[semi-open] Lay me down let the only sound be the overflow

[zewu_jun]

Who: Lan Xichen, cultivators, and friends!
When: Around mid-month
Where: Lakeside out beyond the Wall (near the forge)
What: swimming, sitting, sighing, and shedding
Warnings: F is for friends who do stuff together.



Everyone probably has their own reasons for being at the lake. For Lan Xichen, working in the forge tends to lead to overheating (especially when he's been fighting off certain stress levels) and the nearby water provides a good way to politely cool off. Maybe you met him on his way and decided to join in or maybe you were already there. After several days this becomes a regular pattern of work followed by an afternoon soak, so it's possibly just a nice diversion when things are a bit too much to handle.

Whether it is swimming, meditating, having a snack, or just enjoying the fresh air along the bank, there are plenty of ways to share time with friends. The only possible warning will come from Lan Xichen himself if it looks like an argument is brewing--he will intervene. He came explicitly for some quiet time, so if anyone starts a fight, they'll probably have a half-naked Lan there to break them up. Maybe that's your thing.

[ooc: This log is a free for all for swimming and lake side games. All our friends are invited to tag in and tag each other. Basically, make up whatever you would like as a starter and cut in wherever if people agree! Non-cultivator friends and 4th wallers also welcome. If you need a specific prompt added, poke me at teaandreveries.]

Comments

[chifeng_zun]

I am learning things about this new form. [He goes to pull himself out of the water, onto a rock hanging over the surface of it, and starts wringing out his hair. He finds it easier to talk while he isn't treading water, not as used to swimming as others might be still. Down to his pants, without his inner robes to cover his torso, the other part of him besides the fur is on display.]

You cannot shame my Sect here. [He points out with mild amusement.] It is only Huaisang, and he finds enough trouble on his own. [As long as it isn't trouble with a certain snake, he's okay with it.

But his eyes did go to the missing strip of fur; it's a little conspicuous.] If money was a concern, you could have said so. I have steady employment. [Isn't it on the stand-in parent to pay for at least part of the gifts anyway? Does Wei Wuxian think Nie Mingjue is broke? That won't do.] I will cover the rest.

[weiward]

I still am.

[and more than just how he can turn on his stomach and kick, and the strength of his legs will him gliding across the water. but lately he's avoided small little mishaps. he's found things that he needed while barely looking for him. his existence seems a little more charmed, almost.

he climbs out too, and finds his pants to pull back on, even if he hates the way dry clothes stick to wet skin.]

I'd rather not take any chances. [in case he underestimates wei wuxian's ability to bring shame. but he smiles at the mention of the younger nie's name, loyally not volunteering anything that he knows about the subject.] Where is he today? I hope the markets aren't too rough for him to go to alone.

[he's worried that some of those vendors might see him coming. but nie mingjue is surely generous with his newly arrived brother, and now extends it to him and lan zhan as well.]

Ah- Chifeng-zun, we couldn't! [he quickly sits down beside him.] You're doing enough already.

[chifeng_zun]

Admirable, but, I imagine, unnecessary. [As long as he isn't turning to necromancy or anything, he'll probably be fine.

See, Nie Mingjue hadn't even bothered to take his pants off. He plans to bask a little before he goes back to town anyway.] Most likely shopping or sightseeing. Huaisang is fine. [He says this with an unshakeable certainty. The temporary Bond between them is still thrumming comfortably, letting him know that Huaisang is not currently in any distress. It was an excellent idea from his younger brother; he doesn't feel the overwhelming need to keep Huaisang within his sight-line at all times like this.

When Wei Wuxian sits beside him, he claps him on the shoulder roughly.] Accept what is freely given with appropriate gratitude. [The mild scolding just sort of happens. Some habits cannot be broken.] Your parents would pay for these things if they were here. You asked me to stand in for you in their stead. I know Jiang Wanyin is here as well, but he will not have had time to find employment. [If he even... would, do this. Last he knew, the Jiang Sect had officially cast Wei Wuxian out.

His brow furrows, suddenly wondering if there might be a fight.] How are things with you and your brother?

[weiward]

[wei wuxian's build might be slender, but he's no weakling. he's also not delicate, and while the scars on his arms and back don't compare to the severity of his bonded's, they're still noticeable. he's never tried too hard to avoid any of them.

that said, what amounts to a friendly slap on the shoulder from the chimera is certainly felt. it makes him wonder just how strong nie mingjue is around the full moons - but not enough that he'd ever want to be on the receiving end of it.

he smiles at the scolding, and even half-dressed and damp, he still circles his arms and bows his head in gratitude. chifeng-zun has the rare honor of being someone who's humbled wei wuxian, and he won't forget this.]

I thought he might be down here too, since he has gills now. [it was one of the reasons that he came. wei wuxian lets his feet dangle in the water, watching their wavering reflections on the surface.] I get the feeling that he's avoiding me.

[no, he knows he is, and he's worried about the reasons for it.]

He seems angry with Lan Zhan, and Lan Zhan's definitely angry at him.

[chifeng_zun]

[It's only normal to be jostled a little. A saber-wielding Nie can probably give Lans and their crazy arm strength a run for their money. Mingjue nods approvingly when he accepts the offer, though. Maybe it isn't necessary but he did give his word, and he intends to keep it.]

I have not seen him here yet. [He says with a mild hum, glancing back out at the lake. Hearing that Sect Leader Jiang might be avoiding Wei Wuxian, though... that could be a problem. His expression grows a little more solemn. The two are brothers, he knows, and at least once upon a time, he thinks they were close.] I see.

It sounds as if a discussion may be in order between the three of you. Avoidance can lead to regret, as can holding in the things that need to be said. [He may have some experience there.]

[weiward]

[regrets are the one thing that he never wanted to have. so he knows he's right. he needs to get the three of them in the same room together and find out what's behind the look in jiang cheng's eyes, and what's behind the scowl on lan zhan's lips whenever he says his brother's name.

he sighs, and kicks at the water a little, determined despite that brief moment of silence.]

I'm sure he'll be around to pay his respects to you. And once everyone's a little more settled, we can get back to the planning. I still haven't made any progress on the one thing we'll need. And we'll have to get fitted for robes at some point, but I don't even know where to find someone who makes them here.

[he sounds a little more cheerful now. wei wuxian stops kicking at the water, thinking of something.]

Chifeng-zun, do you think Nie-xiong- [he looks over at him, paues, and then finishes by laughing nervously.] Eh, nevermind, nevermind.

[chifeng_zun]

We've spoken once, toward the beginning of the month. He is older than I remember, but I am still suitably impressed. [He'd still been pretty new as a Sect Leader back when Nie Mingjue were still alive. He remembers hearing about Lotus Pier and feeling, underneath his rage at the Wens, a sort of empathy for Jiang Wanyin's situation. Mingjue took over a whole Sect as a teenager as well, and he had it easier, inheriting a whole and strong clan with an intact seat of power.]

Mm. [A nod, as if to say 'keep with it'.] I have lined up a fortune-teller, a diviner from the Coven. I am told she is very accurate. As far as robes, the woman I work for frequents a particular Witch tailor in the Aristocratic District - I will make inquiries. [If they give someone a good enough idea of what is needed, he doesn't see why they can't be made.

He quirks an eyebrow slightly, watching him with a little curiosity.] Would my brother...? If you asked him something, I'm sure he would agree.

[weiward]

Chifeng-zun!

[wei wuxian's eyes grow wide at the updates. color him impressed too! he ticks those boxes off in his head before turning more in his direction.]

At this rate, Lan Zhan and I could be married by the next full moon! [and in his excitement, he forgets that he wasn't going to ask this, but...] If Nie-xiong has stuck to his books, he could sleep in the marriage bed between us!

[chifeng_zun]

[He's treating this a little like going to battle. Is it any surprise that he buckles down and gets things done? Nie Mingjue does not procrastinate or beat around the bush.] Mm. Be sure to tell me when you are both free for fittings, should I succeed.

[And his brain is skidding to a screeching halt now. Has his brother kept to his books? Does he want to know that? Well, he wants to know if he's found any happiness, certainly. And if there is anyone who has broken his brother's heart that he needs to go... speak with. So too does it remind him that there were ten years he was not with Huaisang...] You would have to ask him this.

...I admit I do not know if he has been seeing anyone. [This is accompanied by a little furrow in his brow that is more thoughtful than angry.]

[weiward]

Ah - right.

[a little laughter. of course he shouldn't expect him to ask huaisang about that. he has a brother too, after all.

....actually it might not bother wei wuxian. at least he might find out if jiang cheng had found some happiness.]

Lan Zhan said that Jiang Cheng hasn't married. I'm worried that his standards are so high, he might never find someone. He was close...once.

[chifeng_zun]

[He's still trying to catch up from 'is Huaisang seeing anyone' to this turn about Jiang Wanyin. Possibly Nie Mingjue is noticing a pattern here, considering they also tried to hint-hint-nudge-nudge him into bonding with Lan Xichen.]

It is not the end of the world to live a life without a romantic partner. [He feels the need to point out, considering... his own life. He never even looked, knowing he'd die early anyway. He didn't know it would be as early as it was, but the thought was still there, that he didn't want to subject someone to losing him so soon.] It sounds as if he knows what he wants from a partner, and if he does not want to relax his standards, then he must not feel the need to be with someone in that way.

Not everyone will find their perfect match, as you did.

[weiward]

I did do that.

[he's lucky, there's no denying that. would he want jiang cheng to lower his standards? the important ones, no, and not for anything less. but so what if she talked a little more than he liked? or had short hair instead of long? he feels like he should be there to put these things out to him. in the end, he worries less that jiang cheng will live his life alone and more that he'll be lonely. or chifeng-zun for that matter.]

But is there anything so special about me to deserve someone like Lan Zhan? No. I think having a soul means that its match is out there somewhere. Maybe it's not always romantic, but men don't spring from one person alone. I don't think they're meant to go through life that way either.

[chifeng_zun]

Such luck is rare in the world.

[He admits that with a small smile, almost a hint of wistfulness. Nie Mingjue has never had relationships on the table; he knew long ago he'd die before his time of a qi deviation, it only happened sooner than expected. He hadn't wanted to leave a widow or widower behind him. That doesn't mean he's made of stone, and love in the world should be protected.]

Maybe they aren't meant to, but many will. If one does not or cannot find romance, then the love of family can be a balm. You can hope that Jiang Wanyin finds the person he is meant to be with, but it isn't like these things can be forced.