloth ruined, halfway-hanging off. It's stained a deep orange-red at its edge, with the culprit obvious: a knocked-over bowl of ramen, whose contents are sadly still steaming.

...... ]

Ch, Chongyun?!

I am so sorry in advance for this nonsense LOL

[pureyang]

[It's probably a good thing the snakes have gone off to hide. Chongyun's loud declaration has caused cheers to come up around the restaurant, others no doubt happy for 'free' food. Chongyun himself blinks in surprise, turning to look at who spoke to him, and his entire expression lights up in delight.]

Ah! Miss Susato!

[He hops down from the chair and goes up to her, grasping her hand like she were an old friend. His palms are sweaty and his skin feels warm, but he doesn't seem to mind.]

It's been so long!! How's business been?? Do you have more of those cookies you were sampling?? I'd love some more!! Or, or, what would you recommend?? There's so many new foods here I've never heard of, I can't wait to try them all!!

[He says all of this fairly quickly, almost all in one breath, too.]

DON'T BE this is beautiful fdjkhas

[judicialassistant]

[ This is so sad Alastor, play Despacito. Does Chongyun even know what he's done? Susato is eying the wet mess with a sadness in her eyes, the noodles from the ramen sprawled all over the ground like clumps of curly hair. No time to dwell on that though. Chongyun is grabbing her hands within moments.

That sure was a lot of words. It's not like she noticed any alcohol bottles, broken or otherwise. ]

Y... Yes? [ GET IT TOGETHER, SUSATO ] Y, Yes! I, I would be happy to bring you anything you wish, but please. Allow me to clean up first.

A, Are you feeling quite alright? [ He wasn't like this when he placed his order! ]

[pureyang]

Excellent! I'll take one of everything!!

[Is he serious?? It's hard to tell right now. But he's positively buzzing with how excited he seems, to the point where tiny sparkles of light pop and crackle around him as his dreamotion magic bursts with his positivity.]

Oh, wait, you need to clean?

[He pauses, blinking as he looks down and... oh! Who knocked over their ramen?? What a mess! He stares for a moment, before he turns to Susato.]

That's okay! Here, let me help you! Where's your broom??

[And he just... starts walking off to the reception area. Because that's where brooms are kept, right?? Right!]

[judicialassistant]

Chongyun-san, no! [ In a panic, she defaults to her mother tongue, chasing after him as tries to make his way around the counter. She reaches him in time for a rather dramatic grab of his arm.

. . . She feels kind of bad about it, so her grips loosens slightly. Sometimes it's hard being the "stop having fun, guys" gal. ]

I... I will take care of everything. [ This is a job for a mop, besides. ] Until then, I will need you to have a seat. Please.

[pureyang]

[Chongyun pauses when he feels that hard grip on his arm. He blinks, staring at Susato for a moment. But then, rather than comply, he grins.]

Woah, you have a really strong grip! Like, really strong. Have you ever used a sword before? I bet you could make a good sword wielder if you wanted!

Spicy A

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc frequents The Wild Harvest every now and again. He likes Kazuma and Susato well enough, despite the complicated relationships each has with his winery partner. This month features fluffy pancakes as a special, and... well, he's homesick enough to decide he wants them. They're not exactly the same, but they're close enough to hit the craving.

He pays Chongyun no mind until he's at Diluc's table, chattering about the pancakes. After a few confused moments of trying to read the boy, he responds.]

They're just pancakes, nothing to be that excited about. Here, help yourself.

[He has never met this boy in his life, but that is unmistakably a Cryo Vision at his waist. He makes a mental note to ask Aether about him later on.]

[pureyang]

[Yes, that is very clearly a Liyuean-style Cryo Vision clipped to his belt. Though given how he's acting, one might think a Pyro Vision would be more appropriate right now...]

[Oh Diluc, you have no idea what you've just opened yourself to. Chongyun positively beams as he leans against the table, not even bothering to sit down.]

Pancakes? Oh, I've heard of those!! I heard they're similar to laobing, right?? [He picks up a fork and helps himself to a generous chunk of pancake. He takes a bite, and... his eyes widen, and he lets out a happy noise. Small sparkles of dreamotion magic erupt around him like tiny fireworks.]

Woah, these are really good!! [Without waiting for permission, he helps himself to another bite.] My friend Xingqiu said they're a specialty in Mondstadt. Have you heard of Mondstadt? That's a country where I'm from! [And yet another bite.] Mondstadt's lot different than Liyue, from what I hear. I met a bard from Mondstadt, you know! He's really weird though. But he's funny, and a good storyteller! I wonder if everyone from Mondstadt is as funny as he is. [He's moving to help himself to a fourth bite now.] These are really good!! Have you tried them??

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc doesn't mind the fact that he has officially lost his pancake privileges. There's no shortage to be had here, so he can always order a second plate. The attitude similarly doesn't faze him much. He spends a lot of time in the Angel's Share at home and At Day's End here; this kind of exuberance is commonplace there. Seeing as it's not coupled with drunken belligerence, he has no problem with it.]

I'm from Mondstadt, actually. [He removes his Pyro Vision from his belt and holds it up as proof.] I presume you're from Liyue, given the style of dress and the design of your Vision.

[Plus the reference to laobing, which Diluc has only had once while visiting Liyue Harbor. It's kind of like pancakes, he supposes, if one has no other frame of reference.]

I happen to know Venti well. He's perhaps a bit free-spirited even by Mondstadter standards, but he's as good a representation of us as any. [Being its Archon and all.]

I'm Diluc. And you are?

[pureyang]

[His rambunctiousness isn't paired with drunken belligerence, but it is accompanied by a buzzing excitement. He's quite literally buzzing with positive energy, and around him are occasional sparks and flickers of light that go off like tiny fireworks, showcasing his positive yang energy roiling inside him.]

[Chongyun grins brightly as he watches Diluc show off that Pyro Vision.]

You're from Mondstadt?! Woah! There's so many people here from Mondstadt!! And you're right, I am from Liyue. You're really smart! I bet you might be as smart as Xingqiu. Do you read a lot too? He has more books than I can count.

[Well if the pancakes are being relinquished (read: taken), Chongyun will gladly dig into them, taking another big bite before continuing.]

Venti! That's the strange bard's name. So people in Mondstadt really act like him? Wow, Mondstadt must be such a strange place! I bet everyone spends their time singing songs and drinking wine!

[He chuckles to himself at the mental image he's conjured. A few more dreamotion sparkles spark around him.]

I'm Chongyun! I'm a really well-known exorcist in Liyue, from a really well-known clan of exorcists! There's no evil spirit that I can't banish away!

[He says it with a puffing out of his chest. He's proud!]

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc's gaze follows one such flicker of light as it drifts away from him. He really does seem to be buzzing with positivity... It's probably fine.]

A handful of us, yes. Conversely, you're the first I've met from Liyue.

[He hasn't met Xiao yet, despite their shared connection in Venti.

Speaking of, he's going to leave Chongyun's impression of Mondstadt alone. Diluc himself doesn't fit into the stereotype, but there's no shortage of bards, alcoholics, and alcoholic bards to be found there. Besides, the kid is skipping around subjects rapid-fire--better to stick to just a few topics to try and focus his attention.]

It's a pleasure to meet such an esteemed exorcist as yourself. Those aren't common in my part of the world.

[And then, because he cannot help but fish for information:] You've mentioned this "Xingqiu" person twice now. Friend of yours?

[pureyang]

Really?? You should travel more! People from Liyue are great! I would know, I'm one of them!

[He says it with a slight snort, giggling at his own joke.]

Wait, are you serious?? Mondstadt doesn't have exorcists? Then how do you handle your evil spirits?? Surely you don't sing songs and drink wine to banish them!

[Though, what a sight that would be! It would definitely be an odd exorcism if he came with ozmanthus wine and a dizi flute. People from Mondstadt sure are weird!]

[But when Diluc asks about his friend, Chongyun lights up like a lantern. In fact, a few more dreamotion lights light up around him as well.]

Yes, of course! Xingqiu is my close good friend! We've known each other for years, we're best friends! He's the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, and he singlehandedly revived the lost martial arts of the Guhua Clan! He also gives me very reliable knowledge on where to find evil spirits. He's a very good friend! I don't know where I'd be without him. Look, he even made me this tassel, as a sign of his belief in my becoming an exorcist!

[And he's going to get all up in Diluc's personal space as he turns to show off the tassel on his hip, attached to his Vision.]

Coastal Zoology Survey

[multidisciplinary]

[ Actually, Zelda is having very much the opposite reaction to Chongyun's questions than one might expect. She's intrigued by everything he's asking—she hadn't thought of any of these things! ]

I would expect that these creatures are more like dream spirits than physical creatures. Or do you suppose that they might be the dreams of physical creatures, the way our forms here are dreams of our corporeal selves sleeping back in our homeworlds?

[pureyang]

[Being an exorcist with something of a hyperfixation on ghosts and evil spirits, it's only natural that he starts bleeding some of that knowledge into the survey. But he's glad that someone is here to indulge his thoughts!]

Well, that's what I was wondering. Perhaps creatures that are born in this dream-realm consider themselves physical, but they have properties of spirits? I mean, while we are here we are technically dreaming, but everything we interact with is very physical for us.

It's all very strange... I've never had the opportunity to observe creatures that exist in dreams before coming here.

Spicy A

[iracorn]

That is very generous of you, Chongyun, but there really is no need.

[It's quite the pronouncement, but Ira is happy to take care of his own dinner. He's currently in the midst of his own dish of spicy ramen, with a few potstickers on the side. Even if those seem to be rapidly disappearing.]

Though, uh, help yourself I suppose.

[pureyang]

Oh! Hello Master!!

[Hello Ira, don't mind as Chongyun leans against the table, partially leaning against the older man as he helps himself to the potstickers.]

I know these! Where I'm from, they're called jiaozi. [He shoves one in his mouth and chews as he talks.] My friend Xiangling makes them back home; she's a chef who works at her family's restaurant. She's a really talented chef, but always adds such bizarre ingredients! I mean, mushroom slime stew? Butterfly wings and yellow sunfrog meat in pancakes?? Only she's wild enough to make something like that!

[He takes another potsticker and bites into it again.]

These are so good!! I usually have to wait until they're ice cold before I can eat them!!

[iracorn]

She sounds very adventurous.

[He's a bit surprised by this behaviour, previous encounters with Chongyun had him so reserved. He'll just slide his ramen over to avoid it spilling.]

I've found they're better enjoyed warm. Is there something special about cooling them?

[pureyang]

She is! She'll be a great chef, just you wait! Even with her weird ingredients!

[He lets out a hearty laugh, his whole face lighting up. And there are some bright dreamotion sparks sparkling around him, reflective of his positivity.]

Because of my yang spirit, obviously!! I have a pure yang spirit! Things that're too hot make me go [And he makes a little noise with his mouth, waving his hands as if to emphasize his point.]

[iracorn]

Right, I believe you've mentioned that before.

[And now the responsible adult kicks in.]

Should you be continuing to eat those then? Or should we find something cooler...

[pureyang]

But it tastes so good!

[To emphasize his point, he takes another potsticker and eats it, letting out a happy noise as he does.]

Man, this is so good... we should learn how to make these!! I bet they'll let us use their kitchen if we ask them!

[He very much sounds like an excitable kid who is hyped up on far too much sugar right now, willing to do any silly thought that crosses his mind.]

Spicy A

[startraveler]

[Aether has never witnessed Chongyun's pure-yang state before. He's only heard stories from Xiangling, Xinyan or Xingqiu, but it never sounded too bad. Which is why he wasn't worried when he offered to Chongyun, that maybe he should try to embrace that other side of himself.

It seems this time the traveler can finally see what is it like when his exorcist friend is bursting with energy. Aether blinks at first, seeing Chongyun loudly declaring that everyone can eat as much as they like because he'd pay for it, then he proceeds to friendly chat with some people and try their food.

...Goodness.

And yet, Aether can't help but laugh lightly. As chaotic as the other got, he still doesn't mean any harm. The traveler approaches him, waving to his friend.]

Hey, I see that you're having a lot of fun... Did you make any new friends?

[pureyang]

Ah! Aether!!

[Chongyun perks up at the sight of the familiar blonde, and rushes over to his side. He grasps Aether's hand with both of his, beaming a warm smile. Around him, small sparks of dreamotion magic burst like tiny fireworks around him.]

There's so many nice people here! Everyone is so friendly! It's great!! And the food is amazing! Have you tried any???

[startraveler]

[The energy that Chongyun has right now really would be difficult to rival. Aether smiles bright at him.]

I got to try some, yes. Would you like to try more of it with me?

[It really is a rare occasion, considering how often Chongyun would prefer to eat alone once the food is completely cold. But now they can enjoy the meal together without any worries, right?]

[pureyang]

Yes, yes! Come on, Traveler! Let's try something!!

[He's practically vibrating with positive energy, and he tugs on Aether's hand happily. Yes, yes! Let's do things, come on Traveler!!]

What do we try first??

[startraveler]

[He's a bit surprised when his hand is tugged on like this, but Aether quickly gives him a warm smile, following eagerly.]

I've heard they had some selection of spicy food here...

[Could it be...?]

...Is that would got you in the current state?