westwhere | Here we be yeeting wombats

... Excuse me, you want us to do what?

[Xie Lian isn't quite sure he understood the instructions here, and he is staring between the apple in his hand, and the giant, fluffy animal gently shuffling about in the meadow.]

I thought the apple was for feeding it, but we are not allowed to give it to him? Is it very fierce?

[A glance towards his companion to the side. This is more up his alley than creating arrays with borrowed power, for sure, but it's still a bit... weird.]

Do you think Anurr actually fought one of those things? I thought they were talking about a bear in the story...

... I... what were they warning us about, again?

( It's not noon, which is a point that's been made a few times over, just so this fight is more... exciting? )

I don't think it's fighting so much as what, out... witting this?

( He's super leery. After the fish thing, just, no hurting weird spiritually important creatures, so his talismans are all drawn. With ink. NO TAINT HERE. )

Don't let it's shadow see your soul, and so on, so forth. Maybe Anurr was really hungry, and fought this creature for food?

It's not moving very fast, though... and why not share the food?

[Sharing is caring and Xie Lian has given many of his scraps to stray dogs and cats and creatures of many ilks.]

Maybe we should... spread out on either side of it? And if it gets close to the ne of us carrying the apple, we could throw it tot he other person?

[That sounds like a great plan when you have bad luck.]

... Sure, why not! Though Xie Lian, I do have talismans that might come in handy. Just in case this creature ends up being more surprising than we expect?

( The wombat is ambling forward at the moment, snuffling around and blinking large eyes at Xie Lian. Licking its lips, but not in a terribly frightening way. More like watching cattle lick lips, and less like a donkey, who will proceed to bite you out of a proper sense of eff you, human.

He moves to the side though, pushing off the snow and landing lightly. The wombat blinks, turning its face toward whomever held the apple right now. )

We can always give it the apple after we pass the trial. Nothing says the, uh, whatever it is has to starve? Big Apple, what do you say to that!

Oh, of course. I don't mind giving it the apple afterwards. Especially if we make it run back and forth, poor thing!

[Xie Lian looks down at the apple in his hand and then half-sheepishly holds it out towards their new furry friend.]

I can't give this to you right now, but it looks tasty, right? I'm sure you'd like that. Why won't you come closer and see?

( The wombat makes a sound that Wei Wuxian fails to find words to describe, then ambles closer, its shadow coming close to brushing against Xie Lian's feet. Sniffing the air, and clearly interested in the apple, the very surprisingly large animal makes a sort of interested snuffling whoof.

Wei Wuxian just... stares. )

It's not exactly something I'm going to feel bad about, we're not trying to tease Big Apple here or anything.

I'm not teasing it, I'm... coaxing it to this side so it can be far away from you before I throw you the apple!

[That sounds right, right? Of course it does. Maybe it is a bit mean to the poor creature though.

He does feel a bit weird as the animal's shadow touches his feet, though, and soon...]

.... Oh. So this is what they meant.

[He manages to throw the apple before he is reached and his body gets numb - and hopefully, he did not throw it with enough force that it turns into a literal cannon ball.]

I don't think I can move anymore.

( Wei Wuxian catches the apple, though it takes him a moment to dance backward, a press of feet and a leap that's light and higher than what any normal mortal manages. Cultivator, as a reminder for what he can do, instead of the gaping absence of Suibian in his hand as a reminder of what he cannot. )

Wow, it hasn't even touched you yet. Or... no, wait, its shadow? There's some kind of charm or array tied to its shadow?

( The wombat makes a saddish sound, wheeling around to start its slow, inexorable progress toward Wei Wuxian. He leads them around until the shadow falls further behind the Wombat than stretches long towards him, tossing the apple to his other hand. )

Hey, Big Apple, this is just... training! We're training with you. That's right, this is training in patience... come this way, that's a good Big Apple! Xie Lian, can you move again, or are you still kept in place?

[Xie Lian remains rooted in place as long as the shadow touches him, but once it's gone, he can get feeling in his limbs again.

He moves his fingers, then his arms... and then quickly gets away from the shadow once again coming towards him.]

... I think it only blocks you when its shadow touches you, but I'm not sure how or why!

So it really is some sort of shadow binding technique?

( He's never heard of the like, and it's instantly fascinating. He's also luring the wombat closer, sliding around within the confines of their "arena," until: )

Xie Lian, catch! The shadow Big Apple's throwing might also mean getting too physically close will act the same, and with the sun where it is, a portion of this circles going to be difficult to retreat in!

( Also he's perched on a stump and tossing said apple because he wants to Try Something. Like touching the wombat by choice, from IRS least shadow casting angle. )

[Wei Wuxian is right, they need to keep an eye on the changing sun.

Well, technically, Xie Lian could levitate a bit if needed, but that feels like cheating.

He catches the apple quickly.]

Be careful, Wei-gongzi! If its shadow can immobilize someone, who knows what touching it will do?

( He comes close, very close, to touching the creature before it makes a sad sort of whomp sound, turning slow and inexorable toward Xie Lian, and the apple. )

Right, right, better for figuring out after!

( He simply leaps away again, toward the most advantageous angle between the sun, the wombat, and Xie Lian. )

This thing better not be any good at jumping!

It's probably too heavy for that.

[And the animal doesn't look built for speed either. Its strengths lie more in muscle mass and the magical abilities.

Xie Lian circles as well, trying to avoid the shadow and letting the animal come the closest he can before throwing the apple to his partner again.]

How long did they say we have to do this?

A quarter shichen.

( He calls out merrily, the wombat trundling closer to Xie Lian with a hopeful air. When the apple's tossed up, Wei Wuxian springs up, holding at the apex of his leap for a moment to smile and redirect his landing away at an angle.

The wombat makes another sad huffing sound, turning easily and lumbering after Wei Wuxian like a calf after its mother's milk. He can turn this into a dance, and he's amused enough by this of all things. They aren't sans an audience, but the voices are a blur of sounds he ignores, just like he ignores the end result of all this, instead coaxing the wombat along, then tossing the apple to Xie Lian with a twisting dodge, as he slips close to the edge of their arena. )

This is almost fun!

That's not too long... but the sun isn't very high. And if it goes behind the trees, we might not be able to distinguish their shadow and its shadow...

[And if the wombat's shadow touches a tree shadow....]

DO you think the properties transfer?

... Great question! Let's find out!

( There he goes, slipping further into the trees and their dappled shadows stretching long across the ice and snow and small hints of dirt poking up through it all. The wombat doesn't follow directly, instead weaving with an almost amiable air through the trees in its own pattern.

If it's the trees by extension, or a slip through of its shadow inbetween, Wei Wuxian finds one foot suddenly stuck partway up a tree he was using as a springboard. He reaches out with his free hand, taking hold of the bark with a claw like grip, and holds up the apple. )

Not sure, but I'm caught either way—catch!

( Here is the apple. Up, up, and awaaaaay it goes. )

[Aaaand catch!

But yes, this is going to be a problem, because the sun is turning fast and remains low on the horizon, so as the day advances, shadows get longer.

The wombat, meanwhile, doesn't seem to have caught just yet that its treat is not with Wei Wuxian anymore, and it's not paying attention to Xie Lian's effort to lure him back. So after a minute or two of useless baiting, he holds out his right arm.]

Ruòyé, be gentle.

[The white bandage shoots out and elongates, wrapping around one of the beast back paws, and Xie Lian pulls.

At first it doesn't look like it's doing anything, but then, the beast's advance is stopped, and it looks confused. And then it's dragged backwards and looks positively baffled by this turn of events.]

( He feels the moment the wombat's hold breaks on him, and leaps away, light off the trunk of the tree he'd been compelled to hang onto. Higher up, he touches down again on the ground, circling back as the wombat shakes off, turning to give Xie Lian a wronged look.

It does finally notice the apple, too, but the rumbling noise it makes is a clear whine before it turns into a plead, and big, sweet eyes blink prettily at Xie Lian.

Feed me, the wombat seems to say. Feed me, please. )

Can't be terribly much longer!

( Cheerily called out, and a few laughing agreements from the crowd at the far end of this circle. The wombat makes steady progress toward Xie Lian... then angles upward, throwing its shadow longer, and tries coming at him from an angle for the first definite time. )

[It looks very sweet, and it makes Xie Lian want to give in.... but they need to hold out a bit longer and he holds out his right arm again.

Ruòyé goes rigid and now pushes the wombat back and away from Xie Lian, not matter how hard it pushes.]

Please wait just a little longer! It'll be done soon and we can give it to you then!

( The wombat shifts from the sadder chitterings to an outright call, like a raspy child's cry. Waaah, waaaaah, waaaaaah! Demanding, and the wombat shivers, twisting around and jumping, as if that will allow it closer to the apple of its eye. )

Poor Big Apple...

( Even as the sun dips a touch lower, and the shadows lengthen further, and: )

Time!

( Juuuust as the wombat's shadow magic interweaves with the angles of setting light to reach Xie Lian. Wei Wuxian quirks up his eyebrows, looking toward the person calling time to verify that it's not someone pranking them. It appears to be confirmed with some enthusiasm from the Anurr groupies: he shrugs, then lifts a hand to cup around his mouth and call out: )

Hey, looks like you can feed it now!

Oh, thank goodness!

[Xie Lian immediately calls Ruòyé back, and since can't move right now, lets the animal lumber closer and finally get the apple.

He would pet it, but... well he can't move.

It is pretty cute though, now that it gets to devour the delicious apple.]

I'm sorry we had to do this, but see? You got the apple in the end, so it's all good, right? That looks like you're enjoying it, too.

... Hmmm, Can someone help me get away, though?

( the wombat was being delicate in it's devouring, crunching through and dropping both halves to the ground. it's paw catches them, and the animal systematically nibbles off smaller portions. )

I could try luring it away ... or asking nicely. But hold on, even with Ruoye you find yourself unable to move away?

Oh.... I didn't think to try.

[A little sheepish, but he'll send Ruòyé to grab a tree branch and it does lift him off and away... but then as soon as he's out of the arena, the branch breaks and Xie Lian squeaks and ends up in a heap on the floor.]

I'm alright! It's fine!

( Wei Wuxian comes jogging over, having winced when the branch snapped, hair flying behind him. He slows, kicking up snow as he comes to a halt by Xie Lian. )

Xie Lian! Hah, what kind of luck was that? Of all the branches, poor Ruoye picking one that's tired of staying upright anymore... but hey! Guess we have a head start on future kindling, if we let it dry out?

( He smiles, extending a hand to help him up. )

Guess it's time to collect the 'reward,' whatever it is. A little wish? Why not go for it, ah? Seems like something gods should be dealing with in the first place, right?

( He winks, as if inviting Xie Lian in on some obscure joke or another. )

I'm fine, I'm fine ! I don't really feel pain.

[But he'll gladly be helped back up. However upon hearing what the reward is...]

Normally, yes, I suppose, although we don't just grant any wish. I think i'll probably keep it for later. I don't know what I would even ask for.

( Frowning, then snorting: )

Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. Just that it doesn't stop you!

( A mentality he's well used to himself. )

Mah, does it work like that? I guess it could...

( Strolling back toward the group watching and getting the last pair for the day ready to go: )

They didn't mention a time limit, I guess? It's not like we can just say, "I wish Lan Zhan's robes would manage to stay pristine at all times" or something like that.

... Well, you just said it. I guess we'll see if that was granted later?

[Because you did just, in fact, make a wish, Wei Wuxian. Out loud. And something might have granted it.]

I don't really have anything to wish for, beyond not being here, and I don't think that's the kind of thing that can be granted so easily.

( He laughs. )

I don't see how it could be, but I guess we'll know? As for that... yes, well. That's why we're working to get out of here.

( A pause. )

Or... trying to. Funding should be enough, it should have been from the first month, but paperwork takes time. And we've been finding more of us, in the weeks after.

Maybe I should wish for the same, wince my robes are also white, haha.

[But yes, this influx of people is worrying.]

It's weird that there was a bunch of us on a boat and then suddenly people started trickling in, too.

Weirder that we have no idea how many of us were chained before those who were and those in the jailhouse were freed, under the Merchant's active machinations. We had to have been brought in too, from somewhere—the kind of transport we're looking to find again isn't here as far as I know. So how to coordinate all that? Which of Unhalad's brothers is responsible? Is any?

( Greetings are exchanged with the others, mostly people of the Citadel and youths of the Free People. Only after, in walking further on: )

There's more we still don't know, even near three months after being first set free of the literal bonds we were wearing.

[When comes the offer to spend a nigh at the tree - and boy does that tree ping off every spiritual alarm Xie Lian has - Xie Lian figures it might be the easiest way to try and understand what kind of old magic is happening there. Are there ghosts, spirits, what is up with the undead people? It's hard to get any kind of straight answer from the locals who just cheerfully rehash slightly different versions of the legends they've heard and all look excited by this part of the trial.

But there are a few known faces here, from their little group, so Xie Lian tries to get close to one of them as people start pairing up.]

... Do you mind if we just do this together? I think it might be more prudent to stick together, just in case.

Here we be yeeting wombats

Wombat yeeting [Wei Wuxian] (but also if you wanna come watch, please do)

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Let's hug a tree [Lee Chang] [this thread might have a bit more CW later on]