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(no subject)

Name: un: WangXian
Date: Feb. 13th
Format: Video

( here's the face of a man who has clearly never used technology before. his brows are slightly knit, an air of mild confusion about him, but it doesn't keep him from bowing his head to greet his audience, a soundless intake of air as he seemingly mulls over how he should say whatever he needs to say. )

Xiongzhang. I'm here. If you are able to hear me, please contact me upon receipt of this message. ( or you know. just as soon as you see him. there's a brief pause, and his eyes slowly drift down, mouth twisted into a pensive frown that looks both concerned and relieved. ) Wei Ying is here.

( there's a twitch in his jaw. his nostrils flare. and then he glances up, a little less aghast, a little more solemn. ) I am also looking for lotus roots and peppers. ( less urgently maybe but still. another bow, and lan wangji remains in the same position just long enough to end his message, going dark after the last few words. ) Thank you.

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[Lan Wangji's confusion hits him hard, like a stab from behind. He's shocked for a moment, not by the confirmation of something he didn't expect--Wei Wuxian is in his own, right form--but by the knowledge that his brother has no idea why he would ask something like that. To him it must sound violent, like he was pursuing Wei Wuxian, perhaps following the oath he made with his brothers to defend the world against potential villainy what feels like ages ago. Lan Xichen draws back, lowering his gaze with a certain sense of shame.]

Nothing, I was just worried. You're sure it is him, then. Not a spirit or trick.

[He lifts his head to smile. It's a poorly placed lie, one that would have gotten a laugh out of the other two Zuns, but Xichen is realizing with a growing sense of dread that Wei Wuxian isn't the only one who has things he doesn't know about. He's not sure he can keep all of these things from Lan Wangji, but he also doesn't know if he can possibly tell him.]

Then... You had a misunderstanding with Young Master Wei.

[He says that in a gentler tone. Almost a question, but not quite. No wonder his brother is so upset. That is a heavy burden.]

( that’s… marginally reassuring. lan wangji did search for him. everywhere chaos went, lan wangji followed, always hoping and fearing that he’d find wei wuxian somehow, though he never did. until now. it is him. what lan xichen asked and what he says now definitely makes more sense, and still there’s that odd sense of utter unease rolling in his stomach, and he can’t quite shake it off.

it’s a little less heavy once lan xichen distracts him with a smile and what sounds an awful lot like a statement, like he knows. he’s always been particularly good at reading him, even when lan wangji could barely read himself. his wisdom knows no bounds, and the warmth in his smile’s always appeased him. it’s no different now, though lan wangji can’t quite find the words to explain what actually happened. he drank, for one, and he shouldn’t have. woke up with his body wrapped around his, and then promptly left, mortified, flashes of the night before in his mind. he remembers the fur, and now wei wuxian wonders why lan wangji avoids him, thinking himself an actual monster. he isn’t. it’s quite the opposite, actually, and that’s exactly why lan wangji is purposely staying away.

he doesn’t know where to begin, doesn’t know if he even wants to. so he keeps his gaze down, a little flustered as he slightly bows, a polite yet dismissive gesture. ) There’s no need to worry.

[ He almost laughs at that. No need to worry. There never is, and once upon a time that answer would have satisfied him. Lan Xichen, despite knowing better, would have blindly taken his brother at his word, trusting that no matter how bad things got, he would be able to work things out somehow. Wangji was strong and reliable. But Xichen has taken too many things for granted in the past. Now he recognizes this. ]

Mm. And yet I will worry.

[ This is something he should have said more often. Along with other things that might slightly offend the GusuLan's sense of propriety. He's feeling more bold today, particularly with Wangji involved, so he persists, the smile remaining confident. ]

Perhaps it is not my business, but will you humor me in this strange place? There is too much to get used to. I should at least be capable of easing my brother's burden.

( brother no ;; lan xichen has always been there for him, beyond rules and propriety. lan wangji’s never felt as though he had anything to hide when it came to his brother, the only one to ever make him feel as though what he felt wasn’t wrong. like he could find a home in the grey area between black and white, even if it wore the name of a pariah. he owes him more than lan xichen probably thinks he does, and so lan wangji breathes deep, chest rising in unison with his head.

he feels a little ridiculous, with a faint splash of pink creeping up his cheeks. all in all, it’s nothing dire, though lan wangji isn’t sure how to navigate through his feelings and make wei wuxian understand what he means to him, without putting them on display. it’s a daily struggle that quickly resurfaced here, only made worse by years of grief and remorse.

his breath leaves his lungs in a quiet rush, lips parted on delayed words. ) Wei Ying… seems to be under the impression that I find him repulsive. ( ... and this is why lan wangji doesn’t talk, because this sounds ludicrous at best. luckily, even though lan wangji never explicitly told his brother how he feels about him, he’s fairly certain that he knows. )

[ That answer is somehow surprising and not. Surprising, because it is ridiculous to him now that Wei Wuxian would think Lan Wangji wouldn't like him, but somehow not surprising, because if anyone were going to have such a misunderstanding, it would have to be Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. They must have had some kind of exchange, of what sort he does not know, but knowing his brother, much of the problem must lie in what wasn't said rather than what was.

He can't be too obvious about this. The matter is between the two of them, and Lan Xichen wants to allow it to proceed as naturally as possible. But he's not anxious to repeat his frustration in Guanyin Temple, so it's also better that he helps guide the two just a little bit. ]

I do not understand why Young Master Wei would believe this. But whatever has happened, I believe it is something that can be repaired. Will you come see me? I have something to give you.

( well… yes, there is that. and there are also the things lan wangji might have said and doesn’t remember. wei wuxian’s reaction isn’t completely without logic. lan wangji pet his fur—how and where, he didn’t ask for details—and then promptly left as soon as he woke up, successfully avoiding him in the following hours… maybe days. shhhh. it’s fine. he’s making amends as they speak—if lan xichen catches him covertly typing on his device, that’s why.

help your morons, zewu-jun.

a distraction is most welcome, and lan wangji’s relief is palpable at the change of subject, acquiescing with a downward dip of his head. ) Mn. ( something to give him like a LESSON TO LEARN??? ) Where may I find you?

[It is probably better for Xichen that his brother didn't remember and thus failed to mention those important details. In a way, it spared him a headache he would have had to endure. He got the basic idea at least, and he does notice that now and then Lan Wangji's attention drifts away. That is hopefully a good sign. The attention he's giving whatever it is suggests it might involve Wei Wuxian, at least.

Either way, he'll lend the two a small push.]

Meet me here.

[Lan Xichen turns the view of his watch to the outside of... a very busy and rather rough-looking forge. It's messy and lively and Xichen definitely sticks out--he also somehow got some soot at the edges of his robes, only visible when he turns to show off his surroundings.]

It's called the Forge. The people who run it are very nice.

( ahh lan xichen, matchmaker extraordinaire. for the second time, apparently. lan wangji will play the guqin to soothe your nerves, he promises. for now, he simply finds his way to the forge, the streets a little more crowded than he would have liked. thankfully he doesn’t mind throngs of people as much as he used to, and he walks mostly undisturbed until his brother comes into view and damn, what a sight for sore eyes.

if they were the type to do so, he would probably hug him longer than necessary. alas, open affection never really was a thing in the cloud recesses, and so lan wangji simply bows, his joy apparent in the way his face slightly lights up. the darkened edges of his robes are a little at odds with everything zewu-jun represents—he’s never seen his brother clad in anything less than immaculate, though considering where they are now, and how fast they have to adapt to pretty much everything, well. he suspects it’s not the last peculiarity he’ll run into.

as for this particular location…? ) Brother. Did you have another sword made?

[It's a lucky chance that Lan Xichen happened to become acquainted with the Forge the day before. In fact, he considers it a sign of fate, considering the conditions. When he catches sight of Lan Wangji approaching, he smiles brightly with both relief and warmth. Seeing him in person is much better than communicating through a device. It at least soothes a little of his anxieties.

He returns the bow delicately, with perhaps a little less propriety than he once did (because what is propriety anyway?) but the affection is there.]

Wangji. [The acknowledgment that he is there is like a breath of fresh air to him. It tastes of home.] Actually, I came here on a visit. One of the masters of this place is a venerated young man who gave me a great gift. I promised I would repay him.

[He was also told he didn't have to do that, but stubborn Lan blood tends to be hard of hearing when one of them has their mind set on something.]

This is good timing. Here.

[Xichen pulls a small parcel from his sleeve and takes Lan Wangji's hand with the other, placing a cloth-wrapped item against his palm. It's a small bundle of fresh pastries, neatly folded up inside clean fabric for protection. He closes his hand over the gift and holds it there for emphasis before leaving it to his brother.]

It's a custom here to share good food with others. It will be a problem if we don't respect the local practices and a waste if the food goes uneaten, so be sure to share these. Also- eating with those you respect and think fondly of is a blessing. Perhaps you can find someone to pass that along to?

[Wei Wuxian may be completely oblivious and miss Xichen's point unless he's being far too blunt, but Lan Wangji will get the point he's trying to convey.]

Small things have a way of making a difference.

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