[ around sunset or so, xie lian is out on the beach. still wearing some truly fantastic nineties clothes and with his hairbun held up with a white scrunchie, xie lian has abandoned his shoes in favor of going barefoot in the sand, and maybe more interestingly, he's got a decently sized stick in his hand!
it seems he's practicing sword forms. graceful and elegant even in these ridiculous clothes, he moves like he's dancing on air, parrying and jabbing. it feels good, even if a little silly - it's been a long time since he just trained, since he even had the time to do so. if the heavens saw him now...
because of this he is currently completely unaware of anyone being around! sup kaeya ]
it seems he's practicing sword forms. graceful and elegant even in these ridiculous clothes, he moves like he's dancing on air, parrying and jabbing. it feels good, even if a little silly - it's been a long time since he just trained, since he even had the time to do so. if the heavens saw him now...
because of this he is currently completely unaware of anyone being around! sup kaeya ]
[ kaeya watches the movements for quite a while, his own boots discarded to the side and his pant legs rolled up just a bit. the young man on the beach is moving with grace, diligence, and the sort of motions that kaeya has only seen (and envied) from martial experts in liyue.
after a time, he glances at some of the drift wood and sees a longer, narrower stick-like piece. fitting enough to be a sword. once he comes to a natural pause, he approaches, clapping. ]
Very impressive. I take it you must be a truly accomplished warrior with such poise.
after a time, he glances at some of the drift wood and sees a longer, narrower stick-like piece. fitting enough to be a sword. once he comes to a natural pause, he approaches, clapping. ]
Very impressive. I take it you must be a truly accomplished warrior with such poise.
Edited 2021-09-28 00:15 (UTC)
[ well, after all of that! that sure was a lot.
xie lian is out at the beach, sitting crosslegged in the sand. he's been back to change clothes - his white robes are pristine - and he's holding what appears to be a few small sheets of paper in his hands.
there is a small fire burning in front of him, flickering light across the beach, and he is slowly dipping each of the papers into the fire, until they burn to ashes, saying something soft under his breath. he glances up, noticing someone else - and then offers a soft smile, nodding his head. ]
Hello, Kaeya. Out for a walk...?
xie lian is out at the beach, sitting crosslegged in the sand. he's been back to change clothes - his white robes are pristine - and he's holding what appears to be a few small sheets of paper in his hands.
there is a small fire burning in front of him, flickering light across the beach, and he is slowly dipping each of the papers into the fire, until they burn to ashes, saying something soft under his breath. he glances up, noticing someone else - and then offers a soft smile, nodding his head. ]
Hello, Kaeya. Out for a walk...?
[ kaeya is out for a walk, polaris having sneezed himself into a peacock and now grudgingly dragging his tail through the sand. every time he's tried a more mobile form, he's simply twisted back into his ostentatious presentation. kaeya wonders if he should drop the act and decides against it. this is easier. ]
Xie Lian, yes, fresh air after being cooped up in that opera house.
[ he sees the paper and approaches him slowly. ]
An incredible performance... I'm only sorry it was against a relative of yours. Though it seems your relationship was tenuous... if that.
Xie Lian, yes, fresh air after being cooped up in that opera house.
[ he sees the paper and approaches him slowly. ]
An incredible performance... I'm only sorry it was against a relative of yours. Though it seems your relationship was tenuous... if that.
[ well! this sucks!!!! xie lian has been out and about looking for the missing folks today, and found nothing, which is the worst!
later on in the evening, he's patrolling around, san lang pacing at his side, and somewhere at this point, he finds kaeya, and gives him a small bow of his head in greeting. ]
Any luck?
later on in the evening, he's patrolling around, san lang pacing at his side, and somewhere at this point, he finds kaeya, and gives him a small bow of his head in greeting. ]
Any luck?
[ yeah! this does suck! a lot! kaeya's been tearing his route through the city apart with polaris with no luck whatsoever. it's infuriating.
diluc isn't wrong about the knights, but he's not right either. there are ten other captains that work alongside kaeya, but he's fairly sure of the ten, he's the only one who actually works.
he's making his way down the hall with polaris when xie lian catches him. ]
Xie Lian... [ a frown at the question ] No, nothing. Polaris and I have been through the city and nothing, no scent... no trail...
[ a tight laugh. the walls will be streaked with blood tomorrow no doubt, just wait. it's all hiding, he's sure of it. polaris licks his lips softly, a thin sound leaving his throat. kaeya's fingers in his ruff rub softly. shh. ]
diluc isn't wrong about the knights, but he's not right either. there are ten other captains that work alongside kaeya, but he's fairly sure of the ten, he's the only one who actually works.
he's making his way down the hall with polaris when xie lian catches him. ]
Xie Lian... [ a frown at the question ] No, nothing. Polaris and I have been through the city and nothing, no scent... no trail...
[ a tight laugh. the walls will be streaked with blood tomorrow no doubt, just wait. it's all hiding, he's sure of it. polaris licks his lips softly, a thin sound leaving his throat. kaeya's fingers in his ruff rub softly. shh. ]
[ after the execution, xie lian is in the courtyard of the castle. he's doing something kaeya will likely recognize - his sword forms, again. the top of his robes are tight a little tighter than earlier, and he's breathing harder than he should be - it seems he's been at this for a while, if the slightly pink splotches at his chest of an injury that isn't quite healed under his bandages aren't another indication.
this time, he has his blade, though. fang xin is pitch black and seems to absorb the light of the bioluminescent plants around it with each swing - san lang, a qilin, dodges out of xie lian's way, leaping past the point of each strike in a graceful dance, back and forth.
after a moment of this, though, san lang notices the presence of another, and makes a noise - xie lian turns, too, and gently plants the tip of his blade in the ground. ]
...Oh. Hello, Kaeya.
this time, he has his blade, though. fang xin is pitch black and seems to absorb the light of the bioluminescent plants around it with each swing - san lang, a qilin, dodges out of xie lian's way, leaping past the point of each strike in a graceful dance, back and forth.
after a moment of this, though, san lang notices the presence of another, and makes a noise - xie lian turns, too, and gently plants the tip of his blade in the ground. ]
...Oh. Hello, Kaeya.
[ kaeya is here with polaris as always, though his form is that of a wolf instead of the peacock from the execution. in an instant, polaris trots over to greet san lang quickly. ]
Xie Lian. Hah, I didn't mean to disturb you.
[ really, he was hoping he could go unnoticed. it's better that way. he can pretend he doesn't exist too. ]
Graceful as always. Shall I grade your performance?
Xie Lian. Hah, I didn't mean to disturb you.
[ really, he was hoping he could go unnoticed. it's better that way. he can pretend he doesn't exist too. ]
Graceful as always. Shall I grade your performance?
[ xie lian has yet to experience the shards of glass in any way, so, he's plucked one up to investigate on this fine monday afternoon. no one was around when he grabbed it, but, he's tucked the offending shard carefully in his sleeve pocket, and somehow manages to avoid people all the way until he brings it over to show! ]
Kaeya, [ he starts, ] Have you seen...
[ and that's all he gets to say, before the sight of the world around starts to fade. ]
Kaeya, [ he starts, ] Have you seen...
[ and that's all he gets to say, before the sight of the world around starts to fade. ]
[ ...and the background music begins.
you are dressed in the finest clothes of your kingdom, and today, your job is to please the gods.
you are the beloved crown prince of xian le, taizi dianxia, and half an hour ago, you ascended down from one of the tallest towers in the imperial capital in a flutter of beautiful, ornate costumes, a golden mask on your face, to begin one of the most holy and important rites of your kingdom - the god pleasing parade of the shangyuan festival. the parade is performed in conjunction when all the stars align, when the gods will be watching your beautiful home (your beloved xian le). your task, in these ceremonial robes, is to perform as the very center of the shangyuan parade, as the god pleasing warrior, against your fellow cultivator and house servant mu qing, who is dressed as a fearsome ghost.
according to the guoshi, the parade represents longevity for the kingdom. each lap that you make around the kingdom's shenwu street will signify another year of peaceful and happy reign for your family, beloved, treasured, honored monarchs of xian le. the entire kingdom has turned out to watch the parade, and they stand on the ten-meter-tall walls surrounding the capitals in throngs, though you are focused professionally on your duties. you can hear their cheers, their oohs and ahhs, and you know they are happy. your kingdom always is.
you are supposed to move through this motion of a choreographed fight with mu qing, but mu qing is so competitive. it almost makes you laugh behind your mask, as you clash swords in a dazzling display of martial talent, but you are as competitive as he is, and you both give it your all. you're on your third lap, now, nearing the imperial palace (and your mother and father look at you from the box where the royal family waits, bursting with pride). but as you are deflecting a strike from mu qing's deft saber work, you hear something.
it's a scream.
your head snaps up, and you look past mu qing's shoulder, up to the top of the ten foot walls, and all you can see is the blurry shape of a person -- no, of a child and they are falling.
and you don't even hesitate. your heart screams in horror, you summon up your spiritual energy and suddenly jump past mu qing, away from him - you vanish out of sight for a moment as spiritual energy richochets through your body, because you are young and powerful, and the force of your energy knocks the golden mask from your face, but you don't care, because you disappear, you reappear, in a blur of red and gold and white --
and you snatch that child from the jaws of death.
he falls as gently into your arms as a leaf falling from a tree.
he is filthy, a tiny, ragged thing, who must barely be five or six years old. his head is covered in bandages, and one single eye peers at you as you sail back down towards the ground, feeling nothing but relief that you were able to reach him in time. your hand curls around his, tiny, tiny little thing, and you smile at him.
the kingdom erupts in cacophony as they realize they've see you without your mask. this is the first time anyone in xian le has ever seen your face, but you can't give a damn, right now. the child trembling in your arms stares at you, and never stops staring, and you rise up and turn back towards the procession, a couple blocks away.
there's a brief moment where you're not sure what to do. (but you know what you did was right, and you do not feel any shame for abandoning the parade and its martial importance, for the life of this child). mu qing comes through for you, though -- dressed as the ghost, he suddenly rushes you, giant sword still in hand, and you are just close enough to hear him bark to the soldiers: keep moving! act like nothing happened!
good, mu qing! you think, delighted, and the dance between your swords begins again. the child in your arms cries out, as you raise your arm to block mu qing's incredible strike with your own blade, and you curl the child closer against your chest. as you and mu qing duel, you whisper to him, soothing, comforting - ] Don't be scared.
[ and he grabs onto your robes for dear life, clutching, trembling like a leaf. but you are the crown prince, you are taizi dianxia, and you can do anything. you ward off mu qing effortlessly, strike to strike, to strike, one handed, parried as easy as breathing. the child lifts his arms and wraps them around your shoulders, and you whisper to him - ] Don't worry. Nothing will hurt you.
[ you feel him nod against your chest, and you make the signal to end the parade after three laps, "killing" mu qing while the child stays safe in your arms. you will let no harm come to him, some fated ritual for prosperity of your kingdom be damned.
there is no ritual that is worth the life of a child. you have saved him, today. ]
you are dressed in the finest clothes of your kingdom, and today, your job is to please the gods.
you are the beloved crown prince of xian le, taizi dianxia, and half an hour ago, you ascended down from one of the tallest towers in the imperial capital in a flutter of beautiful, ornate costumes, a golden mask on your face, to begin one of the most holy and important rites of your kingdom - the god pleasing parade of the shangyuan festival. the parade is performed in conjunction when all the stars align, when the gods will be watching your beautiful home (your beloved xian le). your task, in these ceremonial robes, is to perform as the very center of the shangyuan parade, as the god pleasing warrior, against your fellow cultivator and house servant mu qing, who is dressed as a fearsome ghost.
according to the guoshi, the parade represents longevity for the kingdom. each lap that you make around the kingdom's shenwu street will signify another year of peaceful and happy reign for your family, beloved, treasured, honored monarchs of xian le. the entire kingdom has turned out to watch the parade, and they stand on the ten-meter-tall walls surrounding the capitals in throngs, though you are focused professionally on your duties. you can hear their cheers, their oohs and ahhs, and you know they are happy. your kingdom always is.
you are supposed to move through this motion of a choreographed fight with mu qing, but mu qing is so competitive. it almost makes you laugh behind your mask, as you clash swords in a dazzling display of martial talent, but you are as competitive as he is, and you both give it your all. you're on your third lap, now, nearing the imperial palace (and your mother and father look at you from the box where the royal family waits, bursting with pride). but as you are deflecting a strike from mu qing's deft saber work, you hear something.
it's a scream.
your head snaps up, and you look past mu qing's shoulder, up to the top of the ten foot walls, and all you can see is the blurry shape of a person -- no, of a child and they are falling.
and you don't even hesitate. your heart screams in horror, you summon up your spiritual energy and suddenly jump past mu qing, away from him - you vanish out of sight for a moment as spiritual energy richochets through your body, because you are young and powerful, and the force of your energy knocks the golden mask from your face, but you don't care, because you disappear, you reappear, in a blur of red and gold and white --
and you snatch that child from the jaws of death.
he falls as gently into your arms as a leaf falling from a tree.
he is filthy, a tiny, ragged thing, who must barely be five or six years old. his head is covered in bandages, and one single eye peers at you as you sail back down towards the ground, feeling nothing but relief that you were able to reach him in time. your hand curls around his, tiny, tiny little thing, and you smile at him.
the kingdom erupts in cacophony as they realize they've see you without your mask. this is the first time anyone in xian le has ever seen your face, but you can't give a damn, right now. the child trembling in your arms stares at you, and never stops staring, and you rise up and turn back towards the procession, a couple blocks away.
there's a brief moment where you're not sure what to do. (but you know what you did was right, and you do not feel any shame for abandoning the parade and its martial importance, for the life of this child). mu qing comes through for you, though -- dressed as the ghost, he suddenly rushes you, giant sword still in hand, and you are just close enough to hear him bark to the soldiers: keep moving! act like nothing happened!
good, mu qing! you think, delighted, and the dance between your swords begins again. the child in your arms cries out, as you raise your arm to block mu qing's incredible strike with your own blade, and you curl the child closer against your chest. as you and mu qing duel, you whisper to him, soothing, comforting - ] Don't be scared.
[ and he grabs onto your robes for dear life, clutching, trembling like a leaf. but you are the crown prince, you are taizi dianxia, and you can do anything. you ward off mu qing effortlessly, strike to strike, to strike, one handed, parried as easy as breathing. the child lifts his arms and wraps them around your shoulders, and you whisper to him - ] Don't worry. Nothing will hurt you.
[ you feel him nod against your chest, and you make the signal to end the parade after three laps, "killing" mu qing while the child stays safe in your arms. you will let no harm come to him, some fated ritual for prosperity of your kingdom be damned.
there is no ritual that is worth the life of a child. you have saved him, today. ]
[ xie lian xie lian did you want to suffer? no? neither did kaeya! which is why here's another accident that happens while out and about the city. the canal is treacherous, after all, covered in glass, but kaeya is taking his chances on a morning walk with him, picking up small, smooth flat stones and pinging them into the canal with sharp motions of his wrist.
of course one of them happens to be hiding a funny little shard of glass underneath, and as he leans to scoop the stone up, his knuckle brushes it, thrusting them sharply into... well. you know. ]
-
[ the music starts and suddenly the world around you is incredibly large and frightening. or rather, you are very small and slight, trembling. the rain is cold, seeping through your hair and the bandages wrapped haphazardly around your right eye. the cloak around your shoulders isn't at all water proofed, so the rain soaks you to the bone. there's a man in front of you, your father, wrapped tightly in a soaked-through cloak and leaning over you like the boughs of a great and wizened tree.
the man holds your hand tightly, his steps long and unyielding, and you stumble to catch up. you're too small, shoes sinking into the mud and coming up with a vile, wet noise each time. you can feel the cold from the soles of your feet to your ankles, your knees, and you don't know if now you are shaking out of fear or the chill the rain presses like needle pinpricks into your bones.
ahead, is a distant winery, with a warm red roof darkened with rain. the lights glow softly, a beacon that your father is walking you closer and closer towards until finally he pulls you behind a rock face nearby. his grip is still iron-tight, and your hand and fingers have gone numb from it. your entire body is numb. when did your teeth start chattering? when did you stop being able to feel your toes?
as your father speaks, the words are silenced to the rain and the music. the crack of thunder causes you to jump, but he holds you firmly, until you can feel the way his fingers dig into your shoulders with desperation. finally, the words leave his lips, clear as a bell: ]
You are our last hope.
[ there is a place beyond your father's eyes. he's looking not at you, but through you, to the distant lands of khaenri'ah, just beyond the horizon. you are looking for something in your father's eyes that might perhaps be hesitation or regret, something that might say he'll take your hand and bring you back with him, wherever it is he will go, but instead you see a mire of hope and hatred as he releases you. you pause a moment as he begins to walk back down the road, leaving you standing there beside a foreign sign.
you call out for him, but the words are silent, like in a dream it's futile, distant. when you start after him, you can feel the way the mud slows you down, but it is only when you look up that you see he is staring at you from yards away. the look in his eyes says nothing save this:
stay.
so you stay. you stand as the rain overtakes you, and it isn't until his dark shape disappears in the distance that you feel the heat of a tear slide down your cheek slowly, clinging to your chin. another follows, and then more until your nose is dripping, and your teeth bite into your lower lip as you stifle a sob. our last hope our last hope our last hope rings in your ears so loudly that you don't hear the sound of footsteps up the road. a man is calling to you, and you turn as he comes closer, already holding what looks to be another cloak. his hair is long and red, curling and sticking to his face as he covers you carefully and crouches in the mud.
he's wearing leisurely finery, oxymoronic, but true. elegance even as he kneels in the mud and begins to push your hair from your face, bundling you carefully. he's warm like a hearth, his arms strong as he picks you up and carries you back up the muddy path towards the red-roofed winery.
you are our last hope. ]
of course one of them happens to be hiding a funny little shard of glass underneath, and as he leans to scoop the stone up, his knuckle brushes it, thrusting them sharply into... well. you know. ]
-
[ the music starts and suddenly the world around you is incredibly large and frightening. or rather, you are very small and slight, trembling. the rain is cold, seeping through your hair and the bandages wrapped haphazardly around your right eye. the cloak around your shoulders isn't at all water proofed, so the rain soaks you to the bone. there's a man in front of you, your father, wrapped tightly in a soaked-through cloak and leaning over you like the boughs of a great and wizened tree.
the man holds your hand tightly, his steps long and unyielding, and you stumble to catch up. you're too small, shoes sinking into the mud and coming up with a vile, wet noise each time. you can feel the cold from the soles of your feet to your ankles, your knees, and you don't know if now you are shaking out of fear or the chill the rain presses like needle pinpricks into your bones.
ahead, is a distant winery, with a warm red roof darkened with rain. the lights glow softly, a beacon that your father is walking you closer and closer towards until finally he pulls you behind a rock face nearby. his grip is still iron-tight, and your hand and fingers have gone numb from it. your entire body is numb. when did your teeth start chattering? when did you stop being able to feel your toes?
as your father speaks, the words are silenced to the rain and the music. the crack of thunder causes you to jump, but he holds you firmly, until you can feel the way his fingers dig into your shoulders with desperation. finally, the words leave his lips, clear as a bell: ]
You are our last hope.
[ there is a place beyond your father's eyes. he's looking not at you, but through you, to the distant lands of khaenri'ah, just beyond the horizon. you are looking for something in your father's eyes that might perhaps be hesitation or regret, something that might say he'll take your hand and bring you back with him, wherever it is he will go, but instead you see a mire of hope and hatred as he releases you. you pause a moment as he begins to walk back down the road, leaving you standing there beside a foreign sign.
you call out for him, but the words are silent, like in a dream it's futile, distant. when you start after him, you can feel the way the mud slows you down, but it is only when you look up that you see he is staring at you from yards away. the look in his eyes says nothing save this:
stay.
so you stay. you stand as the rain overtakes you, and it isn't until his dark shape disappears in the distance that you feel the heat of a tear slide down your cheek slowly, clinging to your chin. another follows, and then more until your nose is dripping, and your teeth bite into your lower lip as you stifle a sob. our last hope our last hope our last hope rings in your ears so loudly that you don't hear the sound of footsteps up the road. a man is calling to you, and you turn as he comes closer, already holding what looks to be another cloak. his hair is long and red, curling and sticking to his face as he covers you carefully and crouches in the mud.
he's wearing leisurely finery, oxymoronic, but true. elegance even as he kneels in the mud and begins to push your hair from your face, bundling you carefully. he's warm like a hearth, his arms strong as he picks you up and carries you back up the muddy path towards the red-roofed winery.
you are our last hope. ]
Edited 2021-10-13 20:57 (UTC)
[ this memory hits, and it feels familiar, but not for himself.
the feeling of loss and abandonment aches in xie lian's chest as he's pulled free from the memory - because he suddenly understands what that child must have felt when he spoke to him out of nowhere, in that pouring rain, outside of a beaten down shrine. xie lian's heart has always been too big for his ribcage, and even now, he feels it swell, moved by kaeya's experience, his loneliness, wanting to reach out to catch him and pull him away from the fate that he was put into.
but. the appearance of the man in red - xie lian knows this man, from another memory - soothes some of that, and as they memory plays out, xie lian exhales, touching his hand against his chest as he re-centers himself and looks properly at kaeya. ]
...That was Mr. Diluc's father, was it not...?
the feeling of loss and abandonment aches in xie lian's chest as he's pulled free from the memory - because he suddenly understands what that child must have felt when he spoke to him out of nowhere, in that pouring rain, outside of a beaten down shrine. xie lian's heart has always been too big for his ribcage, and even now, he feels it swell, moved by kaeya's experience, his loneliness, wanting to reach out to catch him and pull him away from the fate that he was put into.
but. the appearance of the man in red - xie lian knows this man, from another memory - soothes some of that, and as they memory plays out, xie lian exhales, touching his hand against his chest as he re-centers himself and looks properly at kaeya. ]
...That was Mr. Diluc's father, was it not...?
[ a little later in the evening, xie lian will be slipping out of his room to get some fresh air. his injuries are still rough, but he's been bandaged appropriately and changed into nice victorian boy white clothes, and is desperate for some fresh air.
... finding kaeya is a surprise, but. spotting him, xie lian makes his way over, a bit gingerly, and gives a little bow of his head. ]
...how are you holding up, Kaeya?
... finding kaeya is a surprise, but. spotting him, xie lian makes his way over, a bit gingerly, and gives a little bow of his head. ]
...how are you holding up, Kaeya?
[ kaeya is just chilling, polaris resting at his side with his head in his lap. kaeya has a hand softly on his shoulder, stroking down towards his belly over and over again. the feedback loop is soothing on his soul. kaeya himself is wearing a shirt loosely, trousers, boots. ]
I'm alive and tended to. [ read: bo burnham voice well i feel like shit! ] Diluc hovers, so I had to find a moment to myself. [ as much as he adores him from his lap, polaris makes a dissatisfied noise and rolls over with a huff!
he glances down at polaris. it's apologetic really. he's clamoring for canopus and kaeya can feel it, but they both need the time to just... exist. ]
How are you? Your clothes... they're cute.
[ hee. ]
I'm alive and tended to. [ read: bo burnham voice well i feel like shit! ] Diluc hovers, so I had to find a moment to myself. [ as much as he adores him from his lap, polaris makes a dissatisfied noise and rolls over with a huff!
he glances down at polaris. it's apologetic really. he's clamoring for canopus and kaeya can feel it, but they both need the time to just... exist. ]
How are you? Your clothes... they're cute.
[ hee. ]
[ he'll allow himself to be caught. polaris is similarly on his shoulder, curled up. tired. ]
You always have my ear. What is it?
You always have my ear. What is it?
[ what's that sound, kaeya! late the first evening in the city of ahnkeen, it sounds like creaking of the shared house....2, and the sound of footsteps that might be climbing on the side of the building. the sound continues for a few moments - there's a soft noise, like a hup! and then, eventually, it stops.
gonna go check it out? ]
gonna go check it out? ]
[ blink blink.
he'll definitely check it out. polaris is an ermine on his shoulder as he peers outside of their shared house..... 2 and glances around a moment, finger to his lip. he follows the soft sounds that someone is close until finally he sees-- ]
Xie Lian? What mischief are you getting up to?
he'll definitely check it out. polaris is an ermine on his shoulder as he peers outside of their shared house..... 2 and glances around a moment, finger to his lip. he follows the soft sounds that someone is close until finally he sees-- ]
Xie Lian? What mischief are you getting up to?
Xie Lian.
[ leaning over the couch where he is! his hair is loose, he's mostly been taking it easy today between exploring the market again. he's looking him over briefly before meeting his eyes. ]
Have you changed your bandages yet?
[ leaning over the couch where he is! his hair is loose, he's mostly been taking it easy today between exploring the market again. he's looking him over briefly before meeting his eyes. ]
Have you changed your bandages yet?
[ here he is! just for a little while, it seems - the sleepover is coming at some point, but, for now, xie lian is looking through some of his purchases from the market.
...which does include a roll of bandages! he glances up, and then dips his head. ] I have not. Have you, Kaeya? After all of that mischief of the past two days.
...which does include a roll of bandages! he glances up, and then dips his head. ] I have not. Have you, Kaeya? After all of that mischief of the past two days.
Xie Lian. The work starts here.
[ there's tea in two cups placed on the ground, and he places down a beaten up notebook between them as well, and inside of it, the mysterious words scribbled down in a half-woken up haze, but no less legible: ]
dust to dust and ash to ash.
a fight for your life is a hell of a clash,
enough to ensure business hours are closed
to come back later once the crime is exposed.
with fire comes smoke, and a slow demise
only to be found in another sunrise.
the lost are resigned to pass through darkness
and dwell on their regrets where time is endless.
Perhaps we can at least use this to narrow down our search prospects... if they're being hidden from us, we can at least be prepared once we are sent to the trial. Will you help me with this?
[ there's tea in two cups placed on the ground, and he places down a beaten up notebook between them as well, and inside of it, the mysterious words scribbled down in a half-woken up haze, but no less legible: ]
dust to dust and ash to ash.
a fight for your life is a hell of a clash,
enough to ensure business hours are closed
to come back later once the crime is exposed.
with fire comes smoke, and a slow demise
only to be found in another sunrise.
the lost are resigned to pass through darkness
and dwell on their regrets where time is endless.
Perhaps we can at least use this to narrow down our search prospects... if they're being hidden from us, we can at least be prepared once we are sent to the trial. Will you help me with this?
[ xie lian is just. he is just having a bad time. he looks miserable, actually, like he's trying to keep it off of his face - when he spots kaeya, though, he looks up, and then just ducks his head a little, in a tiny bow. ]
...thank you for your help today. As always.
...thank you for your help today. As always.
[ kaeya is just stretching his legs in the courtyard in the late evening. polaris is walking along side him. when xie lian addresses him, he softens a bit more. ]
It's no trouble, I... Tsurumaru... and Rin... I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. How this couldn't have been the right thing, how I couldn't...
[ he doesn't finish the sentence. ]
And Rex's death is still a mystery to us. Nine hours... it's going to haunt my every dream, Xie Lian.
[ he looks at him. ] You're no doubt furious... I know you...
It's no trouble, I... Tsurumaru... and Rin... I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. How this couldn't have been the right thing, how I couldn't...
[ he doesn't finish the sentence. ]
And Rex's death is still a mystery to us. Nine hours... it's going to haunt my every dream, Xie Lian.
[ he looks at him. ] You're no doubt furious... I know you...
[ hm? oh.
hehe.
that's dianxia's butt isn't it? wow. ]
hehe.
that's dianxia's butt isn't it? wow. ]
[ well looking at our headcount we know kotetsu is probably ok but sheba is another story entirely, so.
it's been hours of tireless searching with nothing; a not surprising result, on a day like today. xie lian is just as tense and terse as kaeya, but as they round a corner of a patrolled area, he sneezes, and then shakes his head. ]
... We ought to find a spot to wait, Kaeya. [ quietly - his voice is soft, and heavy with worry. san lang leans into polaris, seemingly bullying him towards slowing down. ] And perhaps we can analyze the message of the song.
it's been hours of tireless searching with nothing; a not surprising result, on a day like today. xie lian is just as tense and terse as kaeya, but as they round a corner of a patrolled area, he sneezes, and then shakes his head. ]
... We ought to find a spot to wait, Kaeya. [ quietly - his voice is soft, and heavy with worry. san lang leans into polaris, seemingly bullying him towards slowing down. ] And perhaps we can analyze the message of the song.
Edited 2021-10-29 17:12 (UTC)
[ polaris has been nose to the ground, over stone and dirt and wood, his paws damp from the storm and drippings from overhangs. mud stains his muzzle and he pushes back into san lang, ferocious, frustrated. he doesn't want to slow down, but a backwards step on his paws has him sitting eventually, panting softly.
kaeya blinks at the sneeze and frowns, reaching into his jacket for a small cloth and offering it over. nobles always have hankies, it's just force of habit at this point, simple and thin and blue. ]
You've caught cold.
[ he hesitates, fidgets a moment in place. ]
But... you're right. The song. We should look at it. It mentions the storm from last night, and a fight. I... give me a moment.
[ searching his pockets for a notebook quietly. he fumbled and wrote it this morning in his panic, quietly flips through a few pages and frowns softly as he finds somewhere to kick down and sit. ]
in such a storm, with nowhere to go,
it's only two and their foe.
and with a fierce brawl,
there came a great fall.
first, alone, then another,
with them both left to suffer.
but one, in such haste,
has found themselves sweetly embraced.
but where the world is haunted by the spectre,
one of your own has become their nectar.
the reaper has met with a terrible fate,
and, there, he's fallen under the greatest weight.
kaeya blinks at the sneeze and frowns, reaching into his jacket for a small cloth and offering it over. nobles always have hankies, it's just force of habit at this point, simple and thin and blue. ]
You've caught cold.
[ he hesitates, fidgets a moment in place. ]
But... you're right. The song. We should look at it. It mentions the storm from last night, and a fight. I... give me a moment.
[ searching his pockets for a notebook quietly. he fumbled and wrote it this morning in his panic, quietly flips through a few pages and frowns softly as he finds somewhere to kick down and sit. ]
in such a storm, with nowhere to go,
it's only two and their foe.
and with a fierce brawl,
there came a great fall.
first, alone, then another,
with them both left to suffer.
but one, in such haste,
has found themselves sweetly embraced.
but where the world is haunted by the spectre,
one of your own has become their nectar.
the reaper has met with a terrible fate,
and, there, he's fallen under the greatest weight.
Kaeya.
[ wherever kaeya is, it doesn't matter. xie lian's got that commanding prince voice on - he is moving like an absolute hurricane, hand on his sword. ]
Come. Spar with me. [ now. it is a voice that leaves no room for argument. ]
[ wherever kaeya is, it doesn't matter. xie lian's got that commanding prince voice on - he is moving like an absolute hurricane, hand on his sword. ]
Come. Spar with me. [ now. it is a voice that leaves no room for argument. ]
Edited 2021-10-31 01:30 (UTC)
[ a storm.
his heart stops a moment, because he'd rather go lay himself down for the next two days. instead, he turns and looks at xie lian. his singular eye is just. staring somewhere very distant, but he sees xie lian and just strides up to him. polaris follows dutifully, tail down, ears back. ]
As you say. Lead the way, Your Highness.
his heart stops a moment, because he'd rather go lay himself down for the next two days. instead, he turns and looks at xie lian. his singular eye is just. staring somewhere very distant, but he sees xie lian and just strides up to him. polaris follows dutifully, tail down, ears back. ]
As you say. Lead the way, Your Highness.
[ sometime after Things Have Settled and its a little calmer xie lian's coming to find kaeya! they are hanging out! let's say in xl's room since it's empty (:( ).
san lang is in ferret form again, batting at polaris, wherever it is, and xie lian himself is frowning at his coin. ]
Kaeya. I think I am going to do something that is terribly immature, but I want you to be able to confirm that I am doing it so as not to cause trouble later in the week.
san lang is in ferret form again, batting at polaris, wherever it is, and xie lian himself is frowning at his coin. ]
Kaeya. I think I am going to do something that is terribly immature, but I want you to be able to confirm that I am doing it so as not to cause trouble later in the week.
Edited 2021-11-01 15:21 (UTC)
[ polaris is rolling around with san lang contentedly. xie lian always puts kaeya's mind in a place of peace still as water, so he is actually in a better state than, well, he was. when he hears this, he looks at xie lian and frowns. ]
What are you about to do.
What are you about to do.
Edited 2021-11-01 15:22 (UTC)
[ kaeya sees xie lian at the hot tub and smiles, kneeling down beside him and reaching out to fish for a bottle in the warm water. ]
Sending a message to our Watchers?
Sending a message to our Watchers?
[ xie lian has actually - quite a few bottles in front of him! and beside him are little packages and what looks like a pearl necklace that he has been unstringing - he's in the midst of dropping a pearl into a bottle when kaeya addresses him, and offers him a little smile, then shakes his head. ]
No - rather, I'm making an offering.
No - rather, I'm making an offering.
Dianxia.
[ firmly. in the hallway. face him, bitch, he knows that sleepless look anywhere. kaeya is dressed in a lovely white sweater today, some blood spotting on his left shoulder badly while his right arm is wrapped. polaris is padding along beside him and stands even closer than kaeya does upon approaching xie lian, tail lifted in irritation. ]
I haven't seen you retire to your room in the past couple of evenings.
[ u think he doesn't watch you? make sure ur eating? make sure ur sleeping????????? ]
[ firmly. in the hallway. face him, bitch, he knows that sleepless look anywhere. kaeya is dressed in a lovely white sweater today, some blood spotting on his left shoulder badly while his right arm is wrapped. polaris is padding along beside him and stands even closer than kaeya does upon approaching xie lian, tail lifted in irritation. ]
I haven't seen you retire to your room in the past couple of evenings.
[ u think he doesn't watch you? make sure ur eating? make sure ur sleeping????????? ]
[ oh
hm. xie lian... should have expected this! he is here, dressed in his own usual white - whatever injury he has this time is safely hidden under a matching turtleneck sweater over his robes. he looks a little surprised, to be addressed, opens his mouth, and then closes it. ]
...Ah. [ busted! ] I, um... haven't gone back to my room, that's correct....
hm. xie lian... should have expected this! he is here, dressed in his own usual white - whatever injury he has this time is safely hidden under a matching turtleneck sweater over his robes. he looks a little surprised, to be addressed, opens his mouth, and then closes it. ]
...Ah. [ busted! ] I, um... haven't gone back to my room, that's correct....
[ let's say they are. searching the snow for quite a while now. i'm assuming we won't find anything like usual on fuckin fridays so kaeya is just stalking with purpose while polaris shoves his nose into every single sussy looking snowdrift. if his own nose is a bit red and raw looking he doesn't really care, just tugging up a scarf further over it while his fingers numb over slightly.
under the overhang of the storage shed, polaris just eventually stalks over, paws up to press them into kaeya's hand, burying his cold nose in his neck. ]
Tomorrow... we should check the chapel tomorrow. As well as the ice maze...
[ this is a fight you can't escape, to be pinned down by tainted faith... he bites the inside of his cheek. it's just a guess. ]
If something is hiding, we might find it there.
under the overhang of the storage shed, polaris just eventually stalks over, paws up to press them into kaeya's hand, burying his cold nose in his neck. ]
Tomorrow... we should check the chapel tomorrow. As well as the ice maze...
[ this is a fight you can't escape, to be pinned down by tainted faith... he bites the inside of his cheek. it's just a guess. ]
If something is hiding, we might find it there.
[ xie lian has been very quiet, for the most part, since everything went down. san lang, qilin formed, has since transformed into a rabbit - he's got a little red ribbon around his neck in all three forms, a white flower tucked into the knot of the bow - and is in xie lian's arms, tucked into the warmth of his winter cloak and nearly disappearing into the white fabric.
as they finally come to a stop, he glances at kaeya, and then back out at the landscape. ]
... We must check the ice garden. We obtained the small metal creature from last week, the one that recorded Miss Sheba's voice, and left it there. Susato would have known.
[ even just saying her name makes something twist in his stomach. xie lian knows loss - having been here, having had the life he had, of course he does. miss sheba's loss last week hurt him somewhere tender, too.
but this. this, after such a close call. after everything.
xie lian's throat feels tight. he looks away. ] She also had Mumei with her - her sword. We should be looking for bladed injuries.
[ .... ]
... There is something else, as well. Something that will require very careful eyes, today and tomorrow - and you must not tell a soul.
as they finally come to a stop, he glances at kaeya, and then back out at the landscape. ]
... We must check the ice garden. We obtained the small metal creature from last week, the one that recorded Miss Sheba's voice, and left it there. Susato would have known.
[ even just saying her name makes something twist in his stomach. xie lian knows loss - having been here, having had the life he had, of course he does. miss sheba's loss last week hurt him somewhere tender, too.
but this. this, after such a close call. after everything.
xie lian's throat feels tight. he looks away. ] She also had Mumei with her - her sword. We should be looking for bladed injuries.
[ .... ]
... There is something else, as well. Something that will require very careful eyes, today and tomorrow - and you must not tell a soul.
Edited 2021-11-05 20:38 (UTC)
[ here is kaeya, once again at the hot tub. he's holding an envelope in his lap addressed to RIKA with susato's handwriting on it. when he sees xie lian, he just... sinks down next to him in silence. he smells like alcohol, unfortunately. ]
Edited 2021-11-07 01:53 (UTC)
[ completely fair and valid
xie lian looks at kaeya when he sits down - he's curled up in himself, knees to his chest, holding a bottle for letters between his fingers. ]
You smell like alcohol. [ he just points out. quietly, with no heat to it or scold, no weight. his voice sounds heavy, and tired - and, up close, it will be clear that he's been crying, though he's tried very hard to hide it. ]
xie lian looks at kaeya when he sits down - he's curled up in himself, knees to his chest, holding a bottle for letters between his fingers. ]
You smell like alcohol. [ he just points out. quietly, with no heat to it or scold, no weight. his voice sounds heavy, and tired - and, up close, it will be clear that he's been crying, though he's tried very hard to hide it. ]
[
honestly xie lian probably hasn't left kaeya's side much since. all of that. but! let's say he disappeared for a while and is coming out into the cold to find kaeya - when he sees him, he hurries over, holding a cup in between his hands. ]
Kaeya. [ he says, voice quiet - worried, but relieved to see him. ] Come. How long have you been out here?
honestly xie lian probably hasn't left kaeya's side much since. all of that. but! let's say he disappeared for a while and is coming out into the cold to find kaeya - when he sees him, he hurries over, holding a cup in between his hands. ]
Kaeya. [ he says, voice quiet - worried, but relieved to see him. ] Come. How long have you been out here?
[ he meandered his way back out here with polaris, just sitting beside polaris on a ledge, his legs kicked out into the snow again. xie lian's voice finds him and he looks over at him. polaris does the same, head raised high and tail giving just one thump before going limp. ]
I like the cold...
[ he gets up slowly anyways. wow. it's like he knows. ]
I like the cold...
[ he gets up slowly anyways. wow. it's like he knows. ]
[ here is a white scarf! it's suddenly attacking you!!!!!
jk it's not attacking xie lian, it's just dropping itself over his head, a silky warm infinity scarf in a creamy white color with soft threads of silver and blue and gold going through it. kaeya just drops it on top of him as he walks by, a soft smile on his face. polaris is clinging to his shoulders in ermine form, peering out from beneath the braided bun he's wearing it in today. ]
Happy landings, Xie Lian. A new week, a new city.
jk it's not attacking xie lian, it's just dropping itself over his head, a silky warm infinity scarf in a creamy white color with soft threads of silver and blue and gold going through it. kaeya just drops it on top of him as he walks by, a soft smile on his face. polaris is clinging to his shoulders in ermine form, peering out from beneath the braided bun he's wearing it in today. ]
Happy landings, Xie Lian. A new week, a new city.
[ oh!!!
the scarf is a little bit of a surprise - but, xie lian glances up to where it came from, a little surprised, his fingers coming up to hold onto the edges. this scarf with the blue in it? that's gay, kaeya
his expression softens into a smile, though. ] So it is. Have you done much exploring?
[ san lang chitters, happily - his face pops out from the folds of xie lian's robes, ferret formed, and he squeaks at polaris in greeting. ]
the scarf is a little bit of a surprise - but, xie lian glances up to where it came from, a little surprised, his fingers coming up to hold onto the edges. this scarf with the blue in it? that's gay, kaeya
his expression softens into a smile, though. ] So it is. Have you done much exploring?
[ san lang chitters, happily - his face pops out from the folds of xie lian's robes, ferret formed, and he squeaks at polaris in greeting. ]
[ it's a small teashop called south of the clouds where xie lian and kaeya are sat in the early morning hours of their opening. the waitress sets their tea down and kaeya smiles gently at her, the sort of thin-lipped thanks without much behind the eye. she says the tea is already steeped, so to pour when ready. turning back to xie lian he'll very carefully lean a bit to look at the glass pot. at the very bottom, a series of blossoming flowers.
he's a bit in awe. ]
This place is very beautiful. [ softly as kaeya lifts the pot and pours for xie lian until he says to stop. ] I'm glad we could go together...
he's a bit in awe. ]
This place is very beautiful. [ softly as kaeya lifts the pot and pours for xie lian until he says to stop. ] I'm glad we could go together...
[ it is very pretty. a quiet little tea shop discovered at some point during the city felt a bit like home, and the old home; xie lian who is humble but still very much misses some of the comforts of a royal life has gravitated to it often, now.
he smiles at kaeya as he pours the cup, nodding when he's ready for him to stop and putting his hands around the warm porcelain. san lang sits curled up in his lap, a ferret for maximum portability. ]
It is, isn't it? After everything yesterday, I thought it would be nice to find somewhere quiet to gather our thoughts.
he smiles at kaeya as he pours the cup, nodding when he's ready for him to stop and putting his hands around the warm porcelain. san lang sits curled up in his lap, a ferret for maximum portability. ]
It is, isn't it? After everything yesterday, I thought it would be nice to find somewhere quiet to gather our thoughts.
i tagged this one back just bc i wanted to insult im ngl im done now
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yueshen
- 2022-01-09 22:09 (UTC) - Expand[ xie lian says his piece at town hall and leaves and at his heels, kaeya follows quickly, polaris as well. he moves to keep pace, eventually coming to walk side by side with him in silence for a few moments. ]
Apologies for what?
[ frowns! who fucked with u! he's coming for them! jk but polaris is padding around both xie lian and san lang, a protective stance. ]
Apologies for what?
[ frowns! who fucked with u! he's coming for them! jk but polaris is padding around both xie lian and san lang, a protective stance. ]
Edited 2021-11-16 00:34 (UTC)
[ ah, well. it's kaeya, so, he will at least allow this, walking with his head held high and his expression unchanging. it's still that small, not quite smile that he turns to look at him when he asks his question.
san lang shifts forms into a ferret and scampers up the back of xie lian's leg. ]
It is truly nothing. You should stay - they will likely share pertinent information.
san lang shifts forms into a ferret and scampers up the back of xie lian's leg. ]
It is truly nothing. You should stay - they will likely share pertinent information.
[ kaeya is bringing over a bundle of camping bedding where xie lian has started to prepare for sleep, polaris trotting at his side in wolf form. he lets out a soft yawn that squeaks a bit at the end, moving to wherever san lang is to greet him while kaeya starts to roll out said bedding. ]
Mind if I join you for a bit this evening?
[ do you even know how to sleep on the ground? how have you been sleeping these past 2 nights, xie lian? have you even been sleeping? don't you be a fuckin hypocrite i'm comin for you. ]
Mind if I join you for a bit this evening?
[ do you even know how to sleep on the ground? how have you been sleeping these past 2 nights, xie lian? have you even been sleeping? don't you be a fuckin hypocrite i'm comin for you. ]
[ he sure has not been sleeping! how'd you know!
for xie lian, it's very easy to fall into a meditative state - it's not like he really needs sleep, normally, so he doesn't really care or mind it if he doesn't rest well at night. he's sitting cross legged on a bit of camping bedding, looking out into new eden, and san lang rests as a ferret in his lap.
when kaeya addresses him, he tilts his head, glancing up to where kaeya is standing. ]
You may. [ kaeya is always welcome! ]
for xie lian, it's very easy to fall into a meditative state - it's not like he really needs sleep, normally, so he doesn't really care or mind it if he doesn't rest well at night. he's sitting cross legged on a bit of camping bedding, looking out into new eden, and san lang rests as a ferret in his lap.
when kaeya addresses him, he tilts his head, glancing up to where kaeya is standing. ]
You may. [ kaeya is always welcome! ]
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