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awashlogs2019-06-23 02:31 pm
[ Open ] FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP
WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The forest!
WHEN: Backdated to the 20th–21st
WHAT: Some knights lead an expedition into the forest to find a chicken
WARNINGS: Probably nothing…for now
[ Upon the 20th, a new message pops up on the network feed, from a certain #6363F9. ]
This is Archer. Due to the efforts of Sir Berkut and I, we have uncovered yet another clue as to the history of this realm.
Many of you might remember the sorry tale spoken of by #FFFFFF himself. We learned a great deal about that young man of Blue and the path he had taken into the forest. A few days ago, the locations of certain landmarks have been made known to us. We propose to conduct an expedition into the forest in search of the hen of legend, that we may yet find some way of learning this world’s history and perhaps prevent the forest from encroaching into town.
Needless to say, the journey will be difficult. We have need of fighters as well as healers, cooks, navigators, and others of the sort. If you wish to join, you will find us assembled at the edge of the forest north of Flavo at dawn. You may address your queries to me. Thank you.
[ And sure enough, there will be a small party already gathered at the appointed place at the dawn of the 21st. Tristan will be happy to welcome you into the group since Berkut’s going to be a sourpuss about this no matter what. :’( ]
Preparations
[ This is where everyone’s getting briefed before heading out into the forest. You’ll be given the necessary infodump as well as a few instructions.
Using the remainder of his ink, Berkut has drafted a serviceable map noting the various landmarks and overall direction, which others are free to peruse and from which they can take notes of their own. Pry the map from his cold, dead hands though (unless you're Tristan). In addition, you will be instructed to gather supplies here before heading out. Characters should bring their own food and the like, or be prepared to forage/hunt in the forest. Expecting freebies from others is poor form!
Once the preliminaries are done, you’re free to spend the remainder of this time however you wish. Offer to team up with someone, question the party leaders, find a meat shield to hide behind, draw up your own maps, or simply give the intrepid adventurers a hearty sendoff! ]
The Forest
[ The adventure begins! Though it won’t be too strictly enforced (at least where Tristan is concerned), you will be instructed to please walk in something that even halfway resembles a formation. Healers and support to the center; those with combat experience to the vanguard, rear, and flank; the works. Or don't. Berkut will only judge and not be responsible if Keigo loses his head (thus spoke Tristan, "How sad"). Maimed limbs and lost teeth are not covered by the field trip's healing insurance.
Unfortunately, the forest seen in their visions is different from the present-day location, so finding the right path won’t be easy! You might want to break up into teams to search out specific landmarks and other useful stuff as you make the trek, or help set up camp when the group takes a rest stop, or fight off whatever forest creatures happen to stumble your way! Or maybe try to liven up the trip with a little game of Eye-Spy or even outright sneak off on your own adventures! No one’s going to judge—okay, Berkut might judge a little.
Whatever the case, it’s going to take a long time and a lot of trial and error to find the clues the forest has hidden away. ]
The Destination
[ The strength of your bonds will eventually prevail, however, as you finally locate a large stone covered in strange mossy patterns. You will be informed that the site of the hen must be very near. You’ll have to suffer through a thorny, overgrown path like in the story, but hey, nothing like a trial to strengthen your bonds, right?
Of course, once you reach the fabled site of the chicken, you’ll find…nothing! Wow, that was a waste of time. Feel free to search around just in case though, or set up camp and rest for the night. It’ll be a long and grueling journey back to town. ]
OOC: As part of the ongoing event, Berkut and Tristan have combined their inks to recreate a vision based on #FFFFFF’s forum post. Further details here and here!
TL;DR version:
- There is a way to find the location of the chicken from the story, but it definitely won't be easy.
- Strong bonds with people of a lot of colors will make the search easier.
- The journey itself will probably last only a day or two, but that’s not set in stone, so feel free to fudge timelines if you want.
- The chicken won’t actually be there, though, since the conditions aren’t right for its reappearance. However, those who enter the chicken area will, according to the mods, “have a very strong sense that there WILL be something there at some point… just not yet.”
- Basically, consider this an open mingle that’s available to everyone whether or not they have CR with Tristan or Berkut. Have fun, get lost, take pictures—you do you!
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[ He lets go of Lan Zhan's hand and sits up. He can't use language the way Tristan does. Talking about "love" in such a way would only confuse the man. But of course, when it comes to Lan Zhan, words aren't important.
He lifts his arms and wraps them around the man's shoulders, pulling him into a warm embrace. No matter what the future holds for them, he feels that Lan Zhan should know that he is loved like this, as a treasured friend. One from whom he'll never be parted, by choice. ]
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Then Wei Ying holds him, and the bracing he was starting to do shatters as he takes in a sharp breath.
His entire body relaxes. Not melts, but relaxes - the tension, the fear that he had broken things too badly, that he had broken Wei Ying too badly, finally loosening its hold. Carefully, his arms come up, in turn, wrapping around Wei Ying's back, palms settled on his back. And he just... breathes. He knows there are still things to earn, but... he understands.
Good friends. Close.
Maybe it's not all that he wishes for, what a tidal wave within him craves. But it is what he is allowing himself to want, and to have it is... so, so good. ]
1/2
What had Lan Zhan said, about the immutable past and the uncertain future... but the present belongs to you.
He's been fretting, he realizes, about the future. What will happen to them? What can he do to keep from hurting the man more that he already has? But... no matter what he does or hopes for, the future is indeed beyond his control. Who can say what will happen? What they do have is now.
He has a sudden impulse, to shift his position and turn his head and capture Lan Zhan's soft lips... ]
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Lan Zhan. I'm glad you came along on this trip.
[ ...and finds one of Lan Zhan's elegant hands, and holds it in his own. Holding hands. That's what he'll do tonight. It's sweet. It's slow. It's unmistakeable evidence of affection, something a little more than brotherly friendship, and yet not so much as to overwhelm the man's emotions. ]
I'm glad you're here.
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His eyes focus on the handsome face, on beautiful light in the large eyes, and then warmth finds his palm, and he. He holds on.
He doesn't look down at their linked hands. Instead, his gaze softens, his face relaxes in small increments, as though hesitant to let go of even this shred of control. But he does. Slowly, his lips faintly curving up, he nods. ]
Mn. Glad, too. [ The hen... doesn't even cross his mind, right now. ]
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Even... even though we didn't find anything, hahahaha! Not even a regular chicken, never mind a magical one. Well, I didn't want to say anything about it in front of Sir Tristan, he feels bad enough about it already...
[ The only reason he doesn't act on his impulse is that it would probably make Lan Zhan think he was just teasing again; so, with great difficulty, he restrains himself, only pressing the man's hand a bit harder. In any case, he's too distracted to realize his error, regarding Sir Tristan's true name. ]
...but I feel we're owed some sort of bird, after coming all this way!
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[ Since coming here had to follow the path of the vision, but returning... they can explore more. Not restrained by the unknown as much.
But WangJi also considers, his eyes (not his fingers, however) tearing away from Wei Ying with difficulty and looking around the clearing. ]
Everything is still in place. If something is gone for good, this place need not have stayed the same. The hen might come back.
[ And yes, he heard the name. But he is not sure he should point out the fact. Not right now. ]
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[ Although Lan Wangji manages to look away, he does not, free to unabashedly admire the man's elegant profile. ]
I think this this hen might come back one day! We'll have to check back from time to time!
[ He won't mind. This trip has been painful, but indescribably wonderful as well. Understanding the nature of Sir Tristan's love. Starting to accept his own feelings, and those of Lan Wangji. He'll have happy memories of this place forever. ]
But if we do catch a bird, we must be certain it isn't that bird, clucking around! How shall we tell? Hmmmm, we'll have to ask its opinions, I suppose!
[ He's spouting nonsense, the fluttering in his heart translating into silly chatter. ]
You hold it down, and I'll ask the questions!
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Then Wei Ying starts to speak in his nonsensical manner and, from as close as he's watching, he can probably see the minute expressions chase each other, so quickly. A hint of irritation, because what. Then a slightly longer moment of thoughtfulness as he considers even the nonsense, rather than dismissing it with a pathetic! as he once would have. Then a very flitting moment of softness, before his face smooths to serenity once more. ]
Only necessary if he bird is a hen?
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Hahahahaha!
[ It's the first time he's laughed so happily, this entire trip. ]
Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! What you are saying is eminently reasonable! In fact, I'd go a step further. No hens for us, we'll abandon chasing them. It's better that way. If we want to eat, we'll...
[ He's still holding Lan Zhan's hand; now he laces their fingers together. ]
...just have to eat cocks instead!
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Wei Ying!
[ But...
He's not letting go. ]
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Lan Zhan!
[ He tilts his head to one side, pursing his lips in a manner of mock indignation. ]
Is it right for you to be calling me in this way? I'm your elder now, by a lot of years! I feel you should be treating me with more respect. You should be calling me "gege" instead!
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You... told me to call you so...
[ He doesn't even call his own brother that. But, worse than the embarrassment... To think that he has to give up the one thing of this man's that he's dared to take for his own... It's upsetting. He'll do it. But... ]
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So I did, but we were the same age back then! Now we're practically different generations. Buuuuuut since you like calling me Wei Ying....
[ And now he puts on his horrendous, lilting, Evil Flirt Baby voice: ]
It's fine if you call me Wei Ying gege!
1/2
When it doesn't get asked. His shoulders ease immediately, and he tries. ]
Wei Ying...
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[ The smallest voice... ]
1/3
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[ Another peal of bright laughter, and with his free arm, he wraps it around Lan Zhan's shoulder, tugging him into a side hug. ]
You certainly know how to be adorable tonight! Calling me Wei Ying-xiong so shyly like that, are you trying to seduce me? With all these people nearby, too! Lan Zhan, Lan Zhaaaaan, you really are shameless!
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His shoulders slump a little and he leans into that half-embrace, anyway. The words are about as cranky as usual when it comes to being teased. ]
Not trying!
[ A beat. Then the words slip out despite him trying to hold them in. ]
If I had been a maiden, I might have considered it.
[ Not done it, necessarily, but considered it. But as they are, that would be very wrong, wouldn't it? To try to force someone who does not like men into it. ]
1/2
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I'm sorry.
[ He releases his hold on Lan Zhan's hand; and, after a moment, releases him from the hug as well. ]
I mean, I'm sorry for messing around. I'm not sorry you are who you are. I don't wish you were anyone else.
[ Here he is, saying and doing the wrong thing again. He'd told himself to take things slowly, but could he do it? With all this teasing, will Lan Zhan ever trust that his feelings are genuine? Or will he always be waiting for the punchline?
What are his feelings, anyway? Does he even know? He is... he's not in a good place right now, that much he can admit to himself. There's a Pyra-shaped hole in his heart, and he shouldn't be looking to Lan Zhan to fill it. ]
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Then reaches to hold Wei Ying's hand once more. ]
Not sorry.
[ I'm not sorry. Don't be sorry. ]
You tease... friends. I want to be your friend.
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"I want to be your friend."
Such simple words, but for a few long moments he can't say anything to answer them: his heart is too full. Finally he lifts his eyes and says: ]
Of course you're my friend.
[ He exhales and flashes a wan smile. ]
I... need a friend, right now.
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WangJi squeezes his fingers, so lightly. ]
I am here.
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And wrap?