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

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

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.]

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[ 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? ]

( 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. )

[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.]

[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.]

( finally a sight that doesn’t automatically rattle his nerves. nie mingjue’s decent mood is palpable, collected despite the obvious changes he’s been going through. he’s only heard of nie huaisang, though he doesn’t doubt that his arrival here was more than beneficial for chifeng-zun. lan wangji comes out of the water, a bow of his head in lieu of a verbal greeting. he doesn’t hide, either, the many scars on his back, or the old triangular-shaped burn just above his heart. he wears his guilt and his faults openly, a self-inflicted penance, now that wei wuxian is aware of them.

he nods at nie mingjue’s question, delicately picking up said baby as she makes a beeline for the lake; she huffs, as much as a bunny can huff anyway, and lan wangji’s mouth faintly curls lopsided. ) Mn. She takes after Wei Ying. ( a reckless and brave little thing; don’t tell anyone, but even though he loves them all dearly, she’s his favorite. )

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.

[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.]

[ 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.

[Beneficial to Nie Mingjue's mood, less beneficial to his wallet, but he still counts it as a win. He has missed Huaisang.

It does make him feel slightly guilty he has neglected everything else, though. Understandably, maybe, but he does intend to keep his word to help Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji with their wedding however they need him to, assuming they still do with so many people showing up this month.

If he notices the scars, he doesn't say anything. Someone from the Nie Sect isn't likely to - they all have their own, from battle, from tough punishments, from whatever dangers they encounter on a regular basis. It isn't appropriate to ask. Scars often tell a very personal story. So he only lets the corners of his mouth turn up, ears flicking water droplets.] Hopefully they don't all. [It's not meant to be an insult, if he still thought ill of Wei Wuxian he wouldn't have agreed to stand in for his parent for their wedding.] There are what, ten of them? You will have your hands full.

[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.

[He doesn't really feel like he needs this nice warm rock; he's already plenty warm. Cold isn't so appealing; but then again the way Lan Xichen looks at him, and says 'both of us' is.

As regrettable as what he's unintentionally inflicted on Xichen was, somehow... things feel a little different between them now. In a way that isn't bad at all, to him.]

I think it might make some people a little uncomfortable. I don't wish to disturb anything.

[As much discomfort to himself as to anyone else visiting. His own distaste for how his body is changing remains; less so the scales themselves now - they almost had a certain elegant aesthetic, shining under moonlight - but more the unpleasant... rearrangements that had been happening below.]

[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.]

( 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. )

[It's subconscious, the way Xichen picks up and echoes that innocent fondness that he's seen on Jin Guangyao, both genuine and acted when the situation called for it. He catches his gaze with a quiet smile and moves back to shore where Jin Guangyao is resting, stopping before he reaches the end of the water.]

You can hardly disturb anything by soaking for a little. It will be fine. I'm here, and if you are in the water you can relax some of your muscles. You shouldn't strain your body too much.

[Which of course is his way of being concerned about Jin Guangyao's back and posture. With his legs looking thinner and the tail behind him, Xichen can't miss the awkward tension that causes. Being off his body entirely and allowed to float seems like a perfect solution. He offers a hand from the lake, just out of reach.]

I promise my robes will not miss you too much.

[Ah, the big brother with a scary face...

Well, maybe scary wasn’t the right word. After all, there was little that truly frightened her anymore in terms of how someone or something looked. She’d seen the worst of twisted bodies and expressions frozen in the rigor of death. But Lan Wangji was... intimidating, certainly.

She’d only met him briefly and had instantly felt like it was better to give the man his space and try to take up as little space as possible. He simply exuded an aura that commanded respect and the best of manners.

When he approaches, she freezes, her wings stuttering slightly and making her drop about an inch before they start beating again, struggling to keep going.]

A-ah... [If she fell and hit the water anyhow... Would he still save her? It seems absurd to even question it, because surely no one would just stand by and watch someone drown, right?

(She’d thought they wouldn’t stand by to watch an innocent girl hang too)

After a moment she give a brief nod of understanding and takes a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut and throwing her arms over her head as she lets her wings finally stop and plummets with a short scream back down to earth. Er. Water? Lan Wangji’s arms. Whatever.

Sae still keeps protectively huddled though regardless, shaking like a leaf.]

Edited 2020-05-15 05:21 (UTC)

[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.]

[He's not necessarily expecting company, but he's also not completely surprised by seeing a familiar face. After all, plenty of people come out to the forge and the lake is public as far as he knows, but what surprises him is that it's Sae, and that she is beyond the safety of the Bright Wall. That more than anything is his concern.

So when he hears her stammer and sees how she looks so ill at ease, his response is naturally to come back out of the water and go over to her. Which admittedly might not be a modest response in front of a young lady, but he's not completely undressed.]

Shimei! What are you doing out here? Did you come all this way alone?

[When he sees that she isn't really hurt so much as startled, his expression softens to gentle warmth.]

If you are going to explore beyond the wall, you should tell me. Next time I'll walk with you.

I... [She twists her fingers around her sleeves, looking uncertain even as she shyly looks back at him. Oh. Hm, no, bad. He should’ve stayed in the water but at the same time she’s really glad he did not. It’s hard to focus for a moment, but his clear concern cuts through it enough to grab her attention.]

Was I not supposed to...? [At first she thinks: he wants to walk with me?

And then: It’s just out of concern for you. which she knows is probably true, but why couldn’t it be some of the other too?

She glances over her shoulder, back towards the wall. The butterfly wings beat slowly and she flinches one alarm at seeing them (when will she ever get used to them?) before turning back to Xichen.]

Is it dangerous?

[As nice as it would be to just take that outstretched hand, a certain amount of practicality interferes.]

Perhaps so. [He concedes.] I think you have the right idea though, since I don't relish the idea of walking back in too much wet clothing. Would you mind giving me a hand?

[Jin Guangyao asks, shrugging the heavier outer robe off his shoulders. He's gotten used to getting undressed with one hand, but it would be less awkward with assistance. On top of that, his changes have never bothered Lan Xichen as far as he can tell; even if he's no longer quite what he was before, but the thought does cross his mind that if he's enjoying the view at the lakeside, he should only try to help Lan Xichen enjoy this quiet downtime further as well.

If it bothers anyone else to see them so close... well, they would be bothered by his presence anyway, so what's one thing more? He's explicitly not looking at that sort of person, so they can simply not look at himself and Xichen.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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.

( please, lan xichen. no need to worry; lan wangji isn’t trying to drown himself. promise! his emotions, on the other hand… but those aren’t easily silenced, his own relieved sigh as he notices his brother wading nearby. zewu-jun has always exuded peace, and lan wangji simply nods, the serenity of their surroundings fitting him like a glove. )

Mn. ( he’d like that. tranquility, simplicity… and he likes simple, which is very unlike the past two weeks he’s just gone through. hesitation twists his lips, and then he glances his way, a little pensive, droplets of water in his lashes. ) Do you miss home?

[Hiccup's posture is easy, foot trailing through the water, prosthetic kept dry up on the rock so he doesn't have to oil it again so soon. He laughs, shakes his head.] No, I didn't mean- Do you even have a job? [It's not like they pay him out here at the forge.

Hiccup doesn't mind too much, though. He's happy to have others in the space, making use of it.] I'm almost impressed. I've never seen someone crack five hundred pounds of cast iron and steel like that.

Job? [Well, that probably counts, right?] I suppose it would be looking after the children that live near me. They are studying music.

[Also he might end up just babysitting. It's not a thing he's thought too deeply into, but it does pay.]

Yes, I was... worried. [That is one way to put it.]

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

This is a prompt for a wet stone.

second wet jade of lan | OTA

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And a dry butterfly | OTA!

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B

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rabbits can swim too | ota

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