catch-all | OPEN

[rootstalks]

Who: Jin Ling, Jin Zixuan, Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli, and HOUSEGUESTS (that's you!).
When: All times
Where: The Jin-Jiang classy house in the Haven
What: Catch-all for household events and visitors! Bolded sections are intentional prompts, but wildcard as you like!
Warnings: Probably some drama at some point. Also monster transformation body horror (harpy, turnskin, merrow). Definitely at least 2.5 discussions about murder. One really, really uncomfortable dinner party.

Entrance Hall

Now that the house’s new residents are more settled in, they’re ready to accept visitors. The first thing you will notice as you enter the door is the art hung on the wall: Intricately crafted wood carvings of the Jiang lotus and the Jin peony emblems, bookending a framed photograph of Jiang Yanli and her two brothers, only one of whom actually lives there, from the day of Wei Wuxian’s wedding the previous month.

There is room on the wall for more pictures to be hung, as now that Jin Zixuan has discovered the wonders of photography, he intends to immortalize all his loved ones in living color as often as possible. The Yunmeng Jiang clan is already honored, so the next step is to commission a father and son portrait to represent Lanling Jin.

In a small, round room off the entrance hall, memorial tablets have been set up for the Jiang parents, carved from a lacquered wood and set into a cabinet.

Courtyard

The spacious courtyard in the center of the house provides a perfect place for the cultivators in the house to continue their training. Sure, they don’t have golden cores anymore and are all turning into different kinds of monsters, but that is no excuse to allow their skills to deteriorate from lack of practice. Archery targets are set up along one wall, and there is plenty of space around the central fountain for sparring with swords or other weapons they may acquire. Of course, as the courtyard becomes repurposed into a training ground, the genteel furniture, ornate chairs and potted plants, get moved into storage in the basement to provide more room to move around. It may not give off the same level of elegance as other classy houses in the neighborhood, but for the cultivators? It begins to make this feel more like home.

Sometimes, and to her mild distress, Yanli is herded out into the courtyard and set in front of an archery target. There, she practises spells, mouth thin with nerves. It’s easier, as might be expected, when she’s accompanied by either a member of the household, or another witch. One target bears the scorch marks from her first and only attempt at evocation, but it’s clear she’s developing a preference for defensive spellcraft. With it being nearly impossible to convince any member of the household to shoot an arrow at her, there is now a small stack of little beanbags under one awning, in a wicker basket.

When she isn't required, or her master is working or training, Fairy the spiritual hound can be found lounging around the courtyard, keeping an eye on things, and barking.

Kitchen

The kitchen is walled with cabinets and shelves, the room airy enough that some storage is too high for Jiang Yanli to reach comfortably. Sometimes, when she feels brave, she plucks the ingredient or tool she wants with a polite gesture and a flick of magic. Mostly, she resorts to a short iron stepladder that doubles as a stool for casual visitors (or opportunistic scavengers).

It’s not what she’s used to, but working in the bakery is a crash course in the average Aefenglom kitchen, and it only takes a few days for her to arrange everything the way she likes it. The novelty of cooking in a kitchen of her own, rather than invading the space of the cooks, and apologising to servants as she got in their way (or, not apologising, because one shouldn’t, but smiling in a way that allowed it to go unsaid)... it’s heady. She prepares too much, spends her wages on interesting ingredients; one shelf at shoulder height fills with scraps of paper and borrowed books. If she finds herself looking over her shoulder before she carries a pile of bowls into the scullery… well, at least everyone is too polite to mention it.

And that much food means she has an easy excuse to do what she does best: feed her loved ones. Either by arranging a family meal, refamiliarising herself with their tastes and spending an enjoyable evening offering this and that into their bowls, basking in conversation, or by inviting a friend home, and spending an evening in conversations about other worlds, about magic, about the workings of the city and the developments of the mirrorbound.

'Music Room’

The upstairs loft is a large studio room with tall windows along the front wall to let lots of light into the space. Where normally one might expect to see a grand piano or other instruments (the space was obviously intended to be a music salon), there is instead a haphazard mess of materials, mostly branches and straw that have been pulled in from trees outside, mixed with some pillows and thick blankets. For a long time, it just looks like a mess, like whoever has gathered these mismatched items has a hoarding problem. But slowly, surely, it begins to take shape into a massive nest that takes up a good third of the room. Little by little, more pieces get added to the nest. More wood to expand the walls-- including several chairs stolen from the dining room-- more soft things to line the interior. As far as Jin Zixuan is concerned, it is a very respectable collection, not a nest, and the more refined he can make it look, the less embarrassed he is by his compulsion to build it.

(All the other members of the household know that it is a nest and call it such behind Jin Zixuan’s back, but to allow him to save face they refrain from mentioning that particular word in front of him.)

Bedrooms

Generally the bedrooms, all in the central floor of the house, are architecturally similar and decorated much alike, but each has begun to accumulate the detritus of their lives. Souvenirs, gifts, laundry, half-finished projects and belongings from home now set on the walls or on stands to be secured. And, occasionally, other things.

In Jin Ling’s room, the general paraphernalia of a teenager, along with a large dog bed, usually covered in kittens and their canine general.

In Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli’s room, on the day of the full moon, they awake to a truly alarming amount of feathers. But generally, their room is impeccable, a mix of pale woods, brass and soft furnishings - especially since they’ve started to spend time in the nest instead.

In Jiang Cheng’s room, it is for the most part neat and everything in its place, with most decor items either being purple or light green in color. The bed is usually occupied by a calico kitten with the ability to teleport.

Basement

The basement of the home comes equipped with a wine cellar, a dusty bottle or two of cabernet left over from the house’s previous occupants. However, the family now inhabiting the residence prefers rice wine or other grain based alcohols over wine made from grapes or other fruit. So as time goes on, the shelves of the wine cellar accumulate ceramic jugs of báijiǔ and other more familiar liquors. Until such time as they need to break out a bottle or five.

Comments

[lotus_of_rage]

[That is true that his birthday is not for some time, but that was something to consider. When Jin Ling got beyond being appeased by grass butterflies and trinkets like that, he had spent more time considering birthday and new year's presents for his nephew. He might have been a strict uncle, but he still provided his nephew with suitable presents and some of those took time for craftsmen to make]

To make up for missing his youth? You. If you find something here that would have a sentiment to you back home or reminds you of it, buy it and tell him the story behind why it does. There was only so much I could teach him about his parents, about his father.

[He had known far more about Yanli for obvious reasons, but beyond a few times, he had never spent a great amount of personal time with Jin Zixuan. It had been a disservice, but he wouldn't make stuff up either]

[disasterstraight]

[ Of course. Of course that would be the answer. Jin Zixuan chides himself for thinking so materialistically. Surely there was nothing that money could buy to replace the loss of a father, of a mother. And Jin Ling grew up in the Lanling Jin. He would have wanted for nothing when it came to possessions and wealth. The only things poor young A-Ling didn't have were loving parents to care for him and watch over him. Jin Zixuan is grateful that he at least had uncles who would step in, but...

He releases his hand which he only now realizes had been clenched into a fist, frowning and nodding at Jiang Cheng's answer. ]

I will teach him everything I can. Thank you.

[lotus_of_rage]

[It was a good answer and it was true. Jin Ling had wanted for nothing between all members of his family. Jin Guangshan and his wife had spoiled him until their deaths and both Jin Guangyao and Jiang Cheng had given him everything else, Jiang Cheng favoring experience over material possessions since his other uncle leaned towards those.

He nodded his head]

Aside from that, if you can find a bow that is easier for him to use. He's a skilled archer and his claws make it difficult.

[It was something he had been thinking about, but he'll give the idea to Jin Zixuan. It was something they could do together that they never had before]

[disasterstraight]

[ Jin Zixuan's eyebrows raised. He hadn't thought all that hard about how A-Ling's physical changes would affect his ability to use a bow. He already knows his son is an accomplished archer, so he wouldn't want him to have to give up something he was so good at. ]

A bow! Yes. That's a good idea, I will get him a bow.

[ He bows, thanking Jiang Cheng for the idea, then turns to go. But before he can leave, he thinks to turn back and ask, ] And, what of your changes? I hope things haven't been too difficult for you?

[lotus_of_rage]

Good. He would appreciate that.

[Jiang Cheng started to pick up his book again when he turned to go, but as he turned back, he lowered it again]

I am adapting well. Most of the time, the hardest is the webbing and not being able to see as well. Though needing to be relatively close to water is new.

[Short time away from a large body of water was fine, but he had to have water with him]

[disasterstraight]

Mm. [ He nods, hearing Jiang Cheng's words but, honestly, not paying them all that much attention. He had asked more out of courtesy than actual interest. Though he knows that Jiang Cheng's well being affects A-Li's well being, which in turn affects his own. It is to his own best interests that they are all adapting well. ]

We are lucky, then, to have found a house with a centrally located fountain in the courtyard.

[ That way he was always relatively close to some water, even if it wasn't quite enough. ]

[lotus_of_rage]

[He wouldn't be surprised. He was very much the same way, doing things out of courtesy and rules of etiquette rather than actual interest. Even though he could likely guess this was the case, Jin Zixuan HAD asked]

Yes, I consider it good luck.

[He could use it in a pinch, but it was not the best]

And you? How are you holding up with the changes?

[Since he'd asked even though he didn't necessarily care, he'd do the same]

[disasterstraight]

[ How is he holding up? Not great, to be honest. Waking up covered in feathers took a real toll on his vanity. But he'll get used to it. ]

About as well as can be expected, I imagine. It is thanks to A-Li's support that I am doing as well as I am.

[ He knows that things would be all that much worse without their bond. Which is partly why he's so worried about Jin Ling. ]

[lotus_of_rage]

[Jiang Cheng nodded, listening to his brother-in-law's words. He had it good compared to some other transformations. He had scales and gills visible from under his robes and webbed hands, but he had not been limited in attire choices or mode of transit except in water. Seeing how the Jin men were faring, he did not complain often about his changes]

If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

[Not just a formality. An honest statement]

[disasterstraight]

[ Given that Jin Zixuan's first change, made almost on arrival in this world, was an innate sense of when someone was lying, he can tell that Jiang Cheng genuinely does wish to offer his aid.

Unfortunately, his pride wouldn't allow that. But, best to accept it politely for formality's sake.

He nods his head in acknowledgement. ] I will. Thank you.

[lotus_of_rage]

[He had a feeling that he wouldn't actually take him up on it, but it was out there if he needed to]

Of course.

[Jiang Cheng's kitten meowed at the other person in the room as though this was the first she was realizing he was there and Jiang Cheng scratched her behind the ears, making her purr]

[disasterstraight]

[ Jin Zixuan eyes the kitten, lips pursed. ]

At least your cat is somewhat well behaved.

[ He had to chase Jin Ling's pair out of his nest collection, earlier. It's like the cats were trying to test him. ]

[lotus_of_rage]

Somewhat. She knows this is her room.

[She still played like crazy with the boy cats, but she didn't go near the nest, except maybe to sniff it once or twice. She didn't get in it.

Maybe she just liked fish more]

[disasterstraight]

[ Some cats are birders, some prefer fish... ]

Good. If only we can teach A-Ling's pair to respect such boundaries.

[lotus_of_rage]

[Certainly might be the case. She had been wandering around the dock area when he and Nami had caught her. Maybe she did prefer fish]

We will have to try. I don't know how successful we will be.

[disasterstraight]

I am considering making a suggestion to A-Li that she try learning some kind of warding spell, to provide magical protection to... certain areas.

[ The kitchen, the bedrooms, sure. But they both know he really means the nest. ]

[lotus_of_rage]

That would be one way to make sure cats can't get into your nest.

[Yes... he knows it is about the nest]

[disasterstraight]

I-- [ He freezes, looking awkward for a long moment.

Call him out, why don't you?

He fusses, focusing on smoothing out his sleeves and avoiding eye contact until he can regain composure. ]

It's not a nest.

[lotus_of_rage]

Alright. I take it back then. It's not a nest.

[It's totally a nest, but he'll pretend its not. Just like his room wasn't replicating the treasures recovered from a fancy sunken houseboat]