awashlogs | Event Twenty-Five.

Entry tags:

Event Twenty-Five.

I'd like to creep into the wood
And see the bonnets blue,
And hear the bluebells ringing loud,
I wish I could -- don't you?

t's another day, another month, and another time for people to show up in the well. You'd better go rescue them! Never mind the fact that you woke up with a flower in your hands.

It's probably fine. Don't mind it at all. It's not like it's hard to ignore a little flower.

(At least, not until the effects start to kick in. Better go rescue the people in the well before they do.)

Oh, right. Even the people in the well have flowers, so... things are going to be a little ridiculous very quickly, when all of those side effects kick in. Have fun!

Welcome to Awash's Twenty-fifth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event!

If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

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[ A headpat.... She blinks when his hand crowns the top of her hair, not expecting it. And feeling... as if she’s somehow being looked down on, like she’s given him an incorrect answer when this was, in part, trying to warn him of colorless apathy.

The other part is a little more personal but...

But maybe this man believes that he can overcome apathy, with some “deep down” emotion that would have him still miss the joy of life when emotions are interwoven into it. Maybe he really can. She hopes he can, anyway. Wouldn’t that be lovely. ] Ah, I’m... sorry. For saying something [ What was his word. ] stupid. [ She cringes lightly, apologetically, clearly taking the word to heart. ] I only hope that you never have to experience it for yourse...

[ Oh. A barrier, a very beautiful one at that. ] You... Sir, you wouldn’t happen to be a cultivator, would you?

[Part of the understanding is his belief that no one would worry about him losing emotions as most people felt he only had the one: anger.

But that's pretty much untrue because he was another one he just felt: guilt, for apparently upsetting her with his word choice. And resignation: because when has he ever been able to say the right thing?

It was frustrating.

He lets out a sigh.]

...don't apologize.

[But he wouldn't mind moving away from that awkward topic.]

I am.

[ She's grateful for the protection. A barrier like this, though, ...she wonders how long he can keep it up. Or if he'll need maintaining it later. That he encompasses the both of them-- and not just himself-- shows that despite his brusqueness, he's actually quite considerate. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you. [ She dips her head slightly. ] My name is Pyra.

It's funny, but... I've never met another cultivator until coming here. [ She continues to speak as they walk. ] All of you are very kind people. And strong, too. [ A pause. ] I'm sorry that you were taken from your world but. I'm sure that there are those here who will appreciate your presence and help. [ He already is helping, with this barrier, so!! ]

[He can keep it up a long while yet.

He inclines his head in response to her introduction. He considers things and ultimately decides, it would probably be fine to use his name, right? To the other cultivators he'd met he'd introduced himself as Yuheng Elder but that's because he dislikes titles and his name has far too many attached to it.

But she would hardly know any of them, would she?]

SiSheng Peak. Chu Wanning.

[He walks with her, and the barrier moves with them. He doesn't look at her though, and one might even wonder if he were listening at all.]

Are they rare where you're from or...perhaps such people do not exist? [He is actually curious about other worlds. But he scoffs.] Who are you calling kind? [Not him, surely.]

Oh, we have hermits and monks, but, ah, ...Who am I calling... kind...? [ She repeats the question, puzzled that he would need to ask in the first place. She'd think it'd be obvious she was referring to him, too!

Unless he doesn't think he's kind, which is..-- oh no, that's sad. Is he surprised to be called kind? ]

You.

[ Fingerguns.

Okay, no she doesn't fingergun but she gives him a little nod, a little smile, all accompanied by a little reserved mirth that sparkles in her eyes. ]

You made this barrier to encircle the both of us.

{That was supposed to be a rhetorical question! No one would have dared to answer it back home.

Hearing it her answer so plainly...it made him embarrassed. There's clear surprise in his eyes before he turns away. The tips of his ears turn red as he scowls.]

Ridiculous.

[He didn't expect her to notice that. He'd convinced himself that he didn't want people to notice, didn't want them to feel like they owed him anything...and yet.

As embarrassed as it made him he was also a little (just a little bit!) happy about it.]

...didn't I say it was because the trees annoyed me? Don't look too deeply into it.

[ She notices his surprise, the tips of his ears turning pink as he turns away. But she also hears the scowl his voice carries, the sharp ridiculous muttered with it. ]

Maybe.

But this barrier... [ She lifts a hand up as they walk, reaching for its walls. Is it solid? Or can her fingers pass through from the inside? She's going to try to dip her touch into the network that makes the shield. ] It must take some amount of energy to make. Energy that... would be far more efficient, if you used it only on yourself.

[ It's curious, actually; Choubee had often vehemently denied being a good person, despite everything she had seen of him pointing out that he was. He'd protest whenever she'd bring it up. And then, of course, is Mythra... who is also prone to saying don't think too much of it.

She smiles almost knowingly. ]

Thank you... For sharing this barrier with me. That's what makes you a kind person.

[The barrier was only one that kept things out, rather than in, so her fingers would pass through it easily, the surface shimmering slightly around her fingers.]

A barrier like this is nothing.

[To be thanked for something like this...he can't say he didn't like it. But it was embarrassing.

And some small, vocal part of him reminded him not to get used to words like these. Whatever misunderstanding she had, it wouldn't last.]

You shouldn't make a judgement like that so easily. I'm not...like that.

[ Not... like that he says, and with a stubborn tone at that.

Pyra moves just enough so that she's now slightly in front of him, leaning in with a cant of her head. Her hair, her earrings sway with the turn, her brow raised as she regards him. ]

Not.... kind?

Not... helpful?

[ She seems amused in some way, lips curling just at their edges. And then, playfully, lightly, she adds: ] Don't tell me... you're trying to convince me otherwise?

[He could shove her aside and walk away. He was capable of it. It wasn't even that he wanted to hurt her. He just wanted to run away.

But pride (and his damned bleeding heart) stopped him.

Instead he stops, frozen by the direction this conversation is takng, the way it spiralled away from any semblqnce of how these conversations ever go. He was as out of his depth as the day a much younger Mo Ran had come up to take his hand.

And he knew how that ended.

He pressed his mouth into a severe line.]

I have a terrible temper. I'm cold and aloof.

[No one's ever liked me...sounded too childish even though it was true.]

[ He's cold and aloof and has a temper? When he also is... admitting to these faults? That speaks of his character, really. ]

But that's not all you are. [ She tells him softly, gaze sympathetic. How terrible it must be, to feel and insist that he's not a kind person. ]

A cold and aloof person wouldn't be walking with another... and expending their own energy to protect them along with himself. [ The flowers are one thing, sure. But when this event passes and the blooms wilt, she wonders exactly how aloof this man might really be. And if she's completely wrong about him here, if he really will just find some secluded area of Chroma never to emerge again, then--

She takes in a breath. ] Chu Wanning, was it?

[ Her eyes find his, soft and caring, reading the colder lines of his expression, the press of his lips together. ]

Let's be friends.

[He is likely to find a secluded area and never emerge again because he's too embarrassed by what he does under the influence of the other flowers he picks up later.]

You--

[He can't look away from her. When was the last time someone had looked at him like that...? He couldn't remember.

Friendship and soft glances...he'd convinced himself he didn't need them. After so long of being alone, of licking his own wounds and having to support himself in most things...he'd forgotten what it was like to be offered such things. He wasn't the sort of person who--

There has to be something wrong with him. Otherwise how could someone go so many years without a single friend?

He didn't dare open his mouth for a moment, his nails pressing into his palm hard enough they were biting into his palm painfully. It felt like a crack was forming in the walls he'd built around himself and that was terrifying.]

...you'll regret it. [It was only fair to warn her. He steps around her to keep going, but despite the dismissal in that action...] But until you do, I...won't reject you.

[Which is, unfortunately, as close to 'yes' as she'll get.]

[ It's not a complete yes, but... She's used to following and being-- still standing beside-- others who do not accept her. She's used to trying to be there for others, even if they do not want her there. She used to only wanting to help.

...And, it seems, she hasn't learned her lesson that her "help" isn't all that worthwhile in the end, because she keeps on trying. ]

[ Someone not saying yes, but not rejecting her friendship... is probably the best she can manage at this point, and she watches him as he steps around her to continue walking. With that in mind, she can't help but smile brightly, catching up with him with a few strides. ] Yes!

[ She isn't going to say that "I'll do my best to be a good friend", but... the enthusiasm is there. ]

[ And, at last, they make it to the library. ] Ah, this is the library.

Come on in, it'll be a little cooler within the shade.

[ And more convenient than that, there won't be as many pesky trees within the building. ]

[If he knew what she was thinking he might have tried to correct. As it is, he's still convinced this won't last, that someone as bright as Pyra would certainly find better people to be friends with.

He nods and steps into the building, dispelling the barrier with a flick of his wrist. Then, after a short pause.]

...were you too warm outside?

[ She watches as the barrier dismantles at a silent command, the tessellation of flowers falling apart. Her own shield she can create for others isn't nearly as beautiful... ]

Oh, no, no. [ She waves a hand. ] I was more concerned about you, in all those robes.

[ Like, he's wearing a lot of layers. She wonders if it gets hot at all? ] As it happens, Mr. F did write us a quest to exchange your outfit with someone else's this month, if you ever find the need to exchange your outfit for a potentially cooler one.

[ Beat. ] --Not with mine, of course.

[ In case. He was wondering if she was suggesting that they take up the quest. ]

I'm fine.

[Which is what he'd say even if he were visibly suffering from heatstroke.

He hadn't even been thinking about her outfit until she mentioned the possibility. Without quite meaning to, he actually paid attention to what she was wearing...then quickly turned his head away.]

Of course not! [Excuse him, he's just embarrassed because he's a bit of a prude. But then, a little more gently and a little more awkwardly.] Something like that wouldn't fit me anyway.

[ Pyra giggles lightly as she leads him inside the library. Just as she had mentioned, it's cooler in here, as well as a little bit more hectic. It's surprisingly well-cared for, though, as a number of residents do respect books, and there's enough natural light within that they won't be needing any candles to read. ]

I suppose not.

You're a lot taller than me, for one reason. And I doubt your shoulders would fit through even the widest part of this top. [ Which would be the chest area. ]

[He's honestly a lot more at home here. Books are a familiar companion to him.

He should be offended that she's giggling at him. And he was...a little. But he pressed his mouth in a thin line and chose to ignore it.]

I'm also a man. [And all that entails.]

You are, yes...

[ She taps a finger to her chin. Actually this is probably a good segue into another heads up she should give about chroma: ]

Oh, but this town occasionally does like to put anyone into a role of a princess. You might find yourself waking up in a silk and beaded gown!

I think you’d be able to pull it off, though. [ She nods at him, her tone not at all mocking. She genuinely believes that he’ll look good! ]

[His face says clearly exactly how appealing he finds that prospect.]

...ridiculous. [The fact that she's not mocking him is even more embarrassing. Him? In a dress?

Still...this news is worrying for reasons other than his pride.]

To do something like that without anyone knowing...how powerful must the person who trapped us here be?

[ Her fingers dust over the covers of books. Botany? Gardening? Flowers? Fairy tales that involve flowers? There are a couple different choices of which topic to help them. ]

Powerful, [ She murmurs with a small nod, her earrings swaying. ] and some would say villainous, maybe, for taking others from their world.

But maybe... [ Her eyes return to him. ] only desperate.

[ She’s under the impression that cultivators are all some sort of scholars, but this man carries himself not unlike Shen Qingqiu. If he has a higher position within the cultivation world, maybe he could provide some insight into Mr. F’s motivations. Breaking her gaze from him, she slides a tome from the shelf, its cover gilded with an amalgam of roses, lilies, and marigolds. ]

Imagine if your world was cursed, or even dying.... all those in it began to fade until no one was left.

[ Setting the book down onto a pedestal, she opens it to its index, and her gaze lifts back to him. Her expression is both sympathetic and sad, but serene. She’s curious to his answer. ]

....Would you do anything to save it?

[ And in Mr F’s case— assuming he has good intentions— if it meant taking people from other places?

She knows all too well how desperation and sorrow can play into twisting good intentions. She knows that people can be lost to it, controlled by it, unable to be broken from the hypnotic sound of their own grief. She knows of a few here who have gone through something similar. It had also happened to herself long ago, it had made her do something terrible.

She’s desperate still, to give everything she has to save her own world from its demise And while she knows that it would not be right.... she can still empathize with a desperate man. She cannot blame someone for good intentions. ]

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