[closed mingle] This is family business

[disasterstraight]

Who: Basically the whole Untamed/MDZS cast
When: One Mid-Septeril evening
Where: The Jin/Jiang family household
What: It's Family Dinner Time (and also time to reveal the truth about what happened back on their world)
Warnings: Discussions of murder and death, infidelity, revenge, and a lot of general family drama.


There are so many Mirrorbound from their world, and almost all of them are related in some way, through blood, marriage, or sworn bonds. After discussing it with his wife, Jin Zixuan decides it's about time they all sat under one roof to share a meal. Sure, one third of their contingent is not exactly on speaking terms with another third, and the last third is caught in the middle trying to live their lives as quietly and peacefully as they can, but Jin Zixuan has frankly had enough. He's heard bits and pieces of the future that is waiting for him once he returns to their world, but he's tired of the pretty lies, half truths, and careful dancing around subjects that everyone seems to prefer when he is around. He knows there is more to the story, and he is determined to find out what it is.

The evening begins innocently enough, with Jiang Yanli preparing delicious courses of food in their well stocked kitchen, and Jin Zixuan making sure the dining room is set for the numerous guests they are inviting. There is plenty of alcohol for the adults who like to indulge-- both bottles of grape wine and jars of baiju-- as well as sparkling fruit juices for those who are underage (sorry, Jin Ling) or who would prefer not to partake. The table decoration is tasteful and elegant, a mix of the local style and whatever Jin Zixuan has been able to scramble together that is reminiscent of their own world back home.

When guests arrive, Jin Zixuan greets them at the door and shows them to their seat in the dining room, having carefully plotted out who will sit where so as to avoid any unnecessary conflict (a skill he learned at an early age from his mother). After a few short words of thanks for everyone who came, the meal begins. The food is delicious, of course. No one would expect anything less from a cook like Jiang Yanli. And the conversation is polite, sticking to current events and the trials and tribulations of witch- or monster-dom. Then, partway through the evening, when the main course has been finished but dessert has not yet been served, Jin Zixuan speaks up, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Once again, I would like to thank you all for coming. You have all been a great help to myself, A-Li, and A-Ling as we attempt to find our ways in this world." A good start, neutral enough and gracious to boot. "However," he continues, his face losing its polite smile and turning gravely serious, "I know that there is much that you have been keeping from us. From me, in particular. We have both been made aware of our own deaths, and the many deaths that will follow. But the exact details of how and why those deaths occurred and who is really to blame have been conspicuously left out."

He turns his gaze to each guest seated at the table, each in turn. Everyone except Jin Ling and Jiang Yanli.

"I think it's time we were forthright with each other. Don't you?"

After that, all thoughts of dessert are forgotten. The table erupts into chaos. Guests can speak freely at the table, or pull individuals aside for more private conversations. Or, if the tense atmosphere is too much for them, they can simply choose to leave. But however the truth chooses to come out, Jin Zixuan is welcoming it. And keep in mind, he will know if you are lying.

Comments

[zewu_jun]

"His fate," Lan Xichen echoes that flatly. Of the things his brother might have said, of justice or peace of mind or kindness to the young man that lived his life without parents, he chose the path of vengeance. It might be presented well, giving the traitor over to the mercy of his family, but that was assuming that human beings were fair and objective. The Jin sect, starting with Jin Guangshan himself, has proven how family ties are easily turned. Lan Xichen draws and breath and holds it in his lungs, not moving away.

"And my fate?" he asks evenly, letting out that air. Hearing fate offered over so quickly does not sit well with him either. If he thought this was something that was deserved, then holding off to come back when everyone is unprepared for it seems petty now. It's clear that at least half of the group will be upset just by facing the situation without warning. "Will you pay as well?"

[taciturnly]

A life without parents isn’t exactly foreign. A life bleak and austere, void of nuances, of affection, and yet neither of them have turned into murderers. Jin Guangyao’s upbringing and misfortunes hardly justify his actions, and if nothing else, Jin Zixuan deserves closure, a choice he was never given.

As does his wife, and their son.

Lan Wangji blinks, cautiously redirecting his gaze towards his brother. Tension crawls through the cracks of his façade, sharper between them. His fate? “Held in your conscience, as is mine.” And unfortunately, Jin Guangyao’s morals are questionable at best. Guilt is an ugly thing, and the burden of mistakes a heavy one. Lan Wangji has already paid, in blood, in grief, though Lan Xichen’s question gives him pause and he searches his gaze, a doleful crease between his brows. “If you deem my offenses unpunished, or if I have offended further, I will serve my penance.”

[zewu_jun]

Nothing justifies those actions, and yet people will justify them to suit themselves. A victim of one crime commits another using that as justification. If anything, the continued cycle of resentment only injures Jin Zixuan's family, dragging them down into a blood debt for generations by their connection. If they rid themselves of Jin Guangyao, they have vengeance, surely, but will the family be unburdened by that? Lan Xichen's frown only grows when his brother says their fate is in their own hands. It's nice to say for them. How innocent do they seem? Once again, he feels itchy seeing the white of the Lan sect colors.

"Wangji, is what you seek the request of others? They are capable of asking that for themselves. If you take no personal satisfaction in pain, then don't take it now. I will only ask this once and leave the rest in your hands, but consider it."

[taciturnly]

Lan Wangji isn’t as pristine as his robes. Some of his darkness he wears on his back, but he’s never shied away from consequences. It’s the reason why he asks him now, to dispense punishment as he sees fit, if he finds fault in his actions, but until they harm or wrong someone else, they only have themselves to face, hence their fates lying in their own hands.

It isn’t his place to punish Jin Guangyao, though his victims are finally given a voice, and Lan Wangji isn’t about to let him escape again. That is what he seeks. For them to get the answers Jin Zixuan now claims, not revenge but justice; whatever happens afterwards is none of his business, even though Lan Xichen seems to be under the impression that he thinks otherwise.

His lips part on a long, quiet sigh, frayed at the seams. “Xiōngzhǎng.” There’s a twitch in his jaw, though the harsh lines of his face marginally soften. “I wish nothing for myself. Let them hear the truth they are owed.” From its source, ideally.

[turmoiling]

Silent through the exchange between the Lan brothers, Jin Guangyao can only think, if you think they need to hear the truth so badly, then why did no one else say half as much to them before? Certainly nobody's had any problem, in Jin Guangyao's personal experience, with talking about him behind his back.

Why can't they just have the decency to stay dead and not cause these problems for him? A beleaguered question asked, and obviously inapplicable to, himself.

Jin Guangyao glances back to Lan Xichen again, expression doleful.

[zewu_jun]

He frowns, for the first time not quite trusting his brother's intentions. In the past, Lan Xichen wouldn't have thought anyone, especially Wangji, would be willing to press matters just for the satisfaction to seeing another fall, but he now knows how far people go and how much Wangji feels for Wei Wuxian's own injuries. It isn't so clear cut anymore.

But at least wanting to hear the truth isn't such a bad request. He hesitates, staying firmly in front of Jin Guangyao as if he isn't sure what sudden move might be made if he were to step aside, but he turns his head to speak.

"Will you speak to them?" He'll be hounded if he doesn't, so the question is more out of courtesy, but Lan Xichen will at least afford his friend that courtesy. They should lay out the truth, unpleasant as it is. And giving Jin Guangyao the right to speak is important as well.

[taciturnly]

Jin Guangyao is offered the courtesy of delivery, an opportunity to tell his exact truth rather than a biased explanation, another chance he doesn’t entirely deserve, and it’s not enough. Not enough for a man who took lives for his own benefit, who threatened and tried to take more, here, to rise above everyone else, and to save himself. They’ve all harmed to different extents, in various ways—none of them are guilt-free. But only one bore and still bears enough spite and cruelty in his heart to kill, threaten and betray his own family.

Doubt. Mistrust. A strange glint in his brother’s eyes, when it’s directed at him. It stings, misunderstanding between them still, and Lan Wangji’s gaze lowers, out of place. He’s so tired. He doesn’t stay for Jin Guangyao’s answer—at this point, it is entirely between them, and dinner is obviously over. He bows nonetheless, regardless of whether anyone sees, and makes his way out of the house.

He’ll be sure to send both thanks and apologies to the hosts.

[turmoiling]

What possible way could this not end poorly for him, to admit his hope that there would be trouble resulted in Zixuan's death, never mind the deaths that followed, which had clearly been mentioned though in no specific detail as well. Not matter how neatly the words are woven, no matter how deep the reasons ran, he couldn't expect things to go well with Zixuan at all.

It really was too much to ask. People don't want to hear the truth, no matter how much they insist on it. It's too troubling or inconvenient or simply against their view of the world. How many words of truth had he already spoken at the temple, months ago? And none of them did him any good.

When Lan Wangji leaves, he edges out from behind his friend, giving him an anxious look still -- before Jin Zixuan speaks up and at least seemingly offers him a chance at an escape from this, at least in front of everyone left at the table.

"I'll see you back at home," is all he tentatively offers. "I know you'll be fair, if there's anything to be said."

And far too truthful, but as much as he hates it, there's no avoiding those past misdeeds now.

[zewu_jun]

Lan Xichen watches his brother go, leaving matters in their hands, and he isn't sure whether to be grateful or wounded by that retreat. A little of both, perhaps, but it is out of both of their control now anyway. Lan Wangji would only suffer by staying and he doesn't want that.

But for Jin Guangyao, things are still in front of him. The dread of truth and consequences comes through their Bond, and Lan Xichen turns back to face his friend directly.

"The truth needs to be shared. Wangji is correct; they are owed answers. But we have all been granted this life to start again. Don't give up on it. I will wait for you."

As painful and unwanted as this inevitable exchange is, he hopes that it really will be a chance for Jin Guangyao to prove he wants a new life the way he claimed.