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!
[There's just no longer a point to arguing it. He's hungry, so any food is good, but he's especially happy that it's sweet.
He takes small bites of it as he listens, somehow making eating a sweet paste bun look like Serious Business.]
I have never heard of that sect either. [But then. That didn't necessarily mean 'other world', did it? He took a few more bites as he thought about that.] Tell me, is there a division between the upper and lower cultivation realms where you're from?
Mn. Cang Qiong mountain itself is in Gusu. I should have heard of the sect, but I have not.
[ WangJi considers the question for a moment, just in case there is something he is missing to the answer that comes to his lips. But even after re-examination of what he knows, he only shakes his head. ]
No division into realms. There are sects that are more renowned and ones less, but not separate.
[ ... oh, he knows the trick with small bites. He will keep an eye when the bun is nearly eaten. If there is a hint of more wanted, he will offer to take him to the house, or perhaps one of the places for public eating; otherwise, he will save face of the younger-seeming cultivator. ]
Is the division a... good thing? [ Stained glass colored eyes, in the middle of indifferent-looking face, stare at him with interest. ]
If that's the case then it's certain that we're not from the same...world. [Which is not impossible. After all, one of the three forbidden spells was supposed to be able to open a doorway to alternate worlds. His only reservation about the whole notion was the scale of things. To bring people from different worlds into this one...and so many at that. Who could do such a thing.
He finishes the bun and looks vaguely disappointed about it. He gave Lan Wangji a sideways glance, as if trying to decide if he could as him for seconds before he settles for looking ahead again.]
The division itself isn't the problem so much as what it represents. The upper cultivation realm consists of the areas where the wealthy reside and it also has the highest concentration of major sects. The lower cultivation realm consists mainly of farmers and those of more humble means. It's also the area closest to where the borders between this world and the next are weakest. As such, it naturally attracts more dangerous things. SiSheng Peak is one of the only large scale sects protecting the lower cultivation realm.
[There is scorn when he talks about the sects in the upper cultivation realm. His own experience aside, those sects didn't often deign to come down to the lower cultivation realm because they couldn't be paid as well. He wouldn't paint them all with the same brush and say they were all greedy but...it was undeniable that there was more many of them could do.]
[He's not a man used to showing grand displays of approval, however in this form, there isn't as much of a need to be as reserved. Even so, his reaction isn't very large. There is a quirk to his mouth, a sort of half-smile of approval.]
Your sect should feel honoured to have a Second Master such as yourself. [Said no five year old to an older person ever.]
As for SiSheng Peak, there is no need for you to worry. Though our Sect Master cannot bear to turn away any who need our help, the elders have wored hard to lighten his burdens.
[He doesn't stiffen, but any soft look in his eyes disappear. He couldn't afford to be stuck here. Not just because of his responsibility to SiSheng Peak but also because of the situation Mo Ran had found himself in right before he ended up here.]
Explain. Exactly how long is 'a while'?
[And he was definitely more Yuheng Elder than a junior disciple right now...not that he's been very good at pretending to be a child but he hasn't noticed yet.]
[ It's... strangely relieving, that someone else would realize how alarming the whole thing is. Especially after how placid Shen shifu was about it... ]
Things sometimes happen - like the flowers - that are out of story books and child tales. Cannot be stopped entirely, though effects can be changed sometimes.
{That level of power needed to do all those things...that's unfathomable. But he's not going to just give up. It only means they have to proceed more carefully.]
What do you know about this place or the one who brought us here? Even suspicions are fine.
[ Wangji takes a deep breath, but then he doesn't quite have the words for some of the things. Like the laptop. And he now understands what a hex code is, trying to talk about it without showing it, to someone who probably knows about as much as him, or comparable, just doesn't make sense. ]
Might need to show you some things for what I know or guess to make sense. Will you come with me? I will talk of the rest on the way.
[ ... and it is Wangji's turn to let his face soften, just a little, in approval. ]
About a day. But... we are not the only ones to keep an eye around the Well.
[ If Xia Sini listens, he can verify that for himself. Everyone wanders around the Well as soon as anyone learns that new people are coming back. To help. Hoping for someone from home. Hoping to verify that someone from home hasn't showed up?
The point being, there are people who can assist those in need they realize are there. The two of them can go. ]
[ Wangji leads the way, though he pays attention that his measured steps are not too fast for Xia Sini's much shorter legs, because that would be plain rude. He takes the shortest path possible to his house, only remarking on the board of notices that is near the well itself, as that is important about explaining the forum, later.
Once there, he parts the array's protection to let them both in. He shows the younger one to his own room. ]
Sit. I will make tea. Somewhere on you, there should be a letter with the house you will be staying in, I can show you the way, after.
[ And he'll give him time to look for it, while he prepares the tea and warms up some of the soup he has made earlier. A sweet bun means the child is not starving, but he's likely far from full.
And yes, the rabbit construct from Wei Ying comes out from where it's been resting to explore the new person. Because of course it does. ]
[The board of notices is something he acknowledges exists and definitely something he plans to take a look at later. But it's clear where his interests lie because he's definitely far more interested in checking out that array.]
Did you make this array?
[This was something created by a cultivator from another world. He wondered what the differences were. But perhaps he could ask to take a closer look later.]
I can find my own way there. [But he'll definitely look for that letter. But he doesn't get a chance to actually read it before the rabbit appears.
He leaves the letter and gets off the chair so he can see it up close. A magic tool...? He carefully reaches out to pick it up.
A magic tool! There weren't many at SiSheng Peak that seemed to share his interest when it comes to mechanical things. And, like the array, he's curious to see what was different between worlds.]
Mn. It was based off the one around my sect's residence, though scaled down and designed for one person to maintain.
[ After a bit, Wangji comes back with a tray of tea and soup, and his face softens a little at the sight of the boy with the rabbit. (It does make him think of A-Yuan probably getting along with the rabbits at the Cloud Recesses...
He shakes the thought away.) ]
It is a present, from a... friend, from my world. He uses one like it, I heard, to teach cultivation - it feeds on spiritual energy.
[ He sets the tray down, ladling the soup. He indicates a small bowl of a very red color. ] If you should want spice, it is here.
[ But most of the things he cooks, unless he cooks for Wei Ying, are not spicy at all. ]
How many people are normally required to maintain the one from your sect?
[He's supposed to be learning about this place but, he can't help that this is something he actually really enjoys learning about.
He looks at the rabbit in his hand.]
How would he use this to teach? [He's never even considered something like this for teaching.
As curious as he is though, his stomach gurgles again at the smell of the soup. The bun from earlier had been good but he had skipped a meal (and crying the night before hadn't helped). So, with reluctance, he let the rabbit go.
But he made a face at the bowl of red stuff.] I don't eat spicy food.
[So he'll take the soup as is, thank you.
He pauses though, before he starts eating.] Thank you.
Rotating duty, depends on what is happening. At peace, three to five people, depending on their capability, to charge it as scheduled. Under attack... More.
[ Settled with the soup, Wangji inclines his head. ]
Mn. Welcome.
[ And with Wangji's solemn tone, that does sound - and is meant - as that Xia Sini is welcome to food here, if necessary. ]
The rabbit requires spiritual energy to function. A beginner will need to cultivate enough to grant it such. I think... the person the other one was made for needed motivation to keep practicing. A problem that the teacher understood and addressed.
[ He will wait for them to finish eating before he reaches for the laptop; and he has never learned to eat fast. ]
[He drank the soup. Honestly, he would have preferred more of the sweet paste buns but he wasn't the type to complain to a near stranger offering kindness. Besides, he was against wasting food and he'll eat what he's been served.
He watched the rabbit as he consumed the soup, absolutely fine with the lack of excessive talking while they ate.
On one hand, why take a student without motivation to keep cultivating? But then...did Chu Wanning have any room to judge another for the way they teach when he can't even maintain a good relationship with his own disciple?]
...your friend put a lot of thought into how to teach.
[ Not the specific ones. The array's purpose is to protect something of Saber's. Something important and coveted enough that she asked for it, and she rarely asks.
But then the words return to Wei Ying, and Wangji's face softens. ] He never seems to think much about anything. But he always does.
[ Well. Nearly. Close enough.
That said. ]
There is something that will probably be useful for you to learn, here, too. Most seem to know already, but it is strange to some of us.
[ With a graceful motion, he points to the closed laptop on the worktable. ]
[Sects do not give away notes about their arrays easily, general or not. Chu Wanning himself had never cared overly much, still, he knew not to take this lightly.]
I would appreciate that.
[He couldn't help but wonder...did he think enough about these things? Maybe if he were less set in his ways when teaching he'd have had better results with Mo Ran...
Before he can worry too much more about it, though, he was interrupted. He...hated to admit not knowing things. Especially if most people know it.
But then, he was a child right now. It was fine for children to not know things, right?]
[ Things are slightly different, here. And... Wangji has learned how different things are when people try to stay isolated when there are different paths.
Wangji hums, then rises to bring the device over. Closed, because he can help, but Xia Sini will need to be able to open his own, later, too. ]
It is called a computer or a laptop. Everyone here has one, in the house where we should be. It goes dead if you go to far, though if you move to another place, I have heard it works there, instead.
It is a means of communication that everyone in Chroma can use. Useful, within reason, in emergency.
[ Not everyone is at home, in an emergency. But it can be very useful even so. ]
Also how we get any communication from the person or persons who may have brought us here. [ Which was Xia Sini's question in the first place. No, he hasn't forgotten. ]
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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.
no subject
He takes small bites of it as he listens, somehow making eating a sweet paste bun look like Serious Business.]
I have never heard of that sect either. [But then. That didn't necessarily mean 'other world', did it? He took a few more bites as he thought about that.] Tell me, is there a division between the upper and lower cultivation realms where you're from?
no subject
[ WangJi considers the question for a moment, just in case there is something he is missing to the answer that comes to his lips. But even after re-examination of what he knows, he only shakes his head. ]
No division into realms. There are sects that are more renowned and ones less, but not separate.
[ ... oh, he knows the trick with small bites. He will keep an eye when the bun is nearly eaten. If there is a hint of more wanted, he will offer to take him to the house, or perhaps one of the places for public eating; otherwise, he will save face of the younger-seeming cultivator. ]
Is the division a... good thing? [ Stained glass colored eyes, in the middle of indifferent-looking face, stare at him with interest. ]
no subject
If that's the case then it's certain that we're not from the same...world. [Which is not impossible. After all, one of the three forbidden spells was supposed to be able to open a doorway to alternate worlds. His only reservation about the whole notion was the scale of things. To bring people from different worlds into this one...and so many at that. Who could do such a thing.
He finishes the bun and looks vaguely disappointed about it. He gave Lan Wangji a sideways glance, as if trying to decide if he could as him for seconds before he settles for looking ahead again.]
The division itself isn't the problem so much as what it represents. The upper cultivation realm consists of the areas where the wealthy reside and it also has the highest concentration of major sects. The lower cultivation realm consists mainly of farmers and those of more humble means. It's also the area closest to where the borders between this world and the next are weakest. As such, it naturally attracts more dangerous things. SiSheng Peak is one of the only large scale sects protecting the lower cultivation realm.
[There is scorn when he talks about the sects in the upper cultivation realm. His own experience aside, those sects didn't often deign to come down to the lower cultivation realm because they couldn't be paid as well. He wouldn't paint them all with the same brush and say they were all greedy but...it was undeniable that there was more many of them could do.]
no subject
Not right. Those with most power should be responsible. SiSteng Peak does right, it is not good if they are alone.
Try to do too much, and one may not survive. [ One might. But it's not good odds. ] Do too little, and you will become too weak for the power.
[ Yes, he's angry. But then he remembers that he is speaking to one who is among those who do right, and makes an effort to calm himself. ]
If those without power, or with less power, live in fear, what good is achieving wealth, or even high cultivation?
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Your sect should feel honoured to have a Second Master such as yourself. [Said no five year old to an older person ever.]
As for SiSheng Peak, there is no need for you to worry. Though our Sect Master cannot bear to turn away any who need our help, the elders have wored hard to lighten his burdens.
[Again, said no five year old ever.]
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Thank you.
[ He considers the information, and while the support for the sect leader is good, that does not amend the rest of the situation...
But there is nothing he can do about that from here.
Instead. ]
It may be a while before you see them again.
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Explain. Exactly how long is 'a while'?
[And he was definitely more Yuheng Elder than a junior disciple right now...not that he's been very good at pretending to be a child but he hasn't noticed yet.]
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Some are here only weeks. Some have been here for nearly a year and a half. No control over when to go.
Some go, then come again with no memory of Chroma. As though they were never here.
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The more he hears, the more severe his expression becomes.]
The insolence! To treat the lives of others as if they were nothing but playthings! Whoever brought us all here has some nerve!
[His fingers twitched, a familiar habit but even summoning Tianwen wouldn't help.]
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Things sometimes happen - like the flowers - that are out of story books and child tales. Cannot be stopped entirely, though effects can be changed sometimes.
[ WangJi folds his hands within his sleeves. ]
How much energy it takes. Staggering.
Not known yet why, not without doubts.
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What do you know about this place or the one who brought us here? Even suspicions are fine.
no subject
Might need to show you some things for what I know or guess to make sense. Will you come with me? I will talk of the rest on the way.
no subject
It did seem like no one else was coming out, but...]
How long is it usually before people stop coming out of the well?
no subject
About a day. But... we are not the only ones to keep an eye around the Well.
[ If Xia Sini listens, he can verify that for himself. Everyone wanders around the Well as soon as anyone learns that new people are coming back. To help. Hoping for someone from home. Hoping to verify that someone from home hasn't showed up?
The point being, there are people who can assist those in need they realize are there. The two of them can go. ]
no subject
And it's true. There were others around the well, weren't there? He'd noticed them but even so...
There was no 'even so'. The rope ladder was there and some of the people coming by even had towels. It would be fine even if he left.
(Perhaps he will come by again afterwards just to be sure.)
Finally, he nodded and stood up.]
Then let's go.
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[ Wangji leads the way, though he pays attention that his measured steps are not too fast for Xia Sini's much shorter legs, because that would be plain rude. He takes the shortest path possible to his house, only remarking on the board of notices that is near the well itself, as that is important about explaining the forum, later.
Once there, he parts the array's protection to let them both in. He shows the younger one to his own room. ]
Sit. I will make tea. Somewhere on you, there should be a letter with the house you will be staying in, I can show you the way, after.
[ And he'll give him time to look for it, while he prepares the tea and warms up some of the soup he has made earlier. A sweet bun means the child is not starving, but he's likely far from full.
And yes, the rabbit construct from Wei Ying comes out from where it's been resting to explore the new person. Because of course it does. ]
no subject
Did you make this array?
[This was something created by a cultivator from another world. He wondered what the differences were. But perhaps he could ask to take a closer look later.]
I can find my own way there. [But he'll definitely look for that letter. But he doesn't get a chance to actually read it before the rabbit appears.
He leaves the letter and gets off the chair so he can see it up close. A magic tool...? He carefully reaches out to pick it up.
A magic tool! There weren't many at SiSheng Peak that seemed to share his interest when it comes to mechanical things. And, like the array, he's curious to see what was different between worlds.]
no subject
[ After a bit, Wangji comes back with a tray of tea and soup, and his face softens a little at the sight of the boy with the rabbit. (It does make him think of A-Yuan probably getting along with the rabbits at the Cloud Recesses...
He shakes the thought away.) ]
It is a present, from a... friend, from my world. He uses one like it, I heard, to teach cultivation - it feeds on spiritual energy.
[ He sets the tray down, ladling the soup. He indicates a small bowl of a very red color. ] If you should want spice, it is here.
[ But most of the things he cooks, unless he cooks for Wei Ying, are not spicy at all. ]
no subject
[He's supposed to be learning about this place but, he can't help that this is something he actually really enjoys learning about.
He looks at the rabbit in his hand.]
How would he use this to teach? [He's never even considered something like this for teaching.
As curious as he is though, his stomach gurgles again at the smell of the soup. The bun from earlier had been good but he had skipped a meal (and crying the night before hadn't helped). So, with reluctance, he let the rabbit go.
But he made a face at the bowl of red stuff.] I don't eat spicy food.
[So he'll take the soup as is, thank you.
He pauses though, before he starts eating.] Thank you.
no subject
[ Settled with the soup, Wangji inclines his head. ]
Mn. Welcome.
[ And with Wangji's solemn tone, that does sound - and is meant - as that Xia Sini is welcome to food here, if necessary. ]
The rabbit requires spiritual energy to function. A beginner will need to cultivate enough to grant it such. I think... the person the other one was made for needed motivation to keep practicing. A problem that the teacher understood and addressed.
[ He will wait for them to finish eating before he reaches for the laptop; and he has never learned to eat fast. ]
no subject
[He drank the soup. Honestly, he would have preferred more of the sweet paste buns but he wasn't the type to complain to a near stranger offering kindness. Besides, he was against wasting food and he'll eat what he's been served.
He watched the rabbit as he consumed the soup, absolutely fine with the lack of excessive talking while they ate.
On one hand, why take a student without motivation to keep cultivating? But then...did Chu Wanning have any room to judge another for the way they teach when he can't even maintain a good relationship with his own disciple?]
...your friend put a lot of thought into how to teach.
no subject
Can also give you the general notes.
[ Not the specific ones. The array's purpose is to protect something of Saber's. Something important and coveted enough that she asked for it, and she rarely asks.
But then the words return to Wei Ying, and Wangji's face softens. ] He never seems to think much about anything. But he always does.
[ Well. Nearly. Close enough.
That said. ]
There is something that will probably be useful for you to learn, here, too. Most seem to know already, but it is strange to some of us.
[ With a graceful motion, he points to the closed laptop on the worktable. ]
If you already know, I will not waste time.
no subject
I would appreciate that.
[He couldn't help but wonder...did he think enough about these things? Maybe if he were less set in his ways when teaching he'd have had better results with Mo Ran...
Before he can worry too much more about it, though, he was interrupted. He...hated to admit not knowing things. Especially if most people know it.
But then, he was a child right now. It was fine for children to not know things, right?]
...what is this?
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Wangji hums, then rises to bring the device over. Closed, because he can help, but Xia Sini will need to be able to open his own, later, too. ]
It is called a computer or a laptop. Everyone here has one, in the house where we should be. It goes dead if you go to far, though if you move to another place, I have heard it works there, instead.
It is a means of communication that everyone in Chroma can use. Useful, within reason, in emergency.
[ Not everyone is at home, in an emergency. But it can be very useful even so. ]
Also how we get any communication from the person or persons who may have brought us here. [ Which was Xia Sini's question in the first place. No, he hasn't forgotten. ]
no subject
A device like this allows them to communicate? How does it work?
He reaches out to take the laptop...pausing briefly to make sure he was allowed to before he actually tried to take it.]
...how does it work? And why does it only work in the houses?
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