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 : 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.

[scrapgege]

I don't mind company it's just... I have marks on me that some people might find uncomfortable to look at.

[lanclan]

I understand. [ He expects Wangji to be reticent about the scars all over his back, too. ] I wake at five in the morning so I know the baths are very quiet before seven, if that helps.

> action

[scrapgege]

Then I'll be troubling you tomorrow, Lan-daozhang. Thank you.

[And yes, he'll be there before seven the next day. And find a slightly secluded place to start disrobing, and unwinding the bandages around his neck that hide the cursed shackle, aka the explanation while all that qi apparently hasn't exploded yet.

True to what Lan Xichen said, there aren't many people, but what few there are can't seem to help themselves stealing glances towards him. Xie Lian, is, after all, very, very easy on the eyes, and without the flowy robes, it becomes easier to see he's all hard muscle.

He tries not to let the glances bother him too much while he quickly washes up and rinses himself off, before grabbing one of his underrobes to use for modesty in the bath.]

[lanclan]

[ Xichen doesn't want to be stewing for hours, waiting for company, so he stays in the apartments above until a wisp of white catches his eye out of a window. Giving the other man a headstart for privacy's sake, the sect leader heads downstairs half an hour later, rinsing and changing into one of the modesty robes as he enters the baths; spotting Xie Lian is easy, raising a hand in greeting before heading over.

He notices the marks around the other man's neck but doesn't comment immediately and offers a smile instead, descending into the hot water. ]

Good morning. Aiya, I keep forgetting how hot this water gets, we only have the Cold Pond for healing at my home.

[scrapgege]

Ah, good morning, Lan-daozhang. I ...

[The flush on Xie Lian's thing isn't entirely from the hot water, and he bows his head a bit.]

I think I was a little confused when we first met. There was a spell that muddled people's memories after we arrived and I think I got hit quite badly with it. I hope I didn't say anything too strange.

[lanclan]

Not at all, as I said before it also happened to my brother. I'm well aware of how addled it made people, you have nothing to apologise for.

[ Poor Xie Lian. Xichen sits back against the tiles a metre or so away and ensures his hair isn't trapped behind his shoulders, brushing it forward for something to do. ]

How are you feeling now that you have remembered things?

[scrapgege]

I think everything is back where it should be, for now.

[Except a certain someone clad in red who hasn't visited again after that... honestly quite disastrous first meeting, but then, what can you do? Xie Lian wasn't in a state to ascertain if their recollections matched when they met.]

The hot water is nice. I've just been using the lake before.

[lanclan]

You're welcome here whenever you please. I'm only a floor away.

[ The subject of people missing memories is such a pervasive one, it feels like he's paranoid of losing his own mind. ]

Many were affected by the memory-loss in different ways. I've met some, newly arrived like myself, who know others from home with no recollection of them. I'm grateful Wangji at least knew who I was.

[scrapgege]

Well, I did not even remember my husband when he showed up. I think he might be sulking now. He hasn't shown his face again, but he can be sensitive like that.

[Xie Lian hasn't tried to force it until he was sure he had his own memories back, but now...

Now he spies a silvery butterfly lazily flying about, and he holds out his hand to it, to entice it to land on his fingers.]

Or maybe not. San Lang, you should come down yourself.

[lanclan]

San Lang?

[ He blinks at the butterfly, recognising it immediately and not bothering to suppress a smile as all the pieces fall into place as he looks to Xie Lian. ]

You mean my friend, Hua Cheng? The Ghost King? Yes, [ glancing again at the butterfly, Xichen gives it a raised brow for spying, ] he too lives above.

[ghastleye]

[ there's a brief flurry of silver butterflies at the edge of the bath, and as they coalesce into a familiar figure, hua cheng clicks his tongue. ] Gege conveniently forgets that he was in pain trying to remember. I would certainly rather you forget me than for my memory to be painful for you.

[ he bends from his place behind his husband, though, long white hands gently cupping xie lian's face from above, tilting it back enough that he can press his lips to his brow. he lingers a moment longer than he probably should in relatively strange company, profound relief obvious to anyone who knows him as well as his highness does, but withdraws again with reluctance. ]

You're going to give this human weird ideas about me, saying things like that..

[scrapgege]

It wasn't your memory, San Lang, it was any memory.

[But Xie Lian also visibly relaxes and melts into the kiss. Yes, it has been... a while, hasn't it? Plus the last time they saw each other, the cursed shackles had most definitely been broken so Xie Lian will have to explain, too.]

Lan-daozhang is a kind person and I hope you were polite when you met, San Lang. This place is very strange and we have to stick together, so we might as well get along, right?

I'm sorry, Lan-daozhang, this child has no manners.

[Please forgive him, but his hand is definitely holding onto one of Hua Cheng's now, a little possessively.]

[lanclan]

[ Used to being around two people in love, he tactfully averts his eyes during the kiss and idly dampens his hair until addressed. ]

Hua-gongzi has been very kind, he all but saved me from an overflow of the undead at a pier. He is very talented.

[ He gives Hua Cheng a nod, remembering his dislike for public baths. ]

The women's bath is free this morning, if you would like to show your husband to it. [ And, you know. Have some privacy. ] I was going to make some tea after this, it will keep for when you are caught up, if you both wish to join me.

i changed my mind

[ghastleye]

[ hua cheng settles into a seated position behind his husband's head, within easy reach of the other man, their linked hands resting against the wet shoulder of xie lian's robe. his free hand smooths steam-damp dark hair back from his husband's face, tucking it behind his ear with tenderness that most people would assume him incapable of. ]

I'm always very polite, gege, [ he says with mock-offense, sly single eye flicking from the top of his husband's head toward xichen, amusement curling his mouth again. ] You see? Lan Xichen agrees.

[ the mention of the women's bath earns a delighted little laugh. ] That could be dangerous, don't you think? This is no Paradise Manor, but privacy in a hot bath is tempting.

[scrapgege]

San Lang!

[That blush is definitely not because of the heat of the bath. As Hua Cheng will soon discover, Xie Lian hasn't been shy about telling people he's married, or who he's married to, but that's not exactly the same as making direct allusions, and in front of a gracious host, too!

But then, Xie Lian also knows how Hua Cheng feels about exposing himself to strangers, which is why he hasn't pressed him to join them for now. So, if it makes Hua Cheng more comfortable...]

.... I suppose it would be nice to have some privacy.

[lanclan]

[ San Lang is a more mischievous version of Hua Cheng, as far as Xichen can tell. He's very tender with Xie Lian, very gentle; it's obvious the two of them are in love. That warms Xichen's heart to see.

... Although he does avert his eyes when Gege is spoken, lips twitching.

He looks back up as if not having noticed any of the handsy affection, a picture of good manners even half-naked in a hot tub. ]

Hua-gongzi knows the way, I will ensure no one disturbs the two of you. [ He inclines his head to Xie Lian respectfully, since a bow in the bath would be a little overkill. ] Please visit again, I've enjoyed your company.

[ghastleye]

[ if his highness wishes for privacy, hua cheng is more than happy to provide it. he allows xichen and his husband to make their polite farewells, then rises to his feet, offering a hand down to help xie lian out of the bath. a moment later, he sweeps his own outer robe off and around slim, strong shoulders instead, helping to preserve his husband's modesty.

as he does so, his glance finds lan xichen, brow lifting over his visible eye. ] Don't stew yourself too long. We'll assuredly see you later this evening.

[ considering this human's kindness to xie lian, anxious uncertainties, and hopeful willingness to trust a ghost, well.. hua cheng supposes he's not so bad.

more importantly, though-- he takes his husband's hand again, gently urging him toward the unoccupied women's bath. they assuredly have a great deal to catch up on. ]

[scrapgege]

Ah... apologies, Lan-daozhang, we're being rude, but we'll abuse of your hospitality for a while.

[Xie Lian doesn't protest the robe being draped over him, and points towards his own clothing, left out of range of the splash zone.]

Let me get my robes too and then we'll go.

[They do have a lot to catch up on indeed.]

[lanclan]

Not at all, enjoy yourselves.

[ He will stew a little longer, but once another half-hour is up it's tea-time. Until then Xichen sinks down in the water, closing his eyes feeling fond of both of them and pleased a marriage has been reunited. ]