[pfsb] practicing forms and signs

[lightamidchaos]

He has much to do, much to consider, and at times like this he finds that it can be both useful and soothing to practice sword forms. In addition, he has been working on perfecting the Igni sign, and this will be an excellent opportunity to continue his practice.

As a result, Lan Wangji can be found near the lake at present, working with Bichen and with the occasional flicker of light from his hand.

Comments

[a_reckless_wind]

"But I did not imagine it, Laurence," Temeraire had insisted, when he returned to the pavilion and wove a story of an impossible tavern at the end of the universe to his incredulous crew. Laurence had looked rather sharply at Roland, who was eating up this absurdity as though it were a lovely dessert.

He will have to apologize, thinks Laurence to himself now, once he has made his way through the odd front room of the tavern and out to the lakeside which Temeraire had described in such detail. Shaken to his core and unwilling to show it, Laurence strides down to the lake's edge, considering perhaps to splash some of the fresh cold water on his face – but his musings are interrupted by the sight of a young man practicing his swordsmanship nearby.

"Hanguang-jun was very kind," Temeraire had said. "As was Wei Wuxian. You might know them by their dress; Hanguang-jun was all in white, with a blue ribbon and a silver emblem on his forehead; he wore a silver headdress to match, most elegant, Laurence."

It's more than possible there are two or more such personages who frequent this place, but Temeraire had spoken of the sword and magic as well, and so Laurence feels his must try his luck.

For his part, he's grateful to be properly attired in his bottle-green coat that signifies his membership in the Aerial Corps and the golden bars at the shoulders which tell his rank; also for the sword at his own side. He waits until the younger man has paused in his training, then approaches and bows, politely.

"Am I right in thinking, sir," he says, "That you are known as Hanguang-jun, or Lan Wangji?"

[lightamidchaos]

He sheathes Bichen and bows in return, holding the sword vertical before him.

"You are," he confirms. The other man is dressed in what appears to be some sort of uniform, although not one he recognizes, and carries a sword of his own. "Might I inquire as to your name?"

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence bows once more. His head is uncovered and his sun-bleached hair growing a bit long for his taste; a lock of it falls across his forehead when he straightens.

"Captain Will Laurence, at your service, sir," he says. "I hear you have been a great friend to Temeraire – Lung Tien Xiang," he adds, recalling that Temeraire had introduced himself with both names. "I am in your debt, sir."

[lightamidchaos]

"No debt," he says, clear and certain. "I am honored to meet the man a celestial calls friend."

[a_reckless_wind]

"An honor we share, I think," Laurence says, smiling slightly.

Temeraire is... avaricious in his affections. Laurence wonders if Lan Wangji has any idea at all that he and his friend are now, in Temeraire's mind, a part of his crew – or circle, at least. "He spoke quite effusively of you and the other – Wei Wuxian, I believe."

[lightamidchaos]

Pink flushes along the curve of his ear. Wei Ying will be delighted to hear this, he is certain.

"Wei Wuxian, yes," he confirms. "Lung Tien Xiang is gracious to have remembered us so to you."

[a_reckless_wind]

"I assure you, he was more than impressed with you both," Laurence tells the young man.

"And I understand you are to tutor him in calligraphy, is that so?"

[lightamidchaos]

"If he wishes, I shall be honored to do so," Lan Wangji manages. The dragon had mentioned wanting to learn more, but he had not expected --

"We discussed it briefly, when he visited, along with poetry and music."

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence's smile crooks a little more strongly to one side. "I think you will find him a most enthusiastic student," he tells the younger man. "He has quite surpassed me in maths and languages and is always eager to learn more."

Resting his hand on his sword, Laurence glances out over the lake – and frowns at the line of flattened trees he can see on the other side. "I see he demonstrated one of his own skills for you, as well."

[lightamidchaos]

He follows Laurence's glance. "Mn."

He is still grateful that the warren had been well out of the way, and had taken care to apologize to El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle and the others personally. "He was kind enough to do so, after we were talking of war and battle and the techniques that I myself use," he says, diplomatically.

[a_reckless_wind]

"He was showing away, more like," Laurence says, his tone a combination of fond and wry and very lightly exasperated. "You must understand; for a long while we hadn't any idea he might show a special technique, the way the fire-breathers or acid-spitters do. I fear it's gone quite to his head."

But Laurence is grateful for it, and grateful that Temeraire has found his place in the world and some understanding of his own kind – even if the surprise of the divine wind is what drove this visit to China in the first place. "It truly is something, though, the divine wind."

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji eyes him. "Lung Tien Xiang is a celestial," he says, slowly. "I understand that dragons may be regarded differently in your world than in mine, perhaps more so in England, but I am honored to have had the opportunity to speak with him, and for him to have demonstrated this skill."

He glances at the fallen trees again and does not quite sigh. "It is my error for asking him to do so without understanding what it might entail."

[a_reckless_wind]

"Not at all," Laurence says, though not unkindly. He cannot help but be pleased at the young man's defense of Temeraire... undeserved though it might be.

"Temeraire knows his own abilities quite well enough to gauge them himself. Although the first time he used the divine wind, we were all of us, himself included, shocked and amazed. He knocked a large transport clear out of the sky."

[lightamidchaos]

"He had mentioned you were at war." Lan Wangji looks at the trees again, and this time does allow himself the smallest of sighs.

"Perhaps he thought I understood more than I did."

[a_reckless_wind]

"I think it more likely he wished to impress you," Laurence tells the younger man.

"But he would never have meant to cause real harm." Not when there are no enemies about, certainly.

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji's eyes widen. "Impress me?" He sounds genuinely surprised by that.

"Of course he would not have wished to cause harm."

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence's expression softens. "Is it so strange to think he might wish his new acquaintance to think well of him?"

He turns away from the path of destruction – which, after all, harmed no one but a few trees. "But I chide unnecessarily; if he is a little vain he has certainly earned the right to it, and a more loyal and pleasant companion one could hardly wish for. And he excels where I do not; I quite forget myself. I understand you have invited Temeraire and myself to your home; that is very kind, sir. Temeraire speaks of his wish to travel there often, but I am afraid we have been kept quite busy in Peking. Pray accept my apologies for our tardiness."

[lightamidchaos]

"Not strange. He is very gracious to consider it," Lan Wangji tells him. "I would expect no less. Please do not apologize, Laurence-huángzǐ. I will be happy to welcome you to Cloud Recesses at any time you would wish."

The thought reminds him, and he glances at the inn, then back at the other man. "I have not yet offered you hospitality. Would you allow me?"

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence bows, buying himself a little time before he must answer. He is all too aware that it would be deeply rude to refuse, and yet some small part of him wishes that he might anyway... but this young man's hospitality is unlikely to be the sort offered by Yongxing.

He will simply have to hope he does not say or do the wrong thing and accidentally offend. "I thank you," he says. "I accept."

[lightamidchaos]

Once again he finds himself wishing for his brother's grace and skillful way with people. Usually it does not matter quite so much, but in this case--

Lan Wangji pushes the uncertainty and nervousness away, deep down where it cannot be seen, and falls back on his training. He turns to walk beside Laurence back to the inn, carrying Bichen at his side.

"I understand you were the one who gave Lung Tien Xiang the name Temeraire," he says. "Would you prefer that I call him so when speaking with you?"

[a_reckless_wind]

"No," Laurence says, falling into step beside the young man, who moves with such unconscious elegance that Laurence cannot help but note it. "I have got used to hearing his Chinese name now, and there's a certain argument to make for it being the proper address."

He sounds a little rueful; the last thing he'd meant to do when harnessing Temeraire was step on the toes of an Emperor. "And Temeraire himself answers to both, so you may freely choose which you yourself prefer to use. I will take no offense."

[lightamidchaos]

Uncertainty flickers in his glance, although his expression does not change. "I would not wish to presume," he says, carefully. "His preference, or yours, should guide me in this."

[a_reckless_wind]

"Let it be Lung Tien Xiang, then," Laurence tells him, hoping to assuage the younger man's carefully-held concern.

"He is so pleased to be able to learn more of his heritage; he has quite embraced it, which is all for the best."

Laurence's own feelings on their time in China and the complications arising therefrom may be safely set aside to prioritize Temeraire's in this matter. "Besides which it is a flattering name; I believe it means 'auspicious' or something similar."

He looks a question at Lan Wangji; his own Chinese is elementary at best.

[lightamidchaos]

"Mn," he says, and realizes as he does that this may be less than helpful. Lan Wangji leads Laurence through the door and indicates a table with pleasing alignment, looking to him to see whether it is satisfactory.

"Do you know which character he uses for Xiang?"

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence, faced with his embarrassing inability to fully – or even partially – comprehend the language Temeraire has picked up so easily, bows briefly to hide his discomfort.

"Forgive me," he says. "I have never had an ear or eye for languages." Even his French is just short of abysmal, but he finds Chinese, and especially the characters, nothing short of wholly confusing. "I regret to say I must further apply myself to study of the language, but am at present unable to specify the character itself; however, I believe it is pronounced Xiáng, if that is of some assistance."

He does his best to recreate the rising tone in which Temeraire had patiently coached him, but his ear is not the most precise.