Owner	Pose
Shen Wei	This planet isn't one that's often visited. The atmosphere is not overly friendly. The wind blows constantly, lifting the sands into frequent sandstorms. There are no intelligent lifeforms on its surface. Not natively. It's a perfect spot for trafficers of the slave trade to hide away. Amongst other sorts of people. It had taken Shen Wei and Xie Yun several weeks to track this particular lead down. The place is so inhospitable that Shen Wei shakes his head. Xie Yun shrugs. "Might be a dead end, boss. Might not. No way to know til you look. Normal split? I stay with the ship and keep her hot while you go look?" Shen Wei nods, and, without a single word, turns to walk off the bridge. It's toward the engine room he goes, and then down into the cargo bay to access the outside hatch. As he walks, shadows come out of nowhere to obscure his face. His clothing is black and gives little away. A long cloak is over the clothing, further obscuring him. The hatch can be heard opening, and closing as Shen Wei exits the ship. Off in the distance, seen only because the display on one of the windows within the cockpit displays it, a base made of weathered orange stone. Xie Yun shakes his head as he looks over the place. "Can't be anyone living in that hell hole," he mutters to himself.
Bai Wuyun	It's a hellish sort of planet that has a tendency of making a person feel as though their very skin is being sandblasted from off of their body. If not the underlying layers. Desert dwelling creatures of various shapes and sizes manage to eke out a life that's singularly focused on reproducing as much as possible before an untimely death happens to occur. And that often tends to be at the will of some manner of predator. Prior to this unexpected trip, he's never been to a different planet than Haixing. The exact length of time that he's been a captive to these particular slavers is something that Bai Wuyun is uncertain of. He's been drugged in fits and starts since he was first captured by them from the market on Haixing, and the days and nights have blended together somewhat. He's been kept alive with enough food and water, but none of the captives have been anywhere near what could be considered 'well fed'. He's tried his magic more than once, yet it remains beyond his grasp, kept so by the cuff that closely circled his left wrist.. He and the other captives had been brought into the building some days before, and put into individual cells there. The cells were too small to allow for laying down in anything resembling comfort. There were only two reasons to keep them alive, he reasoned -- to sell them, or to attempt to ransom them back from where they had been taken from. The latter seemed significantly less likely. Though Bai Wuyun isn't able to see them clearly or well from his cell, there are slavers stationed at the doors of the base, and they happen to be armed. They aren't about to let anything happen to their 'prizes' without fighting for it. Profits, after all.
Shen Wei	More likely to be sold on. This is something that Shen Wei knows and understands to be the case. His mission this time is not to free any prisoners. It's to capture the slavers here. However many of them there happens to be. He's entirely unaware of who the prisoners might be, though in his heart, he knows there have to be at least some. He'll probably keep an eye out for them. His conscience won't allow him to do otherwise. While Xie Yun keeps watch from the ship, as much as he's able, Shen Wei makes his way along the ridgeline, sticking to the back of it and out of sight. With the shadows obscuring his face, he doesn't need to wear his protective glasses, and so he isn't. However, he keeps several pairs tucked about his person. Just in case. It wouldn't due to be blind in a place like this. He soon reaches the base and makes his way behind it. He considers, and then steps into the shadows. His body disappears from where it had been, and reappears upon the rooftop of a building at the back. He crouches down and surveys the area in front of him. Down below, the prisoners are being harried from their little cells and down a hall. Out into a larger area, secured by a fence with barbed wire atop it. It's probably electrified as well. A almost imperceptible buzzing can be more felt than heard emanating from it. Shen Wei's eyes narrow behind the concealing shadows. The bounty stated dead or alive. These people are less than animals in his mind. He would be right to kill them all, lest they get released to do the same thing over again. Mind made up, Shen Wei steps into the shadows once again. He appears behind one of the guards outside the larger 'pen'. He calls his sabre to his right hand even as he's stepping back into view. It seems to emerge from the shadows and into his hand. Shen Wei doesn't even hesitate as he slides the blade over the throat of the man in front of him. There's a soft gurgle as the guard collapses to the ground.
Bai Wuyun	Where there are slavers, it follows that there are typically prisoners as well. Those taken against their will to be sold. Those who yearn to have their freedom back. Bai Wuyun would do something about taking his freedom back if there was anything he could do against the number of slavers. Yet he is without his magic, and without his weapons. There have been no opportunities to try to plan anything with his fellow captives, given the way that they've been kept separated from one another. And the slavers have been quick to hush any attempts at talking. When the cell door is opened by one of the slavers, Bai Wuyun gets to his feet and steps out without fuss. He's learned that they'll resort to violence if there's resistance, and he's earned more than one bruise from it since being captured. There have been no broken bones, at least, for which he's been grateful. He moves quickly enough to not need to be prodded to get moving, heading down the hall along with the rest of the captives. Along the way, he lifts his hands to gather up his hair and tuck it into a twist at the nape of his neck. Once they've been brought out into the larger area, some of the captives mill around a bit, breaking into small groups and trying to avoid the wind. Bai Wuyun steps a bit away from the others and starts to walk further within the space. It's an attempt to get a better lay of the pen, a bit of visual prodding as he looks for a potential weakness that might be exploited. Ming Qiu, the younger Haixingren who had been in his scouting party all those years ago in the war, hurries to reach his side and fall into step next to him. "What's the plan, sir?" Ming Qiu asks with a grin, seeming to have managed to keep his youthful rashness, at least if his bruised jaw is any indication of the fact. They haven't had many opportunities for speaking, even during such 'exercise' periods. Bai Wuyun raises an eyebrow slightly, and then he gives a shake of his head. He stops walking, then turns to look to the younger man. "Ming Qiu, there is no plan beyond living one day to the next. You should try not to anger them. I cannot heal you here as I could then," he says, his tone thoughtful. The wind catches and tugs at the twist of his hair, and it doesn't take it long to send the thick locks tumbling free.
Shen Wei	Since his initial note of the prisoners being brought out into the larger pen, probably for excercise or some other such nonsense, Shen Wei hasn't spared so much as a glance for them. He doesn't even pay any heed to the man with the hair so very long. No, his attention is all for the slavers he's taking down. As the first one collapses, Shen Wei catches him and eases him to the ground. He doesn't bother searching the man for any technology that might shut the pen off. Even if he found it, he probably wouldn't understand how to use it. No, that will be for Xie Yun to deal with, later. He doesn't walk the shadows this time, instead relying on his own martial skills to move to the next guard. He slips away from the first and around a corner before walking silently up behind the next. That one meets the same fate as the first. With a gurgle, that one collapses, only to be eased to the ground by Shen Wei. Wouldn't want the sound of a falling body to alert the others. He's moving toward the third when the radio from the previous one chirps and asks for a report. Shen Wei ignores it and continues moving. But it's the third guard asking for a report, as the second has failed to check in properly. As he's moving up on the third, that one turns and sees him. This one is a woman, and taller than he. He doesn't let it stop him. His cloak flairs around him as he skips to the side when the woman raises her weapon. The handle of the sabre suddenly grows, and the sharp blade takes the woman straight in the chest. She gurgles and falls backward, straight into the fense. She arcs, stiffening as the electrical current in the fense surges through her. Without hesitation, Shen Wei releaes his blade. He holds his right hand out from his body. Shadows engulf the glaive, who's blade is still stuck into the woman. It disappears, and reappears upright in his hand, the butt held just high enough it's not on the ground. It shrinks back down until it's a sabre in his hand once again. The fourth guard sees this and panics. Inside the pen with the prisoners, ,he gets on the radio. "It's Hei'an! Darkness has come calling! Three are down! Run!" The panic is clear in his voice, and he turns to run. Shen Wei steps into the shadows and emerges on the other side of the fleeing guard. Looking back, he doesn't see the blade as it enters his chest. Gasping for breath that won't come, the man slumps and slides toward the ground. Shen Wei yanks the blade free. Still ignoring the prisoners, he turns and stalks past them, toward the door they had been ushered through to come outside. He waves his left hand, and a slash of dark energy, shadow, hits the door, shoving it open for him to pace through. Hei'an disappears into the relative darkness beyond.
Bai Wuyun	Ming Qiu quirks a bit of a grin, and then he gives a laugh that's lighter in sound than it has any right to be, given their situation. "I try enough not to anger them. I'll heal in time, sir. They don't break bones, they want us at least mostly unharmed. We'll fetch them a higher profit that way since whoever buys us won't have to pay a healer to fix us," he comments. "Yes, I had a similar thought," agrees Bai Wuyun, giving a small nod. He idly turns the cuff at his left wrist, annoyed by it for not the first time. A brief glance is given towards Ming Qiu's wrist, spying the similar cuff there. "No luck with yours, either?" "Ah, no, sir. These cuffs are a pain in the arse," Ming Qiu says, wrinkling his nose. It's the unusual and unexpected chirping of the radio that catches Ming Qiu's attention, and he looks in the direction of it. That, in turn, draws Bai Wuyun's attention, and the pair exchange a look. The guards don't usually ask for reports, that they've noticed. Yet it's Shen Wei who catches Ming Qiu's attention, in the process of his electrification of the female guard. There's no mistaking that particular blade, not for the times that they'd fought together in the war, and no mistaking the use of the shadows, either. When the guard within the pen is killed, a trio of nearby prisoners swarm the dead body as soon as Hei'an has moved on and away from it. Ransacking and thieving anything of value from the corpse. Some of the others stare with undisguised surprise as this is something that they'd never expected to see happen. A couple of them manage to cheer, shouting 'Hei'an', and finally seeing hope for their freedom. "It's Shen Wei!" Ming Qiu says, almost conspiratorially and gleefully, to Bai Wuyun. Bai Wuyun, alas, hasn't the memories to go along with the name, but he's been told stories. Most of them, from Ming Qiu. The pair of them rush towards the door that Shen Wei had shoved open, and while Ming Qiu makes to follow, he calls out, "Shen Wei, wait!" He's still an impulsively foolish boy sometimes. Bai Wuyun gives a sharp whistle to draw the attention of the other prisoners. He can't leave them behind, and he won't. Then he turns for the door as well, to follow Ming Qiu. And Shen Wei, to perhaps finally have a chance to meet the ghost from the time he can't remember.
Shen Wei	One of the other prisoners snorts at Ming Qiu's words. "The buyers don't want damaged goods, boy," the woman says, scoffing. This is when all hell breaks loose in the form of Hei'an. The woman shuts up immediately, eyes widening. The prisoners all have heard tales of this particular bounty hunter. There are whispers of him, too, amongst them. Those that have heard of him have heard the stories. All good for the innocent. Rarely good for the guilty. He's said to be cold and merciless, but fair. And willing to listen to reason. Shen Wei is somewhat used to his reputation. The calling of his name, both of them, is ignored, paid no heed at all. He disappears around a corner. Out of sight, and none of the prisoners see him again. He moves through the building, dealing with guards. Mostly knocking them out for now. None of them were directly watching the prisoners in the pen. Perhaps an hour later, Shen Wei appears again. And then Xie Yun sets the ship down in the compound's courtyard. Shen Wei, his prisoner secured with zip ties of all things, marches the man, the leader of the slavers, toward the ship. The rest of the guards still amongst the living are similarly bound. With zip ties. At least the ties are black. As he gets to the ship, the ramp under its belly opens up. He doesn't even stop as he stalks inside with his prisoner. He touches a panel on the inside and the hatch slides closed behind him as he speaks for the first time since he'd left the ship. The ramp stays down. "Take care of the others. Container one. Remember heat. Secure them." What that might be about is unknown. "Notify authorities. Slaves need transport." The prisoner he's bound is taken through the cargo bay and into the crew quarters area. The end door is opened, the prisoner thrust inside, and the door closed and locked from the outside. He moves toward the ladder at the end, moving up toward the cockpit.
Bai Wuyun	Damaged goods might not cost as much to buy, but they're not as pretty and it can cost to fix them! It makes for a bit of a trade off, depending on if the buyer likes what they see despite the injuries. Ming Qiu doesn't bother to offer a response to the woman's words. They'd all likely figured that they were here to be sold for as high of a profit as possible, and even better if a bidding war could be started. Ming Qiu, despite being exasperated by finding Shen Wei to have disappeared by the time he got through the door, doesn't call out again for him. He, and Bai Wuyun as well, can get a fair idea of what Shen Wei is up to simply by the sounds that reach their ears. The pair of them see to getting the prisoners out of the pen and back into the building, and there are cursory examinations done on those who have wounds. Working together, they do what they can for those who had been hurt by the guards. None of the wounds are very bad. When Shen Wei appears again, the group of them are at least a bit more ordered. Some of them have rummaged about to see what useful things might be in the building itself, though no one has really seemed to go very far. Bai Wuyun and Ming Qiu stand apart from the others, though. With the ship landed in the courtyard, the pair of Haixingren men step out of the building, watching as Shen Wei takes his prisoner on board. It begs the question -- what will become of them? With the ramp of the ship yet open, Ming Qiu does what he does best. He half runs over to the ramp and stops near to it. "Shen Wei, thank you! Can you do something about the cuffs, though? Please?" he calls up into the ship. The fact that he's impulsive is truly unlikely to change, and may have grown worse in the intervening years. Bai Wuyun gives his head a small shake at the younger man's actions, and for the first time since he had been captured, he actually relaxes a little bit. It's still discomfiting to be blocked from his magic. He lifts his left hand, gathering his hair and then drawing it forward over his shoulder, keeping his fingers lightly wrapped around it in an effort to try to keep it from being tossed about so much by the wind. "Ming Qiu, patience. Give him a chance to tend his business," he says. Neither of them are simply going to board the ship without permission, even though curiosity might tug at both of them to do just that.
Shen Wei	Alas. Ming Qiu is unlikely to get a response from Shen Wei. He doesn't hear the request, afterall. He's not in a location to hear it, at least not clearly, until he reaches the cockpit. And by that point, the intercom has been muted. "Shall I allow them to board?" Xie Yun turns in his chair to regard his boss. Shen Wei raises a brow and shakes his head. "You. Go out." He pauses. "Lights out." For this, he knows the button to push on the console. And he strides over to it to do just that. The ship is plunged into darkness. Xie Yun breathes out a sigh and goes out to take care of things, leaving Shen Wei to his peace. Such as it is. For now, the ship is going nowhere. The freed slaves need to be dealt with. The newly caught prisoners also need to be dealt with. At this point, the hatch is closed and sealed. Nobody is getting on board without permission, whether they wish to do so or not. The two from Haixing are unlikely to recognize the ship, a sleek swift looking thing. It's like nothing they'd seen on their home planet. The hatch opens to reveal Xie Yun, his long hair pulled up into a single long tail atop his head. He steps out and the hatch slides closed behind him. He looks over the pair. "Well. Never thought I'd see the two of you again." His eyes fix on Bai Wuyun. "Never thought I'd see you alive again, Bai Gaung. How the hades did you manage that one?" He speaks, of course, in their native lanuage. Xie Yun shakes his head. "That's beside the point. Come. Let's get you taken care of. Then you two can help me load the prisoners into pod one. They ain't gonna like it. I did at least turn the heat on." He pauses. "For now." He grins, an almost malicious look. He turns and jogs toward the building, beckoning the other two from Haixing to follow. He is, as he always was, armed with a rifle-like gun and a pistol. The only difference is, he's dressed in a scaled leather long-coat in shades of purple and a rich almost sea blue, a pair of cargo pants, and a flannel type shirt of dark purple. And work boots. No robes or cloaks for him. Nope, he's gone modern. For now, Xie Yun heads toward the building. "First thing, find the release to get rid of those cuffs," he says over his shoulder. "Probably either on the guards, or in a command room." As though he'd studied the layout of this place, which he probably had when his boss had been inside doing his thing, he goes unerringly toward the control center. The joys of modern technology.
Bai Wuyun	The ship is, indeed, not recognized by either Bai Wuyun and Ming Qiu. They've seen a number of assorted vessels come and go before, and they have at least a passing familiarity with the ones native to Haixing. Ming Qiu's familiarity with them is more so, given that he has a younger brother that works on one of the mining vessels. Yet this ship is something different. "Xie Yun!" greets Ming Qiu, a smile coming to his features. "It's good to see you again, too. It's been years," he says lightly. Since the war, though he doesn't specifically say so. He glances to Bai Wuyun, then back to Xie Yun, but he stays quiet when the other Haixingren is addressed. Bai Wuyun tilts his head a touch to one side, his brow wrinkling slightly. There is an oddity here, for there is no sign of him recognizing Xie Yun. There is a flicker of surprise at the name he's addressed by, for it's one that he's not heard in a long while. It puts him a bit off balance. "I... perhaps a story for later," he says softly, giving a small nod, a bit of an uncertain smile touching the corners of his lips. He doesn't tend to talk about it very much. It's something he'd rather tell to both of the Dixingren at the same time, no doubt. No one really knows why he's alive, and that... well, that's not an insignificant thing. "Sure! We'll help however we can," Ming Qiu offers. With things at least seeming a bit more settled, the younger Haixingren is apparently back to his usual self. "Thank you. Of course, as Ming Qiu said -- wherever you need us," Bai Wuyun says, inclining his head slightly towards Xie Yun. Though the fingers of his left hand have been holding his hair in order to prevent the wind from snagging it too fiercely, they've also been fidgetting their way through it in a variety of ways. "For what they have done, they deserve to not like it," Bai Wuyun comments, glancing towards the ship for a moment before his attention turns to Xie Yun once again. Ming Qiu grins and seems to like the notion of the prisoners not liking the pod as well. Not surprising! When Xie Yun beckons for them to go with him, they both follow him -- Bai Wuyun first, and Ming Qiu a step behind him. Neither of the Haixingren have gone modern in the way of clothing, though Ming Qiu is dressed in shades of green in comparison to Bai Wuyun with his white and grey. "That would be very good, to be rid of the cuffs," Bai Wuyun agrees. Ming Qiu nods, eagerly. It's bothered him as well. Once they're within the building again, Bai Wuyun goes with Xie Yun to check the command room and Ming Qiu recruits a couple of the other 'slaves' to help search the guards.
Shen Wei	Xie Yun's normally smiling happy face sobers a bit, though the smile doesn't fade entirely. "Twenty-four. C'mere, ya little bastard," he says, and swiftly goes forward to put Ming Qiu into a headlock and noogie him. This had been a thing back on Haixing too. A long story. Xie Yun studies the other Haixingren, and releases Qiu with a soft tap atop his head, as though to tell the younger Haixingren to behave himself. Another thing that is entirely normal. He nods though, and doesn't ask. Instead, leading the way. He apparently understands that someone he'd known doesn't recognize him. And if he wasn't recognized.... There's worry that chases through his features, but his back is turned to the other two, so it likely goes unnoticed. "Indeed." About the pods. "Okay, so Himself won't actually do that, but it's fun to make them think we will." He grins wickedly, back to his usual self. And so off they go, to deal with prisoners and newly freed slaves. Meanwhile, on the ship, Shen Wei retreats to his cabin. Once within, he releases the shadows and sinks to sit for a few moments on the deck at his feet. He rests there for a good long while, remaining silent. Catching his breath and letting his energy levels start to recover.
Bai Wuyun	"Yeah, that sounds about right," comments the younger Haixingren, giving a nod and a grin. Then he's caught up into a headlock and having a noogie delivered! It's a thing that manages to catch him by surprise in a most pleasant way, even though it had been quite common years ago. "Ack! Hey!" Ming Qiu exclaims, grinning and laughing at the same time. He gives the expected mock-wriggling of attempting to get free, though he snickers as he is released. And he gives a small nod at the tap to his head. He does try to behave! He catches up a few stray bits of his hair to tuck them behind his ears, though he otherwise doesn't try to set it back to order. Being told stories about the memories that should be there isn't anywhere near the same as having the memories actually be there. It helps, some. But there had been conversations and interactions and -things- that had happened that could never be replaced. The hope for them being remembered, after so much time, might well be small, but it is still there. "For him to actually do so would go against all that I have come to know of him," Bai Wuyun says, a thoughtful tone to his voice. It's a strange thing, that he has to base it off of stories he's been told rather than his own experiences. It's as though that period of time has been clouded over. He lightly tugs the fingers of his left hand free of his hair, then lowers his hand to his side. Ming Qiu studies Bai Wuyun for a moment, and then gives a nod. "They've been nothing but horrid, they should be made to think that some of it's getting dished back to them! I've wasted away to skin and bones!" he says. He hasn't, really, and especially since Bai Wuyun shared some of his rations of food with him, but sometimes he has a flair for the dramatic. The pair of them will help wherever they can, with both their fellow slaves and with the prisoners. It's the least they can do for having been rescued!
Shen Wei	The familiar response had, of course, gotten a smile. It's a comfortable thing, to meet old friends. And Xie Yun had pulled Ming Qiu out of the fire on more than one occasion. The release for the bracelets is found. And then, instead of storing them away, Xie Yun destroys them. Once that's done, the help escoring the prisoners onto the ship is helpful. No comment is made on the prisoners. But there is much chatting on what's happened over the past twenty-four years on Haixing. However, as they approach the ship, Xie Yun pauses and turns to the other two Haixingren. His expression is unusually serious. "Don't mention Haixing to Himself. I... actually, maybe you should stay out here. I'm not sure how well he's going to react if he sees either of you." He sounds hesitant and looks between them and the ship. Then he shakes his head. "Hell with it. C'mon. Let's get these pricks dealt with." Within the ship, in his cabin, Shen Wei has finally gotten back to his feet and is changing out of his black clothing and back into his more comfortable stuff. Including the creamy shirt, the comfortable pants that are soft to the touch, but nicely durable, and a pair of boots on his feet. Same pair. They work. His hair is even different. Gone is the long flowing mane of deepest black. In its place, hair so dark a brown that it's almost black, but not quite, with streaks of lighter brown. Even worse. His hair has been shorn. Butchered. Until it's length is just a bit past his jawline. That it looks good is beside the point. It's been /cut/ /off/. He emerges from his cabin and heads toward the cargo bay, right as Xie Yun are leading the other prisoners inside. And the two Haixingren. Whether he will see them first, or they him, is uncertain.
Bai Wuyun	The familiar actions and responses are a source of comfort for Ming Qiu as well, especially given the recent situation that he and Bai Wuyun have come through. Being enslaved was not how either of them had envisioned spending these past days and nights. Ming Qiu had always been extremely grateful for Xie Yun's help on those times when he'd needed his arse pulled out of the fire. He tries to be careful, he really does! It just sometimes isn't always thought out fully. The past twenty-four years of news from Haixing gets summarized in part by Ming Qiu and in part by Bai Wuyun, although there is a time period that neither of them speak on -- the time that came after his death. This is a mutually agreed on sort of thing, at least between the two Haixingren. Once the release for the bracelets is found and destroyed, and both of the Haixingren have access to their magic again, the pair seem a bit more relaxed. Ming Qiu summons up a ball of water more just to verify he can than any other reason. Bai Wuyun's response to having access to his magic is predictable, at least for Ming Qiu. He lifts his right hand and lightly pulls free a red and black swirled lollipop from his pocket of air that he uses for storage. He tugs off the wrapper, slips the wrapper back into the pocket of air, and then slips the lollipop into his mouth. Much better. Definitely much better. Lollipops have been missed. Once they get back to the ship, Ming Qiu raises an eyebrow slightly at Xie Yun's piece of advice, and then he glances towards Bai Wuyun before looking to Xie Yun. "Right, got it. No mentioning Haixing. Although, well... there's going to be something that needs explaining. It, ah... it can't be avoided, Xie Yun," Ming Qiu says, giving a slight nod in Bai's direction. Because, well... Bai isn't dead, and he doesn't go by Bai Guang anymore, even though that hadn't been touched on either in their conversation. Bai Wuyun's brow wrinkles slightly, and he gives a small nod, catching Ming Qiu's meaning. He understands at least a part of it, even if he can't understand the whole of it simply because he lacks his own memories. "It will be akin to being confronted with a ghost," he says quite softly. He had received some interesting reactions afterwards, some favourable and some that were quite less so. It had been a strange time. Ming Qiu and Bai Wuyun follow after the prisoners. The first lollipop is gone, and it has been replaced with a second one -- this one a light blue in colour. There's a reason that Ming Qiu was a scout all those years ago -- he's observant, and he's still quick to notice it when Shen Wei appears. He nudges Bai Wuyun with his elbow nearest to him, though the gesture proves to be unnecessary as his dark gaze is already turned in Shen's direction. The shorter hair is noticed, and by both of them, and though it's a cause for surprise, neither of the Haixingren say anything about it. Though Ming Qiu shoots Bai a hasty look before his attention turns forward.
Shen Wei	It really is hard to try to be careful when one happens to be as impulsive as Ming Qiu apparently still is. Xie Yun fixes the younger Haixingren with a look, eyes narrowed suspiciously. That the time after Bai Guang's death isn't spoken of is either not noticed by Xie Yun, or intentionally ignored. Xie Yun can't help but roll his eyes as the lollipop is pulled from the air space. "Bai Guang, you haven't changed a bit," he comments, amusement held in his tone. Xie Yun falls silent and raises a brow at Ming Qiu. "What can't be avoided?" He sounds protective. Even more so than he had of Shen Wei the last time the four had seen each other. He takes a moment to bring the lights up in the cargo bay. Just enough for the Haixingren to be able to see by, but not blind the Dixingren. No, that he's no longer Bai Guang hadn't been mentioned. Hense Xie Yun's use of the name. Xie Yun nods. "He... he's not.." He shakes his head, leaving unsaid what Shen Wei had gone through in the past twenty-four years. He'd talked about himself and some of their adventures, but nothing specific about his boss. Xie Yun had cut himself off just in time. Or.. thought he had. Shen Wei's expression, however, makes it clear the words hadn't been entirely missed. One brow raises, elegantly arched above his left eye. "Go on," is all he says. He hadn't yet looked at the other two or the prisoners that had been brought in. Xie Yun shakes his head again and refuses to comment. And then Shen Wei does. He blinks once, surprise filling his expression when he sees Ming Qiu. Slow, almost as though resisting something that is, ultimately, irresistable, Shen Wei looks to Bai Guang. His expression goes through shock and amazement. His eyes full of a terrible grief and longing. For several seconds, he stares. Unable to tear his eyes away from the sight before him. Xie Yun's voice comes cheerfully. "Right. I'll get these guys settled." The prisoners. Who'd all been secured with zip ties and gagged to keep them quiet, are looking around, afraid. Xie Yun turns and ushers them off to the side, to a set of hatches built into what appears to be the main bulkhead. He opens one of the hatches, and beyond is a small room just big enough to contain the five that had been captured. The prisoners are ushered in, and Xie Yun secures the hatch closes behind them. That done, he moves quickly back to the as of yet still open cargo ramp. And down it, leaving the three alone. Finally, Shen Wei seems to come back to himself. He blinks several times and closes his mouth. Tears his eyes away to look at Ming Qiu and then to the retreating Xie Yun. "You-." But the other Dixingren is gone.
Bai Wuyun	Ming Qiu manages to be a bit more careful now than what he used to be. Sometimes. When he takes the time to fully think things through. It really is a thing that needs to happen more often! He tends to get an idea and get partway through the idea before thinking about the rest of it. And so, things tend to happen. A bit unexpectedly, sometimes. Bai Wuyun raises an eyebrow slightly at Xie Yun's comment, and then he inclines his head slightly towards the Dixingren. "There are changes you do not yet know or realize. If fate is willing, you will know of them," he says softly. "Yet this," he muses, lifting the lollipop briefly, "This is not one of them." There are times when he might well wish that it was. Ming Qiu blinks and glances to Bai Wuyun before looking back to Xie Yun. This... no, he doesn't want to be in the middle of this. "Ah... certain details and things, is all," he says softly, the words a bit hurried and following with a smile. Right, say it faster and maybe it'll just get left alone. That's not how it works! And then he goes quiet. Hei'an is still scary even when he's not all in black and holding the shadows! And when Shen Wei looks at him, Ming Qiu offers a smile and lifts a hand to give a little wave of greeting. But he is, otherwise, entirely quiet. Because of Bai Wuyun, who stands near to him. He glances to the Haixingren next to him, then over to Shen Wei, blinking a couple of times and hastily considering options other than staying right here in this particular spot right now. And then he steps around behind Bai Wuyun to follow after Xie Yun. "Let me help you with them," he says. A calculated retreat, it might be called. They won't kill each other if he's not there to stop them, right? Right?! He's escaping with Xie Yun while the opportunity is there, helping with the prisoners and then hastily ghosting along with him down the cargo bay ramp. Oh no, he does not want to be a fly on the wall here! The elder Haixingren doesn't know why, but his gaze has been drawn to Shen Wei and held entirely captive there. It's an oddity, truly. There isn't recognition by sight or because of the times that they'd shared each other's company during the war -- for him, those are gone. But there is something. Something nebulous, something... something lost and out of reach. Bai Wuyun remains standing in that one spot for a long moment, and then he steps the rest of the way up the cargo bay ramp, crunching the last bit of the lollipop before plucking the stick from betwixt his lips and tucking that away into the pocket of air. The emotions that are reflected in Shen Wei's features are distressing, yet given the stories he's been told it makes him wonder about what he doesn't know. "Shen Wei," he says softly, inclining his head towards him. "Ming Qiu and I were amongst the enslaved," he adds, offering at least that much in the way of explanation. It doesn't address the BIG question, but he'll get to that one if he's given the opportunity.
Shen Wei	It's just that it's rare for Ming Qiu to actually think things through before acting. Hei'an gets hold of himself finally, and narrows his eyes at the retreating form of the young, not as young but still young, scout. For Shen Wei, those memories are very much there. He'd been trying to forget them for the past twenty-four years. And now, here they are again, rearing up. He knows the Haixingren who'd remained doesn't remember him. It's there, in his expression. And so, a smile is pasted into place. It doesn't really reach his eyes, though. And it's not a very good one before it fades again. Shen Wei can't help but look back to Bai Guang. He nods, once, as though it makes sense that the two Haixingren had been with those enslaved and kept in this facility. He doesn't ask the big question. Nope. Not gonna. He turns away and starts back the way he'd come, through the hatch leading further into the ship. "You can sleep here," he says, gesturing to the right, to the two remaining available cabins. "I will arrange passage back to Haixing when we return." He gestures again, and leads the way further yet, to the small living space. "Make yourself comfortable. We will leave within the hour." Of the others who were prisoners, he says nothing. It will likely be that he'll make arrangements for them to get picked up by others. He points out the kitchen and the other collective areas that aren't private. And then, without even giving Bai Guang, for that's all he knows the man as, a chance to speak, he retreats into the cockpit and closes the hatch behind him.
Bai Wuyun	There is a glance that Bai Wuyun casts in the direction of the retreating Ming Qiu. The traitorous youth, running off and abandoning both of them to face each other in such a way. Yet, it doesn't seem to surprise him that the younger man would do so, especially given that Xie Yun had also chosen a hasty retreat. How does a person even begin to come to grips with the fact that someone who was dead is now living and breathing? He, himself, doesn't even have an explanation for it. As he watches Shen Wei, he can't help but to realize that the smile offered is not a true one. Yet what else could be expected? Shen Wei has just been faced with a ghost, and even worse, a ghost that doesn't remember him. Of all of the many things that he could choose to say, he holds his tongue and simply allows Shen Wei the time to start to process it. When Shen Wei turns to head further into the ship, Bai Wuyun steps after him to follow. There is a glance to the right, to the cabins that are gestured to, and he gives a small nod at that. "Thank you. The sleeping quarters are appreciated," he says softly. He, as is his habit, will end up choosing the smaller of the two, if there is a size difference. Such is his way. When the passage to Haixing is mentioned, there is a moment of silence from Bai Wuyun. And then he shakes his head, his long hair whispering against his back. "No, thank you. Haixing holds nothing for me, though it took travelling the width and breadth of it and finding nothing to keep me there for me to realize it was so. I have no need or wish to return to it at this time. Ming Qiu is welcome to make his own decision on the matter, and I will not speak for him on it," Bai Wuyun says, the words having an honest ring to them. Perhaps there will come a day when he might wish to return, but that day is not today. Beyond his mother and friends, the closest of which is Ming Qiu, Haixing has nothing to lure him to return. He continues to follow Shen Wei as they move through the ship, his gaze wandering a little bit, and perhaps by habit he's taken a position of being just behind and to one side of him. He takes a moment to look over the living space once they reach it, and he gives a small nod. "Of course, at your schedule and as you see fit. There is... information that I wish to give you, later," he says softly, a thoughtful note to his voice. He suspects it will be unfulfilling, at least if previous experiences are any indication. The kitchen and the other areas of the ship are duly noted when they are pointed out, though it would seem that he has nothing to comment on them, simply taking them in. His dark gaze follows Shen Wei as he retreats to the cockpit, and he makes no effort to stop him at all. He exhales a breath and gives a small shake of his head, more at himself than anything else, and he turns to depart the living space in favour of the quarters that had been offered. He could use a shower, and his own clothes instead of what he'd been given to wear whilst enslaved. Perhaps then he'll feel more like himself.
Shen Wei	Process it? Oh no. Shen Wei hasn't even begun to process /this/. He hasn't even accepted it as fact yet. He has to be imagining things. This can't possibly be real. Surruptitiously, he pinches his forearm. The pain proves it's real. But Shen Wei still can't just accept it. Such things... they only happen in tales, for crying out loud! The two rooms in question are equal in size. All the rooms are. Even Shen Wei doesn't have a larger room. There's a pause before he runs away, for that's exactly what he's doing. Shen Wei then nods before he completes his fleeing into the cockpit. The two can't stay here. That's all he can think of. He doesn't want to be constantly reminded of what he'd lost. The past cannot be gone back to. It simply doesn't work. And he doesn't believe there's any future with someone who doesn't even know him. The question now is, will Shen Wei accept any information given to him? Or will he hide?
Bai Wuyun	Experience tells Bai Wuyun that this is something that will take time. There's very little that he can likely do in order to make the journey along this particular path easier. A path that is no doubt more difficult for the fact that so much time has passed. He is a ghost given flesh, a painful and very real reminder of what had been all those years ago. Whatever had been, that he doesn't remember. And for not the first time, he finds himself wishing that he hadn't lost so much of himself. But, he is alive, and that is something to be grateful for. Whether Shen Wei will listen or not, or will believe or not... Bai Wuyun feels a need to try. Given that the two rooms are equal in size, Bai Wuyun chooses the one nearer to the small living area of the ship. Once within, he closes the door and then leans his back against it. He closes his eyes, resting briefly there. He could use a good night of sleep in addition to everything else. He remains within the rooms for only a few moments, and then he leaves to head for the shared privy, to make use of the shower there. He has a hot shower, thorough enough but brief to keep from using more water than what should be used, drying off and dressing in a spare set of robes that he takes from his storage space, and then he returns to the quarters that he'd chosen to stay in. By the time he finishes combing through his long hair, the combination of the hot water and the weight of everything he's been through recently leads him to lay on the bunk in the room. Whether he means to or not, sleep finds him easily, wrapping him into its darkness.