{Text; UN: scraps}

[disgracedprince]

Does anyone know how to forge swords? I have one, but he's old and I don't want to push him with magic he hasn't encountered. A new one would be nice; one forged in this world and attuned to its peculiarities.

But I'm not terribly picky. I like all swords.

Comments

[hathasacat]

I almost hope I could meet one myself that took to me, but I'm afraid I may be too busy to properly devote the time and attention they might want.

[disgracedprince]

You are welcome to meet Fangxin if you like? He's a stubborn old man, but his blade is beautiful.

[hathasacat]

I'd love to, if you and he wouldn't mind!

[disgracedprince]

I wouldn't mind in the least. Where should we meet you?

[hathasacat]

How about by the Research Center? We could head somewhere quieter after that, but it's an easy to access location.

[disgracedprince]

Yes, it is. Give me twenty minutes!

{He talks to Fangxin on the way, keeping the blade strapped to his back as he walks.}

Be nice. He is only curious. He isn't an enemy or a warrior, so don't lash out.

{Upon arriving at the Research Center, he finds a place to sit. What? He is technically an old man in a seventeen year old's body.}

[hathasacat]

[ Lyney comes jogging up not even a few minutes later, eyes brightening and hat swept off his head as he approaches to be polite. ]

Monsieur... Fangxin?

[ It is now he realizes that in his excitement he forgot to actually ask for a name, or even give his own! ]

[disgracedprince]

{Xie Lian sits up straight, his posture impeccable. Fangxin rests on his lap, shining coldly under his hands.}

Ah no. I'm Xie Lian. {He bows his head with a smile.} May I know your name?

This is Fangxin. {Motioning at the sword, he holds it up, gripping the hilt firmly.}

[hathasacat]

[ Well if they're going to be extra polite, Lyney will sweep the hat into a full bow, all smiles as he's corrected in his address. ]

I apologize for the mistake then, Monsieur Xie Lian. I am the Great Magician Lyney, and it is my greatest pleasure to make yours and Monsieur Fangxin's acquaintance!

[disgracedprince]

{How graceful! Color rises on Xie Lian's cheeks and he pats the seat beside him.}

I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Please, rest here. I can show you Fangxin better that way.

{The sword is silent except for a low, rumbling hum.}

[hathasacat]

[ The hat is spun between his fingers before being poofed away in a puff of confetti and sparks, Lyney taking the offered seat with a gaze of open curiosity toward the sword. ]

My full attention is yours then.

[disgracedprince]

{Oh! Xie Lian smiles at the cute display, clapping for his new friend. Then he turns towards Lyney and rests a hand on the side of Fangxin's blade.}

I believe Fangxin is older than I am. At times he grumbles, but he is incredibly powerful. Shall I show you a little?

[hathasacat]

[ His smile is bright in turn, the small appreciation keeping his own excitement levels up. Though he does keep it tampered, to not seem too eager to witness this entirely new being to him. ]

If he would not mind, I would love to see a display. I admit, I'm almost not sure what to expect at this point.

[disgracedprince]

{Xie Lian can hardly blame him! New power is always exciting and he has a soft spot for bladed weapons - swords in particular. Fangxin is...a little different. While Xie Lian respects the blade, he doesn't particularly want it in his possession.

Standing, he masters Fangxin, letting it know that they have work to do.

But not too much. Raising the blade, he chooses a target - a large rock that might serve some purpose or another. But not for long. With feet lighter than air, Xie Lian races in a flash at the target and lashes out with Fangxin.

The stone cracks and then crumbles into small pieces.}

[hathasacat]

[ Lyney's quick to applaud, eyes widened with the ease, and particularly the lightness, that the other displays in striking the stone. While breaking rocks isn't unheard of, he's seen some fairly powerful people among the Fatui, the seemingly light movements are rather new to him. It certainly has his curiosity up! ]

Amazing! I'd hazard there's not a chip on the blade either?

[disgracedprince]

Of course not. Fangxin didn't even touch the stone. {It had been the sword's aura that had truly shattered the rock.}

Take a look for yourself. {There isn't a mark on the dark blade. It shines like black jade.}

[hathasacat]

[ It's true that he doesn't see a single mark, leaning himself in for as close a look as he can without being rudely in the other man's space. ]

How did he do that then?

[disgracedprince]

{Lyney is much too sweet for him to find him intrusive! Xie Lian kneels down in front of his new friend and balances Fangxin between them. The old blade vibrates and grumbles.}

His spiritual power is strong. So strong that he can lash out with it.

[hathasacat]

[ How interesting! He'll lean in as the sword is offered then, head turning this way and that to see the blade from different angles, as if that would let him see all the secrets of it. ]

Is it something that's invisible? I hardly saw a thing other than the swing of a sword.

[disgracedprince]

Unless you train your eyes, it will be invisible to you. {Otherwise...} To me, he gives off a cold light. Like the way ice glows in the daylight.

[hathasacat]

[ Frankly, that sounds beautiful, and it only has Lyney all the more curious. He knows just the shade he's talking about, but it'd be lovely to see it with his own eyes if he could. ]

And how would a person go about training their eyes?

[disgracedprince]

Through training. I could offer you assistance, but it would take time for you to commune with your spirit and the spirits of others.

{Still it isn't impossible! Everyone has some ability.}

[hathasacat]

Well... how much time?

[ Lyney you have zero free time with all the projects you keep taking on- ]

[disgracedprince]

Give me two hours of your day four days a week to start. I will show you how to meditate and how to access your spirit. Then it's about practice.

[hathasacat]

[ Oh that is a lot of time. It's pretty clear that Lyney's frantically doing the math in his head and comparing it against everything else he's going on, and the various things he's been planning... ]

... Is that the minimum?