typecasting | This is guaranteed to be a mess.

[ it's a beautiful day in the country of Li. the sun is shining, the birds are singing... and... a certain spoiled brat prince appears to be giving his attendants an even harder time than usual. at least, that's what can be assumed from the current circumstances.

since the branding incident, the arrangement had been that Maomao would be visiting Jinshi to look after his wound every three days, which seemed both reasonable and doable, but it had only been one night since the last visit and now Gaoshun himself had personally come to get her because "A situation has arisen."

it sounds rather dire and the poor man looks even more tired and worried than usual. he doesn't seem very keen on providing any useful explanations. it's bad enough that once they arrive at the villa, Suiren doesn't even have any refreshments to offer, she just quickly rushes the girl into the familiar room as Chue watches curiously from behind.

when Maomao enters the room, the patient is nowhere to be found. instead, there is a suspicious Jinshi-sized lump protruding from under the bed's luxurious covers. it jolts at the sound the door makes when Suiren shuts it behind her, and begins letting out a something that sounds a lot like a quiet, muffled whimper . ]

[ It’s not as though she isn’t used to being summoned on a whim by now, but she’d been counting on getting the next couple of days to herself to rest and keep up her studies. She had thought that maybe, just maybe, Jinshi had gotten all his hysterics out with the branding incident and what with the upcoming trip to the western capital, things might settle down into a more sensible rhythm. Now, crossing the threshold into Jinshi’s private quarters, she wonders why she thought for a moment that something stupid wouldn’t happen.

She didn’t like hearing that there is a “situation.” She especially didn’t like the fact that Gaoshun furnished her with even fewer details than she’s used to. Surely if this were some kind of medical emergency, he would have said so. And if it’s not a medical emergency, then why did they summon her so urgently?

No sense in wasting time asking questions I’m about to find the answer to.

Something in the room feels off the second she sets foot inside. She can’t put her finger on it. It’s not not like Jinshi to be petulantly childish, but the upcoming trip is too serious a matter to throw a little tantrum over. More than that, though…

Why does he seem so afraid?

She’s operating on too little information here. So she’s going to just approach the situation like this was a totally normal summons to Jinshi’s quarters first thing in the morning. She’s even brought her burn treatment kit and a few other things on the off chance this is some kind of medical problem. But for now, Maomao just stands a respectable distance from the bed with her hands tucked into her sleeves and keeps it simple, addressing the man-sized lump of blankets. ]

What can I do for you, Master Jinshi?

[ It’s obvious that she was summoned on Jinshi’s behalf and not by his behest. Best tread carefully around that detail for now. ]

[ no sooner has she finished speaking than the lump jolts once more and lets out a gasp. there's a two second pause, and then arms and legs begin to seemingly fight to untangle themselves and emerge from under the covers. after a bit of struggling, "Jinshi's" messy bedhead pops out to stare at the girl.

only to immediately lose his balance and unceremoniously fall off the bed. he cries out in pain, both from the impact of his body hitting the wooden floor, but also because he appears to have completely forgotten about the injury at his side.

still, this doesn't deter him from grabbing onto the bed for support just so he can sit up and finally look at her. though "look" might not be the right word, he's very much staring in what can only be described as pure amazement. ]

... It's the Apothecary...

[ his words are hushed and drenched with equal amounts of surprise. if it didn't make absolutely no sense, one could compare his attitude to that of someone meeting their lifelong idol for the first time. ]

[ Huh?? Maomao doesn't really have time to process how off his behavior is before he starts toppling off the side of the bed. ]

Master Jinshi—

[ She lunges forward as soon as he starts to fall, but she positioned herself too far away and he's already righted himself before she gets to him. She moves to close the distance between them anyway so she can have a look at that burn. He if he's undone all of her work from yesterday, she's going to be pissed.

But that rapturous gaze is so much more unsettling than the situation is annoying. It's different from the beautiful smile he used to dazzle court ladies as the head eunuch Jinshi; this is guileless and sincere, and somehow all the more skin-crawling for it. She can't help herself — she shudders visibly, her expression overcome with a wave of disgust.

Wait... 'Apothecary'?

When was the last time he addressed her that way? Is he playing games with her right now?

Ugh...just stop looking at me like that! ]

Yes, it's me. Sir Gaoshun sent for me. [ She reaches a hand out to help him to his feet with a small sigh of resignation. ] I'm going to need to take another look at that burn.

[ He can feel a shiver run down his spine when she gives him that look; it comes with a mix of intimidation and... something else. Something else which he doesn't have the time nor clarity of mind to examine right now, with everything that's currently happening.

A short, awkward moment passes where he finds himself staring at the hand that's been offered, as if unsure what to do with it, though ultimately he does take it. However, he's the one who does most of the work to pull himself up, only squeezing Maomao's hand a little too firmly in the process. ]

The... burn...

[ Despite his best efforts not to attach a question mark at the end of that sentence, it still comes out sounding uncertain. Certainly, he has no hopes that he can fool her of all people about what seems to be currently, somehow, happening, but he's also not sure how to even bring it up.

Well, knowing it's a burn does at least answer one of the many questions he had. ]

Uh. Um. [ He clears his throat. ]

Right. Of course.

[ Maomao's eyes narrow slightly, and she watches him with a much sharper gaze as he pulls himself up. That sense that something isn't right here is coming into clearer focus, and it makes the hairs prickle on the back of her neck. He has his pride, but he's plenty comfortable leaning on her when it suits him. He wouldn't have pulled that stupid stunt with the brand if he wasn't.

No, this isn't a medical emergency in a physical sense, but the cold sensation pooling in her stomach tells her they're facing a much bigger problem.

And what exactly do they expect me to do about it?

Well, all she can really do is plow ahead and see what information she can pick up. Her expression unchanged, she retrieves her medical supplies and gives him an expectant look. He's just standing there, still dressed. ]

Well, I can't exactly look at it through your clothes. It's been three days since I last came to examine it. Have you been changing the bandage every day like I showed you?

[ She doesn't miss a beat, but she's watching his face closely for his reaction. ]

[ Having worked as a model for a good four years means he isn't shy or uncomfortable when it comes to nudity, but somehow, making his very first interaction with her one where he has to be half naked is... well, a little awkward. Then again, everything about this situation is awkward and from the sound of it this wouldn't be her first time doing this, so...

He gives a faint nod and reaches for the sash around his waist to start undoing it.

Only then the Apothecary keeps talking and she is now asking about something he absolutely has no idea about. Think Yue, think. Would Jinshi be diligent about something like this? He feels like the answer is yes, especially for something as dire as a burn. ]

I ... have, yes.

[ He has not messed with any of it himself, other than the momentary accident just now, so it should be okay?

A little voice in the back of his head keeps telling him he should just come out with the truth already, but if Gaoshun and Suiren are anything to go by—no out of everyone here, the Apothecary feels like the person who would be least inclined to believe him. ]

[ There it is. That's all the information Maomao needs to confirm at least part of her suspicion. And even though all she does is take one step forward, watching him with much more intense scrutiny, it's clear enough that she knows there's something wrong.

With that confirmation, though, comes an awful sinking sensation in her stomach and a much greater appreciation for how thoroughly unsettled Gaoshun and Suiren had been. It can't just have been that Jinshi is confused about the last few days, and the implications of some kind of long-term amnesia are...honestly, more than she can handle thinking about. Best focus on what's directly in front of her. ]

What's the last thing you remember before you woke up this morning?

[ Oh no. There it is. He freezes in place mid-undressing and slowly makes eye contact with her, which he immediately regrets. She never seemed this intimidating in any of those memories before, and it's hard to tell if it has something to do with the fact that he was a different person in those, or if it's just the weight of being in her presence for real.

He swallows hard and digs around his mind to remember what Jinshi is supposed to sound like. ]

I. Ah. Well.

I'm afraid you won't believe me if I tell you about it, so p-perhaps it's better not to discuss it? I might be able to sleep this off.

[ He says, having zero confidence or proof that this is the kind of thing one can simply sleep off. ]

No. We'll discuss it now.

[ There's a place and time for decorum. Now is the time to be direct. They're alone, and Jinshi doesn't quite sound like himself. In fact, he almost sounds like he's somebody else. That almost is uncanny. More unsettling still is that Jinshi seems to make less and less sense the more he talks.

She points to the bed, a clear instruction to sit down while she takes a moment to put her thoughts in order. She knows that Gaoshun and Suiren aren't really the ones she needs to present an answer to, and if she can't figure something out, her head's going to kiss her shoulders goodbye. So let us say that Maomao is feeling motivated this morning.

Her eyes never leave his face, watching him with one hand touching her chin. ]

What is the last thing you remember?

[ He sits down on the bed as instructed and begins fiddling with his robes, closing up the top part again. Though now that he has an excuse, he looks away from her face and focuses his gaze on his sash as he attempts to figure it how to tie it again. If Jinshi is normally useless when it comes to these things, the mysterious not!Jinshi in front of her seems to be a level beyond that. ]

... Jewel's party before docking back in Port Manteau.

[ He figures that maybe if he says the truth she will be able to understand just how futile this is. ]

[ Maomao stares at him with unmasked bewilderment. His behavior is...unusual, and none of what he just said makes any sense to her. Now this is alarming. ]

Come again?

[ He lets out a defeated sigh, not bothering to repeat that. ]

I told you it wouldn't make sense.

... I'm not your... 'Master Jinshi'. At least not in the way you know him.

But that is probably obvious by now.

[ Nothing about this situation is as obvious as Maomao would like it to be. Amnesia is one thing, but this? He seems like he's in his right mind, but he sounds delusional. If not for Gaoshun and Suiren's behavior, Maomao might accuse him of trying to get out of this western capital assignment, but this is...far too extreme for a childish flight of fancy, and she knows that Jinshi takes his responsibilities seriously. A little too seriously at times, honestly.

There has to be a logical explanation for this. ]

I'm going to need to check for a head injury, sir.

[ He seems...easily spooked right now, so a heads up seems fair, but the inspection is non-negotiable and she's already stepping in to close the gap between them, reaching out to touch the back of her hand to his forehead. He doesn't seem feverish, but it would be so convenient if this was all the result of some nasty fever-induced delirium. That she might actually be able to do something about. ]

[ What he knows about this girl is very little, mostly specific facts. But if there's one thing he's aware of is that she's very stubborn, probably even more so than himself. So he lets out a resigned sigh and lowers his head slightly to facilitate the inspection.

The good news, is that nothing seems to be wrong with it. His temperature is normal and there's no immediately visible injuries either.

The bad news is... exactly the same as the good news. ]

My head is fine. It's the rest of this place that's the problem.

Or I guess me, I shouldn't be here.

[ He might not have a fever, but Maomao is getting a headache. Probably one that will require the aid of alcohol to cure.

It's one thing for Jinshi's behavior to be off; it's another entirely if he's claiming to be someone else. She once heard her father mention an illness of the mind where too much stress could cause a person to develop another entire personality to cope. Maomao bites at her thumbnail as she studies his face, the intensity of her stare unchanging. Could this be related to the upcoming trip to the western capital after all? She knows he's been under pressure, but still... ]

Okay. So if you're not Master Jinshi, then who are you?

[ We have gone from being looked at like a drowning worm in a puddle to... a worm under a microscope, it seems. He sighs, once more aware that the answers he has to give will most likely amount to nothing, but maybe after enough questioning she might start believing him. ]

Yue of the Aria Family, I am a member of Siren's Melodies.

[ Maomao suspects she's going to have to wade through a lot of nonsense before she gets any real answers. That's fine. She'll take it one step at a time, and the facts will become clear.

She doesn't recognize the name Aria. It sounds foreign. But Yue...the commonality is impossible to ignore. Maomao's brow furrows slightly. ]

What is Siren's Melodies?

It is an organization within the Family, focused on carrying out the Family's most important goals and upholding its values.

[ He hesitates for a second, before volunteering a little more information which will most likely only make everything more confusing. ]

I do remember having been Jinshi, though. To a certain extent. Though I haven't figured out if that was a different life or...

[ He shakes his head, the more he thinks about it, the less he understands. ]

No, I'm afraid I don't have enough information to offer an explanation that could make more sense.

That's...incredibly vague.

[ And not really that different from what Jinshi does, in a broad sense. Then she does the smallest of double takes. ]

Wait, what? What do you mean, you remember being Jinshi? [ Without really thinking, she gets right up in Jinshi's personal space, as though scrutinizing him up close will somehow yield more information. Maybe she can find a way to mitigate this away from total disaster after all. ] What exactly do you remember?

I can be more specific if you need me to, but I figure that without the proper Estorian context none of it will—

[ He doesn't get to finish that sentence, because suddenly her face is very close. Oh no. He pulls back instinctively, unable to hide a slight blush. The predator has become the prey.

More than that, she wants to know what he remembers. Oh no. This could get real awkward real fast. ]

I-It's isolated events for the most part. Only a handful of them, at that. Around ten so far?

[ Is "so far" even the right thing to say when currently he has no clue how to get back to his... reality? ]

[ He looks and sounds exactly like Jinshi, but Maomao can't deny that she's noticing little differences. Slight to be sure, but the way he pulled back just now seems out of sync with the man who so recently branded himself with a hot iron. The why and the how will have to come later; right now, she needs the what. ]

What do you remember?

[ She has no intention of stopping until she's wrung every last detail from him. She can only hope that he remembers enough to avoid unnecessary scrutiny. ]

[ Suddenly this feels a lot like a questioning scene in a police procedural. Could the Apothecary be a member of the Holy Order in Estoria? Despite her size, she certainly appears to have the intimidation tactics all down. But if the Apothecary is not an Apothecary that's just wrong...

No, this is definitely not the time to be entertaining thoughts like that. He holds up one hand and starts enumerating with his fingers. ]

Um... disguising myself as a moon goddess to entertain two envoys from the west... watching you dance atop one of the walls while there was a celebration in the pleasure district... having drinks with one of the high consorts and then catching you after you'd been climbing down from another wall... having you examine a dead body to determine whether the cause of death had been suicide or murder and then being asked to execute you with poison if it ever came to that... having you assist with another disguise and us walking around the city while incognito...

[ This is the part where it starts getting awkward... ]

... Sleeping at the Verdigris House because I was a little tired... a poisoning attempt while I was working... um. The incident that caused this scar... [ He taps a finger to his cheek and trails off again while debating how to best phrase the last two. ]

Asking... one of my attendants to be my sparring partner and... taking medicine.

[ Just as he explained before, his memories are all isolated events and he isn't even quite sure of the exact chronology, or how much this girl is meant to know about Jinshi's situation or not. Therefore, it's probably safer not to go into the details of what the medicine was for. ]

[ Maomao makes a mental note of each one, mapping it to memory where she can -- a couple are opaque to her, but that's to be expected. Frankly, it seems to her like a rather disproportionate number of those recovered memories involve her in some way. She's only known Jinshi for a couple of years; doesn't he have another twenty-ish years of memories in there to recover? Freak behavior tbh

She was really hoping that one of them would be related to their upcoming trip but no such luck. He is suspiciously vague about taking medicine. She looks him right in the eyes. ]

What medicine?

[ Why is she immediately fixating on that out of all the things he just said?! (Because you were vague as hell, Yue, that's why.)

He looks away and stutters, like a normal person who isn't trying to hide anything at all. ]

You—You know. Medicine? For when you're sick?

[ Sus as hell, my dude. Sus as hell

He's so much more transparent than the Jinshi she knows. Maybe it's because of the situation -- which she still doesn't fully understand, but he seems compelled to hide something from her. ]

You know, it's not really in your best interest to lie to me right now.

[ That came out a WAY more of a threat than she meant it. Oops. Well. Moving on, ]

It could be important.

[ On the one hand, she's right. It could be important and he shouldn't be lying to her right now, but on the other he just can't do himself dirty like this. So in spite of the very clear threat just now, he doubles down. ]

It wasn't important. Just a cold.

[ She's not buying it. Look at her totally-not-buying-it face, Jinshi. ]

If it's one of the scant few things you do remember, it must be significant. Everything else you've listed is meaningful. And, [ she continues, sounding more confident ] without greater context, how do you know for sure that it's not important? You said it yourself — you remember very little about being "Jinshi".

This is guaranteed to be a mess.

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crawls out of a hole after 2 months