[OPEN] ☽ Be careful making wishes in the dark

[cardcaptured]

WHO: Xiaolang Li & YOU!
WHERE: Various locations throughout the city! (Subway tunnels, the woods, and Rec U campus library being notable ones, though)
WHEN: All throughout January!
WHAT: JANUARY CATCH-ALL! Sword training, sword sparring, sword researching, proper and improper uses of magic talismans Xiaolang please don't set things on fire, trying to explore the subway tunnels (and maybe possibly getting sick near the end of the month)
WARNINGS: None for now? Will update in case anything changes, though!

i

[If you're out near the Retrospec mailboxes some evening shortly after the dome goes up in the city, investigating or picking up your own regained items, you may see a certain boy pulling out a handful of intricately designed paper slips from his mailbox, confusion flitting across his face.]

'Fire'...?

[If in response to his words, one of the slips suddenly bursts into flames, gained a surprised yelp from his end, hastily dropping the bunch of paper to the ground before attempting to put it out. Oddly enough, the paper itself doesn't seem to be getting burned up? Strange.

Unfortunately, this isn't the last incident of this either-- throughout the month, you may find Xiaolang tucked away somewhere, perhaps some alley or secluded area of a park that's not surrounded by flammable things, trying to test the limits and the triggers to these mysterious talismans, succeeding in some areas and failing badly at others. Want to know where that weird bolt of lightning came from? Or why this trash can is suddenly up in flames? YOU CAN BLAME THIS CHILD. (He's trying his best, okay--)

He does manage to get a hang of the fire talisman a little easier than his thunder one, though, so you may also spot him during the darker times of the month, holding aloft a burning bit of paper, brow furrowed in concentration but keeping the flame steady. Maybe it's good to stick near him in case you forgot your own light source? Just don't wind up distracting him too too much, lest you want a flare-up.]

ii

a [Of course, the talismans aren't the only thing he's preoccupied with this month-- outside of the agreed training sessions with a few people, along with the fencing advice from Leon and sparring with Sakura, Xiaolang's been practicing on his own with his sword in the outskirts of the woods, because he's anything but not driven to improve upon things. It's nothing too ambitious or risky-- it's mostly just going through the forms and techniques already shown to him by the others, but applying it to the actual weapon he has on hand. After all, if he was going to eventually fight with it, he had to get used to how the real deal felt in his hands, didn't he? Occasionally, though, he slips and fumbles a move, either from the poor lighting from his electric lantern, or his thoughts momentarily drifting to other things (or other people) and he bites back a (PG-rated) curse because of it. More towards the end of the month, he looks a little more exhausted as he goes through the motions, which begs the question-- has he even rested at all between all of these practices and training sessions? The answer is probably nope. Someone get him to chill, please--]

b [You may also spot Xiaolang during the weekday afternoons (and possibly some evenings) in the Recolle University campus library, surrounded by various books on swords, Chinese weaponry and their respective fighting techniques, jotting down various notes and deeply focused on his work. There's various science and engineering books mixed in there as well, along with his regular homework, and it begs the question-- what's a middle school kid even doing here in the first place? And does he really need all of these books? Maybe he might be hogging one that you might need? He might relinquish it, or he might not, depending on how you ask.]

iii

a [With everything else going on this month, with the sudden lack of daylight and getting accustomed to the new items Retrospec had sent his way, exploring the tunnels had been a little lower on Xiaolang's priority list. But it was certainly on there, though-- after hearing and reading so many accounts of the odd workings and history of the city, he wanted to do a little first-hand research himself for once.

But does he call anyone else to join him on this quest? Nope. No use dragging other people into any danger he may possibly be getting into. Hence why he's using the current darkness to his advantage as he attempts to sneak into the subway entrance, book bag full of supplies on his back-- although attempts is probably the key word here, as trying to move stealthily with a sword shoved down the back of your jacket is pretty much next to impossible. Maaaaybe it's not the best idea to let an actual thirteen year old go in here by himself??]

b [If, by some miracle, he winds up in the fourth subway car with you (and hasn't already called it a day and deemed things too dangerous thanks to the creeping vines and Rodents Of Unusual Size), he's going to be digging through the various vinyls and audio equipment, taking photos of them with his iPad for curiosity's sake-- that is, until one of his memories starts blaring across the screen in the car. Any of them will cause him to drop whatever he's holding with a resounding crash (hopefully not his iPad?? probably his iPad) as he gapes at the scene unfolding, although if it's one memory in particular...]

T... THAT WASN'T A DREAM?!

[... maybe that wasn't something you wanted to say out loud, Xiaolang???]

c [Should he manage to avoid any other danger while in tunnels (or at least, successfully wield it off thanks to his baby sword skills and talismans) and wind up in the grand hub, he's just-- going to be taking photos of everything. If not with his iPad (which may or may not be cracked thanks to his clumsiness back in the fourth car), then with his phone, capturing every store front and wall and ceiling, although if you're with him and try to enter one of the establishments, he's just going to grab your sleeve with a shake of his head.]

Don't. We don't know what could be hiding in there.

[The Retrospec shop, however, remains an exception, as Xiaolang all but bounds into the store, hands on whatever papers or books that may hold the most information. He had only received the app once the Retrospec building had closed down, so he never had the opportunity to properly look into it, but now that there was all this material here to research...

By the time the chime rings out for the last train, Xiaolang's about three-quarters of the way through the guide, taking photos of each and every page to look into for later, and he murmurs--]

That's... crazy. Did they really have the technology to manage this sort of thing?

[... what's crazier is if he can make it to the train before it leaves the station, with how laser focused he is on the book.]

iv - WILDCARD

[If there's anything else you want to do for January with Xiaolang, hit me up over @ Urameshi to plot things out!! I am down for anything and everything so don't be afraid to ask :9b]

Comments

IV

[spirithacker]

[Even with the darkness, the tunnels, and the weird gifts from Retrospec, life goes on. Kids have to go to school, and they have to walk home from school if they don't usually take the bus.

Shinji's outside the gates of the school, inching down the sidewalk with a tiny flashlight. Every sound makes him jump and turn to shine his light in that direction, and the sound of someone walking nearby is no exception.

When he sees that it's Xiaolang, he relaxes only a tiny bit.]

Oh - oh, it's just you. Okay.

[But he's not afraid of the dark. Really.]

[cardcaptured]

[He can't help but give a little frown at that, lowering his burning talisman just a bit.]

What do you mean, 'it's just me'?

[Shinji was lucky Xiaolang had been passing his way when he did-- normally, he was already at the university campus at this point, waiting for his cousin to get out of class to go home, but today he had to double back and pick up a few books he left over at the middle school. The wasted time was already making him a little grumpy, but to run into this rude little brat on top of it...

... however, the obvious tension in the kid's body gave him pause.]

... are you alright? Where are your parents?

[spirithacker]

[As in, you're not some other spooky monster that could be lurking in the dark. Nothing to get offended at unless you're a touchy middle schooler.]

I'm fine. I walk home by myself all the time, i-it's no problem.

[The quiver in Shinji's voice would give him away if his body language didn't already. He grips his flashlight a little harder.]

ii-a

[promisedyou]

And what exactly have you been doing?

[ There are hands on her hips as she stares him down with quite a bit of scrutiny, she definitely sees how his motions have slowed, not to mention that sure is a sword, isn't it?

Probably doesn't help that she's completely in 'big sister' mode, which means. Someone's in trouble. ]

[cardcaptured]

[Leave it to Mio to track him all the way out here undetected!!! Her sudden appearance comes to such a surprise to him that he staggers back a step or two, legs already a bit wobbly from his back to back training, and the front of his sword hits the ground with a small 'thump'. His eyes go wide as he looks at Mio, and then the sword, and then back at her once more, his mouth floundering for words.]

Nothing!! I-- I just--

How did you even find me?!

[XIAOLANG THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION SHE ASKED......]

[promisedyou]

[ Mio definitely hears that distinct sound of metal hitting the ground and she can't help but fold her arms, still holding onto a flashlight with one hand as the gaze she gives him is filled with quite a bit of scrutiny. ]

It doesn't matter. Because you're lying to me, Xiaolang Li. How long have you been practicing with that? Do I have to call someone right now?

[ She will, and don't think twice that she won't. ]

iii-a

[infreefall]

[ Ochako’s heard rumors that there’s something in the subway tunnels, and so far, she’s avoided them entirely. Sure, she’s been wanting to take a look herself, but she simply hasn’t had time yet, with January shaping up to be such a busy month. The constant darkness just makes the days feel even longer somehow, but she’s got a flashlight and a bag full of extra batteries to make it through the day - night - whatever it is.

So of course she gets curious when her light reflects off of something near the subway on her way home. After a sneaking closer for a better look (as much as she can sneak with a lit flashlight in her hands), Ochako lets out a gasp of surprise. ]

Xiaolang?! [ The kid from the dojo?! ] What are you doing?

[cardcaptured]

[it was tricky, trying to sneak into the tunnels without trying to draw much attention to one's self. Not that Xiaolang had any issue being quiet-- he was very, very good at that-- but maintaining his focus on the burning talisman in his hand, willing the flame to be small and inconspicuous, while also going at his stiff, awkward gait was tough. It might have been easier to use his phone as a light source to navigate his way to the entrance, but the white light would have stood out like a beacon in the dark. With the talisman, he could at least shield it with his hand a little, until he got inside, although it needed concentration...

... which, of course, gets completely shattered once Ochako's flashlight shines upon him. He flinches in surprise, and the flicker of fire on the paper suddenly flares up without warning.]

WAH--!

[Quickly, he drops the slip of paper to the ground (hopefully without setting anything else on fire), squinting through the beam of light. The voice was familiar, but it's not until he can properly see her face that it registers.]

... Ochako?

[Oh. Well, thank goodness it wasn't somebody older, but she still wasn't someone he was eager to run into out here. His nose wrinkles a little and he makes to pick up his dropped talisman, although it's... difficult, given how much it's on fire now?? SHOOT.]

Nothing. It's none of your business.

[... this certainly does not look like nothing, Xiaolang--]

[infreefall]

[ She squints at the flames fluttering to the ground, belatedly noticing the paper as it lands. That’s… a little concerning? Kids, even one Xiaolang, probably shouldn’t be walking around with open flames like that. But as long as nothing else catches on fire, she’ll leave that one alone for now. ]

You were trying to sneak into the subway, weren’t you?

[ It’s less of a question than an observation, nodding as her eyes flick between the Xiaolang and the entrance. If she’d been even a minute later, he could have gotten in unnoticed. Too bad. ]

You know, I’ve been meaning to check it out since they finished working on it. Maybe I’ll go with you!

[ She shoots him a teasing grin. ]

And having an actual flashlight might be better than holding some paper you lit on fire, huh?

ii a

[spes_phthisica]

[Any normal person coming across a kid practicing intensively in the woods might offer a greeting, or perhaps inquire about the whereabouts of said kid’s minder. Soujirou is, for the purposes of the excercise, not entirely normal. He tilts his head, gently putting down his bag and slipping out his bokuto - he’s here to train too, apparently.

Then he takes advantage of the boy’s intense concentration to silently pad closer, watching his form as he does so. Not bad. There’s certainly a lot of discipline there, though his thoughts seem to be drifting a little bit. Which is why, in the middle of a fumbled move, a bokuto decends out of nowhere toward Xiaolang’s wrist - if it does manage to hit, it deals out a stinging slap.

Soujirou smiles.] You lost concentration and your grip suffered. Again? [That’s a normal way to greet kids. This man has actually studied child psychology, y’all.]

[cardcaptured]

[To be fair, there was a lot on Xiaolang's mind at moment, so it was inevitable that his focus would wind up slipping to other things. Things like the impending danger Retrospec had hinted at, the perpetual darkness they were stuck in, how to best protect the people closest to him, the odd, conflicting memories he's gained in regards to a certain girl in his life...

... actually, a lot of those moments of slipped concentration involved thoughts about that particular girl, sneaking in when he least expected them. They weren't... unwelcome, but it was certainly a distraction, and it wasn't what he needed at the moment. So when that bokuto suddenly comes out of nowhere and slaps his wrist, it's an abrupt wake-up call, gaining a small, surprised yelp of pain. It's enough to get him to drop the sword completely, clattering to the forest floor as he rubs the spot where it struck on instinct.

The voice gets him to stiffen, though, and he looks up at the man who dealt the blow. Xiaolang opens his mouth, about to demand a reason for the strike, but Soujirou's words stop his words in their tracks. That... that certainly wasn't what he expected him to say.]

Ah--

[His eyes dart back to the sword on the ground and quickly ducks to scoop it back up, re-positioning it properly into his hands before nodding.]

... Y-Yes, sorry. I'll put more focus into it this time.

[He returns to the form he had been in before, as controlled and measured as if he was in the middle of a dojo and not in the cold, dark woods, and repeats the previous move. It's still a little imperfect in areas once he finishes, but his grip remains steady once he remains through.]

Is that better?

[spes_phthisica]

I understand.

[It's certainly understandable that Xiaolang cannot keep absolute focus all the time while training on his own for hours in the forest, even without the distraction of Retrospec and darkness and - heaven forbid - girls. Soujirou doesn't look disapproving in any way, only smiles wider still as the boy picks up the sword again, watching as he repeats the move.]

Much better.

[He must be a somewhat strange sight, a skinny man in stripy pastel sweatpants and a bright green coat, hair messily gathered on top of his head. But he speaks with a confidence he hasn't actually felt in his own fighting skill in a long time, as if there is much more joy in it when he's focusing on someone else.

There comes the tip of the bokuto again, not actually smacking Xiaolang's elbow so much as very firmly moving it inward.]

Your form is very good, you just need to practice staying centered and balanced. Even a small imperfection is an opening if your enemy is more skilled. [He lifts the bokuto, allowing it to hover pointedly to the boy's left.]

Block? [It sounds like a suggestion, but it's probably best to do as he says if he wants to avoid a bruise.]

Sparring.

[keystaff]

[Of course, she's still a little nervous with this. The cards. Using them, especially the likes of Sword. But she is also aware that she should learn to use it. Sooner rather than later. Even just in case of something like what she has heard happened in August earlier occurs again. Being able to defend herself is important.

So here she is, going over some basics with him again. Even just the basic forms and the like, not necessarily in actually sparring with each other, has her a little uneasy as she adjusts and learns them. Practicing them to memories them all.

It's when she comes up against him to put this into practice that she gets nervous.]

O-okay. Ready?

[cardcaptured]

[Admittedly, Xiaolang was a bit nervous about all of this too. His sword knowledge only really consisted of bits and pieces at the moment, differing styles and techniques making things more complicated than they already were, so it was... debatable whether they were going to actually learn anything from this or not. But he had agreed to teach her the things he had gleaned from the others, and he wasn't about to go back on his word. Doing this was more for the benefit of the both of them, really-- Sakura learning how to temper her cards and defend herself, and Xiaolang getting some practice in for his own sword.

But if he was nervous, it didn't show on his face, keeping it cool and impassive as he readies himself for their training. He had to take this seriously. Sakura wasn't defenseless here-- she had a weapon herself (one that, unlike the practice foam one he found online, would definitely hurt him if they weren't careful), so he couldn't shy away from being tough on her. Not that he wanted to deliberately harm her, in any way, shape or form, but fretting over her safety when they were learning to fight felt a little counterproductive. He nods once, adjusting his grip as well as his feet to fit the form he was using.]

Ready.

You strike first.

[That way, he can observe any things she may have needed to work on, as well as push her to be on the offensive.]

[keystaff]

[She purses her lips, trying to look determined and less hesitant than she really is, though how effective that is might be debatable. Given how obviously she wears her heart on her sleeve and all. Still, they had to start somewhere. And if there were monsters or something again, with the app, this could help them ready for it. For facing against something -- or someone.

Which is why she shifts her feet, getting into a ready position before she gives a nod and goes to strike. To attack. Though she probably isn't really moving in intending to actually hurt him or anything. Not like she probably would if she was really having to defend herself. Or someone else. Her movements are slower than he's probably aware she's capable of, having seen her in gym and cheerleading.]

Fencing advice

[hairstroke]

[ Even though Leon wasn't comfortable with the idea of Xiaolang running around with a sword, he could fully understand why his cousin needed to improve his technique. As much as it pained him to think about, there could be another monster attack like the one he heard about from not only his cousin, but through various other people. So, he needed to learn how to defend himself. But he still couldn't deny that Xiaolang fighting against monsters was already making him worried sick. But he did promise that he would show him what he remembered.

Unfortunately, their apartment is a little small for practice. He also didn't want Jasmine to worry about what they were getting into. So instead, Leon takes him to the fitness center so they can have all the space that they needed.

While in his gym clothes, he stretches his legs and arms. Not too long ago, he was here with Li-Na and it felt nice to get back into a exercise routine. He also made sure to bring his fencing foil so his cousin could get an idea of how it exactly works. ]

We have plenty of time so do all the stretches you need before we start.

[cardcaptured]

[It had been a stupid mistake on Xiaolang's part, revealing his sword so early to his cousin back in the tunnels, but in a way, it worked out for the best. It was easier to be more direct about his questions in regards to sword fighting now, instead of being vague and trying to hint around what he had wanted to know versus what he had no use for. Granted, from what he could gather from his research, fencing probably wasn't the technique that worked best for a meatier weapon like his jian, but any knowledge was good knowledge at this point.

Plus... it was good, in a way, to spend time with Leon. With Retrospec and school and... Leon's current love life developments (and Xiaolang's too), they hadn't had much opportunities to do stuff outside the house with just them lately, that wasn't getting involved with the app's nonsense. Of course, Xiaolang wasn't going to tell him that. Definitely not.

Decked out in his own gym clothes, he nods at his cousin's suggestion, already doing a cross-body stretch with his left arm. Xiaolang was fairly athletic, so he didn't need to be instructed on how to do proper stretches, but since warm-ups were different for each sport...]

We're just focusing on the arms and legs, right? Is there anything else that needs to be worked on?

[hairstroke]

[ One of Leon's regrets is not being able to spend that much time with Xiaolang. They already had busy lives because of school and now with retrospec, things were going to get even more crazy. Even if he's still aggravated at the application for sending his cousin a dangerous weapon, in a way he was grateful that they got to spend some time together that wasn't at the house. ]

That's basically it. Along with that, the exercises will help increase your flexibility and nimbleness of feet and hands. It's also good for increasing focus and concentration.

[ It's one of the many reasons why his parents enrolled him into fencing to begin with. Despite that it wasn't his choice to start fencing, he really did appreciate that his parents got him into the hobby. It's done wonders for his physical stamina.

He walks over to his bag and pulls out an extra fencing foil, handing it over to Xiaolang. ]

I know it's different from your sword but holding onto one during the exercise will benefit you more.

iv

[parodeity]

[ on the promised day/time dave leads xiaolang up to the rooftop of his dormitory, figuring it's the one he's most familiar with and also the easiest to get to without flight since he can just walk the kid up after meeting him outside of the dorm. his sword is rather plan and welsh and dave himself is just in black skinny jeans, sneakers, and a warm winter sweater...and his shades, despite the dark.

he seems casual and at ease, at least. ]

So, have you gotten back any sword-related memories at all so far?

[cardcaptured]

[Xiaolang follows Dave up the flight of stairs to the dormitory rooftops, the slight trepidation over their choice in training grounds clear on his face. It wasn't as if he was afraid of heights (he's perched in plenty of trees when the weather was warmer and less snowy), but it didn't really seem the safest or most private of locations. What if someone, like a janitor or another student, stumbled upon them? How were they going to explain that?

... well, he was just going to have to trust this guy's judgement on this one. He seemed to be pretty unworried over all of it. As they climb, Xiaolang works his sword out from under his fluffy winter jacket, taking care not to let it snag on the green, handknit scarf around his neck. He eyes Dave's own sword, curious about the differences between the two. Who knew there were so many variations between these things?]

Um... no, not as of yet. I keep hoping something would trigger it, somehow, but everything I've remembered so far is... confusing.

Would remembering anything in regards to it make this any easier?

[parodeity]

Maybe. If you remember how to use a sword, that'd obviously help...learn how to use a sword. Doesn't mean practice ain't the right idea, but like...I picked up my skills in a similar manner.

[ retrospec is weird. dave comes to a stop and turns, standing with his sword in his hand watching xiaolang. ]

You remember how to hold your sword right?

ii-b

[steadycourse]

[It's not every day that he sees a middle school student in the university library. Not only that, he's surrounded by books of weaponry and engineering! The sight is odd enough for Ishida to walk up to him and look down at Xiaolang with curiosity.]

It's not often I see a student your age studying here. It's quite commendable!

and somewhere, Leon is probably screaming

[cardcaptured]

[Xiaolang's so engrossed in his research, jotting down notes in a journal nearly filled with awkward, messy handwriting, that Ishida's words cause him to start in his chair, making the tip of his mechanical pencil snap. He glances up at him, surprise flitting across his features, although it quickly morphs into an expression of slight annoyance at Ishida's ogling. What was he, some sort of new science specimen?]

There'd probably be more if they allowed us in the library in the first place. There's a lot of valuable material here that we can't get at the regular one in the city. [Which begs the question, WHO LET YOU IN HERE TO BEGIN WITH, XIAOLANG....]

WILDCARD- CLOSED to Xiaolang, Kenta, and Derek, location: Dojo

[blondferret]

[Derek pulls up to the dojo with Xiaolang in his car. Putting the car in park he looks over at the thirteen year old.]

Alright, so I can't remember if I told you or not, but my friend's name is Kenta.

[Derek glances at the sword in Xiaolang's lap. That is one impressive sword kid. Derek places his hand on his door handle.]

You ready to meet him?

[cardcaptured]

[Xiaolang's admittedly still a little grouchy at Derek, the fact he had lectured him about both the sword AND the tunnels fresh in his mind, but... he was helping him out with this, so he could push it to the back of his mind-- for now, anyway. He meets Derek at the promised time outside of his apartment, letting Leon know of his plans (it was still odd, coming clean to him about the sword stuff), pulling the sword out of his jacket as he gets into the car. Sitting with it pressed against his back was going to be mighty uncomfortable, hence why he opts to have it on his lap as Derek drives, though he looks less than pleased having it out in the open like this. At least it was sheathed, but...

He glances over at Derek as he addresses him, nodding briefly.]

You mentioned him by name in the message you had sent over, yeah. [And, in a brief mutter common to most boys his age--] I still think the owl was entirely unnecessary, though...

[He unbuckles himself from his seat and moves to open his own door, swinging his legs over to the pavement as he exits the car.]

But I guess so. You said he specializes in Japanese swords, right? Would he know much about Chinese ones?