video;

[jichengren]

[ The first thing you'll notice about the video broadcast is the loud, shrill sounds of a fire alarm going off. The next thing you'll notice is the smoke filled kitchen where the video is being filmed. The third thing you'll notice is a harried looking young man with long black hair and pristine pale yellow robes, holding the camera uncertainly, as though he doesn't fully trust it. Keen eyed viewers will pick up on the crown of blue feathers poking out of the top of the man's head. They don't seem to be bothering him, but maybe he just hasn't noticed they're there... ]

I was told this tool could be used to communicate messages. I am in need of assistance.

[ He glances back over his shoulder, where there is a microwave that is clearly on fire. ]

I only tried to prepare some soup. The small heating box must be possessed by an evil spirit. It's wailing pains my ears and I cannot get it to stop. I cannot tame it alone. Please respond with all haste.

[ And then he just... puts the comm down, face up on the kitchen table, so that it is left recording the ceiling for a minute or so before the feed shuts off. ]

Comments

[Video]

[lonered]

Evil spirit or you put metal in there. Either way. Do you have a fire extinguisher?

[Er wait hang on. Given the rest of this message.] It would be about this big, [Quick estimation with his hands.] ...probably red, has a clamp looking handle on the top. It'd probably be in one of the cabinets.

[Hopefully? Maybe? Look his dad used to be a firefighter; Keith is not. But he'll try to help.]

If you can get close enough without burning yourself unplug it... pull the part of it that's attached to the wall out of the wall.

[jichengren]

[ Oh. A response. And thank goodness, a helpful one at that. ]

Metal? Is the box not accustomed to containing metal?

[ But enough clarifying questions. Zixuan starts searching the cabinets for the fire extinguisher described, and finds it in a side cabinet, pulling it out and looking it over. Next, he does as instructed and pulls the cord connected to the flaming box out of the wall. ]

Good. Now, how do I extinguish the flames and stop the screaming?

[Video]

[dazzlingdream]

[Meanwhile Meng Yao is dealing with large fox ears and a fluffy tail. Do foxes hunt peacocks? Alright Google, inform me. "A fox will kill an adult peafowl, they will also kill a peahen sitting on a clutch of eggs. Any nesting peahens should be protected from predators while sitting on the nest." Damn. Foxes suck.]

Brother! You needn't worry about the heating box. The sounds it makes are alerting you that your soup is ready, that is all.

[His expression falters from a welcoming smile. This is more difficult than he would like.]

I wondered if I would see you here.

[jichengren]

[ Somehow, the ears aren't weird to Zixuan. Has Jin Guangyao always had fox ears? Has he himself always had feathers? He's more surprised to see his half brother at all, than to see him with animalistic appendages. ]

Ah, so you're here.

[ He gives a wary glance to the microwave, which has now been unplugged from the wall and doused with fire extinguishing chemical foam, thanks to the above advice from Keith. ]

I think the soup is too far gone to eat, now. I will have to try again later.

[dazzlingdream]

[One has to wonder! The ears do seem to suit him - just like Zixuan's feathers. He is able to hide how his tail is tucked against his legs during this recording.]

Yes, I have been present for months.

[Goodness, that is a mess.]

Do you need me to bring you sustenance?

[jichengren]

[ Zixuan frowns at the mess of the destroyed microwave as though it were put there solely to make his life difficult. ]

I would be remiss not to take you up on that generous offer.

[ He is really hungry, after all. ]

[dazzlingdream]

[Poor brother. Meng Yao is quick to put together a tasty meal - he has taken cooking classes - in a basket.]

I won't be long if you give me your address?

video (enjoy babby yanli for a bit lol)

[lotus_heart]

[Oh! She knows those robes!

She's distracted though, giggling softly at the, ah, situation. Even if it hurts her ears.]

Young Master Jin, I think I could ask one of the older cultivators here to help, if you need.

[jichengren]

[ Wait... He recognizes that small child. ]

Mistress Jiang, you're... [ young ] ...here.

[ What is going on? And why are his arms so itchy? Ah yes, because he's growing feathers there as well. ]

Please, do not concern yourself with my predicament. I am working on resolving the issue myself.

[lotus_heart]

[She is there, indeed!]

This place is kind of funny, isn't it?

[And then she just frowns, shaking her head briefly.]

Shouldn't we all be helping each other? Especially the Jiang and Jin sects.

[jichengren]

[ Is this what Meng Yao had meant, when he said everyone who was here came from different times, with different experiences? How exactly is he supposed to cope with his fiancee being a child once more?

After that momentary panic, he tries his best to put on a kind face for Yanli. She is still Yanli, after all. ]

Yes, you're right. As always.

[lotus_heart]

[Could be! Yanli, meanwhile, is completely unaware that anything strange is going on. All that matters is that someone from the Jin Sect clearly needs help.]

I'm not sure I am but I'm glad you agree! Let me find someone!

[audio]

[notmyplacetosay]

[There's a distinct click, and then Samuel's speaking.]

First thing I'd do is get rid of all that smoke, if you can, and get something to cover up your face if you can't. Ain't good to breathe that stuff in too long.

[jichengren]

[ Using only audio is easier. Zixuan doesn't have to continue to be embarrassed by the state of his kitchen. Even if it is strange to hear someone's voice and not see who is speaking. ]

I will open a window. It is becoming rather thick in here.

[notmyplacetosay]

Seems as good an idea as any to me. Betting you've got the fire sorted out by now, though.

[jichengren]

I have. I was shown where was kept a device known as a "flame extinguisher."

[ Eh... close enough. ]

[notmyplacetosay]

Always liked a name that told you what you were dealing with.

But don't let me take up too much of your time, chattering like this.

[angrygrape]

Where are you.

[Simple, direct, to the point. He doesn't really do small talk.]

[jichengren]

[ Rude. ]

Sect Leader Jiang. I have been given quarters in a city called Heropa.

[angrygrape]

That's not helpful. Heropa is a large city.

[This is him being polite!]

[jichengren]

Do you intend to come to my aid, Sect Leader Jiang?

[ Why do you need his address? ]

[rebelarrow]

[He thought he was bad at preparing food.]

How long did you put the soup on for?

[Because all that smoke can't be good.]

[jichengren]

I put the can inside the box and pressed the button marked "3."

[ At least, he thinks that's a three. That's not how you write three in any language he knows but somehow his mind is translating the writing to something he can understand. ]

[rebelarrow]

[How is that house not on fire.

He runs through several scenarios, striking them all down when he realizes that any terminology he's about to use is more than likely something that this guy isn't going to understand.]

For future reference, you should not put anything with metal inside the small heating box.

Has anyone taken care of the... ah.... wailing?

[jichengren]

I see. I will make a note of that.

[ Magic box doesn't like metal, got it. ]

I have opened a window, and that seems to have helped.