𝔰 . qingqiu

(nazars expression barely changes at the mans warning. if anything, it softens into something faintly entertained, as though the concern itself was laughable. his gaze drifts past them for a moment, into the dense dark between the trees, like hes weighing how much of the forest is actually dangerous, and how much is just decoration for fear.)
            
            careless? (nazar repeats lightly, a small, amused exhale follows. not quite a laugh but close enough to carry the same dismissive ease.) if its so dangerous, then why are you out all on your lonesome? (his eyes flick down briefly to the sword, yet he doesnt seem all that threatened by it. nazar couldn't exactly call himself a fragment of higher power if a few demons, or even a human with a pointy metal stick, were enough to scare him.) 

[    @voweater    ]
            
                when he first entered this forest tonight,  shen qingqiu had been under the impression that all that awaited him were a few flesh eating demons.  pesky beasts that had been terrorising villagers under the black cloak of night was nothing new—  in fact it was entirely ordinary,  if not a little boring.  regardless,  given his expansive knowledge on these things,  he knew that he was only one man.  one on one was fine,  but if he ended up surrounded,  itd be a lot trickier to come away with all his limbs still attached.  since he didnt feel like becoming demon dinner tonight,  he had of course kept his guard up long after he had dealt with the worst of them.
            
                the foliage was thicker towards the centre of the forest and even the low moon could hardly reach through the minuscule gaps between the leaves,  leaving his vision obstructed.  when he sensed movement,  shen qingqius slender fingers tightened on the hilt of his sword,  the blade drawing three inches from its sheath.  his expression was terrifying until the shape spoke.  then he relented,  the crease in his brow vanishing to give way to a scholarly,  refined air.  the sword dropped from his hand and shen qingqiu flicked his sleeves,  straightened and gave the stranger a nod of acknowledgement.
            
                `  this one has been clearing the area of demons tonight and was concerned he had missed a spot,  `  he replied.  inwardly,  shen qingqiu rolled his eyes;  this whole ordeal was horrifyingly cliche,  and he had actually been spooked by it at first.  even though it was overused,  it had worked on him!  `  its still dangerous out here.  you shouldnt wander carelessly at night.  `

i like to imagine that, in interactions with people from different worlds and scenarios, shen qingqiu is kind of... shifted between universes? either through the dream realm or the system that transmigrated him into the world of the novel he resides in. since hes had contact in his dreams via the system with people from different versions of his own universe i think its not too far fetched and makes it a little easier for him to interact with people who arent based in a world like his, as well as modern day individuals. dont worry, hes very adaptable!