Liu Yichen (劉奕辰) (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} shadowinstep) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} valarlogs,@ 2021-02-24 04:31:00 |
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| Entry tags: | !complete, andromache of scythia, lan zhan |
Log -- Lan Zhan & Andy
‣ WHO: Lan Zhan || Andy
‣ WHAT: A new connection leads to an understanding
‣ WHEN: February, 24th
‣ WHERE: Coffee shop
‣ RATING | WARNINGS: Low || No warnings applicable
‣ STATUS: Complete || Log
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less
Lan Zhan & Andy
Andy, for the most part, hated her dreams. Waking up with a spear in your chest sucked. The fact that she'd been dead before her boyfriend had pulled it out, that had sucked even more. Luckily, for her, he was an ER doctor. Even more so? She hadn't needed the hospital. Her body had healed on its own. Something that she'd found a bit weird.
It was her day off and she'd decided to head out for a bit, leaving a note for Harry, and decided that a few things were in order. For Maggie, Harry and Thomas. She just hadn't decided on what just yet. So, she heads off to one of her favorite coffee shops in order to grab a nice hot cup of coffee, and sits down for a bit afterward.
There was a man there that she recognized from the network. Though, she doesn't recall what he'd been talking to the girl about. Something about death and dreams, she's sure, but she didn't want to actively say anything. She could, after all, be wrong. So, she sets her coffee aside and goes over the list that she has for her boyfriend, his daughter and his brother. Except that her mind kept going to the man not that far from her, and what he'd talked to the other girl about.
Lan Zhan was a man of habit and routine even when he was not working he liked to maintain a certain order, he found it both relaxing and reassuring. Perhaps it was in large part to how he had been raised under his uncle’s roof, his uncle who was a man of few words, limited emotions and strict rules that had to be followed or there were punishments, consequences even.
This certainly explained why on a rare day off he was frequenting the same coffee shop he visited on his way to work every morning, standing in line and exchanging brief conversation with the barista behind the counter as they were familiar enough with one another that it was something that happened now.
In the course of the exchange he became aware of something, of being watched, his senses having been honed over the years of martial arts training and existing in a world where every little thing about you was judged and it became an issue if you were found wanting. Add into that the alertness from the man in his dreams and Lan Zhan was a very difficult person to watch without notice.
Direct and forthright to a fault with coffee in hand he stopped in front of the table where the brunette sat and angled his head to regard her. “Do we know one another?”
Perhaps they had merely missed each other time and again when it came to the coffee shop. The shop, itself, being one that the forensic scientist enjoyed coming to. Not that she remembered every face that walked through that door. On top of that she was normally pretty busy with work or something else that pre-occupied her time. So, if this place was one that Lan Zhan came to quite a bit, she'd probably failed to notice. She looks up when he stops in front of the table though, giving him a soft smile," No. We don't know one another. Though, I have seen you on the network." For a moment she's quiet, thinking how best to say what was on her mind before just coming out with it," I saw something that you'd asked a young woman about. What happened if it happened... elsewhere, as it were." Andy felt curious eyes look towards them," My scientific forensics paper on death." Hopefully, he got what she meant without her outright saying it.
She didn't want to outright mention it happening in the dreams, just in case non-dreamers were in the shop with them.
If there was an emotional response to anything the brunette was telling him it was impossible to tell, Lan Zhan had the perfect poker face. The mere fact that she was on the network informed him quite reliably that she like him was a dreamer which meant she knew much more than most about the strangeness of Orange County.
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly when she mentioned the conversation he had with another on the network before his attention ticked to the gazes fixing on the pair and it would seem along with a very good poker face he also possessed the uncanny ability to make people stop staring.
Perhaps it was because he looked back, unwaveringly so, and it forced them to be uncomfortable so they ended up doing anything but looking.
“I see,” he remarked, sitting across the table from her. “That sounds like an interesting paper.”
Andy wasn't too terribly worried about the people that were watching them. Much less after some of the dreams that she'd had, herself. On top of that she was a military brat who was a forensic scientist, so if anything happened... well, she knew how to take care of it. Not that she thought something would. Luckily, she left her weapons at home. Last thing anyone needed was to see someone walk around with an axe.
She does, however, notice the way people just stopped staring the moment he looked at them. It was like there was this air about him. Not one she could really describe, but it was there. That must've come in handy whenever he needed it.
"Any type of scientific forensic paper on death is interesting," she tells him with a soft smile. "There's even one that references dreams. Like how if you die in the dream, you feel like you're dying or have died when you wake. I've actively experienced this myself and let me tell you, it isn't fun." If the paper in front of her simply said 'especially when your boyfriend has to pull a spear out of your chest, otherwise, you'd still be dead.' then so be it. Andy was good at being subtle because the moment that Lan Zhan sees the words, she's already turning them into an intricate design. Formulas that could be used in a forensics course or in a lab.
If the other wanted to get out of there so they could talk plainly, they could do that too. She didn’t mind. Otherwise, she’d do what she could to just make it seem like they were talking about a silly paper about death.
Lan Zhan’s interest was definitely caught when she mentioned how she had experienced death in the dreams and what that meant for reality. It was reassuring to hear that despite dying in the dreams that- He belatedly realized he had not gotten the brunette’s name and he could already hear his uncle reprimanding him for his lack of manners.
“Apologies,” he started as he lifted his gaze to regard the other. “I was remiss in my introductions. I am Lan Zhan.”
It felt improper to continue with their discussion until this folly had been corrected.
The forensic scientist saw the moment that his interest had been caught. It made her wonder just how much he'd gone through. No, not him. His friend. That's what the network post between him and the young woman had eluded to. Someone that he knew and cared a great deal for. She does, however, give him a soft smile.
"Andy. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lan Zhan."
She watches him for a moment," Would you like to continue the conversation here or out there where we don't have to worry about others?"
“It would be better I think if we were to continue this conversation outside,” Lan Zhan agreed with the briefest movement of his head. “I think we would be able to have a much better discussion without the concern of others.”
He had gotten his drink to go after all so it was easy for him to pick up and move.
Andy wasn't too worried about things seeing as she'd been working on a bit, so that merely gets packed up and she heads outside with Lan Zhan. It was quieter and even she enjoyed something like that. The quiet of everything. She also, out here, didn't have to beat around the bush.
"I've died in my dreams before. The last one? I'd had a spear stuck in my chest. If not for Harry, then I'd probably still be dead. He pulled it out and my injuries healed. Faster than a normal person, but they healed. So, your friend, if they do die in the dream, they may seem dead for a few moments here in this world, but they won't stay that way."
The knowledge that she’d had died from a spear in her chest and had awoken in a similar predicament was both disturbing and reassuring at the same time. He knew from personal experience that injuries did carry over as did scars if those on his back were any indication. Hopefully Wei Ying would not be subject to falling from a cliff anytime soon.
“I certainly hope not.”
He glanced over at Andy as they walked side by side. “It is not something I wish to endure again.”
Honestly? She didn't want to think about the idea of dying and staying that way. It wasn't something that she'd want to put Harry, his daughter or even Thomas through. Even if she had a bad feeling about the dreams that she had, especially after dying once already.
"No one wishes to endure something like that," she tells him, looking over towards him. "If either you or him need someone to talk to, though, I'm here. I can give you my ear, as the saying goes, if either of you need to talk about anything. Especially with this situation."
Lan Zhan was taken aback. Kindness from a relative stranger was unexpected, but appreciated. It was something he was still getting used to as previous to his time spent in Orange County he had never really put himself in a position where he would meet new people.
“Thank you,” he replied as he nodded. “I will be sure to remember that and inform him of the same.”
Numbers were exchanged as it was the only course of action that made sense.
It was reassuring to know that there were others with similar experiences and that they were willing to help. Perhaps it was the start of something beautiful?
It was her day off and she'd decided to head out for a bit, leaving a note for Harry, and decided that a few things were in order. For Maggie, Harry and Thomas. She just hadn't decided on what just yet. So, she heads off to one of her favorite coffee shops in order to grab a nice hot cup of coffee, and sits down for a bit afterward.
There was a man there that she recognized from the network. Though, she doesn't recall what he'd been talking to the girl about. Something about death and dreams, she's sure, but she didn't want to actively say anything. She could, after all, be wrong. So, she sets her coffee aside and goes over the list that she has for her boyfriend, his daughter and his brother. Except that her mind kept going to the man not that far from her, and what he'd talked to the other girl about.
Lan Zhan was a man of habit and routine even when he was not working he liked to maintain a certain order, he found it both relaxing and reassuring. Perhaps it was in large part to how he had been raised under his uncle’s roof, his uncle who was a man of few words, limited emotions and strict rules that had to be followed or there were punishments, consequences even.
This certainly explained why on a rare day off he was frequenting the same coffee shop he visited on his way to work every morning, standing in line and exchanging brief conversation with the barista behind the counter as they were familiar enough with one another that it was something that happened now.
In the course of the exchange he became aware of something, of being watched, his senses having been honed over the years of martial arts training and existing in a world where every little thing about you was judged and it became an issue if you were found wanting. Add into that the alertness from the man in his dreams and Lan Zhan was a very difficult person to watch without notice.
Direct and forthright to a fault with coffee in hand he stopped in front of the table where the brunette sat and angled his head to regard her. “Do we know one another?”
Perhaps they had merely missed each other time and again when it came to the coffee shop. The shop, itself, being one that the forensic scientist enjoyed coming to. Not that she remembered every face that walked through that door. On top of that she was normally pretty busy with work or something else that pre-occupied her time. So, if this place was one that Lan Zhan came to quite a bit, she'd probably failed to notice. She looks up when he stops in front of the table though, giving him a soft smile," No. We don't know one another. Though, I have seen you on the network." For a moment she's quiet, thinking how best to say what was on her mind before just coming out with it," I saw something that you'd asked a young woman about. What happened if it happened... elsewhere, as it were." Andy felt curious eyes look towards them," My scientific forensics paper on death." Hopefully, he got what she meant without her outright saying it.
She didn't want to outright mention it happening in the dreams, just in case non-dreamers were in the shop with them.
If there was an emotional response to anything the brunette was telling him it was impossible to tell, Lan Zhan had the perfect poker face. The mere fact that she was on the network informed him quite reliably that she like him was a dreamer which meant she knew much more than most about the strangeness of Orange County.
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly when she mentioned the conversation he had with another on the network before his attention ticked to the gazes fixing on the pair and it would seem along with a very good poker face he also possessed the uncanny ability to make people stop staring.
Perhaps it was because he looked back, unwaveringly so, and it forced them to be uncomfortable so they ended up doing anything but looking.
“I see,” he remarked, sitting across the table from her. “That sounds like an interesting paper.”
Andy wasn't too terribly worried about the people that were watching them. Much less after some of the dreams that she'd had, herself. On top of that she was a military brat who was a forensic scientist, so if anything happened... well, she knew how to take care of it. Not that she thought something would. Luckily, she left her weapons at home. Last thing anyone needed was to see someone walk around with an axe.
She does, however, notice the way people just stopped staring the moment he looked at them. It was like there was this air about him. Not one she could really describe, but it was there. That must've come in handy whenever he needed it.
"Any type of scientific forensic paper on death is interesting," she tells him with a soft smile. "There's even one that references dreams. Like how if you die in the dream, you feel like you're dying or have died when you wake. I've actively experienced this myself and let me tell you, it isn't fun." If the paper in front of her simply said 'especially when your boyfriend has to pull a spear out of your chest, otherwise, you'd still be dead.' then so be it. Andy was good at being subtle because the moment that Lan Zhan sees the words, she's already turning them into an intricate design. Formulas that could be used in a forensics course or in a lab.
If the other wanted to get out of there so they could talk plainly, they could do that too. She didn’t mind. Otherwise, she’d do what she could to just make it seem like they were talking about a silly paper about death.
Lan Zhan’s interest was definitely caught when she mentioned how she had experienced death in the dreams and what that meant for reality. It was reassuring to hear that despite dying in the dreams that- He belatedly realized he had not gotten the brunette’s name and he could already hear his uncle reprimanding him for his lack of manners.
“Apologies,” he started as he lifted his gaze to regard the other. “I was remiss in my introductions. I am Lan Zhan.”
It felt improper to continue with their discussion until this folly had been corrected.
The forensic scientist saw the moment that his interest had been caught. It made her wonder just how much he'd gone through. No, not him. His friend. That's what the network post between him and the young woman had eluded to. Someone that he knew and cared a great deal for. She does, however, give him a soft smile.
"Andy. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lan Zhan."
She watches him for a moment," Would you like to continue the conversation here or out there where we don't have to worry about others?"
“It would be better I think if we were to continue this conversation outside,” Lan Zhan agreed with the briefest movement of his head. “I think we would be able to have a much better discussion without the concern of others.”
He had gotten his drink to go after all so it was easy for him to pick up and move.
Andy wasn't too worried about things seeing as she'd been working on a bit, so that merely gets packed up and she heads outside with Lan Zhan. It was quieter and even she enjoyed something like that. The quiet of everything. She also, out here, didn't have to beat around the bush.
"I've died in my dreams before. The last one? I'd had a spear stuck in my chest. If not for Harry, then I'd probably still be dead. He pulled it out and my injuries healed. Faster than a normal person, but they healed. So, your friend, if they do die in the dream, they may seem dead for a few moments here in this world, but they won't stay that way."
The knowledge that she’d had died from a spear in her chest and had awoken in a similar predicament was both disturbing and reassuring at the same time. He knew from personal experience that injuries did carry over as did scars if those on his back were any indication. Hopefully Wei Ying would not be subject to falling from a cliff anytime soon.
“I certainly hope not.”
He glanced over at Andy as they walked side by side. “It is not something I wish to endure again.”
Honestly? She didn't want to think about the idea of dying and staying that way. It wasn't something that she'd want to put Harry, his daughter or even Thomas through. Even if she had a bad feeling about the dreams that she had, especially after dying once already.
"No one wishes to endure something like that," she tells him, looking over towards him. "If either you or him need someone to talk to, though, I'm here. I can give you my ear, as the saying goes, if either of you need to talk about anything. Especially with this situation."
Lan Zhan was taken aback. Kindness from a relative stranger was unexpected, but appreciated. It was something he was still getting used to as previous to his time spent in Orange County he had never really put himself in a position where he would meet new people.
“Thank you,” he replied as he nodded. “I will be sure to remember that and inform him of the same.”
Numbers were exchanged as it was the only course of action that made sense.
It was reassuring to know that there were others with similar experiences and that they were willing to help. Perhaps it was the start of something beautiful?