vestigelogs | (march catch-all) OH LOOK, THE HANDS ARE BACK

01. "Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful."

[ With the change of the month comes a change in the weather, and Wen Ning relishes the freedom of being able to walk outside without first donning eight hundred layers. He takes to going on long walks to pass the time-- around the lake, between the lake and the town, across the fields by the farm to admire the now blooming flowers. He walks without much purpose or intention. These quiet moments between horrors are giving him some much needed down time, honestly. He can't remember the last time he could just take time for himself, with the freedom to move as he pleases. Sure, there isn't much freedom in a cage like the containment zone, but it's still more than he's enjoyed for most of his life (and un-life).

If he passes someone else on one of his walks, he will bow politely and offer a sheepish smile and a wave. ] The weather is nice today, isn't it?

[ He'll say the weather is nice, whether or not it's currently raining. He's taken to dressing in a light hoodie over his usual long black woven robes, finding the hood useful and the zipper endlessly fascinating. All in all, he looks more cheerful than a deathly pale Ghost General has any right to look, but it's a good look on him. ]

02. "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."

[ After gathering some supplies from Foodland (some trowels; a rake; many, many packets of seeds; a wheelbarrow to carry it all in), Wen Ning carts his new quarries back to the cabin he shares with others from his world and sets about preparing the soil in the front yard to be turned into a small garden. He makes sure to pick the patch with the most sunlight, and works hard all day long to clear the area of any roots and weeds, turning the soil and planting his seeds in neat little rows. Should anyone come by, they may find him in a quiet moment, looking intently between two packets of seeds, one in his left hand and one in his right. Noticing someone standing there, he looks up and asks the question that has stumped him for the better part of half an hour now. ]

Which do you think is safer to plant: "might be radishes" or "haven't got a clue?"

[ On the one hand, the probable radishes are more certain than the complete mystery of the other one. But on the other hand... He's really tired of radishes. ]

03. "Despite the forecast, live like it's spring."

[ ooc: Wildcard! Come at me with any other ideas for prompts, or ping me at millennialfalcon or ©hris#9103 to plot stuff! Will match prose or brackets. ]

❰ the weather has improved, much to yanli's liking. while home had bouts of cold and snow, it was nothing like the freezing weather she's so far experienced in the containment zone. her bones froze, even through her layers of robes.

the weather isn't unmanageable yet, like it was right after she arrived, but it still feels humid enough at times that the wool and thick fabric of her garments can be cumbersome. the time has come, she supposed, and after months of holding out, yanli has finally revisited the bag of dresses she was given a while ago. her male compatriots, or some of them, were more quick to take to modern clothing. as a woman, though, modesty feels so much more important to her.

but she's been married, had a child, died. brought back to life twice somehow. protecting the skin of her ankles seems so far from important at times.

she's going for her daily walk around the lake, though much more self-conscious than she usually would be. it's not like it's the most revealing dress, but the exposure of skin she's usually kept hidden coupled with the strange sensation of the air hitting places she's unaccustomed...it's a kind of sensory overload she's not used to. it's why when she's called out to that she jumps slightly, focusing on all of these feelings and not her surroundings. it's a miracle she hasn't fallen into the water thus far. ❱

Ah, Ning-gongzi. ❰ she turns with an embarrassed realization that people she knows will see her like this, maybe think things of her she won't like. yanli regains composure enough to circle her arms, give him a polite bow -- realizing that it's so unfamiliar to not feel the weight of her sleeves on her arms, just her bare skin. ❱ I hope you're doing well.

[ When he saw the lone figure in the green dress walking by the shore of the lake, it had taken Wen Ning a moment to recognize who it was. He had called out, not really realizing who it was he was calling out to. But when she greets him with a familiar bow and a kind voice... Who else could it be? ]

Ah, Jiang-guniang! You look... [ Okay, so maybe the dress is a little scandalous. But it would be rude to say so, wouldn't it? And besides, it isn't half as scandalous as what some of the other residents of the containment zone have been wearing.

He forces a smile and blushes-- as much as someone with little blood flow can blush. ]

You look well, I mean to say. It's good to see you.

A. Out and about during the night
[ You might be on an evening constitution. You might have stepped out onto your porch in the evening to breath in that fresh night air. You might notice a furtive shadow in the night cautiously wandering around. Even a recluse like Bernadetta needs some time out, and what better time to avoid dreaded people than night? It just looks kind of suspicious, that's all.]

B. At Foodland
[ Bernadetta has, much to her chagrin, found that she has to make occasional trips to Foodland for food. This time is a little different though, as she seems to have gotten a few things to allow her to stay holed up in her room at the cabin. She's also found the perfect thing for a recluse like her.]

[ Have what amounts to a figure enveloped in a huggle hoodie with a basket full of the closest thing to art supplies and a stuffed animal or two. This particular lump has moved to the seeds, looking in particular at the flower and veggie seeds.

It's nice to be alone in the store. Or so she thinks. ]

C. Near the cabin
[ All is quiet and once again Bernadetta thinks she's alone. She's currently planting seeds in a little patch of garden nearby the cabin and humming softly to herself, the sound actually quite pleasant and sweet. Doing this reminds her a little bit of the greenhouse in Garreg Mach, being able to garden just a little. Though it would've been nice if Foodland had had some carnivorous plants.... Those are cute. ]

D. Wildcard
[ I'm down for anything! ]

Edited 2021-03-07 18:17 (UTC)

❰ it's good that yanli has grown up with a lot of experience when it comes to keeping her composure and emotional modulation. some things can cause her to break, but this isn't one of them. she continues to tell herself that outside of the context of their home world, their concepts of morality and modesty are somewhat old-fashioned, at least compared to many others she's met here. once yanli saw a woman in shorts and had to exert so much control to not blush in second-hand shame.

even though the dress covers much more of her legs, it will be a while before she becomes fully accustomed to exposing as much of them as she is right now. ❱

Thank you, Ning-gongzi. Though I apologize that this isn't what you're used to. ❰ there is one thing he's still conscious of, and that's that some others more familiar with their culture will feel exactly as she did seeing those shorts. yanli isn't so crass as to not acknowledge it. she sees that wen ning has his own little modern accessory in his hood, which at least means he's not totally against adapting. ❱ The clothing available in this place can be shocking, but there are only so many robes we have.

[ A. Some light exploration ]

Now that it's not so cold out, Miles is more open to exploring his surroundings. He's still full of misgivings about this place he's landed in but he supposes that's the norm. So feel free to find one city boy out towards the lake and more likely than not, trying to back away from a racoon(s). What do you even do when you find some of those staring at you in the wild?

Do you run? He definitely needed a lesson in non-city survival skills.

[ B. Foodland ]

[ Miles definitely gets some candy hearts, noticing the stock of them dwindling and logically the chance of them getting restocked are low to nil. He'll have to ration them out for sure. He'd browsing what else there is to find, lingering on the seeds but unsure if he should try to grow anything or not. How do you even go about gardening?

But eventually, he makes it to the vegimite. ]

What in the world is vegimite?

[ C. Wildcard ]

[ Definitely feel free to hit me up with anything else that comes to your mind!! ]

[The stars start to glitter alight one by one as the daylight fades, and Daemon settles himself on the porch steps of his cabin at the treeline just a bit north of the lake, cup of tea in hand. The warmth seeps into his hands as he casts his awareness as far as he can, picking out the familiar minds in the nearby cabins...and a not-quite-as-familiar mind cautiously moving about rather closer than he would have anticipated. He calls into the night:]

Hello?

[He knows someone's there, but it's a query all the same, and one in as curious a tone as he can manage. He's not alarmed, particularly, by the furtive slinking about, after all. He remains relaxed on his front stoop and takes another sip of his tea before gazing directly at the shadowy figure.]

[Living so close to Foodland, he lives in the apartments in town, Vivi makes a trip to the store every day. Usually to collect a bagful of canned pet food, as well as small bag of kibble. It's his thing to go about town and leave food out for all the strays, he'd feel terrible if he failed to keep up with it!

Running into others isn't so strange anymore, but usually it's pretty quiet in Foodland, and it is today as well. Until he hears something that is. Vivi peeks down the aisle to see who's there, maybe it's someone he knows? It's hard to tell with what they're wearing, but he does think it looks comfortable! Deciding he should go say hi, Vivi waddles on down and stops a little ways away, waving as he speaks up.]

Hello there, whatcha looking at?

[Hopefully he won't spook them, they seem to really be interested in what they're doing. Humming and everything.]

[ There's a startled Eek in the darkness and the shadow jumps nearly a metaphorical mile in the air. Definitely a teenage girl from that noise. ]

A-ah! Am I in your yard? I'm sorry! Please don't be mad..Or kill me.

[ She is not good at being startled as she blurts out the first thing on her mind. ]

[Daemon's eyebrows fly upward. Whatever he was expecting, it wasn't a nervous teen.]

Even if you were in my yard, I don't believe I'd be mad then, either. I'm not entirely sure I have what could properly be termed a 'yard.'

[He doesn't move from the porch, just lifts one hand from his mug and kindles a small witchlight above his hand that casts a rich red light across the winter-brown grass.]

I have no plans to kill you. [More amusement.] Come over so I can get a look at you.

[ It is literally impossible for anyone, great or small, to avoid startling Bernadetta. Especially muffled in her huggle hoodie. As soon as Vivi speaks she gives a startled yelp, looking around fearfully before looking downards and noticing a smol. ]

I-I-I... [ Breathe Bernadetta, it's only a child. ] L-looking at seeds?

[ This is the end of Bernadetta von Varley. He's clearly lulling her into a sense of security so he can obviously kill her for trespassing. ]

A-are you sure? [ She does creep a little closer, stopping barely in the edge of the red light from Daemon's magic. At the very least she's discernible and not some indistinct shape in the darkness. What the man will see is a short and terrified looking teenage girl practically enveloped in a huggle hoodie. ]

[Daemon doesn't answer immediately, only raises his hand to let the red light nibble at the young woman's toes. He looks her over as best he can in the dark, curious as to this neighbor that he's yet to catch sight of before this. Both hands occupied and shoulders relaxed, he considers her.]

Am I sure...? That I'm not planning to kill you? Do people around you often answer that question with anything other than no?

[Vivi is startled in turn and falls backwards into his butt. Don't feel bad, he's liable to trip or fall over anyway.]

O-Oh, I'm sorry that I scared you.

[Picking himself up he'll brush off his pants and fixes his big pointy hat.]

Whoa... that's a lot of seeds. Are you gonna plant pretty flowers?

[He'll fiddle at his gloves, trying to see what kind of seeds she's looking at. He doesn't want to get any closer if she's already spooked.]

[ Normally, Jiang Cheng would be walking right past Wen Ning, as he prefers to ignore his vexing presence - it seems less painful and conflict-prone for both of them if they just avoid another.

Today, however, he doesn't really have anything better to do while he waits for either Wei Wuxian or Lan Sizhui to get home so he can torment some not-family. And, well, he is at least somewhat curious what is happening here, so he approaches, though he still starts at being addressed. ]

I'm still amazed that anything they give us is edible at all... but I would choose the radishes.

[ Spoken like someone who hasn't been eating radishes for years. ]

[ Jiang Cheng had not expected to come across his weepy new neighbor gardening - he hadn't even realized until now that she lives in one of the cabins at the lake just like he does.

He stops, giving her an exasperated look though this time the exasperation isn't even aimed at her. ]

Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with gardening? It doesn't look that interesting to me.

[ This is Jiang Cheng's year two of raccoon-induced torments and so he isn't even surprised to come on his walk around the lake across them accosting some new boy who apparently hadn't known to avoid the hungry mob.

He stands there watching, though he doesn't get close as he has no interest in having raccoons crawling all over him, too. ]

If you have any food on you, throw it to them.

Edited 2021-03-12 14:39 (UTC)

[ OOC: hit me up for specific prompts on discord or plurk, wildcards welcome ]

[ So. If you are taking a walk by the boathouse at the lake, you might be treated to the sight of a damsel in distress: there is Jiang Cheng in his Christmas gift nice purple robes (once Lan Wangji's white robes, before Wei Wuxian got to them.)

Notably, he has been turned into a climbing post for Lotus Pier's porch raccoons, junior squad.

Young raccoons are tugging at the hem of his robes and trying to climb him while he does his best to shoo them away without resorting to kicking them away. Unfortunately, his best is not all that convincing. (They can smell the dog treats he is carrying, and these are far more convincing.) ]

Get lost, you beasts! If you rip my only good pair of robes you're all ending up as pot roast!

[ Marvel at the man in purple robes, standing in the middle of Foodland, holding up a huge green hat with a glittery gold-accented shamrock - holding it at a distance, mind you, as if he is afraid the shamrock is going to turn carnivorous and devour him. Which, considering the humor of the Technicians, may be a valid concern but it doesn't make him look any less ridiculous.

Catching sight of a fellow shopper and victim of green hell, he turns towards them, still looking offended as he demands, ]

Explain the meaning of this! [ And then, a moment later, ] I'm not wearing it!

[ Bernadetta glances down and scuffs the dirt a little with a boot, drawing the huggle hoodie a little closer to her. ]

Not at the monastery but.. There were the bandits...And Sylvain's brother's men... And the monsters..

[ She feels really bad that she's startled a child so much that they've fallen down. ]

A-ah! I'm sorry! I'm useless, I even scare children... Bernie why are you like this?

[ She is grateful to see that Vivi doesn't seem worse for wear though and the subject change from about how useless she is to the seeds becomes a welcome event. ]

I-I think so. S-some of these flowers are new to me so I don't know how they'll grow.

Edited (lol formatting ) 2021-03-12 16:49 (UTC)

[ Bernadetta freezes mid troweling, a clump of dirt falling from her trowel. That voice... That belongs to a person... That looks familiar... She automatically assumes the panic position, which is to say her arms are crossed in front of her and her eyes are shut tightly. ]

PLEASE DON'T BREAK MY LEGS!

Edited 2021-03-12 16:54 (UTC)

[Daemon stills for just a moment with a slight indrawn breath, his eyes sharp as he watches her fidget and burrow into her jacket-blanket-monstrosity. He lobs the witchlight into the air between them so that it would illuminate them both from a few feet overhead and sets his mug of tea down on the porch steps beside him.

Very seriously, he leans forward, bracing his arms on his knees and folding his hands together.]

Upon what can I swear that you would trust? I would like to give you my word, but I do not know what oaths would set you at ease.

[It is quite the sight Song Lan comes upon as he nears the Jiang cabin. The sect leader is swarmed by tiny furry bodies, all searching for something it seems.

As it doesn't seem like he's in danger or hurt, the daozhang is some what amused by the view. Excuse him having to fight back a smile as he stops, horsetail whip in the crook of his arm as he nods his head slightly.]

Jiang-zongzhu. I hope I have not interrupted anything important?

[Yes he has a sense of humor sometimes. Sorry Jiang Cheng. Also hey he can talk again.]

Edited (Reads this hours later and sees a typo lord mercy) 2021-03-13 11:01 (UTC)

[ Wen Ning nods in his understanding. The clothing here-- like everything else in this place-- can be strange and unusual. But, they make do. ]

Please don't feel like you have to apologize to me, Jiang-guniang. I don't mind what you wear. [ Wait, that sounds more callous than he intended. Quick! Backtrack! ] I mean, you look nice whether you're dressed in a robe or not.

[ A close save. He offers an apologetic smile for his misstep. ]

How have you been faring? I thought I maybe ought to check in on you, but... [ In the end, he'd thought perhaps it would be better to honor Jiang Wanyin's request and stay away from his sister. ]

[ Wen Ning looks down at the packet of radish seeds, as if suddenly distrustful of it. ]

I suppose... They have to feed us, to keep us alive so that they can kill us later? It would be no fair if we just died of starvation, would it?

[ Bernadetta looks a bit surprised. This was an unexpected turn of events. ]

I..No one's ever really made a promise to me..

[ Vows and promises are very serious, what would be an appropriate oath? The teenager scuffs on the ground again, deep in thought. ]

Could you...Swear on my uncle's grave? I-If that's too much I understand! I..I don't really know how this goes...

[ Her uncle had at least tried to promise to be there for as long as he could, even if it was less time than the girl had wanted in the end. That seemed somehow appropriate for this moment though. Invoking the one person who she felt really cared for her. Well, at least until she came to Garreg Mach. ]

[ He rears back at that wail, momentarily simply confused before he recalls that mayhem when they talked on the network.

He scoffs at her. ]

As if I would bother! You're too loud even without broken bones, and you're not worth my trouble. Cultivators shouldn't bother bullying regular people, that is beneath us.

It would be a painful death, though, and our suffering should keep them entertained for a while.

[ But now he is thinking, even if more turned inward than side-eyeing the radish seeds. ]

Maybe they can't bring us back from starvation. Maybe the only damage they can repair is that from sudden, violent damage, not from a creeping death of the entire body slowly ceasing to function.

[ Oh yay. He can talk. To laugh at him.

Rude. ]

Do I look like I'm doing anything important?!

[ Well, actually, not getting climbed is pretty important to him but still. Jiang Cheng gives a little yowl when small claws dig into his leg and scoops up the raccoon, firmly putting it back on the ground though in that time two others have attached themselves to the back of his robes. ]

They have no mannners or restraint!

[Expression tightening, Daemon takes a moment to think. That she'd chosen something that was meaningful to her made sense. However, he does not wish that to be the only binding between them. He has no idea who her uncle is, after all. Blood would seal any oath, but in this place he cannot say if that would be more or less dangerous, nor does he want to frighten her. So something on his end...

Then he nods decisively and fights his instinct to stand up to lend the moment gravity. He stays seated, keeps his hands folded.]

Alright. That's fine.

[He allows himself a moment for the drama of it, because if he's not going for gravity then he's going to go for the appropriate amount of drama, and then speaks.]

I swear upon the grave of your uncle and the memory of my wife that I have no intentions to kill you, nor even harm you. I do not wish to, and I will attempt not to do so in the future as we navigate whatever this place has in store for us.

[ At this point usually, she would've run back to the cabin screaming and locked herself in for the rest of the day. However, even with the yelling their last encounter, at least he's a familiar face and that keeps her in place for the moment.

It's true, she is useless in her own mind and why would someone without anything to contribute be worth anything, even trouble. And probably to Jiang Cheng's surprise, she agrees, a resigned expression on her face. ]

...I know. I-I'm just scared and useless and people are scary.

[ That takes her aback again, the seriousness of the vow, and she does note the inclusion of another person. It does seem the oath has given her more security though as she every slowly creeps more under the light of the witchlight, illuminating her a bit better. ]

I..Thank you... And.. I..I'm sorry about your wife..

[it's on his way back from the farm after spending most of the day with his horse (and perhaps bothering geralt here or there in-between) when he encounters wen ning in the front yard. astonishment is the first thing coming across his face because wow, he must've been at this a long time to have gotten his spot, removed any unwanted bits, and tilled it up for seeds. sizhui shuffles closer so he can see the packages and that way he catches his uncle's attention, which prompts his question.]

Hmmm, [comes his thoughtful hum then sizhui's reaching out to tap the ‘might be radishes’ option with a light smile.] But ‘might’ isn't all that encouraging either, so...

Actually, why not try the other one? Just because. [or yeah, they're probably going to have a lot of those.]

[ That... is not what he had expected or well, at least it's not as easy to dismiss and mock.

While he has always responded by getting knee-jerk loud and proud, that resigned acceptance of uselessness is actually familiar enough that his belly twists unpleasantly. ]

Don't do that! [ he snaps, scowling at her. Don't make yourself smaller. ] People will bully you if you look weak. You have to push back.

[He watches her carefully, not moving even as she's illuminated just that much more.]

You're welcome. [The amusement is back.] And no need to be sorry. I merely thought that any oath I might take should have some assurance of sincerity that would be meaningful to both of us. And now that that's taken care of, might I ask who you are and what you're doing out in the dark?

[O-Oh no, now's she's berating herself. Vivi feels bad about it, but isn't sure what to say. He's a bit of a nervous little thing himself at times, but he'll shake his head, hat flopping about as he does.]

It's okay, I'm okay really!

[Vivi doesn't know much of flowers, but he does know they're pretty! Sometimes they even smell nice.]

I bet some will and that's worth trying. [A nod of his head.] So um, you're Bernie? I'm Vivi, sorry for scaring you before. I come here a lot so I run into people all the time.

[Jiang Cheng, please. Xingchen did not wish for his tongue back just to laugh at you. He could laugh without one anyway.

The daozhang steps in closer and one of the raccoons seems to notice something... hmm. Unlike how they've mobbed Jiang Cheng, one carefully and curiously comes up to Song Lan, sniffing away. He'll stand still, watching the raccoon curiously in turn as its little hands lift up part of his robe to stick it's nose underneath. More sniffing ensues.]

Perhaps we have something they want?

[Spoken still with some amusement. He'll reach into his robes to pull out a small packet of crackers. The noise gets the raccoon's attention and a few that are climbing all over No Jiang Cheng, who pause, ears perking as they look over.]

Is this what you smell, little one?

[He usually had a little something on him as he walked, for he tended to wander for hours, checking the boarders of their cage. Pulling the package open, Song Lan bends down to offer a cracker to the curious raccoon. Cautiously it reaches out before snatching it away. Skittering off with it's prize.

Realizing this other person has food a few of those who adorn Jiang Cheng's robes and probably hair, let's be real, hop on down and head over to beg for crackers too. Little hands reaching up, a few starting to scale the daozhang now. He'll try his best to dole out a cracker for each as quick as he can, but he does end up with a raccoon perched on his shoulder, trying to snatch the wrapper from him.]

[ Jiang Cheng heaves a somewhat pathetically melodramatic sigh of relief when he finds himself freed from the small army of raccoons laying siege to him. Instead, he can now watch his fervent admirers give in to the lure of crackers and he chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. ]

Don't say you didn't have ample warning if they won't leave you alone now. They have a good memory of who has given them food.

[ Which. He. Um. May have done in the past. But unintentionally! And how cute they are is playing dirty anyway.

It is pretty cute watching this scene, too. He crosses his arms over his chest, content to watch. ] I don't think you're going to have enough for all of them.

[Is it Jiang Cheng if he's not melodramatic in some way?]

Thank you for the warning, Jiang-zongzhu.

[Song Lan says it good naturedly, before pulling out another packet of crackers. This is all he has left, but it should be enough to give them all one cracker. A few of them are having a tussle over the wrapper from the first round of crackers, but quickly become disinterested when more crackers appear.]

You have been well?

[He doesn't look over at the sect leader, but he asks politely all the same, giving a cracker to greedy little paws until there's no more. He even shows the empty package to the raccoons who don't seem to believe him, attempting to find more in his robes, though not nearly as mob like as they had with Jiang Cheng.

Song Lan will gently shoo them away, "enough now, enough" he'll say, standing. It doesn't stop a few from poking their heads under his robes anyway as he faces Jiang Cheng.]

I bet they are going to hound you forever now [ Jiang Cheng mutters under his breath, though he is too much in awe of Song Lan to say so properly out loud. He is a person to be greatly respected, after all.

But. Well. He can just covertly snicker to himself at the greedy little pests sticking peeking their heads under the famous Song Lan's robes as if he might be hiding more crackers there. ]

I have been well. Life has been calm and ordinary for the most part, so my sister and I have been working on finishing the repairs on the house, and I've been training my dog. It has been... [ Nice. But he can't possibly admit to this place being nice. ] Domestic.

"Uh..."

Miles starts searching himself for any food that might be on him... All he comes up with is a container of vegemite and scrunches his nose up as he goes to open it.

"Will this even work?"

Does it even count as food? He doesn't think so.

(march catch-all) OH LOOK, THE HANDS ARE BACK

Wen Ning | ota across early March

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Bernadetta von Varley || OTA

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Miles Morales | OTA

A! For that breath of night air~

B!

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002

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tmr stands for too many raccoons - ota, late March

what is this green hell? - ota, early March, Foodland

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