middaeg | [OPEN] My lungs still breathe, my mind still fears

Entry tags:

mdzs: lan xichen

[OPEN] My lungs still breathe, my mind still fears

Who: Lan Xichen and you!
When: Forward dated to 2/15 and beyond
Where: Here and there in various places
What: Quests and adventures
Warnings: one NSFW option

Ia. I'm running with the wolves

[ Confronted with the disaster that just happened, Lan Xichen has not returned home for days. He's traveling deeper and deeper into the Wilde, with no real direction or plan, seeking out places where the Cwyld has taken root so that he can cleanse them. Getting out of the city and away from others at first seems helpful, but as time passes, Lan Xichen begins to regret that decision.

It begins when he runs out of provisions. That alone wouldn't be too much of a problem, but after a day of hunting and failing to catch any prey, his frustration builds. After a second unsuccessful day with only a few scattered plants and roots to forage from, the man becomes more unhappy. The situation really hits a low when, hungry and tired, the cultivator finds himself facing an equally hungry and irritable pack of wild dogs. With night creeping in, the dark fur of the beasts stretches out like smoke and clouds, melting at the ends. One stalks too close and Xichen swings his sword at it, only to meet empty air as the creature vanishes into a shadow, reappearing out of the darkness behind him like a phantom, reforming and lunging with a growl.

He only barely manages to dive away, throwing himself to the ground, which brings the other shadow hounds closer, drooling darkness with their anticipation of feasting.

Yeah, this was a bad idea. ]

Ib. When it rains, FUCK IT.

[ A week or so into his trip, Lan Xichen is looking much worse for wear. He's injured and still hungry, although he's had at least a little success on his hunting trips. One night, he lights a fire, cooking a newly caught fish and trying to seek solace in the warmth. He's just about gotten the fish cooked when a rumble sounds overhead and the scattered drops of water begin, heralding in a massive downpour. As if reflecting the anger of the weather, Lan Xichen's generally calm and passive expression tenses, causing the magical energy around him to shift and the fire to surge upward toward the sky aggressively. How dare you. If other travelers or campers are with him, he immediately draws a breath, forcing himself to smile. ]

Ah, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention...

II. Who needs gravity, anyway?

[ Up on a rooftop in the city, sometimes a shop or sometimes one of the factory buildings of the harbor district, Lan Xichen is perched high above the ground. He seems comfortable up there, testing the wind and occasionally pacing to check the potential runway he's using. Then, once he's satisfied, he draws his sword and begins casting a spell into it. He pushes as much energy as he can into the weapon, making the area around and beneath him shiver with the effort as the magic absorbs into the blade. Then, he takes three big strides and leaps off the edge, pulling the sword back and beneath him. He drops at first, but then the current builds under him and he lifts up, riding the blade as it balances on the air. ]

Ah! It worked!

[ And of course at that point he drops down again. Help? ]

III. Playing with shiny things (sexy stuff optional)

[ The pop up shops naturally caught Lan Xichen's attention. Curious and always happy to try new things, he thought nothing of buying some of the charming jewelry offered by the vendors. Especially when they promised helpful enchantments like protection and improving one's magic. He didn't expect the small silver chain tucked under his robes to become such an issue. After wearing it for some time, Lan Xichen noticed too well how it brushed against his skin, almost tickling the inside of his wrist. A little longer and that awareness grew, making his body feel warmer under the layers of cloth and giving him small spikes of pleasure as he walks along the quieter paths, looking at the moonlight reflect off of the smooth stones at night.

Halfway on his route to get tea, Lan Xichen almost changes his mind. His face is flushed and carefully hiding his discomfort, eyes cast down to avoid catching anyone's gaze and embarrassing himself. If he accidentally brushes against someone--just a slight touch of his arm or shoulder in passing--he makes a startled noise, tripping over his own steps and panting breathless apologies. ]

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be so careless... you're not hurt, are you?

[ Nevermind that he probably didn't really crash into them. He's taking every small moment of contact pretty hard at the moment. ]

[ooc: Last prompt can either be sexy or just cuddly, I'm open to go with whatever. Make it awkward and hilarious? Also if you want to do a different thing, feel free to toss a new starter in here and I'll roll with it. Or you can plot more with me at

teaandreveries.]

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[Momo is still, in a sense, recovering from the events of earlier in the month, though it's getting harder and harder to see in his visible presence. He's starting to take up the same space he usually does with his exuberance, though there might still be something a touch diminished about it, a slight sense that he's becoming comfortable with it again. After everything he'd done under the influence of brainwashing, he'd wanted to take up as little space as possible and do nothing but apologise.

Which is almost what he does when he bumps into Lan Xichen, though the other man beats him to it - and once Momo gets a good look at him, the apology sort of shrivels up in favour of concern. His answer seems as bright as ever, though.]

No, I'm fine. But...are you okay? [The panting is...well. Momo has seen the jewellery and some of its effects by this point already, so he has a sneaking suspicion what it might be.] You seem kinda distracted.

Ah, yes, I'm... fine.

[Even saying that feels ridiculous. He's embarrassed by the warmth and unprompted desire that his body is betraying him with. Why now? Lan Xichen has never had trouble controlling himself. As a responsible and well-bred Lan, he had no trouble with focus and meditation. Usually even bigger distractions didn't take hold of him like this.

He huffs a breath, smiling at Momo with a thin expression.]

Mm, I suppose I am a bit distracted, but I'm sure it will pass.

[He almost hurries to assure Momo of that, or perhaps to assure himself.]

[The tone and the expression are fairly telling, even without Momo's honed abilities at reading body language. But he gives the other man a rather pointed once over for a moment or two, before he turns his attention back to his face with a bit of a furrowed brow.]

Humour me, but you haven't bought any new jewellery recently, have you? Or another kind of accessory.

[He knows those goblins don't necessarily deal in strictly jewellery, so he figures he'd better cover his bases on that one. Since he's needed some distractions that weren't particularly high-risk since the kidnappings, he might've brought home one or two items from there without touching them directly in order to experiment on removing the enchantments.]

Jewelry? [Well, he hadn't really thought about it, but now that Momo says something, the problem did start after he had worn that new chain for a while. It was such a minor thing that he had already disregarded it as a coincidence.]

Yes, not too long ago I bought something, but it was for protection.

[That is doing absolutely nothing for the position of Momo's brows right now, though his expression does shift mildly to something almost bordering sympathetic.]

Where did you buy it from, exactly? There's been a problem lately with people being sold fake protective items that are actually cursed.

[Which Momo only really knows because he's been sticking his nose into it and knows how to counterspell in order to mostly avoid running foul of it himself.]

[ considering the horrific misadventures of the last month, viren knows better than to travel too deeply into the wilde. what draws him is the warmth of the weather, really, and that there tends to be both fewer witches and monsters about - having taken to avoiding the general populace as of late. though his visage is still marked by bruises and cuts, he's cleaned himself up at least with reinstating his glamour. ]

[ he hadn't been travelling with the group, not really, but the fire draws him nearer to it. he's just pulling out a second coat, one that's imbued with a water repelling charm, when the fire surges. he doesn't step away in fear, but, eyes rounded, looks to it in awe. ]

[ when it settles down, he gets a better look at the apparent culprit. he gestures, ]

No, please. Continue.

[ perhaps not the best of ideas, due to the proximity of any trees - but. no one can argue that a forest fire isn't warm. ]

[ As Viren looks his way, Lan Xichen at first looks ashamed of his slip, but when he meets the encouragement instead of criticism, he collects himself and hesitantly steps closer. His eyes search Viren's, trying to discern if the dragon is serious or just making fun of his small bout of anger. ]

Continue to... burn things?

[ To stoke the fire or to be angry? He's not entirely sure which Viren means at first, but being allowed to do either without judgment is honestly refreshing. Even his Bonded would probably be disappointed in seeing the Lan Sect Leader act so impulsively. ]

Yes. The fire.

[ viren answers, simply, leaning now against a tree. he slowly slides down against it, so that he eventually comes to a rest to sit in the dirt. though his wings are tightly furled, they open marginally to cover over his shoulders, like one might a throw blanket. ]

[ his eyebrows lift, and with some-albeit distracted-inquisitiveness, ]

Unless that really had been an accident?

[ Lan Xichen starts to answer, but stops as the first word reaches his lips. He swallows it back, changing his mind, and looks from the fire that has died back to its normal steady glow to Viren. ]

It was not an accident, but it was not intentional.

[ Life is very complicated. More than usual, as Xichen is starting to find that gray line between innocent mistakes and willful rebellion. He hesitates, then concentrates on the flames, pouring out some of his energy so that they rise higher again, licking at the sky angrily. His expression remains quiet, but his eyes are sharper than usual. ]

Are you cold?

[ the dragon is quiet for a moment, reflecting on that response; his gaze flicks over the witch, assessing his appearance (expression, mostly) - he couldn't definitively say whether he's the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he can at least acknowledge what's in front of him. ]

[ viren gathers his knees closer to his chest. there's a slight narrowing of his eyes, a brief lift of his shoulders. he squeezes his knees, a futile attempt at redistributing some of his warmth. ]

[ he decides not to affirm that, verbally, and instead, ]

Something wrong, Lan Xichen?

[ The fire waves and flickers with the pull of Lan Xichen's emotions, almost answering the question without words. At first, the witch doesn't know how to respond, but as he watches Viren huddle up against the elements, he finds the same chill rises up in him for different reasons. ]

I suppose it is. [ If things turned out the way they did, then they must have been going wrong for a while. ]

My friend and I recently have found we do not agree on important matters.

[ well — that's not an unfamiliar feeling. viren seems to raise his shoulders defensively at the very thought, reminiscing of harrow and everything unpleasant that would naturally follow from disagreement. ]

"Important matters" can encompass many things.

[ —but thoughts of a former king are neither here nor there. viren's mouth sets into a frown, bearing a contemplative look at the witch. the tip of his tail twitches before it snugly wraps about the soles of his boots. he tries to savor what heat from the fire that he can, forcing aching muscles to relax by gradual degrees. ]

Such as?

Yes... I suppose that is the trouble.

[ What is important to one person might not necessarily be the same to another. And even if they agree on certain priorities, how can any two people really manage to understand each other in all the different ways they perceive things? It's actually more impressive that they don't disagree all the time, as different as everyone is. Lan Xichen sighs, letting the heat of the fire drift out from the flames with a slow movement of his hand, carrying it with magic toward Viren's resting spot, encouraging it to flow out even further. ]

For instance, how one should treat their rivals. Those that may become a challenge, or whether or not they do, are complicated questions. Often I feel it is better not to seek out trouble where it has not occurred, but I know that is not necessarily always best. However, [ His voice grows a bit tighter and the flames rise again. ] if I am given absolutely no choice, how can I even argue that point? I cannot even say if a problem might have been avoided if we're the ones that make it so. That sort of action goes too far.

[ He's a bit too gentle, it's true, but being launched into a fight without any control at all is also an extreme measure. Xichen is still sour about being tricked. ]

[ viren, for all of his flaws, at least does listen, reflecting on that - the witch's take it on it all isn't surprising, from what he knows. his eyebrow lifts as he hugs his knees closer to his chest. spoken sincerely, ]

I'm... not quite sure that I follow all of that, without context.

[ context may not be incredibly helpful, though, considering lan xichen seems just as uncertain. ]

But it sounds as if you feel responsible for your friend's actions. [ the unspoken inquiry being why? ]

It is difficult to follow with or without knowledge.

[ He certainly doesn't fully understanding the need to murder people that aren't trying to hurt others. He doesn't even like making enemies of those that do try, because everyone has their own reasons. Lan Xichen believes that negotiation is the best option. He instead pushes some magic forward, through the fire and toward Viren so that the warmth travels like a current over to him. ]

He is my friend. We are connected, so if he does wrong, isn't it my responsibility to set him on the right path? I am his senior.

[ Being an older brother is hard. Although it's certainly become more than that. ]

I do not wish to watch him destroy himself. That is too painful.

[ this is beginning to sound more familiar.

but that it sounds familiar doesn't make it any simpler. the warmth that's carried his way has his muscles relaxing, pleasantly so, the heavy weight of the cold lifting with the renewed heat. but he doesn't allow himself to be distracted from his ruminations. ]

If he's that intent on destroying himself [ - which viren thinks this mystery individual must have at least considered, ultimately, if he's to continue along that path ], then appealing to reason, or just for his own sake, isn't going to be effective.

[ his failure in convincing harrow to choose life, though not rooted in a sense of what would be morally correct, told him as much. ]

You either allow it to happen, keeping by his side in the meanwhile, or take away his choice entirely.

[Unfortunately, Red Wine isn't really in a position to be able to help with the falling. Or the landing. He grimaces slightly as he watches, silently questioning the wisdom of having started from such a height, but at least he doesn't laugh.

Instead, he offers Lan Xichen a hand up from the ground.]

That was impressive.

[Impressive to a point, at least. The fall was impressive in its own way.]

[Thankfully, as a cultivator who has in his younger years seen the battlefield, Lan Xichen is used to some rough landing. He could have been more graceful, certainly, and falling like that would probably have sent his uncle into a fit if he had seen his nephew jumping off of rooftops and acting like a wild child, but Xichen smiles as he gratefully accepts Red Wine's hand and gets to his feet again.]

Ahaha, thank you. It was not as strong a spell as I wanted, but I think I'm learning how to channel it properly.

[Despite his scrapes and poor dirt-smudged white outfit, he looks pleased with himself.]

It's difficult with this kind of magic. I suppose that is why so few Witches fly.

It was fascinating to see, while it was working.

[He will at least offer that small boost, if the man needs something to slightly balm his pride. Red Wine thinks he appears pleased enough with how it went despite his landing. He looks up at the spot where Lan Xichen chose to take off from.]

You didn't think it might be best to start closer to the ground?

[Say... at the top of some steps, or a fence post?]

Mm, I need more practice, but don't you think it is very convenient?

[When it works. He's getting ahead of himself a bit, but after managing to hold the spell, Xichen is optimistic. He laughs lightly, looking up at the roof where he just leaped from.]

But if I were to begin too low, it would be harder to catch the wind. There is more momentum from higher up.

[That... is one way to think about it.]

Undoubtedly.

[And undoubtedly dangerous if it fails, but he can see the appeal of being able to fly around like that. The laugh draws out a wry smile from the vampire, the sound immediately infectious.]

A good point, and well made.

[At least he's thought it through?]

Were I a witch myself I might offer to assist.

[Reckless abandon is something he has rarely, perhaps never, really embraced. Now that Lan Xichen is alone, feeling lost and cut from almost all of the comforts he held close to him, a little danger and foolish risk feels like the only place to turn. There is a sense of freedom in going against what he knows is good and safe.]

Ah, young master, may I ask what your powers are?

[It's probably not a great idea to ask what type of monster his new acquaintance is, but of course Lan Xichen is curious. He might call Red Wine a ghost, but no one he has spoken to yet has been a ghost of any sort.]

[He looks slightly surprised by the question. Even before his transformations here had begun he could have been easily taken for a vampire, and no one has ever done him the courtesy of not simply assuming that that is what he is.]

Anything you might expect to come along with vampirism.

[Turning into mist, the power of suggestion, all of those fun things... just with the difficult payoff of always feeling nauseous in sunlight.

Well, he never did like standing in the sun that much anyway.]

I don't think there's anything in my current repertoire that could help you.

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[OPEN] My lungs still breathe, my mind still fears

iii, if you're good with it momo can try to counterspell it for him? (and also probably laugh)

That sounds great!

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ib

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ii (hope the assumption that he 'landed' is ok!)

Absolutely! Sorry for the delay!

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