Syaoran Li | 李 小狼 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cardcaptured) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
recolle2018-04-09 02:57 pm
cardcaptured) wrote in recolle2018-04-09 02:57 pm
Entry tags:
[OPEN] | past lives couldn't ever hold me down
WHO: Xiaolang Li & YOU!
WHERE: All around Recolle, but particularly Respatrum, Bosuma and Magatus!
WHEN: First half of April, more or less
WHAT: Local teenage nerd abuses wind magic, asks strangers for hugs in the name of getting his identity back, and nearly collapses in the woods because of his inferiority complex. FUN TIMES FOR APRIL!!
WARNINGS: None that I can think of!
A - RESPATRUM AKA CUE THE APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND MUSIC
[One could say Xiaolang was running off to Respatrum to escape being in feelings limbo, and they'd probably be very right. He needed a distraction, a purpose, anything to avoid dwelling on the what-ifs, the maybes, the agonizing non-answer that came from him finally confessing to Sakura. Exploring another region during his break from school seemed like the perfect thing to get his mind off of all of this, and Respatrum escaping into the sky gave him an excuse to revisit it. After all, now that it wasn't underground, it couldn't be so hellishly hot anymore, right?
... well, it may not have been hot anymore, but it was certainly more treacherous, and the rogue fire spirits everywhere were definitely annoying. It was easy enough to track down their hiding places, thanks to his magic sensing ability, but getting them out of there was a different story entirely. While he's had luck in verbally coaxing a few of the calmer ones back to their duties (or rather, sternly chided them for being irresponsible), most of them had wanted to 'play'-- which ultimately meant fighting against him much like an eager puppy or kitten would. Which would be cute, if they weren't stuck in things like stoves and statues and other things that weren't extremely dangerous to him and everyone around. One particularly rambunctious spirit, inside of a stone horse, has him barreling through the marketplace after it, upsetting whatever tables were in it's path, and he yells out, hoarsely, to whoever may be in it's way:]
WATCH OUT!!
[Most of the spirits, after getting their fix of exercise with him, are content to move on to their hearths, but, of course, one manages to slip into him unnoticed. It starts to become obvious the more he fights with the possessed appliances that he's less keeping the damage to a minimum and instead relishing the battle, eyes glinting mischievously and a small smirk playing across the corners of his lips. It even gets to a point where he's crashing (quite literally) into other people's hunts and skirmishes, dropping down from up above and buffeted by a mysterious gust of wind near his feet (the decent sized wings on his back no doubt helping break his fall as well). Whipping out his sword and reciting the proper incantation with his talisman, another large gust of wind appears, barreling into whatever spirit they might be battling and temporarily pushing them away. Dusting off his hands and propping them on his hips, he has the audacity to look smug as he turns to whoever's next to him.]
Pretty cool, right?
You're welcome, by the way.
[... maybe someone should remind him that large amounts of oxygen and fire are not a good mix????]
B- BOSUMA AKA HUGS R US
[Unlike some of the others venturing into Bosuma this month, Xiaolang sets out into the region on a mission, sword in hand and expression oddly grim for one so young. After what he had witnessed happen to Mio, and happen to Sakura-- it was unforgivable. Whoever this woman in the woods was, he was going to find her, confront her, and make her pay, somehow. He wasn't about to let anyone get away with tampering with those who were close to him, and now that he knew who was responsible...
Of course, as the woods dutifully lead him closer to her lair, the faster his conviction fades. He was heading in this direction for a reason, wasn't he? An important one? Why else would he be venturing out this far with a weapon in hand? By the time his feet reach the witch's house, his mind is mostly a blank, the only thing within it being disconnected memories of magical creatures, mentions of cards, and an bright-eyed (albeit annoying) girl who tied all of it together. His ability to sense magic had remained intact, and the pull of the woman making her way over to meet him, with a smug look upon her face, was undeniable. She was powerful. Frighteningly powerful.
Perhaps it was a form of patronizing respect that she bestows the name 'Wolf' upon him, a fierce name for a boy who had dared to seek her out for revenge and yet ultimately failed. But he is just a child, and so the witch decides to have mercy on him. All he needs to do to get his name and memories back is to seek out three people and be embraced by them. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?
... yeah. Right.
But, even with a fraction of his memories, Wolf is a determined boy, and he's intent on seeing this through. It may be awkward, and he may actually die of embarrassment, but if it means getting back what he lost--
It takes him a while, to single out a person who seemed trustworthy enough for his liking, and he strides over to them, shoulders set and fists balled. The expression upon his face, serious and resolute as he glares up at them (or straight at them, if they're one of the few on the app who happen to be under five feet tall), doesn't quite match the bright red flush upon his cheeks. It also doesn't quite match the words that tumble out of his mouth, blunt and abrupt and to the point.]
You.
I-- I need you to hug me. Right now.
[Wolf, NO--]
C- MAGATUS AKA wait WRONG SYAORAN...
[April just seemed to be shaping up to be a very, very bad sort of month for Xiaolang.
Magatus would normally be off of his list of places he would want to visit (they were finally getting tolerable weather back in Recolle, why would he willingly go to some place cold again?), but Leon had seemed to be acting oddly ever since he had returned from there, and he had wanted to investigate for himself what was going on. That proved to be a mistake, as the moment he steps into the region he collapses, only to come to a few days later, warm and disoriented in a cave with this glowing green in the center of his palm. The villagers' advice, once he gets some answers, leads him to the woods on the outskirts of the town, it's whispers quiet and slight at first like the wind rustling it's branches.]
'You're a useless child'.
[His steps falter, the words burrowing beneath his skin, the mark on his hand biting ever so slightly.]
'What are you trying to prove, coming all the way out there by yourself? That you can do this on your own? That you're strong?'
'HA! That's a good one! How many people tried to keep him from danger when this stupid brat went to Respatrum? They know he can't fight, he's just a little kid waving around a sword, trying to be like the grown ups!'
[Gritting his teeth, he continues on into the woods, attempting to ignore the whispers and the pain growing in his balled fist. This was just a trick, it was just a--]
'Hey, shouldn't you be back in the city, looking after your cousin? The same one who nearly killed himself in that fall because you were reckless and idiotic and lost your eyesight?'
[It's like an abrupt slap to the face, and he can't help but to answer back, despite himself:]
N... No, I--
'No, he's just ungrateful. You know how much his cousin must have given up, having to split schoolwork and his personal time just to be responsible for a headstrong nuisance like you? I mean, look at the trouble you've already gotten yourself into, and the month isn't even over yet! No wonder nobody thinks you're mature enough to help them with their problems!'
[... he wasn't going to buy into this. Setting his shoulders, he quickens his pace, though the pain crawling up his limbs and weighing them down made it difficult.]
'Oh, are you running away from us now? Figures, that's how you deal with everything that makes you uncomfortable. After all, you promised to be there for that girl, should she ever run into trouble, and look what happened! She nearly lost her memories for good!'
[His steps stop abruptly, nearly stumbling into one of the trees on his weakening legs, looking very much like someone had just punched him in the gut.]
... enough.
'You claim you love her, but you're afraid she's going to find out the truth. That you're nothing, you don't have anything to offer her, you're just some lovesick little puppy who wants to protect her when you can't even keep yourself safe. No wonder she hasn't given you an answer yet. Who'd want to be with a boy who worries her all the time? You can barely do anything for her when she needs you the most!'
THAT'S ENOUGH!!
[His voice is loud and hoarse as it echoes through the trees, scattering a few of the birds in the branches, his ragged breaths coming out in shuddery gulps. The only response he receives is a round of jeering laughter, cackling over his audacity.
That's the last verbal acknowledgement he'll give to the whispers before he ventures further in, but the accusations have their intended affect. By the time he's dragging himself to the other side of the woods, using his sword as a walking stick, these markings are glowing a fierce green under the layers of his coat and pants, his brow thick with sweat. The whispers are loud enough to echo behind him now, repeating much of the same, but Xiaolang's too feverish to tell what's actually being said and what's swirling around in his mind. It says something about his tenacity that he's still standing, but it's clear that's not going to last for much longer, at least not in the state he's in.
WILDCARD
[Anything else you have in mind for April?? Hit me up!! I'm good with just about anything, and if you want to hash out some starters or plot with me, you can hit me up over @ ![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
Urameshi or on discord @ starsugars#7982!]
WHERE: All around Recolle, but particularly Respatrum, Bosuma and Magatus!
WHEN: First half of April, more or less
WHAT: Local teenage nerd abuses wind magic, asks strangers for hugs in the name of getting his identity back, and nearly collapses in the woods because of his inferiority complex. FUN TIMES FOR APRIL!!
WARNINGS: None that I can think of!
A - RESPATRUM AKA CUE THE APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND MUSIC
... well, it may not have been hot anymore, but it was certainly more treacherous, and the rogue fire spirits everywhere were definitely annoying. It was easy enough to track down their hiding places, thanks to his magic sensing ability, but getting them out of there was a different story entirely. While he's had luck in verbally coaxing a few of the calmer ones back to their duties (or rather, sternly chided them for being irresponsible), most of them had wanted to 'play'-- which ultimately meant fighting against him much like an eager puppy or kitten would. Which would be cute, if they weren't stuck in things like stoves and statues and other things that weren't extremely dangerous to him and everyone around. One particularly rambunctious spirit, inside of a stone horse, has him barreling through the marketplace after it, upsetting whatever tables were in it's path, and he yells out, hoarsely, to whoever may be in it's way:]
WATCH OUT!!
[Most of the spirits, after getting their fix of exercise with him, are content to move on to their hearths, but, of course, one manages to slip into him unnoticed. It starts to become obvious the more he fights with the possessed appliances that he's less keeping the damage to a minimum and instead relishing the battle, eyes glinting mischievously and a small smirk playing across the corners of his lips. It even gets to a point where he's crashing (quite literally) into other people's hunts and skirmishes, dropping down from up above and buffeted by a mysterious gust of wind near his feet (the decent sized wings on his back no doubt helping break his fall as well). Whipping out his sword and reciting the proper incantation with his talisman, another large gust of wind appears, barreling into whatever spirit they might be battling and temporarily pushing them away. Dusting off his hands and propping them on his hips, he has the audacity to look smug as he turns to whoever's next to him.]
Pretty cool, right?
You're welcome, by the way.
[... maybe someone should remind him that large amounts of oxygen and fire are not a good mix????]
B- BOSUMA AKA HUGS R US
Of course, as the woods dutifully lead him closer to her lair, the faster his conviction fades. He was heading in this direction for a reason, wasn't he? An important one? Why else would he be venturing out this far with a weapon in hand? By the time his feet reach the witch's house, his mind is mostly a blank, the only thing within it being disconnected memories of magical creatures, mentions of cards, and an bright-eyed (albeit annoying) girl who tied all of it together. His ability to sense magic had remained intact, and the pull of the woman making her way over to meet him, with a smug look upon her face, was undeniable. She was powerful. Frighteningly powerful.
Perhaps it was a form of patronizing respect that she bestows the name 'Wolf' upon him, a fierce name for a boy who had dared to seek her out for revenge and yet ultimately failed. But he is just a child, and so the witch decides to have mercy on him. All he needs to do to get his name and memories back is to seek out three people and be embraced by them. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?
... yeah. Right.
But, even with a fraction of his memories, Wolf is a determined boy, and he's intent on seeing this through. It may be awkward, and he may actually die of embarrassment, but if it means getting back what he lost--
It takes him a while, to single out a person who seemed trustworthy enough for his liking, and he strides over to them, shoulders set and fists balled. The expression upon his face, serious and resolute as he glares up at them (or straight at them, if they're one of the few on the app who happen to be under five feet tall), doesn't quite match the bright red flush upon his cheeks. It also doesn't quite match the words that tumble out of his mouth, blunt and abrupt and to the point.]
You.
I-- I need you to hug me. Right now.
[Wolf, NO--]
C- MAGATUS AKA wait WRONG SYAORAN...
Magatus would normally be off of his list of places he would want to visit (they were finally getting tolerable weather back in Recolle, why would he willingly go to some place cold again?), but Leon had seemed to be acting oddly ever since he had returned from there, and he had wanted to investigate for himself what was going on. That proved to be a mistake, as the moment he steps into the region he collapses, only to come to a few days later, warm and disoriented in a cave with this glowing green in the center of his palm. The villagers' advice, once he gets some answers, leads him to the woods on the outskirts of the town, it's whispers quiet and slight at first like the wind rustling it's branches.]
'You're a useless child'.
[His steps falter, the words burrowing beneath his skin, the mark on his hand biting ever so slightly.]
'What are you trying to prove, coming all the way out there by yourself? That you can do this on your own? That you're strong?'
'HA! That's a good one! How many people tried to keep him from danger when this stupid brat went to Respatrum? They know he can't fight, he's just a little kid waving around a sword, trying to be like the grown ups!'
[Gritting his teeth, he continues on into the woods, attempting to ignore the whispers and the pain growing in his balled fist. This was just a trick, it was just a--]
'Hey, shouldn't you be back in the city, looking after your cousin? The same one who nearly killed himself in that fall because you were reckless and idiotic and lost your eyesight?'
[It's like an abrupt slap to the face, and he can't help but to answer back, despite himself:]
N... No, I--
'No, he's just ungrateful. You know how much his cousin must have given up, having to split schoolwork and his personal time just to be responsible for a headstrong nuisance like you? I mean, look at the trouble you've already gotten yourself into, and the month isn't even over yet! No wonder nobody thinks you're mature enough to help them with their problems!'
[... he wasn't going to buy into this. Setting his shoulders, he quickens his pace, though the pain crawling up his limbs and weighing them down made it difficult.]
'Oh, are you running away from us now? Figures, that's how you deal with everything that makes you uncomfortable. After all, you promised to be there for that girl, should she ever run into trouble, and look what happened! She nearly lost her memories for good!'
[His steps stop abruptly, nearly stumbling into one of the trees on his weakening legs, looking very much like someone had just punched him in the gut.]
... enough.
'You claim you love her, but you're afraid she's going to find out the truth. That you're nothing, you don't have anything to offer her, you're just some lovesick little puppy who wants to protect her when you can't even keep yourself safe. No wonder she hasn't given you an answer yet. Who'd want to be with a boy who worries her all the time? You can barely do anything for her when she needs you the most!'
THAT'S ENOUGH!!
[His voice is loud and hoarse as it echoes through the trees, scattering a few of the birds in the branches, his ragged breaths coming out in shuddery gulps. The only response he receives is a round of jeering laughter, cackling over his audacity.
That's the last verbal acknowledgement he'll give to the whispers before he ventures further in, but the accusations have their intended affect. By the time he's dragging himself to the other side of the woods, using his sword as a walking stick, these markings are glowing a fierce green under the layers of his coat and pants, his brow thick with sweat. The whispers are loud enough to echo behind him now, repeating much of the same, but Xiaolang's too feverish to tell what's actually being said and what's swirling around in his mind. It says something about his tenacity that he's still standing, but it's clear that's not going to last for much longer, at least not in the state he's in.
WILDCARD
no subject
Anyone... can punch harder... than you...
[The words are punctuated by small pants, as he struggles to get himself upright, fighting against the fog in his head and the hellish heat in his body. What in the hell was Quin THINKING? Sakura, no doubt, could take care of herself with no issue, but even if she had the power to rend the world in two, Xiaolang would still want to keep her safe, somehow. It was stupid, and it was overprotective, but he couldn't help it when it came to her.]
You don't... need to worry about me. I'm fine. [Try saying that without your voice trembling, maybe he might actually believe you--] Now call her... and tell her to go back. She doesn't need to be out here--
[But his sentence stops short as his legs give out beneath him, like strings being severed from a puppet, and he lands back at the base of the tree with an ungraceful thump. A small, frustrated curse escapes his lips, nothing particularly scathing but certainly unexpected, as he struggles to keep conscious.]
Please. [He's not the type to beg or plead, but there's something desperate in his weak voice.] I don't want her to get hurt. Not... because of me...
[... never mind that Quin is somehow here a-okay, but logic doesn't seem to be working here at the moment??]
no subject
This may or may not be the reason that Quin just watches as Xiaolang tries and fails to walk home like an idiot. He sighs when Xiaolang inevitably eats dirt, shoulders slumping helplessly. The guy doesn't want Sakura to get hurt; Quin gets that. He doesn't want anything to happen to her either. But doesn't that become sort of a moot point now that Xiaolang himself is hurt? He doesn't have any right to complain. It's just his poor luck that Quin had to be the one to find him instead of someone more capable.
Only after Xiaolang begs him does he hold out his hand for him to take. If he wants so badly to get back on his feet, Quin will help him with that much at least.]
I'm the one who called her, so it'd be my fault if something happened, not yours. But nothing's going to happen as long as you don't make this more complicated than it has to be. She won't even have to put a single foot on the ground.
no subject
So when his eyes focus enough to settle on the hand offered in front of him, he can't help but look at the other boy with as much surprise as he can muster. Why...?
Gritting his teeth, he turns his head away from it, a weak refusal, not because of pride (because even he knows how to swallow it when it counts), but because he knew it was pointless. He'd just wind up dragging down Quin with the way his legs were at the moment, and unless he was going to carry him (which was very unlikely), remaining slumped at the bottom of this tree was the only option he had.]
But you called her out here... because of me.
[This isn't the blame Olympics child, please stop-- but maybe it's the fever making him delusional, eroding whatever filters he may have, that the next words slip out of his mouth almost like a breath.]
... I don't want her to see me like this.
[It's pathetic, so pathetic, saying such a thing out loud, crumpled at the bottom of this tree like some sad rag doll. He didn't want to worry her, to make that heartbreaking expression of hers when she inevitably finds him in this state, when he's already stressed her out over so many other things. She didn't deserve that.]
'Of course you don't want her to see you. She'll see you for the pitiful little weakling you really are.'
[The symbols glow white hot, seizing him up for an agonizing moment, before the last slivers of consciousness are snatched away from him. His body slackens, before tipping over entirely to the side to reaquaint itself fully with the ground. PROBABLY A GOOD THING HE DIDN'T TAKE QUIN'S HAND, THEN??]
no subject
Until now, their time together has been comprised of little more than competition and ego trips. He and Xiaolang don't exactly get along. As Quin hauls his rival up by his armpits, however, he can't help but rehash that last confession in the back of his mind.]
Seriously... [He breathes to himself.] You're even stupider than I thought you were.
[Once he has Xiaolang properly situated on top of a large, dry root (never say Quin doesn't look out for your ass, buddy), he's back to scouring the sky, ready to wave her over the moment he catches sight of those wings.
Hurry up, Sakura. Your dumb boy needs to see your sweet face.]
no subject
[Sakura calls out, as she approaches closer and thinks she spots them, diving down to land with her staff, barely managing to stop before she all but stumbles over to them worriedly. Frantic when she sees Xiaolang seems to have passed out.
She's almost in tears with how fretful she is, how concerned, even as she reaches for his shoulders.]
What happened? Help me get him up onto the staff.
[At least with flying, there is next to no risk on there being delays with traffic, so the way back should be quick enough.]
no subject
He's not sure how long he's out for-- minutes? Hours? Time was a muddled, confusing mess in his mind right now, so either was likely-- when a familiar, panicked voice pricks thorough the dark void, rousing him to gradual consciousness. He's vaguely aware of the hands on his shoulders, attempting to prop him up, and his eyes slowly crack open, struggling to focus. For a fevered, unsteady moment, he thinks he really might be dead-- why else would there be such a beautiful, flawless girl in front of him? His arm reaches up, weakly, to try to brush his hand clumsily on her cheek, trying to get the upset expression off of her face. It was a crime for someone so lovely to be so close to tears.
As his fingers graze her skin, her name filters through the pea soup haze of his brain and slips through his lips in a reverent breath.]
S... Sakura...
[He couldn't quite remember at that moment why she was here, or why he was in this state to begin with. But there was a fierce need, deep throughout the sludge of his consciousness, that wanted to comfort her, despite being the one in need. His lips pucker, to try to shush her with his tremulous breath, when a whisper cuts through, cold and harsh.]
'This is your fault. You're doing this to her.'
[The unexpected pain lancing through the glowing marks wrenches a pained grunt from him, his breathing rough and choppy as he tries to regain his bearings. Looks like just seeing her sweet face wasn't going to fix this.]
no subject
I don't know. Something was already wrong when he came out of the forest.
[In seconds, Sakura's already hurtled herself in front of Xiaolang, so Quin squeezes behind him. Just in time for that disturbing glow to sear through his clothes again. Quin knows what's coming and immediately braces his palms against Xiaolang's backside, in case he jerks from the pain.]
That! That's what was wrong! Have you seen it before?
no subject
[She's not sure exactly yet. Fai? He knew some magic, she knew. But whether this was something he might be able to help with or not. But at least if she gets him back to Recolle, then they could figure something out from there. Probably. Sakura bites her lip, eyes widening at the glowing marks as one of her hands instinctively withdraws for a brief moment.]
I haven't seen it? But we can get a better look later. Focus on helping me get him out of here. Then we can worry about that.
no subject
'That's a coward's way out, you know.'
[Thank goodness for Quin propping him up, preemptively supporting him, as he almost violently tenses from the searing ache, making him instinctively try to curl in on himself. The crest of his brow settles upon Sakura's shoulder, blazing hot and damp, and his hand clutches desperately at whatever was closest, which seemed to be the sleeve of her jacket. His breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and god, if he was capable of crying, he'd definitely be doing so now. His eyes are certainly watering from the pain, anyway.]
I'm not a coward...!
[It's said low, fierce hiss, summoning the small shreds of strength he had to fight back, somehow. Except... without the other two hearing the whispers, it seems to come out of nowhere, like he's talking to himself instead. Which, in a sense, maybe he was?? With his fever frying his brain, it was only really a matter of time before he started acting truly delirious.
Good luck with that, y'all.]
no subject
If anyone asks, he'll say he went quiet in order to focus, but honestly, he doesn't want to be the one to answer Xiaolang's intense fever rambling.]
no subject
[She helps Quin get Xiaolang up onto the staff, supporting his shoulders as best she can to keep him upright before shifting to get herself on, to get her own legs to straddle the staff. Before she turns to check on Quin, that he was on too, waiting for him to get on and she tries to support Xiaolang while the other does so, before ensuring they were all secure before kicking off and rising up above the trees. Heading back the direction she came from.]
Keep hold!