video: average sighren

[lanclan]

[ The scene is one of steam and muffled, echoing male voices from elsewhere, tiles covering walls. Xichen's face is in shot, hair unbound and soaked where it falls down his bare shoulders, pink from the hot water (no fear, he has a thin robe shrugged off but tied about his waist out of shot) where he is leaning over the edge of the bath. ]

This is rather unorthodox, in many ways, as first meetings go. Pardon my appearance, robes are somewhat contradictory to my surroundings. [ But he's out of seclusion, in a strange realm, and this is the only way he knows to prove the bathhouse is safe: by using it. ] Some of you already know my younger brother, Lan Wangji. You may call me Lan Xichen.

[ He sighs, nasal and soft. More of an exhale. His smile hitches back up. ]

I now live above the bathhouse. Technically, [ here he glances over blandly to a pair of guffawing sailors in the background, lips pursing as he holds back his real opinion, ] this is a private residence, but it would be rude to deny access to those who wish to use the downstairs, so I would like to invite over anyone who wishes to bathe in something other than cold lake-water — if my housemates wouldn't mind, I should like to meet all of you, too.

There is a separate area for women, of course. Please use the rinsing stations before entering the main baths and wear something discreet, for the sake of others.

[ Xichen glances around as someone calls his name and there is a momentary wider shot of him soaked to the waist as he straightens to nod in answer, raking back his hair so it isn't stuck to his chest you're welcome. He looks again to the video and smiles warmly, tilting his head in apology for the break in his attention. ]

It is seemingly busier in the afternoons.

Comments

un: ut malum pluvia | audio

[somebadnews]

[ …his brother. The rest of what he says gets lost, he’s stuck on Wangji’s entire family turning up. ]

You decided not to move in with him?

[ He’s aware of the cave situation, but let’s pretend there’s another reason. ]

[lanclan]

Wangji is welcome to move in with me.

[ Xichen is not the type to say it, but he is not living in a cave given the slightest chance of another option. Even a bathhouse where sailors come and go downstairs is better. ]

You are a friend of his?

video.... un: sect leader jiang

[consignation]

[ JIANG CHENG WAS......... definitely, definitely going to say something. there was every intention to say words and such. he was with certainty going to speak and make sense and all of that.

instead the feed goes live, jiang cheng takes a breath, and then—

just slack jawed staring.

he stares.

and stares.

and stares.

...

...

... ]

[lanclan]

[ oh, a new reply! He arches a brow when nothing is said, leaning over the edge of the bath to get closer as he inspects the still image. Is it broken? ]

Jiang Wanyin? Can you hear me?

text; un: sticks and stones

[perceptive]

Nice to meet you, Lan Xichen. I know your brother. He's a bit surly, isn't he? ( charles, charles, charles, this is a public network -- you're not having a private conversation! wangji and his eyes are everywhere! )

[lanclan]

Wangji is reserved but his humour is rarely of an ill kind.

[ Who is talking smack about his didi??? ]

video; un: sizhui

[paperbutterflies]

Zewu-jun!

[ ... undaunted by state of wetness, Sizhui just smiles brightly and cups his hands to bow in proper greeting of his sect leader. ]

It is generous to allow us all to know of this. And if you need moments of more quiet, I can show you some places which might be convenient for that!

[ ... it probably is not easy for any Lan to live close to much noise, and Zewu-jun brought here forcefully out of seclusion, well. He thinks it might be a good idea to offer. ]

[lanclan]

Sizhui. Thank you, I will take you up on that offer.

[ A genuine smile appears on Xichen, not just well-mannered. ]

When you visit the bathhouse, please come upstairs and visit.

audio | un: water you docking aboat

[ghastleye]

I don't mind frightening them away if you'd rather not.

[ technically, this is his residence, too. though not needing sleep, hua cheng hardly needs to stay there-- especially with his husband in the village living elsewhere.

still, don't just invite strangers over, xichen. ]

[lanclan]

That's very kind of you, though I'm not bothered if they visit in the day.

[ Hua Cheng gets a grateful nod; if people keep filing in past dusk, Mister Ghost Flower can yeet them out. ]

Are you coming downstairs to join in?

un : deft hand of little deaths (voice)

[scrapgege]

Oh, a bath not in the lake would be nice ! Although I think I'll come in the morning.

[Less people to see the curse marks that way.]

[lanclan]

Certainly. Would you like to be alone or to have some company? Either way, Xie-gongzi is welcome to join me for breakfast upstairs after.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( !!! ???? !!! ??? !!! ??? !!! )

[downswing]

( Brother is always right. Always just. Always poised.

Always — )

[downswing]

( ...bare. So very bare. A wealth of obscenity, it is he. )

[downswing]

Oversight is mine. Failed to advise.

The device permits writing.


( Brother is flawless. )

( un: dam it to well )

[vestments]

( marc is a man used to having his own space and he is neither thrilled about sharing nor the sailors, but alas, needs must and fortunately^??? for all involved, marc keeps irregular hours.

(marc spector is a man determined not to be shackled by ordinary human needs, such as 'sleep'.) )

Technicalities are often irrelevant.

[lanclan]

More or less what was said, yes.

un: bottled up inside | video;

[deescalate]

They're pretty rambunctious, but at least someone's having a good time.

[Sometimes you just have to focus on the little things in life.]

Lan Xichen, you said? I'm Cal. We've probably crossed paths already, but...hey. Nice to properly meet.

[lanclan]

Hello, Cal. Will you be coming down?

[ Accidentally created a pool party ... ]

username: firehose

[3point0]

Oh great, a bath sounds nice. You sure?

[lanclan]

Please, be welcome.

@taken for granite | video

[rumorate]

[For all that she and Lan Wangji have learned to navigate each other, for all that she attempted to negotiate his marriage, all the conversations they had about her own brother somehow she missed that he had one as well. So pardon her as she slides in here to provide commentary.]

I didn't know Lan Wangji had a brother. Did you just arrive?

[lanclan]

I did, yes. Recently. I am his elder.

un: doubletap | text

[dog_eat_dog]

Do you usually let just anyone walk into your place and do what they want?

[lanclan]

This is a bathhouse with public facilities on the ground floor, which I am not certain there would be any payoff for hoarding against the flow of the locals.

audio | un: yiling laozu

[weifinder]

See! See! Proof that Lans know how to appreciate hot water, Lan Zhan, look at your brother!

( yes he's literally going to go show this thing lan zhan has already seen to lan zhan )

audio

[downswing]

( The most pleased: )

I see him.

un: anzhi

[balancedwire]

[ That? It's not what he'd expected. Though, he does know the other's younger brother. He's fought along side both brothers now. So Lan Xichen would get a bright smile out of the young emperor.

Though he hadn't expected this upon seeing him on the device. ]

I see that you're doing rather well for yourself.

[ He is happy to see that and is sure that his not-brother is too. ]

I'm also glad to see that you're doing well.

[lanclan]

[ it's always so strange seeing Wangji's face with a huge grin, though it makes Xichen smile reflexively all the same. It's ingrained, he supposes, even if this isn't his brother. ]

You're welcome to join.

video; un: qishan

[silverneedles]

How hot do the waters get?

[lanclan]

[ That's —

Lips parting in surprise, even Xichen with immaculate manners on tap can't stop the momentary astonishment before he carefully neutralises his expression, a smile softening his features. He knew Wen Qing was here but wondered if it would be too (rude? intimidating?) forward to approach her ... and in the spirit of continued propriety, he sinks down a few more inches in the water. ]

Very. I cannot enter the hottest. Please, be welcome to test the waters yourself.

text ★ un: cocked tale

[pathologise]

what if we don't have something suitable to wear?

[lanclan]

There are underrobes provided for both men and women.