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?

[consignation]

[ the image of jiang cheng jolts immediately as though physically struck at xichen speaking his name. ]

Zewu-jun, [ he answers automatically, because that's what he's supposed to say after the man calls him 'jiang wanyin', but what follows after that? jiang cheng reaches, flusters, falters, and then— ]

You're incredibly— [ thoughtful? considerate? kind? generous? jiang cheng is almost there. he almost completes a coherent sentence. and then the invasive thought strikes, overtaking his tongue. ] —wet.

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]

That is a side-effect of bathing.

[ His amusement is understated but clear, blinking softly through a smile and not at all mentioning the nervous vibe radiating off the other man. He opts to kindly prompt, ]

Will you be joining me?

[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.

[perceptive]

( humour..? really? ) Yes, I've heard good things about him of course. ( not a lie if he hasn't ever heard anything bad either. )

I'm glad you two have been reunited. It seems like he's been here for some time. You must have been sorely missed. ( quite the assumption he's making, but who wouldn't miss family? charles misses his sister, raven, plenty and he's only been here for a bit. )

Are you charging an entrance fee to the bathhouse, by the way?

[consignation]

I— Wh— Yes? Now?

[ it's possible the sect leader is having a stroke but don't worry about it. ]

[paperbutterflies]

[ It is a good smile to seee on Zewu-jun's face, Sizhui will not hesitate to say. ]

Of course, Zewu-jun. Do you have a liking for what this place offers for herbal infusions, or should I bring an offering of what we have collected on the way for you to try?

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?

[lanclan]

I am glad to be by his side once again.

No fee, please join us whenever you wish. By which name should I expect you?

[lanclan]

[ He takes a moment to glance down at the bath, pointedly, then back up. ]

Yes, while I am still in the water would be ideal.

[lanclan]

Ah, I'm grateful for whatever you deem an interesting blend.

[ The tea-tasting process is still ongoing! ]

[perceptive]

Hopefully you'll be able to keep him out of trouble then, eh? ( his memory of wangji's sort of back and he remembers clearly how the man had capsized a boat and they'd both almost drowned... fun times. )

No fee? How generous of you. ( he could really use a warm bath. what's that like, really? because he might have already forgotten! )

I'm Charles Xavier. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance.

[lanclan]

[ That's his bro, always causing understated havoc on the sidelines. ]

The pleasure is mine. Please, feel free to approach me when you arrive as I don't know what you look like.

[ghastleye]

[ .. deliberate misinterpretation, or does this human really think him that kindly..? ]

No? How magnanimous of you. [ he's perfectly polite, but there's definitely an edge of amusement to his tone. ]

That seems unlikely. I prefer to do my bathing in relative peace and quiet.

[lanclan]

It's quite quiet now ... though, I understand. I'll vacate the bathhouse before you wish to use it.

[ Aw, Ghost Flower is shy. ]

[ghastleye]

[ wow, don't start rumors like that when it's just because hua cheng doesn't like to deal with a bunch of noisy mortals infringing on his me time. ]

It certainly doesn't seem quiet.

[lanclan]

Those are just the sailors, they're chatty amongst themselves.

[ghastleye]

Just the sailors, you say. It sounds as if you're making friends.