[OPEN] A good boy doing good things.

[zewu_jun]

Who: Lan Xichen and YOU??
When: throughout the month
Where: around the city and into the edge of the Wilde, wherever
What: catch-all for quests and general shenanigans
Warnings: none so far


I. Harbor negotiations (Hazard at the Harbor quest)

[When Lan Xichen hears about the trouble in the factories, he has to go investigate. The possibility of children using the machinery as a playground concerns him, and if the orphans are really in need of things to do, they probably need more attention themselves. So one evening he is staking out a factory. Maybe you went with him or maybe you are on the job alone, but when you arrive, you find a cultivator doing a rather poor job of hiding--in that he isn't hiding at all. He's out in the open, waiting to see what children are out making mischief at the wrong hours.]

Ah, hello. Where you investigating as well?

II. Chasing wormies (Cavern Cowboys quest)

[Visiting the underground caverns again is more pleasant each time he goes. Xichen is happy to help the city with their living, and hunting for escaped worms is something similar to his hunts from the past. He feels useful as well, tracking the prints left behind by the many legs. He's worried about the cavern predators or nomads hurting them, focused on keeping them safe. Any fellow adventurers on the quest are treated to a more serious Lan Xichen, who for once is all concentration.]

I think they must be close. This trail is fresh.

III. Magic training

[If anyone happens to find the spot out at the edge of Aefenglom that Xichen has claimed for himself, they will find the former cultivator there practicing with his flute, casting spells that move wind and water. After some time, he even begins to manifest flames, shooting small bursts out in front of him as he gets better at it. Sometimes there is a little flying squirrel wearing a tiny headband perched on his shoulder, apparently listening to the songs he plays as he casts his spells.

Other times, he goes through sword movements. With his blade drawn, he does show a good amount of control, channeling magic into the edge as well so it shines as it cuts the air. Between sessions, he sits cross-legged and meditating, recovering his magic and renewing his focus for the next bout. It's been some time since he's been comfortable enough to try real sparring, but these days he might be willing to give it a try again. When someone approaches, he either opens his eyes or stops what he's doing to greet the new company.]

Ah, you've come out far. Are you looking to train as well?

IV. Trying something new

[For some visitors of the forge, sometimes Lan Xichen is out in front. When he's not actually learning blacksmithing from Percy, he's lifting materials and moving them around. It's both exercise and to keep the open yard clean, doing his best to make things look orderly despite the boys' attempts to maintain their personal messes. These days he's wearing a surprisingly white set of clothes adorned with cloud motifs. The outfit might not seem practical for labor, but he manages to keep it clean somehow. Even when he hoists larger barrels or pieces of scrap around to organize them. Once he has a relatively clear space, he chooses a nice pole and sets it down on the ground in the middle of it. Focusing on that, he starts a new spell he's been working on--levitation--and very slowly begins to lift it off of the ground.]


[ooc: I'm open for any other adventures or random meetings as well! Toss me a prompt if you just have an idea you'd like and I can have Xichen run into it, or you can also plot with me at teaandreveries.]

Comments

[zewu_jun]

[He doesn't mind the interruption. It's just a sign that his power isn't strong enough let to maintain the spell if he can't hold it while talking. Ideally, in his mind, such a spell would need to be unshakable, especially for the plans he has in mind.]

Please don't worry. I expect visitors to come to the forge. I only hope I'm not disturbing you with practice in the open like this.

[Deep down, he likes the feeling of being around other people. The noise and company provided in the forge is unconventional, but comforting.]

Once I have mastered it, I intend on using this spell to fly.

[You know, as you do.]

[quintessent]

To fly?

[She repeats, and it takes a few ticks for realization to cross her face, and her eyebrows lift high, nearly touching the crown at the top of her brow.]

You mean to ride on top of it? Or to cast the spell on yourself, when it’s mastered?

[That sounds… plausible, if she’s honest. A misplaced potion in one of the markets nearly had her floating up into the atmosphere if it wasn’t for a conveniently placed laundry line. Definitely plausible. Although the safety of it remains to be seen.]

[zewu_jun]

[Lan Xichen doesn't look as embarrassed as he probably should after declaring his intent with that pole and the still pretty questionable results, but he is confident in the idea. All he needs is the spell to make it come together.]

Ah, I suppose I could cast it on myself. I was going to use something else and ride it. That would make maintaining the spell easier, I think.

[He pulls his sword, sheath and all, from its place tied at his hip and holds it up.]

This one was once quite powerful, but since coming here, we have both lost our abilities. I am sure it would like to have some power of its own back.

[quintessent]

[It’s not embarrassing at all, even though Allura is peering at him with the air of someone still making sense of what he’s up to. Most flying in her world was accomplished through, rather than magic and…. Swords?]

That seems incredibly dangerous, to fly on a sword. What happens if you fall?

[Said with a small smile of disbelief pulling at her mouth. Then, her expression brightens.]

Your world must be much different from mine. On mine, we have space ships to help us fly.

[zewu_jun]

It can be dangerous if you fall, but I have ridden this sword many times. It will remember once we find the right spell.

[That's a lot of faith he's got. And some assumptions based on what he's used to, of course.]

I could fall even if I cast the spell on myself. There is no guarantee I won't be shot down or injured in flight, but that's no reason not to attempt it.

[He perks up when she says that, interest lighting in his eyes.]

Ah, you can fly as well? What is a space ship? Is that a magical device in your world?

[He knows what a ship is and he knows what space is, so technically it could just be a fancy name for a flying device. And in any case it sounds impressive. What he can learn from her example!]

[quintessent]

[Oh dear. She curls a hand in front of her mouth, hiding a smile. There are so many people here from worlds that haven't yet touched the concept of space flight and it was always a joy and a challenge to illuminate them.]

It is a combination of magic and technology. It is not unlike the ships here that sail on the sea- except these ones are designed to "sail" into the sky, and into space.

[This is about where she's had to explain the concept of a planet to some people.]

It is large enough to carry many people all at once.

[zewu_jun]

You can make something so large fly in the sky?

[Oh, he is very excited about this idea!]

What sort of technology does it require? We have many witches here, so perhaps we can make some similar flying boats or carriages together.

[Then he pauses, eyes widening.]

Ah, you flew into... space?

[quintessent]

[She nods emphatically, making the bun on top her hair bob with the motion of it.]

Yes! In fact, my castle flies from planet to planet. Up high amongst the stars.

[Said with no small amount of pride.]

The technology may be beyond this place for something of that scale. But perhaps… [Hm.] There’s surely enough bright minds and talented witches here. Maybe we could come up with something similar. A flying boat, perhaps!

[zewu_jun]

Your castle flies?

[His eyes light up with excitement, because firstly, a castle is already deeply impressive. He straightens to address her with more fitting respect, bowing again with that new knowledge imparted to him.]

Your country must be very advanced. Are you the empress?

[quintessent]

Oh! [She exclaims when he bows, standing up a little taller herself. It’s not unusual to be treated so formally, and every planet had its own traditions (bowing is pretty easy, compared to the Arusians insistence on a living sacrifice,) but still it’s been awhile since she’s come here.]

I am the princess. [Her voice trails off, once again internally considering her own place in the universe that she left. Without a king or queen or a country, what did that make it’s princess?] But yes. My castle can travel from place to place, if I wish it. To be honest, being on this planet is the longest I’ve ever been on the ground.

[zewu_jun]

[And of course as he hears Allura say that she is a princess, he straightens his posture for another deep bow, emphasizing his respect.]

Princess, this cultivator greets you. I am Lan Xichen, once a sect leader in my home and here a witch in study as you see. I am called Zewu-jun by my friends.

Truly, your country must be great if you can fly like that so easily. I hope you will help me improve my technique while we are here.

I'M SO BEHIND I'm sorry

[quintessent]

[She smiles at him, managing only to look a little out of place being bowed to in the middle of a forge.]

It is good to meet you Lan Xichen. Hopefully we will be able to learn together, using the magic of this world. [Her reply is equally polite, offering him the same respect that he's offered her, with a small nod of her head.]

I am curious.... Are you familiar with Jin Guangyao? Your style of dress the names of your world seem similar.

[Then again, there are many kinds of human worlds represented here.]

You are fine! I am slow.

[zewu_jun]

[He's clearly pleased by the positive response, looking like a child that answered some quiz question correctly. It's difficult for him to always know how to behave when he's used to far more strict settings. Sometimes being the polite one comes off more awkward than friendly, he's found, and he's trying to make up the difference when he can.]

I would like that very much. I am eager to learn more of this magic and its possibilities. If we combine our studies, I'm sure we can develop even more complex spells together. It could be of great help to everyone.

[When Allura mentions Jin Guangyao's name, his eyes turn down to the ground, almost embarrassed, as he smiles.]

Yes. A-Yao was my friend before we came here. I am sure he has adjusted to this city easier than I have.