citylogs | [OPEN] This is the existential crisis corner.

Entry tags:

mdzs: lan xichen (book)

[OPEN] This is the existential crisis corner.

WHO: Lan Xichen (

zewu_jun) & Anyone wanting to have a stress party

WHAT: Catch-all with event prompts

WHERE: any location

WHEN: between late July and the start of August

WARNINGS: TBA

i. Someone raided his closet. Again!

He wasn't ready for what the city had to offer him. It probably meant well, or that was what Lan Xichen was determined to believe, but the bank opening went from offering potential to terrible reveal when he opened the small box designated to him and saw what was inside. Lan Xichen is flipping through a handful of old pages with what appears to be sheet music written on them for anyone who might be familiar with ancient Chinese music, or just have a good enough eye to catch the repetition of characters on the pages. Flustered, he tries to fold up the pages and put them in a pocket for later, but of course the door would close and lock as soon as everyone was retrieving personal items. The message in the lockbox makes it clear that their "gifts" aren't free. Lan Xichen tries to keep a calm, impassive expression on his face, but the reappearance of those pages already has him growing pale and unsteady in the confined space. It's inevitable that he trips into someone as he tries to reach the sealed escape.

ii. Trying ice cream like the cool kids.

Living on a mountain under the strict rules of a sect founded in Buddhism, Lan Xichen has found that one of the most difficult challenges to adjust to so far has been the food. Obtaining it doesn't seem too difficult, but then he consistently finds that there are many dishes he just should not, as a proper Lan, consume. He's already broken the taboo several times over and the guilt is starting to build up. Still, he has to get along with local customs if he wants to survive, right? And thus Lan Xichen is in front of the counter of the ice cream parlor, seriously debating on what he should do next. He knows he really shouldn't try any of the confections, but the bright colors and friendly music from the jukebox are difficult to ignore. When he notices another patron, he turns to them for moral support.

"Ah, are you going to have some? Please, go right ahead."

This way he can watch someone else go first! It's definitely the best solution to his indecision.

[ooc: Taking this prompt from the second test drive meme with the ice cream flavor roulette. I like chocolate and rainbow sherbert for Lan Xichen, and I'm open to surprise interactions.]

iii. Possibly vandalism but we won't acknowledge that.

The city is nothing like the home Lan Xichen came from, but he still wants to behave with as much appropriate conduct as he can. And that means keeping his word, no matter how strange things get. So he does keep his word, using a fork he took from one of the restaurants, Lan Xichen can be found around the city, carving a magical array into various locations. On a wall in one of the apartment buildings or on the side of a tree in the park, he scratches out the design carefully, making sure each symbol and line fit the design he's carrying on a piece of paper. He even has a marker taken from a store that he's using to draw the pattern on less-malleable items such as plastic bowls or countertops. Occasionally he stops to reference his blueprint and compare his work to the template, frowning if the match doesn't quite fit.

"I wonder if anything has been uncovered yet? Perhaps we should have set traps."

iv. Doing homework because it's the Right Thing.

Lan Xichen still makes time each day to properly exercise and meditate. At the edge of dawn, if anyone happens to be awake or still awake, he can be found in the park, with a blanket neatly spread out under him so he can kneel on the grass and meditate. He does manage to sit perfectly still with his hands folded in his lap for some time, but eventually even Lan Xichen can't hold the same expression. He opens his eyes and frowns deeply.

"Are there really no other living things?"

He's asking himself, but in the stillness of that early morning, it sounds loud enough to be called out across the lawn.

Later in the day, he continues his routine to include exercise. Without a sword, he's resorted to a branch that was shed from one of the trees that Lan Xichen has cleaned and trimmed into a makeshift practice weapon. He goes through different martial arts forms, revisiting basics and trying to maneuver around the strangeness of his unbalanced stick, fighting invisible opponents as he tries to focus his power and raise the level just a bit more. The result so far has been unsuccessful, but he'd still going to try. When he's worn out, Lan Xichen sighs, wiping his forehead with disappointment.

"It feels numb. I wish there were better baths... or a cold pool? Perhaps that is what is lacking."

The spiritual deficit is starting to feel more frightening than annoying.

[ooc: Random encounters and other scenarios are welcome for interaction with Lan Xichen. If there's something you'd specifically like to plan out or try, let me know and we can start other things too.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Crowley hadn't really intended to stop for ice cream. It's not that he doesn't enjoy eating, but food here has been treated with due suspicion and he's warily eyeing the selection from behind his shades while he bobs his head and hums along to the cheerful and energetic melody coming from the jukebox.

It had, for the last hour, been playing Queen's greatest hits, and while he tolerated that sort of nonsense from his car (it had been his car for over ninety years, it was entitled to its pick of the music), he'd like a little variety, and had thus pushed a six hundred and seventy year old florin into the slot to enjoy the dulcet tones of literally anyone but Freddie Mercury.

The stranger who enters gets a quick once-over from the demon who is quick to file him away as yet another fish-out-of-water. If it weren't for that get-up, then the almost plaintive look Crowley gets when the man asks him to go first more than confirms this hypothesis.

"First time then, eh...?"

There's a sympathetic tilt to his head, and even with his eyes hidden, he has one of those absurdly expressive faces.

"Anything catch your eye? Or are you going for a little sample of everything?"

Edited 2023-08-03 08:54 (UTC)

Lan Xichen startles a little bit when Crowley speaks. The question makes him feel guilty despite not actually doing anything wrong (yet), and even though he has been considering trying the ice cream, being asked about it directly raises a feeling of shame in him anyway. It feels like he's sneaking out, and he can only imagine what his uncle would say if he saw him standing in front of the counter full of sweets.

"A-ah, yes, I've never had anything quite this elaborate before. They offer a lot of choices, don't they?"

He looks at the assortment doubtfully, wondering how anyone could be expected to try so many different flavors at one time. That sounds more like a challenge than a treat, and Lan Xichen quirks an eyebrow at Crowley curiously. He seems like a nice enough person at first glance. Maybe a little ambitious if he's suggesting eating that much, but that's not a bad trait.

"You're not serious? Does that mean you've actually eaten all of these? I think that would count as too much of a good thing. Do you have a favorite?"

The demon laughs, a short and sharp thing, but genuine.

"Not all of them, and not here. You couldn't get me to try bubblegum under threat of uncertain torture."

He's back to contemplating the spread of frozen sweet treats, wondering if ingesting any of it is worth the risk of inviting whatever Powers That Be that preside over this place to fuck with him again. He's really not in the mood.

But this human might be a good guinea pig.

"As for favourites... I'll not say no to a vanilla flake, but if I'm feeling particularly decadent, the red velvet cheesecake never misses."

He gives a dismissive wave of his hand then says as an afterthought;

"Barring that, chocolate's always good too."

"Bubblegum." He looks back at the display of various flavors under the case, making a note that the flavor in question might be considered questionable. He's been learning his lesson about trying new foods. After the tragic hot dog experience Lan Xichen had earlier, he's learned to be more wary of anything he eats.

But ice cream should be fine, right? And Crowley doesn't seem afraid of it at all.

"Have you already tasted these?"

He has to ask. The last thing he wants to do is carelessly swallow poison now that the idea has been planted in his head. Does he think the ice cream is poisoned? No, but he still wants to be more responsible. See! Look how careful he's being. That will surely justify his willingness to try food he has no business trying. It's a moral compromise.

"These? Specifically? Don't be ridiculous, I'm not completely out of my head," he says as if it's obvious there's something wrong with the rows of colourful frozen treats sitting innocently behind the glass.

"First the weird thing with the bank, and then this mysterious ice cream parlour pops into existence? Someone's playing silly buggers."

Which just so happened to be Crowley's favourite game.

"But don't let me stop you," he says with a sweep of his arm towards the display, "it's probably safe. I'm just here for the music."

He pats the jukebox fondly as the chords to the last song fade and is abruptly replaced by Joan Jett's anthem for rebellious teens everywhere.

Lan Xichen looks at the display case, taking in the array of attractive colors and inviting setting of the ice cream shop as if he expects to see some sinister energy or secret hidden trap behind them that would warrant the obvious suspicion from the other man. He doesn't see anything, which he's not sure means anything in this city, but since Crowley doesn't trust the treats, there must be a reason.

Instead of trying the ice cream, he walks closer to examine the jukebox that the demon seems to like.

"Is this music from your home? It's... lively?"

Not bad, necessarily, although he thinks Lan Qiren might claim differently if he could hear it. He's not sure if he's concerned or pleased by that thought.

"Yup," Crowley says, "s'called Rock and Roll."

Distantly, he thinks of a prim and plummy voice disdainfully referring to it as bebop. Aziraphale, honestly. He's convinced the angel does it on purpose half the time, the mad bastard.

"Bit after your time, I reckon," he explains, glancing out the corner of his eyes at the stranger's get-up. "People decided to run some instruments on electricity to see what happens and the rest is, as they say, history."

He sounds as pleased as if he had a hand in its creation. He didn't, but he does remember the first time he heard the twang of an electric guitar and knew, in that moment, the humans had found a way to give shape and sound to all those things inside them in the ways even the great symphonies (yes, even the ones with cannons) never could.

"I take it this kind of city is a bit of a new experience then...?"

Considering the fact that Daniel got up early back home often enough to do some kata, he sometimes finds himself up early in this place as well - despite having neglected the practice, especially with the state his body was in for a good while back there.

Still, it's not like he wants to just waste time by sitting around and doing nothing, so Daniel decides to at least take a very early morning walk through the city. The park is usually the nicest place to do that in, so his feet automatically gravitate towards there--

Only to hear a familiar voice calling out. Not to him, judging by the words themselves, but it still draws Daniel's attention, especially when he realises the voice sounds familiar.

He moves across the grass until he spots the source of the sound, relieved to confirm he was right about who that voice sounded like. A faint smile appears on Daniel's face as he remembers the other guy's kindness from that first day, and he can't help but further approach.

"Were you wondering out loud to yourself?"

Daniel - once Lan Xichen spots him - is at least looking better than before. The faint outline of the bruise is still visible on the side of his head, but it seems to mostly have faded.. And, hey, he's actually speaking out loud, instead of through his phone.

That's a big step forward.

He's disappointed in himself. It probably is expecting too much to be doing anything in the city when people around him have said repeatedly that the place has somehow limited their abilities, but a strict voice in Lan Xichen's head is telling him that he should be doing more. Even in the strange surroundings, a cultivator should be able to achieve some progress. The environment might not be ideal for spiritual betterment, but can that really be an acceptable excuse? He's dwelling on that question, sighing in frustration, when Daniel finds him and pulls him back out of his thoughts.

The cloud over Xichen's mood brightens when he catches sight of Daniel. He stands and dusts himself off, looking clearly delighted to see a familiar face.

"Ah, don't mind me. I hope I didn't disturb you with my complaints. But you look well! Perhaps this place isn't so unfair, if it is treating you well. I'm relieved."

Compared to their last meeting, Daniel looks much better. And Lan Xichen has to admit that there might be at least some merit in being pulled to a place where threats from their homes can't find them, even if he's reluctant to give the city credit.

There's something kind of nice about the way the other greets him, Daniel thinks. It had been hard to imagine people who might be happy to see him after everything that happened back home, but now he's seen Lan Xichen again in this place, it really does seem like the other's face is lighting up the moment he witnesses Daniel.

.. definitely kind of nice, and it makes his own faint smile widen a little, clearly encouraged.

"I wouldn't exactly thank this place as much as the people in it. Some doctors have helped me a great deal." And Daniel certainly wouldn't want to take away credit from them, only to give it to a city that doesn't seem to care to do much of anything other than to feed them.

He steps a little closer, stopping right in front of the other. If Lan Xichen allows it, Daniel moves his hand to place it on the other's shoulder. Maybe a little too familiar, but.. well, Daniel can't help but want to find a bit of familiarity here, and Xichen had been so kind before.

"And, of course, I also have to thank the person who truly helped me out on my first day here." Guess who that is! (Xichen, of course.) "It really means a lot to me, even now."

Lan Xichen brightens more when he hears that there are doctors present. It might be up to them to make do as best they can, but he's encouraged by the knowledge that they have so far managed to find people with different skills and come together as neighbors in some positive way feels like an accomplishment. They might be strangers and all dealing with their own struggles, but this is proof that they can come together to help each other.

"You're right. The city might have brought us together for some reason of its own, but now that we are here, we have made something of our own without anyone else's guidance. Still, I think I should be grateful for the opportunity at least."

Maybe it was just fate? He doesn't mind that thought. The hand on his shoulder is a surprise, but a pleasant one. Normally, physical contact was a more private privilege, but in this strange, almost lawless city, Lan Xichen has learned to accept more bends in the rigid rules he was brought up with. He still laughs mildly, lowering his head in embarrassment when Daniel mentions their first meeting, but he's moved by that sentiment.

"I'm sure that no one expects you to offer thanks for something that is natural. We should all look out for each other, shouldn't we? You would do the same if our places were reversed."

".. I would," Daniel admits, even if it's with a hint of something embarrassed or flustered, his head ducking faintly. It's like he doesn't want to take too much credit here, or seem too boating about it. It's just that he shares Lan Xichen's own sentiment - that it's only natural to do something like this for an other, especially when you find someone who seems to be hurting.

His hand does at least drop off the other's shoulder, returning to hang by Daniel's own side instead.

"But I also know there are a lot of people who wouldn't do that sort of thing." The man who caused Daniel to have been so injured in the first place, for example. And he knows there's more people out there like that. Unkind people - people who thrive on hurting others, not helping them.

So having ran into Xichen back then still feels like he was lucky.

"So make sure to give yourself some credit. You've got a kind heart."

Lan Xichen looks pleased by that answer, like he somehow managed to guess a secret Daniel was keeping in pointing out his good nature. It's an affirmation of the kindness in the people brought to the city, something that seemed to be under question since his arrival. While no one he's met so far has been hostile, there is definitely a layer of suspicion from everyone brought in, and while it's been understandable, he can't help but feel disappointed. Aren't they all brought together here as a group? That means they're a community, right?

He might also be just a little bit happy about seeing the flustered look on someone else. It's a new experience for him, since he's usually the one wondering what's going on and feeling out of place, and suddenly Lan Xichen can see some of the appeal in teasing someone else. It's still friendly, after all, and he likes Daniel.

"I suppose there are some who would pass by or wish to ignore such things, but that wouldn't have been right. You were in need. How could I turn away from someone like that?"

It seems like an obvious answer to Xichen, but Daniel's compliment still makes him raise his arm to smile behind his sleeve.

"My heart is no more generous than yours. I should learn to be more generous if I can. Sometimes I wonder if I am too stubborn for it."

He doesn't seem to be too displeased by Xichen's reaction. Really, Daniel is already glad enough the other seems at least a little willing to accept the compliment, making the smile on Daniel's own face linger in the face of it.

"You think so?" About that last part, that is. He can't help but immediately comment on it.

After all, Lan Xichen's generous nature seemed so obvious to Daniel with how far the other was willing to go for him, despite him being a total stranger.

"I don't think I've seen you stubborn just yet." A slight pause, and then the man adds, his lips pinching together into the smile this time: "Other than when it's about insisting you'll help someone, anyway."

But hey, that worked out for the better when it actually got Daniel to accept the help in the first place back then, right?

The comment about his desire to help does earn a quiet laugh. It's a remark that no one among the sects would have made if he had been home. On the contrary, Lan Xichen is more often criticized for being too distant or indecisive as a leader, unable to valiantly defeat local threats or perform chivalrous deeds himself since he usually winds up dealing with the boring side of political decisions. Building, finances, and the daily routines of the students living in the Lan sect. While he is always proper, his younger brother is more renowned for that particular brand of heroic stubbornness than he is. It's something Lan Xichen admires in him as well, even when it frustrates him.

"Well, if I don't help others, how can I call myself a cultivator? My family would be ashamed if they found me walking away from someone in need."

If he can't demonstrate his leadership skills by making a positive difference to someone, then what good is he as a person? Lan Xichen smiles warmly, giving Daniel's arm an affectionate pat.

"I will accept the consequences of my judgment as long as you are well. That is worth any tribulation I might undergo for my transgressions."

The answer doesn't wipe the smile off Daniel's face. If anything, he lets out a kind of amused huff at Xichen's words, before shaking his head, especially when the other pats his arm like that.

Yes, Daniel sure seems to be doing better. At least that's something Lan Xichen can be happy about.

"Does that mean you've been helping out more people around the city?"

Daniel wouldn't be surprised to hear so, really. Considering the way the man treated him when he was only just new.. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to think he's going around and extending that level of care to most people here.

"I don't know how much help I can provide in this place," Lan Xichen says, but he does nod. "But I have been trying where I can. Here and there, if someone should need anything I can provide. That's what we all do, isn't it?"

It's the responsibility of the righteous to help those who they find need help. That's the philosophy he's grown up with, so even if the city makes that feel a little silly now, Lan Xichen doesn't plan on giving it up.

"And I expect that you will be helping others as well. If you don't mind, I would like to join you and work together. That would make things easier for all of us."

Since they aren't near any of their homes, they might as well create their own alliances. It makes sense to him when it's apparently up to all of the visitors to fend for themselves.

Well that's uhm... That's...? It sure is something that he's doing right now. Broca stands there, looking baffled as he watches Lan Xichen scratch away at a wall with that fork, trying and failing to understand what in the world is going on here. He's half tempted to just keep walking, but without his usual work and hobbies to keep him busy, he finds himself with way too much free time and not enough ways to fill it.

So as the other man muses out loud, Broca asks a question without asking either of the ones he assumes weren't really meant for him.

"What are you doing?"

Lan Xichen does jump in surprise when Broca speaks up, and for just a moment he hesitates, unsure of his own answer. Does he feel guilty for what he's doing now? Yes. He has to think about it, but having Broca ask him directly what he's doing makes Lan Xichen blush. He doesn't try to hide or cover his efforts, but he does look at the wall with the eyes of a teenager holding a spray can.

"Oh. Ah... I was attempting to uncover malicious spirits."

He probably shouldn't mention the one that asked him to do this. That seems like it would be saying too much--but at the same time, he's not hurting anyone, right? There's no danger in defacing some walls. And yet Lan Xichen still finds himself feeling a bit criminal.

That someone asked Lan Xichen to do this in the first place doesn't even occur to Broca, so he's spared having to think up a lie or an excuse by Broca not even asking. He's working under the assumption that this whole defacing business was Xichen's own idea, which...

"Malicious spirits..."

He's deadpanning that. Look, it's not like he doesn't believe that's what Lan Xichen is trying to do here, and he's not even really doubting the existence of malicious spirits.

But some wall scribbles don't seem like they'll really cut it against them.

Lan Xichen blinks back at Broca, sensing the flatness in his tone but not quite understanding it. He might as well have thought of it on his own, were that he were that clever, since the logic doesn't feel out of place at all to him.

"Yes, in case there are dangerous spirits hiding somewhere in the city. With the restrictions we have placed on us, we might not be able to find them. These arrays should reveal any entities if they are present, but I'm not sure our power is strong enough."

He's experienced enough with spells that he should be able to reveal any magically hidden individuals in the city, but since arriving, his usual abilities have been dampened quite a bit.

"Unless the ones we are searching for are unusually powerful. If that's true, then even these spells won't work."

That is something that Broca can understand, given his own Arts have been severely weakened since arriving in this city. While he can still produce a unpleasant jolt of electricity, it's not nearly the same voltage that he could spark before.

And maybe he should be staying in his own lane with this one, because while he's great with all things zappy, ghosts and spirits are out of his wheelhouse.

Though the comment does have him pausing to look up at the building in front of them.

"It's probably pretty powerful," he offers. It, they, whatever the spirit or presence here is going to be referred to as. Whatever is behind all of this feels less and less human by the day, but there's still some clear and alarming power on display.

"I think it must be, but- I suppose I'm not sure either."

There are a lot of theories flying around. Some people think they were kidnapped by gods or entities, but if that were really true, wouldn't there be more obvious signs? Even though he put up multiple arrays and has been meditating daily, he hasn't felt any sign of spiritual powers coming from the city itself. Some of the people in town have their own abilities, but the life of the trees and air around them is lacking.

"It does not feel like a world where gods would dwell. I thought if there were any gods around, they might see these arrays and reveal themselves, but so far the city has remained quiet. I worry it really has been forgotten."

Gods, huh? Broca leans in closer to study the array. He hasn't the foggiest what any of it all means, because the way he channels his Arts is raw and simple, power channeled violently through him to blast out wherever he directs it, and usually to his own detriment after.

Runes, arrays, charms, things that involve any kind of intricacy are well beyond him, so he straightens up and shrugs unhelpfully.

"Can't say. I don't know much about gods."

He does look away from Lan Xichen and the wall he's been working on to look at the city at large though.

"But whatever is here? It might be better if it really did forget about us."

Lan Xichen runs his hand over the array he left, briefly checking it for life. It's a static marking, leaving a physical sign but as far as he can feel lacking the hum of spiritual energy connecting to anything else. He frowns, but then looks back to Broca with surprise.

"Why do you think that? If we are forgotten, then doesn't that mean we won't be let out?"

Assuming they even were brought by gods, of course, but Lan Xichen can't claim to know anything about true immortals or their business either.

"I just think... perhaps we should try to find them. That way we can ask them directly what it is they want. If they can be found, that is."

It's hard when everyone is just doing guess work as to what is happening here. Whether it's gods or not almost doesn't matter, because they have no real idea about what is happening here regardless. It could be some other force behind all of this, but none of that gets them a step closer to getting out of this city.

Either way, both Broca and Lan Xichen are just guessing at the truth here, and while Lan Xichen is taking a trusting, optimistic view of this, Broca trends towards more jaded takes.

"If them paying attention isn't what's keeping us in, in the first place."

His assumption isn't that they're stuck until some higher power lets them go, but that they're stuck because some power refuses to do so.

"Dunno if we can find them either way."

Lan Xichen always tries to assume the best in any person, even if the situation makes it seem unlikely. His personal fear is that assumption and an inability to change one's circumstances might lead to misunderstanding and more trouble if they don't try to better understand their environment. It could be that question that finally gets them answers, or it could be a chase after phantoms, but he doesn't want to assume the worst. He can't, because that would be giving up.

"Do you think there is someone keeping us in? But if that's true, we should try even more to find answers. Maybe then we can ask them what they brought us for. Maybe they need our help."

Although Broca does have a point. It seems like the whatever presence might have chosen them doesn't necessarily want to be found, if such a presence existed. Maybe it was a mistake and no conscious person did exist. But in that case they might be completely forgotten and abandoned. He smiles with some concern.

"We all arrived here from our own worlds. It couldn't be an accident, could it?"

The difference between someone holding onto hope and a natural pessimist really is something. Broca does have good reasons not to be particularly trusting at this point in his life, though it only serves him so well if it does keep him from pursuing all options in a situation like this.

Still, he'd rather slip out of here without actually coming into any contact with whoever or whatever force happened to bring them here. It's why he hums uncertainly at the comment about them/it possibly needing their help.

He can agree with one thing for sure.

"It doesn't seem likely." There's almost no way at all that this is just some weird cosmic accident.

The keys were weird, the safety deposit boxes even weirder. Robby only vaguely remembers at first that banks have things like these, where people can put away important goods for safe keeping. Do they still do that? It's not like he would've ever known.

But his own box item doesn't stir anything up in Robby the exact same way as items have for others--despite, when he manages to open it, there's something wrapped in simple brown paper and kept together with tape, the name 'Robby' written in a hand he doesn't immediately recognise. He turns it over in his hand, figuring he should open it up, see what it is, not immediately paying attention to the other person in the vault in him. Glancing when he starts to walk off, but otherwise--

it's when there's a creak and a thud, bolts being shifted in place, that Robby actually pays any attention to the real world. Eyes coming up, seeing the man standing by the vault door he was trying to exit.

"--What was that?"

Said in the most That better not be what I think it sounded like voice ever.

Even though the sound of the heavy door was unmistakable, even though the lock falling into place echoed through the inside of the room was almost insultingly loud, like the city wanted them to know very clearly that they weren't going anywhere, Lan Xichen turns to Robby with wide, apologetic eyes and says:

"I believe that was the doorway of the entrance. Ah, It appears to have secured itself."

Of course he knows what it was. And by the tone of voice Robby uses, he already knows what happened too. But for the sake of upholding a sense of propriety, Lan Xichen attempts to act calm and controlled. It's better to pretend he knows they'll find some way out, right? To not scare this other person?

"I'm sure it will be fine... We just have to wait."

He moves away from the now-sealed off exit and approaches Robby, smiling uneasily.

"They wouldn't leave us here."

News Robby didn't want to hear: What Lan Xichen just said.

Which, they both obviously knew, and the older man's response is fairly reasonable. But the idea of the only (apparent?) way out closing on them is--no, no thanks. Lan Xichen might've already tried the door out, or didn't bother wasting effort to, but Robby's walking over to it anyway, leaving his own item and its compartment on the table. You know, to double-check. Teens love to double-check.

"Yeah? What about the city?"

Keys leading them into a musty old vault--yeah, of course this was a trap. It's at least not as animated of a remark as it could be, as Robby tests the latch, pushes on it to no avail--it's just a very ugh reaction coming from him. Because sure, this was going to happen.

He turns around, displeased in his expression.

"Great," he summarises.

Cool and great.

He knows that they must have been lured into the bank. With the weird situations that seem to follow every new location they get access to, it seems natural that the bank offering them new items would come with a catch. Lan Xichen can understand the frustration he sees in Robby's face, but so far they haven't actually been harmed yet. Surely the city creators, whomever they might be, don't mean these encounters to be dangerous. Just a few riddles should be fine.

But how is he going to convince Robby of that?

"I believe there should be a safe way to exit," he decides, trying to at least be encouraging. "Did the box contain a message for you as well? Perhaps they are clues."

It feels important somehow that they should talk this out, discuss their situation and the problem of the lock. Or problems in general? The thought creeps into his mind, settling there as a small weight.

"Did anything look familiar to you?"

Fortunately, Robby does look back at Lan Xichen to show that he's listening. The displeased expression not shifting on his face, but with the topic to focus on, he walks towards the table and his box, answering with a tone that could be considered relenting:

"There was a packet in mine--I didn't look at it." Yet. But now that he's back over to the table, he does pick it up again, spotting as he does the piece of coloured paper seemingly forgotten inside the container. Was this what the guy was talking about? Or maybe it's not relevant.

Still, Robby sets the parcel aside to have a look, this time seeing the typed message on it.

"'Nothing is yours, it is to use, it is to share. If you will not share it, you cannot use it'," he semi-monotones, then looks over to Lan Xichen with a furrowed brow.

"...You get that too?"

Well, he can't blame Robby for being upset at being locked into a room for apparently no reason, but at least they weren't hurt. Lan Xichen is hopeful that whatever the city's plans are, they will actually be for the best. It has been friendly enough so far, really, so he has no reason to suspect a serious problem.

Looking down at the folded papers in his hands, Lan Xichen holds up the items left inside his box.

"It sounds like a riddle. Perhaps we need to share some of these things before we can do anything more? Ah, but I don't think this will help us open a door."

The papers certainly can't replace a key or code for a vault, but maybe Robby has something more helpful that he can use. Either way, Xichen is willing to volunteer probably more than most people. He wants to believe that the city actually wants to help them rather than cause more trouble.

Despite his own recent misadventure with the rainbow sherbet, Shen Yuan just can't resist the siren call of ice cream for long. And it's a good thing too, because as he approaches the cute little shop he quickly realizes that his expertise is clearly needed.

"Lan-gonzi!" he calls out, quickening his pace until he's reached the other man's side and greeting him with a friendly bow. "It's been a while, hasn't it? How have you faired?"

Shen Yuan himself has been doing quite well -- better even, than one might expect from one living in captivity. Luo Binghe has looked after him quite well, after all, and it's been a great comfort to him to return to a mode of life similar to the one he enjoyed in his native world. In fact he's returned almost entirely to that way of life, both within and without; apart from his long hair, he's dressed in entirely modern clothing, indistinguishable from any young urban professional one might pass on the street. Hopefully Lan Xichen doesn't find it too shocking!

Lan Xichen recognizes the voice and raises his head from the deep concentration of his dilemma to smile. If anyone will have a good answer for him, then it surely will be the wise sage who first introduced him to the mysteries of the city. He turns to face him completely so he can bow with due respect to the other man, greeting him with reverence as much as warmth.

"Shen-gongzi, you look well! It has been some time, and I am glad to see you are in good health. I have been... learning more, I believe? Although I'm afraid I haven't been able to report any good news to Liu-gongzi recently. I hope you'll both forgive my failure."

He has been working on searching the city, but it has become more and more clear to him that his abilities are lacking. The other two are definitely experienced cultivators and well-traveled, but even compared to the other city visitors, Lan Xichen can see he's missing something everywhere he turns. It's a good thing he happened to run into Shen Yuan. The way Lan Xichen looks him over says that he's definitely noticed the change, but rather than shocked, he looks a little envious. This is the appearance of a skilled master who easily adapts to any world! Ah, Xichen has so much to learn.

"I hope I'm not troubling you by our meetings. It seems to always find me when I am in need."

"It's really no trouble at all," Shen Yuan insists, still smiling. "On the contrary, it's a pleasure to see Lan-gongzi again...and I'm honored to assist with his troubles. Please don't worry about the investigation," he continues, waving the other man into the ice cream parlor. As he continues talking he leads them both up to the counter and begins to spoon ice cream into a couple bowls for them both, chocolate for Lan Xichen and...hm, he hasn't had strawberry yet. What harm can it do?

"Liu Feiyu might not want me to mention it, but the truth is he hasn't been having any luck in his investigations either," he says cheerfully. "I don't think anyone has. Whatever truths this place may contain, they're deeply concealed. Don't take it too much to heart."

The two other cultivators have always struck Lan Xichen has exceptional. Shen Qingqiu's noble and pristine air of wisdom and Liu Feiyu's sharp, discerning abilities convince Lan Xichen that they must be approaching some level of true immortality. Even if they are still improving, they are more advanced than most of the cultivators he's met. Who else has so casually interacted with demons? Did all of their sects have these broad, realm-traveling experiences? The two of them are clearly experts. So naturally Lan Xichen trusts them. He lets Shen Qingqiu bring him into the ice cream parlor, still impressed by the man's confidence. This must be what comes of seeing other worlds.

"You say that, but I know Liu-gongzi must be working very hard. I don't want his effort and trust in me to be in vain."

After all, he did say they were all cultivators. He must have asked him for help because he trusted his capabilities on some level. Lan Xichen accepts the bowl with a grateful bow, following his friend's lead.

"I wish I could be as comfortable as you. There must be a secret to your wisdom, Shen-gongzi. I wish you would share some of it."

He says that, but Lan Xichen suspects the other leader is just naturally a stronger person.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[OPEN] This is the existential crisis corner.

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