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From:

doctor_uhh

[During this exercise...]

Eh, Lao Di. Have I become so boring you're looking for challenges elsewhere? I could probably manage a game of Qi if you bring the board.

From:

labyrinmods

[ One morning, as your character steps out of their home, they are greeted by an owl messenger, bearing a letter. The letter tells them that they have been selected to participate in a gift exchange, and they are to deliver a gift to Hunter by the end of the month. The letter says nothing more, and once the letter is read, the owl will fly away. ]

From:

notsonewbie

Hello Di Feisheng! This is Meryl Stryfe. I’m working on putting together a survey for both new and old arrivals, and I was hoping you might be able to give me a few answers! It’s mostly to figure out where everyone’s interests lie, and to see if we have any commonalities between each other! I’ve included a form down below to fill out. Just respond to this message and I’ll get to work on tabulating the results.

Thank you!

[As promised, there is indeed a form that can be filled out! Looks pretty straightforward! It's definitely for what Meryl describes, and not for anything else!]

From:

fragmentaryblue

[Following (an embarrassingly short time) after this exchange concludes.]

I leant upon a coppice gate
When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter’s dregs made desolate
The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky
Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
Had sought their household fires.

Which is to say: Hello. It's very cold out. I hope you have likewise taken to seeking your household fire.

From:

detective_xiaobao

It was around the start of the snowstorm that Fang Duobing first thought things were about to become difficult for them. The snow had added a new ordeal to their daily tasks, one that he was grateful to have headed off as much as possible in all the ways that they could. Di Feisheng's injury had also put an extra strain on them all to be sure, but that was less and less of a concern with each passing day. What he hadn't really realized, however, was in what other ways troubles might manifest.

Li Lianhua's health was never far from his thoughts, but more often than not these days it's all he can think about. Especially on days like this where no amount of coaxing or bribery can get the older man to move from his bed. Fang Duobing knows well enough by now that further prodding is more liable to provoke an argument--making everyone in the house unhappy, rather than getting the results they want; so instead he is standing in the kitchen and burning a hole in the floor with his worried stare. He just... needs more time. If they can just make it to spring, surely his health will... not improve per se, but maybe be less consistently dire. The warm air and sun would probably do a world of good against a cold toxin. But lying in bed all day feels closer to a death sentence than he wishes it was, and futile wishing is all he seems to be able to do these days. There's no Yangzhouman, not for either of them, though not for lack of trying. Maybe he's doing something wrong with the crystal. He doesn't think he is. It's worked for others, so why not for this?

With the frustration reaching unbearable levels, Fang Duobing decides he has to try something or he might just go mad himself. "Hey," he calls to Di Feisheng suddenly, breaking out of his own furrowed brooding. "Come with me outside. Make sure you have that crystal necklace with you." He doesn't pause to elaborate, just grabs whatever weather apparel he has available and heads for the door.

From:

fragmentaryblue

The land's sharp features seemed to be
The Century's corpse outleant,
His crypt the cloudy canopy,
The wind his death-lament.
The ancient pulse of germ and birth
Was shrunken hard and dry,
And every spirit upon earth
Seemed fervourless as I.

Hello again. It occurred to me that I never gave you the rest of this poem, and what a shame that was. This is the second stanza of four. Would you like the rest? I considered saving the other two stanzas for another day, but the tone of these lines sets a bleak mood and does not presently suit mine.

And I thought, perhaps, that should thank you properly for your part in that difference.

From:

fragmentaryblue

[In the small hours of the morning, a board and two containers of polished wood and bone pieces are wrapped in red cloth and left on a seat on the porch (of Li Lianhua's house). A note is tucked in with the cloth:]

To Di Feisheng:

Please accept these two gifts for the new year-- this board and its pieces. It occurred to me that you might fare better during our matches with some practice at home. I hope the style is to your liking. Best wishes for health and fortune.

~ Iris

From:

prontissimo

[ On Christmas morning, Di Feisheng will find a gift from his Secret Santa. There are, in fact, several gifts from his Secret Santa, thankfully magically delivered by the owls who brought them their assigned recipients in the first place. Because of course his random Secret Santa has no idea where he lives — but does, in fact, know him, just by chance, and went all out with his gifts to impress him. It took two owls to deliver it all...! Evidently, Di Feisheng's luck continues to be either horrible or wonderful with that bizarre kid from the slumber party.

There's a large parcel poorly wrapped with brown butcher's paper and twine; inside, he'll find a bag of espresso beans, nestled between a metal stovetop espresso pot and an old-fashioned wooden espresso grinder, along with a set of four small white coffee cups and matching saucers, plus one (1) metal spoon, all stubbornly crammed in together so that the sides of the box slightly bulge once it's opened. Determination over presentation, clearly...

Beside it, there are three other boxes wrapped in the same plain brown paper, each one smaller and smaller in size, but all tightly tied up together in one willful stack. The bottom box contains an assortment of fresh cornetti, some plain, some filled with cream or chocolate; the next box up is simply half a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries — perhaps a clear tip-off that Meryl Stryfe's impromptu survey was actually a spy at work for Secret Santa, ahem... Finally, the smallest box contains a jar of strawberry jam and a jar of chocolate spread with one (1) metal butter knife shoved in between, just like the singular spoon in the box of espresso necessities. Di Feisheng has everything he needs for a terrific breakfast, and then some.

Somewhere in the mix, though, he'll also find a plain envelope bearing his name in notably poor, childish handwriting:

ｲට: ᗪι ƑƎιᦓᏂɘᑎᧁ
ƑᖇOᗰ: ᗩㄥᗷƎᖇｲට
( ყටᑌᖇ ᦓƎᑕᖇɘｲ ᦓᗩᑎｲα. )

卄αᑭᑭყ ᑕ卄ᖇιᦓᗰᗩᦓ,
ᦓιᘜᑎටᖇɘ! ☆

And within the envelope, he'll even find a hand-drawn Christmas card, made just for Di Feisheng... At least it offers some, uh, explanation about his many gifts. Sort of. Even with clearer context, this child's thoughtful gesture is... certainly... something. ]

Edited Date: 2024-02-20 11:36 pm (UTC)

From:

detective_xiaobao

From:

doctor_uhh

On this fine afternoon, Li Lianhua really wasn't expecting to be treated to such a show without even having to leave the comfort of his own porch. The price of admission - having to hear that haunting, unnatural whispering on the wind - is barely paid when Di Feisheng takes unsurprisingly direct and very funny action against it. He watches that tussle, calmly sipping his tea and deeply satisfied in the knowledge that everyone is getting exactly what they deserve out of this. It's not all civilized board games and verbally leading him around by the nose with Di Feisheng, is it? That man is as untamed and fierce as the shape he's taken and it's about time Iris learned that much.

Di Feisheng will probably not learn anything good from this, but it's hard treating two afflictions with the same medicine.

That she thinks some scolding or posturing can dissuade Di Feisheng from his goal is worth only an amused shake of his head. Has she really not figured out who she's dealing with, yet? Ah well, he shouldn't expect too much of her. The foolhardy scruffing, at least, is a bold and novel enough technique executed on Di Feisheng to be acknowledged with an involuntarily impressed raising of his cup to his lips. Just in time for him to nearly choke on his tea when she climbs him like a donkey. The sheer absurdity of that hasn't even had time to fall on one side of hilarity or wincing second-hand embarrassment when the glint of steel against the panther's neck changes the tenor of the spectacle significantly. Li Lianhua's teacup comes down hard on the table with the force of his watchful tension, now poised to act, though he refrains from involving himself with some pointless nattering that is likely to surprise only one of these fools. Di Feisheng has exactly as long as it takes Iris to shift her weight into the press of the blade to get out of this scrape on his own.

Admittedly, he too hadn't expected her to tip her hand quite so viciously over that thing. Even if it's possible that she still doesn't realize who she's facing, she's usually more careful to maintain her cloyingly pleasant act. How interesting. For the first time since feeling a shiver run down his back at hearing those ephemeral lines of poetry, Li Lianhua is a bit curious to get a better look at this little treasure-- If this ends without someone's blood spilled, anyway.

A river bending its knee to the sharp cliff wears it down... you big blockhead. As Di Feisheng heeds his unspoken terse instruction and lands Iris in the dirt, his grip on the cup eases and he leans back with a pleased, if a little relieved smirk on his lips. Her quick recovery is unsurprising and the rock, while passably well aimed, is just a cheap parting shot, can't possibly be a match for Di Feisheng's superior reflexes. But truthfully Li Lianhua isn't disappointed to see him make for home after all that. As the panther leaps through the open window, Li Lianhua stands and brushes some invisible speck of dust off his robes, unable to resist a glance over to his neighbor. It's a shame he can't make out her expression too well, but he knows just what will make it worse. With a mocking shrug of apology, he follows Di Feisheng inside.

Only now does he spot the fine line of blood glistening in the dark fur and so the first thing he utters isn't some sarcastic congratulations, but an annoyed click of his tongue. All that and he couldn't even get away unscathed? He'd hope that this would instill some respect for her claws in Di Feisheng, but he knows it will only make him want to go another round with that woman. So troublesome.

"Are you proud of yourself?" Li Lianhua chides the panther and gives him a not very gentle slap on his behind for his efforts. But seeing the mangled remains of his hard-earned trophy in his clutches does remind him of the fun they've just both had and Li Lianhua shakes his head, huffing a resigned, appreciative laugh. "You're really something else, Di-mengzhu. Hey, let me get a look at this." Without waiting for permission, he bends to pick up the mess of bones and string.

Edited Date: 2024-05-06 03:50 pm (UTC)

From:

fragmentaryblue

[Blue has snapped and sent a picture of the clinic, the edges framed with people bustling about--carrying supplies and tending to patients laid out on cots. But the patient in center focus is one familiar to Di Feisheng: An unconscious Li Lianhua deposited on a cot, looking less than well and being fussed over by some unknown helper.]

[The image comes first, without caption. Another message follows a few seconds later:]

A delivery for you. Feel free to retrieve it at your leisure.

From:

fragmentaryblue

I was basking in the return of the library, when I found this poem. It reminded me of you:

When the panther came
no belfrey rang alarums,
no cleric spat his tea.
When the panther came
the sky and lawn were still.
The panter came
through forest,
through field,
up to the wall
and my one blossoming cherry tree.

I had constructed
the world as it was
and had pared the body
from the customs of languor.
It pressed its nose against
the pane and its gears
ground me away into ribbons
of dissonance.

It turned and sauntered
into the shadows. Its
paw marks on the earth
like cherries too ripe in a white bowl.

From:

fragmentaryblue

Seeing as you've been assigned the liaison to my goings-on, I have some intelligence to impart to you.

I'll be holding a birthday celebration for Black Cat at the Stone Dragon cafe on the 10th of this month. Your household is invited, so please relay the invitation as you see fit. The event will begin at noon. Discretion is also advised, but only to avoid spoiling the surprise for the kitten. Gifts will be appreciated but are not required, if you decide to attend.

Edited Date: 2024-08-13 01:30 am (UTC)

From:

coineater

do trees cultivate?

From:

detective_xiaobao

Hey. Are you at the manor?

From:

fragmentaryblue

[Between the resting and sleeping and resting some more, it doesn't take long for Blue to reach a state of boredom. Her fever hasn't relented, and standing up is still a dizzying experience, to say nothing of the fatigue. So in lieu of any physical activities she can do, she settles for sending cryptic communications...]

What's your opinion of the Zhenniao?

From:

fragmentaryblue

What is the going rate for an assistant these days?

From:

flatteries

( After this thread...

And also, like, the above thread. )

[ This is 100% the most terrifying thing Inigo has ever voluntarily done in his life. And he is counting giving up his own spot in the timeline to save his world in that, so it's saying something. He probably spends at least half an hour just.. staring at his communication device, trying to make sure he is Brave enough. Telling himself positive affirmations. He is brave. He is strong. He has fought a literal dragon that blotted out the sky. He can do this.

.. he can't do this.

But he has to know what's up with Blue and Li Lianhua. They're both too important to him to not send this, even if he's scared. So-- F-Fine. It's fine. He'll just send the message, and then maybe not look at the reply for a few minutes. A few days. A few years, maybe, actually-- ]

I am terribly sorry to bother you, but would it be alright for me to ask you something?

It involves Li Lianhua.

From:

waterfawn

[Sometime during 12/25, Di Feishing will have a package dropped off. There are handmade mooncakes, a small set of well sharpened cooking knives, and knit arm warmers along with a card.] Hello A-Fei! Thank you for teaching me how to cook earlier this year, I hope these gifts serve you well! Your knife looked rather dull so I've sharpened these as best that I can- do be careful when handling them. With good wishes for the year ahead, Eilonwy

From:

detective_xiaobao

Hey.

How have you been feeling? I'm warning you now, you better not get sick too.

From:

fragmentaryblue

[In the small hours of the morning, a small box wrapped in red paper and tied with string has been left on the porch just beneath the window. A note is tucked beneath the string, inked with vine-like writing:]

To Di Feisheng:

My best new year's greetings to you, and I hope they find you well. I didn't imagine I would have the opportunity to send you a second gift for this holiday, but I hope you'll find as much use with this one as you did with the other.

~ Iris

[Inside the box is a set of ear cuffs in lustrous dark grey metal, and a second note folded into a neat square:]

Knowing quite well your distaste for noise, I had these enchanted to dull sound when hooked around the outside of the ear. You can wear both together for full effect, or only one for a reduced effect. And should you dislike them, they'll sell for a nice amount of cords as well. Enjoy.

From:

doctor_uhh

At some point as the days pass in a sickly haze, Li Lianhua asks Fang Duobing to keep his bedroom door open, ostensibly for some fresh air without letting in the winter cold through an open window. But really he likes to listen to the sounds of life in the house, Fang Xiaobao's cooking and cleaning and talking to Huli Jing. It's soothing and reassuring, and he rests a little easier not being entirely cut off from the world.

The next time he comes to from fretful sleep and glances around blearily to remind himself where he is, he nearly has a heart attack when he spots a large black shadow with piercing bright eyes in the doorway. A coughing fit follows instantly, pained retching shaking his whole body until he manages to spit out wads of bloodied petals into the bowl. By the time he's recovered, he's at least clear-headed enough to realize that nightmarish apparition is just Di Feisheng.

And of course, what else would he be doing? It's not like he has a job. So clingy... Li Lianhua settles back in carefully, a small smile on his lips. When he attempts to speak, his voice is weak and raw, but he doesn't really have to worry about being heard after all.

"Lao Di, is this how you're avoiding your chores now? Don't let that Fang Xiaobao catch you. He'll tie a broom to your tail and have you sweep."

From:

flatteries

[ Hey, Di Feisheng. Hope you're having an okay day.

Regardless of whether or not you're having one though, there's just an entire spam hoard of photos suddenly being sent to you. All of budding early spring flowers. So many different ones.

There's absolutely zero context to this, other than a text message that's finally said at the end of the flurry of images: ]

Happy spring!!!!!!!

[ This is normal. ]

From:

fragmentaryblue

Did you know there's a teahouse in Stellari just west of the academy that boasts a private balcony for rent?

From there you can see the airship docks, watch the dirigibles move back and forth, lazy sky whales moored against wood and concrete piers. You can hear the clamour of the street below if you lean out over the railing, but sound travels better up than down in that corner of the city.

It makes for a discreet place to talk.

From:

tothebetterend

[An image is sent one afternoon, with a message to follow it up shortly after.]

Isabeau is here!!!

[~~One less thing to burden Di Feisheng with~~ One less person to keep track of!]