Iman’s gaze lingers between you and [xiaochou.name] for a moment before he kneels opposite you, lifting a cup of jasmine tea to his lips.

"Desire is sin," he murmurs, as if already knowing [xiaochou.name]’s unspoken question. "Greed is sin. dishonesty is sin. Indulgence is sin. Even... existence itself is sin." His head bows slightly, lips moving in silent prayer. There is more he might say, but the words remain unspoken. With a deferential nod, he rises—only then do you see it: a wound, split open along his spine.

And only now does [xiaochou.name] whisper in confusion, "Why is his wound... pure white?"

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Iman

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Charisma) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 2

At first, Qais seemed utterly bewildered—how could he not recall a close friend like [xiaochou.name]? But soon, his expression grew distant, and then he was chatting eagerly with [xiaochou.name], as if reuniting with an old friend.

After a torrent of hollow talk—ideals, realm, politics—[xiaochou.name] abruptly shifted the tide: "What do you think of desire? What kind of partner do you most enjoy indulging with?"

You stiffened. Such a question was far too brazen for Qais—yet what stunned you more was how casually he answered.

"Of course, a kindred spirit... Better yet, a learned beauty. She must understand me, support me, share noble aspirations... and have ample bosom."

Even he froze then, as if startled by his own words. Was this truly what lay in his heart?

Once the unsettled guest had departed, [xiaochou.name] turned to you with a knowing blink. "Pitiful creature," [xiaochou.name] scoffed, disdain dripping. "His flesh is whole, but his heart? Hollowed by darkness, twisted beyond his own recognition."

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Qais

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Magic) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 1

"Man or woman?" Zaki didn't care when you'd gained a friend to share such intimate topics with. After only a moment's confusion, he laughed again, carefree. "As long as it brings joy, does it matter?"

Because he was young, he didn’t understand the cost of pleasure or responsibility. You shrugged, indifferent, while [xiaochou.name] shot you a glance and remarked, not without edge:"Some men never grow up."

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Zaki

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Survival) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 1

As you settled into the cushions and met those eyes fixed unwaveringly on you, you did something rare—you reached for [xiaochou.name], shaking your head at it.

[xiaochou.name]’s gaze flickered between you and him, then curved into a knowing, mocking smile.

Faraj, baffled but ever the gracious host, dutifully steered the conversation, filling the room with warmth. You played your part too, tossing in opinions, waxing eloquent. Only the mirror knew—only the mirror saw your cowardice. You didn’t want to know. You didn’t dare learn what kind of heart lay beneath that thick, amber-honeyed crust.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Tag (falajie) = 1

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Wisdom) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 1

After receiving your invitation, this beautiful nobleman went out of his way to don a suit of men's attire, swept his lush hair back, and swapped his sweet incense for the cologne favored by aristocratic men. He likely assumed you were planning a game of a different sort, so when his gaze fell upon the third person in the room—[xiaochou.name]—he paused, if only for a fleeting moment.

Under [xiaochou.name]'s watchful eye, Shama swiftly dismissed the slight oddity... With a graceful smile, he bowed to you both, and soon you were gathered around the hookah and goblets, deep in conversation.

[xiaochou.name] politely inquired about Shama's views on desire, and Shama, as if prepared for the question, spoke with eloquence.

"I excel at indulging desires, so your question is quite apt... In my opinion, sex is the dullest of affairs. Imagine if men were stripped of their faces, bodies, attire, and jewels—reduced to nothing but walking with, well... cocks. Where’s the fun in that? Who’d even want to bed them? Sex is merely a doorway, a means to explore oneself. Oh, just a door! And what lies beyond... well, that’s a treasure to be uncovered slowly..."

The words left you baffled, but [xiaochou.name] seemed thoroughly pleased.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Shama

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Sociability) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 2

After a few cups of wine, [xiaochou.name] steered the conversation toward "the desires of men." [s2.name] vividly described his myriad fantasies, even confessing to the inappropriate objects of his longing...

Had these words been recorded and spread, they would have dealt a heavy blow to [s2.name]'s reputation. He was not usually one to speak recklessly, and today’s indiscretion could only be blamed on [xiaochou.name], who had been egging him on.

Your revelry lasted until midnight. [s2.name] departed with a hint of unease, as if struggling to recall what he had said. As for [xiaochou.name]... "Humans are so tedious." The creature found it all rather dull.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 = 1

Result:

• Counter (7000707): Add 1

The next day—you cast a casual glance at the ancient silver mirror hanging in your hallway, its surface worn by time, once capable of reflecting only faint, ghostly shapes. But now, the figure in the mirror stares back at you with unsettling clarity. A shiver runs down your spine as you realize it must be [s1.name]. It offers you an inscrutable smile, then, in the blink of an eye, the mirror reverts to its usual state—as if it were nothing but a trick of the light.

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Charisma) of Slot #1: Add 1

Action:

• Enable Event: The second question from the poet at the start of the small-scale fundraising.