[ good morning!
today lu bixing is in the science lab. actually, he's in front of the chemical storage area, and it looks like he's a little busy - namely, he's organizing the stuff in the locker, examining chemicals and moving containers. beside him sits what look like a stack of sticky notes and a pen.
he's also humming to himself, just. vibing. bobbing his head, clearly in his own world. come hang out! ]
today lu bixing is in the science lab. actually, he's in front of the chemical storage area, and it looks like he's a little busy - namely, he's organizing the stuff in the locker, examining chemicals and moving containers. beside him sits what look like a stack of sticky notes and a pen.
he's also humming to himself, just. vibing. bobbing his head, clearly in his own world. come hang out! ]
[ a little later in the evening on friday, lu bixing is in the library, rubbing a hand over his face and leaning back in his chair. when he spots rynlan, though, he smiles, warm even if it is clearly tired and a little stressed. considering. ]
Hi, Rynlan. Are you holding up alright?
Hi, Rynlan. Are you holding up alright?
[HEWWO. he's coming to find lu bixing later, once he hears something happened; rynlan may be an ex-healer, but he does sort of owe him and anyway, he still knows how to evaluate injuries if he needs to.]
-has everything been taken care of?
-has everything been taken care of?
[ well, luckily for rynlan, he will find nothing to heal! the fire from earlier didn’t leave too bad of a burn. it’s bandaged; Lu bixing is otherwise fine, sitting in the dormitory common room with king bileygr on his chest, though he’s not doing anything with the book.
he glances over, and offers him a warm smile. ] Hi, Rynlan. It has.
he glances over, and offers him a warm smile. ] Hi, Rynlan. It has.
[ i'm using this icon to start every pc because it only has one eye and i think its funny
anyway at some nebulous point after he's been fussed over to all hell lu bixing is laying down in the common room on the couch. maybe ljh stepped out for a bit?? who knows. anyway. he's got a bandage over his eye and one wrapped around his shoulder, now that he's changed into not bloody clothes.
he's just got his arm over his eye (singular), a book on his chest, and quiet, but he's here. ]
anyway at some nebulous point after he's been fussed over to all hell lu bixing is laying down in the common room on the couch. maybe ljh stepped out for a bit?? who knows. anyway. he's got a bandage over his eye and one wrapped around his shoulder, now that he's changed into not bloody clothes.
he's just got his arm over his eye (singular), a book on his chest, and quiet, but he's here. ]
[sisi i'll kill you.
rynlan passes by while he's out, pausing when he spots him; he's avoided bothering him, certain enough that ljh and others would be taking care of him, and he considers letting him rest.
a chirping mrow! from his shoulder puts an end to that idea, and he sighs, reaching up to pet the cat to soothe it.]
If you need to sleep, maybe you should return to your room.
rynlan passes by while he's out, pausing when he spots him; he's avoided bothering him, certain enough that ljh and others would be taking care of him, and he considers letting him rest.
a chirping mrow! from his shoulder puts an end to that idea, and he sighs, reaching up to pet the cat to soothe it.]
If you need to sleep, maybe you should return to your room.
[ what an unhappy friday. lu bixing's... outside of the aquarium, looking at it like it might spit out a single answer, his hands laced behind his back, holding still and silent.
though... when he hears rynlan coming, he looks over his shoulder, and gives him a soft, not quite there smile. ]
...Hey, Rynlan. Where'd you stay last night?
though... when he hears rynlan coming, he looks over his shoulder, and gives him a soft, not quite there smile. ]
...Hey, Rynlan. Where'd you stay last night?
[ O:!!
lu bixing is in the kitchen this fine afternoon, with a cookbook perched on one of the counters, going through the meager supplies to try and find all the things he needs for whatever he makes - he pokes his head out of one of the foot storage areas to see rynlan. ]
Not really. What's up?
lu bixing is in the kitchen this fine afternoon, with a cookbook perched on one of the counters, going through the meager supplies to try and find all the things he needs for whatever he makes - he pokes his head out of one of the foot storage areas to see rynlan. ]
Not really. What's up?
[hewwo. it's monday. let's assume they're hitting the bar for drink experiments or something, or otherwise running into each other, but-- memory holes spare no one. down they both go, but before rynlan can do more than complain about it, dragging himself up off the ground, the screen comes to life and he freezes at what it begins to show.
this version of rynlan is notably different from the blue, tentacle-haired version. he's pale with a waist-length blond braid, with eyes that glow an almost sickly shade of bright green, huddled against the side of a taller blond elf with a slightly different eye color. mostly blue, for this one, but with a little of that same green tint. they're settled in the remnants of what looks like it was once a street, though it's hard to say how large a settlement this was-- there's rubble around them, half-preserved walls, their backs up against one of the sturdier ones.
he's trembling, as he rests pressed against the other elf's side, tremors running through his body; his companion wraps an arm around him, takes both his thin hands in one larger one, but it does little to steady him. 'i can't do this,' rynlan murmurs, voice barely above a whisper. 'i can't, aren, it hurts, i need--'
'i know,' aren answers, shaking his head. 'i know. i feel it too. you just have to wait until tomorrow, you can't have too much.'
he knows-- they both know what happens, if they overindulge. they've fended off the wretched more than once already, twisted versions of the elves they used to be, fully overtaken by their need for magic and desire for more. controlled by their hunger and addiction, glutting themselves until the mana manifests in growths on their bodies. he knows, he knows, he knows.
it doesn't make it easier. 'that doesn't mean we have to starve ourselves!' he protests, 'rationing is one thing but this is-- this is torture, you're killing me, you are, swear on the sun i'm going to starve and die-'
'rynlan.' his voice is a little pained, there, grip tightening on the priest's shaking hands. 'ryn, look at yourself. i've already been giving you more, we don't know what's in the crystals.'
'i don't care. one more. one more and i'll wait for tomorrow, i promise, aren.'
'it already changed your eyes. i don't trust it, ryn.'
'so they're green, so what, yours will match eventually, what's a little more as long as i don't--'
'i'm not losing you to this.'
...it gets rynlan to fall silent, head turned to hide his face against aren's chest, and his partner holds him there for a moment in silence. 'we lost enough,' aren says, quietly. 'enough of our people. the sunwell. silvermoon. i'll drag you past this kicking and screaming if i have to, ryn, i'm sorry, but i'm not going to let you give in. tomorrow.'
he doesn't say anything in response. his eyes water and sting-- his whole body aches, he feels cold despite the warmth of aren's body next to him, all he can think about is the energetic rush of mana through him every time he taps into a magic-laced crystal and drains it dry.
you're wasting your time on someone like me, he thinks, but he doesn't move.]
this version of rynlan is notably different from the blue, tentacle-haired version. he's pale with a waist-length blond braid, with eyes that glow an almost sickly shade of bright green, huddled against the side of a taller blond elf with a slightly different eye color. mostly blue, for this one, but with a little of that same green tint. they're settled in the remnants of what looks like it was once a street, though it's hard to say how large a settlement this was-- there's rubble around them, half-preserved walls, their backs up against one of the sturdier ones.
he's trembling, as he rests pressed against the other elf's side, tremors running through his body; his companion wraps an arm around him, takes both his thin hands in one larger one, but it does little to steady him. 'i can't do this,' rynlan murmurs, voice barely above a whisper. 'i can't, aren, it hurts, i need--'
'i know,' aren answers, shaking his head. 'i know. i feel it too. you just have to wait until tomorrow, you can't have too much.'
he knows-- they both know what happens, if they overindulge. they've fended off the wretched more than once already, twisted versions of the elves they used to be, fully overtaken by their need for magic and desire for more. controlled by their hunger and addiction, glutting themselves until the mana manifests in growths on their bodies. he knows, he knows, he knows.
it doesn't make it easier. 'that doesn't mean we have to starve ourselves!' he protests, 'rationing is one thing but this is-- this is torture, you're killing me, you are, swear on the sun i'm going to starve and die-'
'rynlan.' his voice is a little pained, there, grip tightening on the priest's shaking hands. 'ryn, look at yourself. i've already been giving you more, we don't know what's in the crystals.'
'i don't care. one more. one more and i'll wait for tomorrow, i promise, aren.'
'it already changed your eyes. i don't trust it, ryn.'
'so they're green, so what, yours will match eventually, what's a little more as long as i don't--'
'i'm not losing you to this.'
...it gets rynlan to fall silent, head turned to hide his face against aren's chest, and his partner holds him there for a moment in silence. 'we lost enough,' aren says, quietly. 'enough of our people. the sunwell. silvermoon. i'll drag you past this kicking and screaming if i have to, ryn, i'm sorry, but i'm not going to let you give in. tomorrow.'
he doesn't say anything in response. his eyes water and sting-- his whole body aches, he feels cold despite the warmth of aren's body next to him, all he can think about is the energetic rush of mana through him every time he taps into a magic-laced crystal and drains it dry.
you're wasting your time on someone like me, he thinks, but he doesn't move.]
[ oh. well.
he feels like he's seen something incredibly personal, here. from the way rynlan looks so different - he can put together context clues - to the shaky tone of an addict. it's familiar in a way that it shouldn't be familiar, and he finds that he's not really breathing as the memory plays out.
his arm hurts.
he closes his eyes as it finishes, finally, and lets out a deep, gusty breath, and -
after a moment, reaches out and gently puts his hand on rynlan's back, rubbing it gently. sometimes, there aren't really any words. ]
he feels like he's seen something incredibly personal, here. from the way rynlan looks so different - he can put together context clues - to the shaky tone of an addict. it's familiar in a way that it shouldn't be familiar, and he finds that he's not really breathing as the memory plays out.
his arm hurts.
he closes his eyes as it finishes, finally, and lets out a deep, gusty breath, and -
after a moment, reaches out and gently puts his hand on rynlan's back, rubbing it gently. sometimes, there aren't really any words. ]
cw for suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, self harm, human experimentation, drug use
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engineers
- 2023-03-01 15:27 (UTC) - Expand[ happy saturday! haha! not.
lu bixing's in the planetarium, today, after that. thankfully, it's empty besides him? which is good, because there's a very faintly smoky smell coming from near one of the star displays, and the faint light of a burning cigarette in the dark, mixed in with the pinpricks of stars.
well, maybe not a cigarette? that's definitely a weed smell. it's fine. god. what a day. ]
lu bixing's in the planetarium, today, after that. thankfully, it's empty besides him? which is good, because there's a very faintly smoky smell coming from near one of the star displays, and the faint light of a burning cigarette in the dark, mixed in with the pinpricks of stars.
well, maybe not a cigarette? that's definitely a weed smell. it's fine. god. what a day. ]
[ lu bixing is set up as usual in the new bar today! he's got a total of... five drinks this time set out in front of him! one, a garish green. one, blue and a little yellow. one, brown and sizzling a little, one a red solo cup, and... the last a drink with a cherry in it! this one's just set slightly to the side.
by now this is probably routine, right? he's here working, his personal device pulled up, typing into the keyboard. he's also got something that looks like a sticker sheet.
when he glances over and spots rynlan, he offers him a smile and a wave, friendly and warm as ever. ]
Hey, Ryn. Care to join me?
by now this is probably routine, right? he's here working, his personal device pulled up, typing into the keyboard. he's also got something that looks like a sticker sheet.
when he glances over and spots rynlan, he offers him a smile and a wave, friendly and warm as ever. ]
Hey, Ryn. Care to join me?
Ah- sure. Experimenting again?
[he's looking at the drinks a little more uncertainly than usual, carefully taking a seat and keeping a hand on the bartop as he does, like he's making sure it stays steady.]
Already have data on any, or are you starting fresh?
[he's looking at the drinks a little more uncertainly than usual, carefully taking a seat and keeping a hand on the bartop as he does, like he's making sure it stays steady.]
Already have data on any, or are you starting fresh?
[hewwo. he's just going to find bixing sometime this morning, after a couple of messages go out-- he seems like the go-to for consultation, on this sort of subject, ryn wants his opinion.]
-sounded a little different today, didn't he?
[are we communicating in code now]
-sounded a little different today, didn't he?
[are we communicating in code now]
[ my sweet son
rynlan can find lu bixing on his personal device today - it looks like he's transcribing his message from lavi. ]
He did! I think it was very clever to try and get a message across, to be honest. We learned a lot of information, did you hear the whole thing?
rynlan can find lu bixing on his personal device today - it looks like he's transcribing his message from lavi. ]
He did! I think it was very clever to try and get a message across, to be honest. We learned a lot of information, did you hear the whole thing?
[ ugh happy die day. on this fine friday, lu bixing is coming by the library to check in on rynlan...? he peeks in through the door and then knocks on the edge, like a dad, when he spots the familiar blue. ]
...Hey, Rynlan. I thought I might find you in here. [ and with that, he makes his way over... he's got a medkit with him, too. ] How're you holding up...?
...Hey, Rynlan. I thought I might find you in here. [ and with that, he makes his way over... he's got a medkit with him, too. ] How're you holding up...?
[ it's sunday! bixing is in the bar today, sitting in a booth at the memory island one that's less insane. he's got his personal device up, and is tapping away at his keyboard - likely updating his notes, as usual.
he's got a Decent Beer TM next to him, and when he spots rynlan, he gives him a little smile and a wave. hey bud ]
Should you really be wandering up and about...? [ teasing, at least. ]
he's got a Decent Beer TM next to him, and when he spots rynlan, he gives him a little smile and a wave. hey bud ]
Should you really be wandering up and about...? [ teasing, at least. ]
[home biome time! rynlan may have one fucked up leg but hey, this is what the cane is for, right? right. he has full confidence in his ability to get around and be fine afterward.
when they enter this biome, though- what it shapes itself into is the interior of a building, opening into a main room with a seating area, a sofa, and walls lined floor to ceiling with bookshelves. off to the side is a large workdesk, and the wall here is covered in herbs hung up to dry, shelves with carefully labeled jars, and more books; the desk itself has all kinds of strange paraphernalia including tubes and beakers and jars, full of substances in varying colors, and next to it is a large cauldron. there's a smaller version of the cauldron on the desk, as well.
another room off to the side has a different type of seating, and there's another door or two that seem to be closed and locked.
rynlan pauses, inside the doorway, taking in the sight with widened eyes.]
This is- I didn't think I'd see it again.
when they enter this biome, though- what it shapes itself into is the interior of a building, opening into a main room with a seating area, a sofa, and walls lined floor to ceiling with bookshelves. off to the side is a large workdesk, and the wall here is covered in herbs hung up to dry, shelves with carefully labeled jars, and more books; the desk itself has all kinds of strange paraphernalia including tubes and beakers and jars, full of substances in varying colors, and next to it is a large cauldron. there's a smaller version of the cauldron on the desk, as well.
another room off to the side has a different type of seating, and there's another door or two that seem to be closed and locked.
rynlan pauses, inside the doorway, taking in the sight with widened eyes.]
This is- I didn't think I'd see it again.
[ oh, it's a house! well, this is nothing like anything bixing has ever seen, and when the biome forms around what has to be rynlan's house -- well, lu bixing looks delighted! he brightens up immediately, almost starry eyed as he like, almost predictably and immediately starts to go for the jars and beakers and stuff.
well. okay. not really, because he stops and like, makes sure rynlan doesn't get bowled over. ]
Home, right? [ there's a smile on his face as he says it, like, delighted. ] Here - here, come sit down and take it in - this place is lovely, Rynlan, you've really got a developed sense of style!
well. okay. not really, because he stops and like, makes sure rynlan doesn't get bowled over. ]
Home, right? [ there's a smile on his face as he says it, like, delighted. ] Here - here, come sit down and take it in - this place is lovely, Rynlan, you've really got a developed sense of style!
[rynlan is still here-- probably thancred is too, just currently passed out asleep while rynlan is perched on the edge of a bed. he hasn't felt like leaving here, not with the state thancred is in; he's letting him sleep it off, though he also looks pretty damn tired after yesterday.
hi. good (bad) morning.]
hi. good (bad) morning.]
[ it is a bad morning!!!
i regret to inform that lu bixing is like, not really here for very long. he's just kind of outside the home biome for a moment - rynlan might see him pass by, if there's a window? but he doesn't come in, and eventually... no physical response, at all, but, a text. ]
If Thancred's injuries need treating or bandages need training, let me know.
[ and that's it! ]
i regret to inform that lu bixing is like, not really here for very long. he's just kind of outside the home biome for a moment - rynlan might see him pass by, if there's a window? but he doesn't come in, and eventually... no physical response, at all, but, a text. ]
If Thancred's injuries need treating or bandages need training, let me know.
[ and that's it! ]
[hi bixing... terrible evening.
wherever he is, ryn is seeking him out, despite his own exhaustion, and at first he just. doesn't say anything. he just settles nearby, passes him an extra joint, and turns a bit away from him.]
...Not seeing anything, if you need it.
wherever he is, ryn is seeking him out, despite his own exhaustion, and at first he just. doesn't say anything. he just settles nearby, passes him an extra joint, and turns a bit away from him.]
...Not seeing anything, if you need it.
[ he's here! in the void. lu bixing looks like he's a little less composed than usual, maybe? his hair is wet and messy, like he took a shower, and there's also blood on his shirt? it's fine. he smells up close like cheap shampoo and also alcohol, like the smell wouldn't just quite go away. bixing has dark circles under his eyes, and... when rynlan offers him the joint, he just kind of looks at it, for a long moment.
...
he takes it, but he doesn't do anything with it, really. ]
It's fine. How's Thancred...?
...
he takes it, but he doesn't do anything with it, really. ]
It's fine. How's Thancred...?
[ on this fine sunday, lu bixing is in the kitchen of one of the restaurants, sitting on the counter. something's cooking in here - it smell good, like spices and savory food, and one of the ovens appears to be puttering away at baking something other.
bixing himself is just sitting. he has a book in his hands - it looks like it might be a textbook - and his personal device is on, showing a timer floating above his wrist for whatever's in there cooking. there's a cup next to him, but it appears to just be water. hey. ]
bixing himself is just sitting. he has a book in his hands - it looks like it might be a textbook - and his personal device is on, showing a timer floating above his wrist for whatever's in there cooking. there's a cup next to him, but it appears to just be water. hey. ]
Bixing? What are you making?
[hi. ryn looks less on edge today, at least, ears flicking as he glances to bixing-- though with that motion it's a little more obvious that one of the plain silver earrings he's always worn isn't there.
he's not in much shape to pull himself up onto the counter to join him, so he's just leaning on it, braced with his good arm.]
[hi. ryn looks less on edge today, at least, ears flicking as he glances to bixing-- though with that motion it's a little more obvious that one of the plain silver earrings he's always worn isn't there.
he's not in much shape to pull himself up onto the counter to join him, so he's just leaning on it, braced with his good arm.]
[hi bixing! happy monday after our terrible weekend. rynlan is, naturally, at the new bar, hood of his hoodie pulled up to try to keep his poor elf ears warm, but he's still a little shivery.]
Oh, Bixing-
[gesturing for him to come sit.]
I have a favor to ask you, actually.
Oh, Bixing-
[gesturing for him to come sit.]
I have a favor to ask you, actually.
[ ah! lu bixing brightens when he spots rynlan.
he is decked out in warm clothes, today - from the gift shop, but the hood on his head suggests that perhaps he's got a dog kigu on under there. he's flushed in the cheeks and seems to be in a very good mood, and he shakes some of the snow out of his hair before he trots over. ]
Oh? [ and he'll come and take a seat next to him. ] How can I help?
he is decked out in warm clothes, today - from the gift shop, but the hood on his head suggests that perhaps he's got a dog kigu on under there. he's flushed in the cheeks and seems to be in a very good mood, and he shakes some of the snow out of his hair before he trots over. ]
Oh? [ and he'll come and take a seat next to him. ] How can I help?
[ BEFORE I FORGET
bixing has been banished to the home biome to rest after all of that nightmare, and is currently propped up on about a thousand pillows on the comfy couch in his own living room. popcorn is curled up near his head, fussy, and he's fiddling with something with his good hand when the door to the home of engineer 001 and commander lin opens, and zhanlu's smooth voice says Visitor: Rynlan. Access granted. ]
Ah. [ bixing sits up, a little, the best he can from where he's lying back - he looks just. relieved to see him again, honestly, and offers him a little smile. ] ...Hi.
bixing has been banished to the home biome to rest after all of that nightmare, and is currently propped up on about a thousand pillows on the comfy couch in his own living room. popcorn is curled up near his head, fussy, and he's fiddling with something with his good hand when the door to the home of engineer 001 and commander lin opens, and zhanlu's smooth voice says Visitor: Rynlan. Access granted. ]
Ah. [ bixing sits up, a little, the best he can from where he's lying back - he looks just. relieved to see him again, honestly, and offers him a little smile. ] ...Hi.
[ i'm assuming thancred and ryn were together and he got lots of comfort and all of that but after a little while, since they were all together...
a text comes through! it has the aura of Very Worried. ]
Rynlan, I wanted to check in...how are you doing?
a text comes through! it has the aura of Very Worried. ]
Rynlan, I wanted to check in...how are you doing?
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