OOM: The Last Day of Their Lives So Far, or The First Day of The Rest of Their Lives

[hat_and_dimples]

It had been such a good idea from the Lans to invite the Yiling Laozu.

Yes, really; Jin Guangyao could say so, sincerely, from the bottom of his heart. This would be a chance, an opening, like none other. His father had been less than enthusiastic, at first, and needed reminding that a peaceful, well-fed, slightly soused and be-nephewed Yiling Laozu would be all the more willing to give up that infernal Tiger Seal to simply keep getting more of this.

Layers upon layers upon layers...

Even Jin-furen had mellowed these last few weeks; however much she hated the circumstances of her life, she loved her daughter-in-law and her little grandson, and hadn't hit Jin Guangyao even once since the baby was born. And Jin Zixuan, by now, even seemed to like having an actual, official brother.

He was walking past the new lotus ponds, his arms full of peonies for the banquet hall (some things you had to do yourself, if only to make the hired help feel guilty and hop to it faster when it finally counted) when he saw two blue-and-white apparitions walking towards him.

And of these, one was even the right Jade of Gusu, the one Jin Guangyao wanted to see. Not like that strange place, where only ever the wrong one would turn up...

Thinking of which, they still had a topic to pick up, and to determine if that was the right wrong Jade.

So, Jin Guangyao drifts towards them, peonies still in his arm, a genuinely pleased smile dimpling his cheeks and warming his eyes.

Comments

[reachforblueskies]

Lan Xichen bows elegantly, Shuoyue clasped in hand, his expression warm and welcoming. He has truly enjoyed watching Jin Guangyao start to thrive here, despite an understandably tense relationship with the clan leader.

"Jin Guangyao, I trust your preparations are going well?"

[thesecondjade]

Lan Zhan echoes the bow, perfunctory and without much feeling. He says nothing, looks for nothing. He just wants to have this done with this.

(He will be kind to Jiang Yanli, but that's the extent of this. He's here because of politics and his brother's request. He knows this is to keep him busy, unable to dwell on his darker thoughts while cooped up in the library.)

[hat_and_dimples]

"Er-ge," Jin Guangyao says, bowing with his peonies, making use of the familiarity afforded to him by their sworn brotherhood, but nothing more. "And Hanguang-jun. It is good to see you both. Preparations are almost done, so I can afford to bring a load of flowers myself, rather than order our people from the midst of chaos."

[reachforblueskies]

Lan Xichen is hoping, however in vain it might be, that Wei Wuxian will see all that he has left behind here and turn back from the destructive path he has set himself on. Perhaps then his brother's mood will improve, and he can stop worrying about the both of them. At least he knows the event will be of highest quality.

"Your selection is lovely - shall we accompany you on your way? We did not mean to interrupt." He offers, solicitously.

[thesecondjade]

Unspeaking, Lan Zhan just follows his brother's lead. There's no need for his scant words here, so he keeps them to himself.

[hat_and_dimples]

"You are not interrupting," Jin Guangyao says with a soft chuckle. "You know you never are, Er-ge! We will drop these off, and then I will find us some tea and breakfast. We still have a day or two before all of the cultivation world descends upon us" -- including the infernal Yiling Laozu -- "so we can relax a little, without the need of being so formal. "Joyous travel, restful hearth," as the saying goes."

A very specific saying that the younger Jade should recognise as his own four character statement from their last conversation in that strange place.

Turning on the familiar path as he walks, Jin Guangyao casually smiles at both the brothers, favouring the elder, of course.

[reachforblueskies]

A Lan to his core, Lan Xichen is not effusive with his thanks, but the warmth of his smile makes his emotions clear. He glides alongside Jin Guangyao gracefully, with greeting nods for those they pass, and soft murmurs of appreciation for the new decorations for the event.

"And the child is well, I assume?"

[thesecondjade]

There is only the briefest moment of laser focus directed at Jin Guangyao; blink and one will miss it on his unreadable face. But it was there, for a split second.

He never makes a sound and beyond that ripple of expression that fades into nothingness as those words sink into him like a pebble, Lan Zhan realizes what he's doing. Verifying that they are both traveling to Milliways, and that they are both from the same version of the world.

Which means he knows full well that Lan Zhan is the one channeling silver from the Cloud Recesses coffers to the Wen, but that this Lan Xichen... likely does not.

It is both a threat and an acknowledgement. So he bites his tongue and behaves himself.

[hat_and_dimples]

"The child is very well, as far as I can tell," Jin Guangyao says blithely. No, he hasn't been allowed to hold the baby yet. "Everybody is very happy about little Jin Ling. He does have an enormous amount of uncles, so there is something of a queue."

One peony drops from his large bundle, and he bends to pick it up again.

[reachforblueskies]

"I am sure the parents are glad to have such a wealth of defenders and guides for their little one." Lan Xichen notes - while he cannot fault the upbringing Lan Qiren managed for the pair of them, he an only imagine how much easier it would have been with a larger family.

[thesecondjade]

Lan Zhan wants to shout or cry out or throw something. This is not unusual, when he's forced into a social situation that he loathes, or has to hold only to himself for a time. The feeling, hwoever, is exceptionally strong here. He has no friends in the Jinlintai, the Jin are directly responsible for the 'birth' of the Yiling Laozu, and to be honest...

...he could give two fucks less about Jin Ling beyond that he is Wei Wuxian's nephew. The knowledge that they've invited Wei Wuxian is literally the only reason that he agreed to come.

In the meant time, they have to make small talk. Lan Xichen can do it all he likes, but Lan Zhan just wants to escape. Go see the Lotus Pond of Matrimonial Love, or-- whatever else they're calling it today. He will smile at Jiang Yanli, if it helps things, but he doesn't want to be here.

So he simply seethes in his quiet, a self-contained storm of irritation and uncomfortable energy.

[hat_and_dimples]

"I am sure the parents are glad, when they get a moment to hear themselves think," Jin Guangyao says, picking up his dropped peony and dropping more in the process.

He smiles up at both of them and adds, "My brother sometimes seems positively harried. Perhaps you two could play for them while you are here, to give them some calm and joy with your music."

No, Hanguang-jun, this isn't smalltalk. It's clandestine conversation. You should learn the difference.

[reachforblueskies]

"We would be happy to assist." Lan Xichen assures Jin Guangyao as he couches to help gather the fallen peonies with careful hands. Yes, he knows 'happy' would not be the correct descriptor for his brother, but he's sure it's one Lan Wangji can at least pretend at while they are here. It is meant to be a happy occasion, after all.

[thesecondjade]

"Yes," Lan Zhan follows his brother's lead. His voice is as flat and neutral as ever, but he says what needs to be said. "Music for a joyous occasion."

[hat_and_dimples]

"Oh, thank you, sorry for my clumsiness," Jin Guangyao says as he takes the peonies from Lan Xichen and smiles into his eyes. "And Hanguang-jun, I seem to remember that your music can be surprisingly joyous; I am sure they will take much pleasure in it."

He briefly looks over his shoulder at Lan Wangji (still the wrong Jade) who seems to be rather unable to do subtlety.

[reachforblueskies]

Jin Guangyao earns a look of mild reproach for this - while he knows his brother is being (probably deliberately) overly taciturn, there's no need to goad him.

"Hanguang-Jun is exceptionally talented." He points out, firmly. This does not fall under 'excessive praise' - this is just the right amount of praise, given where needed.

[thesecondjade]

Lan Zhan does not emote much; he remains placidly calm in the face of Jin Guangyao's prodding, but inside he quietly seethes as he always does. e

"Perhaps Lady Jiang would enjoy hearing a new composition," Lan Zhan finally offers, looking to his brother. He's going to have to give somewhere, so this may have to be it. "Lan-xiongzhang not heard it yet, though we spoke of it some weeks ago. It does not draw upon the scholarly applications, but it shows promise as a Cultivation piece. It does take some reference to the common music of river-song and sailing shanty, it may be familiar to her."

[hat_and_dimples]

"Oh, that sounds excellent," Jin Guangyao says, rising gracefully, his bunch of peonies complete again. He holds out his free hand, politely, to 'help' his Er-ge to his feet as well.

Finally! The Second Jade has caught on to exactly what he meant. That was a bit difficult. Well.-

"Young Madam Jin is from Yunmeng, by the river -- she will enjoy that especially."

He smiles brightly at both brothers.

[reachforblueskies]

"Ah, Wangji, I have only heard the half-finished concept - that would be acceptable." Lan Xichen smiles as he rises - he has hoped to hear his brother's new work in its entirety.

If only for the effect it must have on the player. His worries are multitude, Lan Wangji not least among them.

[thesecondjade]

Lan Zhan has not had the joy to play it in some time -- but there is a book hidden beneath the floorboards of the jingshi where no one else goes, and there are little promises of kindness.

He will see Wei Ying here, in the right place at the right time, in the right world. He'll prove to him he's here as Lan Zhan, here as his zhiji. Somehow, he'll do it. Even if Wei Ying never quite feels the same about him as Lan Zhan does for Wei Ying, then he can be happy, so long as his friend is near.

This sliver of hope, this tiny seed of joy can be cultivated, yes, and turned into the music that the new parent will need to lift their spirits and warm their hearts. Every note that came from Yunmeng will be a promise to them both: Wei Ying is coming back, and it will be alright in the end.

"It will be suitable to the occasion," is all he says, and leaves it at that.

[hat_and_dimples]

"It's a special occasion, and we can all rise to it," Jin Guangyao says.

Now he's where he wants to be with the younger Jade and will just add a little reassurance for all of them.

"I have a special drink to share, Er-ge, that came all the way from the western barbarians, from a country called, I think, France? At least that's what the man I had it from said. Made from some special fruit. But perhaps we should leave some for when Da-ge gets here. "

[reachforblueskies]

"Then let us deliver your peonies, so that we may sample this rare treat of yours." Lan Xichen suggests. "Will Nie Mingjue and his retinue should be joining us later today?"

[thesecondjade]

That brief ripple of expression runs over Lan Zhan again, disturbed by the pebble of France that Jin Guangyao has tossed into the mix, and the sprout of joy suddenly felt the frost of anxiety.

The last time a Jin offered a Lan liquor it went poorly.

[hat_and_dimples]

"Of course, I wouldn't make anybody share it," Jin Guangyao says, looking at Lan Wangji with a brief smile before turning most of his attention back to Lan Xichen, where he really wants it to be anyway. "I'm still very embarrassed about my cousin the last time," he adds in a low murmur, "I would really have expected more class from a Jin -- at least at that point."

Now, his voice is hardly louder than the water flowing through the nearby carp ponds.

"It was just crude. I would never do that to a guest, least of all my" -- "Er-ge, and his little brother. Rest assured. It's not enough to get Da-ge dangerously drunk when he arrives later today, either."

He smiles at both of them again (Lan Xichen a bit more, and rather more personally), then straightens his narrow, gold-bedecked back and leads the way.