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

[3point0]

Well anyway, if you're older than Lan Wangji, you're definitely good at cultivating. Wei Wuxian says I could try to learn it, but I guess I'm kinda old.

[silverneedles]

So a proper hot springs. Some of the places we've visited boasted springs, but the temperature was hardly worth the visit.

[ She bows her head in thanks, biting back a slight smile at how he sinks down a few inches into the water. He was always well-mannered. ]

Thank you, Sect Leader Lan. I will test the waters later.

[lanclan]

Later, yes! [ That has him splashing as he remembers, straightening. Xie Lian and Hua Cheng! Gently, he insists, ] Much later. There is an overflow of male guests currently within the women's chamber, I apologise for the inconvenience and assure you that the room will be fit for ladies when you arrive.

[ He will personally make sure of it, or else shrivel up in shame. ]

[silverneedles]

[ That gets her to raise an eyebrow at him, very amused. It's obvious in her tone when she responds. ] Much later, then. Hopefully none of the other women here decide to drop by before then. Do you provide towels, as well?

[lanclan]

There are some, yes. [ Grateful for her good humour, his lips twitch. ] I will ensure they are available when Lady Wen visits.

[ He may also, this evening, set a chair outside the corridor to the ladies' section to make sure no men enter it by accident after dark. He can't exactly lock her in, that would be unthinkable. It isn't as if he's eager to sleep these days, anyway. ]

Our brew is nothing to speak of but please know an invite stands for tea upstairs, too.

[balancedwire]

Did you run the water yourself?

[silverneedles]

You have my appreciation, Sect Leader Lan. [ It is easier now to find humor in this; at least he is more affable than his brother.

She falls quiet for a minute, considering his offer before she smiles at him to acknowledge the invitation. ] It might be late to join you after I indulge in the baths, but I will be by again. I am sure your tea is better than many of the brews I have encountered here. [ Both in the village and on their journeys. ]

Does it have flavor or is it comparable to the teas served in Gusu?

[vestments]

( it occurs to marc, quite suddenly, that he may have made a mistake by joining lan xichen. marc does not talk about himself, does not indulge in conversations that in any which way involve himself as a person beyond conversation of moon knight. xichen is unaware of moon knight, is unaware of anything of marc other than his name, which means—

—he is not interested in this. on the network, it'd be easier, he could just leave the message on read, avoid it, and never come back to it.

(it occurs to marc, too, that if they are to be housemates, if they are to share a living space, then knowing more about each other is not only fair but expected. but still.) )

I'm a priest.

( is he? kind of 'yes', but also 'absolutely fucking not'. )

Your turn.

[lanclan]

It ... has a flavour.

[ Not a lie! The flavour is questionable, but then again tea is tea. Beggars can't be choosers. ]

[lanclan]

I ... turned it on?

[lanclan]

I would rather return us home but that seems to not be an option, currently. Thank you for your kind words.

[lanclan]

A priest. Ah, before I speak of myself, you're not a daoist, I take it?

[ It's rare to encounter other religions, he tilts his head inquisitively. Dark brown eyes weigh heavily on Marc, waiting for a further explanation. ]

[vestments]

No. ( even-toned, matter-of-fact.

khonshu has no religion, nothing much to speak of but marc's devotion (such as it is) and the form it takes. marc is a self-titled priest, a man who calls himself such because it's the only way he can make sense of what he does and why he does it. )

Mine is the god of the moon, ( unworthy of worship, but what choice does he have? ) The protector of those that travel at night.

[lanclan]

That is a beautiful and powerful god to be devoted to, I would imagine.

[ There are plenty of folktales and myths about the moon, Xichen is pleased by the turn that Marc took there. He expected different.

Sitting up against the tiles, he brings a handful of water up over his shoulder to warm himself, musing how to describe himself and what he does. ]

I am the sect leader of the Lan clan of Gusu, a cultivator. Some would say we practice mystical arts in order to achieve a higher elevation of qi. Those who do can stay young for a very long time, the goal being to ascend spiritually as best a person can while grounded in this life. Strength of body and mind comes from intensive cultivation.

[balancedwire]

Sometimes I forget that you can do that here. Compared to what some are used to.

[somebadnews]

I wouldn't miss the chance to welcome family. You might as well make the most of it.

[deescalate]

That's handy. Can't say the cold bit sounds all that appealing, though.

[Then again, he's taken cold showers by choice before. They have their place, just as hot showers do.

Cal leans back on his hands for a few moments, breathing in the steam from the hot water. It feels almost wrong to allow himself to relax like this, after everything that's transpired in the last month or so. When he should be back with the Mantis, with everyone else. But, at the same time, it doesn't hurt to have a little taste of a nice thing. All in moderation.

With a decisive exhale, he sits up and tugs off his shirt, displaying not only a rich collection of freckles along his pale shoulders and arms, but also what appear to be some burn scars, the most recent being a horizontal line across his chest and a circular scar in his left shoulder.

He slips into the water and can't help the small groan of appreciation that leaves him as the heat works its magic on his sore muscles.]

Yeah...that's real nice.

[dog_eat_dog]

That come with a lot of money?

[lanclan]

Is that important to you?

[lanclan]

[ He doesn't mean to stare but he has never seen someone with so many freckles before, and the scars are ...

It would be even more disingenuous to pretend he hasn't seen them. ]

You have quite the set of scars, friend. May I ask how you won them?

[lanclan]

I absolutely will. Might I have your name?

[lanclan]

It was very convenient! I think it will require weekly irrigation, however.

[somebadnews]

Number Five. If you need anything, I'll know where to find you.

[dog_eat_dog]

Of course. You gotta be a big wig to let an opportunity like that pass you by.

[rumorate]

Well, it's nice to meet you. My name's Allison. Lan Wangji and I are ... friends.

[She doesn't mean to pause for too long there, but she's never really been good at friendship and he did pull a sword on her when they first met. Fortunately Allison isn't the type to take that personally.]