Winter Be Gentle And Kind [Open]

[xiaoxiuya]

Who: Shen Yuan's CR group, as well as anyone else who'd like to join in <3
What: Open CR, meeting with people to discuss the Trench almanac, FURNITURE SHOPPING 8D The regularly-scheduled Shen Yuan had just moved into a new apartment in Gaze when Decembered ended, and just because the alternate version will only be living in Trench for the month doesn't mean he's going to sleep on the floor. What is he, a college student? Get out of here.
When: Throughout January and into February
Where: Shen Yuan's new apartment and the Archives in Gaze, furniture and antique stores in the Wilful Machine, more locations TBD

Content Warnings: Oblique references to kidnapping, harem politics, casual violence and romance between a kidnapping victim and their captor. This Shen Yuan comes from an fanfic-inspired AU where he was kidnapped and wooed by a Luo Binghe who had already become emperor, and while he considers himself a fully-consenting partner in their relationship others' mileage may vary. Please contact me privately if you'd like more details or have requests about topics you'd like to avoid while we thread together.

Comments

Group Chat -- January

[xiaoxiuya]

[refined_elegance has logged into channel: The Staying Out of Trouble Club.]

[refined_elegance has changed the channel name to A Time of Alternate Perspectives.]

[peerless_hobo has logged into channel: A Time of Alternate Perspectives.]

[peerless_hobo has changed their name to peerless_cucumber.]

refined_elegance: Desist.

[peerless_cucumber has changes their name to transient_lord.]

transient_lord: Better?

transient_lord: All right.

[transient_lord began streaming at 10:06:45, 1/1.]

Shen Yuan smiles into the camera, but not the Shen Yuan his friends in Trench know. This one smiles wider, his eyes sparkle more brightly, and his hair's already been put up in an elaborate set of braids that lacks only a fancy guan and fancier set of robes to complete the Look(tm). All in good time, all in good time! First it behooves him to introduce himself.

"Good morning!" he says brightly. "I gather from the notes the other Shen Yuan left me that a certain degree of shuffling around was expected this month, but as you can see --" He spreads his arms, bowing his head slightly as if to say, 'Ta-da!' "-- I have successfully convinced the venerable Xiu Ya that I'm not the sort of person who will 'burn down somebody else's life just for fun.' In fact I'm quite happy to be here!" No really, he is! "It's like a vacation! An unplanned vacation without my husband or any of our friends, but that's okay. It's good for married couples to spend some time apart now and then." Luo Binghe is probably entertaining himself with that other Shen Yuan as he speaks; just don't be too pushy with him, Binge!

The new Shen Yuan continues, "In the world I currently call home I'm widely known as Consort Shen, and you all may use that to address me if you like. But I hope we'll quickly grow more familiar with each other than that! From the sound of it the other Shen Yuan held everyone in this group chat in very high esteem, and I see no reason not to do the same. I hope we'll have a very pleasant and interesting month together, regardless of what else happens here in Trench."

text | un: lushwaters

[baiyueguang]

Greetings, Consort Shen. I am glad that this trip across realities has proven pleasant for you. I am Lan Xichen, and the letter that my other self left spoke very highly of you. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.

I am sorry that your husband or friends weren't able to accompany you. Having someone familiar around would make adapting much easier.

If you require any help at all getting your bearings, please do not hesitate to come calling.

[wait what]

[stayscared]

[reads and re-reads 'the letter than my other self left'.

that's two down. was he supposed to have written a letter?

what if writing the letter was how you triggered the ...other self?

nope. he is definitely not writing any letter, now. fuck that letter. for good measure he tells delmira not to write one, either. he knows she likes the omni.]

[xiaoxiuya]

[How can you tell that Consort Shen has been married into royalty long enough to get used to it? Because in true celebrity 'what do you mean I'm not the most interesting person in the room?' fashion, he left the stream running while he fixed himself tea with Shen Yuan's new stove.]

[Clearly Xiu Ya is the one filming, because at a beep from his omni he picks it up and smiles, saying,]

Lan-gongzi! Well met, very well met indeed. The other Shen Yuan spoke highly of you as well, he seems to be quite the fan -- by which I mean he's a great admirer of Lan-gongzi's kindness and his skill as a cultivator.

[Right, he's not in Proud Immortal Demon Way anymore. Can't expect everyone to just fall in line with his modern slang or suffer Luo Binghe's wrath.]

Thank you for your concern, but it's not the first time I've gone off on my own without my husband, nor will it be the last. I'm determined to make the best of this adventure -- beginning with buying my other self some proper furniture.

[He grimaces, glancing around the apartment before sipping his tea. It's dire, y'all. Truly dire.]

text: un: tenskulls

[stayscared]

[welp. it's happened. that thing he was warned about. at the very least he's been able to avoid the dry skin that shen yuan (the real one, the one that's not 'a viper') had mentioned. he hasn't pieced together that they're connected, either, but ...he's gotten a little religious about applying the lotion.

mike has burned down his own life - not exactly for fun, but he did get a laugh (hysterical, insane) out of it in the end.

so the other him is married. possibly vaguely relatable? should he just roll the dice and ask about what else to call him, or should he keep his mouth shut and remain unavailable due to trench?

of course:]

Is there something you'd prefer to 'Consort Shen'?

[xiaoxiuya]

Tenskulls...?

[Still streaming, Consort Shen takes a moment to shuffle through papers left on the kitchen counter -- clearly messages left from the other Shen Yuan, because he looks up and responds,]

Is this Mike-xiansheng, Mike Enslin, or some variant thereof? If so, good morning! [Big, but also gentle smile. The other Shen Yuan was worried about how this change would affect Mike's emotional state, so Consort Shen wants to assure him that everything's fine.]

If Mike-xiansheng prefers, he's welcome to address me as A-Shen or simply use my full name, Shen Yuan. I don't think there's any need to stand on ceremony so far away from home.

text | un: zhanmadao

[poorlittlesange]

[it has become quite clear to Nie Lianfang in a very short period of time that the person he has, um, supplanted--this Jin Guangyao--has been far less forthcoming with details about his life, personal relationships, or... anything that might be construed as useful. he can't say he's that surprised; they may not be exactly the same person, but if their roles were reversed, Lianfang isn't sure he'd go out of his way to provide an alternate version of himself with that much information about his life, either.

still, he's a quick study. he'll figure it out.]

Greetings to you, Consort Shen. This one is called Nie Lianfang. In this world, I believe my counterpart introduces himself as Jin Guangyao.

[which is weird, but he's not obsessing over that detail or what it suggests about his parentage or whether his mother has lied to him about who his father really is, or if perhaps she has lied about other things. he's having a perfectly normal one about all of this.]

As Lan Xichen has said, it would be our pleasure to host you. It is this one's understanding that you have been granted a pass token to the siheyuan. Please do let me know if you encounter any difficulties using it.

[it's happening]

[stayscared]

[my counterpart.

there's a tiny part of mike (the petty part, and it's directed right at trench) that is tempted to just invent another self for the hell of it, to see how far he can push the joke, but it's not worth much of a second thought. it's a bit of a dick move, and it's easier to just admit out loud to his omen that he feels left out.

that he's got to learn new names all over again, and hope he doesn't fuck those up.

that same part of him also whispers "would it matter if no one remembers", and this is one way to start an argument with himself, he supposes. nope. not doing it. he's not being that guy. if he feels weird about it - and he does - he can just write that down instead - or go for a soak in the hot spring. a drink. two drinks. better yet: he can go to work and distract himself from the whole thing.

so the pass tokens still work - but none of them ...know each other. they have to do this all over again? oh, god. oh, no.

this is a hilarious (to someone) nightmare scenario. can he have a run in with the mannequin beast again? at least he didn't have to worry about making a good impression there.

at some point he is just going to have to rip off the bandaid, here.]

[xiaoxiuya]

Oh yes, my other self mentioned a Jin Guangyao in his notes! [Along with a frankly embarrassing level of praise. Jesus Christ, other Yuan, reign it in a little. Just because you're gay doesn't mean you have to be that gay, goddamn. But he won't be mentioning that unless the other man brings it up first, and it seems he won't be.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Nie-gongzi, and it would be an even greater pleasure to pay you and Lan-gongzi a visit. What time would be convenient to you? And, please forgive me the necessity, but the siheyuan is still located in the Wilful Machine district, yes? My other self left directions, but I prefer not to leave such things to chance.

un: hummingbird

[fanfavors]

[scrolls down the groupchat....... huh. okay, this might as well happen.jpg]

What did he write about me in his notes?

[xiaoxiuya]

[By now Consort Shen has turned the stream off, in preparation for getting ready to go out -- doing a makeup video like a tiktok girl might be fun, but since he doesn't have any makeup to put on it's a moot point. However, in true millennial fashion he still has his omni close at hand <3]

Is this Nie Huaisang?

[It's him or Duty, and 'hummingbird' doesn't sound like a handle any version of Duty would use, so...]

He seems fond of you. He called you didi in his notes, said you need a little looking after but you're fun to spend time with.

Reading between the lines I think you remind him of our little sister. I gather he hasn't had the chance to see her in quite some time.

video | un: zhanmadao (private)

[poorlittlesange]

[oh, phew, this is a relief. Nie Lianfang's notes had indeed confirmed Huaisang's presence in Trench, but it is reassuring to see that his cousin's demeanour hasn't changed. perhaps he, too, has arrived here from the same version of their world. wouldn't that be nice!

(the narrator: it would not, in fact, be nice.)

there's really no getting around all the trappings of the Qinghe Nie that characterize his appearance: the braids, the colour of the clothes he favours, the giant fucking zhanmadao--a sabre--propped up against the bedroom wall behind him. there's no undercurrent of anxiety holding his shoulders taut and poised, he doesn't look like he's one unexpected loud noise away from bolting like a prey animal, or like he's trying to pretend he hasn't killed someone's brother.]

A-Sang, [warmly and with obvious relief,] I'm so glad you're here. Are you all right? Can we speak for a moment? [a brief pause, then,] If this is not the best time, I can of course call back later.

dated 1/20

[xiaoxiuya]

refined_elegance has made transient_lord an administrator.

transient_lord changed their username to peerless_hobo.

peerless_hobo initiated a video call...

Hi guys... [Shen Yuan appears, yawning, and very clearly still in bed. He waves at the camera, smiling sleepily.] I see the other me did some decorating...I'd complain about busybodies, but honestly he did a pretty good job.

[He carefully turns his omni around to show off the foot of the bedframe and wooden privacy screen Consort Shen picked for him, separating the sleeping area from the rest of the apartment.]

S'cozy. [Here, look at his ceiling for a while while Shen Yuan yawns again and stretches. When he returns the collar of his sleeping shirt has been pulled down a little by the change in position and IS THAT A HICKIE???

Good lord Shen Yuan, what have you been doing in your time away??]

Anyway, I haven't done more than skim-read the notes he left for me in the omni, so I'm trusting you guys to let me know if he behaved himself. How's everyone else doing?

CR/Plot Top-Levels

[xiaoxiuya]

Log threads for CR group or plot-related events. Please message before joining.

The Red/Party Top-Level

[xiaoxiuya]

Threads set the Red/Madam Generosity's party go here.

Second City Plot TL

[xiaoxiuya]

Threads related to the second city plot, Riteoir, and the effigies go here.

Speed Dating blurb

[xiaoxiuya]

UN: peerless_hobo Career transmigrator and recovering NEET, this disaster gay is taking his first slow peeks out of the closet -- and looking for distractions from his massive unrequited crush on a married man! If you've got a thing for neurotic twinks with an interest in music and monsters, this is the man for you!

( Shen Yuan | 29 | male | gay)

An Empty City (tdm prompt, closed to LXC and JGY)

[xiaoxiuya]

Could this really be what he wanted? This empty, echoing city, devoid of water or life? No, no, no that can't be true. It's true that there's nobody here for him to embarrass himself with, nobody for him to hurt or make miserable with his blind fumbling, but neither is there anyone for him to please. Nobody to smile with, nobody to amuse, nobody to care for or recieve care from in return. Did he...really want to live like that?

No, of course not! Sure, he had a tendency to self-isolate when he was upset, with so many examples of that behavior in his recent history even someone as good at fooling themselves as Shen Yuan had to admit to it, but to isolate himself to this extent...he'd never have agreed to it! And...and even if he had expressed an idle with for it, somewhere deep down in his heart...any reasonable person would have known he didn't really mean it! No, he wasn't being the unreasonable one here!

"I didn't ask for this!" he calls out, his words echoing back to him in the empty air. "I don't want it!" But there is no answer.

In the end there's nothing left to do but go back into the sea. He can't stay in this empty world, he really will go mad. Perhaps he'll transmigrate to another world, one where Jin Guangyao and Lan Xichen are still alive -- or Luo Binghe. Maybe even all three, he thinks somewhat whimsically, as he hikes up his robes and wades into the surf. It would be interesting to introduce them...just to see what would happen...

It takes him a moment to realize that he's shivering, and a moment more to understand why. He's back in the siheyuan courtyard, legs folded in lotus position -- and bizarrely enough, every stitch of clothing he has on is soaked through with salt water. But the implications of that will have to wait, because as soon as he opens his eyes -- and rubs away the water blurring his vision -- he realizes: he's no longer alone.

"Ge -- shige," he gasps, reaching for Jin Guangyao without a single thought for the state of his clothing or the inappropriateness of demanding a hug from a married man. Shit, Lan Xichen's getting a hug too in a hot minute if he sits still long enough. "You're back, or I'm back, or something. God. Fuck, I missed you."

[poorlittlesange]

It doesn't really matter what Jin Guangyao was doing a handful of moments ago--sitting, perhaps, in meditative reflection, or plucking idle notes on the guqin--because when he turns to see Shen Yuan drenched from head to toe and smelling faintly of the Pthumerian ocean's brine, he lurches forward without even thinking. "Shen-di..!" he starts with wide eyes and goes to kneel beside him--

--and so is positioned perfectly for Shen Yuan to grab hold of him with both arms, and pull him forward into an embrace. Jin Guangyao startles momentarily like a trapped animal (he's hardly the most tactile of men), but Shen Yuan's unhappiness breaks down those carefully erected barriers with ease. He puts his arm around his friend's shoulders and cradles the back of his head, brow resting against his hair. "You are safe," he assures him soothingly, then turns an imploring look towards Lan Xichen. help :c

Fishing (in more ways than one) - March 1st

[fugu]

He Xuan is at the docks, on a shaky little wooden pier down the quiet end, as he often is since he came to Trench. The other fisherman know him, or know of him, the black-robed Sleeper who some days trades away his whole catch and some days keeps it. They can give directions, if Shen Yuan finds he needs them.

Black Water Submerging Boats has a particular affinity for water, one that has remained even as most of his power has become linked to his blood, but he doesn't "cheat" by pulling against the tide or coaxing the fish to him. No, he sits quiet and patient and still, bare feet dangling into the ocean, his singular skeletal Arowana swimming in lazy figure eights through the air. Occasionally it will read aloud a new reply from the network in a toneless voice, and He Xuan will reply equally unemotionally, and it will send the message for him. They have no further communication than this.

When Shen Yuan walks the pier, he feels the vibrations but doesn't turn, or speak to acknowledge the arrival of the civil servant. His lure bobs with the waves, light tackle to fish the school of shad that have come with the break in the weather (perhaps hoping to swim against the oncoming ice, but for one last day the water is free of rime and squid alike.) He already has a bucket with a few caught fish beside him.

[xiaoxiuya]

Before he sets foot on the docks, Shen Yuan keeps his promise to Jin Guangyao in the form of a quick text message with a location tag. Then he puts his omni away and, hands in his sleeves, begins his careful walk down the pier, a little unsure of his balance but not unduly so. Xiu Ya has also been put away for now; he doesn't want to appear overly aggressive by showing up to this first meeting with a sword hanging from his waist. And should things go wrong -- not that he thinks they will! -- it only takes a second to summon her anyway, so that's fine.

The bone fish startles a charmed smile out of him, that lingers even as he offers He Xuan a respectful but not obsequious salute. "Xiansheng," he says calmly, "thank you for the invitation. This one is called Shen Yuan."

Visiting - March 3

[fugu]

How long is polite to wait before imposing on Shen Yuan's hospitality? Well, He Xuan wouldn't want the fish to go bad, so he only waits two nights. He does catch more fish in this time, and cleans and filets them with a sharp blade and skill a sashimi master would envy. These he places back on ice, in his portable cooler, and carries with him when he follows Shen Yuan's instructions for finding his home.

It is only a few days into March now, but the plant growth has exploded, the streets verdant with new life and the air almost tropical. He Xuan mostly just ignores it, though he does wonder if it could provide another source of food for his bottomless stomach. Of course not all plants are edible, but as a hungry ghost he's gotten good at picking out the ones that are at least non-harmful.

He hasn't called ahead, what rudeness. Instead he simply darkens Shen Yuan's doorstep unannounced. Knocks, and then thinks belatedly to message him: I'm here.

[xiaoxiuya]

It takes a moment for the message to be noticed and delivered, but when it does Shen Yuan's voice calls, "One moment please!" from the other side of the door, and in somewhat less than a moment later he's opened it, smiling, to invite He Xuan inside. His appearance looks...oddly disheveled for so early afternoon, with his hair trying its best to escape the bun piled on top of his head and some kind of translucent fluid smeared on his hands and face, but his smile is bright and his gaze is clear and straightforward as he greets He Xuan and asks him to please come in.

"Sorry about the mess," he continues as he ushers He Xuan inside, "I was trying to do some pruning." And as the apartment is only one large room (one large room and one very small one, if you count the bathroom) with only an artistically carved wooden screen to shield Shen Yuan's bed from view, the reason for his dishevelment will quickly become clear, as it sits in plain view on his kitchen table: a spider plant, apparently perfectly normal if somewhat ragged in appearance, with enough foliage for three more plants of the same size piled all over the floor. Next the plant's pot rests a broken pair of kitchen shears and a very sticky and irate spiritual sword, which radiates suspicion and yang energy across the room like a lightbulb.

"Be polite if you can't be nice," Shen Yuan snaps at it, and the yang energy subsides with a sensation exactly like the sound of a lady grumbling. "Let me put the kettle on," Shen Yuan says to He Xuan, "and then if you'll excuse me for a minute, I'll just run all of this down to the burn pile outside."

How To Do Better (Closed to Duty)

[xiaoxiuya]

It somehow made everything worse that Duty probably wasn't going to smack him, Shen Yuan thought wryly. He thought he knew Duty well enough to expect that he would continue as he'd begun, by making Shen Yuan think about what he'd done, account for himself and come with an actionable plan for how to proceed. Worse yet Xiu Ya had come around to Duty's plan as soon as she understood it, so Shen Yuan knew that if he refused to play ball, the two of them would just gang up on him. How embarrassing!

Still not as bad as having to kneel in front of Duty's front door where anyone could see him though, even he has to admit -- and so he rings the doorbell with a small shudder, feeling an uncomfortable mix of resolve and horror at the near miss.

[martyrofduty]

Don't answer that, Duty sends immediately to Augustine, whose bedroom is right next to the front door, whose windows could let him look out and see Shen Yuan kneeling out there. The practice isn't one Duty would care to enforce himself, but it matters to Shen Yuan. It's part of his culture.

Duty rereads the entirety of the reflections and homework that Shen Yuan completed before Duty agreed to meet with him. It— yes it shows progress. Improvement. More, he thinks, in Xia Yu's immediate reflections than Shen Yuan's. However, Xia Yu, separate as she may seem, is a part of Shen Yuan—a part he sees as separate. A part he must take into himself if he is truly to cultivate himself to the fullest (not to absorb his omen and her sense of identity, but her wisdom).

Finally, he comes to the front door and opens it. "Come in," he says and leads Shen Yuan through the original house and into the new addition, in which every room is larger.