TGCF AU pt. 2: Random ideas
Xie Lian is not very affectionate with Qi Rong, but took his ashes as a form of protecting him. It’s one death he can control, at least. And he does feel a bit responsibly since QI Rong is of his bloodline. Solitude makes you resort to the worst of company.
Xie Lian can and will give Hua Cheng permission to beat Qi Rong up if he does smth stupid. (Hua Cheng had no clue if Xie Lian would allow it since he and his cousin were technically the only two Calamities officially aligned, but he was SO delighted to be given the green light that he attempts to give Xie Lian a gift in return. Probably a sword or smth to that extent.)
Despite being a very cold and ruthless person, Xie Lian seems to be the only calamity with general morals/standards. He takes no pleasure in destruction, nor in anything his existence brings about. But for justice? Whatever twisted version of it he now perceives? That, he will fight for.
Xie Lian still becomes friends with Wind Master. Don’t as me how, just because I say so. Probably bc they’re the only official with common courtesy for calamities.
This friendship also dissuades the black water calamity from doing anything drastic, knowing how very little Xie Lian cares about him, and how Hua Cheng would let Xie Lian do whatever he wanted. Threat well received. (Wind master goes to the wedding. Yes, I want a wedding in the fic)
Qi Rong is banned from stringing corpses up near the lair. Xie Lian turns his head to most of Qi Rong’s ongoings, but he will step in if something affects him or if something will cause too many unnecessary ripples.
The heavenly officials are terrified of Xie Lian because 1. He is extremely dangerous, 2. Exceptionally pissed off with them, and 3. Somehow collecting calamities like baseball cards
I want Hua Cheng to soften Xie Lian as the plot goes on— takes his burdens and give him an environment where he doesn’t need to fight, or hate. But even after all is said and done, he’s still somewhat different— still a calamity at heart who can and will snap someone’s neck if he deems it necessary. And you CANNOT tell me Hua Cheng wouldn’t love that.
The relationship between Wu Ming and Xie Lian is a little different than canon. They become a bit closer, but not involved— simply comfortable enough that Xie Lian can snip at Wu Ming and he doesn’t even pause before he lightly snips back— or Xie Lian may tell him to go and he stubbornly chooses to stay, but is not removed or decimated by the god who gave the command.
Xie Lian only starts to realize his feelings near the time when Wu Ming meets his end. After that, they’re left to sit and fester— creating a deep hole in his heart born from a love he never truly knew. But knowing Wu Ming is gone… it causes him more pain than he knows what to do with. And sooner or later, he puts the pieces together as to why he feels such a way. Not that it lightens his burden in any way.
Wu Ming has a little grave near where he died which Xie Lian visits often with little gifts. Qi Rong followed him one day out of curiosity for his unexplained absences, and tried to tease Xie Lian about it. He was threatened on the spot, with his ashes no less, to leave the place be. And given how rarely his actual life is threatened by the one who holds it in his hands, Qi Rong was shaken enough to listen. But he certainly wonders who this person was, or why Xie Lian would care so much. There isn’t even a body buried there.
Hua Cheng still gets to be called San Lang. But in this case, the nickname originated as a retort.
Hua cheng and Xie Lian team up for a mission which requires disguises. Unable and unwilling to change into a different form, Xie Lian is forced to use a more traditional method of disguise— aka, he gets dolled up by some of the ladies in ghost city.
Hua cheng immediately used that opertunitu to have Xie Lian play the role of his wife for their desguise, referring to him as such as often as he can during the mission. Unreasonably flustered by this happening, Xie Lian tries to get back at Hua Cheng by calling him ‘San Lang’ (which I think is the equivalent of ‘lover’ or ‘beloved’), only for Hua Cheng to take it in great stride.
Xie Lian uses it so often during the mission that it becomes a habit— first derogatory, then sincerely.
Xie Lian still has a (?) cursed shackle (I think he only has one at the time of him becoming a calamity— correct me if I’m wrong), which he leaves fairly visible. But rather than be seen as a weakness, the shackle only adds to the uncanny nature of his power and the fear it inspires. It’s also why he isn’t the strongest calamity from a standpoint of magical(?)(there’s probably a better word for it, but I’m at a loss) abilities alone.
Xie Lian is heavily sleep deprived at all times (which only worsens his mood) because when he sleep he only has nightmares. This may change when Hua Cheng becomes involved in his life with the assistance of his silver butterflies.
Speaking of which, Xie Lian’s home/lair slowly accumulates silver butterflies. Qi Rong had tried to eat them more than once.
And that’s it for now. I’m sure I’ll come up with more. Let me know if you wanna hear any of the dialogue I have written! There isn’t much context but I do love writing interactions regardless, so it exists nonetheless :)
