eastbound | video | un: average sighren

[ Learning from Wangji that Wen Kexing was here before and was with his soulmate??? Fascinating. None of Xichen's business, however, though now he feels even more sympathetic if Wen Kexing is missing someone very special. ]

Same room as before, I will be there or in the nearby corridors.

( True to his word, it doesn't take Wen Kexing long to track Lan Xichen down. He comes, stride wide and even, a pleasant smile on his face. He's still wearing the same robes as before, but they're still perfectly clean, as though he's not spent any number of days far away from home. This time, however, he's sans apron, and in his hand he's carrying a fan that he waves demurely in his face once before snapping it shut to offer Lan Xichen a polite little bow. )

Fate brings people together no matter how far apart they may be.

( Yes, he's that bitch. )

You're looking well.

[ A smile lifts his worried features long before that spout of poetry is spoken, turning into a soft snort that he hides with a polite bow in return. ]

Separated as we are, thousands of miles apart, we come together as if by destiny.

[ A nod says Wen Kexing is welcome to follow, whereas the twinkle in Xichen's eye is also That Bitch. ]

As are you. How do you feel about some pork buns for a meal? I set some aside earlier in the hopes I would find you.

( His grin widens just so, clearly pleased by having found a kindred spirit. )

I feel positively. ( He's a little surprised that Lan Xichen had thought of him, but he hides that with spreading his fan again. Truthfully, Wen Kexing is used to surviving on his own merit. It is usually either himself or Gu Xiang ... or more recently, Zhou Zishu. It's strange, but nice, to have someone else worried on his behalf.

And then, as though they're old friends. ) So, your brother. The one who's been married more than the moon and the sun?

This way. [ Said buns are in the top level of a hot basket, kept in the original bedroom he snagged while fleeing the kitchen with his spicy partner-in-crime. He pauses outside the door to lift the invisible barrier, difficult to detect until he does so, and he lets it fall into place behind them, explaining courteously as he does so because he really did wave his hand a lot there. ] We can hear outside and I will know if anyone tries to pass the barrier, the silencing and repelling spell keeps us shrouded. If more people arrive, I'll extend it over their rooms too.

[ A good way to hide from the ghosts and ... the bear. Back to the meal! Xichen gestures to the table where the food has been stashed, not just the buns but some fruit and a jaw of fresh water too: it's humble but edible, and he takes an orange for himself.

And then he is thoroughly distracted by clearing his throat behind a sleeve at the mention of Wangji. ]

'Hanguang-Jun' if you hear anyone speak of him, though it's only my nephew Sizhui who may use that. How did you meet Wangji?

Impressive.

( Brilliance and light-bearing, Wen Kexing hums in response. )

The Lan must certainly be of awe-inspiring stock, their titles are all so magnificent.

( He shakes out his sleeves, takes a seat opposite Lan Xichen with a smile, resting his fan beside his knee. There's just a moment of tension immediately after, a slight twitch of his eyebrows as he's reminded once again how poorly his meeting with the other Lan went, before he responds. ) He aided me in a somewhat similar way to you. ( The guqin and the ghosts. But then, curiously --. ) Hanguang-Jun thinks he and I have met before.

[ A grateful, humbled nod to the compliment is given as he accepts it. His gaze drops as Wen Kexing pauses, fingers idly circling the orange he holds for lack of anything else to do, giving it a tap on the table. ]

I must admit, Wangji and his husband both spoke to me of already being your acquaintance: not to gossip, you understand, merely because it is a strange phenomenon of note.

[ His words are unassuming and don't try to lead the conversation anywhere out of curiosity (though he has it in spades), briefly biting his lip before he continues with a small shrug. ]

I said I would bring it up if there was an opportunity, but I see little to be gained. [ Dark eyes lift to Wen Kexing, creased with a small smile. ] I will only be able to tell them I have met one Wen Kexing who has been generous and thoughtful, someone I would like to call a friend if it pleases him. I am interested in no other.

Zewu-Jun is an upstanding man, beyond the realm of idle gossip. ( And then, with an easy shrug and a sly grin. ) I would not be offended either way, I have been talked about for less.

( He has somewhat of a reputation in several towns and cities, and that's before he even considers the mythos of the Ghost Valley Master. That's what happens when you carefully cultivate the idea of a slutty, vagabond master of all. )

But it is good to know that our meeting was the first. I find myself ... unsettled by the knowledge that some might know me and I am to be none the wiser. ( He isn't losing anything by admitting that, and if Lan Wangji has anything to say then maybe he can bring his brother on side with a small hint of something vulnerable. It's the truth, essentially. ) But ah, my reputation often proceeds me. What difference is this.

Why should you be unsettled? What reputation hounds you?

[ He sets the orange aside for mild fear of squashing it, instead pouring them both a glass of water and serving Wen Kexing first. Everything the man said is loaded with possibilities and Xichen doesn't want to be blind to them, even if the tone used was wry and a little ... bitter? ]

Would you not be, to be told you knew several people but had no recollection of them?

( He wonders if that is how normal people live, free of fear. A part of him highly doubts it, but then again, the soup of oblivion started out as a blessing. )

Aiya, nothing so serious. ( There are few people who know his true identity, not even Zhou Zishu has heard it. He doubts any of the people here, in this place, see Wen Kexing and recognise the Ghost Valley Master. ) The usual kind of reputation a wanderer with a lover of wine might have!

I might.

[ He worries a lot about his own reputation being in tatters, scorned for being blind and trusting.

... There's a pinkness that lives in the tips of his ears as he sips his water behind a sleeve, choosing not to comment on the lascivious nature of that reputation (as it is presented to him). Instead, he subtly side-steps it to save them both face. ]

The reputations of people from their own realms mean little here. You may rest assured that the merits of your own actions mean more to me than the history of a man I never met who had your face and name.

( Is this a grown up Cao Weining? )

In the grand scheme of things it is the least of my worries.

( He has people who need him, left behind, and that hounds his steps much more closely. A stranger with his face and name mean little now. ( For it is a stranger, Wen Kexing has to think that, or else he'll fall back into the lunacy he's so famous for. )

He glances at Lan Xichen curiously, and then to the buns. Propriety should be followed, but then he has seen a lot of the usual rules thrown away with. He's never known them too closely anyway. So it's with another smile he picks up a pork bun. )

Will you not have one?

[ Drawn out of his more sombre reveries by the offer, he shakes a hand in refusal. ]

Thank you, no. I don't eat meat but I imagined Wen Kexing, with such a lively spirit as a man of the world, would enjoy it.

[ He sips his water and ferrets out that orange to start unpeeling it, giving himself something to do with his hands. It's not polite to watch another person eat alone. ]

I'll remember that if I ever venture back into the kitchens. And I thank you, for thinking of me when it's not something one usually partakes in.

( Because he'll have to repay him somehow.

He eats carefully, not too quick, not too slow either, neat with it, letting the silence linger as he chews. While he does he thinks about what kind of person Lan Xichen is. Friendly, surely. Quick to offer up his own protection. It could be the kind of sect he hails from, several of them have a bloated sense of their own importance that way. But already he gets the sense the kindness is more genuine. Oh, Wen Kexing absolutely does not deserve it, but he'll take it. )

Zewu-Jun must be very popular. ( Apropos of nothing. ) I feel very lucky he has taken the time out to help me settle in.

Popular?

[ He isn't sure what gives that impression, possibly ... being kind? But plenty of people are. Swallowing a slice of orange, he shakes his head. ]

I ... used to be well-known, back where I come from. My brother and I are called the Twin Jades of Lan. [ He looks embarrassed as he says it, peeling white rind off another segment of fruit with his attention lowered to it. ] I went into seclusion several months before my arrival in this realm, so I really don't know what people say of me anymore at all. There or here.

[ His smile returns with a soft fondness as he looks at Wen Kexing. ]

I'm helping you because I think — for what my opinion is worth — that whatever other kind of history you have behind you, you are a good man. Not a perfect one, perhaps — but good, yes. I apologise for being forward.

( Oh, Lan Xichen is far more complicated than he first appears then. Wen Kexing watches him as he lowers his gaze, talking about his seclusion, then watches still as the pleasant but real smile returns. He's unlike anyone Wen Kexing knows, save for the earnestness, but there's something about him that stirs his softer side. He waves off the apology either way. )

You don't have to apologise, ah it's fine.

( He's known him for a handful of hours and yet --. )

Reputation means very little to me too. Too many men use their good standing as a smokescreen. It isn't always the truth. So we'll forget it. Let us take each other at face value then.

Very well, then ... I am Lan Huan, less Xichen if you like. You don't need to use Zewu-Jun, it seems performative to grant me the respect of a sect leader in these circumstances. [ Having no sect to speak of, that is. He has never been Huan to anyone before, only his family and the Hualian husbands know his given name. ] It is entirely up to you which you feel most comfortable using, of course.

[ His lips press together tightly for a moment, taking a sip of water before adding on, ]

Any man who professes he is only good is a liar, I agree.

Lan Huan.

( How easily he gives up parts of himself. If Wen Kexing were in a mind to abuse his trust it would prove far too easy. But, well. He isn't. There's very little point right now. Unless Lan Xichen proves to be the mastermind behind all of this - doubtful - then Wen Kexing will do nothing but take him at face value. )

People are complicated, that's true. ( He does it himself, Philanthropist Wen. But usually the air of playful confidence is enough to soften the blow. Nobody can accuse him of lying if he only ever delivers the words with an air of mischief. ) And goodness can mean many things. But I'll believe it of you. You've fed me, helped house me, and I a relative stranger who merely encouraged a bit of ... borrowing. ( A teasing smile. ) Have your friends returned your missive about the spice? I hope they appreciate the thought.

[ If Wen Kexing knew that Xichen finds every piece of himself worthless and may as well be given away ...

Is Xichen good? Is he doing things out of habit? He doesn't know. He wants to help Wen Kexing and so he does, it's not a deep process when the other man is as enigmatic as he is enthusiastic, and depressed as Xichen is there remains a part of him that enjoys lightness and good humour. ]

My brother-in-law is pleased, Xie Lian is happy to have new ingredients, and I think Jiang Wanyin might like to take some of them too. [ He sounds uncertain about it, though. Wen Kexing draws his attention, a smile warming Xichen's eyes. ] You were so at home in that kitchen when I found you, I hope you'll take me on as a student at some point. Please bear with my lack of experience.

[ Sect leaders aren't really taught cookery, just the well-mannered eating. ]

If you'd like. Though we'll have to keep an eye on the ghosts.

( He doesn't know how long he'll be here. If he had his way he'd be gone already. But it does no harm to pretend that everything is currently normal, and so Wen Kexing lets it happen. )

You look like a fast learner. Hopefully you're better at listening than my current ward. ( Technically Chengling is Zhou Zishu's disciple, but ah - it's a joint effort. With a tinge of bittersweet humour - ) I dread to think what he and his shifu are doing without me there to make sure they're eating. They'd burn water.

[ The mention of a family has Xichen reminded of what Wangji said. He wasn't going to broach the subject but pretending he doesn't know something is tantamount to lying, acting dumb for no good reason, so he tries to delicately approach the topic. ]

Wangji, while recounting that he knew you, also mentioned you have a soulmate who was here ... I suppose, the 'last time', we could say? I only bring it up to admit I know such a thing when it is entirely your business to divulge and the choice was not yours to tell me on this occasion, not to pry.

( A stillness falls over Wen Kexing's shoulders, a momentary frown notching between his brows. ) Your brother knows a lot of things, for saying very little.

( His tone is disquiet, but not angry. Whatever seething resentment Wen Kexing currently feels, he keeps it safely tucked away. Upsetting Lan Xichen would not help him. )

I have ... someone. ( He is absolutely Wen Kexing's zhiji, but there is so much that Zhou Zishu does not know that Wen Kexing feels he cannot quite lay that claim outside the privacy of his own weak chest. ) My Ah-Xu. ( Fondness creeps into his voice as he shapes the name, an unbidden curl of his lip. That's good enough, isn't it? Even with all the secrets. ) He has a disciple, Chengling. The sticky kind of boy, always crying. And of course his shifu is a hard master.

I'm glad for you.

[ The way happiness radiates off Wen Kexing when he mentions this a-Xu is almost palpable in the air and has Xichen smiling, eyes soft as he watches in real time as memories surface and bring all the colours of the other man into brighter relief somehow.

Not to dwell and make Wen Kexing uncomfortable, he offers up a similar comparison. ]

Sizhui is my adopted nephew, Wangji and Wei Wuxian's son. He is a good boy, not the sticky kind, but his friends certainly are, within and without the sect. You may run into him eventually, if you spend enough time with me. He will do anything for you if it's above-board.

[ Sizhui is an angel, a sweet boy who has all the best traits of everyone he grew up with and none of their flaws. Chengling sounds a lot like Jingyi, by contrast: sticky is a very apt word for the chicken-eating rebel. ]

I wouldn't dream of abusing such a beloved nephew's trust.

( Everything he does is above board, thank you very much ... )

Do you have children of your own?

[ He looks mildly surprised to be asked such a thing, glancing down as he peels more rind from his orange segments. ]

No. I'm unmarried.

[ Famously eligible, technically, although he isn't sure how much anymore ... but that might be his self-loathing talking (it is). Xichen isn't sure where to lead the conversation from there, floundering for a beat too long as he tries not to stall on why he isn't married or a father, hitching up a smile more of a decorous shell than genuine. ]

It never came up.

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