First Entrance: Jin Guangyao

[hat_and_dimples]

The door opens on a grossly opulent Chinese room, decked out in the traditional combination of turquoise and orange, with lots of gold thrown in the mix.

On the threshold, a young man is hesitating, looking at the inside of Milliways with carefully shielded surprise. He's short and slight, wears a sweet, dimpled smile on his face that looks a bit professional and pasted-on, a stiff black mesh hat associated with officials and noblemen from Ancient China, a raised dot of cinnabar between his brows, and pale yellow robes embroidered in gold. He carries some scrolls and ledgers under his arm.

While he is still lingering beyond the door, the voice of an older man used to giving commands comes from the tackily over-decorated room he's just leaving. "Be quick about it, and make sure nobody sees you!"

With a little wince, the young man steps over the threshold and closes the door on that voice.

Jin Guangyao puts his paperwork on the nearest table, stands by the pillar next to it, and slowly orients himself in the surprise tavern that has turned up in the middle of Golden Koi Tower.



[[OOC: Milliways, please welcome regular Jin Guangyao after having met his AU version that was still called Meng Yao. All the info on his profile now applies to him. Also, as there are no woods to stroll in at Golden Koi Tower, he doesn't come in through the forest as most of his canonmates and even his own AU version.]]

tinytag: jin guangyao

Comments

[zenigatcha]

After a hearty breakfast, Zenigata's in a very good mood. So when he hears something like -- someone being snippy, or rude, he turns to address it.

Only he sees the fanciest man he's seen in a very long time. The door is swinging shut behind him, and then gives a big smile.

"I've seen that look!" he says with jovial good nature. "You must be new!"

[hat_and_dimples]

The little man in gold hesitates, then revives his smile. "I'm not that new new to Golden Koi Tower," he says, "but I suppose this is not in Golden Koi Tower any more?"

He bows, his arms held in a semicircle before his chest, left hand covering the right.

"I'm Jin Guangyao, of the Lanling Jin clan, but I just seem to have left there."

[zenigatcha]

"You have," Zenigata says, though the bow he offers is different, arms at side, head down, but still a greeting of its own. "I am Zenigata Koichi, and you are in Milliway's, a place between all other places. It comes and goes, you see. But don't worry, your door will return you to the moment you left once you go back out. In the mean time, the place and people are hospitable, but may not be what you're used to!"

Zenigata gestured with one hand, as if suggesting Jin Guangyao follow him. "Please, have your first drink -- it's always on the house -- and I'll answer what questions I can."

Zenigata's a cop at heart, and a good one. He means well, at the very least.

[hat_and_dimples]

"I think I could use a good cup of strong oolong tea," Jin Guangyao says as he follows. "Will my work papers be safe there for a moment?"

Pause.

"When I go back, my father will still be giving me -- instructions, but I can pick the moment when I'm ready to face and execute them?"

[zenigatcha]

"Yes," Zenigata says, nodding as they approach the bar. "You will open the door to the place you were originally going to, your father will still be speaking to you. Sadly, he won't have learned to be any nicer between then and now."

Strong oolong tea appears with a napkin beneath it, and then Zenigata says, "Good matcha for me, Bar." Then, there are two teas there.

[hat_and_dimples]

"Oh," Jin Guangyao says, "where did they come from?"

He doesn't comment on the comment about his father; it would be un-filial to complain, and a transparent lie to say anything else.

[zenigatcha]

"Some people say the bar is enchanted, or has a spirit of its own. It provides everything but weapons and ammunition, as necessary -- including rooms to stay if you need a place to rest outside your own time," Zenigata explains, understanding Jin Guangyao's silence. The Japanese are very similar, but-- Zenigata's been somewhat Westernized after many long years in Europe.

"There are three rules: You can't hurt other people, you can't bring business from your world into the bar -- grudges and such must be left at the door. Also, don't do anything -- inappropriate," and here the big man has the audacity to blush, because SEX is a BLUSHING TOPIC. "Stay dressed, don't touch places you shouldn't, that sort of thing. There are rooms for that, if you need one, as I mentioned."

Please don't fornicate in the bar. That's all he asks.

[hat_and_dimples]

"I think I'll use a room to catch up with sleep," Jin Guangyao says, diplomatically. "But later, when I've seen everything."

His life is demanding, but not exhausting. Also, everybody he might want to do things with that need privacy are back in his world, anyway.

"Am I at least allowed to balance my ledgers?"

[zenigatcha]

"Oh, yes. I do work in here all the time -- research mainly -- but by 'business' it means -- no grudges, no revenge. If someone who hurt you comes in, you cannot hurt them here, no matter their crime," Zenigata says, knowing full well he's going to violate that rule ten times over if Lupin finds his way to Milliways.

[hat_and_dimples]

"That sounds excellent," Jin Guangyao says. "So much extra time that doesn't count towards any deadlines I may have."

[zenigatcha]

"Exactly!" Zenigata says, as he sips his tea. Delicious, energizing matcha! He loves it so, even if he prefers his coffee, black as the soles of his shoes.

One hitch, though, so he adds, "Ah, you're going to run a tab on the things you buy or ask for, and they will be relative to your own world. An expensive bottle of booze at home is still expensive here, though it may come due much later. Eventually Bar works to settle accounts, so make sure you come and spare some gold. The young, weak, bound and otherwise in need of help draw from shared funds donated for just that purpose."

[hat_and_dimples]

"I'm none of these things," Jin Guangyao says. "Not any longer. I can call upon the coffers of the Jin clan, within reason."

[zenigatcha]

"I'm glad things have gone well for you," Zenigata says, aware that it's 'not any longer.' He's never really known that kind of hardship - his family was always secure, at the very least.

"Here everyone is relatively safe, though I hear the woods have dangerous wildlife. If you go out that door," Zenigata says, gesturing to it with his hand, "you'll go into the environs outside -- stables, a forge, a lake that gives way to a warm-water inlet, and the woods and mountains."

He gestures toward the bar, "Other doors lead you to places like the garage, library, and a variety of other locations. Ask for a map -- but be aware the bar shifts! I can be bit aggravating if something isn't on the same path as it was before."

[hat_and_dimples]

"Oh," Meng Yao says. "What kind of dangerous wildlife? Tigers?"

[zenigatcha]

"Wolves, and some creatures I'm familiar with. Monsters, if I am to be told right. Demon rabbits, or something." He's never really figured that one out, but he doesn't go to the woods. Spooky places aren't his jam.

[hat_and_dimples]

"Demon rabbits?" Jin Guangyao says, incredulous. "Those must be the oddest monsters ever seen! Demonic forces in something that small and cute, oh my."

Pause.

"Unless they are extraordinarily large?"

[zenigatcha]

"They are not, apparently," Zenigata says with a shake of his head. "I thankfully haven't tangled with one, myself. But you should have warnings if you're set on exploring."

[hat_and_dimples]

"I don't know that I even want to explore much in the great wide greenery beyond human habitation," Jin Guangyao admits. "I do prefer people and the land they have tamed. More interaction, for one thing."

[zenigatcha]

"Perhaps that is wise," Zenigata says with a nod. "You'll find plenty of interesting people here. I've met a man who is dead, I have seen people who are made of metal, and have seen an array of colors and features unlike any you'd see in one world. Do not be surprised if folks look scary."

[hat_and_dimples]

"A man who is dead?" Jin Guangyao asks, with a delicate little shudder.

[zenigatcha]

"Oh yes. He's very nice." And there's more than one of them, so it could be any number of people that Zenigata knows. "Don't be surprised if you meet them. The forgemaster, for instance. He's a good soul."

[hat_and_dimples]

"There is a dead forge-master here?" Jin Guangyao says, slowly waking up to the realisation of just how strange this place is. "I must sound like a complete newcomer; so sorry about that."

[zenigatcha]

"Well, yes. You are a complete newcomer," Zenigata asys with a laugh before he finishes off his tea. "The forgemaster is dead, yes. His name is Teja. There's also a young man who is, as far as I know, alive and can make fire with his hands that you can find at the forge as well."

What else is important about the forge.... oh! "There are also many cats around the forge. I think Teja attracts them or something."

[hat_and_dimples]

"Fire with his hands?" Jin Guangyao says. "By magic?"

A cultivator? A leftover Wen, maybe??

[zenigatcha]

"I mean, no body can make fire with their hands where I come from," and Pycal doesn't count, "so-- yes?"

He's not sure, he's never asked the kid. He always looks so tired.