jikan_rpg | Catch-All

Entry tags:

Catch-All

⌛ Who: Prompto Argentum, Aerith Gainsborough, Duo Maxwell, Xie Lian, Rude and you, maybe?
⌛ What: Shenanigans. Permanent catch-all.
⌛ When: Anytime.
⌛ Where: All over.
⌛ Warnings: R. Language.

✽ Xie Lian

Cooking With Xie Lian

Busking Adventures

Event: Trial of the Soul

Event: Waterpark Waves

✽ Prompto Argentum

Chocochicks!

Travelling Cameraman

Event: Trial of the Soul

Event: Waterpark Waves

✽ Rude

Event: Trial of the Soul

Event: Waterpark Waves

✽ Duo Maxwell

Lovers Tiff [Closed to Wufei]

Event: Trial of the Soul

I Can Explain! [Closed To Wufei]

✽ Aerith Gainsborough

Rock Garden

Event: Trial of the Soul

Event: Waterpark Waves

Gems In The Making [Closed to Maglor]

[WILDCARD] Have another idea? Want to plot something out? Catch me on

JustAnotherUsername | Theo#4816 ]

CHARACTER INBOXES:
✦ Xie Lian Inbox
✦ Duo Maxwell Inbox
✦ Aerith Gainsborough Inbox
✦ Rude Inbox
✦ Prompto Argentum Inbox

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The words feat of strength caught Sephiroth's ear, so while he wouldn't normally have cared why the crowd was gathered, he moved to join them this time. He was tall and stood out amongst them even though he was at the back. The man at the center of the circle didn't look impressive but Sephiroth knew how little that meant. He waited with the rest to see what would happen.

At least that was the plan, until the call went out for volunteers and since no one seemed to be willing, Sephiroth stepped forward without a word. ]

Edited 2022-07-04 20:43 (UTC)

[This was the part that was always going to be tricky. Getting someone to volunteer. It was his best and most awe inspiring trick, at least back home, so it generally pulled in the crowds. It was just getting someone to step forward was usually harder than he would have liked it to be.

Xie Lian was all set to make his request again, even looking toward someone to offer them the hammer, before a tall man stepped forward.

He blinked and looked up into a stern and handsome face. A great deal of silvery-white hair and... was he wearing armour? Did they have an army here? His head tilted to the side a little, his volunteer just... looming there silently. Xie Lian felt like he could have laughed, but instead he stepped away and reached for the hammer to offer it over.]

[ Sephiroth took the hammer from the rather plain looking man with no idea of what he was supposed to do. He didn't ask though, assuming he would be told. The crowd began whispering and several women giggled behind their hands while looking at him. Sephiroth ignored them all and simply waited. ]

[Xie Lian also ignored the whispering and giggling. It was all normal for him.

He stepped away and reached down for one of the large rocks, lifting it with little effort, and smiled as he moved to lay himself down upon the mat he had set out. The rock was placed upon his chest.]

If you would, kind sir. You have two choices. You can use that hammer to smash this rock, or you can be kind and stack several up upon this. As high as you feel you can, and then use the hammer. As hard as you please. The rocks will not harm me!

[There were more whispers, unbelieving, maybe a little awe? Some laughter because surely this little man in the white robes couldn't possibly survive such a thing! Right?]

[ That sounded like a challenge and Sephiroth was up for it. The only question that remained was, would this man be eating his words after Sephiroth was through with him?

He lifted each rock with ease and stacked every single one of them on top of the other in short order. The pile teetered on itself. Then Sephiroth brought the hammer down with as much strength as he could muster. The result was a resounding crack as it crashed through each boulder, obliterating them all and spraying the surrounding people with dust and pebbles. Sephiroth stopped the hammer just shy of hitting the other man, but far from being a mercy, this sudden reversal of force caused the hammer to split in two. Both pieces flew in the air, with one aiming at the other man's head and the other at his groin. ]

[Well colour Xie Lian surprised. People did tend to put another rock or two on top, but after lifting the weight of them they would usually stop at that. But this man didn't seem to be worried about the weight and had stacked the rocks up higher then anyone else had done... in a very long time.

But he was unconcerned. There was a pressure on his chest, of course there was, but he could take it. This was nothing new.

He raised a hand to steady the rocks before letting the hand drop away. Then he gave the man a nod, letting him know he was ready.

The hammer came down. The pressure was immense... This man had strength. Enough to near knock the wind out of Xie Lian. To his surprise, before the hammer made contact with his own body, the man had stopped himself. To his further surprise the hammer broke!

Everything seemed to happen within a moment. Blink and you might have missed it. The rocks shattered, the hammer broke, Xie Lian moved his head out of the way and a hand shot out to grab the part of the hammer that was about to make him a eunuch. The hammer that had been about to cave his head in hit the mat beside him, catching some of his hair instead.

... After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd around them began to cheer.

With a smile, Xie Lian dusted the smaller rocks and dust off of himself and rose to his feet to bow to his audience.]

Thank you, thank you!

[ Sephiroth discerned much from those few quick movements. Not only did this man possess endurance, but the speed to match it. Sephiroth stood to the side as the unassuming stranger worked the awed crowd, whose members were now shouting their praises and tossing coins and bills in the man's collection bin. There were those who whispered yet, among them now some men as well as ladies. Sephiroth ignored them all even so as he attempted to push through the mass of bodies and be on his way. While he was intrigued, he knew there was nothing to be gained here at present with so many people around.

Too bad they didn't seem willing to let him go.

"Sir, you are so strong! How did you do it?"

Sephiroth said nothing, but merely closed his eyes. If he couldn't escape them physically, he would do it like this and eventually they would lose interest in him and turn back to the stranger. He would be on his way then. ]

[Time to clean up as well as thank the kind people for their money and time.

It was only then that he realised that his assistant had gone and attempted to leave before he'd had a chance to properly thank him. And looking over now, Xie Lian wanted to laugh. Instead he breezed on over and put himself between the taller man and the people.]

Thank you, thank you for your time! If you enjoyed the show please come again tomorrow! Until then allow this humble entertainer a moment to tidy up.

[Before he'd even finished what he was saying people had began to wander away and that wasn't unusual for Xie Lian at all. He wasn't often paid any mind and that was just fine. It had worked well for him now, their attentions had been diverted and now that the entertainment was over their focus had drifted to something else. Leaving himself and his silver-haired companion alone.

Xie Lian sighed before he turned and offered him a respectful bow.]

And thank you for your help. And for stopping before you hit me!

[ Sephiroth's eyes slid open at the intervention, for even he knew that's what it was, with one silver eyebrow raising just the slightest bit as he witnessed just how skillfully it was done. Perhaps it was the sense of appreciation the act engendered within him or maybe it was Aerith's influence, but either way Sephiroth was prepared to offer the appropriate reply when the time came. ]

You are welcome.

[ He stood stiffly by, but internally he was somewhat proud of himself. Aerith was sure to be pleased with him for knowing what to do.

Now that that was out of the way, Sephiroth got to what was really important. ]

And if I had not?

If not... [Well that was a question. Xie Lian just smiled as he contemplated just the best way to answer that. In the end, as usual, he chose honesty.]

If not there might have been a little more of a mess than there is now.

[He laughed and glanced down at his chest, a hand raiding to dust himself some more.]

[ Sephiroth was still feeling the residual effects of this man's recent intervention, otherwise he would have had a few sharp words to offer in reply to that. Instead, he merely inclined his head. ]

I see.

[ And since that was the case and this person was weaker than he thought, there was no need for him to engage him any further. Sephiroth turned to leave. ]

[Xie Lian had a feeling that wasn't the answer that this one had been looking for. Though what that answer was, he had no idea. How could be possibly know? And really, he didn't much care one way or another. And he probably would have, should have, just let the man go. But...

He grabbed up his things, shoved them in his sleeve and trotted off after the stranger.]

Why did you stop?

[ Sephiroth glanced to the side to see the man walking alongside him, though he didn't know he was following along until he spoke. And that...stopped Sephiroth in his tracks. That one decision sat atop layers and layers of pain he had refused to acknowledge for a long time, but it was now something he was working through thanks to Aerith. Of course, his most recent experience with Wufei was a contributing factor too... ]

I didn't want to hurt you. [ This was said after a long pause. Sephiroth turned to face the man as he spoke. ]

[Xie Lian was a step or two ahead before he realised the other one had stopped. So he stopped too and turned to face him just in time for that line to be delivered. And that earned him a smile.]

You didn't want to hurt the strange man who asked you to stack large rocks atop his chest and shatter them with a heavy hammer? [And so had stacked far more rocks than anyone else had, and struck down with far more force than anyone ever had, but he hadn't wanted to take the killing blow? Interesting.

Admittedly Xie Lian hadn't sensed any killing intent, had he done so, Ruoye would have attacked. But since the silk ribbon had remained where it was, Xie Lian hadn't felt threatened. And still didn't.]

You couldn't have hurt me. You could have damaged me, but I wouldn't have died. I'm glad you stopped though. I'd like to come back to this spot tomorrow! [And that would have been impossible if the people in the area were traumatised.]

I honored your request.

[ Nothing more, nothing less. This man had advertised a demonstration of strength and asked Sephiroth to do exactly what he did. He would settle for nothing less than excellence in his every performance. Not that he felt the need to explain himself to him or anyone else. ]

But you [ Sephiroth took two leisurely steps toward the other man as he spoke, closing the distance between them ] contradict yourself. Which is it? Are you strong or weak?

[ Sephiroth was of half a mind to test him, but perhaps this would suffice. He was learning social graces. Slowly. ]

[The man strode forward and Xie Lian's expression never changed, nor did he move a muscle. It was a funny kind of question. One that was harder to answer than Xie Lian would care to admit. Not the least because he had left ego behind a long time ago. Boasting that he was strong just wasn't something he would do, not if it wasn't true.]

That would depends on the definitions of both... [He glanced around at the people milling about before he looked up at the man once more.] If you want to talk, maybe we could find somewhere a little quieter to do so?

[ Sephiroth could understand that. He inclined his head very slightly, indicating his acceptance of the offer. There was more to this man than met the eye and he did want to know about it. That he was willing to share was a refreshing surprise and one Sephiroth wouldn't take for granted. ]

Lead the way.

[It was a strange new world where no one actually knew him. There was no Heavenly Realm to speak of. The fact he was a God probably didn't mean much at all, not that he could honestly call himself one. Gods had followers and temples for them to make offerings and he had neither! So what did that make him?

Nothing much, if he was truly honest. And that didn't bother him in the slightest. He didn't think he was important or interesting at all.

But somehow things always seemed to happen around him, whether he liked it or not.]

Hm... This way should be good enough.

[Xie Lian reached up to place his straw hat upon his head and began walking away toward a quieter street. He knew there was a park in this area. Perhaps there was a place where they could sit and he could answer a few questions. It would be novel. Xie Lian spent the time walking to the park trying to decide whether he wanted to be honest and truthful or spin the same tales he always did to distract from the reality of his situation.]

[ Sephiroth let the other man guide him down a quiet street and to a park. There weren't many people here either, just what seemed to be acres of foliage in the middle of a residential district. They walked for a time until they came to a bridge overlooking a small pond and halfway across it a bench big enough for two. In the water below swarmed hungry koi fish looking for potential handouts. Sephiroth chose this place to sit, abruptly and without preamble. ]

Well?

[During the quiet of the walk Xie Lian had given himself time to think about his options. And by the time he had sat down by the stranger, he was ready with a smile.]

Lets start with this. My name is Xie Lian. And you are?

[Because if he was going to tell anyone the specifics of who he was, he wanted to know their name at the very least.]

[ Sephiroth let the name roll around in his mind. It didn't tell him anything except that this man wasn't from Nippon. ]

Sephiroth.

[ He was getting much better at introductions thanks to Aerith and knew to state his name promptly when asked for it. This still had the tang of the unusual but like everything else, it was starting to wear off after so much time away from home.

And he waited for more, because he'd done his part and answered the question. ]

[Sephiroth.

Xie Lian mouthed the name to himself but wanted to speak it out loud. The names he had heard in this world were so unlike the ones of his own that sometimes his tongue found it difficult to navigate them. This one, however, seemed that it would be fine. If he was careful enough.

And when his companion said nothing more, Xie Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A poor conversationalist he had found himself it seemed. And so he started by lifting a hand to lightly tug at the silk around his neck. It shifted and slipped away to show the dark cursed shackle around his neck.]

For my sins I was punished. This cursed shackle seals my powers and only the Heavenly Emperor is capable of removing it.

And yet... [Here he smiles as he pulls the silk back to cover himself up.] I have wandered the land for over 800 years and have cultivated diligently. My strength is formidable for someone who was gifted a long life and a great deal of free time.

[Meaning when he wasn't busking or collecting scraps, Xie Lian was training. He was meditating. He was practising in ways that his other Heavenly Officials rarely did as they often felt no need to, once they had attained their position. Xie Lian rarely stopped. And so he was the master of many an art, his abilities were completely natural and not because of his Heavenly Power.]

So as I said, it would depend on your definition. By Heavenly standards I am weak. But by mortal standards I am strong. And by my standards... I am just myself.

[ Sephiroth was silent for a long time, but it was mainly because he had no idea what to say to that. It was one thing for Genesis to tell him that the goddess was real back home, another for Rawna and the rest of those so-called gods to toy with them all back in Havenwell, but this? Sephiroth had never met any supposed divine being for himself. He wasn't familiar with most of the jargon but intelligent enough to know with what he was dealing. He had...questions, but mostly this did explain a lot.

It also made Xie Lian very, very interesting... ]

I see, so even gods can be trapped by time.

[ Sephiroth looked at him then, really regarded him. ]

Where do you get your energy from?

[ If Xie Lian was anything like the gods from Havenwell, Sephiroth was tempted to kill him now. ]

Unfortunately, yes.

[Though, lets face it, Xie Lian had brought it all on himself. His banishments had been wholly justified and he had no one to blame but his own person. Which was why he wasn't bitter or angry about anything. In fact... by rights, on his current ascension he should have approached Jun Wu and had the Heavenly Emperor remove the cursed shackles from him.

But... Xie Lian had forgotten.

He cleared his throat then and smiled at the follow-up question.]

For the most part it is our own, but we do gain power and strength from our followers. From their prayers, offerings and the incense they burn. They become merits which in turn becomes wealth for the gods in question to build a greater following.

I do not have a merit to my name!

[He probably shouldn't have said that so cheerfully. Being poor was not something one should be happy about. But he had been that way for hundreds of years.]

I am a god with neither followers nor temples. No one is burning incense for me. So what power I strength I have currently is borne of my own cultivation, my own spiritual power. Though I can borrow the spiritual power of others to temporarily bolster my own. [And in doing so preform some godly feats!]

[ Since that was the case, Xie Lian was in the same boat as everyone else here and since he didn't harvest his energy from the kidnapped and unwilling Sephiroth let go of his former idea. For now. If he found out differently, he would act accordingly. He didn't think he was wrong though. Xie Lian struck him as an honest person.

Sephiroth's posture remained relaxed. ]

And what are you the god of?

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