September catch-all

[diabolique]

⌛ Who: Wei Wuxian, Wen Kexing, Ouyang, Henry Silver, Atheva Lavellan, AND YOU!
⌛ What: September catch-all
⌛ When: Throughout September
⌛ Where: various
⌛ Warnings: will be added to threads as needed

Wei Wuxian
+

Wen Kexing
+

General Ouyang
+

Henry Silver
+

Atheva Lavellan

Comments

[diabolique]

"Not just your clan," he amended. "Most clans." But that was in the past, he hoped. "I wasn't really advertising my presence here when more people from our world," or some variation of it, "started arriving. I don't want any trouble."

[taintedpeony]

“True enough. Well, you haven’t caused much trouble here and who am I to tell you what to do. Besides, I live with your brother and sister and I would rather not get on the bad side of a Yunmeng woman. I know better.”

He took a seat and ordered a Tonkatsu Ramen. “Would you like one?” May as well offer him some.

“Is it strange to have so many we know but from different times? The body you are in was fourteen when I last saw him. And there are so many here that are mad at me for actions I haven’t taken yet. I can understand the logic but it really does feel strange as well.”

[diabolique]

He chuckled at the comment about Yunmeng women. Wei Wuxian certainly had a lot of experience trying to cross them. How Yanli was so patient with him and their brother was beyond him.

"I don't know what happened," he admitted. "Someone else told me, but I haven't experienced it myself." He had suspicions since he found Chifeng-zun's head in Jin Guangyao's treasure room, but... as for all the rest? "I'm sure there were reasons."

How can he sit in judgment of anyone after all he'd done and been through? After all his usefulness wore off and only his power was left for others to covet? He can't claim to understand what Jin Guangyao did, but he's not sure at this point that he can condemn him, either.

"I'm sorry about lying to you. I didn't know how you'd feel knowing it's me." He paused and shook his head at the invitation to more noodles. He had his own, after all. "I'm sorry about Mo Xuanyu, too."

[taintedpeony]

Jiang Yanli he found was a pinnacle of patience. He hoped his dumb brother knew how much he had struck gold with her. She really was too good for any of them in his opinion. She was like the river, deep and calm but unyielding in her own way.

“I’m certain there were. He had a rough childhood and a hard time in Jinlintai. It isn’t necessarily a kind place for bastards. I am sad he suffered so much. I’ll add him to my alter and burn money for him. Poor child.” He took the noodles when it came, pouring some Laoganma into it. He stirred it in thoughtfully.

“I know it probably doesn’t mean much after everything you went through, but I am sorry for my part in all of it. Your death, I mean. I can understand why you lied. I would too if it were me.

I… I had to do plenty of terrible things in the war. And If I am being honest, I suspect my father only wanted me for what I was able to do for Wen Ruohan. So I can do it for him. He coveted your power. People like us, those that do not fit perfectly into the gentry. We are useful tools. Only to be used when needed and cast away when not useful. I suspect I may eventually have a similar fate to you.” He didn’t know for certain but there were clues in how some people talked to him. He could see it happening easily.

“But this is better, right? We can be happy in a place like this without anyone bringing up our blood. I think I am happier these days.”

[diabolique]

"Mm," he agreed with a quick nod. "I think... Things can be different here." So far it has been for him. No one's after his hide. No one's randomly stabbing him (thanks Jin Ling). No one's berating him for his cultivation techniques or trying to take the things he's made for their own use.

"I think we were all somebody's pawn back then. At some point."

Other than discussing matters with Lan Wangji, this is probably one of the most serious conversations Wei Wuxian's had since arriving in Nippon well over a year ago.

"Uh, how are things with you and Chifeng-zun?"

[taintedpeony]

"It's the way of that world sadly. Specific power structures have to be held for whatever reason. Usually, the cultivation world does not want to do things beyond their own gain. But I think that is a conversation for another time." he chuckled softly.

"I am glad things are better for you here as well. I heard that you and Wangji are finally working things out." He leaned over to take a sip from his tea before answering.

"Hm. I suppose everyone knows about that. We have been working on our relationship with one another since I arrived here. We broke a lot of trust between us before. Er-ge and Wangji have also been kind enough to heal my body from my descent down the stairs. But I want to say that talking to him now is more like how it used to be before everything happened." he blushed deeply looking away to the side, the bioluminescent scales on his face taking on a pink hue.

"I may be cautiously in a relationship with him and Er-ge." he stated quietly. Though he for once felt compelled to share more. To try and articulate his feelings in a way he hasn't been able to share with many.

"I love them both a lot but, I still think it is safer for me to live with your siblings. Not that I don't trust them, but I just...I have a lot of things I need to work out on my own. Rebuilding trust and safety for myself. Jiang Yanli feels safe in a way that we can both help one another. And I've worked with Wanyin on taking care of our mutual nephew long enough to know him well as well. They feel like family in an odd sense. But I do wonder if I'm afraid. That people as mighty and righteous as Zewu-jun and Chifeng-zun can actually love someone like me."

[diabolique]

The candor about his relationships surprised Wei Wuxian. But it also disarmed him. He seemed sincere in his wish to repair the damages and, honestly, if Zewu-jun and Chifeng-zun were willing to forgive him... Why shouldn't Wei Wuxian?

"I understand that. I thought Lan Zhan hated me for so long... " He looked into his bowl of dan dan and sighed. "For what it's worth, I think... People like them know their hearts better than people like us."

[taintedpeony]

"I am happy that you two found one another. I believe he's loved you for a long time." he smiled softly. Lan Xichen had told him but honestly, anyone could see his feeling for the man. Was it the same for him? Could others see the love his sworn brothers held for him but he was too damaged to really be able to accept it easily?

"However I understand the feeling. It is hard sometimes to live up to the expectations that you feel people have for you. That we believe the things people say about us rather than what our loved ones know about us."

He set some of his noodles, smiling softly.

"You realize though. This makes you my brother-in-law. Plus your body is still related to me. I think I'll retain the right to continue to spoil you if I may."

[diabolique]

Everyone knew it except Captain Oblivious here. Someday someone should tell him what happened in that cave before he died since he was in BSOD mode. He'd be terribly embarrassed that it took him so long to realize that Wangji didn't hate his guts.

And yes, others could easily see Jin Guangyao's affection. Even if he didn't wear it plainly on his face, there was a way his eyes grew warmer and softer even just talking about his sworn brothers. It's cute, really.

Wei Wuxian chuckled quietly and slurped up another mouthful of noodles before replying. "Well... I guess I can't say no to having more family here."