vestigenet | @lan.sizhui → video; (backdated to nov 1st, afternoon)

[ Wen Ning dutifully stayed out of line of sight of the camera until Sizhui had finished his announcement, munching on one of the surplus snacks and keeping quiet. ]

They're really very good. Where did you learn this recipe?

Edited 2020-11-02 20:13 (UTC)

[casting a glance over his shoulder, sizhui smiles again, sets the phone aside and moves through the kitchen to collect the box he's left on the nearest counter. he holds it up, gestures toward the ingredients list on the back.]

I'm glad you like them! Although, I suppose I sort of just... read the box.

[ Wen Ning steps closer, looking down at the box in Sizhui's hands. ]

They wrote the instructions right on the box? [ How ingenious! The convenience! What will they think of next? ]

I feel bad... I should have made something for Wei-gongzi, too.

Edited (autocorrect, no) 2020-11-06 22:52 (UTC)

[he nods, uses his other hand to gesture toward the instructions nearer to the middle and bottom.] It gives you everything, conveniently.

[whenever wen ning mentions making something for wei wuxian as well, the box gets set aside, one hand coming up to thoughtfully tap his chin while the other crosses over his chest to hold his elbow.] Hmmm.

Well, it's not too late. Did you want to try something now? I'll even help, if you like!

[ He leans in, reading what he can of the instructions. They really do think of everything, these modern food sellers. Even if they're... more absent than any food sellers Wen Ning is used to.

But then the box is getting set aside, and the conversation is moving forward. Wen Ning stands a little straighter, his eyes lighting up with something resembling--- hope. ]

Really? What do you think we should make? More food?

[ If anyone deserves a feast on their birthday, it's Wei Wuxian. ]

[suspicious as it is, it's another thing sizhui tries not to question. all the food they've been provided so far has been safe (from what he knows), so why would the foodland store be any different?

he brightens too, nods agreeingly. while he isn't sure what else they could do besides make more to eat, he's not against considering other options, too.] We can do that if you like! Or, if you would prefer something else, we could think up another idea.

Whatever you'd like to do, I will help in any way you need.

[ Anything Wen Ning could cook would probably pale in comparison to what Wei-gongzi could get if he just goes next door to visit his Shijie. So maybe food isn't the best option. ]

Maybe... I could make him something else. Something useful. Something that would help him through this place.

[ Heaven knows he's had a rough enough time of it so far. But Wen Ning doesn't have any ideas of what that useful, helpful thing should be. ]

...We should go to town. To... get supplies.

[ And ideas. ]

[to be fair, that's how sizhui felt about the cupcakes, but it seems like yanli might think otherwise despite his uncertainty.]

Oh! Yes, that sounds like a good idea. [does he have any immediate ideas either? no, but that's okay, they'll surely figure something out once they get into town. and if they don't, maybe there will at least be something there they can bring back home.]

Okay, we can do that. I'll just need to go and find one of my sweaters in case it gets too cold.

[considering he's wearing modern clothes today rather than his clan robes. although, with the cooler temperatures, it might be wise to eventually switch back to them. (or at least find something heavier than a sweater.)]

Lan Sizhui, ( wei wuxian hisses, the camera jostling as he pulls his sweatshirt hood up over his head as if his cover has somehow been blown. but the objection painted across his face is distinctly too dramatic to be genuine. ) You embarrass me on video and I'm the last to hear of these cupcakes, mm, I see how it is - and on my very own birthday, too.

Uhp! [well, he knew this would happen eventually! (expected it, to be honest—) sizhui ducks into his own sweater and lifts his shoulders to his ears, hoping to halfway hide his sheepishness, even though he doesn't really feel all that ashamed.] Are you embarrassed because I told people to wish you happy birthday? And is it so bad? It's something like a surprise!

Yes, that, and-... well, mostly just that, ( he huffs, tugging his hoodie's drawstrings until the hole around his face is quite narrow. ) And perhaps I'm fine with your surprises but I don't want you giving the others any terrible ideas. ( the joy with which sizhui presents the concept of 'a surprise' speaks volumes. he sounds very much like a boy who still thinks a surprise is a good thing and not something to be fantastically wary of. )

[the sight of wei wuxian slowly disappearing more and more into his hood makes him grin outright, one hand instinctively reaching to hide it in an oversized sleeve. he knows it isn't all that big a deal here where things are more ruleless but those ever-present clan principles sure haven't been forgotten; too deep-rooted despite being far from home.] Gosh, terrible ideas? You're making it sound as if someone's going to prank you.

[which someone might, but honestly, what sort of harm can his son cause with cupcakes of all things?]

Spoken like a man without any brothers. ( because yes, that's precisely what's going to happen - or worse. )

[ Naminé briefly considers a text message before finally electing to use video; it'll be easier for him to know it's her this way. She looks a little hesitant about the camera when the feed clicks on, but her uncertainty ebbs quickly in favor of a warm expression as her hand pulls back from turning on the recording. ]

I didn't know you were practicing your cooking with something like that, Sizhui. They look really good...!

[ But that's not what she's here for, because as nice as baked goods are she's far more interested in the fact that a person whose company she enjoys has someone as important as a parental figure around. With a touch of bashfulness, ]

I'd, um, like to wish your father a happy birthday like you asked, but I don't think I've ever met him. Should I say it here instead...?

( don't mind someone else chiming in with a video now - a man who looks very much unlike sizhui, but who huffs out a sheepish little laugh-breath and says, ) Ah, that would be me, hello. I wasn't actually aware that a certain Sizhui knew my birthday, so I suppose I deserve what I've gotten for underestimating a Lan, hm?

( a moment later, he realizes to shake his head a little and say, ) Anyway, the well-wishes have been received, thank you. ( ...oh no, don't do the dad thing, absolutely don't- ) I take it you're a friend of his? ( - he's doing the dad thing. )

[ Clearly, this wasn't a possibility she anticipated - the wideness of her eyes and the bashful expression suggest that just as much as the stiffness of her shoulders does, her draped hair pushed up slightly by the rightmost one. But for all that shyness keeps a tight grip on her heart, she manages a smile soon enough, and it's quite sincere. ]

He does seem to be full of surprises, [ she agrees a little breathlessly. ] It's nice to meet you-- sir.

[ Although normally she's got no qualms about calling adults by their first names, it feels much stranger when they're being introduced as someone's father. A bit out of her depth, Naminé looks almost as uncertain as she feels, but she nods in reply to his thanks with a polite, ] Of course.

[ And then it seems he's caught her off-guard twice in one message, because her face freezes abruptly at the question. Friends? It's such a complicated word for a girl like her and she falters in the wake of it, giving a soft, flustered, um. ]

Well -- he's been very kind to me in the past, and I'm so grateful for that. But we haven't actually talked about being friends, so I don't want to say anything that he might not agree with...

[ Because surely it needs to be discussed to be an Official Friendship, and she'd hardly want to mislead her pre-friend(?)'s parental figure. ]

( the 'sir' earns an amused little nose-wrinkle - it doesn't fit him any more than 'master wei' ever has, but at least that one he's more accustomed to - but he doesn't have nearly the time to tell her not to fuss with it, because now she's talking about friendship. and she looks halfway panicked about it, her words far too nervous for the occasion, drawing a quiet (but not unkind) laugh out of wei ying. )

Aha, I see. Well, I'm quite certain he'd call you his friend whether or not you've spoken of it.

[ For all that her anxiousness is apparent, she isn't overcome by it, and her focus is still more than alert enough to catch his reactions. Her chin tucks slightly at the laugh, not quite self-conscious; it didn't sound as though he meant anything by it, after all. She's all big unsure blue eyes as she listens quietly to his verdict, but her expression softens noticeably thereafter, features brightening hopefully. ]

You really think so?

[ She likes that idea, that much is pretty clear - although for some reason she's quick to rein in her genuine smile, even if it does stick around at the corners of her mouth despite her best efforts. ]

That is, you'd know better than I would since you're his father, so... I should take your word for it. [ Lan Sizhui's always seemed pretty friendly to her, anyhow, and that reasoning checks out. She's just never quite gotten over feeling like she'll be the exception to any rule that works for the average person's better. A little wistfully, ] He must have a lot of friends already.

Mm - I'm not quite sure, actually. It's a bit complicated, pasts and futures and whatnot... Last I saw him back in our world, he was not even five years old. ( he doesn't seem especially troubled by this, happy enough with the opportunity he's had to know him better here. to know him at an age at which they can relate a bit better. ) I do know that he never seems to run out of room for them. For new people to care for, and to make sure they know it, too. I've never quite understood how he does it. Something he's picked up from Lan Zhan instead, I suppose. ( the ability to care so deeply and with such steadfastness, that is. lan zhan has never quite fussed with the concept of friends, one key exception aside. )

[ ‘Five years old…?’ she mouths without meaning to, quietly aghast. By now she’s heard a thing or two about the irregularities in the timeline between people who are from the same world, but a discrepancy that big is still quite a shock for a girl like her. Doing the math, ]

That’s such a long time, [ she observes, looking far more troubled about it than he is. ] Are you— really from that far in his past?

[ Because that’s what she’d assume first, but there’s room in her mind for the possibility that something else might have happened, and that’s actually the more concerning possibility. Except she seems to realize a beat later that it’s technically not any of her business and balks a little, shaking her head slightly. ]

… Not that you have to explain it to me.

[ Even if she’s curious. Still, the other subject holds enough interest for her that she lets the initial thought go in favor of saying, ]

But… your son does have a very big heart. That’s one of the first things I learned about him, and I don’t think I’ll forget it.

[ It continues to be proven, after all. It’s not hard to tell that she admires that trait, either, as warmly as she acknowledges it. ]

People like that are a little bit hard to understand sometimes. It’s almost like— they aren’t afraid of anything, even when they should be. [ When it comes to caring for others, that is, although bravery certainly seems to go hand in hand with it in her experience. Realizing she’s gotten distracted by the comparison she’s mentally making with one other specific individual, she falters, eyes darting away and back once before she speaks up again with a soft, ‘um.’ ]

Although-- I don’t think I recognize that name. That’s… [ Clearly there’s a relationship there as well, even if she hasn’t heard about this individual from Sizhui. ] … Someone else from your world?

( it's alright for her to have questions. if their places were reversed, he'd have double as many as she does - or at least double as many as she's dared to ask after, however many she chooses instead to keep to herself.

oh, but - 'it’s almost like— they aren’t afraid of anything, even when they should be.' his head tilts just slightly at that, his expression a muted, inscrutable mix of surprised, intrigued, and impressed. because he is all of those things - he hadn't expected that specific sentiment to come out of her mouth. it's shrewd, not quite cynical but close enough for wei wuxian's tastes. it's a sentiment he's shared entirely too many times, even as he too seems outwardly to find person after person to care for. it's different, his way of caring, even if he can't quite put his finger on precisely how.

not that he addresses as much aloud, of course. he has a question to answer, about the time difference and whatnot, and now another as she asks about lan zhan. ) Lan Wangji, ( he corrects himself, because otherwise others will end up calling lan zhan 'lan zhan' and that won't do. wei ying himself only barely managed to bully his way into it, and that was when lan zhan was half his current age and quite a bit less objectively intimidating. ) Lan Wangji, Lan Sizhui - that's the sect name, 'Lan'. You might've met Lan Jingyi too, he's running around here somewhere. Lan Wangji's brother leads the sect, and the younger two are junior disciples. I'm not sure how much any of that means to you, different worlds and whatnot. I'm sure Sizhui would gladly explain it a bit better. ( is he foisting off the banal technicalities on his friendly son? absolutely. will sizhui be upset about it? not a chance.

he's also lapsing back into 'lan zhan' now (forgive him, it's reflex), ) Anyway, Lan Zhan is- well, who am I to say what the two of them call it, but he raised Sizhui for quite a bit longer than I did. Eleven-? Twelve years? He's to blame for all the manners, I taught the boy precisely none of those, and the prevailing overcompetence is a Lan Zhan thing as well. Or perhaps it's just a Lan thing. I haven't paid enough attention to the others to hazard a guess.

[ Although she’s not quite certain what to make of his expression, there’s a sort of recognition in her own despite how quickly she glances away; she knows he’s thinking something, even if she doesn’t understand immediately what it is. When her gaze comes back to the screen, she regards him carefully for a moment. Though there’s no suspicion in her eyes, they do possess a distinct keenness as if she’s studying him very closely, almost curiously. He’s not the only one keeping thoughts to themselves, it seems.

Some of that eases out of her features in favor of a raise of her brows as Wei Wuxian corrects himself. For a brief second, she wonders if she heard the name wrong to begin with, but no – her memory serves her better than that. Which is a good thing, because the extra name and information that follow after seem to take her a short period to parse, lips slightly parted. Shaking her head, she murmurs an, ‘I haven’t,’ regarding meeting that third fellow. Her mouth presses into an uncertain little shape, her tone almost apologetic when she agrees thereafter, ] I’ll have to ask Sizhui about it. [ A beat; ] I’m… not sure I know what a sect is.

[ Other than a valid cause for people sharing the same last name, apparently. Since she doesn’t happen to be possessed of one of those in the first place, Naminé feels woefully unqualified to determine for herself what such a title ought to mean about the relationship between said individuals.

And she’s not confident in her ability to appraise the other matter, either – although her mouth does open once and then shut again before she can ask why that fellow is Lan Zhan again instead of Lan Wangji, if those really are the same person. Quietly, Naminé takes both names and places them in the ‘Sizhui’s Other Father(?)’ spot she’s already marked out in the back of her mind. Still struggling to figure out where to place any of the rest of this information, Naminé scrunches her face without realizing she’s doing it as her mind tries to sort through the delicate web of connections she’s already mapping out. ]

So if Lan… Wangji, [ she tries, although it feels like she might be taking too shaky a guess, ] … is the one who looked after him for all that time, then… did he take over for you after you and Sizhui were separated? [ That’s what the numbers seem to be suggesting, anyway. ] Or – did you know him before all of that happened?

( the tentative 'lan wangji' gets an encouraging hum and nod - yes, that is indeed the man - and the question that follows, well. it's a bit complicated, but it's also in many ways less complicated than much of the rest of this, so there's that. ) Aha, did I know him, ( he echoes, amused and perhaps a bit more fond than he quite realizes. but where to begin?

he shifts in place (the camera wobbles a bit, aiming briefly at the ceiling) so as to sit a bit more comfortably crosslegged, and - ) So Lan sect - and for this, just think of a sect as... hm, as a group of people who teach and learn the same manner of fighting and such, then go about the land killing monsters and protecting villages and whatnot, Sizhui can explain the rest. Anyway, so Lan sect, they hold these lectures each year that teach people discipline and all sorts of other terribly boring things. But Lan Qiren - that's their grandmaster - he wasn't terribly fond of me, I got punished quite a bit, lots and lots of copying down their rules. And who did he choose to oversee said punishment? None other than Lan Wangji.

Now, mind you: He didn't like me one bit, either. At least not at first, I suppose he figured out how to tolerate me eventually, once we got roped into- well, that's a lot to explain, so I'll just say 'a bit of a journey' together. This was about five years ago now, maybe six? Though I suppose for him it's that five-or-six plus sixteen or so more, he's from the future just like Sizhui is.

( the rest after that 'bit of a journey' is somewhat more complicated, so he'll skip ahead to the prior question. ) I'm not entirely sure how it is that he and Sizhui found one another. I suppose he might've come looking for me and found the boy instead. ( whether lan zhan came looking for wei ying in some futile hope that he'd survived the fall or he'd simply come looking for some echo of his presence, wei ying neither knows nor sees any real point in guessing. it's the past, or the future, or whatever such a thing can be in a place like this where time is so variable. )

[ Funny, how he answers the question just by the way he repeats it. Naminé’s lips tug subtly up at the corners, an understanding dawning on her features that she’s quick to tamp down. Better to let him explain, she thinks, before she goes and assumes anything.

The brief instability of the camera leaves her blinking a few times when it steadies, the very slightest concern that was starting to knit her brow disappearing quickly as she realizes what’s gone on. Unconsciously, the girl sits back just a little more comfortably in her chair; clearly they’re settling in for a substantial explanation. His initial suggestion gets him a tiny nod from her, her demeanor attentive even as she comes to the realization that these ‘sects’ sound more familiar than she anticipated. There’s no room to dwell on that, however, because the rest of his story is…

Well, maybe she should feel bad for him that he had such a tough time with the Lan clan. On a certain level she does, but—somehow it’s hard to focus on that part when he sounds so unrepentant about it. Amusement she doesn’t expect bubble up in her chest; she curls a hand against her mouth, yet by the end her mouth is pulling up at either side of it again. ]

That’s a long time to know each other, [ she muses at last, letting her arm fall. And Wei Ying says tolerate but her intuition translates it a bit differently, considering that this companion of his came looking for him all those years ago. Thus, her gentle accusation: ] You must be pretty good friends by now.

[ They’ve got parenting Sizhui in common at the very least, and that’s reason enough to get along, she supposes. Regardless of whether or not that turns out to be the case, her curiosity’s gotten the better of her; ]

But— what did you do that upset him and the grandmaster so much in the beginning? [ A beat; Sizhui might have prepared her for this, or maybe it’s just the secondhand memories of what school can be like. In the end her supposition is, ] Did you make too many jokes during class…?

( meanwhile, each half-hidden cue which passes over her expression (each little smile, hint of humor, slightest nod) seems to toss a hearty bit of kindling onto the fire which warms his tale, his own smile flickering broader or voice going slightly more animated for a few moments in response.

then, 'you must be pretty good friends by now,' and wei ying's brow furrows a bit. ) Mm, I suppose we are, aren't we? ( this observation seems to amuse him a little, though he doesn't elaborate any further. one can likely assume that It's Complicated. as for the rest, ) Ah, well. You see, the Lan Sect - they're quite opinionated on such topics as good and evil, and old Lan Qiren hasn't the foggiest understanding of nuance. Nothing's simply black and white, you see, everything is some shade of grey between the two. But the lightest-grey route isn't always the best route. Sometimes a darker shade solves the problem more efficiently without doing harm along the way.

Anyway, we argued quite a bit on that. ( but his smile broadens to a grin, because - ) Oh, but there were jokes, too. I once stuck a silly drawing to his back, to be seen each time he turned around. And I think he caught me the time I pestered Lan Zhan with the paper-man. I suppose that one wasn't terribly subtle. ( it's a bit funny (in a melancholy sort of way) how distant all of this seems. most of it's only coming back to him as he tells it. )

[ A subtle tilt of her head indicates Naminé's recognition of his lack of elaboration. Well, at least he's acknowledged the observation as correct; she doubts that's all there is to say on the matter, but hardly feels it's her place to ask. Curious though she is, prying too deeply into his business would be rather rude, wouldn't it? His friendships are his own, after all, and if they're going well, then that's so much the better.

'Oh?' she hums, at first trying to match up this notion of morality with the only Lan she personally knows. He's certainly seemed quite upright from the beginning, so it doesn't take much of a stretch to imagine him in that category. Which means she'd have a lot to answer for, wouldn't it, if certain aspects of her past were to come up?

But somehow she's not quite prepared to hear the notion of shades of grey mentioned in such a timely fashion and straightens with a blink. Such words suggest a willingness to venture into dangerous territory - or so she's sure someone less in touch with necessity than she is might say. For Naminé's part, although her expression sobers to the point where her face almost reaches a frown, she can't disagree with Wei Wuxian. (Whether or not that should comfort her she isn't sure. Her mind drifts back to what she learned from Wen Ning; it's a bit easier now to picture how a situation like that could have come about.) ]

I can see how that might have made things complicated, [ she offers a beat late. Despite her pause, the sympathy hasn't faded from her voice. ] It can be hard for people to accept what really has to be done in order to reach the best outcome.

[ That whole business is awfully serious, though, and Naminé finds she doesn't wish to linger on it. Her good humor has waned slightly, but his grinning buoys it up just a little even before the recounting of his pranks properly brightens her features again. ]

You really do like to cause trouble...! [ It's silly, but she feels oddly impressed by such audacity; her awed verdict is mingled with a laugh. She's actually a little jealous she didn't get to see it-- ] No wonder he didn't like you. I don't think I'd be brave enough in a million years to try that.

[ Which makes her even more curious, truthfully. ]

You could have stayed quiet, couldn't you? [ His mindset seems so far from her own; she learned a long time ago to keep her head down and draw as little attention to herself as possible. ] So... why didn't you? Even if he was still upset, at least he would have had fewer excuses to punish you.

( for all that it's worth, lan sizhui is hardly the inquisitor of morality. he takes after wei wuxian just a little too much for that, never quite took on the moralizing one might expect from a lan. or perhaps he just hasn't yet grown into it? but then again, lan zhan was awful about it, even at sizhui's age. it was quite a large part of why wei wuxian pestered him so terribly in the first place, he seemed like the simplest beehive to jostle apart from the grandmaster himself.

(for all that it's worth, understanding necessity is something he thinks one should be comforted by. too many people have seen their lives ruined, seen their lives ended even, because of such black-and-white inflexibility backing them into a corner.)

'you really do like to cause trouble...!' the quiet exclamation renews his grin just a little, though it goes vaguely sheepish for a moment. it's true, he really does - at least the benign sort. beyond that, it's entirely circumstantial. some cases call for less benign trouble, cases which would only bring harm to those who already bring harm to others. but that's also not quite the same thing as the trouble he started in the cloud recesses that summer, the sort she seems just the slightest bit impressed by.

as for the last couple of questions, his brow knits, nose scrunching a little as though she's offered him some sort of vaguely unpleasant food. ) Why should I? ( it's unfair to answer a question with a question, he knows, so: ) How would anything ever get figured out in the world if everyone just kept their mouths shut and listened to whichever old man was reading off doctrine that day? Laws and morals and such, they're all created by man. Even the righteous Lan sect rules were written by man - and don't get me wrong, I'm sure he was a perfectly fine man, but does he truly get to hold such power that even after his death, everything but the path he wrote down is just-, automatically corrupt? ( a shake of his head. ) I just couldn't sit with that. I wasn't afraid of punishment, anyway. I was far more used to punishment than Grandmaster Lan was to reasonable debate.

[ Although it is hard to picture getting a scolding from Sizhui, the discomfort she feels about the idea of discussing her failings has a different source. Naminé would rather not disappoint one of the few people she's been allowed to call a friend in her life, regardless of how openly they might or might not express that unhappiness. Part of her feels oddly guilty not to confess her sins to everyone she meets, as if she's wronging them somehow by not admitting to what kind of person she is - or that she isn't a person at all, for that matter. (Fortunately, that sensation is usually easy enough to drown out when she isn't given cause to think about it. There are too many other matters to worry over in a place like this.)

Conscious as she is of his reaction, Naminé holds her tongue throughout his response, looking at first tentative and then sort of - troubled. Used to punishment, is he? Somehow that isn't surprising, even if it does bother her. ]

I won't say that you're wrong. [ Nor does she wish she could, for that matter; she shakes her head with her, ] I don't think that you are. Blindly following a leader because they say they know best isn't a good idea even when they really do mean well.

[ And when they don't, then you have situations like the Organization. Yet she can't help thinking of Master Eraqus, too, from what she could piece together of those memories buried underneath Sora's. Following the path of Light is all well and good, but... ]

Still-- you didn't have to be the one to stand up to him. You weren't even a part of the same sect.

[ That's what she's gathering here, anyhow. It sounds either brave or foolish - although to hear him tell it, it seems more like the former. The notion of such action itself, however, is admirable and worrisome in equal measure. ]

Ah, Naminé! [of course, she gets an equally delighted expression and a brief wave in return. while he would've accepted a text or even a voice message too, sizhui's happy she decided to go for the video, as seeing her kind face always warms his heart a whole lot.]

Thank you very much. To be fair, this is my third time trying after burning the bottoms of one batch and undercooking another... but these turned out really well!

[at her sheepishness, he can't help smiling somewhat wider, both hands clasping together then settling in his lap, waiting patiently as she considers what else needs saying. when she manages, a soft laugh of amusement passes his lips and he lifts his shoulders in the faintest shrug.] Well, I was going to say you could simply say it to him here, but it seems he's come to greet you himself.

I'm sure he wouldn't mind hearing it directly instead.

[ As it tends to, his gladness encourages hers. The hint of a smile clings to her mouth even after she expresses, ]

It's good to see you again.

[ Taking in a commiserative little breath at his confession of what happened to the previous two attempts, she tucks her chin. But his cheer makes it so much easier not to think on the negative, so there's gentle humor in her, ]

Maybe it's true what they say - that the third time is the charm?

[ And it's about then that she realizes that there is another message, and her reaction is one of obvious surprise. Flustered despite how she tries to rein it in, she gives a soft oh that's followed by her pressing her lips flat together, eyes round. ]

That's him...? [ Obviously. Who else would take such an interest? The poor girl looks quite self-conscious all of a sudden, although her expressions lean toward subtle. She seems to spend a couple of seconds in shy indecision, then, ] Of course, I'll say hello. But-- what else should I...?

[ Help Sizhui, she's never had to meet someone's dad before! ]

The same to you, my friend! [he's always so, so delighted to see her bright and shining face; it's no wonder he can't help grinning wider when she smiles, too.

sizhui tilts his head at that, hmmming thoughtfully then nodding in agreement.]

You're right, they do say that, don't they? And the third time was when they turned out the best, after all.

[her reaction to the other message has him chuckling softly, one hand lifting to muffle it against his palm before he straightens, gives another acknowledging bob of the head.] Yes, it is. [sizhui's hand lowers from his face, resting across his chest while he considers what she could say, what might be appropriate besides a simple ‘hello,’ although her shyness is already so endearing. surely wei wuxian would realize this and go easy on her, right?

ah, but he is somewhat of a trickster! hmmm.] Say whatever you feel is appropriate? He's... energetic and fun, perhaps a bit mischievous at times, but I assure you, he is a wonderfully kind, caring and just man.

[ -- Ah. There's that word, the one that makes her perk, features unconsciously softening. And here she's just told his father she's not sure she's allowed to call herself his friend... Her heart skips a happy beat, because that privilege has - for her - long been a rare one. ]

Exactly, [ she responds, voice tangled together with a laugh that she can't quite keep down. More successful at swallowing the rest of it well enough to speak properly, ] I've never believed in that rule, but I guess it might be right sometimes.

[ And so's a broken clock twice a day. In any case, she's got bigger fish to fry than the validity of old sayings, and takes to listening quite carefully to Sizhui's answer. Judging by her expression, her nerves haven't quite been steadied; what should she feel is appropriate, for goodness's sake? Her worries aside, she musters a shake of her head at his reassurance, because -- ]

I'm not afraid that he'll be a bad person. He's your father, after all. [ Considering what kind of guy Sizhui is, it's hard for her to imagine him being parented by an outright jerk - although Naminé's not so naieve as to believe that's entirely impossible. ] That might not always mean anything, but... if that's what you have to say about him, then I believe you. It's just--

[ Actually, hold on. ]

-- Wait. What do you mean by 'mischievous'?

[it's honestly part of the reason why he said so; naminé has been nothing but kind to him and he's done his best to do the same in return, so he'd hope they could be friends. if he's wrong, she has every right to correct him, but considering her reaction to such a simple reassurance, sizhui's certain she doesn't mind all that much.]

If there were ever a moment where it was proper, it would be now, I suppose. [perhaps it cannot be applied to all things, though baking and getting it right on the third try is appropriately fitting.

alright, well, she's got a point: with how polite sizhui is, it shouldn't be surprising that his parent(s) would be just as well-mannered, but. but it's a little different when it comes to wei wuxian. he certainly is, there's no denying it, yet he also has a playful side that's not the worst thing to warn people about in case they don't take kindly to being teased or picked on or any other sort of similar thing. naminé, however, seems like she would handle it okay since they'd gently teased each other at the grocery store some time back.

at least she knows that isn't always the case, though.] No, you're right, but I promise what I am saying is true.

[following the question, there's a moment's hesitation on sizhui's end as well before he bites his cheek in thought and,] Well... it's exactly like it sounds? He playfully and fondly likes to cause trouble every now and then.

[ Indeed, she seems to be in a substantially better mood after his use of the term. Although the outward change is subtle, it's significant in a girl like her; even her preoccupation about how to converse with his father doesn't cover it over entirely. ]

I'm sure it is. [ She's quick to provide some encouragement of her own when he swears to the honesty of his word. Trustworthy individuals have been hard to come by in her life it's true, but she hasn't any reason to doubt Sizhui - not his intent, anyway, and she has yet to see proof that she oughtn't listen to his judgement in the matter. ] I'll probably say the same thing once I've spoken to him properly.

[ But that doesn't mean she'll ignore Sizhui's hesitation. Head tilting, she examines his expression before angling her face downward slightly with a curious blink at his response. His pause noted, she placates, ]

Oh... I think I know what that's like. [ There've been no shortage of playful troublemakers in her secondhand memories - but in case she needs to be prepared, ] Can you give me an example?

[being fair, it also helps that lan sizhui is quite an observant boy. even when people think he won't notice, he does, and perhaps those are actually the times he realizes the most. seeing her mood shift is huge, but the only acknowledgment he gives is the slightest widening of his smile.]

Mm! [an affirming noise is what he offers, given both of them have decided he's telling the truth. lying isn't something he's allowed to do anyhow, but alongside his clan rules, he's never understood why one would want to struggle with maintaining a lie whenever giving the truth is so much easier (no matter how much it may hurt sometimes). but maybe that's why some people do lie? he's unsure, just knows he prefers being told the truth, so he'll give the same as he gets.

as for her question, he'll offer an answer once he considers what exactly it is he can tell.]

An example? Hmmm. [well, there's certainly one thing he can remember.] When I was younger, he used to bury me in the dirt with radishes, saying I'd grow taller with water and sunlight when all it would really do is just get my clothes all dirty.

[ Sizhui has never seemed to her like the lying type; his earnestness reminds her of Sora, whose heart she knows best and trusts implicitly. They may not be the same person, but she learned from her past the indicators of a genuinely well-meaning individual, and it works in Sizhui's favor. (The fact that she's also quite familiar with liars and sweet-talking scoundrels only adds to that surety.) Truthfully, she's always had a distaste for misleading others, herself, even when it seemed to be a matter of unfortunate necessity.

Patient, she awaits the example, only for her brows to raise when it comes. A faintly bewildered laugh rises briefly in her throat, her head tilting; she seems to be struggling to decide whether or not she should find it funny. ]

That's such a strange joke to make. [ And yet it seems - sweet, almost, and despite herself the corners of her mouth rise. ] Why would he tell you something like that?

I saw Hanguang-jun had arrived not long ago.

Is it his birthday you speak of?

[He's a little behind on the dads thing. Forgive him.]

[honestly, how could he not? song lan is too good a man to not pardon.]

Ah, Daozhang Song Lan!

No, it... it's a little complicated, but Wei Wuxian is who I mean.

[You really think too highly of him, Sizhui ;-;]

ah not what I expected
I did not realize Master Wei had any children much less any who would be accepted into the well respected Lan sect

[But with his connection to Lan Wangji... maybe it wasn't so odd a revelation.]

I mean no insult
Master Wei and Hanguang-jun both have my immense gratitude

[daozhangs deserve the highest praise! aside from hanguang-jun, that is.]

No harm done, daozhang. It's somewhat of a long story, one I'd prefer talking about in person rather than over such a publicized network, but I will tell you sometime if you like.

[‘connection,’ while a smaller way of putting it, is not wrong whatsoever. however, it's not exactly sizhui's place to say so. (not here, at least.)]

Though I can say, we both owe them a lot of gratitude for many, many reasons.

certainly
this network is a blessing and curse all in one
in person would be best

[Without Wuxian and Wangji's intervention he'd still be a mindless puppet. Forever trapped insude his head at the bidding of Xue Yang.]

the cakes you made look very nice
I hope master wei enjoyed them

Am I safe in assuming you mean later or would you rather I come tell you now? Either way, I do not mind, I'm sure the little cakes will be safe until I return.

It really is, yes. Convenient for some things, not so much others.

[it is good because nobody should be at the mercy of xue yang. (also: these fools and their not understanding private messages, good gods!)]

Thank you, I hope he does, too. If you like, I could bring some for you whenever I stop by?

whenever would be best for you
there's no rush

[Oh. Right.]

a few of the cakes would be kind of you but are not a must
and I believe you met him already but xiao xingchen is here as well he is staying in the same cabin as I

You are right, we have nothing but time.

[of course, he has to bring cupcakes for daozhang xingchen, too!]

Do not worry, there are plenty to go around, so I'll bring some for both of you. And yes, I have met him already. He helped me when I was, ah, having trouble in the hospital.

Unfortunate as it is, I'm glad that you are both here together.

he did mention a young lan disciple
I had an inkling it may be you

[Even though there was also Lan Jingyi, who is not Lan Jinyi, but IS Lan Jinyi.]

thank you
as am I

[There is a whole lot not said here, but he doesn't want to get into such things over the network. Not when he still hasn't explained so much to Xingchen. Everything has been vague truths for now.]

Well, if it wasn't me, then it surely must have been Lan Jingyi! He's the only other disciple here aside from myself.

Though it would make sense to assume it was me, seeing as we have met and all.

[sizhui won't pry, obviously, especially when it isn't his place to do so, whether to find out more information himself or for xingchen. they're the daozhangs! if anyone can discuss their problems, he'd imagine it's them.]

You're welcome. As soon as I've finished cleaning up here, I will come by yours and Daozhang Xingchen's cabin.

till then lan sizhui

❰ damn, the student has surpassed the master. it's enough that jiang yanli is brave enough to turn on her video camera, and so her nephew can see the wonderment in her eyes as she peers at his confections. ❱

Lan-gongzi, those are quite delicious looking. I've never seen a snack like this...a small cake, of course, but not something so decadent. It's quite a neat recipe you've learned!

[wow, that's giving him a lot of credit here!!! sizhui wouldn't agree, would even protest that surely, yanli can do better! but he is absolutely thrilled to see the excitement in her eyes and can't help the wide grin coming across his face.]

Thank you very much, Jiang-guniang! [will they ever stop addressing each other so politely? it is a mystery. (eventually, hopefully.)] They taste as decadent as they look, I assure you, and I do hope you'll come take some, too! If you like, I'll even share the recipe when you do.

@lan.sizhui → video; (backdated to nov 1st, afternoon)

this is action btw

action it is, then!

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@wei.wuxian, video

hi dad.....

honestly just pretend all of my tags have a 'drop this if it's too late' clause

i gotchu but i'm still here for it tbh

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@nobodyspecial | VIDEO

@wei.wuxian

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ignore this if it's too late, i'm just finally out of hell

what is this 'too late' you speak of, I'm pretty sure that's not a thing

wei ying has successfully diverted discussion away from his birthday entirely by accident

he accidentally chose the best distraction topic for her: ~*~*~friendship~*~*~

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text - un: song.zichen

text;

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@jiangyanli

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he accidentally chose the best distraction topic for her: ~~~friendship~~~