prompts / continuations.

[fennu]

Comments

[fennu]

I could make a judgement, but I haven't had the time or the inclination. This was easier.

[ He didn't want to look, and he didn't want a woman who was intimidated by him or who would treat his nephew poorly. ]

[lanclan]

[ Having the time and inclination to ask a stranger's advice sounds a lot less than easy, especially for someone as private as Jiang Cheng.

Xichen Hmms after a moment, a laugh parting his lips like a breath. ]

I was going to offer assistance by way of introductions, but I don't know any young ladies.

[ ... It feels, oddly and with clarity, like he probably should. Is this a new level of lame he is discovering about himself? ]

[fennu]

[ It's much easier to write a list of demands and hand then over than try and talk to women, he has found.

Because he can't talk to women, at all. He ends up getting embarrassed, or a little irritated, or his voice gets too loud, and it just makes things worse. ]

You are far too busy for those kinds of things. I appreciate the sentiment, but I will let the professional do her job. If someone can meet my expectations then it will be an easy process.

[ ... He is kind of lame too. ]

[lanclan]

[ Now he's wondering how he would even go about meeting someone if they weren't introduced first. Wander around Gusu's inns? That sounds so soul-wearying. He would rather sit alone and play Clarity or mend books. He would rather pet the rabbits in the snow than take a chance on another unknown pretty face wreathed in sweet promises of a happy future. ]

What are your expectations?

[fennu]

[ This is where he might get embarrassed. ]

I would like someone naturally beautiful, hard-working, from a respected family, not too talkative… And they just treat Jin Ling well.

[ He’s edited it down to try and sound a little less demanding. ]

[lanclan]

Those are not excessive wants.

[ It's all very reasonable. ]

Although ...

[fennu]

[ Jiang Cheng raises his brows, just a little. ]

Yes?

[lanclan]

I think, in general, and it would apply to a marriage too ... if you enjoy the presence of another person and the sound of their voice, you can never hear it too much. Each time they want to speak to you, it's because they like to hear what you have to say in return, so they don't think you are ever too talkative either.

[ Sentimental. ]

They would also quickly learn when words are not needed.

[fennu]

My… Experience of a marriage has not made that kind of thing an expectation.

[ You saw his parents, Lan Xichen. ]

Someone who would be happy to be my wife would be fine, better if she could tolerate my voice, and the same on the opposite.

[lanclan]

[ He sighs under his breath, feeling oddly sad for his friend. Intensely so, even, much as he keeps a lid on that emotion and channels his determination to rouse up some hope in Jiang Cheng into the pink of his own ears. ]

You have a good voice, it is not to be merely tolerated. I have sat in silence for near days, [ also sad but focus on his point, ] and now I am noticing how much I like the light of the lamps when they are lit and the taste of food again, because Jiang-zongzhu is here talking with me.

[fennu]

[ Well, that’s something that’s worth embarrassment, and he stops partway through eating to huff a nervous, embarrassed little laugh, shaking his head. ]

After days of isolation I think any company would suit, not just mine. But thank you.

[ His mouth twitches into a smile. ]

I cannot fault the company myself, though I might be falling into repetition.

[lanclan]

[ He is flattered, but! ]

I would not like any partner chosen for you who did not welcome the sound of your voice.

[ He is going to be honest and gripe about that, softly so as he forces himself to sip his tea and be humbled by the fact it's none of his business. It is as much sternness as he has shown so far, though it is not truly angry and more frustrated. ]

You could come to Cloud Recesses and talk all day long here in the library, while I mend books.

[fennu]

I think I’d like that better than the games.

[ The ones the matchmakers do, he thinks, shaking his head. Marriage seems such an uncomfortable and foreign concept for him, one that hasn’t ever held a lot of appeal. Having seen what a poor marriage was like… He doesn’t want that.

Leaning back, he tries to offer a smile. ]

Perhaps one day you might find some joy in Yunmeng, too.

[lanclan]

[ Go to Yunmeng? The very idea makes him smile, genuinely charmed by the idea, but that same smile slowly wilts as he stares at his tea. ]

I cannot leave Gusu.

[ He cannot leave the Hanshi often, let alone Cloud Recesses. ]

[fennu]

For the rest of your life?

[ That sounds… Miserable, and Jiang Cheng is immediately against the idea, but this isn’t his sect. He can’t exactly make demands or criticise what other people do. ]

Yunmeng is not going anywhere.

[lanclan]

[ After a pause where he collects what bravery he has left, he looks up fondly and nods. If he looks confident, no one will question him. ]

I am only needed to be Sect Leader. I can do that from here.

[fennu]

Who said you’re only needed as sect leader, huh?

[ Jiang Cheng scoffs, putting his bowl down. ]

That’s wrong.

[lanclan]

I fail to see how.

[ If he doesn't have any more connections beyond his family, he can't fail them again. If he stays in Gusu and isolates, no one will hurt him again. If ... ]

[fennu]

You’re still a brother, aren’t you? An uncle? A friend? Have all those things stopped mattering?

[ Maybe he’s being a little harsh, but it’s not as if he had time for grief when he became Sect Leader. He’d had to force himself through it, so maybe he’s a touch bitter. ]

Bad things happened, but that doesn’t mean everything is over.

[lanclan]

[ He doesn't rise to meet the same level of anger, doesn't take offense at the harsh words. Jiang Cheng cares when he is like this, Xichen has seen the way he reacts with Wei Wuxian; it is nice to know he feels strongly about this too, small and unimportant though the matter of Xichen's seclusion is. ]

I can be all those things in Gusu.

[fennu]

And what if someone outside of Gusu is ill? Or dying? Or getting married?

[ He shakes his head, crossing his arms, all bluster and frustration. ]

Must Jiang of Yunmeng bend to please you? Must a-Ling have his marriage here so that you might attend? Has the world become so meaningless to you now?

[lanclan]

I cannot leave Gusu.

[ The ceramic of his teacup taps the table lightly where he sets it down, drawing his hands into his sleeves when reiterating. Clarifying, quietly. ]

It is not that I don't wish to.

[fennu]

You cannot because you have chosen to. Aren’t you the Sect Leader?

[ His scowl deepens further. ]

This visit was no kindness. You were bored and lonely and I was the best available option.

[lanclan]

[ Xichen frowns, sitting straighter. He was bored and lonely, but he also liked the idea of seeing Jiang Cheng so much. Should he not have invited him? ]

That was not what ...

[fennu]

Isn’t that how it sounds?

[ Not that Jiang Cheng goes out of his way to avoid being offended most days, but… ]

How do you expect me to feel?