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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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 Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:31 pm
Jilan, growth from Child I to Child II
Somehow, Jilan has fallen through to the Silver World. Did he slip through a portal in Dragonlamp, or get caught in some sort of magical crossfire on Gaia? However he may have accessed this realm, he now finds himself trapped here, in a world whose sentients are entirely Porcelain, dressed in strange clothes with strange customs.
Wandering an open-air marketplace, Jilan finds items he has never seen before and couldn't even imagine how to use. If he builds up the courage to ask a vendor about them, he's answered curtly or with stony stares; although he looks like any of their young boys, they somehow know that he is an outsider.
He must have walked an hour before he finds a friendly face. Lost, hungry, and thirsty, he asks a stranger for directions. When this stranger turns around, he might be surprised to see how beautiful he is... he? she? Even for a Porcelain, this one is androgynous with no gender-marking makeup, hir long hair inky-dark and hir silver eyes unreadable, but gentle.
The stranger knows immediately that 'Jilan' must be from 'Gaia.' Jilan is one of whose who has walked both forwards and backwards on the water-wheel in the river of time... This one has been expecting Jilan's arrival. Jilan can call this one "Jin;" would he like Jin to show him around the Capital?
Jilan is in the Capital City of the Silver World, a land of primitive mundane technology with advanced magical technology. The year, according to the locals, is Toutei 998, though Jilan couldn't guess what that might mean. He's staying at an apartment rented by Jin, who claims to be a minstrel and whose gender Jilan still hasn't figured out after several weeks of boarding together.
There are many opportunities for education and employment in the Capital, though one as young-looking as Jilan probably won't be able to find work. Instead, he could amuse himself by exploring the markets, making friends with the neighbors, visiting what libraries are open to the public (if he can even figure out how to read Porcelain script,) or asking for lessons from Jin, who seems knowledgable about many fields.
Jilan has two years, this year and the following, before he will return to Gaia.
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:32 pm
Though Jilan had learned in Gaia that he had to overcome his natural shyness to fully exercise his curiosity, and that he somehow always benefited in the end from what he had learned... this was not Gaia.
He kept his world as small as possible in this new place, venturing between the apartment and only the nearest stores when he needed to. This would at least let him get to know Jin better; the Porcelain seemed uncertain about this at first, but the minstrel grew on him if, for no other reason, than because Jilan had no one else. And so he clung close, feeling bad for imposing but also unwilling to really leave. Jilan set about trying to make himself as helpful as possible around the house, which was what he had done for Kumoru back in Gaia, so it came to him easily. It just took a bit to get used to some of the new things the Silver World had to offer.
Jilan ventured furthest from the apartment when Jin took him out shopping. The Porcelain allowed his mentor to pick out clothes for him, as he was not at all sure where to even start in terms of the new fashions. He also bought himself some make-up with the intent of maintaining the lines on his face, but the Gaian alien was ultimately too shy to attempt to do it himself. Clothing seemed uniform enough, but from what Jilan could tell, there was a subtlety to the system of face-markings that he was not sure he would be able to properly grasp without instruction. Jin's face was so notably naked that Jilan was not sure it was appropriate to go to hir for advice, and therefore wordlessly followed his mentor's example on that front as well.
He did learn what he could from Jin, however - mostly he was afraid to ask unless something was really troubling him, but he gradually opened up to his mysterious benefactor. Speaking was one of the first things he started working on with Jin. He had been around that method of communication enough in Gaia that it was all too familiar to him, but he had hardly tried it out himself. It came to him quickly, therefore, though learning still did not make Jilan a very chatty Porcelain.
Living without books started to drive the Gaian up the wall, though, and after a few weeks of awkwardly loitering around the public library in his spare time, Jilan finally admitted to the librarian who kept a careful eye on him that he could use some help. He decided he would not tell Jin that he needed help learning to read, although he got the feeling his mentor already knew. So he gradually started to spend less time out and about (except when going between home and the nearest library) and more time either in the apartment following Jin around or with the simple books the librarian left him to work through.
As far as socializing outside of that went, Jilan fairly willingly accompanied Jin anywhere he was allowed to come along. He tended to remain very quiet but attentive when he was out with hir (Jin knew so much more, so Jilan just watched and tried to pick up all he could about the Silver World). Apparently he started to become a bit of a novelty in Jin's social circles, as the pair of them were together so frequently, and Jilan had taken to leaving his face unpainted just like his mentor's, but Jilan was never quite sure exactly what the other Porcelain thought of him.
When they first met, Jin had mentioned that sie had been expecting Jilan's arrival somehow. It had bothered the boy's curiosity something terrible, but somehow asking his benefactor about that seemed harder than even asking about the make-up. Finally, though, by the end of the year, Jilan worked up the courage to ask Jin about why sie had been expecting him. What did Jin know of Gaia?
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:08 pm
Toutei 998
Quiescence
Jilan arrives in the Silver World and takes up residence with Jin.
Gestation
The librarians start lending him easy books.
Parturition
Jin's neighbor, a widow named Senrei who works as a manager in a cloth-dyeing factory, comes over with some fruit and tea. She's seen Jilan about and was worried about how shy and confused he seemed, so hoped to make friends in order to keep an eye on him (Jin not seeming a terribly responsible parent.) She introduces her 3-year-old daughter, Meirei, who seems shy at first.
Ascent
Meirei starts stalking the hallway outside Jin's apartment in order to try and chat with Jilan. She shamelessly asks whether Jilan is a boy or a girl because he isn't wearing any makeup; it's not sure whether she believes his answer.
Jin coaches Jilan's speaking, but assures him that he doesn't need to worry about it yet. Meirei, after all, can't speak, either.
Sovereignity
Jin disappears for two weeks. Senrei cooks for Jilan and tries to teach him a couple of simple starving-scholar recipes.
Jin returns with no explanation but a large collection of books written in simple language. Now the apartment's not so empty, at least.
Celebration
It's a disgustingly hot summer.
Meirei tries to get Jilan to play with her and her friends at some of the minor summer festivals.
Caesura
Jin spends a lot of time busking at the Mid-Year Festival, and tries to get Jilan to accompany on a drum. A lot of grown women fuss over Jilan and find him darling, though his lack of makeup throws a few of them for a loop.
Fruition
It's too hot to do anything outside. Jin lazes around the apartment (how does this person make enough money to pay the rent...!?) available to clarify any questions Jilan has about texts or local customs.
Submission
Jin leaves again, and Senrei looks after Jilan. She's disturbed that Jin hasn't taught Jilan about makeup, and so tries to do so herself; indicating odd-numbered lines for boys, and even-numbered lines for girls.
Redress
Jin returns and continues to be lazy.
Extinction
Jin responds to Jilan's questions about his knowledge of Gaia with only cryptic answers. Apparently, Jin "travels any direction in time sie pleases and wanders where sie likes." And Jilan "would make a cute scholar."
Descent
Senrei catches a cold, and Jin (perhaps surprisingly) nurses her.
Jin asks Jilan if he would like to enroll in the neighborhood's children's school.
All Year
Jilan goes out shopping with Jin. Jin buys clothes for Jilan, but sie isn't a big fashion shopper; Jilan will learn more about picking out tasty fruit and vegetables, and different kinds of incense.
Jin's social network seems mostly to consist of specialists in the "beautiful arts" -- visual artists, dancers, actors, tailors, and musicians. Although sie has many contacts, none of them are close friends, so it's unlikely any of them will become good friends with Jilan either, unless he tries to get close to one in particular.
Jilan learns to read Porcelain script at least passably, to pronounce syllables and speak a little, and enough about the local customs so that the shopkeepers will no longer rebuff him -- though the layabout Jin hasn't been terribly useful in modeling upper-class propriety for him. Or, well, modeling anything, really.
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:06 pm
Jilan had very little with him when he fell through into the Silver World. One of the items was a small pad of black sticky-notes shaped like stars, and one of those gel pens that writes in pale purple ink. Seems like as good a place as any to keep a diary, at least for now.
Entries in {} are ones in which Jilan has attempted to write in the Porcelain script. He sticks up all the post-its on a wall over his bed. Hopefully this does not bother Jin.Jilan's post-it collection
Gestation
I start to learn to read. The librarian seemed scary, always watching, but I do not make trouble so I am okay. He has spare time a little and so he shows me the writing here.
I have books for children. I guess I really am young again. The stories are very nice. Simple and with happy endings. Like Gaia, books seem nicer than the rest of the world.
Parturition
Senrei is very nice. Meirei is nice, too. Her mother is more my peer than she is - I am not a child inside! - but I do not know what to say to her. I guess please and thank you. A good boy seems like a safe thing to be here.
I know names of fruit now! They are delicious. I know what to buy at the market.
Meirei is hard to talk to also. Very quiet, which is okay. I would talk more, but I do not think she understands.
Ascent
I am a boy! What is wrong with my face? Meirei is silly.
I have to learn to talk better. I am not a child. Maybe if I do very well at it, then Jin will teach me faster.
Jin does not seem to like buying clothes much, either but he? knows more than me. I feel strange here, but less strange with clothes that look like Jin's.
Sovereignity
Where is Jin? I hope she? is okay. Senrei is nice for cooking, but I try to keep apartment very clean on my own anyway.
I try to cook, but I think it comes out wrong. I know how to buy fruit, and so I can just eat fruit.
It is raining today and Jin is still gone. Maybe I ask Senrei if I can clean her apartment, too.
Jin is back! And with books. I will not be bored for weeks. Also good because going to library in rain is uncomfortable.
Celebration
It his hot and I am lazy. The library is cooler than here, but I have to walk outside to get there.
I sleep all night in the library and no one saw me =) I am always quiet, so maybe it is okay. It is cooler and I have books.
There was a big storm this afternoon, and after it was nice outside. I play tag with Meirei and her friends. Are there other boys to play with, too?
{I write like this maybe? Letters pretty but I am writing them =( Next time try again}
*one post-it consists entirely of Jilan practicing his name in Porcelain*
Write in Gaian is easier. Festival today was a lot of fun. It is hot still now at nighttime and I ate many sweets - tummy hurts.
Caesura
I know I have no makeup. Why is it okay for Jin and weird for me? I cannot find a book in the library. Would I look silly to ask librarian?
Drum is very much fun, but I think I am not very good now. Jin is helping me, though. Tomorrow I will do better.
{abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Hello my name is Jilan and I come from} Gaia.
I cannot tell if no makeup is a good thing or a bad thing. But so far I do not think I need it.
{I spend much time with Jin at Festival. We play music together. I am good at it but he? is better than me.}
Fruition
Is weather always so hot here in summer?
{I slept in the library again =) I told Jin about it this time. I told her? before I left.}
{I could have asked Jin today about make-up but I did not. I think she? just does not like it?} Is it rude to ask then?
Meirei is not asking me to play because it is that hot.
{Jin and I read books together. He is very bored like me, but we have many books to read.}
Submission
{Jin is gone again. I am running out of books}
I think I worried Senrei by disappearing to library again. I stayed two nights. It is still hot, but the library is comfortable.
{I am sorry, Senrei. I can clean for you to make up for letting you worry.}
I know how to do makeup now, very simple. I still have the little bit I bought earlier. It feels funny on my face after going so long without.
{My stars from earlier this year do not stay on the wall anymore}
I wonder if Jin is from here, too. I will ask sometime maybe.
Redress
{It is good I do not need to ask Jin about makeup anymore. Now I can ask him? about going through time. Did Jin know me when I was in Gaia?}
Jin is very strange and I have a hundred questions now.
{I have not asked anything yet. Jin is not scary, I do not understand.}
{Are there books about what Jin does, wandering through time?}
Descent
{I will ask at the library if there are books about time-wandering.}
{Senrei is sick. Jin is helping, and I tried, too, but the biscuits I cooked are not very sweet. I do not want to make her sicker with my cooking. I will clean her house instead.}
{I played with Meirei because her mother is still not feeling well. I wrote lines on my face like Senrei told me before I went over and Meirei laughed at them. Can I ever do this right?}
{I am a boy} *this post-it is less sticky than the others, and bears a few threads of Jilan's clothing from when he wore it like a nametag before sticking it to his wall*
{Jin asked me about school today. I think I would like that very much.}
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:22 pm
Sometime near the end of the year, Jilan got a very nice blank book and a pen from Jin as a gift, under the condition that he only use them to write in Porcelain. This is a good thing, as Jilan's pen was starting to run out. All of the writing in the book is, of course, in Porcelain.Jilan In Gaia at the end of the year, we are supposed to make "New Year Resolutions". That is something to do better next year. I read somewhere that a lot of Gaians say they make a Resolution to lose weight, but I think I am skinny enough. Even if I got fat, my robes will hide it. I think I lost weight this year anyway, because I ate a lot of fruit.
Resolutions:
~ Try to ask more questions to Jin
~ Find out about magic here - look for library books, ask Jin
~ Go outside more
~ Get taller (is there food here to do that?)
~ Cook something delicious
~ Get to know some of Jin's friends better - learn to play instruments that are not drums?
I will practice number one here because everything is easier and nicer in simple books:
Jin, where are you from?
When you go away for a long time, where do you go?
Do you really travel in time? How do you do it?
How does magic work here? Is it hard to learn?
What do you mean when you say I'm 'cute'? Or when anyone else does?
Are you a man or a woman too rude
Another resolution is go to school. Jin says I can. I will have more books then maybe and I can study more when Jin does not want to do anything. I wonder how he will keep the apartment clean, though.
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:24 pm
Toutei 999
Quiescence
Jin enrolls Jilan in the neighborhood children's school taught by a local couple, where Meirei studies. Jin quickly decides the material for children of Jilan's physical age is too easy, and switches him to a class for boys approaching the Naming Ceremony. Although the other students find this very strange, the teacher doesn't object; indeed, Jilan might sense that he dare not object.
Gestation
The boys are being taught mathematics and astrology. This material is rather difficult, and Jin tutors Jilan at home in order to help him catch up. It seems that Jin is very learned, even though sie is still as indolent as ever. Whether Jilan understands the material or not doesn't seem to really matter, as the boys do not seem to receive any sort of grades or punishment.
Parturition
The boys are being taught music and poetry in connection to mathematics. Jin gives Jilan a beautiful zither-like instrument all his own to practice upon.
One of Jin's acquaintances, a young man who goes by the name Genka, stops by. He insists on hearing Jilan practice, laughs, but then says he shows promise.
Ascent
The boys study ancient poetry.
Jin suddenly decides that sie wants to make an elaborate windowsill garden and spends a lot of time constructing it rather than tutoring Jilan.
However, Meirei falls out of a tree and breaks her leg, and while recovering sits around with Jilan at home.
Sovereignity
Jin disappears for two weeks again. Hir windowsill garden dies instantly, as if it were magically sustained by hir presence. Sie doesn't seem bothered when sie returns.
The boys study poetry of the Imperial period. The last poem they read is by one High Priest Kouyo, lamenting his fate as a cloistered priest, his fears of the outside world and his longing after an unnamed woman. When Jilan comes back from class, Jin seems keen to find out Jilan's opinion on this piece.
Celebration
The boys study dialectic. Jin thinks this is too hard for Jilan, so sie has him stay home this month and teaches him simple grammar and works on his calligraphy.
Senrei and Meirei invite Jilan over to make special cakes for a summer festival. At first, they taste kind of terrible -- not at all sweet -- but one can develop a taste for them over time.
Caesura
The boys' school doesn't have formal classes this month; the teacher helps boys who want to perform in the Mid-Year Festival prepare, while boys who are less inclined to the beautiful arts stay home or play together, enjoying their last years of childhood irresponsibility.
Jin performs at the Mid-Year Festival again, this time trying to get Jilan to play music while sie dances. Among the summer's activities, Genka does a short dance-drama with Jin, playing a hero opposite Jin's heroine.
Near the end of the month, Jin puts up a baby pine tree in the apartment, which soon dries out and drops pointy needles all over the floor.
Fruition
The school begins having sessions regularly again, and the boys study natural philosophy. If Jilan has any sort of Gaian scientific education, he'd note that these people have very strange ideas of how the world works.
Submission
The boys study the magical aspects of natural philosophy in more detail, though more emphasis is placed on "the six elements and their interactions with the world" than on how to do magic. It seems assumed that the students will just learn how to do magic on their own, sometime in the future.
Jin leaves for almost the whole month.
Senrei invites Jilan to picnic with her and Meirei outside the city one day. They have lunch sitting on top of a large, grassy mound -- the grave of Senrei's husband, apparently. Whether Jilan finds this sweet or completely creepy, the mother and daughter don't seem too depressed.
Redress
The boys practice letter-writing and calligraphy. It seems that the 11- and 12-year-old boys participate in some sort of tradition in which they write elegant letters to their favorite girls.
Meirei treats Jilan rather coldly at the end of the month, but then forgives him. For whatever he "did."
Jin returns, followed by an entire cart of books. There can't possibly be enough time for Jilan to read all of them (the apartment barely contains them,) nevermind that they are all quite difficult and deal with subjects such as magical theory from both the Imperial (confusing) and Sorcerous (incomprehensible) schools.
Extinction
The boys study art and art history, and each pupil receives a set of paints with which to practice.
Jin informs Jilan that he will be returning to Gaia next month, and he had better pack his things and say his farewells.
Jin seems to have told Genka that Jilan is leaving, and he brings some presents for Jilan.
Descent
The boys study moral philosophy. Among the authors is one Imperial Princess Rika, who espouses a variety of unorthodox, liberal views, though her name will probably not mean anything to Jilan.
With no other warning, on the third of the month, Jilan wakes up in Gaia, with all the belongings acquired in the Silver World arranged neatly around him, including the sticky-notes, which have been stored in exact chronological order inside a small, fragrant wood box.
All Year
Jilan is convinced that the apartment has some sort of self-cleaning enchantment on it, as Jin doesn't do any housework other than hir usual minimal cooking.
Jin continues to give cryptic, evasive answers to Jilan's questions about hirself; sie is so secretive Jilan might start to get suspicious. Sie does finally say that sie goes to work "in the Palace, with the Silver Empress" when sie disappears.
Jilan knows enough of Porcelain customs now to see that the people here treat Jin like a woman, although sie still wears no makeup or clothing that is clearly masculine or feminine.
It seems that time travel is not normal among these Porcelain. The librarian and the schoolteacher don't know anything about it, and Jilan can't find any books about it that aren't merely speculatory or clearly fictional.
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:11 am
Excerpts from Jilan's diary while in the Silver World, Toutei 999:Jilan Quiescence
Seirei fussed over my makeup before my first day of school, and told me my first test was to make sure I can do it myself. So I guess I can wear a little bit, to make her happy.
... Class is much better now that I am in a group of bigger boys. Everything is very strange, but it is more interesting to learn that way....
... I wonder if the teacher is afraid of Jin?
Gestation
Mathematics is very confusing, but I seem to be able to do it. If one of the other boys asks how I get the answer, though, I certainly have no idea. Astrology is much better for me I think....
Yesterday, I did not do any of my maths homework. The teacher did not seem to be cross with me. I will not do maths today either. Maybe I can ask Jin more about astrology instead. As long as I learn something, then I am doing good at school, right?
Parturition
Jin gave me a zither!? It is gorgeous! I am almost afraid to touch it. I have to practice for school, though, and this one is all for me. All for me! Oh my gosh I hope it did not cost too much!
... Actually, no, I really do not remember Genka from last year. Jin took me around to meet many people sie knows, but I did not really get to know any of them. I think Genka liked my playing, but I am embarrassed. I only started two weeks ago! I will keep trying....
Ascent
... Poetry is a little boring sometimes, but I am glad Jin waited until now to start his garden. I can keep playing my zither and let my poetry books alone if I want. I wonder what will grow?
... In Gaia we talk about "watching the grass grow", which means sitting and doing nothing. Jin has been watching grass grow in his window box....
Meirei got hurt today. I wonder what she was doing climbing trees. She comes in on crutches to listen to me play zither. I hope she feels better soon. She still sometimes insists that I am not a boy, but I know she just does it to tease me....
Sovereignity
The poetry this month is much more interesting. We read one poem by a man, High Priest Kouyo, that was amazing. His words, I could almost hear his voice reading them to me, and I could feel them as well. I do not think I want to be a poet, but I would like to be able to write like the High Priest. Jin asked me about the poem, and I had been trying to give hir "silent treatment" for vanishing again and not telling me why, but I just had to tell hir all about it.
... I told Jin today that I could forgive hir for disappearing if sie brought me more things that High Priest Kouyo had written. Even though I do not think anyone, especially me, can threaten hir. Especially because I am more glad sie is back than angry sie was gone, I think.
Celebration
Jin is keeping me home this month. That is fine. I can play zither and no one cares what my makeup looks like if I stay inside....
Grammar is so boring. Jin is teaching it, though, so I cannot skip it like I could my maths. Maybe tomorrow I can suggest playing zither together so we do not have to study....
... Cakes that are supposed to taste not sweet? There is something I should try to make. Not good food is my specialty after all.
I am glad to see Meirei is feeling better and walking on her own again.
Caesura
... Even though I have been working at school on zither again, I am still nervous about playing by myself at the Festival. The music is very pretty and I am afraid I will mess it up for Jin. I do not thing sie will be angry with me, but it would be embarrassing.
We saw Genka again today. I hope he enjoyed my playing. I was more worried about what he thought than what Jin thought....
... This is just like watching Kumoru grow plants. I will have to clean up the remains of the tree tomorrow.
Fruition
This month's lessons are interesting, but I think I would rather read more poetry. The Silver World is very different from Gaia. I wish I had a Gaia science book with me to compare because I do not remember it very well.
Submission
... Jin picked a bad time to leave. I want to know more magics! How long until I learn? Why did sie disappear again?! I am so frustrated, I will go make Senrei and Meirei dinner.
We had lunch today with Senrei's husband outside the city. I had not wanted to ask about him, but I think just going to a picnic at his grave told me all I needed to know.
Redress
... At least I already had some practice with calligraphy a few months ago, so I am a little bit ahead of the class. I enjoy it enough to do the homework, but I have also been spending a lot of time wading through Jin's new books. If sie brought me something by the High Priest, it could take me months to find it in all of the stacks.
I finally got an answer out of Jin about where sie goes. Kind of. I guess the books come from the palace, then....
I wonder what is wrong with Meirei? She has not acted like this towards me before. I wonder what I did?
Did Jin somehow know that I wanted to know more about magic? These books are beyond me, I think. I should not be mad at hir.
Extinction
... I am not sure I want to go back. I must find Kumoru again, because I am sure he misses me around. Just think - all his plants must be dead, and his house a mess! How would the mage ever get on without me? But... my studies here hold my mind captive. Will I ever come back here? Or see Jin again with the way sie disappears?
Kumoru has magic. There must be a way for him to bring me back here. And he can visit, too and maybe meet everyone. I will see if I can take one of Jin's new magic books maybe to show Kumoru. I can read it to him now, even if it makes no sense to me!
Genka has been very kind! I will miss him a lot, even though I do not see him too often. If I had another year, I would spend more time with him. I will have to get better at zither while I am in Gaia and maybe if I see him again, he will be impressed.
... I will try to paint as much of the scenery here as I can, so I will not forget my way around when I come back....
Descent
The Gaian word is "evicted", I think. Welcome home.
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:13 am
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:24 am
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:28 am
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:34 am
~In Search Of...~
Jilan settled down in the park with a pack of construction paper and a black marker. He really appreciated that Setsushi was letting him store his wagon of belongings at his house, and even letting him and Xiao Huo sleep there for now. Still, the shy boy constantly worried that he would overstay his welcome, and wished to find Kumoru as soon as possible. Or at least another place to stay.
Plopping down on the grass, he tore out the first sheet of construction paper. Then he uncapped the marker and drew Kumoru on the page as well as he could remember. ... Drawing people was more difficult than painting landscapes, but Jilan did his best to get the likeness down - tall; long black hair in a ponytail; usually wearing long robes. It looked kind of like a stick person, but that was okay; Kumoru was skinny two years ago.
Underneath the drawing, he started trying to write some sort of message so that he could paste the pictures up around town, and hopefully Kumoru would see them and know where he was. But the Porcelain realized he was not at all sure of Setsushi's address or anything. On top of that, he had largely forgotten how to write in Gaian for the most part, and he figured Porcelain script was not something many Gaians would understand. Oooh, why did this have to be so hard?
Xiao Huo wandered back over to where his brand new brother was sitting, and plopped down beside him with his dolls. Was there anything he could do to help? Or his friends could help, maybe?
He jiggled the pair of dolls to indicate their willingness to aid the older boy. One of them was a famous calligrapher today, and the other one is a famous painter.
Jilan sighed a little and tried to relax, not wanting Xiao Huo to know how worried he was about finding a place to live. After a moment's thought, he handed the pad and marker to the little Porcelain, and instructed him (and his dolls) to copy the picture he had drawn onto the other sheets of paper. While Xiao Huo worked, Jilan would have time to wonder what to do next.
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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:57 am
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:49 am
~After All This Time~
Jilan lead Xiao Huo out again after leaving behind his paper sign for Kumoru as a calling card. With any luck, they would cross paths at that shop very soon, and he and his brother would have a home again. Xiao Huo seemed to be getting tired of all the wandering around, and, after today's incident, Jilan found his confidence in his ability to care for his brother wavering.
He would need to be very careful in the future to keep track of what the younger Porcelain ate. And, just to be on the safe side, Jilan had a pocketful of his candies with him this time.
Xiao Huo tagged along with Jilan, feeling better, but still quite sick to his stomach. He dearly hoped that this Kumoru would be able to help him get back to his Mommy, or at least help him find food that he was not afraid to eat. Truth be told, the boy had been trying to eat as little as possible since coming to Gaia, as he did not trust any of the strange food.
He had been fortunate so far, but the shortage of nutrition was starting to take its toll on him.
Leading his brother down the street towards the park, Jilan glanced at the shops along the sidewalk to see if any of them sounded interesting. Not that he had any money, but it could be fun to spend a few hours browsing somewhere just to get out some one day.
As they were passing a used bookstore, both Porcelain had to scramble a bit as the door suddenly swung open, and a man stepped out.
It was Kumoru's day to close shop, so after making sure everything was set and the lights were off, he locked up, turned on the alarm system, and headed out the front door. There was usually not a whole lot of pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk, but he was surprised today to nearly trip over two children.
"I'm sorry, I almost didn't see you," he told the pair of boys, bowing slightly and brushing his hair back over his shoulder as he straightened. "Are you both alright?"
"Yes, sir, sorry, sir," Jilan stammered with a thick accent, projecting his apologies as well as he bowed back.
Wait. This man was wearing his long back hair loose, and, though he was wearing relatively normal looking clothes, the blue of his eyes was unmistakable.
"-Kumoru?"
Projecting confusion along with some poorly-concealed excitement, Xiao Huo looked between the pair. Did this mean their search was over?
Without waiting for an answer, the younger boy attached himself to the man's leg with a mental squee.
"Yes, that's me," Kumoru replied, a smile spreading across his features as he recognized the older Porcelain. "Jilan, it's been fore-" he stopped abruptly and laughed as the other unfamiliar boy hugged him. Then Jilan joined in, grasping the mage around the waist.
"How have you been, Jilan?" he began again, giving the two boys each a pat on the back. "Won the girl of your dreams? What was her name? And what's your little friend's name?"
Excited to show off his newfound ability to speak, Jilan went ahead with his answers verbally, as well as with his projections.
"I come back to Gaia," he said cheerfully, with his thick accent from the Silver World. "I have been here one week. I have not seen Cho. I not know if she remembers me."
The Porcelain prodded at his adopted brother. "This one is Xiao Huo, until we know his real name. Very young and cannot tell us. He will be my brother at your house, yes? I help take care of him!"
Yes, this little one is Xiao Huo, like Jilan said. Giggling, the younger boy let go and stepped back, putting his hands on his hips as he appraised Kumoru. He is not in robes like Jilan said, but Xiao Huo thinks he looks cool anyway.
Now, where is his magic?
"No magic on an empty stomach," Kumoru told them both. "Let's go back home and get something to eat first, then I can show off."
Oh, Jilan has some stuff back at Setsushi's house....
"Up to you guys. I can pick it up tomorrow, too, or you can come get it once you know the bus route home, or we can go now. Depends how hungry you two are."
Xiao Huo thinks his brother's stuff can wait xp
... Fine. Jilan has his candies, and he does not need his books just yet. Dinner it is! Also, he is quite anxious to see how Home looks now, after all this time.
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Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:28 am
Jilan rummaged through his wagon, looking for his Anthology of High Priests' Writings. How could it be missing? Maybe it fell out? But it was in his book bag, last he checked, and at the very bottom, too, because it was heaviest. He had been most looking forward to getting his zither back so he could play for Kumoru and the other Gaian kids, but the book definitely ran a close second.
He thought back on where it might have ended up as he went to bed, and concluded by morning that it must have gotten misplaced at Setsushi's house. Perhaps Setsushi had wanted to read it, seeing as how he had been really interested in hearing about the Silver World Jilan had visited. He would not hold it agains the older Porcelain, by any means, but still, if nothing else, Jilan just wanted to know where it was.
He set out on the bus to go back to the udon-ya, and found the place exceedingly quiet. Perhaps he had shown up at the wrong time? He knocked softly at the door, and nearly jumped with surprise as he sensed a sleepy greeting from within. It was not Setsushi.
Cautiously, Jilan pushed the door open and stepped inside. Hello?
If the visitor is here for udon, this leaf is afraid he cannot cook. However, Setsushi will be back eventually, if the visitor would like to wait.
Kouyo reclined on his makeshift bed, propped up on one elbow with his eyes closed. The screen was in the way, though, so he could not see who was there anyway.
Jilan explains that he was not there for udon, but he is missing one of his books. He steps up to the screen and peeks around the end of it, immediately recognizing the napping stranger. Setsushi had said it was....
"Kouyo?" he inquired softly.
At hearing his name, the High Priest opens his eyes and sits up straight, flicking at the folds of his robes to smooth them out a little. Yes, this leaf is the High Priest Kouyo. And the visitor must then be, "Jilan?"
This one who seemed to know so much about some of Kouyo's deepest thoughts.... The High Priest masks his mistrust, and waits to hear what he had to say.
Jilan is not at all sure how to react. After a moment, though, he doubles over in a bow. He is definitely honored to meet the High Priest!
Jilan is just wondering if... if High Priest Kouyo has seen a very thick book about all the High Priests lying around here? Hopefully that was not too strange; he remembered with a pang of guilt how Setsushi had reacted at finding out how much time had passed between when his book was written and when Setsushi had been alive.
Kouyo could have easily lied to the boy and he never would have known. But for some reason, he did not. Still, he wants to make sure he held the upper hand in this conversation, to find out what he needs to know. Just who is this child?
The High Priest is borrowing the book, and will return it when he is finished. He would also like to know why Jilan rewrote a few of Kouyo's poems in the book.
Wringing his hands nervously, Jilan shakes his head a little. He is actually not sure. He is terribly sorry if he offended the High Priest, though. He... he just had this crazy notion one day that they sounded wrong the way they were written somehow, and Jilan thought he was kind of... fixing them.
He bows again, feeling distinctly embarrassed and upset. He finally meets his favorite poet, and makes an utter fool of himself....
Kouyo stands and strides forward, quickly closing the distance between himself and Jilan. Is the young one saying Kouyo's words were wrong before and needed fixing?
But- but- but- they were not Kouyo's words! The person who reconstructed the poems... did it wrong. Jilan just knew it! He has no idea how!
The boy shies away as the High Priest reached towards him.
The intensity fades from Kouyo's eyes, and he touches Jilan's forehead lightly with one finger, tracing the character for "water" upon it. Kouyo is sorry, but... Jilan seems to know something that are impossible to know. Those poems have many secrets that no one but Kouyo should know. That is why the High Priest tried to burn them before....
Well, no matter. The parts of the book that are wrong - Jilan should not speak a word of them to anyone.
The boy nods slowly, opening his eyes as he feels that the High Priest is backing off. As Kouyo touches his face, Jilan notices the same character marked upon the older Porcelain's forehead, though the lines have been smeared somewhat.
Jilan forced a small shy smile and nodded. He can keep secrets. Also, he hopes the High Priest can see the woman he misses again. The one from his poems.
Kouyo steps back and turns away.
He will return the book when he is finished with it, not a minute before.
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Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 12:19 am
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