un: average sighren, video

[lanclan]

[ When you turn on your comm today there is a recorded video waiting, a kind of asmr amid the fervid chatter on other channels. Have you been stressed recently? Mentally drained by timeskips and inconstancies? Do you miss home or someone special? Your family? You might want to spare a few minutes to settle your mind and let it drift to the sound of the xiao Xichen conducts. Sat alone on the end of a pier, dressed in a mishmash of his own blue robes and the plain cotton ones gifted by Wei Wuxian, he kneels with his back to the camera and the majority of the view taken up by the lotus-blooming lake ahead that glimmers in the sunshine, twinkles of ice-blue qi wreathing the instrument like living fog.

And he plays for a while.

It has an odd effect on you. Were you listening in person it might actively cause you to calm down, but the sensations the song evokes are much the same even from a distance: perhaps you relax or slow down a little, if you were anxious or in a rush. Odd, that. You can always replay it if you need it to soothe your nerves again. ]

Comments

un: absterge | audio

[downswing]

( Just... let him... bask... for a moment... )

[downswing]

( This moment is now five hundred shi. )

[downswing]

Gratitude.

[lanclan]

[ Ah, his lightly toasted sibling. ]

Will you play with me when you are free?

[downswing]

It has been long. ( For them. For him. )

Perhaps also Sizhui.

[lanclan]

That would be pleasant, we could make an occasion of it.

[downswing]

Our music is not sought after here.

[lanclan]

Those who wish to listen may come forward now. We need not play idly, like this. I sought to add an option for momentary peace, nothing more.

[downswing]

It is a gift. A kindness.

[lanclan]

We shall see who seeks it out again, yes.

[downswing]

...who would refuse?


( Do They Know Why Xichen Is [TM] )

[lanclan]

[ That gains a soft smile. Thanks, hypeman. ]

Some people do not like music. As easily as they prefer bread to rice, they might have liked a painting better.

[ ... Which Xichen could actually provide, being an accomplished artist, but that's not the point. ]

[downswing]

( A pleasantly affirmative sound: ) Mmmmm. Foolishness exists.

[lanclan]

Personal preferences cannot be easily swayed by a single experience, no matter how good the intention.

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

... I haven't had the occasion to play music in a long while. Maybe I miss it more than I realize.

Thank you, Master Lan.

video;

[moonsounds]

[She listens, because of course she does, taking notice of every note, every rise and fall of the melody. He really is talented at it, and it makes her long for her piano all over again.

But she waits until he's done, or nearly so, and there's a hint of a smile]

You still play beautifully.

[lanclan]

You are welcome, if you would like to play together some day I am open to it.

[lanclan]

[ Like a conspirator, he stage-whispers, ]

It is because no one there was watching me.

[downswing]

( Softened: )

Our people's songs are beautiful. I had... neglected. ( To remember. )

[lanclan]

Any song from home is always for you, even in part.

[beitangmoran]

I unfortunately do not have my instrument with me, or I would gladly accept.

[lanclan]

Which instrument are you missing?

[beitangmoran]

I play the qin. I haven't yet found anyone who could actually make one here, and it is quite inconvenient to transport too, unfortunately.

[lanclan]

Ah, my brother has a guqin. Perhaps if you ask ... ?

[beitangmoran]

My understanding was that your instruments are spiritually linked to you and of great significance. I would not dare.