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Entry tags:
[OPEN] This is the existential crisis corner.
WHO: Lan Xichen (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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.]
zewu_jun) & Anyone wanting to have a stress partyWHAT: 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.]
ii
"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!
no subject
"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."
no subject
"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."
no subject
"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.