consignation | eastbound inbox

You were not at Guanyin Temple. Not yet.

[ That's clear now. ]

I am sorry to reveal such a dark truth in this way.

You're speaking with the man who is known for nothing better than putting his own brother down like a dog, something Lan Wangji will not soon let me forget.

I will not hear your apologies and I will not accept your account of this. The only fault of yours I have ever counted is the immeasurable depth of your kindness.

[ A sad laugh breaks free, covered by a hand as he feels an intense gratitude for the fact this is written, not broadcast. Jiang Cheng, like everyone else, has too much faith in him. If they all mocked him for his foolishness it would be more understandable to bear, and perhaps the other sect leader will in the future.

Xichen had never known, secluded as he was before his arrival in this accursed realm. ]

Wangji does not hate you, he acts out of compassion for another.

In any case, [ Moving this topic away from himself as best he can, ] you do not think the boy 'Five' is trustworthy?

I would be beside myself with gratitude if Lan Wangji could make things as simple for us as to hate me.

[ whatever they have going on instead is worse. ]

Five is unstable at best. Volatile and prone to paranoid fits. Generally unpleasant to speak to. He's not a child and takes great offense to being treated like one.

I see. He told me he was one of Wangji's close friends but his charm fell short of what I have experienced from others who have insisted the same in the past.

[ Namely, the sweet earnestness of Wei Wuxian. Five lacked any such thing from their brief encounter, forceful in his proud status as Wangji's friend. Xichen is dubious, but he knows these people little. ]

Do you have trouble sleeping, given the White Woman's attention on you?

That doesn't surprise me. For all his flaws, Five is hardly unaccomplished and in my experience Lan Wangji prefers to suffer fools over the complacent.

[ there's a long pause before jiang cheng manages to answer the question. ]

...not at all. If anything, I've been sleeping better. I would similarly appreciate if this wasn't repeated anywhere, but.

This is the closest I've felt to home since before the war.

[ Privately, he rather thinks Wangji is keeping tabs on people and letting his stoic nature come off idly charming in and of itself. It wouldn't be the stupidest thing to do. After all, how can anyone tell what Xichen's little brother is thinking? ]

I will say nothing, of course.

I am glad to hear you do not suffer.
If that changes, know that the Ghost King, Hua Cheng, has contained the bathhouse within his territory, and it is harder for the White Woman to enter. If you require some respite, for whatever reason, you are welcome.

That's very kind. I imagine you will be taking refuge there?

I may visit, if that is the case. However, for me...

[ there is once again a very long pause. ]

...I think I shall miss it, once it's gone. I've been so homesick, but home isn't a place that exists anymore. Wei Wuxian is changed, moved past me, has moved on. Everyone else is gone. Pretending this last short while, being a pampered young man again, feeling that cutting disapproval, trying to chase it until it becomes warmth... I don't think I'll ever get this close to who I used to be again.

[ and who he used to be, in spite of it all, was happy. ]

There is nothing wrong in longing for the past, a home that was simpler and secure in a memory. I will not say that you should not take cold comfort in a ghost's effects.

I do, however, know that Yunmeng Jiang would not be as prosperous or strong as it is during my time, if it were not for a young man whose drive could not be stifled.
I have always approved of every Wanyin I have known.

Even the one who drank liquor after-hours in Cloud Recesses.

[ WELL THAT'S ONE WAY TO PUT A STOP TO JIANG CHENG'S ANGST RIDDLED REMINISCING. he finds himself immediately flushing from head to toe that 1) xichen knows about that, but of course xichen knows about that 2) xichen knows and remembers about that all these years later 3) xichen knows and remembers and for some fathomless reason approves??? only because xichen is the kindest most generous person in the universe, clearly. ]

It wasn't my idea.

[ A nicer topic than how many ghosts are haunting them and why, to be sure. ]

I knew whose idea it was.

Lan Xichen.

[ jiang cheng is tensely, tentatively, hands sweating and heart pounding, testing out a more casual form of personal address between them. he is also pretending to be as cool as a cucumber. once more, thank the heavens for text messages. ]

I'm beginning to suspect you enjoy elevating my heart rate for your entertainment.

That would only be beneficial to me if I could see the effects firsthand, you must be mistaken.

Do you suppose I never think back to old times too?

Not at all. Even in those days, I thought of you as someone who carried in him a deep well of thoughtfulness and memory.

Though, I've been a little worried for you as of late. That you now spend all your time looking back, when I should hope that the best days of your life are still ahead.

If it is any consolation, there is little hope of my remaining in seclusion here.

It's a start. Have you time now for a visitor?

Wanyin, of course. I always have time for you.

[ ah yes definitely a polite thing xichen says to all the rabble. ]

And where can I find you? Have you eaten?

[ Food? Called out!! ]

I'm at the apartment, I was going to make some tea.

[ so that's a no. ]

I'll bring something to compliment the tea.

[ like a four course meal. ]

[ More than he would eat in three days ... ]

Will you be staying the night, or is this just a quick visit?

[ please hold while jiang cheng's brain shorts out because??? what?? that's on the menu? why is that on the menu?? when did the options become 'quick visit' or 'bed down with lan xichen'??? hello??? help?????????? ]

One moment.

[ Naturally, because they were just sharing harrowing tales of their hauntings and Xichen has a somewhat safe-space if Jiang Cheng does want a night's undisturbed rest. It's all so logical. Still, clearly Jiang Cheng needs time to consider if he misses his mother's not-ghost, it seems, and Xichen understands. It's very sweet that the young sect leader longs for his family and not something Xichen would bring up noticing, being full of tact.

Ah, yes. This is it, the Same Page. ]

Certainly.

[ still bluescreening but it's not like he's never spent the night in the same room-slash-general proximity of lan wangji's brother, and so after much soul searching, internal screaming, and fierce debate, he decides it would be remiss to limit this to a short visit when the one thing he does have some sense of is how lonely xichen's existence has been. ]

If it's not too much trouble to host me, perhaps we can make a night of it.

[ Cheered up at the prospect of familiar company (his housemates are friendly and he dearly likes little Ruka, but it is still lonely), he smiles at the message. ]

I will endeavour to make up for you missing the presence of your family.

If you are bringing the meal, I will provide better than tea.

eastbound inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject