jikan_network | [Video] un: taizi.dianxia

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[Video] un: taizi.dianxia

[A smiling young man appears on the screen, his demeanour calm, ethereal and kind considering the circumstances. Upon his head is a around hat made of straw, a gauze veil hangs down from the back covering his hair. Around his throat is a white ribbon, his white cultivation robes are rather dusty and worn, but that doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest.]

Hello.

I'm told that this is this worlds communication array, I hope I'm using it well.

My name is Xie Lian. I'm sure it comes as no surprise to say I am not from this world.

I have only one question to ask.

Does anyone know a man by the name of San Lang? He would be dressed in red. His hair is black, his skin is white. And he has a patch over one eye. [Xie Lian covers his right eye to show which of them is covered.] And he also goes by the name Hua Cheng.

Otherwise, I was hoping to say hello to fellow 'refuges' and hear your stories of how you arrived at this strange place.

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I dear I have not, Sir, although I am but new here myself. Perhaps others may be more helpful?

I see. It isn't looking hopeful, but thank you.

I have a feeling I am on my own here. [A smile, kind and gentle, because he was used to being on his own.]

Being alone can be hard, if one is not accustomed to it. [ says the other loner ]

But I have found folk here friendly and welcoming, so I can but hope that you will find friendship here, at the least.

Well that isn't such a problem. I have spent many years in my own company!

[You really shouldn't sound so proud of that, Xie Lian!]

I hope you are right.

[ Maglor's face falls a little, understanding sympathy in his eyes ]

I am glad then, that you have come to a place where your loneliness may perhaps be a little assuaged. Hopefully the crowds do not overwhelm.

[ Because they are a little... Much ]

I have been met by nothing but kindness here, and although I am sure that is not true for all, it is a good sign, I think.

[Oh don't be sorry for Xie Lian, he isn't sorry in the least. After suffering every embarrassment known to man, God and ghost, there wasn't much he couldn't take in his stride. And being on his own was preferred in some ways.

In others...

Sometimes, in those quiet hours, he would have liked to have someone to talk to occasionally. But it was never something he could ask for.]

Crowds gave nevee concerned me too much.

I agree though, that it is a good sign.

[Xie Lian looks thoughtful for a moment before smiling]

Are you familiar with this world, by chance? I would like to find a place to stay before night falls.

[Though he would have no problem with sleeping on the street or a bench somewhere. Even an abandoned house would do for a time.]

That is well, then. [ He smiles a little wryly ] I arrived in the middle of a festival, and I fear it was... a little much, at the time.

[ Joyful to see, but... isolating, a little ]

As to that, I fear I am but newly arrived not long before you, so there is little that I can add. However, I have had many folk make offers of accomodation - I might suggest you ask for Xiao Xingchen, or the Four Seasons Manner. He was one of the first to speak to me, and he lives there with several others, as I understand it.

[ Maglor did not take his offer of accomodation, as he will not stay with a Dragon, no matter that it is not one from his own world, but he remembers Xingchen as kind. Xie Lian, he thinks would likely be welcome there ]

And I believe they provide us basic accomodations for free, as well, in the city of our arrival.

[ Although Maglor has found himself a friendly tree, because sometimes an elf wants to be outside! He might look for a proper place, now Elrond is here though ]

[Xie Lian listened with a smile, but in the end knew he would do his own thing rather than bother anyone else.

Still he nodded his thanks for the suggestions.]

Thank you. Though finding this 'basic accommodation' could be more appropriate for me.

Though ideally a cabin far away from others would be even better. But beggars can't be choosers and I am grateful for all I am given. And for your kindness.

Oh? You are one who values your solitude then?

[ Cabin in the woods sounds ideal, but Elrond would definitely frown... ]

I do not know what the rules here are for such things, I fear. Perhaps you could ask if the authorities would allow such. But equally so, I imagine that so long as it bothers none, that none would be terribly upset.

Well that is difficult to explain.

How shall I say this? My luck is as poor as I myself am.

[And he would smile so serenely, not ashamed to call himself poor in the slightest. It was just a matter of fact. Having free housing was a wonderful thing. But living among others, well, that was just begging to inconvenience his poor neighbours.]

[ His eyes sober, moonlight glimpsed through clouds ]

A curse, or a Doom? [ He asks, not unsympathetically and with a great deal of understanding. Xie Lian seems far too nice to have a Doom attached to him, and yet, folk have said that of Maglor too (they do not know what Maglor does, how far he has retreated behind the mask, how hard he works to seem no more than an unassuming bard. Elrond knows, but Elrond remembers Sirion) ]

[Xie Lian looked surprised, a hand subconsciously moved to his neck, wrapped in silken white ribbon, it hid a dark secret. One he didn't typically talk about. And one few knew to even ask about. It was considered a taboo for many Heavenly Officials, but this man was not a Heavenly Official.

He considered his options carefully, haven't never admitted this before to anyone. Not because he was hiding it, exactly, but it never came up.]

You could call it a curse, of sorts.

When I was last banished from the Heavens, cursed shackles were placed on me to seal my powers and make me human. [A human with an immortal body. What he wasn't saying was that he had asked for it. And has asked for the shackle that had sealed away his luck also.]

I am sorry. [ He says, eyes gentling ]

My... [ Fosterling, the son-of-my-heart, the kid I kidnapped after chasing his mom off a cliff ] ...good friend Elrond is a healer of some skill - perhaps the best healer of Middle-earth. If curse it is, he might be able to break it.

But also, [ And the spark of curiosity lights his eyes up ] did I hear you correctly? That you are not human at all, but one of the Powers?

That's very kind, but I don't think this is something so easily removed. Unless you're the Heavenly Emperor.

[And since this Elrond person was not Jun Wu, all that would happen was a waste of power that could be used elsewhere on someone who was more deserving.

By this point Xie Lian had sat himself down and propped the device he was talking with on the wal beside him and rummaged around in his sleeve for a moment before pulling out a steamed bun.]

The Powers? That sounds impressive. I'm just a humble scrap collector. [He smiled] My name is Xie Lian.

[ He tips his head curiously ]

Heavenly Emperor? I fear those terms are unfamiliar to me - although Lord Manwe is King and Regent of Arda, and some might use other titles, it is not a title he has ever used. Impressive? I suppose the Powers can seem that way to those not used to them. [ Not so much so for Maglor, who grew up playing in Aule's forges, who remembers the Valar with as much bitterness and betrayal as fondness ] But I suppose you are not, for not even Mithrandir denied his true nature to those who knew to look for it. [ and Saruman did not try at all ]

Like, and not like, I suppose, and I wonder at how close the correlations might be.

[ He laughs softly ]

Ah, now, that is a deflection if ever I heard one. I very much doubt you are just anything, Xie Lian. [ a performer recognises another, after all ] But I am Maglor, at your service. [ He tips his head in a small bow, hobbit-fashion rather than elven, not that Xie Lian knows that ]

Edited 2022-03-09 05:09 (UTC)

I see unfamiliar terms can go both ways. [There is an almost teasing tone to Xie Lians voice then, he isn't entirely sure what this man is talking about but it's interesting to listen to all the same.

But called out again? Xia Lian laughed now and glanced away. He supposed it couldn't hurt. He wasn't boasting. No one knew him here and it seemed that the who, or what, he was didn't matter so much.]

I was once the Crown Prince of Xian Le. I was once a Martial God. And I suppose, after a fashion, I still am. I did ascend again. I could calm myself by that title if I chose. But a God without followers isn't much of a God. So a scrap collector is what I am. And occasional street performer!

I would be happy to go over them with you, if you like. [ Maglor offers - the Noldor were always eager to learn, and that, at least, Maglor has not lost ]

A god? [ He hums ] I wonder what the difference between you and the Powers is. One thing I can tell though - By the way you speak, it sounds as if you were mortal, before - which the Powers never were, being from the very beginning beings of Spirit and not flesh.

[ He smiles ] A street performer? You and I might meet there, then. I am a bard, and I flatter myself of no little skill, either.

I would like very much. [He tried not to sound too eager but failed miserably. Learning of a different world held a lot of fascination to Xie Lian. It was incredibly exciting.]

I was born human and cultivated diligently for many years before I ascended to the Heavens.

But I was banished soon after. [He gave a little laugh here, brushing it off. He'd been vanished twice. Though the first time he had deserved it.]

My specialty is breaking boulders upon my chest!

A bard is what, exactly?

Twas to their great loss, I would think. [ He says gravely, and then smiles ]

Ah, well - perhaps you are familiar with the term 'minstrel', instead? Although a true bard is more than that again, for we are lore-masters as well as storytellers, the keepers of the tales of our people, both the great and the small.

[ As well as some... well. OTHER uses of music, namely breaking towers and fighting rap battles with Satan cough ]

Edited 2022-03-09 07:12 (UTC)

[Not a loss at all, seemingly. He was the laughing stock of the Heavens for a reason.]

That sounds wonderful. So that would mean you have many stories to tell? If you have the time, I would enjoy hearing some.

[Xie Lian glanced around, realised he'd probably need a home before that, and laughed to himself.]

Some day.

[ based on what Maglor has seen, that is very definitely their loss

He laughs softly ]

How long do you have? The Noldolante alone takes from sunup til sundown, and that tis not even the greatest of the tales of our people, although it is, perhaps, the most grievous. The Ainulindale, if sung in full, can take several days, if done correctly.

The thing about time is that it goes by so quickly, especially among friends.

[Xie Lian smiles cheerfully. Being immortal does have its perks.]

I have a lot of time on my hands. Since I am here there isn't much else I can do since returning home is out of the question.

Wisely said!

[ He smiles back ]

And true enough. Well, you are not the first to ask - it would be a pleasure, whenever suits you.

Thank you. Once I find a place to call my own, I will be sure to invite you around to hear your tales. I look forward to it!

I will look forwards to it, then! Otherwise, perhaps I will see you around.

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cultivatingdisaster - 2022-03-14 10:57 (UTC) - Expand

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