un: absterge

[downswing]

( 'lo, from the depths of the Mouse House, post-Unwinding: )

If... this were no dream. The child of the rains, bearing a vulpine mask. 'Hyang-Won' and his pale protector.

He is remembered? He did not appear as the other manifestations.

Though we have retrieves ourselves, we cannot abandon a child to nightmares.


( Guilt is strong among exorcists. )

Comments

[weifinder]

He has, brother, just as you have.

[consignation]

[ someone is PLAYING DIRTY. ]

Then why does he bring up that day with every breath?

[ he huffs. ]

What would you have me do?

[weifinder]

( be the bigger man, if he's most honest, because lan zhan is just as good at being petty as jiang cheng is. not helpful to say, however, and so he smiles. )

You two don't talk that often, it's fine, it's fine. As for what it is, A-Cheng, I'd have you forgive yourself. Then meet me for drinks, because if nothing else, the fire they serve here is better than the headache of the place we'd all been!

[consignation]

We don't talk that often, and yet every single time we do—

[ but he sighs. grimaces. lets it go. ]

What do I have to forgive myself for, huh? [ he challenges instead, because he has no intention of absolving himself of any of the past. deflection has always served him well in this. ]

You forgive yourself. Stupid. What are we drinking? Better not be the same piss Lan Wangji brought last time he made a social call.

[weifinder]

Only you can decide on what it is you need forgiving, but I can name things if we're going to get stuck slogging through what's happened and can't change. It's terrible, but I'll do it if you insist.

( because there's deflection and deflection, and for his part, he snorts. )

I've been working on that the last year and a half. Anyway, I have no idea what Lan Zhan brought you when... he, no, does this have anything to go with the letters you leapt on me with? I promise this stuff is drinkable. Not worth writing to anyone about, for good or ill.

[consignation]

Oh, so now you're telling me to do things you can't manage yourself?

[ at least jiang cheng appears to be in good spirits. ]

I don't trust things you call drinkable. I know where your mouth's been.

[weifinder]

I just said I'm working on it, are you? Hmm, I'm listening, all ears!

( sounding more mildly amused than offended. )

You assuredly don't know, and if you think my taste is questionable, you shouldn't have accepted the offer. Too late now! ( a pause. ) Meet me on the roof?

[consignation]

I will never understand why you're still scared shitless of dogs but your choice of drinking location is the roof. Like Lan Wangji needs another reason to be neurotic about you and falling—

[ in other words, he'll be there in ten minutes. ]

[weifinder]

You don't?

( he's uh. he's laughing over here because hahaha this is a joke it's easier that way right thank you )

[consignation]

I get and accept that you have childhood trauma about the dogs or whatever, I made my peace with never having dogs again didn't I?

[ even now, even after death, even after all hope of his boyhood sacrifice ever meaning anything again— ]

I'm just begging you to apply some of that sense of self preservation to literally any other aspect of your life.

[weifinder]

... Yeah, you did.

( though ffs you enjoyed using fairy against him he KNOWS THIS, BROTHER. doesn't blame you but still. hates this. because it does petrify. )

Hey, hey, I have, haven't I? Where am I being recklessly careful here, ah?