[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]

Laurence has always enjoyed music, if not precisely appreciated it the way a true connoisseur might, and he listens now with interest; it is like and not like the music he has heard on occasion since they came to Peking.

It does not move him the way he expects, but it does not follow he is unmoved; indeed, the clear notes and gentle melody have approximately the same effect on him as a gentle rain on dry desert grass. He feels something unspooling in his mind and chest and shoulders, a wash of tranquility soothing the weeks and months of strain and its toll.

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji brings the piece to a close and shifts seamlessly from Tranquility into Clarity. Of all the music he knows that is intended to have a cultivation effect, these two pieces are well-suited for demonstration without causing unintended harm.

Playing both will offer Laurence the chance to discern the difference linked to cultivation, rather than a general feeling which could be attributed to the music alone.

[a_reckless_wind]

Will's mood turns from peaceful to considering as he listens, and now the grass of before is bathed in the sort of radiant sunlight that reveals all details, however ugly or beautiful they might be.

Or, in his case, fears. Fears he hasn't allowed himself to either view properly or name, stubbornly refusing their existence.

He finds now he can view them clearly, and he sees they are neither insignificant nor insurmountable. But the knowledge does not fill him with anxiety as it might have before; only resolve.

And with that same sense of clarity, he realizes that the music itself, the magic Lan Wangji feeds into it, is the source of his illumination; that the songs have somehow both soothed him and brought understanding.

"Astonishing," he murmurs, half to himself.

[lightamidchaos]

It is apparent that Laurence has realized the effect, which is what he had intended to accomplish with this demonstration. Skillfully, Lan Wangji concludes the song, and rests his fingers on the strings once the last note has faded.

"Tranquility," he says. "And Clarity. In that order."

[a_reckless_wind]

"Astonishing," Laurence says again. Perhaps he should disapprove of the manipulation, but then, he's not certain that is what it was.

Not manipulation, perhaps. Guidance, rather. "And indeed they brought both."

[lightamidchaos]

He inclines his head in assent. "Much can be done with musical cultivation techniques. In battle as well as at peace."

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence smiles without humor, his mouth going crooked and wry.

"I imagine so," he says. Peace. Impossible as long as Napoleon continues to crave more and more power and glory. He feels the familiar tug of guilt that reminds him his duty lies elsewhere; not in Peking, but in defense of the shores of his home. "I thank you for your demonstration, Hanguang-jun. It is a rare pleasure to observe such skill as yours."

[lightamidchaos]

"I am glad to have been able to provide it," he murmurs. With a movement of his hand over the guqin, he returns it to its hidden storage.

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence cannot help but approve of this young man's modesty and poise. He has grown used to the more rambunctious officers of the Aerial Corps, but in his heart he misses the propriety of his once-fellow Naval officers.

He nods at the way the instrument vanished. "Clever, that."

[lightamidchaos]

"It is still with me," he explains, "only in qiankun storage. I am able to do the same with Bichen."

He nods to the sword resting beside him.

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence nods, though he doesn't truly understand; it must be another trick of the man's cultivation skill.

"A sight easier than requiring a sea chest to be brought along wherever one goes," he says, a little dry.

[lightamidchaos]

"Mn." It seems logical, and as such there is no need to belabor it.

"How long have you been far from home?"

[a_reckless_wind]

"I was twelve when I enlisted in the Navy," Laurence tells the younger man, returning to his neglected tea.

"And have traveled extensively as a necessity since. It has been a long while since I considered my parents' estate home."

[lightamidchaos]

He looks a little surprised by that. "You do not return there between your travels?"

[a_reckless_wind]

"If there was time," Laurence says.

It would be impossible – and improper – to detail the complications of his relationship with Lord Allendale to a near complete stranger; Temeraire may be swift in his intimacies, but Laurence still finds himself reticent. "I visited Lord and Lady Allendale – my parents – whenever opportunity arose, though it did so rarely."

[lightamidchaos]

Laurence speaks of his parents in the past tense, he notices; and there is war in the other man's world.

"Mn," he says, with a tone of quiet understanding, and does not press. He himself would be reluctant to answer questions about either Qingheng-jun or his own mother's death.

"And now you are in Scotland," he says, instead. "I do not know Scotland."

[a_reckless_wind]

"I correspond as often as I can, of course," he says, not wishing to seem an ungrateful son. "Although by the time they receive my letters I may well be near home once more."

He sips at his tea and nods. "Yes," he says. "The Corps training grounds are in Scotland, which is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. A kingdom which includes England and Wales," he adds, unsure of how much Temeraire may have said.

[lightamidchaos]

He blinks once; evidently he had misunderstood. He thinks of his own strained relationship with his uncle, and forbears to inquire. "Of course," he says, and leaves it at that.

"I am somewhat familiar with London by name, and thus England," he adds, after a moment. "Not with the others."

[a_reckless_wind]

"Are you?"

Curiosity sharpens his glance. "Through some relationship with your home, or because you learned of it here?"

[lightamidchaos]

"Through here," Lan Wangji tells him. "Contact with the far west is extremely infrequent. We have some items in our library that were brought east by enterprising traders, but that is a great rarity. Our own writings are far more common."

[a_reckless_wind]

Laurence nods. "This matches my own experience," he observes. "Currently, there is very little relationship between Europe and the far East."

He knows Hammond hopes to invoke change in this arena, but it seems to him likely to be a slow process.

[lightamidchaos]

"Mn." He is not sure how to ask the next question, or even if he should.

"It must be very different for you. In the Emperor's court," he attempts.

[a_reckless_wind]

"Different, yes," Laurence agrees, appreciating the younger man's delicacy of wording.

"But illuminating. And Temeraire now has the opportunity to associate with members of his own family and further his own education; his happiness at our stay brings me all the satisfaction I require."

[lightamidchaos]

He thinks of Jin Guangshan; thinks of Lung Tien Xiang's mention of Prince Yongming.

"Illuminating," he agrees. "I imagine so." His expression softens a little, then. "I am glad that he is happy."

[a_reckless_wind]

"I, too."

This he can say with all the heartfelt sincerity he feels; he himself has felt somewhat lonely, with Temeraire spending so much time in the company of his mother and Mei, but he cannot begrudge his dear companion even a second of the happiness he has found.

And he may take comfort that, should the worst happen, Temeraire will be able to live, if not happily for the first while, comfortably and in all likelihood contentedly as well. "Had his egg remained in China, his life would have been... considerably different. His curiosity and interest are more than understandable; they are right and natural."