Winter Pass

With the understanding that their trip to the mall was now finished and Dai Ling had more than a few questions for her. Dai Lu paid for her items and stored them in her bracelet while simultaneously still paying attention to their surroundings for anything out of place even while not knowing for exactly it is she should have expected. Her every move scrutinized closely by her twin who never commented out loud but grew more and more concerned about her strangeness. From the upstairs private rooms, a finger taps the arm of his chair rhythmically with a glimmer of light in his phoenix eyes. It was a wistful look, one which made you wonder what it was that made the man appear so thoughtful. 

In his other hand, he fiddles with a jade coin inscribed with an older language than the one they adapted to today. "-is the gentleman unsatisfied with these products? If so then our shop also offers custom orders." Hesitate to speak but daring to try and guess his mind the same store employee from before attempted to get the man's seemingly drifting attention. The bronze eyed man briefly raises his gaze to the employee who had been passionately showing off the elaborate trinkets of this time. Haolin under the somewhat nervous employee's peeks, looks at the items presented to him on the strange moving walls behind extremely clear glass. His finger no longer tapping the sides of his chair he judges the objects before him with a scrutinizing gaze. 

Although the jewelry of this time appear beautiful, he had no use for them before and even more so now. Not only that, but they had no soul to them making the old dragon disdain their presence. Yet, in the time he had observed the human's here, these little things actually held value in the eyes of others. The more expensive the item, the better you were treated. So even if he disliked them, he still choose less obtrusive pieces he could tolerate on the screen displayed on the table in front of him and waved away the now beaming store employee. I knew he was a big customer!! Since this noble person entered their store wearing a odd eye catching ancient costume he knew it was a big fish!

Only eccentrics or old family's had the money to get authentic clothes like the one he wore!! "I'll have them wrapped up and sent in right away for Junzi, will the gentleman be paying in credits or cash today?" In answer he was tossed a steel chip, catching it in a bewildered manner. Haolin leans into his fist speaking plainly to the confused male with a neutral expression. "My new light brain isn't here yet so make do with this instead. I will wear these clothes out." Showing an understanding and flattering look he exits the room to make the payment and arrange the other purchased items carefully. Afraid of offending this hidden dragon who could afford a closet of clothes and jewelry in one afternoon. 

When he closed the door behind him, his flattering expression quickly devolved into joy. My bonus this month will be enough to pay rent for weeks!! Almost kissing the steel chip in his hands he rushes off to finish the payment before the tyrant changed his mind. Haolin who was both watching the male exit his room and the Shao siblings leaving the store rose a brow. Though, this wouldn't be the oddest behavior he had seen in the days spent slinking around this city. Since he entered this clothing store, he had long noticed the presences of the two siblings and their companion coming in after him. Not knowing if it was fate, or some other pull, Haolin didn't really care much and also had no intentions of approaching them. 

Rubbing his chin with his thumb Haolin's eyes squint lightly, gleaming under the light. It was beyond his expectations for the little woman to actually chase after his shadow. What would be the benefit in doing so? He had no power here and could not freely play tricks as easily as he did in his valley. Well, whatever her intentions of doing so, Haolin still did not have any intentions of meeting those three again. "-Heiress Duan the main sitting room is currently occupied, will the side room be alright?" Haolin shut his eyes seemingly intending to sleep while he awaited the store employees return when he heard a conversation outside his room which entered his sensitive hearing range. Two women were outside conversing, one submissive the other the complete opposite. 

Duan Yuqin wearing a pair of black suit pants and a simple white blouse appearing like elite yet stylish business woman almost frowns after being told such. However, seeing the flattering face on the other as well as knowing the rules of this shop she reluctantly nodded. But she couldn't help wondering who it was who took the main room, as there weren't that many who liked the subtle elegance of the jewelry designers here. Most of the time people in her circle tended to go after celebrity advertised brands. So for a big fish to come here and elicit a response big enough to be offered the main room, Duan Yuqin couldn't be blamed for her curiosity. "Man or woman?"

Asking the poor employee this, she lowers her head and avoided the sharp look seemingly embarrassed. "Heiress Duan, we cannot give away the identity of another person so easily as it's considered an invasion of privacy." Knowing it was a measure of protecting the person inside from her even if she had no intentions of seeking petty revenge over a room, Duan Yuqin scowls. Smiling widely, the woman bravely opens the side room door for Duan Yuqin speaking sweetly "Heiress Duan, please." "Hmph." However, as she was about to enter the room a male employee following four other assistants carrying various bags and boxes nod at them lightly before quickly entering the main room. 

Seeing this, Duan Yuqin's curiosity hit it's peak and she openly leans on the door frame as they entered one by one. The store employee beside her opens her mouth to remind her again but was given a warning look thus chokes her words down reluctantly. Haolin took back his steel chip and placed his haul in his simple silver spacial ring without changing expression. "Will this be all that Junzi requires of me today?" Haolin spun his handy new spacial ring once before settling it on his left pointer finger smoothly under the flattery of the male employee. "Yes." Beaming at the imposing yet generous gentleman he took the lead in escorting him to the door without sprouting anymore nonsense. 

On the way out, Haolin already knowing someone awaited him, looked down at the young woman staring up at him boldly with a surprised then seemingly appreciative expression. Duan Yuqin was genuinely shocked to see such a rugged and yet sophisticated looking gentleman exiting the main room. With the amount of bags being brought inside she had assumed it'd be a pretty boy or woman. Examining his smooth black hair tied in a half up and down style, along with how he was dressed in business casual clothes; He cut quite an attractive figure. Not only that, his deep phoenix eyes and serious aura was honestly alluring to most people who liked mature steady men rather than slim beautiful faces nowadays. Haolin only took one look at her before following the way he came to leave the store without speaking to the awaiting observer. 

However not one to let someone she was interested in to leave so easily. Duan Yuqin straight forwardly stepped in his way casting a subtle frown on the tall gentleman's face. "Wait, did the gentleman just finish shopping for a family member or someone special? If so then perhaps you could provide me with some insight into the idea I have for my own family's gift?" With a firm and yet soft request, Duan Yuqin peers up at the other with a small smile. Appearing to genuinely seeking his opinions and nothing more while smiling beautifully showing off her best side. Unmoved despite the woman's request, Haolin looks at her play and comments to himself that the way humans spoke theses days were quite sticky and familiar compared to the past. 

"I'm busy, the miss can ask the staff who are more knowledgeable." With this he no longer gave her the time of day, in all seriousness he had other things to do. On the other, he didn't like the way she smelled like artificial flowers when trying to lean closer to him and also disliked her intrusive and familiar attitude. Being turned down in front of the staff, Duan Yuqin could only watch reluctantly as the other party exits the hall without looking back even once. "Tsk. Soldiers are always so upright and hard to please." When she murmurs this and turns on her heels to enter the now unoccupied main room. The staff tending to her couldn't help but ask out of her own curiosity after seeing such a proactive play of the pretty heiress chasing the male god. 

"How does heiress Duan know that man is a soldier?" Duan Yuqin wrinkles her nose unhappily, recalling the same people in her own family with dislike. "Though I have no intentions of taking over the mantel of my grandfather's legacy on the battlefield, my father and younger brother are military men." She gestures at their feet and touches her shoulders explaining plainly "The way he walks and held himself, very straightforward and without breaking face. Not only that but he was very minimalistic and wore more loose clothing probably finding a casual suit more comfortable than a full one. Of course, that could just be a preference too, but his hands were rough and have many old scars." She leans into her chair under the admiration of the other party "He's just like father and brother, except more good looking." 

Fully invested in this gossip and romance the staff couldn't help asking "Then why didn't the miss ask for his contact information instead?" Duan Yuqin clicks her tongue sending her a look of disdain "Men like that don't like persistent people, plus you forget once more what kind of background I have. Any new person with a militaria background who enters the capital at this time of year are only here for one of three things." She taps her bracelet with a hint of anticipation while wearing a knowing smile "-General Kang's birthday banquet, the spiritual school scoring, and the victory celebration being held by Weis'." And coincidentally, she was attending all three. 

After leaving the store Haolin blends into the crowd becoming a mere shadow without the notice of the busy passersby despite his large built. Those who could have noticed him didn't bother paying more than a glance. For the capital held many impressive people hidden in every crease and fold what was one or two more. Sitting on the railing of a nearby parking lot Haolin busied himself practicing with the storage ring on his finger while observing the people below. 

Passing patrols and cars neither approach nor seem to notice the gentleman with one leg dangling off the edge. As the sun hung just above the skyscrapers, the ancient immortal familiarizes himself with it all quietly. Occasionally when a personal with decent spiritual strength crosses his vision, his eyes would linger briefly before moving on. Everything in this city gave off a loud buzz of energy. Electricity courses through the land and air here in concentrated streams. 

Not a single hair of nature could be spotted. Lifting his head and closing his eyes slightly, only then could he catch the faint wind from outside reach him. If even so briefly before disappearing again like it had never been there. An immortal and protector of the valley, he was use to the rumbles of the earth filling the senses to the very tip of his tail to his nose. Here, he could smell neither grass nor fresh dew dripping from flowers. 

It was a strange experience. Haolin reopens his eyes and scrutinizes the large buildings blocking his entire view of the horizon. Made of both glass and cement, steel and copper wires layered endlessly all throughout. Wood replaced by metal and stone, fire replaced by electricity, backpacks replaced by these so called storage rings. And paper runes and spells replaced by metal talismans. Rather than wonder, Haolin rubs his chest wearing a somewhat peculiar expression. Weirdly enough, he felt rather stifled all of a sudden but didn't know where this feeling originated from. 

Was it mourning? Whimsy? Regret? The back of his mind was humming again, and Haolin stuffs it back down like choking an already drowning victim. He refused to let it out until he could consume all this knowledge without being emotionally affected. He did not fear these feelings, but he was not at all too welcoming towards them as well. For they clouded his vision. Wait...what vision? What quest is he on? Baffled by this train of thought, subconsciously he sought answers from the ghost at his side who always wore a train of white. 

When he couldn't find her his expression cracks and dread fills his stomach, his fingers and toes curling in this tense realization. Baring his canine Haolin felt the need to return, return to where he had last seen her. His sister. Where had he lost her? Where was Kang Qian Yue?! Agitated by this pulsing thought in his skull Haolin clutches his head painfully, his calmness turning into an rumbling tsunami harder to rein in than usual. "Hiss-!" It was trying to wake him up. Trying to claw it's way to the surface entirely without his say so. Kang Qian Yue. Kang Qian Yue was missing. He needs to find her!! She's lost! She's MISSING!! His eyes dilate, before sharpening briefly into those of a veiled beasts as he frees a hand entirely controlled by instincts to grab the hand reaching for his shoulders with a snarl. 

"Woah-!! Comrade-are you ok? Sorry I didn't mean to do anything to you, I just wanted to remind you it's dangerous sitting here like that. Let's calm down and step back from the edge and talk for now yea?" The human voice broke that madness consuming his mind interrupting it's surging. Haolin's dragon pupils return to normal before he stiffly turns to look at the wearily smiling person standing behind him with his hand caught in Haolin's formidable claw. Seeing the worry and lack of darkness in the other person's gaze, Haolin's sharpness eases somewhat and he releases the other. Sun Minghao warily rubs his somewhat sore wrist and steps back to let the man swing back onto the safe side of the railing much to his relief. 

Seeing the tall male's expression not like one who had lost all hope or any intentions of jumping off the building he was even more relieved but didn't let his guard down entirely. Doing his best to put on a bright grin and holding out his hand while introducing himself to the intimidating person. "I'm Sun Minghao, the Ming for bright and Hao for vast. Quite ironically in english my surname also stands for the large shining ball of light above us." He jokes but much to his embarrassment the long haired man only looked down at his extended hand and bright smile as if he were an abstract and odd person. Clearing his throat and retracting his hand as if he never offered it he did his best to converse with the silent menace. "May I have the honor of knowing your name?" 

Haolin squints at the somewhat foolish person trying his best to try and get him to stray further from the edge of the building. Aware his silence was rude, but also understanding to a degree after some time observing that the human thought Haolin was trying to jump off the ledge. Haolin let the man fully relax by stating bluntly "I have no intentions of offing myself." Eyes darting briefly from the railing beside him to the human in front of him he went on in a clear headed manner. "-So you have no need to be concerned." Despite being doubtful, seeing how serous the other party was Sun Minghao let his foolish grin fall and breathed out loudly. "Phew. I thought I was about to be a first hand witness to something grim, you have no idea how scared I was when I came up the elevator only to see someone sitting on the railing." 

Seeing as he had convinced the other, Haolin nods to him briefly then turns towards the elevator Sun Minghao had just came from. Startled by his coldness Sun Minghao chased him questioning him with three parts curiosity and one part confusion. "Wait-wait before you go can you tell me why you were sitting there? From the clothes your wearing I doubt it's because you just wanted to reminisce in a public parking lot where people could easily interrupt you when you could do so at home." Being asked this Haolin took a bit before answering rather honestly baffling the other even more "I was looking for the horizon." The horizon?? 

Although confused by his choice as well as train of thought, Sun Minghao appeared properly puzzled before dismissing it. As everyone had their quirks and reasons. But when he noticed Haolin about to enter the elevator he became even more confused. He didn't come here by car? So he really came here to look for the horizon? Hesitating, Sun Minghao debates for a moment before catching up once more. Haolin waits patiently for the elevator when the talkative human joins his side one more time, this time his tolerance was somewhat tested and his brows furrow a bit. Unaware of this Sun Minghao earnestly holds up his light brain and recommends a location to the other. 

"If you want a good view the mall parking lot is hardly the place to get it, I'm assuming you're not a native? Everyone knows if you want a good view of the capital you have to go to Solstice, it's a exclusive club but if you know somebody it's easy enough to get in with a few strings here and there." The elevator dings and opens to reveal a capped and subdued individual fiddling with his phone. He was looking down and didn't seem to notice the two people standing at the entrance about to walk pass them with his head down. Haolin somewhat impatiently responds to Sun Minghao with a "No need." while making to enter the elevator.

Deflated by his rejection somewhat Sun Minghao sighed to himself, forget it. I was just trying to be nice out of concern, but it really does look like I have nothing to worry about. Haolin presses the lobby floor button while Sun Minghao turns to back around pulling out his car keys. When a gleam of silver from the corner of his vision causes his eyes to widen. "?!" He reflectively tightens his muscles reaching down to catch the knife with his hand only to be intercepted by a scar filled palm. "F**k!!" "AAAHH-!!" He could hardly shout much else before the person assaulting him was swiftly handicapped, screaming and rolling on the floor his arm completely twisted in a sickening distorted manner. 

His knife on the ground with the tiniest smear of red, but it wasn't Sun Minghao's blood. Haolin thoroughly annoyed by how his body moved faster than he had more time to debate, frowns deeply at the cut across his palm. He casts a lingering look down at the screaming scum at his foot, some killing intent gathering in his thoughts already for the inconvenience he had caused him. Sweating at the close call, Sun Minghao dazedly touches the side of his stomach which had almost been cut through if not for Haolin's interception and felt cold from the very core of his soul. Throat gone dry, Sun Minghao shook himself out of his daze and hurriedly dialed the authorities with trembling fingers. 

"F**k-f**kf**k-Are you serious?!" Unable to stutter out much more besides curses Sun Minghao shivered once and feeling more anger than fear now that the adrenaline had worn out somewhat. Trembling with rage he reports the situation to the police while questioning the still on standby Haolin with worry "Hey did you get hurt? Do you need an ambulance? Ha-? Yes that's the crazy bastard who attacked me screaming in the background! Of course I know he was trying to harm me! He had a knife!!" He spoke with the operator in an furious and annoyed tone, not knowing why they were asking him such useless questions. Haolin sent the suddenly furious young man a short look, then subtly lifted his foot and stepped on the ankle of the broken armed attacker who was trying to crawl away. 

An even louder howl of pain echoed through the garage earning him Sun Minghao's glare of hatred, he also sent Haolin a questioning glance. Which the immortal receives without raising a brow or changing expression giving away nothing so Sun Minghao went back to sarcastically answering the idiotic operator on the other side of the phone who started blasting questions at him because of the ugly shriek. Whatever his savior did, most likely the scum deserved it. When the patrol entered the lot security had already been informed and were retrieving the elevator recording for them. With the weapon on the ground as well as the blood dripping from Haolin's palm with Sun Minghao on the phone with the police. 

It didn't take a genius to know that the person whimpering and rolling around the floor wasn't a victim. "Minghao!!" "Biluo??" Sun Minghao's grim expression quickly turned into one of pleasant surprise when a woman jumps from the not even landed hover vehicle. Running over in a decorated suit and embracing the now somewhat embarrassed man tightly. "Biluo..." Sun Minghao clears his throat and tries to speak while appearing somewhat flustered after being so passionately embraced in front of the eyebrow raising crowd. The ones behind her, supposedly her subordinates as Haolin noticed how they very blatantly move their eyes away from the woman and bury their heads in their work. Their work being securing the man still writhing on the floor who at one point fainted from the pain. 

The woman separates from Sun Minghao only enough to look him over worriedly, her bun somewhat crooked speaking volumes about how worried she was while arriving. "Minghao are you hurt anywhere? Tell me the truth." Sun Minghao's embarrassment also dies seeing the disheveled appearance of the woman still holding onto him somewhat fearfully. A rush of warmth floods both his heart and cheeks as he hurriedly reassures her forgetting the people around them for the moment. "I'm fine, truly. He didn't even get a chance to touch the corner of my clothes." Despite her image almost collapsing already, Kang Biluo's eyes redden with the wave of relief which washed over her breaking Sun Minghao's heart as he hurriedly wipes the corner of her eyes very carefully in a panic. "Really, I'm alright! I promise!"

Haolin observes her face better feeling...odd after seeing her fully. There was a slight scratching at the back of his head the more he scrutinized. However, this itch was intercepted by the swift change of expression the emotional woman had after being assured with Sun Minghao's safety. Her face turns to one of well suppressed fury after her line of sight meets with those of her subordinates who had cuffed the assailant being transported to the vehicle. Their lowered heads only bury further when she spoke in a cut throat manner, her gentleness reserved only for the person beside her. "Have him sent through the proper channels, however I want all his records and previous misdemeanors if there are any sent to me before the daylight ends." 

She gave the collected knife with a eye catching trace of red a chilling glower "-I heard that there's been a short supply in the Central Science Facility for 'volunteers' lately." Haolin rose his brow before removing his own gaze from her as Sun Minghao was trying to wave him over much to his displeasure. Rejecting his gesture with a turn of his head, pretending he didn't see it, Haolin heard the other man murmur something into Kang Biluo's ear he didn't bother catching. Resulting in Kang Biluo's stern expression softening slightly when landing on his person. Walking over with a somewhat sheepish Sun Minghao in tow, she spoke warmly to him. 

"Minghao told me that you got hurt helping him, let me take care of your medical expenses. He also said you're not originally from around here? For however long you're in the capital you're welcome to stay at our guest house, as long as it's within my means I'll be sure to repay you tenfold for what you've done for us." Lowering her upper body deeply along with Sun Minghao quick to follow while supporting her despite her not really needing it. She spoke from her heart filled with gratitude for his help, whether he accepted it or not. "Thank you." Haolin received the thanks with a somewhat passive demeanor, already ready to leave this place he had lingered too long in. 

"I don't need it. It's his own luck for being in my vicinity when it happened." Receiving this kind of reply, the couple was taken aback by his distant tone. Sun Minghao questions him somewhat unsure and concerned "But, your hand-" He was pulled to a stop by Kang Biluo who continued speaking generously to the cold individual. Her smile unwavering "We already took up so much of your time, I'm sure the gentleman has other things he has to do rather than getting caught up in this mess because of the securities lack of attention. How about this? If the gentleman's matter isn't too urgent, allow the doctor to help stitch your injury and we'll treat you to dinner another day as thanks?" 

Knowing this was her way of saying she would try to keep him out of the situation as much as possible which fit his agenda perfectly Haolin's harsh expression loosens. He nods slightly deepening Kang Biluo's smile, she pulls out a card from her earring casually, handing it to him smoothly. "As a forward apology and sign of appreciation from the Kang and Sun family, let me formally invite you to my grandfather's birthday celebration in four days. The only people there will be a handful of associates and people in our generation who hold similar views. A man of your skill and ability is greatly welcomed." To nail the coffin Kang Biluo peers up at the rigid man kindly "-The Kang family will never let a friend of the family be wronged." 

Her eyes seemed light and curve upon landing on him, inside the stranger's bronze gaze something seemed to reignite within her heart sending a wave of confusion throughout her soul. As if, she was placed within the a brazier filled of a snow and a deeply buried flame tickling her skin. Seeing that flicker in her eyes Haolin removes his clear gaze first. Slowly humming as that clawing in his mind settled down strangely. As if it had confirmed something without really letting it ripple his heart too much. The only time in which the beast controlling his body and the spirit in the back of his mind were in sync with one another.