Lan Wangji sighs, thinking how Wei Wuxian would enjoy this place, especially after seeing how safe a world it must be for Stark- Master Stark? Lord Stark, to just invite a stranger into his home. Especially a stranger Lord Stark already knows to be so displaced. He is looking out of the large floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the vast densely populated city and wonders how such a place can exist. He touches the clear smooth surface of the glass pane that seals the room from the outdoor elements.
Lan Wangji isn’t really sure what to make of his surroundings. This world is very different from his own and Lord Stark seems to understand that better than Lan Wangji. He kept looking at Lan Wangji like he was worried and was not deterred by Lan Wangji’s lack of facial expression. Lord Stark left him in his guest rooms with instructions on when Lan Wangji should go to the dining area for the next meal. Truly a generous host, who even asked if he was vegetarian or had some other food restriction before leaving.
Lan Wangji has used the time to look around the rooms, and test the running water. It is an interesting and very practical invention. Briefly, he wonders how it was done, momentarily sidetracked again by the idea of how Wei Ying would like this new land. Lan Wangji is sure Wei Ying would love all these new and wondrous sights and inventions. He is certain that Wei Ying would be excited to see this place and learn all its secrets. Lan Wangji is a little sorry that he had denied Wei Ying such an opportunity, but he still does not regret his choice. There had been no way for him to have known the artifact would not have hurt Wei Ying.
The Spiritual energy of this Land is weaker than he is used to and that itself is the most concerning aspect of this land Lan Wangji has come across yet. This, however, might have proven to be untenable for Wei Ying with his current volatile cultivation. He knows he will have to be careful in his use of spiritual energy, as cultivating in this land will not allow for the replenishment of his reserves as readily as he is used to. He sets that as something to think more over later.
He looks at Wangji, which he had left on a low table in the lounge area. And wonders if there could be some modification he could make to the talisman so he might be able to better learn the local language. So far he has grasped the simple, yes and no of this world's language- as well as a few miscellaneous words. Interestingly enough, Lan Wangji has also learned how limited his grasp on the Guqin language really is. He had thought he had been a dedicated enough student but there have been several words and phrases Lan Wangji has never heard the spirits use before. Some, he knows, must be from his inexperience, while other words he is sure have not been recorded in his family's books at all. The Qin language is truly vaster than Lan Wangji could have known it to be. For several words and phrases, Lan Wangji has had to guess through context. Some he can not guess the meaning to at all. When he has time, he should take to noting these new words down and their possible meanings. He wonders what his uncle will say about his findings.
Lan Wangji contemplates performing inquiry normally so as to interact with a local spirit and see if he could speak to them to better understand this new world, but he cannot excuse disturbing a local spirit for such a frivolous purpose. Lan Wangji is not versed with how the dead are expected to be treated here and does not want to disrespect his host in such a way.
Then he hears a voice sound from all around him. Lord Stark has said the tower itself has a personality called Jarvis, though the words he used were a little unclear and completely with no known equivalent Lan Wangji is familiar with. It seems that it is an intelligent spirit of some kind that lives in the Tower. By the sounds of it, the spirit helps Lord Stark in running the household. Odd behavior, but not something Lan Wangji should judge his host for. This Land is too far removed from what Lan Wangji can understand just yet. The Voice sounds again, calm and polite to Lan Wangji's ears, even as they sound as if they are coming from the walls themselves.
The words are incomprehensible to Lan Wangji, so he sets to play the modified version of inquiry. The voice sounds again, but the cords do not sound in response. Lan Wangji had expected this. He had not thought the house spirit would classify as alive. Since from the description he could understand, the creature had been made, not born. Lan Wangji is hesitant to think that it would classify as dead. He does not wish to disturb any of the nearby spirits that might be comfortably resting and he is sure that if the modified version would not work, then the original one would not be useful to him either.
Lan Wangji spends his time making different modifications to the talisman for his guqin to try and communicate with the Tower Spirit. After a few failed attempts, the guqin sounds after the words of the disembodied voice.
“Testing communication ♫~♪♫♪♪♪ attempt 7”
Lan Wangji is relieved it works. He does not want to use up too much of his reserves of blank talisman paper. Distracted, He had not noticed until the start of the hunt, but he had grabbed the wrong pouch to take with him that morning.
While he still has a mostly full set of pre-created talismans, those having been stored in his sleeves, he also does not usually have too many blank extras to modify or create talismans of his own past the basics, Like he knows Wei Ying and others do. Not expecting to need much during the night hunt on Phoenix Mountain, He had been happy to only need Wangji and Bichen for such a frivolous event and so did not take the time to retrieve the right pouch. He had left most of his reserves of blanks for replenishing his supply of talismans for normal night hunts in his rooms, as well as all his night hunting equipment, night hunting and travel robes. Instead, he has with him the fineries his clan had thought he would need for the Jin banquets and other such small personal luxuries. Thankfully, this had also been the pouch used to store his kit for his Guqin and sword.
'Success' Lan Wangji plays on his guqin, to continue the conversation, and says the word as he does. It is a habit picked up from teaching junior disciples over the years and from his use of inquiry during night hunts.
“Greetings Hanguang-Jun, I am Jarvis. I am Mr. Stark's ♫♪♫♪♪♫♪~~♪ system. I have been trying to learn your language by deciphering the way your music has been trying to grasp it, but I need a larger sample of you speaking so that I might learn it. Would you speak to me through your guqin so I might better understand?”
Though Lan Wangji wondered just how quickly a house spirit might learn a new language he sees no reason to not try and better their communication. And so begins their regular conversations, with Lan Wangji using this opportunity to try and ask about this new world around him.
Speaking has always been something Lan Wangji has avoided, but in this foreign land, it is not an option Lan Wangji feels he can make if he wants to avoid misunderstandings. He speaks vaguely of his Sect and homeland, of his sect's disciplines and mission and moves on to the Archery Tournament at Phoenix Mountain. When asked more about the hunt and reason behind it, he tells Jarvis of the Jin Sect who hosted the event and uses them as an example for family and sect titles as the Jin are the most rigid of the remaining great Sects not counting his own. Jarvis stops him here and there to ask questions, so it goes slowly.
As Lan Wangji is describing his latest night hunt before the Phoenix Mountain night-hunting competition Jarvis stops him- confused by the idea of spiritual and resentful energy. Lan Wangji is unsure how to explain it when he gets unknown words and terms back with little context to work from. He tries to explain as best he can and asks Jarvis about this new world- confused by Jarvis’ complete incomprehension. Jarvis is only too happy to help and spends his time reading out loud a few articles on current events from different local periodicals and stopping to explain anything Lan Wangji shows an interest in. Jarvis requests he repeats what he hears in the Qin Language in his own, and so Lan Wangji does his best to do so. Jarvis states that it is all helpful for his attempt to widen his sample for interpreting Lan Wangji's language and the Qin language.
By dinner time Lan Wangji is brimming with questions about this new Land. Equal parts amazed and scandalized by what he has heard and seen, as Jarvis had been able to turn on a 'screen' in his room by which to show him. It is shocking to see colorful images of people and places. They are all so realistic, as if Lan Wangji were looking out a window and not at a portrait of some kind. The images of officials, merchants and common people tramples over all of Lan Wangji's views on modesty and appropriate dress. He had wondered over Lord Starks clothing, and why he had been so underdressed, assuming he had interrupted Lord Stark while he was changing. Jarvis was quick to show him examples of what he should expect.
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Lan Wangji can still feel that his ears are flaming. He does his best to control his reaction. He is a guest and should not be rude to his host. Though their manner of dress is distracting, it is not something Lan Wangji needs to focus on.
Lan Wangji broods over his thoughts as he freshens up and changes from his dusty robes to a clean set. He picks the set of robes his brother had suggested he wear for the night's banquet, as Jarvis had mentioned Lord Stark had people he needed to introduce him to. The robes are more ornate than he is used to wearing but they are clean and not the most ostentatious ones he had brought with him.
Feeling only vaguely better and put together, Lan Wangji plays the 2nd modified version of inquiry again and calls for Jarvis. With the Tower Spirit's help, he makes his way to the room Lord Stark is speaking to his guests in.
Jarvis announces his arrival and Lord Stark gestures him into the room.
Lan Wangji is introduced to Steve Rogers and Representative Maria Hill. He bows his customary greeting, settling on the depth of his bow as he would use for fellow cultivators. Unsure of their ranks and customs, Lan Wangji hopes he does not offend.
Steve Roger makes a clumsy bow, hands shifting awkwardly but ending up stiffly at his side. Representative Maria Hill only deeply bows her head in acceptance of his greeting. While Lord Stark looks on, with what Lan wangji thinks might be a look of confusion. He says something but at the moment the inquiry can not pick up the words of the living. Lan Wangji brings his Guqin back to his side and plays the correct rendition. What Lord Stark said must have not been directed to him as he does not repeat himself.
Lan Wangji settles on waiting to be addressed.
They all stand around in a lounge room of some kind full of padded raised seats no one is willing to use, preferring, it seems, to stay standing. Lord Stark, for his part, uses the seats to lean against. Steve Rogers is the Leader of Lord Stark’s Sect? Martial arts group? Lan Wangji is unsure, but they are known as the Avengers collectively and Lan Wangji is told he will meet the others during the evening meal. Representative Maria Hill, is part of a defense force for the Land called SHIELD. She had several questions of him. Her main concern seems to focus on whether he is a danger or not. Lan Wangji understands her concerns and tries to be as non-aggressive and non-threatening as he can.
Both the strangers are dressed in dark-fitted clothing, though there seemed to be of heavier fabric and more angular formal cuts than Lord Stark's simple cut top and trousers. Something of Representative Maria Hill's clothing strikes him as a uniform of some kind.
He does his best to not mind the odd clothing and keeps his gaze from straying past their faces. He does not miss Lord Stark's confused repeated glance at his robes or the way the others eye his, admittedly overly ornate, robes curiously.
Their questioning Lasts about half a shichen and Lan Wangji does not understand a good deal of what they ask him even with the Guqin's interpretation but he does his best to answer with Jarvis serving as his interpreter. Lan Wangji is truly impressed by how much Jarvis has already grasped of his own language and the Qin Language.
During dinner, Lan Wangji eats silently and watches the Avengers interact. He receives a few looks and he knows they must be discussing him at times, but for the most part, they leave him alone and go about their normal routine.
He is grateful he had explained some of his Sect Disciplines to Jarvis, as the Tower Spirit intervenes when the others try to interact with him during the meal. He knows how those outside of Gusu Lan always have trouble with this discipline.
After the evening meal, Lan Wanji is able to excuse himself with the help of Jarvis as a go-between. He feels his internal time telling him that it will be time to rest soon and he needs to test how the weak spiritual energy is affecting him.
Lord Stark looks as confused and horrified by his early curfew when he finds out as most guest disciples do, while Sect Leader Steve Rogers readily nods his understanding.
Back in his guest rooms, he readies for bed as he always does. The Tower's convenient amenities making the task simple and effortless. The bed, he finds, is soft but firm enough to be comfortable. The pillows are soft down and covered in light unknown fabric of excellent quality. Lan wangji had thought he would have a hard time falling asleep in this foreign land, but the weak spiritual energy and his draining trip through the use of the unknown tool tired him enough that he falls asleep in no time.
*
Two days after arriving, Lord Stark presents Lan Wangji with a glowing palm-sized pendant made of glass and metal. It thrums with a small pulse of foreign energy and is meant to be worn around his neck from a delicate-looking chain of tiny silver links. Lord Stark also gives him something called an earpiece.
It is a small finely made mechanical device that he is to wear in his ear so that the pendant will be able to speak to him. Lord Stark explains that the pendant would be what would listen to the words spoken around Lan Wangji and the earpiece is only useful in relaying that information. He goes into more detail as to how the device works but for the most part, the words are not many Lan Wangji is familiar with in the Guqin language.
The device itself is beautiful and Lan Wangji finds that he is very impressed with how quickly Lord Stark was able to make it, and is touched by his kindness in going through all the trouble of making it for Lan Wangji.
When he uses it later, he finds that the device can be switched from the Guqin Language to his own Language. It is Jarring to find that the device speaks using something that sounds very much like his own voice. He finds he prefers not to use that setting. The Qin Language translations are not as garbled and so easier to understand and have fewer mistakes in interpretation. Lord Stark says that the device will continue to record and learn from him and so the interpretation should get better over time.
Lan Wangji is grateful for the device. He is especially grateful after he learns that they are having trouble reaching the companion that they thought would be able to help him get back home. He has run through several of the talismans he uses to modify inquiry over the past two days and he is worried he will run out of talisman paper if he keeps using it as he has for translation. As they are testing the new device, he tells Lord Stark as much. Lan Wangji listens to the pendant speak to Lord Stark with an oddly even lifeless voice.
“That paper you use, it’s special In some way?”
“Yes, normal paper for books and scrolls would only burn up if I tried to use it”
“Ah, that could be a problem. Do you know how it's made? Maybe we could see about making more for you? It will be a while longer than we thought. That friend I told you about- I just got word back that he is not where I thought he would be. He is not from here- This world. He is from one of the other Nine Realms as his people call them. His from Asgard. Oh yeah, He Calls this place Midgard instead of Earth… and his Brother well, Loki travels a lot. Normally Thor would be heading back here but It seems like he left pretty suddenly before he could get my message. I don’t have the ability to travel like they do or a good way to communicate between our realms so I'm not sure when they will be back.”
“How long?”
“I don’t know, maybe a month or more. Do you need to get back sooner?”
“No… it is only that my brother and uncle will worry”
“With time, would you be able to go back on your own? Do you need something that might be able to help you maybe find your own way back? As it is our methods are still pretty far from being useful - especially for traveling to an unknown destination. We could try to send you to Asgard but it's not really something we know a lot about and would be more likely to be dangerous than successful.”
Lan Wangji shakes his head “No, I am not educated or talented when it comes to these artifacts. I would not know where to start. There is also a higher possibility someone will come here looking for me. I should wait.”
“Oh, right that would be … yeah, alright. That makes sense. Ha, For curiosity- what or who should we be expecting?”
Lan Wangji hesitates, thinking about Wei Ying and whether or not it would be him. He had seemed so tired and drained last Lan Wangji saw him. Lan Wangji has no doubt Wei Ying could figure out the transportation array given time but it might be the Lan or the Jin maybe even the Nie who come looking for him instead.
“I’m not sure. Things are complicated”
“What kind of complicated are we talkin’ about here?” Lord Stark asks, concern and wariness evident in his tone.
“My friend is very intelligent, there is a high possibility he will figure out how to create another transportation token but It felt like a powerful tool and he has not been in the best of health lately. My brother is the leader of our sect and with me missing and the war so recently over- he will not be able to so easily follow after me.“
“A war?”
Lan Wangji “Mhm”s but then nods his agreement, remembering that he needs to try harder to communicate. “The SunShot campaign. It only ended less than a year ago and everyone is still recovering” Lord Stark waits for him to continue but Lan Wangji is happy enough to leave it at that small confirmation.
“Work with me here, Lan Wangji. I need more than that. Your brother is some kinda of big shot? And your friend is a genius?” Lord Stark insists.
Lan Wangji hesitates, unsure of how much he should say, But Lord Stark has been nothing but kind and generous. Plus, it makes sense he is worried that armed warriors still running on the blood-lust of war might be coming to his home.
“Yes. My brother is Lan Xichen the Sect Leader of the Gusu Lan, and I am his Heir. We are an order of cultivators descendant from Monks. My friend, Wei Ying- Wei Wuxian is the Heir of the Yunmeng Jiang. His adopted brother is Sect Leader Jiang Wanyin of the Yunmeng Jiang but the Jiang were hit heaviest by the war. Though it is not expected Wei Ying will ever inherit, It would be unlikely for them to risk someone to come looking for me as our sects are not particularly close. I would say the Jin might come because of my brother’s friendship with them but I’m unsure how things might have worked out back home after my disappearance.”
“Alright- So.” Lord Start Sits down on a nearby padded seat they call armchairs and motions for Wangji to take the seat next to his.
“Explain to me again, what is a Cultivator? And what was that accident that got you here in the first place?”
So Lan Wangji does his best to answer his questions without giving away any information that might be detrimental to his Sect and ease what worries he might have, but with the way Stark’s face grows more stiff and concerned there must be something about his situation Lord Stark understands that Lan Wangji does not.
Extra:
Tony: “So, it seems someone wanted to murder? Maybe assassinate- the kid’s best friend.”
Natasha: ”What?”
Tony: ”It’s how he got here. He pushed his genius sickly friend out of the way. And this type of travel is not exactly common there. No one used this ‘artifact’ before. For all he knew, it was a bomb or something just as bad”
Natasha: “Must really love that friend of his”
Tony: “Yeah- well, see what else you can find out? Don’t want to get blindsided when his people show up.”