middaeg | [closed] October catch-all

[Jin Guangyao's expectations for dreamwalking were set by the past; perhaps expecting more danger, yes, but nothing like the extent of the nightmares confronted in the dream. He's sore, bruises shadowing under the scales with splotches of purple and black, but with two crystallized black orbs gasped tightly in his hand. The one, he slips down his sleeve for now, and passes the other off to the Coven witch passing nearby.

Waking up is always a slow process for him, in this world, cold blooded as he is. Lethargic and aching with every movement, he pushes himself up with his arms, enough to look for his Bonded partner and see how he had fared.]

Xichen?

[The dreams are terrible, but beyond the fear and the pain is something that comes from confronting them with friends at his side: understanding. Lan Xichen finds himself realizing how much of his life has been held by someone else. By his family or by his idea of duty. By those he loved, because it was what he thought needed to be done. Giving, because he thought that if he just maintained that long enough, he could bring everything into alignment.

Some problems are like stone. They cannot be reasoned with or healed through listening alone. He sits up sharply, skin riddled with tiny holes where his skin was pierced through, and he coughs up blood and a mouthful of gravel.]

No...

[The word comes out rasping, tearing his throat even more as the passage clears.]

[The blood prompts immediate alarm, and Jin Guangyao forces his muscles to move even if he feels deeply in need of a far more restful sleep -- or to curl up beside and on Lan Xichen and warm himself. Hardly raising his human half more than necessary, he slides across to his Bonded in a smooth but slow motion.

He'd hardly been alone in his nightmares. Yes, that was true. It seems like no one was spared, in that. He might have been battered and bruised, pulled at and restrained, but at least he wasn't bleeding. He reaches out to put his arm across Lan Xichen's back, trying to focus less on how warm he feels, even through his clothing, and more on if he needs aid to breathe.]

I'll... call over one of the healers.

[He tells him, the words slow to come as well. Jin Guangyao's forked tongue flickers once, something he usually makes a concerted effort not to do. Hadn't there been the taste of blood in his mouth? Ah, but that had been the blood of nightmares, since flown from his mind now...]

[Normally, Lan Xichen would be more aware of Jin Guangyao's needs. He's been trying to be attentive and give him better treatment with the hope that a good relationship will make some difference in him. But in the messy state he's in, he barely notices the way the naga leans in, soaking up his warmth. He feels cold himself with a temperature raised as his body attempts to recover, and it takes a few tries to clear his throat and find his voice again.]

Don't call.

[He's still processing everything he's seen, clutching the crystalized energy tightly to him as he closes his eyes against the pain in his chest and prickling all over his body. And beyond that, through the Bond, he can feel the ache of his partner's as well.]

You're hurt.

[He replies, and lifts his head, looking around for one of the healers -- although they seem to be far from the only ones injured. Perhaps not the worst, either.

But he has no ability to heal here, only hurt. Soothe, perhaps, but Jin Guagyao is loathe to abuse that new little ability, his own secret for now.]

[He laughs. He can't help it. There's something about that too-familiar voice making that obvious observation after he heard it speak so achingly sweetly while stitching their flesh together that makes everything feel hollow. You're hurt? Of course, who do you think did this to him?

But it's not Jin Guangyao's fault really. The nightmare was his own. And as Lan Xichen raises his head, he can see the bruising on the naga as well. He reaches out with one hand, listlessly resting it on Jin Guangyao's tail as he casts healing through it. Warm, soothing energy comes through. It's not as good as a real practiced healer's touch, but he's improving.]

[There's a faint urge to move out from under those hands in the wake of the nightmare, but he's hardly fast to react right now, and the healing warmth once the spell begins is reassuring -- even if the laugh isn't, so much.]

You should tend to yourself first if you're to spend your energy. Better off to wait for the healers who stayed awake to come around to us.

[He reasons. Yes, it feels nice, but he can tolerate quite a lot. And who knows what internal injuries Xichen has, if he's coughing up blood and gravel.]

[It's an apology for his own resentful thoughts about Jin Guangyao. He knows the pain came from his own fears and feelings of mistrust, yet even Lan Xichen can't completely separate himself from the world and what happens to him. His hand draws back slightly when Jin Guangyao tells him to wait, but resettles after a few rough breaths. The stone still in his body making it uncomfortable to draw in air.]

You were hurt.

[As if that answers everything. He can only imagine how Jin Guangyao sustained his injuries. In fact, he can imagine it too well. He casts again, following the spell with a more important question in his mind.]

Did you see anyone?

Several people, yes. [Real and nightmares -- whichever he means, there were both.] But I didn't see you. [In nightmarish version or the person himself either. A small blessing, perhaps?]

[Slowly, a little tentative, he slides further up to sit more closely to Lan Xichen and examine his injuries, rubbing his back lightly.]

Please, tend to yourself too, Xichen.

I hope it was not for nothing, your own experiences.

[Whatever they were. He wants to know, but his own were bad enough. There's no need to get into it right away.]

[He can't help but feel relief when Jin Guangyao says he didn't see him. That Jin Guangyao might see him as part of his nightmare is something Lan Xichen isn't prepared to handle. He still doesn't know what to do about those close to him viewing him as a threat and potentially a monster. The sympathy at least gives him hope that they might have overcome some of those old wounds. It's always difficult to tell with Jin Guangyao. That is something he only learned after the temple confrontation, but now he can't overlook the truth. He has to take these signs and hope that they mean the best.]

No, I was successful.

[He slowly loosens that tight, protective hold on his crystals, showing them to his Bonded.]

I'm fine. [Blatantly not, but what else can he say?] Are you hurt anywhere else? Come here.

[He moves his hand up, reaching for bruises where he can to ease some of the pain. Strong healing will take real practitioners, so he might as well do what he can.]

[It's Jin Guangyao's turn to sigh, reaching out to take his Bonded's hand and place it gently to the puncture wounds that are visible instead of his own scales. Do please ignore the bruises around his wrist too, revealed only when he stretches his arm out.]

It's not so serious.

[Not so serious. He thought he was going to die, falling in an unending tumble. But that much is over, and he's still alive. Escaped other fates as well.

But he's more concerned for what injuries he can't see on Lan Xichen, and raises his head again trying to catch a healer's attention once more while new thoughts slowly percolating into his waking mind. Did Xichen see anyone? If his own experiences are anything to go from, obviously so.]

Surely you are not turning into a harpy, Xichen. There's no need to be eating stones off the ground like a rooster.

[Even if he won't ask directly what happened, maybe a cough and sputter at the idea might help clear out his friend's system.]

[He makes a soft, disgruntled noise as his hand is moved away, but he can't keep insisting and worrying Jin Guangyao. It's not going to help in the end, if Jin Guangyao gets the idea that Lan Xichen is trying to hide something by focusing on him instead of himself. That can only strain their bond. Not so serious with the younger man is practically a joke. Even small things, tiny details, are very serious.

He does try to laugh when Jin Guangyao makes his comment about harpies, however. The gravel and blood in his chest shifts and comes up, sending him into another fit of coughing as he throws them up. Thankfully this time there is less to spit out and one of the healers moves their way, both to help and to collect the marbles from the nightmares.]

Mm, would you hate me if I were turning into a monster?

[Maybe he didn't see Lan Xichen. But maybe it's semantics.]

[It's a small relief at least, to see him clear more of the gravel and blood; a help to get some more attention over their way too. As one of the healers settles nearby to cast their spells, he smiles a little. He doesn't particularly care for harpies in general, but even if Lan Xichen was becoming one, well, he had always been an exception in every way. To bring the thought to mind, well, perhaps he can understand a little why Xichen didn't shy away from his scales and fangs.]

I doubt that very much. What sort of monster would you be, do you think?

[Properly tended to now, he slowly pulls up a bit more of his long tail up to loop over itself, the blotchy length no longer a tripping hazard for the Coven members as they move between the waking Mirrorbound.]

[As much as he hates to be the one taking attention from the healers, Lan Xichen does feel better when the spells begin healing him, dissolving the remains of the stones built up inside his body. The small holes sewn into his flesh begin to close as well, still leaving him in a mess, but at least without such serious internal injuries.

If he were a proper healer, he wouldn't need that. If he were a proper witch, he could have defended himself from the start. Xichen's eyes raise to look at Jin Guangyao's soft and weary as he returns his hands to touch the injured scales.]

A chimera, perhaps. I would not be afraid if it were true.

[It doesn't feel so bad to ease into that warm touch now that he's sure Lan Xichen will be okay, perhaps slip a bit closer still for a few minutes of naga-justifiable warmth. Even if there were things that couldn't be public, it felt easier and easier for Jin Guangyao to find reasons to be close the longer he stayed in this world.

That response prompts an understanding look. He's not unaware of recent issues, and the nightmares cannot have helped. More seriously he adds:]

Still, it isn't the case, is it?

Edited 2020-10-05 05:09 (UTC)

[Isn't it the case? His mother and his father, two very different, conflicting elements, creating a child. In a way, weren't they much like chimera at home? As much as their father tried to deny it and their uncle tried to hide them beneath clean white and strict breeding, they were always wrong. Unnatural things. Unconventional compositions.]

No, it isn't the case. I am still a witch.

[He runs his fingers over Jin Guangyao's body, plucking at points like he's pressing his meridians, sending warmth through the channels that now flow with magic and comforting him.]

Were they terrible? They won't come here.

[A couple places, a couple times, there's an almost imperceptible tenseness underneath that touch -- if the two of them weren't so close, surely it wouldn't be noticeable at all.]

No, of course not.

[Except that certain individuals in parts of the nightmare were all too present in reality. Even if he wasn't being threatened so directly, they were still a real threat.

As was the idea that things that had been said in the dream might be heard and brought back. His origins had never been a secret in their original world. But here, as much as it was pleasant to not be dogged by those words, it was just another thing to keep quiet.

Even if Jin Guangyao lacks the magic that Lan Xichen has, as he can see his wounds healing moves his touch to settle on his bonded's arm where the holes had been, as if it had really been only a bad dream of the normal variety, rather than one that injured them both.]

Do you want to talk about it?

[They were terrible. Lan Xichen knows that, but he also knows that Jin Guangyao won't want to talk about the things that hurt him most. He never has, because those things are still weighing on him. If they weren't, he wouldn't come out of the dream realm with injuries like that. They are still threats to Jin Guangyao because he believes they are. Trying to talk about that might only make it worse.

He smiles softly when the hand rests on his arm. A small, comforting gesture reminiscent to ones they had shared before in another world, long before the truth came out. They weren't all bad times. Even though the reality was much harsher than Lan Xichen had known, even then, Jin Guangyao had kept his word and had not hurt him. That still meant something.]

I saw my mother.

[Ah. How that ties into the injuries he's seen is unclear, but dreams are so often fragments of things set loose in unfitting circumstances. He nods, with at least some degree of understanding from what Lan Xichen shared with him in the past.]

It must have been difficult.

It... made me realize that there are things I still cannot do.

[Nothing like a nightmare about being helpless to bring into focus how much you still need to work on yourself. He could blame others, but really, what Lan Xichen concluded was that if he wants to do anything, he has to become stronger.]

I should have been able to find you. I wanted to.

[As intensely personal as they were, if there had been anyone he could suffer to have seen his dreams, he would rather have had it be Lan Xichen than others. Though he's not thrilled at the idea of seeing his brother any time soon, it will be all the more uncomfortable for their experiences there.]

Perhaps that is the nature of such a dreamwalking, that it would prevent it.

If we were together, then we could have prevented these injuries.

[He thinks, at least. Maybe even that is a bit too optimistic, but Lan Xichen does think that there would have been safety in numbers to some extent. They have supported each other fairly well so far (when they aren't arguing). He scoots slightly closer, putting his hand on Jin Guangyao's back and starting a slow massage.]

A-Yao, did you notice anything strange in that city?

[It's definitely optimistic, but Jin Guangyao nods anyway. The muscles are still at first, but it was hardly a restful sleep. He tries to relax into the familiar touch and remember details beyond just the personal.]

There was feeling that there was some other presence lurking nearby. I know I am not the only one who felt it.

[He recalls his gaze flickers across the other present Mirrorbound, looking for possible judgemental eyes. With none in sight and slow to move into a fully comfortable position still, the snake half of his body shifts again, curling back around Lan Xichen and resting tucked up against his back, narrower tip resting on his leg.]

[Things haven't been so easy lately. The conflict at Dorchacht, nightmares, personal troubles and of course, in the case of Jin Guangyao and Lan Xichen, a couple of fairly disastrous dinners with much more familiar faces. It would be nice to have more pleasant times, wouldn't it? If he's to speak of having a 'new life' here, shouldn't spending more time with others of Aefenglom, Mirrorbound or not, be more important? Besides, Jin Guangyao hasn't properly met Allura's Bonded yet and has some curiosity -- and based on what he knows, his own Bonded partner might like to meet the two of them as well.

So this is what prompts a light invitation to a the other two to come with himself and Xichen to a restaurant that provides a small discount for Bonded pairs (or groups). The atmosphere is pleasant too, though it's not a high-class establishment, with a good mix of Monsters and Witches, and appropriate variety of seating for any sorts of appendages.

Led through the hustle and bustle to their reserved table, Jin Guangyao does his best to avoid tripping anyone with the movement of his long tail, gracefully sliding across the floor to the table. ]

I've been meaning to try out more of the local establishments, but I really didn't expect it to be so busy here.

[He remarks lightly. In some ways Lan Xichen might have preferred something a little quieter after his trip, but surely the more lively atmosphere would help lift his Bonded's spirits a little.]

[With the disappearance of Lance and Kolivan setting a dour mood across the Voltron house, it's a welcome reprieve when Jin contacts her for a pleasant outing. A good distraction, and a good reason to spend time with Keith outside of their normal routine.

And a chance to figure out what this... thing was between them. They've made a few significant breakthroughs, but Allura still can't help from staring at the signage offering discounts for pairs and couples.

That is a concern for her to worry about later, for now she smiles pleasantly when they're seated at the table, a parasol folded politely at her side (she was prepared, to protect Keith from the sunlight if needed)]

It seems like half of Aefenglom had a similar idea, [She says with a small laugh, unfolding her napkin,] It must be the discount for, ah, couples. That is drawing so many out.

[ With the house suddenly feeling a little too quiet, it hadn't taken that much prompting for Keith to agree to spending time with Allura and her friends. He's covered up from head to toe in black clothing with the cowl of his jacket pulled low over his face for sun protection and probably could not look more out of place next to Allura in her pastels and parasol. It's only after they're seated and he starts removing his gloves that he remembers that social gatherings aren't actually his forte. Doubly so when couples are brought up as a point of conversation. ]

Oh.... you think everyone here's a couple?

[ Oh god. Time to busy himself with pulling the hood off his face and looking around the restaurant. You know. Just in case anyone in here looks like they're up to something shady?? ]

Are they?

[Oh, now he's concerned. Lan Xichen was a little uneasy about the idea of eating with a group since... well, to be blunt, he has not had a nice group meal since coming to Aefenglom. And he isn't necessarily superstitious, per se, but it's best not to tempt fate, right? But just this once and in public should be fine. Except now everyone is saying the restaurant is promoting couples and, okay, that might be fine for Allura and Keith, but it surely won't be the same for him and Jin Guangyao. He gives his Bonded a brief, nervous look. Should they say something? Would that sound bad?]

Well, I'm sure with so many people they can't all be couples. Some must just be Bonded pairs. It's nice to get out of the house sometimes, that's all... Ah, although if there are couples, I'm sure they are quite happy.

Edited 2020-10-10 21:33 (UTC)

It didn't really specify that customers had to be a couple, so I'm sure it's fine for just a few good friends to take advantage of the opportunity. Surely no one would make any ridiculous assumptions about us.

[He smiles back at Xichen. Not that he's oblivious to the effects of sharing emotions between a Bond, especially around the full moon. But the lines are a bit blurry here, with affectionate gestures common between native Bonded regardless of relationship status. And at least no-one here is going to take offence if their hands should touch at some point. Just keep it low-key as always in public and it should be fine.]

I don't think it was so long ago that I saw someone asking on the network the other day for a Bond, in a businesslike sort of arrangement. I suppose we're fortunate -- ah, Allura, didn't you say you were colleagues, before you both found yourself here?

[He asks curiously, glancing up from the menu he was starting to peruse.]

Edited 2020-10-10 23:51 (UTC)

Do you think that it will follow us?

[If they can bring crystals out of the dreams, then maybe that dark presence can follow them out as well. And do worse. He felt that presence watching them in the city, but couldn't pick up anything about it. Was it a living creature? A spirit? He frowns slightly, leaning closer to Jin Guangyao for comfort of his own.]

I knew it was only a dream, but it hurt to see them again. I thought if I did, I would be happy.

[There is something tight in his throat as he says that. A wire pulled inside him.]

[She flushes warm, fingers fiddling with the napkin to unfold it and place it in her lap.] I misspoke. Rather that any group of two would be a couple, wouldn't it? A pair.

[Not that's she's thinking about her and Keith as a couple at all nope! Luckily Jin is polite enough to move the conversation forward and she nods enthusiastically, falling back into the comfort of being a good conversationalist.]

Yes. Keith and I... well we did not come from the same planet. But we fought together before we came here.

[Literally and figuratively.]

[ Once the coast seems clear conversationally speaking, Keith turns his attention back to the table. ]

Well there definitely are a lot of pairs around.

[ What a helpful word, that. You could be a pair of just about anything and it doesn't have to mean anything. Which is precisely where he's going to keep it before he dwells on the topic for too long and winds up making himself nervous again about this outing that is very obviously devoid of meaning. Clearing his throat, he picks up a menu and starts scanning down the list. ]

Yeah. It was a strange introduction. Allura thought we were trespassing and grabbed Lance by the ears. [ There's small huff of amusement. ] Feels like years ago.

[ A beat. ]

How'd you two meet?

[It still strikes him as a strange, amazing concept to travel between planets. Lan Xichen perks up, shyness momentarily forgotten as he looks eagerly between Keith and Allura.]

Ah, so you are comrades on the battlefield. You must have a strong relationship. If you are from different places, getting used to the different customs must have been exciting.

[Is he imagining a bit more in that misunderstanding Keith describes? An exotic meeting leading to tension, but then romance? Well... okay, yes. A little. He gives Jin Guangyao a brief smirk.]

Our meeting was much less exciting. A-Yao found me on the street. He must have thought I was a stray dog and took me with him out of pity.

Xichen, you threaten to stretch our friends' imaginations so hard they might break, to imagine someone like yourself in such a state.

[Jin Guangyao replies with amusement of his own. Lan Xichen was so handsome and refined of character, clearly, who could think of even making the comparison to a dog of any sort.

The self-deprecating way of putting it does helps cover the difficult circumstances of war that led to their meeting, though.]

I was honoured to host him at my home during a troubled time many years ago, and our acquaintance only grew from there.

[He explains, as much of an explanation as that is.]

Ah, the issue of customs is a curious one. Xichen brings up a good question. Of course things are different here, but between two planets of another place, is it so different?

Yes.

[Allura says quickly, then flushes, wondering if maybe she spoke too quickly.]

Rather, I have never been to Earth, and no human has visited Altea.

[Of that she was certain, considering humans were still figuring out how to create tools from iron when the Altean kingdom fell. But this isn't the time nor place for that kind of talk.]

But there was quite a learning curve for both of us. Why, we don't even share the same measures of time.

Edited 2020-10-12 23:05 (UTC)

[ Keith watches the knowing look the two of them exchange, setting the menu back down on the table. Scooting a bit further back on his chair, his posture relaxes a little. As brief as the explanation may have been, elements of it remind him vaguely of how Shiro had taken him in which immediately casts their relationship into a familiar light. Or so it would seem for now, anyway. ]

Yeah, it took a bit of getting used to. There were a lot of random things that apparently really took off on Altea that weren't that big on Earth. Like indoor ziplines and sporks.

[ Did the Alteans just have some enormous retro phase? Who knows.... Keith certainly doesn't know. He shoots Allura a brief look as if to say care to explain?<.i> then turns his attention to the two seated across from him. ]

Still. Guess the fact that there were still some similarities goes to show we're not all that different.

What do you mean- sporks? Oh. You mean our Foons.

[It takes her a few moments to remember the word the humans kept using for her far superior eating utensil. She holds up one of the restaurants provided forks, gesturing to it with her free hand like it's something out of the ordinary.]

I still don't understand why you would not just combine them into one utensil...

Ah, what is that?

[They seem to be referring to the same thing, but he has no idea what either of those words are. They don't sound familiar at all.]

Foons? Ziplines? Are these tools of your world?

[And if Keith is, by this context, a human, then are they things that other people use all the time? From Lan Xichen's perspective, the two of them seem to be discussing some esoteric and mysterious practices, but the tone is so casual that it couldn't be that.]

Are they as grand as your flying ships?

[Ah. She suddenly feels on the spot. Obviously she's the most alien one here, so it makes sense, but still she feels a spotlight on her.]

Oh, they're not so grand. The castleship is a feat of modern Altean engineering. A foon is just something you use to eat with. Like a-

[She gestures to the utensil in her hand, then, looking over to Keith,]

What is this one called again? The pointy one.

[ Keith struggles to keep a straight face when Allura corrects him on "spork," looking as though he might be biting the inside of his lip while Lan asks his questions. ]

That's -- [ He clears his throat. ] A fork. Sporks are what you get when you stick fork tines onto the end of a spoon so you can eat soup and stab your food with one utensil. ] A beat. ] Except if you're Altean, I guess.

[ Allura gets the tiniest nudge with his elbow. ]

Ziplines are long stretches of cable that have handles that you can grab onto and slide down the cable from. People used to do that for fun back in the day, but they're pretty old fashioned by now.

[Jin Guangyao seems just as mystified as his friend, glancing back at Lan Xichen for a moment in search of any understanding of these strange things that he himself might have missed.

But the important thing is they're all having a pleasant time.]

Is it to entertain those who cannot fly, then?

[When the server comes by he points out a light meat and vegetable dish for himself after a casual glance at the menu.]

Even if the utensils are odd, hopefully the food is less so.

Or you could just use a foon and complete the same takes with one tool.

[She nudges Keith back with her elbow, smile edging on just a little bit silly. Then, remembering herself when the waiter comes, she clears her throat, sitting up taller. Blushing slightly when she realized she hasn't picked out a meal yet, she points to something with an attractive picture on the menu. How did she end up not being the most polite and refined person at this table? ~~She must be getting used to dining with the humans.~~]

It is to help get from one place to another. My castle is very large and if the paladins had to run to their lions, the war would already by over by the time they arrived.

[Xichen has no idea what to make of the whole utensil discussion. It sounds very mysterious and out of his depth. And if other planets are concerned, he has even less of a chance of understanding such debates on what is better for efficiency. However, there is something that he picks up from Keith and Allura's interactions. His eyes go to Jin Guangyao's, head inclining slightly as he glances back briefly to the pair and back to his friend again. True, that could just be some playful nudging on their part, but he's wondering if the couples discount isn't entirely off.

He orders a salad. It seems... right? Anyway, who needs food when there are other matters to distract him with.]

Then, do you think you two could show us sometime? I would like to see these ziplines myself. There must be many things like this the two of you have shared together. They sound wonderful.

[ It's probably a blessing in disguise that Keith misses that look that Lan and Jin exchange because he's momentarily busy ordering a pasta dish. Since completing his transformation, he no longer has to eat normal food, but it still tastes good even if it isn't nourishing. After emphasizing an allergy to garlic, he turns back to the conversation at hand. ]

I wonder what it'd take to set up a zipline here....

[ He looks thoughtful about that. Probably wouldn't be that hard with magic involved. If nothing else, a zipline from the roof to the pool absolutely sounds like something Lance would have insisted on if he'd been anywhere in earshot of this conversation. ]

What do the two of you do for fun back home?

[closed] October catch-all

Post-nightmares: for Lan Xichen

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Totally Not Double Date Just Good Bonded Friends [for Allura, Keith, Lan Xichen]

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I'm sorry this tag is dumb

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