illegibly | communication array

Gege, (⌒ω⌒)ﾉ That's very helpful. But San Lang also likes to hear gege's voice ( ´ ▽ ` )♬♪♫ Did you ask a shaonian (／(ｴ)＼) how sending messages work? Father Abel says they are wizards (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ ‥…━━━★ for technology. ( o^ ^o)且且(´ω`*) -🐺🐺🐺

San Lang,

Oh, San Lang learned about kaomoji? (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧

I like to hear your voice too. (´∀｀) You're always welcome to contact me on the array instead, but I appreciate you letting me test this messaging service as well. (ヘ･_･)ヘ

It is hard to know anyone's age or what level of formality to use in speaking with them, but they did seem an expert on the matter. I'm told one can contact Admin with this method and perhaps receive a response. ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

Father Abel seems fairly knowledgeable too. I'm glad there are a number of resources here. (❁ᴗ͈ ˬ ᴗ͈)

♪～(◔◡◔ิ)人(╹◡╹๑)～♪

San Lang, do you like foxes? 🐺
🌼👑⚔️🙏

Gege, do you know there are other options on the device?

[ There's almost an audible shift of Hua Cheng sliding into a grin. ]

The sound quality is pretty good, isn't it?

I'm going with Father Abel to see the empty buildings. He wanted to build a place of worship and I offered to help.

Have you seen a fox, gege? Are you going to bring it back to the house?

[There's a startled sound and a clattering, a muffled fumbling as he picked up the device he's dropped. It's partially the surprise of hearing Hua Cheng's voice coming from it, and partially just. Hua Cheng's voice.]

Oh, ah- San Lang? Is-

It's good, I- Oh, I didn't realize it could- sorry!

Father Abel is- Oh, mm, that's very kind of you, San Lang. [Unexpected, even. Is Hua Cheng interested in this god that claims to reside over everything? Knowing his history with other heavenly officials, he's not sure what to expect. Is Hua Cheng interested in helping raise up a god? Or is he looking to pick a fight?]

Let me know how it goes, I wanted to meet with Father Abel to talk about the god he follows.

Seen one? I haven't, sadly. I was just curious about the picture you used on your message.

Don't be sorry, gege, you didn't know. But you should come with us to the building, and help me build the temple.

[ There's a pause. ]

I told him I would only do it if I could build and dedicate an altar to you.

[ He had been talking about how he wants to answer prayers, and now there'll be a forum for him to receive them. ]

Ah, those! They're wolves, gege. Three of them!

[ Which sounds just like "San Lang;" he thought it was cute. ]

[It's not that he minds helping out, but- oh. Hua Cheng meant to help him raise up a temple here. Or an altar, at least.]

Oh, right- yes, of course I'd be happy to help as well!

[It would be awfully presumptuous to just sit back and wait for something to be built for him. It wasn't as if he was the same well-known martial god he once was. Building his own temple was the least he could do.]

They're- oh! Oh, so it is, how clever! My apologies, I've yet to become an apprentice, let alone a wizard with any of this.

Gege is talented and will become a master in no time.

[ But yes, Hua Cheng had always intended to erect him a temple. What else did he think? What other god could hold his attention half as much as Xie Lian could? ]

I'll be back soon. Will you? We still have lots of dumplings.

I'll make you a bowl.

[Xie Lian would settle for simply coherent when using these devices, but he decided not to say so.]

Oh, yes, I was just looking at those new structures around town. Did you see them?

I can head back though! Should I pick up anything on the way?

En, I wonder which one he prefers.

--You can just come back. Unless you want anything.

[ But what he really wants is gege's company. ]

The ice sculptures were very nice, but I was much more impressed by the one made of snow. San Lang's skill and memory are without a single fault.

[He knows Hua Cheng for a painter of great ability, but sculpting like that is an entirely different skill-set. Nevermind that pieces like the heavenly raiment were held aloft with spiritual power. It wasn't at all like any of the other sculptures.

That aside, wasn't the skill far too great? The detail, even with snow had been enough to make him wonder just how closely Hua Cheng had observed him, to recall his form so flawlessly. A fleeting creation of snow that showed greater skill than any sculptor in Xian Le ever had.]

Want anything... mm, perhaps just a few more minutes to admire San Lang's work?

[ Oh, did gege see that... ahaha. ]

Gege told me he wanted to be able to answer the prayers of the residents here. I thought perhaps it would be easier if there was a place to leave prayers.

This was the least San Lang could do. I want to build one out of stone in the spring. You can look at it as long as you wish.

[ And also, he had many rough first drafts in Tong'lu. So many that didn't look good at all.

Hopefully he's at least noticed the freshly-picked flower in his hand - San Lang gives him a new one every day. Today he'd found a beautiful white carnation. ]

[Hua Cheng had taken that one small statement and built him something so grandiose. It was the least he could do? There was nothing least about it!

Just when had Hua Cheng found time to sculpt it? And- To want to make one of stone? He knew Hua Cheng could paint, but clearly there were very few things the ghost king wasn't terrifyingly skilled in.

That anyone still remembers him like this is nothing short of a miracles, but... Xie Lian's eyes travel across the statue, from the delicately swept hair to the sharp lines of his sword and the soft petals of the flower in his hand. There's a pang in his chest to see the little white flower, memories both heavy and poignant rising.

His voice, when he finds it, is soft and warm, as if smiling, his tone open and sincere.]

Mm, it was very thoughtful, and- San Lang is truly a masterful artist.

I'd be glad if I could help the residents here. I'm grateful, thank you San Lang.

[He does linger a bit longer, and in the end, decides to make a stop at the supermarket before heading home. It's very little, in comparison with such a gift, but Xie Lian picks up the smallest still-ripe melon he can find, then hurries back with it held in his arms.]

San Lang?

[ He remembers a time he'd leave the flowers every day for Xie Lian and he'd mocked them, thinking it was someone who was making fun of the fact that he didn't have followers. Except, he did have a follower. There was exactly a single blip in time, when Hua Cheng had disappeared as Wu Ming, and wouldn't come back for a few months, that he hadn't had a single follower.

At the house, he's busy doing some cleaning, and decorating with the items that Mari had left them for the holidays. It makes him quite excited to do so, though he'd never actually admit to enjoying this aloud.

But when gege comes back, he jumps off the chair that he's standing on to pin up some swags. ]

Oh, hello gege. What did you get at the market?

[There had been a flower like that in Qiandeng too, though it was laid neatly on the altar. It was hard not to draw a comparison between those flowers offered long ago, but- that time and that person were long gone. It was a sweet gesture, nonetheless.

He holds the melon close against him until he's in from the cold, and- it seems Hua Cheng is set on surprising him over and again today. The decorations feel bright and festive, making the small cottage feel warm and welcome. Xie Lian feels his gift more than a little inadequate in return, especially given that he hasn't worked for any of the credit given to them on those cards.]

Oh, I got- Well, I thought maybe- San Lang would like to try it with me?

[He holds the small watermelon out with both hands, offering it up.]

It's not much, and it probably doesn't go well with dumplings, but...

[ He beams. Truly and honestly, beams at his gege for such a thoughtful gift. ]

Yes, I would.

[ He smiles widely and takes it with his hands, bringing it into the kitchen so they can cut it open later. It probably won't taste good with dumplings for the sheer fact that he doesn't typically eat fruit with dumplings, but they can have it for dessert. That seems so indulgent.

And he loves to get to share it with Dianxia. ]

The dumplings are almost done.

[ He starts to set the table, and hands Xie Lian a cup of tea to warm him from the cold. While he's doing so, he makes sure to hold his hands. His ghostly ones aren't very warm, but they're much warmer than the outside. ]

[Xie Lian's heart does a stuttering sort of flip-flop when he sees that smile, but more than anything, he feels warm and happy as he follows Hua Cheng into the kitchen. The cup of tea is already quite warm, as he holds it between his hands, but with Hua Cheng's encircling them as well, Xie Lian is certain they'll be just fine in moments.

It does, however, make it very difficult to look at anything but the man in front of him.]

I'm glad. San Lang must have been so busy. You have to take breaks and enjoy yourself sometimes too, okay?

[ He can't think of anything he'd enjoy doing more than doting on gege, but he elects not to say anything like the fact that this is the thing he'd be doing if he had any choice. ]

Gege is so thoughtful.

[ And standing here, holding his hands, looking into his eyes... what more could he even want?

He does let go, eventually, to go prepare them bowls of food, which will hopefully warm Xie Lian right up if he's still cold at all. ]

How was your trip?

[ Must have been fruitful, no pun intended, because gege seems in high spirits. ]

[Thoughtful? Isn't that you? he wants to ask. The only labor he'd put in was carrying the fruit from the supermarket back home, really. Who knew how long Hua Cheng had been out in the cold trying to sculpt that?

A dozen other thoughts fly by, fleetingly there and gone as he looks into Hua Cheng's eyes, and Xie Lian holds the cup a bit tighter when he lets go. There's a bit less warmth, but he's able to find his words easier.]

My trip? Oh- Well, I was just touring all those new structures made of ice. There were some nice sculptures, but buildings too. I sat down in one for a bit, both to see what it was like and to catch up reading those messages and- someone suggested I try using it to send personalized ones as well.

[San Lang already seemed well-practiced in using both emoji and kaomoji, if his messages were any indication. Though, despite the messages to Hua Cheng working, he'd yet to hear back from the one called Admin.]

[ Oh, that's why he'd sent those texts then. He'd wondered about that, though he'd figured at the time that gege had just discovered how to type those emojis and thought he'd like to embellish his texts with a little flair.

Hua Cheng had thought it was adorable, extremely appropriate for gege. He still does, smiling proudly at the idea that he was the first person that he'd taken his newfound knowledge to was San Lang. Of course, he did take precedent as the closest person to him here, so he really had no reason to be so pleased with himself. ]

Ah gege, if you like the ice statues, I can make you one out of ice too.

[ He is definitely missing part of this conversation where gege didn't actually request a statue made of ice. However, he stokes a fire and keeps gege warm while planning to go out in the cold again himself. ]

Were there a lot of people out?

[He had indeed taken great care with Hua Cheng's message. Having been told that the prolific use of those characters was an indicator of one's closeness with someone else, he'd wanted to make sure Hua Cheng knew that he considered him a close companion.

Hua Cheng seemed to understand, at least, as he'd used a lot in return, much to his relief.

The offer to make more statues... If they're anything like the one he made from snow, it will no doubt be beautifully crafted, just as the portrait before that. It'd been such a long time since someone actually wanted to capture his likeness in a work of art that wasn't bowing and scraping and apologizing, and he wondered if Hua Cheng knew how meaningful the gesture was. It warmed a long-cold place in his heart.]

Do you think I could I watch you work? Maybe?

[Clearly San Lang doesn't need him to sit for the piece, he's captured Xie Lian's likeness so well already, but he found himself rather intrigued by how the work was done.]

Mm... not many people out. I think the cold is keeping many indoors lately. I did meet another person I'd spoken with on the ah... message board? But most others seemed quick to be on their way.

[ Hmm, perhaps then that wouldn't work. He'd tried to put the statue at the edge of town, but if people weren't going out there, then who was going to come see Lianlian in all his glory, and leave offerings at his makeshift altar? No, he'd have to put an ice statue in with all the other ice statues.

The only problem with that, was that he didn't have enough ice. He thinks if he finagles the items around in their freezer, he'll be able to freeze enough ice in a few days to be able to get enough to put together, melt all the bricks individually at the edges to get them to stick, in order to make his canvas. ]

San Lang would be honored, if you came to see his work.

[ Which is true, but he is also internally panicking, because he knows he tends to look at all his statues lovingly when crafting them, smoothing out the stone of their cloth, taking particular care with the jewels in their crowns, always trying to get that small smile that speaks both of confidence and kindness. ]

Will gege help me locate lanterns?

[Xie Lian is glad to finally be able to do something in return for all of Hua Cheng's kindness. The least he can do is come to appreciate his work.]

Mm, I would very much like to.

[As for the request for help, he almost jumps at the chance. San Lang rarely asks for anything at all, so a request as simple as this one, he'll gladly take it. He won't even ask why.]

Yes! I'd be happy to help. How many does San Lang need?

As many as possible. I want to make the temple look like Qiandeng.

[ He offers gege a warm smile as he recalls what it looks like at Qiandeng, with so many lanterns all over the place, lighting the whole sector of the city. ]

But it's alright. If gege prefers a different look.

[ Maybe he prefers how Puqi looks. He'd be willing to make it look however gege wishes, even if gege won't state his preference. San Lang will figure it out. ]

En, of course.

[Given Hua Cheng's distinct aesthetic, it was little wonder he wanted to decorate the temple in the same way as the one he'd made in Ghost City. The one back home had even been without a deity, so any god could be worshipped there easily. If it were just for himself, Puqi shrine would do, but he could see how others might want something nicer. Besides, what mattered was how Hua Cheng wanted to make it.]

Not at all, I'm sure it'll look beautiful. I'll see what I can find later.

Have you decided on a building?

There will be several different deities represented, so we will probably want one of the larger ones.

[ Especially if more people come by and decide they want to worship other gods. ]

I do not think there is room for more than one temple on this island, but perhaps we could make all the altars separate.

[ That way, they don't all have to share one space. He doesn't think that most gods would want to, though he knows that Xie Lian doesn't really care. Hua Cheng does. ]

[Xie Lian really doesn't mind sharing, but he's pretty sure that god a few of the other residents follow isn't keen on it. Besides, he's fairly sure at least a few of the gods he knows would chafe just at being worshipped under the same roof.]

Mm, that's a good idea. I hope their gods will be understanding. I don't need anything much, should it come to it. I could just build something small elsewhere.

[He outlines the shape in gestures, barely the size of a broom closet. It seems that nameless god has a fair number of followers here already, so they might need more space just trying to fit people.]

[ Hua Cheng won't hear of it. He'll make sure that Xie Lian's shrine is the most beautiful, most splendorous one. He's very extra, okay. ]

If they are not, we will build another one.

[ But a bigger one. Not a closet.

And Hua Cheng might fight that other god, not that he'll say anything about it. ]

Mm. Their followers, the ones I've met, seem like very nice people, at least.

[He does wish he knew more about this nameless god, though at least their followers seemed fairly eager to talk about him.]

I hope their prayers can reach him here.

[Xie Lian finishes his last dumpling, eager to see Hua Cheng's reaction to the taste of the oversized melon. He doesn't want to rush though, so he sets his utensils aside, folding his hands in his lap.]

I haven't had any success myself, via the communication array.

En, I have not been able to get in touch with anyone.

[ And he's sent butterflies out and gotten nothing. ]

There is some sort of powerful magic over the entire island. I think it is hiding us, or separating us from our realms.

[ When Xie Lian is done, he'll clean up for him, and go to cut up the melon. Even with San Lang being such a tall young man, he looks comically small next to this gigantic fruit. ]

If he can hear them, he is very powerful indeed.

Mm, that's what I think too.

[It was the only explanation he could really find that made sense. Troubling, to be sure, but they'd broken through powerful arrays before. It was just a matter of finding a weak point to start with.]

Still, I wouldn't begrudge a bit of help.

[Dusting his hands off, he walks over to lean on the counter while San Lang works on the melon.]

How do you think it tastes? To have grown this big...

If no one will come to our aid, you can still count on San Lang.

[ He says it in such a casual manner, but he really means it deep-down, and when he puts it in such a way that it could be interpreted as him cheering up Xie Lian, or a joke, is the way that he feels comfortable making these little confessions. ]

I don't know. I hope it's sweet.

[ He cuts it open and wow! ]

Look at that.

[ It's so red and full of fruit. He's never seen anything like this. He makes quick work of it, cutting little cubes and filling up the biggest bowl he can find with them.

Then he picks up a piece with his fingers, and offers it directly to Xie Lian. It's not an intimate gesture to feed your friend, right? ]

[He does smile at that; even if San Lang is kidding around, he really has been an invaluable help. Besides that, just being around him made it easy for Xie Lian to smile.]

I'm sorry you were dragged along here, but I am grateful for it. San Lang's company is always welcome.

More than welcome.

[He hopes Hua Cheng misses the faint blush that rises on his cheeks, in favor of preparing the melon. Xie Lian's mouth opens in a small 'o' of surprise to see how brightly colored and full the melon is.]

There's hardly any rind at all!

[Hua Cheng makes quick work of the fruit, and Xie Lian is eager to try it, and tells himself that the youth is just being polite, offering it with his hands that are already a bit sticky from the juice so Xie Lian doesn't have to dirty his own.

He tries not to make it awkward, tucking his hair behind his ear as he leans in to take it. Despite his best effort, his lip skims San Lang's fingertips, and Xie Lian's blush only becomes more prominent as he pulls back to cover his mouth as he chews the piece.

It's- ]

It's so sweet! You have to try it, San Lang!

[ He doesn't notice gege's blush because he's too busy trying to hide one of his own as he explains that he likes having San Lang around. His heart grows three sizes bigger hearing it, because generally people just tolerate Hua Cheng. His whole life, his whole death, nobody really desires his presence. And even Xie Lian had, before, just thought of him as some nobody who came in and out of his life.

Sure, he'd felt badly for Wu Ming, who had arguably known him best then, but he hadn't known much about him, had moved on quickly.

San Lang had always assumed it would be like that. That gege would have treated him as a friend, but perhaps not a close one. Certainly, he wanted to avail himself as the best possible person to have stranded on an island, but for one of those reasons to be his company?

Maybe there was hope for him after all, that Xie Lian's feelings hadn't come around just because of their situation at Tong'lu. ]

Ah, alright.

[ He wishes to lick his fingers clean, but instead, takes up a piece of fruit and pops it into his mouth, his lips brushing the warm spot that Xie Lian's mouth just was. And, upon tasting it, his lips curl into a smile. ]

En. Very sweet.

[ He picks up the bowl, to carry it to the table. ]

Do you think the two of us could finish this?

[He follows San Lang back to the table, licking the last of the sticky-sweetness from the corner of his mouth. It really is different, even down to the taste. They'd been welcomed to the island with food that was supposed to act as talismans, now they had melons that were larger, redder, and sweeter than he could remember ever tasting.

He pushes back a sleeve as he reaches for another piece, examining it for a moment before putting it into his mouth with a pleased little hum.]

Mm, you like it?

[San Lang smiling is enough to brighten his own, and he's glad to have been able to do something to lift the other's spirits, given how often Hua Cheng helps him.]

We can save some for Monts. Oh, and what we don't finish- it'll last a few days at least in the fridge.

[ He nods and then gets two of the forks in the drawer to help them eat. He thinks for this specific case, it's probably better to use the skewering properties of the fork than his usual favored tool of the chopstick.

He hands gege one. ]

We should eat these more often. Only lychees are sweeter than this.

[ He helps himself to another piece, and smiles around it. ]

Thank you, gege.

[ Without him, he probably wouldn't have thought to actually get one to try. They're really a ludicrous fruit, aren't they? But delicious. And it wouldn't be half as sweet if he weren't sharing one with Xie Lian. ]

communication array

un: datura

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