[semi-open] Lay me down let the only sound be the overflow

[zewu_jun]

Who: Lan Xichen, cultivators, and friends!
When: Around mid-month
Where: Lakeside out beyond the Wall (near the forge)
What: swimming, sitting, sighing, and shedding
Warnings: F is for friends who do stuff together.



Everyone probably has their own reasons for being at the lake. For Lan Xichen, working in the forge tends to lead to overheating (especially when he's been fighting off certain stress levels) and the nearby water provides a good way to politely cool off. Maybe you met him on his way and decided to join in or maybe you were already there. After several days this becomes a regular pattern of work followed by an afternoon soak, so it's possibly just a nice diversion when things are a bit too much to handle.

Whether it is swimming, meditating, having a snack, or just enjoying the fresh air along the bank, there are plenty of ways to share time with friends. The only possible warning will come from Lan Xichen himself if it looks like an argument is brewing--he will intervene. He came explicitly for some quiet time, so if anyone starts a fight, they'll probably have a half-naked Lan there to break them up. Maybe that's your thing.

[ooc: This log is a free for all for swimming and lake side games. All our friends are invited to tag in and tag each other. Basically, make up whatever you would like as a starter and cut in wherever if people agree! Non-cultivator friends and 4th wallers also welcome. If you need a specific prompt added, poke me at teaandreveries.]

Comments

This is a prompt for a wet stone.

[zewu_jun]

[ Using the forge is a great workout. At some point, Lan Xichen may even become good enough to make swords. He is going out there regularly now, trying to work through a certain amount of emotional poisoning that may or may not be occurring, and it has been surprisingly effective. The only drawback is that hours in the forge dressed in protective layers and tough smock fabric is pretty stuffy business.

So he's cooling off, stripped down to his pants and head ribbon with his robes neatly folded and set aside on a dry rock for safety, wading up to his waist in the water. It's not actually swimming, but he's easing into it. And it's still a nice way to clear his thoughts. It may be a little too informal and exposed for a public space, but it's fine among friends, right? ]

[turmoiling]

[Or fine between bonded, right? Since the full moon, his tail has only grown even longer sticking out several feet past the hem of his robe, and his legs are weaker, thinner. But he doesn't mind taking the time to come out and visit Xichen --

Technically speaking, he brought a book to read, but he's not too inclined to look at it when the view is so particularly good. He settles down on one of the rocks near where Lan Xichen left his robes, enjoying too how the rocks are quite warm after a full day absorbing the sun's light. Settling for a seated position with his legs to the side, he curls his tail up around himself.]

I'll keep an eye on your things for you. How is the water?

[He asks, smiling fondly. At least the last few days have been more emotionally quiet, no doubt something of a relief to both of them.]

[zewu_jun]

It's a bit cold.

[He answers honestly, although that opinion might come from being so warm after his time working with fire and molten metals. After settling into it for a while, he gets used to the temperature and his face looks less flushed, relaxes by the refreshing soak in the lake. Having no sharp spikes of emotion also helps, and Xichen looks over at Jin Guangyao with a tilt of his head that he might actually have picked up from the other man, although his expression is a bit more curious and openly warm rather than quiet and demure.]

Will you not come in? Water is relaxing. I think it would be good for both of us.

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup is familiar with the area; which only makes sense, it practically but doesn't quite border his property. He's taken dips here fairly often in the hottest months so it doesn't feel like intruding when he sits on a large rock overhanging the water somewhat, taking off his boot to submerge his bare foot. He's down to thin pants and a thinner shirt than he usually wears, damp with sweat, sleeves rolled up, probably just come from the forge himself but he's mastered magicking off the ash and smoke by now.

Toothless is prowling the banks, occasionally darting in to grab a fish in his mouth, teeth popping out of his gums.

Hiccup casts a glance at Zewu-jun, remarking dryly after a little while, with no real bite behind it,] I'm picking up the new anvil tomorrow.

[zewu_jun]

[Xichen is fully immersed in the moment, cool water and warm breeze creating a stillness after the rough work in the forge that leaves him pleasantly exhausted. His eyes are closed, absorbed in the sounds of water and even the sudden splashes as Toothless rushes in after a fish. It's a moment that feels right and easy, away from any doubts.

He opens his eyes when he hears the dry comment, the hint of a smile on his lips even as his eyelids lower in embarrassment.]

I will repay you for it. That was careless of me. I should have been more careful.

[Spoken as if he could have accidentally done such a thing.]

[shinkunochou]

[She’d heard—somehow, someway, who knows— that Xichen had been working in the forge lately. Though she’d caught glimpses of things being worked on by the blacksmith in the village, she wouldn’t have considered herself educated in it.

(Really, what was she educated in? She couldn’t even say it was dying—she’d had one job and she’d fucked that up too.)

But she’d wanted to see the place and, more importantly, wanted to see Xichen. He was nice to her, after all, and she...

Well. She’d been frankly without that unconditional kindness for far too long. Naturally she was inclined to cling to it where she found it.

But what she wasn’t expecting was to find the man shirtless in the water. She makes a slightly strangled yelping noise when she finally looks up and sees him, her eyes wide, the red butterfly wings practically buzzing on her back from how fast they’re fluttering in her flustered alarm.]

S-s-sorry...! I’m sorry, I just...

[She looks away—gosh the rocks sure are interesting!—and tries to get her heated face under control.]

second wet jade of lan | OTA

[taciturnly]

( a fortnight has passed since the arrival of familiar strangers, and peace is a hard thing to find when your heart’s a battleground. lan wangji is exhausted. a little moody. in lieu of quietude, there’s a constant cacophony in his house, everywhere, and an overload of feels that keep bubbling over before he can manage to pinpoint them. he can’t even meditate in his own backyard! which is the main reason why he’s here at all, clad in white underpants in the middle of a lake. you might catch a glimpse of his head just beneath the surface; he comes out for air every five minutes or so, appreciating the soothing silence and comfort the water offers.

his robes are neatly folded on the shore’s stones, shoes and sword in the grass. he’s heard voices, but he’s yet to pay attention, focused on taming the tumult in his chest. a winged baby bunny followed him, clumsily gliding and hopping around his clothes, not quite able to fly just yet. wuji, her name, a troublemaker in the making, unrestrained; there’s a pale glow about her, a protective barrier, just in case, and if you touch her, she won’t bite, but she might hiss. )

[chifeng_zun]

[The invitation was extended, the place mentioned. After the full moons, Nie Mingjue finds himself craving the water as the temperatures rise anyway, so he had shown up for a soak. It's the first time he's really gotten down this many layers in front of anyone since his changes began, but he's decided not to make a big deal of the short, orange and black striped fur that grows down his shoulders and upper arms, and blends on his sides and forearms into leathery grey crocodile skin. He also has rounded, lightly furred ears atop his head, peeking out of thick hair now.

They flick a little as he pulls himself out of the water some short distance away, onto a slick rock, wringing water out of his hair. His fur seems to repel the droplets, while his crocodile skin soaks up the much-needed moisture.

Glancing over at the small rabbit trying to flutter about, he watches it for a moment, waits for a point where Wangji seems like he could be disturbed, and comments mildly,] One of the babies? They are growing already. [Ever since his brother's arrival, he has been... in a somewhat better mood. Huaisang has kept him occupied, but he does want to check in on his sworn brother's brother as well.]

[zewu_jun]

[ Despite new bonds and distance and a number of other distractions, Lan Xichen notices the restless energy around his brother. He doesn't approach right away. He allows some time for things to settle and activities to pass, quiet reflection and other conversations, before he wades out and stands next to Wangji. He doesn't face him or speak either, at least for a few minutes while the Second Jade is ducking beneath the water and controlling his breathing. Xichen closes his eyes and reflects in silence next to him, waiting until Lan Wangji's head finally reemerges before letting out his own soft breath of relief. ]

I like this place. I think we should come here together more often.

[weiward]

[lan wangji might never know true peace and quiet ever again. he is in love with the embodiment of chaos, with many, many years of wei wuxian surprising and exhausting him already promised. but even he's aware that the literal parade of people he's brought through their house has been disruptive to the daily life that they've created together. wei wuxian has had a lot of precious people in his life. and he'll lose them all.

except one, and one that he sorely misses. he doesn't expect to be able to sneak up on him when their bond makes his blood sing with lan wangji's nearness. but he still approaches him quietly, shimmies out of his clothing and leaves it in a pile beside those carefully folded robes. wei wuxian even tiptoes to the water's edge, eyes never leaving the witch.

and then he splashes right in. because of course he does.]

And a dry butterfly | OTA!

[shinkunochou]

[A.]

[Though it’s taken a lot of wheedling to get something like her kimonos again, Sae, who’s never really made a decision in her life has decided to make and stick to one stubborn point: She was not wearing the clothes from this place. And especially not pants, gods forbid.

She’s comfortable with the kimono, even if she’s decidedly uncomfortable with the holes needed in the back for the bright red butterfly wings that had sprouted from her back. She’s already pretty doll-like as it was though, and the cute pointed ears are new too; the red, rope burn-looking mark around her throat hasn’t faded in the slightest either even though it’s been weeks since her arrival. But she’s been most bothered by the butterfly wings.

They move uneasily as she eyes the water and she glances back at them with a decidedly fierce look on her normally passive face. She reaches behind her with some difficult and yanks, the motion bringing a high-pitched yelp of pain that has her quickly recoiling. Nope, still not going anywhere.

She leans over the water and winces, squirming with every beat of the wings, now looking slightly worse for wear thanks to her rough treatment. Sure Wei Wuxian’s done his best to make her feel better about them, but... She wades into the water, though only up to her ankles and starts pulling at any loose rocks in the water, examining them before deciding they’re too dull and chucking them carelessly over her shoulder.]

No. No. Not this one either... No, these are too dull. There has to be something sharp enough to take care of them...

[She mutters, almost frantic in her search. Watch out for flying rocks!]

[B.]

[Although she’s still not happy about the wings, she’s at least regulated not to trying to get used to them. Which means attempting to actually use them. It starts out with just trying to hop longer distances. Successful enough at that, she grows bolder and bolder until she finds herself hovering several feet above the water, A few feet from the shore, looking rather panicked. The water is deep enough that it’s not like she’s going to get hurt if she drops right then and there, but she’s also not sure about getting the wings wet. Wasn’t that usually bad for butterflies??

Attempts to get back to the direction of the land only have her doing an awkward flip before she rights herself again, clutching her hands to her chest. When she spots someone, she’s quick to wave them down, her wings starting to feel tired already.]

Um! Pl-please... Please help! I’m a little— Stuck? I can’t...get down! And...And I can’t really swim, so...

[Sae can’t swim at all so really this was a big mistake all around. Please help.]

[C. Wildcard]

[Or a wildcard option for other shenanigans. Maybe she’s napping by the shore cuddled up with two distinct diaries and a strangely glowy piece of fluorite. Maybe she’s attempting to skip rocks. Or you know, whatever! Have at it.]

B

[taciturnly]

( oh, dear. he recognizes her instantly, a newcomer in his home and one that wei wuxian seems particularly fond of. lan wangji hasn’t mingled there long enough to know her well, though the panic on her face, in her voice, is easily noticeable. the changes some of them have undergone are peculiar at best; the unknown is unnerving, and lan wangji remembers wei wuxian’s concerns all too well not to extend a helping hand.

or two helping arms, anyway.

touch is a complicated thing. wei wuxian has always been the exception to the rule, but for this, he’ll make another one. upper body half-emerged, he looks up and nods, encouraging her to look back. his focus sharpens on her, a protective spell to keep her from falling and breaking the surface of the water. he spreads his arms open, patiently waiting. ) You may come down now. ( safely. just let go, sae. lan wangji will catch you. )

A

[newtralize]

[Newt comes by the forge fairly regularly because of Hiccup and he also spends a lot of time beyond the wall because he frankly did not care much for the city. His creatures were probably appreciative of that.]

Is there something you're looking for?

[He doesn't recognize the girl, but she seems to be slightly frantic with her search. She has definitely tossed more than enough rocks around that it looks like she's rummaging.

With Newt is the elephant sized zouwu of his that he was dismounting from. Hopefully, she doesn't frighten Sae too much, though zouwus are far from the gentlest looking creatures.] You look like you're looking for something is all.

rabbits can swim too | ota

[weiward]

[it's a trail of clothing that will lead you to where wei wuxian is: a haphazardly tossed robe, one shoe, the other shoe several feet away and to the left. a close inspection might reveal that he lacks the modesty that his future husband and his clan embraces. but it's swimming, and how much fun can a person have swimming in wet clothes?

and he's here for the fun of it, that and the fond memories that it brings back. he and jiang cheng and the other yunmeng disciples would visit the waters of lotus pier every day to cool off after training. splashing, fishing, playing games - he can't imagine growing up not knowing these things. the fact that both of his siblings are merrows here isn't an accident.

jiang cheng is a merrow. wei wuxian was just floating and relaxing on the surface of the water until he remembers this. jiang cheng will definitely be able to outswim him now. they didn't always compete at things when they were boys. wei wuxian wasn't even trying to, not against him. but just how impossible would it be to outswim a merrow?

he has to try, so he starts swimming laps across the lake.]

[chifeng_zun]

[Nie Mingjue doesn't come from a place with abundant bodies of water, but his changes are undeniable; tigers and crocodiles both like the water when the weather heats up, and so the chance to cool off and soak could not be passed up. He's down to his pants like most everyone else going for a swim, patches of tiger fur and grey crocodile skin down his arms, shoulders, and sides on display, and he has the addition of a rounded, lightly-fuzzed set of tiger ears poking out of his wet hair.

Or, all these things would be obviously visible if he hadn't gone under about half an hour ago and not emerged for a breath since then. It's peaceful below, still and quiet. It's also useful new knowledge about his new body's capabilities.

He enjoys the quiet until Wei Wuxian splashes by, anyway, and he rises from below, until the water level is at his chin, watching with raised brows and treading water slowly as his ears flick off droplets.] You are going back and forth in quite a hurry.

[yesdoubt]

[Momo's shown up to the lake largely for exercise purposes anyway, so when he sees someone else in the lake doing laps, once he finishes his next round of them he ends up heading over to inquire. It's not hard to tell who it is doing them, even from a distance, and Momo floats himself next to the other man with a cheery grin that shows one of his sharpened canines.]

Need someone to race against? You look pretty focused on it. [Momo did more surfing than lap swimming back home, but he's still a strong swimmer and has extremely powerful legs, so he figures he's still a good match for a situation like this.]

local doggo splashes around in lake | ota

[yesdoubt]

(a.)
[Momo has...particular reasons for wanting to get back in touch with water a bit more this month, and the lake is a nice size and not far enough beyond the wall for it to be (too) risky. His clothes are folded in a neat pile next to the water (though they're only neat because his knife is also in that pile, hidden well under his shirt and larger overshirt), and he's mostly taking up a "lane" of lake pretty much dead in front of where all of that is, wearing only a slightly loose pair of shorts. Considering how often he wears loose or otherwise concealing clothing for his cute aesthetic, the fact that he's actually pretty muscular might be news to some.

He's a strong swimmer - surfing was a favourite of his back home - and he goes in laps for quite some time, back and forth over and over. There's something determined about it, and anyone who gets near enough to him might pick that he looks kind of preoccupied beyond just focusing on his exercise.

Still, he has to take breaks here and there, and that preoccupied look disappears as soon as he notices anyone close enough to his vicinity, as he instead offers a cheery wave and a grin.]

Hi! If you're looking for a race, I might need another half a minute before I get back out there. [He doesn't look very exerted, he just doesn't want to strain himself.]

(b.)
[The downside of older-fashioned materials and wearing an actual piece of clothing into the lake means towelling doesn't exactly absolve Momo of all his wetness problems after swimming, so he finds a nice flat-ish rock and lies around on it for a bit until he dries out enough that he's not going to soak his other clothes putting them back on again. He's facing away from the water initially, right leg crossed over his left, but very slightly too low to hide an old, ragged scar about the size of a coin tucked just under the curve of his left calf. It's not quite flat to the skin, lifted from it as if something had punctured outwards instead of inwards.

As soon as he hears (or sees) anyone nearby, though, he turns a bit towards them and tightens the cross of his legs so it does cover the scar. It's slightly uncomfortable to sit that tightly if he doesn't have to, but he rarely wears shorts in the first place and he's not one to leave himself open to questioning.]

Need a place to sun yourself? I'm sure there's room for two here. [He pokes his tongue out a bit to express that he's joking more than anything, but hey, he won't care if someone takes him at his word.]

a

[thisisamazing]

[It's been a fair bit of traffic out here past the forge lately. Hiccup doesn't mind it, it makes the whole area feel a little more lived-in, and it's not surprising with summer's onset. This little lake is kind of a hidden gem, close enough to the city to be safe but far enough to make it feel remote from the day to day.

Settling on a rock next to the water, boot gone, sleeves and pant legs rolled up to elbows and knees, he's trailing his foot through the water while Toothless splashes around somewhere near the banks, pouncing any fish that get too close.

The offer startles a reaction out of him, and he laughs, holding his hands up.] No, no, that's- That's perfectly fine, not looking for a race, I'm not much of a swimmer.

b!

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao has been sticking to the warmer shallows near those rocks, but as time goes on, he still feels sleepier and more lethargic, and shifts in the water closer. The rocks would be pleasantly warm, it's true, but -- someone else's presence gives him slight pause, and when Momo speaks he gives him a slightly embarrassed smile.

He actually would like a place to get out of the water and sun himself. It's not as if he's actually experienced any negative remarks on his transformation from anyone but a single man (from whom slights are not unexpected), but even the dull brownish scales scattered here and there on what's visible of his back above the water make him slightly anxious regardless. Never mind showing that length of tail.

Jin Guangyao stays seated on the sandy bottom of the lake instead, only putting one arm up against the rock's edge for a little residual heat.]

There's no need to move over for my sake. How are you doing, Momo?

[Not that they met more than briefly once, but Jin Guangyao's memory for faces and names has always been excellent.]

keep your powder dry | ota

[gunsmithed]

a. planning phase

[ Occasionally even Percy has to admit defeat in the face of the heat of the forge. Of course, his only concession at the moment is that his jacket and waistcoat have been abandoned somewhere, leaving him in just a simple white shirt with the sleeves rolled above his elbows. Good thing too, considering that his hands are black nearly to the wrist with soot and powder, streaks of it across his throat and face where he'd apparently attempted and failed to wipe something off.

And, of course, there is the small green dragon draped around his neck like a particularly scaly scarf. Which hasn't helped the heat issue, but Percy doesn't have the heart to make him move.

He'd come down to he water's edge in a vague attempt to clean up a little and cool off (and to get some air before someone else tries to throw him out), but he'd almost immediately gotten distracted by a thought that's been knocking around. Which is how he's found himself sitting on a flat rock right by the water and sketching out a few ideas onto the surface with the tip of a wet finger. He really should get up and get some actual paper, but there's something amusing to the challenge of trying to get his thoughts out before it all begins evaporating. Besides, something this nebulous would only be a waste of paper. ]

b. testing phase

[ At some point Percy had disappeared for a while, but when he returns an hour or so later, it's with a small, crude metal ball in hand. He takes himself around to the far edge of the lake, away from where anyone else is likely to be, but still gives the space a considering look as he tosses the ball casually in one hand. There's a minute amount of actual black powder in it, it's fine. ]

I'd take several steps back, if I were you. [ It's called out just in case there is anyone in hearing distance, and Percy waits a moment or so longer before he gives several twists to the crank mechanism on the side of the ball and throws it as far into the center of the lake as he can.

For a long moment, nothing happens. The lake surface stills again. And then suddenly the water erupts, a small waterspout shooting into the sky and sending waves crashing in every direction. Percy watches it all with an expression that flickers between pleased and downright smug satisfaction. At least until a dead fish bobs to the surface. And then another.

Not quite the intended outcome, but it certainly gets Sharpshot's attention. The little dragon snaps to attention, practically vibrating, and Percy just sighs. ]

Yes, go on. [ The dragon is off like a shot, scuttling towards the water to collect his unexpected bounty.

Clearly a bit more planning is in order. ]

b

[thisisamazing]

[It's always fascinating to watch when Percy gets and carries out some new idea. He's observing from a perch next to the water, not much of a swimmer himself, and he considers himself a safe enough distance away. He's not wrong, but he does get sprayed by the geyser that shoots forth from the center of the lake and sends waves crashing against the banks.

Well. That's... certainly interesting. Toothless, nearby, shaking out his wings, has his attention caught immediately by the same thing Sharpshot notices from his perch on Percy's shoulders, and he doesn't even wait for permission, bounding forth into the water with even more splashing to snatch up some of the floating fish with glee.

Hiccup shouts from his rock,] You're making my dragons fat!

a

[weiward]

[wei wuxian's been out of the water for a while, redressed in his robes so that he can use them to collect the water chestnuts growing around the lake. he's already rinsed and peeled a few to snack on, crunching on them when he comes across the man sketching something with his finger.

he crouches to watch, his eyes following the tracing across the rock, increasingly interested in what he's planning.]

Oh- oh, it's a game! A drinking game! A windchime that warns you of trespassers! A soup pot! A soup pot that heats itself!

[all good ideas if you ask him, he should be writing them down.]

b

[yesdoubt]

[Momo is sitting on the side of the lake when he gets that warning and turns his head towards Percy with a bit of a quizzical look. Still, with what that ball looks kind of like, he's all too happy to straighten up and take a good few steps back from the lake edge, watching what's about to happen. He might have magical barriers at his disposal, but the instinctive point of keeping considerable distance from anything explosive hasn't faded any from his own world.

When the ball drops into the lake and there's that seeming moment of stillness, Momo raises his hands slightly, as if wondering if he should cover his ears. And then the payoff happens...in more than one sense, making him instead wince at the sight of all the dead fish floating up.]

Well. I guess that probably won't be a factor in the second test? [Depends on how many fish are in the lake and how many of them just had their day ruined. It's an interesting idea, though, and he can't help but look curious once he has his moment of internal mourning for the fish.] Were you trying to make waves? I used to surf in my world, but I don't think I've seen any stuff for it here.

closed to lan xichen;

[chifeng_zun]

[Evening falls and most of the others have gone home, but Nie Mingjue lingers a little longer, legs in the water, enjoying the cool night air and the sharp scents of nature. His temporary Bond with Huaisang is still comfortable, letting him know that his brother will be fine; he'll head back soon so they can go to dinner, but for now, he's just basking in the quiet. His inner robe is untied, practically just draped over his shoulders, gathered to keep the end of it out of the water, and otherwise he's down to his pants still, uncaring.

It is a little easier to achieve something like a state of meditation like this, eyes closed, listening and scenting the air, learning to differentiate each new piece of information his new senses deliver to him. His chest barely rises and falls; he can hold his breath longer now, especially, apparently, when he goes still.

He hears, smells Lan Xichen before he ever cracks an eye open to look at him. This is a scent he registers in his mental bank of them, instincts adding their own conclusions. Huaisang, for example, smells like home. Jin Guangyao, like danger. Lan Xichen... he hasn't quite figured that out yet.]

Not heading back yet?

[zewu_jun]

[Lan Xichen remains by the lake. Even after drying off and letting his body recover from the forge work and shift temperatures between heat and cold, he seems content to linger and not really do anything, which is unusual, yes, until the two of them are pretty much alone and he can turn his attention toward Nie Mingjue without interruptions. It feels a little unfair to disturb his older sworn brother when he seems so peaceful, meditating next to the water, so Xichen just moves closer, hovering within the area of his space without saying anything until Mingjue addresses him.]

No. Actually, I wish to speak with you, if you will allow that.

[He smiles, not quite relaxed, but still gentle. The warmth in seeing Nie Mingjue like that, robes casually unbound, is genuine. He deserves as much.]