prompts / continuations.

[fennu]

Comments

[lanclan]

You?

[ His gaze flicks back up, holding Jiang Cheng's. Xichen's former student has become a strong-minded, kind man, the kind of Sect Leader any clan would be proud to have. His respect for how hard Jiang Cheng fights for fairness and transparency has Xichen already feeling hopeful about visiting Yunmeng to see him, because if he could know his friend was nearby ... that isn't so scary a notion. Not like metaphorically stepping into the darkness to be grabbed at by unsavoury hands; there would be clarity.

His frown eases, lips pressing into an amused line for a moment as he debates what he next says and whether it's too forward. ]

I think the only person I could not refuse an invitation from is Wanyin.

[ He waits (a little nervously, inwardly) patiently to see the reaction his soft address prompts, wanting to hear Xichen back. ]

[fennu]

Good.

[ The change in address is notable, and for a moment he's a little embarrassed, if only because he's quite sure he doesn't deserve the familiarity after how strict and... Mean he has been, but perhaps they're words that Lan Xichen needed to hear. He doubts anyone in Gusu Lan is going to be quite as brusque towards him, given his status.

This may be something only another follow sect leader can offer. ]

You should consider this a formal invitation, Xichen. Yunmeng would be glad to host you.

[ Yes, now he's embarrassed. ]

[lanclan]

[ He inclines his head with a pleased smile. ]

I shall endeavour to be more presentable by then.

[ Outwardly he can wear his normal clothes, yet inside he fears he will crumble. At least in Lotus Pier he can stay aside from strangers as an honoured guest ... and the students might love the opportunity to return. They would flock him like ducklings if he needed to go anywhere public, that's for certain.

It could work. ]

What would we do there, if it's to be a social visit?

[fennu]

Yunmeng would expect nothing less.

[ It seems a simple solution for Jiang Cheng. If Lan Xichen needs to tuck himself away for a while to adjust then he can stay in the main household for a while, as long as he doesn't mind Jiang Cheng having to leave to carry out his duties. The idea of all the work waiting for him when he gets home is... Disquieting.

He finally goes back to his food, completely ignoring the usual measure of silence while eating, because he isn't a Lan and he has a lot to say. ]

We can look at the river, of course, and see how the lotus are growing, and visit the markets to see what is being sold and if the merchants need anything from the Clan to help support them.

[lanclan]

[ Going on the river and seeing the lotus forests there sounds like fun, a secluded little adventure. It's all very kind of Jiang Cheng. ]

Wanyin, I feel conscious of my own selfishness in wanting your company without leaving the comfort of my own home. It was thoughtless of me and an inconvenience to you, as much as the invitation is genuine. As a result, please feel free to ask me whatever you wish and I will be honest in all my replies. If I can assist in anything, whether for Yunmeng or otherwise, I will do my best.

[ If his bones could align and make him feel more like himself while trying to be a good friend, he does. ]

[fennu]

[ It's one of the best things about Yunmeng, and he'd do whatever it took to make his home sound good. He loves it, more than almost anything in the world, and he's proud of how far they've come since the war. ]

Huh?

[ Jiang Cheng shakes his head, waving a hand just a little, dismissive. ]

Sometimes we need someone to tell us we're being stupid before we can figure it out ourselves, Xichen. It doesn't mean you owe me anything now.

[lanclan]

You are too generous with me.

[ And Xichen is overly fond of Jiang Cheng tonight, tilting his head as if to chide him for being too nice. ]

[fennu]

It's not kind, it's honest. They're different things.

[ And he's getting weirdly flustered. ]

[lanclan]

They can be the same difference, sometimes.

[ Word games! Welcome to Gusu where monk descendants make your head hurt. ]

[fennu]

[ His expression twists a little. This isn't his area of expertise. ]

Fine. I'll accept it for now.

[lanclan]

Has no one been kind and honest with you as of late, Wanyin?

[ Perhaps, he wonders, that is why Jiang Cheng wants a wife. To rely on somebody. ]

[fennu]

People are rarely either with a Sect Leader, Xichen, unless they want something.

[ He might be a touch jaded. ]

[lanclan]

... You are not wrong.

[ He can't quite hide his wince. ]

[fennu]

It's why I appreciate honesty for the sake of it.

[ Which is why he's fond of Xichen - one of the reasons why. ]

I don't take well to lies.

[lanclan]

If all the roads in the world were glass underfoot, Wanyin would be rock.

[ Pulling himself out of shadowy thoughts to do with being a used Sect Leader and little more, his eyes crinkle as he gently teases, ]

Though you look significantly better than any well-worn road.

[fennu]

I will take that as the compliment it is due to be.

[ Given his history, it's likely not a surprise that lying grates on him, especially with what has been hidden from him by Wei Wuxian, and he tries to hide how the compliment has affected him by turning to look at some of the decoration. ]

I could say the same in return, but comparing Xichen to rocks seems improper.

[lanclan]

[ That makes him laugh for the first time, ducking his chin to hide it. ]

I would like to be a rock or the earth, to listen and lie still. Once I thought of myself as water, now I am more of a glacier and must ask your patience in the future.

[fennu]

A glacier is handsome enough. It can suit you, for now.

[ Which he hopes is taken as the compliment it is intended. ]

[lanclan]

[ The slow blink that Jiang Cheng receives lingers. ]

For now? What is more handsome than a glacier? Hmm. [ He is going to visibly put thought into this and tap his lips. ] I will have to become snow and scatter myself. That sounds painful!

[fennu]

Or you can flourish in the sun and become a river alongside the rocky path.

[ Jiang Cheng tilts his head. He's no poet, but... ]

[lanclan]

[ He has to close his open mouth as he hums his assent, words briefly failing him as his pale cheeks gain colour. After sipping his tea, Xichen hazards, ]

With the rocky path there all along, I wonder if I did not notice and instead flooded the tranquil-looking meadows on my other side, helping them flourish when they should have become a desert.

[ A-Yao certainly drank down every ounce of faith like a starving landscape. ]

[fennu]

[ That is certainly a metaphor and a half, and Jiang Cheng has to take a moment for himself, to try and find a suitable reply - one that isn't damning and is equally poetic. It's not easy. ]

Someone can't be blamed for looking for tranquil meadows after years of drought, Xichen.

[lanclan]

... Would you like some liquor with your meal? It can be found.

[ It seems appropriate. ]

[fennu]

Liquor is not permitted within Cloud Recesses.

[ He is teasing, just a little, but he doubts his brother is keeping to that rule. ]

It is not necessary.

[lanclan]

And yet, it finds its way here. Repeatedly. [ Wry as he sounds, his smile quirks back into place (one jar confiscated from the students is nothing compared to the absolute stash he knows Wangji has in the Jingshi, stolidly pretending it doesn't exist). ] Not necessary is not the same as a pleasant addition.