A. Arrival Waking on cold hard ground, aching and disoriented, with no clear memory of passing from another place to this one - well, that could mean a number of things. None of which Li Lianhua is of a mind to question too closely, for now. The answer doesn't seem to matter very much anymore, anyway. Isn't that funny? It used to matter so much to so many people, and now the only one it affects doesn't care. He has to laugh, a strange mix of relief and fear making him giddy, and he chuckles quietly to himself while he waits for his vision to clear.
Once he's able to take stock, he notes his surroundings - the salty sea air replaced with the pleasant fragrance of wild flowers - and investigates the unknown satchel. The contents surprise another laugh out of him; an agreement for his life? "Eh? Which poor fool got cheated out of a good deal this time?" He shakes his head, then raises the little bottle to the sky in an amused toast before drinking it. Why not? If it's going to kill him, it'll have to get in line. Would be a pretty thoughtless welcome gift anyway, if someone is exchanging lives for wishes around here.
The golden liquid tastes strong and sweet, like his shifu's favorite liquor. Li Lianhua has to swallow more than just the drink at that memory, pulling his heavy white fur-lined coat closer around his shoulders. Perhaps he will sit here in the sun for just a little while longer. After all, what's the hurry to move on?
B: Sleepover; Bountiful Buffet News travels fast in a sleepy town, eventually reaching even those who are trying to stay out of people's affairs. A building that appeared out of nowhere over night? Li Lianhua can't be blamed for being a little curious and having to see it for himself. He wanders its halls for a while, observing the festivities and the strange collection of guests, wearing a friendly face but not staying anywhere long enough to chat with anyone.
That is, not until he finds the buffet table. Li Lianhua can't resist a good dessert, and he will spend quite some time digging into the candies and loading his plate with small portions of nearly everything. He may also be trying to hide wrapped candies in his wide sleeves. Oh yes, he has no need of fuzzy pajamas; surely his long white robes look so comfortable that no one will even notice.
C: Sleepover; Scary Stories After overindulging in the sweets, Li Lianhua does feel a little more open to the idea of being sociable. He finds himself drawn to a smaller group in a quieter room and its hushed atmosphere suitable for ghost stories. Once it's his turn to speak, he will pick up a candle to cast his face into eerie shadows and begin his tale in low and gloomy tones.
"My friends, what this humble storyteller has to tell you tonight is all true, for I saw it with my own eyes. Now listen, to the story of the cursed wedding dress and the three pitiful brides whose lives it took."
D: Bonfire Li Lianhua has been wandering the area a little restlessly these past few days. Not much, just a few short walks along the walls of the labyrinth. Does it really encircle the entire town? Is it built in the same fashion throughout? Does it show signs of age or damage, of innovation or besiegement? Perhaps these questions don't matter, but it's something to do while he waits.
On one such evening, he comes across the Indigo Beach for the first time. As soon as Li Lianhua takes a few steps along this remarkable beach, he can feel the slip of paper suddenly nestled in his sleeve. But what draws his attention even more is the vast expanse of the sea stretching to the horizon. He watches the waves lapping at the sand, watches as footprints and other signs left by people are slowly and irreversibly erased. Doesn't it seem peaceful? His own footsteps are drawn to the very edge of the water before he stops, gaze lost to the waves and his own thoughts.
E: Suspicious Message; un: li.xiangyi A friendly face to wake up to.
I used to have a dog. He'd always greet me in the morning, no doubt waiting for his breakfast.
[Adding a few more words comes as naturally as writing that first line. Only then does he see the name his message is attached to.
Any replies to this message will remain unread, while Li Lianhua looks for a hole deep enough to drop this cursed thing into.]
Li Lianhua | Mysterious Lotus Casebook | New player
Waking on cold hard ground, aching and disoriented, with no clear memory of passing from another place to this one - well, that could mean a number of things. None of which Li Lianhua is of a mind to question too closely, for now. The answer doesn't seem to matter very much anymore, anyway. Isn't that funny? It used to matter so much to so many people, and now the only one it affects doesn't care. He has to laugh, a strange mix of relief and fear making him giddy, and he chuckles quietly to himself while he waits for his vision to clear.
Once he's able to take stock, he notes his surroundings - the salty sea air replaced with the pleasant fragrance of wild flowers - and investigates the unknown satchel. The contents surprise another laugh out of him; an agreement for his life? "Eh? Which poor fool got cheated out of a good deal this time?" He shakes his head, then raises the little bottle to the sky in an amused toast before drinking it. Why not? If it's going to kill him, it'll have to get in line. Would be a pretty thoughtless welcome gift anyway, if someone is exchanging lives for wishes around here.
The golden liquid tastes strong and sweet, like his shifu's favorite liquor. Li Lianhua has to swallow more than just the drink at that memory, pulling his heavy white fur-lined coat closer around his shoulders. Perhaps he will sit here in the sun for just a little while longer. After all, what's the hurry to move on?
B: Sleepover; Bountiful Buffet
News travels fast in a sleepy town, eventually reaching even those who are trying to stay out of people's affairs. A building that appeared out of nowhere over night? Li Lianhua can't be blamed for being a little curious and having to see it for himself. He wanders its halls for a while, observing the festivities and the strange collection of guests, wearing a friendly face but not staying anywhere long enough to chat with anyone.
That is, not until he finds the buffet table. Li Lianhua can't resist a good dessert, and he will spend quite some time digging into the candies and loading his plate with small portions of nearly everything. He may also be trying to hide wrapped candies in his wide sleeves. Oh yes, he has no need of fuzzy pajamas; surely his long white robes look so comfortable that no one will even notice.
C: Sleepover; Scary Stories
After
overindulging in the sweets, Li Lianhua does feel a little more open to the idea of being sociable. He finds himself drawn to a smaller group in a quieter room and its hushed atmosphere suitable for ghost stories. Once it's his turn to speak, he will pick up a candle to cast his face into eerie shadows and begin his tale in low and gloomy tones."My friends, what this humble storyteller has to tell you tonight is all true, for I saw it with my own eyes. Now listen, to the story of the cursed wedding dress and the three pitiful brides whose lives it took."
D: Bonfire
Li Lianhua has been wandering the area a little restlessly these past few days. Not much, just a few short walks along the walls of the labyrinth. Does it really encircle the entire town? Is it built in the same fashion throughout? Does it show signs of age or damage, of innovation or besiegement? Perhaps these questions don't matter, but it's something to do while he waits.
On one such evening, he comes across the Indigo Beach for the first time. As soon as Li Lianhua takes a few steps along this remarkable beach, he can feel the slip of paper suddenly nestled in his sleeve. But what draws his attention even more is the vast expanse of the sea stretching to the horizon. He watches the waves lapping at the sand, watches as footprints and other signs left by people are slowly and irreversibly erased. Doesn't it seem peaceful? His own footsteps are drawn to the very edge of the water before he stops, gaze lost to the waves and his own thoughts.
E: Suspicious Message; un: li.xiangyi
A friendly face to wake up to.
I used to have a dog. He'd always greet me in the morning, no doubt waiting for his breakfast.
[Adding a few more words comes as naturally as writing that first line. Only then does he see the name his message is attached to.
Any replies to this message will remain unread, while Li Lianhua looks for a hole deep enough to drop this cursed thing into.]
((I'll match prose or brackets!))