泽芜君 (𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛). (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
calmness) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
vestigenet2021-02-13 09:57 pm
calmness) wrote in vestigenet2021-02-13 09:57 pm
video | un: clouded.judgement
[The video starts with a shot of the snow covered ground, foliage overgrown but peaking out from under the white powder and very much of a hoppy nature. The person holding the camera is walking through it, lower half clad in pale blue and white robes embroidered with cloud patterns.
The camera spins, catching a glance of the run down farmhouse before settling on the man holding the smartphone. For someone with sticks and snow stuck in their hair, he still manages to look put together and the forehead ribbon he's wearing is not out of place and while there's a crease in his brows there's also an upward turn to his lips. Unfortunately for the protagonist of this story, he also really has no idea what the phone he's holding is or that he's recording and will soon be blasting a video out to the whole of the network.
Fortunately for him, the tumble he took earlier is not recorded. At least it hasn't started snowing. What luck.]
For a nightmare, this feels horribly tame... [There's no rain or snow suddenly falling but Lan Xichen is. The camera broadcasts the video, flies into the air, and then cuts out with the blue clad protagonist of this tale sitting in a lotus pose in a pile of snow. No scream and he nailed the landing, but is definitely worse for wear.]
The camera spins, catching a glance of the run down farmhouse before settling on the man holding the smartphone. For someone with sticks and snow stuck in their hair, he still manages to look put together and the forehead ribbon he's wearing is not out of place and while there's a crease in his brows there's also an upward turn to his lips. Unfortunately for the protagonist of this story, he also really has no idea what the phone he's holding is or that he's recording and will soon be blasting a video out to the whole of the network.
Fortunately for him, the tumble he took earlier is not recorded. At least it hasn't started snowing. What luck.]
For a nightmare, this feels horribly tame... [There's no rain or snow suddenly falling but Lan Xichen is. The camera broadcasts the video, flies into the air, and then cuts out with the blue clad protagonist of this tale sitting in a lotus pose in a pile of snow. No scream and he nailed the landing, but is definitely worse for wear.]
@lan.sizhui → video;
whoever they are, they're near the farmhouse, not too far away but certainly a decent trek with the snow-covered ground. regardless, as soon as the camera pans up, he can't resist gasping and—] Zewu-jun? [ordinarily, he might tease himself, insist he's seeing things because how would the technicians have found a man in seclusion? but lan sizhui knows his uncle and really, there's no mistaking him, even with twigs and snow littering his hair.
any other time, he might have laughed, except astonishment – also worry – overrides enthusiasm and before he can stop himself, he remarks,] It isn't a nightmare, Zewu-jun, you are awake.
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There is a wrongness here and while he does not wish for it, it is seeping into his bones in a way his mind could not make up. Not now, not after two years of seclusion.] Sizhui?
[He sounds like the young man that Xichen knows now than the child that frequented his dreams and nightmares, cementing a fact he's already realized. It adds to the confusion, makes him lightheaded and thankful that for the moment he is alone.
The screen is more familiar now and, intuitively, he knows the buttons to press once he's taken a few deep breaths, pushed the panic and confusion aside so that the expression he swears bears more resemblance to concern for the young man on the other side of the screen.] It isn't. [He sighs, takes another breath.] What is this place? Are you alright?
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Yes, it is me. [softer than he means, although that's something xichen needs, perhaps.
in spite of himself, he swallows hard, hoping he doesn't look as apprehensive as he feels. sometimes, sizhui can't steel his expression quick enough, but in this moment, where someone else important has arrived in this godsforsaken place, maybe he's allowed a little anxiousness.]
I'm fine, [the boy reassures.] It's... well, a town that we haven't discovered a name for, somewhere that isn't anywhere near our home. [a moment's hesitation then,] Are you okay? I can come find you, Zewu-jun, I'd just need to know where you are. Describe your surroundings or, better yet, why not show me? The device you are holding, the reason I can see you is because there's something called a ‘camera’ attached.
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He keeps his breathing even, though his brows furrow further in concern.] How far away from home? [It is a sudden question but feels important, given that he's already received a video from a woman who could not live in any of the territories and cities he knows. He drifts for a moment, thinking, and then pulls himself back. The temptation to let himself get lost in the worry, the sense of unease is too familiar still.] Ah. I am alright, uninjured at the very least.
[Can this be alright?]
A camera? Ah. [It would be fascinating, if not for the strangeness of it all. He continues to frown, though not deeply and turns the devices to show Sizhui the snowy landscape and the barn in the distance.] There is no need to come or worry -- Wangji is already on the way here. Where ever here is.
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being unable to provide a proper answer only makes his expression crease further, outright panic visible in the widening of his eyes before he manages to get some sort of handle over his emotions. there's nothing he can do about it, nothing any of them can do, really. meaning getting overworked won't help anything in this situation.] I'm glad to hear that, and I'm sorry, I can't give you an actual estimate as to how far away it is.
[it's alright enough. (for now, anyway.)]
That's right. It is sort of like a mirror, except instead of seeing your reflection, you can see other people in it. [maybe it's silly, talking about something that's absolutely foreign to his uncle, explaining an item that'd been unknown to him for the longest time, too— but let's be honest, this is a good distraction from his heart pitter-pattering uncontrollably with worry. at least knowing his father is on his way helps ease some of the anxiety, even if only a little.]
Okay. [he doesn't sound all that reassured, however, so here's hoping dadji isn't listening in too closely.] None of us are too sure, unfortunately, but... things are provided here. Food, shelter, clothes— anything you might need, we'll get it for you.
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He nods, managing to turn the camera back to himself so that Sizhui can see him again. The expression he wears is a neutral one, soft and hiding the unease and worry that he feels inside.
He is not hiding behind a smile for now, not wearing that mask. It would do neither of them good and his nephew knows him well.]
I am sure that he will find me. [Assurance is easier, than anything else.] That is good. I am in need of different clothes and a bath, it seems. [After all, Sect Leader Lan is sitting in the snow with sticks in his hair as he speaks on a camera phone to his nephew.]
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his own expression is slightly more steeled once the camera faces xichen again, but there's still an ever-present concerned crease between his brows. thank goodness, yes, he isn't doing that or else sizhui might've had to actually question him then.
gently, though a call-out, nevertheless.]
I know he will. [it's hanguang-jun searching for his brother, he'll find him without a doubt— oh. instinctively, he reaches and covers his mouth, stifling the small smile attempting to come across his face. he shouldn't, he knows this, yet can barely help it despite the severity of the situation.] Yes, you are. Wherever Hanguang-jun takes you will have someplace you'll be able to clean up and we can gather new clothes from the store.