[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

[disasterstraight]

The confirmation that the numbers are not just hyperbole sinks heavy into the pit of Jin Zixuan's stomach. To think, his death resulted in that many casualties. One piece strikes another down, the next fells two, those each fell two more... It gets bigger and bigger, the consequences of each succeeding action. If he knew of a way to stop all of it-- If there was anything he could do--

He sighs, nodding.

"I can't forget about trying to learn more of my future-- your past." To promise such would be an outright lie, just like the lie Jin Guangyao told when he agreed that his next visit would be pleasant. Hearing that alarm bell is bad enough. He thinks that to be the one to make it ring might be even worse. "But, I will attempt to focus my energies on the life I have available to me here."

[turmoiling]

The words, the idea Jin Zixuan might hear much worse if he keeps asking, will surely only make his brother even more curious then -- and that thought sears just as much to Jin Guangyao. Why should his brother be owed anything more, as if the murder of Nie Mingjue had anything to do with him, as if he needs to hear the sordid details told to him in confidence once by Madam Qin, as if he needs to hear of how everything that should have been well fell apart with his wife and son and why they died.

"Do you really think it so well advised to continue at all?" he urges gently, in contrast to his own internal ire. "If not for my sake, then for A-Ling. I think you can imagine some things must be difficult for him as well."

[disasterstraight]

It's not a lie. Jin Zixuan would know if it was. He spares a glance towards the hall that leads to Jin Ling's room, where his son had run away to hide when all this unpleasantness started. How much hurt have Jin Zixuan's questions caused A-Ling already? A-Yao raises a good point. But then, doesn't he always? He never says anything without purpose, without effect. Jin Guangyao does not just make idle conversation. He elicits change with every word he speaks, or at least, he tries to. Usually, change that will benefit him in some way.

Still looking away, towards Jin Ling's room, Jin Zixuan nods and makes a resolution to himself. He won't stop looking for answers about the future— he can't, not now that he's started down this path— but he will be much more careful to do it in a way that he can hide his questions from Jin Ling's eyes. His son does not deserve to suffer just so that Jin Zixuan can satisfy his desire for truth.

He plasters a smile on his face before turning back to Jin Guangyao. The same sort of bland smile he would have given him back in Carp Tower, in response to some benign request to please join them in the Glamour Hall for tea.

Nodding, he says, "You're right, A-Yao. Of course you are. I didn't take A-Ling's feelings into account. From now on, I must do all I can to spare him any more torment."

Not technically a lie. Nothing about what he said was untrue. The warning bell remains silent. That's what matters for now.

[turmoiling]

"It would be better that way. He is a fine young man," Which is maybe pushing it considering his temper and how spoiled he'd been - which may be in part Jin Guangyao's own fault - but not untrue either, "and I hope that you'll be able to make up for lost time here."

If well-wishes towards Jin Zixuan don't have the same sincerity, it's only that even in the absence of their father's presence in his life for years now, Jin Guangyao can still remember all too clearly who was the favored son and who was barely tolerated and carry that resentment still.

Regardless, the longer he remains, the greater the chance that there will be more interference, something to keep him from leaving and causing more troubles. If Jin Zixuan is at least satisfied for now, it'll have to be good enough. He bows slightly. "I'm sure we will see each other again, in no doubt more favorable circumstances, as you say. Until then."

[disasterstraight]

Hm. Not strictly speaking a lie, but even without his alarm bell, Jin Zixuan can tell that hope isn't fully sincere. Oh well. It's no secret that the relationship between the two brothers is strained at best. They are both fully aware of their places in the hierarchy of the Lanling Jin clan, and which of them received the attention and favor. Even here, removed from all that, and with their father dead, one can't be expected to leave all that resentment behind so easily, can they?

In truth, Jin Zixuan never gave much thought to his many illegitimate siblings. He knew there were several out there, even though only some of them tried making themselves known in Lanling. He may have admired A-Yao's courage, in attempting to worm his way into the family, even though it was met with some understandable resistance. It was a brave thing that he did, withstanding their father's scorn with a polite smile still placed firmly on his face. Jin Zixuan knows this, and knows he did nothing to either help or hinder Jin Guangyao's acceptance in the clan. He feels no regret, but now... here... as he watches his half brother slither away from his front door, removed from everything that had been holding him back...

...He wonders if maybe he should.