[OPEN] This is the existential crisis corner.

[zewu_jun]

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.]

Comments

[zewu_jun]

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.

[miyagimagic]

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."

[zewu_jun]

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."

[miyagimagic]

".. 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."

[zewu_jun]

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."

[miyagimagic]

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?

[zewu_jun]

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."

[miyagimagic]

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.

[zewu_jun]

"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.