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WHO: Xie Lian, Wei Wuxian, Eleven, Alina, anyone who stumbles on them?
WHEN: After this whole thing.
WHERE: A small area just off the farm so there's some room in case of a power burst.
WHAT: We're testing arrays and power transfers.
WARNINGS: Smooching. because this is how we roll here.

[Xie Lian wishes he had told about the whole power transfer thing before Wei Wuxian came up with volunteers, but he is so used to having other Heavenly Officials or Ghosts around for that - or doing without - that he did not even think the two possible options would be Eleven, a child, and Alina, a woman.

Just his luck.

But Maybe Wei Wuxian is right and there's another way he can do this. So they should test it out.

This clearing is far enough away from the house they probably won't disturb it, hopefully, but close enough they can run for shelters if wolves or other unsavory creatures come back.

Xie Lian sits on a tree stump and rubs his face, sighing.]

This is why you shouldn't get involved in human matters.

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[If it hadn't been Xie Lian, Eleven tells himself for the tenth time, this would far easier. If it were anyone else... well, it would still be awkward, but he wouldn't be so nervous. Just a quick-

No. A tiny part of his dignity shrivels just imagining it. Compared to a God as beautiful as Xie Lian, he is the Lips back at L'Academie. Or worse.

Eleven drags a hand down his face, then swiftly drops it the moment he makes out Xie Lian's figure. He's not ready- he won't be- Goddess, he hasn't even thought of what to say, had forgotten he'd need to. He clutches his baldric between both hands, but manages a small smile at least.]

..Ah, good afternoon.

Edited 2021-05-22 19:48 (UTC)

[Xie Lian looks up at the greeting, and gives Eleven a slightly weary smile.]

Hello.

... I'm sorry, I should have told Wei-gongzi about the method before he asked people. I just didn't realize who he was going to ask. This is...

[It's embarrassing. For everyone involved.]

[His heart clenches, and Eleven hastens to reassure, albeit clumsily]

It's okay. I don't- it isn't- I'll be fine.

[All of that, in a rush. Goddess, will he ever not feel stupid around Xie Lian?]

..I just want to help.

Master Wei suggested maybe using the wrist meridian, and it seems it can work with qi, but I don't know if your type of power would be compatible...

Maybe we can try once with the... the way I'm more used to, and if nothing bad happen, we'll see if the wrist works?

[He nods shortly and makes himself take a step closer deapite the writhing mess of nerves in his gut.

Surely, it'll be fine. There's nothing at all to worry about. The worst that could happen is it doesn't work]

Is there anything I should..? I mean, I've never tried to give someone power before.

Nothing in particular.

[Normally, if the power is similar enough, Xie Lian should be able to draw it out on his own.]

... You can close your eyes, if that makes it less embarrassing.

[There's no helping the dust of color across his face, but he does consciously straighten.

He inhales sharply, gathering his wits, then nods]

I'm okay.

[The touch of lips on Eleven's is soft, just a small press, and Xie Lian demurely keeps his hand behind his back to make sure nothing inappropriate is happening.

The power is not exactly like the one he's used to, but similar enough that drawing it out is not that complicated. Xie Lian keeps it short, just enough to feel a bit energized, and pulls back.]

... That feels like it worked. Let me try.

[He holds out a hand, palm towards the ground, and a glowing array appears on the ground. It flickers away after only about ten seconds, but it's still more than what Xie Lian has been able to do with his own power since he's arrived here. Arrays are not his specialty.]

[The kiss he'd worked himself up about is little more than a featherlight touch he finds himself swiftly distracted from. In theory, Eleven had known what to expect, but neither had he been prepared for it.

The energy pulls from his chest and drains dry- a flicker that's there and gone; a subtle presence that leaves him achingly breathless now. The rest... is as expected, as though he's overused his magic only without the physical exhaustion that accompanies the demands of a prolonged battle. He blinks through the sudden bout of powerlessness to observe the beautifully bright array that disappears too quickly.

Eleven presses a hand to his chest and stares at Xie Lian through heavy breaths; a mixture of surprise and alarm in his eyes.]

That's- it worked, but.. my power isn't enough, is it?

Edited 2021-05-28 06:02 (UTC)

... It doesn't look like it will help for more than about ten seconds, but it's still more than I can do on my own.

[Sorry, Eleven. He doesn't mean to put your magic down in any way. The power is just different and it doesn't persist for long.]

In an emergency, it can help. Are you alright? You should probably sit down for a few minutes.

[Eleven sinks to his knees on the ground without further prompting. Ordinarily, he would be disappointed that his power is so limited as to be very little help, but now he's mildly grateful for it, bothered now by what feels like a hollow recess beneath the curl of his fingers]

Yes, I'm okay. [Probably] ..With rest, the power you borrowed should return, right?

Of course. I only borrow temporarily, and I don't keep it. It'll replenish itself the way it normally does when you overextend yourself a little.

[Ah, but we can't have you kneeling on icy ground, Eleven, here, let him take your elbow to lead you to the tree stump he was sitting on earlier.]

How long does it usually take for you?

[Eleven follows his gentle urging and settles with a relieved breath. He'd never thought Xie Lian malicious, but it's a comfort to hear that low-lying fear is baseless]

Overnight, usually, for my magic. I should have known it wouldn't be enough.

[Not that he looks terribly broken up about it. He searches Xie Lian's face for.. something- for once, not distracted by his beauty]

Did you feel anything.. different from my magic, at first?

[Something more spiritual, like a quick breath of light before it vanished, meager]

Well, we wouldn't have known without testing it. At least now we're sure.

[The questions makes him think, looking at his hand and flexing his fingers.]

It did feel a bit different to what I'm used to, but i'm not sure how to describe it. Like a different taste?

it seems to mostly behave the way I'd expect it to... but I don't think I could use it the way you do. Just as a source of energy.

[He breathes a steady exhale and nods, eyes lowering. Eleven turns his concentration inward, reaching deep in a pull for vestiges of power. Flickers, drying up in much the same way, then shivering over his skin. He shudders and blinks back to attention]

You'll need someone more powerful then. [There is one person he can think of, but given the method, it feels like asking a bit too much] Sorry I couldn't be much help.

It's fine, it's fine, don't worry about it. I've worked around having limits on my powers for hundreds of years. This isn't half bad in a pinch.

[Ten seconds at almost full throttle is still better than zero.]

The last person to give me power like this was a ghost king, so I don't think you can compare. There's no need to be sorry.