Untamed/MDZS catch-all

[ze_uwu_jun]

WHO: The Untamed / MDZS cast and friends (enemies, etc)
WHERE: Anywhere, everywhere, including their assigned lodgings and around all towns
WHEN: March
WHAT: Catch-all because the emotions never end
WARNINGS: The Untamed / Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation / Mo Dao Zu Shi spoilers; canon-typical violence; event-typical violence. Will add more if it becomes necessary

ooc: Go forth and do the things as they come.

Comments

Some Things are Better in Person (@Miu)

[gusumouthcannon]

The device that Jingyi had just sent a message on to Miu goes back into the pouch at his waist. There was too much to say and he cannot say it all when it is just as easy to use rush to a Porter and make his way in person to where he needs to be.

"I am here!" Jingyi shouts at the house that Hanguang-Jun and the others live in, the one that he had snuck out of with Miu the night before. He is overwarm from rushing here without being able to fly on his sword and very concerned that even though Hanguang-Jun might have shown up to protect Miu, that she had gotten hurt when he failed to keep the shadows from her.

[blackwaterchild]

While she had been reasonably sure she was actually texting with Jingyi. Sure she'd informed Wangji immediately, but it's not until she hears his voice that she truly believes it and that's what propels her out the door.

There's a half second pause as she clarifies, yes, it's Jingyi, yes he's there. And then she's literally flinging herself bodily into his arms, throwing her own around his neck with a strangled cry of disbelief.

She's more or less okay--bruises and minor cuts, but nothing that looks like there's lasting damage.

[gusumouthcannon]

Knowing that Miu had been typing to him, that she said she was okay, that she'd been rescued, was very much not the same as being able to see her with his own eyes and touch her with his own hands. Even better for his guilt, she is still running fast and does not appear badly injured as she flies from the house and into the yard to meet him.

He catches her and half-lifts her off the ground, almost light-headed from relief.

"I am very sorry!" is the only thing out of his mouth before he presses his cheek against her hair. He might not have left her behind of his own volition, but he had left her behind. Though he had come back, fully alive with only time missing, this also came with the feeling that he should still be reaching for her and, if he did not, something horrible would certainly happen. If she had been badly hurt because of his mistake...

He does not put her down.

Doggy Duck Hunting: Locked to JGY then LWJ

[yilingdaddy]

Wei Wuxian is getting a little more comfortable with this whole changing into a dog thing. He uses it every so often, with Jiang Cheng, with Lan Zhan...Only Lan Zhan knows it's him, and he fully intends to keep it that way.

Today is a nice enough day that he even goes out and transforms (though was still extremely careful with transforming only when completely alone) with the intention of playing out in the park. He knows there's a pond there, and that ducks like to wander around.

He just didn't put two and two together as, to the eyes of anyone else who's come upon him will see the small black dog running after some ducks with a happy bark.

Running...running...

Then vanish into the water that appears through the surface algae. A moment later and the small head bursts to the surface and the small dog struggles to keep it above water, but is making no headway in getting back to land.

>:3

[dazzlingdream]

Wei Wuxian has impeccable luck! Someone sees his struggle and moves quickly to help. There is no way Meng Yao will enter that dirty water himself, however he does make use of a small boat. After rowing over to the small dog, he pushes up his sleeves and pulls Wei Wuxian to safety.

"You're safe. It's alright." he strokes over the poor drenched creature, "I'll get you nice and clean."

Then maybe Jin Ling will like to meet a new little friend? Come to think of it, Meng Yao has been thinking about getting a pet...

[yilingdaddy]

Best worst luck!

The little dog goes limp in Meng Yao's hands, panting for breath. And then exactly who has rescued him sinks in and it's all he can do to not give himself away by reacting.

There should be time to escape soon...

Training OTA

[yilingdaddy]

Ever since Wei Wuxian had gotten his sword back, and has returned from being emotionless, he's been doing a bit extra training. Even outside the daily lessons the Juniors receive. He's more serious about regaining what skill he'd lost in the time since he'd lost his core, more serious than he'd been since he'd gained that mastery and had let himself slack off.

Attempts at meditating is still left to when surrounded by the others and at the room shared with Lan Zhan, and he's slowly regaining a peace of mind that had been lacking since he'd given his core to his brother. Still difficult. Still a challenge. But he knows it's a necessary thing to work on.

In addition, he does a lot of work retraining his body in the Jiang sword-style, eyes closed in concentration but not unaware of his surroundings. He'd be a fool not to be, but he's also the sort of cultivator who doesn't need to use his eyes to know what's around him. He's not afraid to prove it, either. Such as now.

>|

[angrygrape]

It had been difficult to adjust since he arrived in this world. Everything was strange and he was learning his way around while trying to look after his nephew. There was a lot that he was still processing about what he had learned when he had arrived and he wasn't sure what to do with any of it.

He had only been to Jeopardy briefly so he wanted to explore while he could. He wasn't sure what he expected but running into his older brother was not something that he could have predicted. He watched him for a moment before drawing his sword.

"Your technique is sloppy."

That was all the warning Wuxian got before he drew his own sword attacked him.

/gnaw

[yilingdaddy]

It's more warning than he'd have expected from his brother when the man hates him. But the words themselves have him pout as he blocks, eyes opening to give Jiang Cheng a proper sulk.

So what if he's also extremely delighted by the simple fact his brother is here, and at least willing to spar with him. "That's what happens when you've barely touched a sword in a couple years." He shoots back before launching into a flurry of strikes and the whirling dance of a fight.

But not to kill. Or seriously harm.

And of course he also looks his younger brother over, checking to see how he's doing today without having to ask.

Tea and Art [Jiang Cheng]

[dazzlingdream]

He sits at an open air cafe, a large book opened before him as he sips on his favorite, fragrant tea. Each page features famous pieces of artwork and some of the details surrounding them. He knows better than to think one book will be enough to inform him. He will need many more, but he trusts he can memorize what he needs to know.

His communicator is resting beside him - he had sent a message a few minutes before and now he awaits a response.

Sandu Shengshou, we have much to discuss. Meet me in De Chima at [name/address of cafe].

[angrygrape]

He doesn't bother to respond to the text. Meng Yao has overstepped himself by asking for a meeting but he knows that this is for Jin Ling so he'll go.

He'll at least hear what Meng Yao has to say. For now.

It takes him longer than he will admit to find the cafe since he's still learning his way around the city. He didn't stop to ask for directions since he wasn't going to ask for any help. When he arrived opposite of Meng Yao, frowning. He had promised not to kill Meng Yao but that didn't mean he wouldn't remove an arm if he was so inclined.

"Speak."

[dazzlingdream]

Is he surprised that it takes him overly long to find the cafe? No. The other man is as stubborn as they come. However he makes use of the time, ordering Jiang Cheng the tea he favored and some muffins. They are rather addictive treats!

Closing the book when at last the man arrives, Meng Yao rises and gives him a respectful bow. Then he sits again and tilts his head at the order.

Very well.

"Jin Ling has made his choice regarding his contact with me. I don't want him to feel pressured or ashamed to do otherwise."

Another breakdown: Closed to Lan Wangji

[yilingdaddy]

Two months. One would think memories, dreams, nightmares would fade some in that time, given proper care to body and spirit.

No. Hanging by a thread. Treading water. Walking the narrow path that just keeps crumbling with each step.

It's just around the time Lan Zhan usually wakes (and, lately, the time Wei Ying also wakes) for training and the usual daily routine of Gusu Lan. Wuxian wakes just a little early with a shriek and flash of dark energy, body thrashing and seizing as he seems to be attacked from within.

But is he fully awake? Unlikely. Eyes squeezed shut, head thrashing about with the rest of his body. Uncontrollably.

[secondjade]

He had been rousing already, the early dawn breaking both outside and in his mind, the rigid sleep schedule working its magic. It didn't compare to the way he jerked suddenly upright when he feels the bed jolt around him as Wei Ying shrieks, before a foot finds his shins and an elbow find his side.

His breath comes short as he immediately scrambles to grab flailing limbs, to try to pin Wei Ying down before he can hurt himself.

"Wei Ying," he whispered, his voice rough with worry and sleep. "Centre--"

[yilingdaddy]

Even when pinned to the bed, his head continues to jerk wildly, breathing too fast, too harsh as his limbs attempt to jerk free of their confines. Wuxian doesn't seem to hear him for once though, face wet and contorted in pain.

As with every time before, since they'd come here though, while Wei Wuxian is attacked...Lan Wangji is left alone. Wind tugs at Wuxian's hair and sleep robes as the dark energy takes form and teases all over his body, making him struggle to lash out with each movement.

After Lessons

[snowsparksjr]

Jin Ling left shortly after the start of lessons when he found out that his uncle was missing. After some angry texting and trying to problem solve his uncle's idiocy for a bit and then fuming generally about it, Jin Ling returned to the park at the end of their usual lesson time, taking a seat on a bench instead of returning to the lesson space. Arms crossed and glare merciless, he waited for the lesson to wrap up so that he could yell at Hanguang-Jun alone.

[secondjade]

Wangji hadn’t said a word when he left. If anything, he wanted the boy to go. Wei Wuxian loved his nephew. Maybe the boy could reach him when Wangji could not.

He got through the lesson barely saying three words, and spent the usual fifteen minutes clearing their gear to bring it back to his house and prepare it for the next day.

The fact that he didn’t notice Jin Ling waiting until everyone else was gone was telling to just how far away his mind was.

He paused.

“Young Master Jin.” He had no doubt as to what this would be about.

[snowsparksjr]

"You going to answer questions now?" Jin Ling asks as he storms up, Fairy at his side. All of his usual respectfulness is gone, which is another reason why he waited until lessons were done. He is not here as Hanguang-Jun's student. He's here as Wei Wuxian's nephew. "Where is he? What happened?"

Running into Lan Xichen

[yilingdaddy]

Even just a few days pouring his heart out at his brother has expelled a lot of the poison that's been tugging at Wei Wuxian. He's not quite ready to return to Lan Zhan, but he knows...hopes...the other man will let him back when he is.

And with that hope in mind, he'd gone shopping, and found a couple cute things that reminded him of...well. Both of them. And delivered them to Lan Zhan, though took extra pains not to go when the other man was likely to be there.

He's still dressed in the simple, plain tunic and robes that Jiang Cheng had bought for him. But as careful as he's trying to be to not be seen by most people, as he's heading back to the Porter to return to his brother's...

He almost literally runs into Lan Xichen. He grimaces guiltily before cupping his hands before him and bowing to the older man. "...Zewu-Jun," he murmurs.

[ze_uwu_jun]

Xichen is... definitely running even more exhausted than before the heartless thing happened, and he was already pushing it at that point, but his gaze is clear and his hands steady as he keeps the younger man from bowing too low.

"Young master Wei. You are unhurt?"

No where have you been. Not even why did you leave. He knows far too well that a heart that chose to leave the world of the living can't return to it so easily.

[yilingdaddy]

He should have expected this from Lan Xichen, but it still is a bit of a surprise. Wuxian straightens, studying the older man with growing concern of his own.

But he also doesn't mention it, only shaking his head slightly.

"I'm-" fine, wants to slip out, being his usual answer to that question when things aren't fine. "Better." Still not good, but more truthful.

Tea time [locked to Meng Yao]

[lanofsizhui]

After he finished teaching his archery class, Sizhui bids his students' good-bye and dismissed them. It's closing time. He cleans up the gym, closed down the shop, and puts the locks in place.

He then leads Meng Yao to the tea bobble shop that is just around the corner. It's a quaint tea shop that sells a variety of milk tea and coffee. "I'm going to order a bubble milk tea. Do you like anything on the menu?"

<3

[dazzlingdream]

This child is sweet and Meng Yao can see hints of the Cultivators that likely raised or influenced him. He helps where he can and then follows Sizhui, smiling a little at the question.

"I think I will try it too." he glances over the menu and adds, "What about some muffins? You have been working hard."

Memory Maker (@Jingyi)

[blackwaterchild]

[All Miu had wanted to do was show off a little.VR headsets for gaming were starting to become a thing in her time period, so this, while certainly a more advanced version than what she was used to, is at least familiar. She’d been eager to grab a pair of the glasses to try and, after making sure she knew what to do, had set about Putting them on Jingyi to show them off.

It had gone well enough at first, until whatever power surge or whatever had sliced through the exhibits and the people. Miu’s abilities didn’t react well to this at all, especially since she’d instantly clung onto Jingyi’s arm to keep herself steady when dizziness had hit her so suddenly. The sudden drag into memories hadn’t been at all planned, and Miu at first had thought it was dragging out Jingyi’s memories (what in the world would be traumatizing enough for her ability to find and pull out in Jingyi?) when it becomes clear that it’s actually her own memories.

It’s jumble of her memories, mashed up with each other. Miu in a half-submerged room of dead women who begin to rise as once when she awakens and moves. Instead of fear she simply seems annoyed with them up. She escapes, up until she’s dragged into one of the sacrificial caskets in an ornate altar room.

Another change, brief— a girl about Miu’s age pulling her from a casket, Miu weakened and dazed, leaning against the other girl and murmuring something near-unintelligible about finding her mother.

Another— Miu trying to open another casket, but an old woman in white appearing suddenly at her side, sending her yelping to the floor. ”The person you are seeking..They have already taken part of a Ghost Marriage. You should rejoice, young lady. You should fear nothing, child. For you, as a Shadowborn... You, too, must fulfill your duty and become a sacred Pillar.” Miu scowls at the suggestion and climbs to her feet, clearly ready to fight—

When the images come to a stop and still, Miu’s legs give out on her and she kneels heavily on the ground, hissing in displeasure and pain.]

Wh-what the hell—?

[gusumouthcannon]

[Last time at the swear-in had been fun! Jingyi had wagered away a cupcake or two, met some new people, and fought a ridiculous quantity of tiny shadow creatures. Even with the benefit of hindsight on said shadow creatures, he still has a fond recollection of it. So he does not want to miss this swearing in either.

Miu's enthusiasm only makes it better. He finds it very nice to be shown things by her. VR proves to be both fascinating and disorienting and he is having a great time until everything goes very wrong.

He does not know what is going on, he just knows that he's experiencing something utterly terrifying and that he recognizes Miu while he is doing so. This is a night terror; he is paralyzed as he sees these things happening, and the zing of horror that these dead things are menacing him/Miu/them both is not sufficient to allow him to break freak.

Fear pools in his chest, and a desperate need to take Miu and run, which is the opposite of what he knows to do. What he's trained to do. But he cannot draw his sword. He cannot fling himself away from the old woman who appears from nowhere to speak horrifying words he only half understands the meaning of. There is no room to fight, only close corridors and stone walls and black water.

By the time the visions release him, he's trembling with adrenaline and his first instinct is to draw his sword. The ring of it seems too loud in his ears, and he whips around, hyperalert, to find only VR and other afflicted people. No ghosts. Nothing to fight. There is only Miu on her knees.]

That was you!

[He is not ready to drop his sword just yet, and the point trembles as he tries to cope with the flood of images he has just seen.]

Was that real?