Metaplot Archives

[Fei Yi Long]

Here you will find the various Metaplot posts archived, in order of posting. Because this thread will span multiple Metaplot events, there will be a break post between events, to ensure that no confusion occurs.  

[Fei Yi Long]

Wait... what was that?!

Fei Yi dumped the bucket of wash-water out onto the stones of the walk, moving to get the push-broom that served as an outside mop. As easy as it would be to clean the stones by magic, there was something satisfying of scrubbing them at the end of a day, watching them gleam clean in the flickering of the lanterns outside the small restaurant. Letting his mind wander as he ran the soapy water over the flagstones with the harsh bristles of the broom, he caught a faint taste of something almost... warm, and paused. Straightening, his amber eyes turned to search the shadows that lingered just past the corner of the building, where the wall prevented the firelight from falling. The scales around his eyes scrunched together just a bit with his focus. Forgotten was soapy water and broom alike, and for a moment, Fei's mind shifted to Lin Shui, still busy inside the restaurant.

Something's out there, he thought to himself, jaw tightening as he moved to set the broom against the doorframe and make his way toward the corner of the building. He moved with a silent grace that spoke of something beyond a chef, uncaring of who might see him sneaking, as long as his target didn't catch him. Drawing a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment, and gathered to him all the magic he'd learned to command. With the air an almost palpable aura of crackling energy and potential around him, he abruptly rounded the corner, staring into the darkness. A murmured word, and his eyes glowed a faint golden for a moment.

Nothing. It made no sense. He'd been certain that something (or someone) was there, but nothing met his eyes. Despite the murmured magic that allowed him to see as well in the dark as he did in the sunlight, he could see nothing. Eyes narrowing in contemplation, he continued to stand for a quiet moment, scanning the darkness before dispelling the magic and turning to go. Nothing there. But it wasn't my nerves, he told himself. He knew that for a moment, he hadn't been alone. But whoever had been there was skilled at hiding, and it would take more than a simple surprise pounce to catch him out. As he made his way back to the broom, Fei scratched at the back of his head. He debated whether or not to tell Lin about the odd sensation before shaking his head. No, he decided. Not until I have a better idea of what's going on. No sense in worrying her needlessly. And it might've been a squirrel or raccoon, at that.

...But he didn't really think so.

 

[Fei Yi Long]

Searching...

His black claws clicked on the stone streets. He barely noticed his unfamiliar surroundings; he was focused on other things.

Where was it?

He focused his senses, feeling for the now-familiar presence.

Where was it?

Had it been dropped off already, or was it still with its carrier? He clacked past a brick building decorated with a jade lotus, past a tall yao, barely noticing either. He had better things to look for.

Where the hell WAS it?!

He was getting frustrated. He had been searching for so long, and had yet to find it. Who did they think they were?! He would find it eventually, their little game was useless and only serving to make things worse for them. He would find it. The outcome depended on it.

He WOULD find it.

His eyes snapped open and he let out a small growl. His anger was clouding his magical sight, he wouldn’t be able to find it until he had calmed down, and that would take an entire night of meditation.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly through his nose. He glanced back at the jade lotus building, noticing that it was a restaurant. He looked around, taking in the foreign sights. It was a very beautiful territory. He grinned. Maybe it wouldn’t be as hard to calm down as he thought. He enjoyed this country, and his malevolent grin only grew as he imagined the future.  

[Fei Yi Long]

Imperative

The other one was here. He could feel it. He could sense it. That made his mission all the more important. He stared down at the bag he carried, then moved on, dragging himself away from the siren call of the light and smells of the tea shop he'd been hovering on the edges of.

This had to be done. His kind was counting on him. But where should he go? Where would be the best place? Mind racing, he hurried off into the darkness, trying to get away from the area he'd sensed the other in. Perhaps he could come back for tea once the package had been handled...

 

[Fei Yi Long]

A Shadow Amidst Darkness

It was dark, and the flickering lights from the lamps near the red door gave the night an almost dreamy softness. Fei sat nearby, out of the immediate circle of light, but well within the softer haze that precluded true darkness. He could see other lamps along the road, though they were few and occasional at this point. Most had been extinguished before, when businesses closed and the light wasn't needed. But Fei preferred to settle in it for a bit, letting the day wind down as he listened to the chirping of grasshoppers and the soft scuffle of other wildlife, and sipping a large mug of soup that remained from the day. A breath of wind whispered along as he drank, seeming almost chill after the heat of the kitchens, but he held still, a faint smile on his face, and his golden eyes staring out into the darkness. In the quietude of the night, enjoying the calm, Fei almost missed the sound.

The soft metal tapping was slow and barely audible, but the moment he heard it, Fei sat up straighter. Soup, now barely more than lukewarm, sloshed over onto his wrist, but he paid no attention to it as he listened, his attention focused and his eyes wide. Behind him, it came again, an almost rough scrape that ended after only a moment. He rose, setting the mug down silently and making his way around to the side of the building, where the light did not reach. He could see the edge of the lamplight like a dividing line, and with barely a moment's thought, slipped past it into the darkness. He hid there, letting shadow conceal him as he waited again for the sound. It seemed a long time in coming, but finally, he heard another faint tap, followed quickly by a second one, and that drew him toward the back of the building. He walked along the wall with sure steps, knowing the terrain well. A stillness settled in his chest as he moved, and when he reached the corner, he paused barely a moment before easing around and peering into the blackness.

Moonlight tempered the shadows, but the moon was barely less than half-full, and offered far less than the visibility from a whole one. Only the fact that Fei's eyes had grown accustomed to the dark during his way to the back helped him to see the form kneeling over the basement door, and he froze, staring at the would-be intruder for a few seconds too long. The other looked up, and though Fei could see nothing of the other in the darkness save a black shape, he could somehow feel their eyes meet for a moment.

And then the other turned, racing off into the trees beyond the back garden, where the moon would not prevail and Fei could not see without magic. He remained still rather than chase after the other. Was it his imagination, or had that one been carrying something....?
 

[Fei Yi Long]

Congratulations to Juanqu and Huohua Shui

Four beautiful eggs have arrived for the couple, destined for happy homes. But before the eggs can hatch, they must be cooled to the right temperature. And though the heat of summer still bakes the ground from day to day, the evenings are beginning to cool just that little bit as autumn grows ever nearer. The changing temperatures have brought with them large, billowy clouds that seem to promise rain in the days to come. The promise of rain soon leads the parents to setting the nest outside, as is tradition. No right-minded Long would ever dare to disturb a well-tended nest of eggs, and magical wards ensure that the eggs are kept safe and sound...

 

[Fei Yi Long]

Wait... What's this?!

Morning arrives. It is a hot, dry morning. The promise of rain from the night before seems to have dried up along with the clouds, and the sky is clear and blue, the sun shining down on five eggs. Wait... five eggs? Four there were, when the parents placed the eggs out the night before. And yet the wards have been carefully eased wide to allow someone, though no one can quite say just who, to set one more egg in the nest amidst the others. This new egg looks nothing like the parents or the other eggs. What events are beginning to unfold, begun with such an unusual event?

The Search beings on September First. Are you ready?