baiyueguang (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
baiyueguang) wrote2022-11-03 11:11 pm
baiyueguang) wrote2022-11-03 11:11 pm
Deer County IC Contact
I N B O X
Voice ✦ Video ✦ Text ✦ Action
Oh! If it isn't Miss Mantinova!
Quickly, quickly, he's distracted right now and he doesn't like me using the network.
Can't imagine why.
Hehehe! It could also be the manifesto I was writing up. I'm way too overworked for how little treats I get.
[This is a lie. His little jewel has never worked a day in her life and is frequently given little snacks throughout the day.]
[this is easily the most socially excruciating thing he has ever done, at least involving not particularly high stakes. but he said he'd do it, and so here he is. he's doing it.]
[like, he could just walk to Xichen's room on the opposite side of the courtyard and knock, but why do that when he can delay having this conversation?]Er-ge, are you at home?
I am. Is something the matter, A-Yao?
[Because the only reasons he can think of Jin Guangyao texting him when he's literally a short walk away is if something has gone wrong.]
[everything is horrible, er-ge!!]
then, rising and checking himself in the mirror to be sure that he is comporting himself as respectably as can be expected given The Circumstances, Jin Guangyao forces himself to exit his rooms and walks across the courtyard. he stops outside the door, marshals his composure, and knocks.
💀]
[he sets down his omni and gives himself permission to close his eyes and whisper a deathly soft, "fuck," to no one but xiao meimei, who looks up at him from her cozy cushion in the corner reproachfully. language, san-ge!No, everything is fine. I will come speak with you.
then, rising and checking himself in the mirror to be sure that he is comporting himself as respectably as can be expected given The Circumstances, Jin Guangyao forces himself to exit his rooms and walks across the courtyard. he stops outside the door, marshals his composure, and knocks.
💀]
[Xichen has been experimenting, which means he's put away his usual white and blue silks and shining hair ornaments in favour of plain linens and a neat, but simple ponytail. Well, not completely plain; he's been trying out oil paints with a great deal of success, which shows in the colourful stains on what have become his 'painting clothes'. There's even a smear of cobalt blue across his cheek, and the room smells strongly of linseed oil and turpentine. There's an easel and a hastily covered canvas set up by an array of brushes and palettes, and a thick tarp laid out on the floor to protect the wood and rugs from damage.
He smiles warmly as he greets Jin Guangyao.]
A-Yao. Is everything alright? ...Please, come in.
He smiles warmly as he greets Jin Guangyao.]
A-Yao. Is everything alright? ...Please, come in.
[oh no, he's hot]
Er-ge. [a smile and the smallest of little bows, too small and quick to be intercepted, because he's just not sure he could manage that part of their familiar ritual right now. he straightens up and--does he look flustered? he does look a little flustered, but musters his manners anyway as he takes in the artfully rumpled picture his sworn brother makes. ugh he looks so good. criminal.] Is this an inconvenient time? I fear I have interrupted you.
[delay delay delay]
Er-ge. [a smile and the smallest of little bows, too small and quick to be intercepted, because he's just not sure he could manage that part of their familiar ritual right now. he straightens up and--does he look flustered? he does look a little flustered, but musters his manners anyway as he takes in the artfully rumpled picture his sworn brother makes. ugh he looks so good. criminal.] Is this an inconvenient time? I fear I have interrupted you.
[delay delay delay]
[He shakes his head, and beckons Jin Guangyao inside.]
Not at all.
[It would take quite a lot for Xichen to not make time for Jin Guangyao. Taking a break from letting his own creativity run rampant is not one of those things.]
A-Yao looks distressed. Please, be at ease, this one will listen to anything he has to say.
Not at all.
[It would take quite a lot for Xichen to not make time for Jin Guangyao. Taking a break from letting his own creativity run rampant is not one of those things.]
A-Yao looks distressed. Please, be at ease, this one will listen to anything he has to say.
[..he looks distressed? oh no, he's out of practice at maintaining his unflappable and polite mask, clearly. Jin Guangyao smiles again and, unable to prevaricate any further, accepts Lan Xichen's invitation to step inside.
he has been extraordinarily careful not to intrude upon his sworn brother's privacy in their shared space, and so can't help a bit of curiosity regarding how this small spare room has been decorated. don't hold it against him for looking around just a bit, er-ge. then, sighing, he turns to look up at Lan Xichen again. regret.jpeg.]
I fear I must first apologize. I may have unintentionally placed Er-ge in a difficult position.
[he opens his mouth again to explain further. he closes it. he opens it again. then he gives up and instead just takes out his omni, browses back to that conversation with Palamedes, and grimly extends it out to Xichen without looking him in the eye as he does so.]
he has been extraordinarily careful not to intrude upon his sworn brother's privacy in their shared space, and so can't help a bit of curiosity regarding how this small spare room has been decorated. don't hold it against him for looking around just a bit, er-ge. then, sighing, he turns to look up at Lan Xichen again. regret.jpeg.]
I fear I must first apologize. I may have unintentionally placed Er-ge in a difficult position.
[he opens his mouth again to explain further. he closes it. he opens it again. then he gives up and instead just takes out his omni, browses back to that conversation with Palamedes, and grimly extends it out to Xichen without looking him in the eye as he does so.]
I'm sure it isn't as bad as you think.
[He clearly doesn't mind; it's Jin Guangyao's home to begin with, after all. But other than the little corner he's dedicated to painting, the space is neat and tidy and not terribly different than the Hanshi back in the Cloud Recesses.
He takes the omni, puzzled. There is a brief rise of his brow, and then a shocked intake of breath and then... he chuckles.]
This seems quite a unique project. I'd be glad to -- thank you, A-Yao, for considering this one.
[His face is bright with amusement. It is a little scandalous, but really, he suspects the whole squid erotica is entirely tongue-in-cheek to begin with, and nothing suggests that he finds the whole thing anything but quite funny.]
[He clearly doesn't mind; it's Jin Guangyao's home to begin with, after all. But other than the little corner he's dedicated to painting, the space is neat and tidy and not terribly different than the Hanshi back in the Cloud Recesses.
He takes the omni, puzzled. There is a brief rise of his brow, and then a shocked intake of breath and then... he chuckles.]
This seems quite a unique project. I'd be glad to -- thank you, A-Yao, for considering this one.
[His face is bright with amusement. It is a little scandalous, but really, he suspects the whole squid erotica is entirely tongue-in-cheek to begin with, and nothing suggests that he finds the whole thing anything but quite funny.]
[at that shocked intake of breath, he goes full steel magnolias-style aghast, closes his eyes, and looks aside. he was right, this was just too much, how is he going to come back from this, etc.
but then, Lan Xichen--laughs? and thanks him? what is happening. Jin Guangyao blinks in surprise and looks back at him, expression noncomprehending.]
...This one is pleased to assist, [his usual rote reply, which is rather incongruous when set against his expression of scandalized shock.] You truly don't mind?
but then, Lan Xichen--laughs? and thanks him? what is happening. Jin Guangyao blinks in surprise and looks back at him, expression noncomprehending.]
...This one is pleased to assist, [his usual rote reply, which is rather incongruous when set against his expression of scandalized shock.] You truly don't mind?
[His smile softens to something more reassuring and he nods, passing the omni back.]
I truly do not mind. Besides, you know I've confiscated far worse from Wei-gongzi and Huaisang.
[There is, for a moment, a distant sadness in his smile. They were all so young and foolish once.]
And this seems like a rather sweet and playful gesture for this man and his dear friend.
[Because Xichen can read and has functioning eyes. He saw the squid with glasses.]
I truly do not mind. Besides, you know I've confiscated far worse from Wei-gongzi and Huaisang.
[There is, for a moment, a distant sadness in his smile. They were all so young and foolish once.]
And this seems like a rather sweet and playful gesture for this man and his dear friend.
[Because Xichen can read and has functioning eyes. He saw the squid with glasses.]
[some of them Huaisang remain young and foolish to this day. Jin Guangyao hopes that does not have to change.]
This one is relieved not to have caused Zewu-jun discomfort or offence, [he admits and even laughs a little as he says it, the tension going out of his shoulders and a small, relieved smile dimpling his cheeks. clearly he's relaxed enough to lapse back into their familiar banter.] And I agree, it is a thoughtful gesture.
[just one of those little things that one does for a 'dear friend.' his eyes soften some as he considers Lan Xichen--and then he can't hold it in anymore.] You have paint on your face. [affectionate.]
This one is relieved not to have caused Zewu-jun discomfort or offence, [he admits and even laughs a little as he says it, the tension going out of his shoulders and a small, relieved smile dimpling his cheeks. clearly he's relaxed enough to lapse back into their familiar banter.] And I agree, it is a thoughtful gesture.
[just one of those little things that one does for a 'dear friend.' his eyes soften some as he considers Lan Xichen--and then he can't hold it in anymore.] You have paint on your face. [affectionate.]
['Dear friends' is a perfectly good euphemism. As charming as the origins of the term 'cut-sleeve' are, he hears it used far too often in a derogatory tone of voice and he is just not about that.
Blue flushes his cheeks and ears when Jin Guangyao points out the paint, and his hand comes up, patting around his cheek to try and find it.
Unfortunately, these are oil paints, and he only manages to smear it more. At least Xichen looks good in blue.]
Blue flushes his cheeks and ears when Jin Guangyao points out the paint, and his hand comes up, patting around his cheek to try and find it.
Unfortunately, these are oil paints, and he only manages to smear it more. At least Xichen looks good in blue.]
Oh? Does Mantisnova have something specific in mind or would she like suggestions from this one?
[oh, no, he's just making it so much worse, isn't he--]
Stop, stop, [he's laughing a little when he steps forward and utterly unthinkingly takes hold of Lan Xichen's hands to pull them gently away from the streaks of blue paint he's now smeared across his cheekbones.] Er-ge has made such a mess..!
[it's a moment later that he realizes what he's done, and two high spots of colour rise to his cheeks, but he doesn't let go, not right away.] Come to the bathroom, [he says before the moment can become too awkward,] we can wash that off with some soap.
Stop, stop, [he's laughing a little when he steps forward and utterly unthinkingly takes hold of Lan Xichen's hands to pull them gently away from the streaks of blue paint he's now smeared across his cheekbones.] Er-ge has made such a mess..!
[it's a moment later that he realizes what he's done, and two high spots of colour rise to his cheeks, but he doesn't let go, not right away.] Come to the bathroom, [he says before the moment can become too awkward,] we can wash that off with some soap.
[We. As though Xichen is not a grown-ass man who is perfectly capable of marching himself into the washroom and scrubbing his own face.
Does he voice literally any of this?
Of course not.
The blue smear only nominally hiding the blue flush to his cheeks, he lets himself be led to the washroom because this is, of course, a very sworn brotherly thing to do.]
...Is it really that bad?
[There's a chuckle in his voice. And yes, it's pretty bad. He's lucky he didn't smear it right into his eye.]
Does he voice literally any of this?
Of course not.
The blue smear only nominally hiding the blue flush to his cheeks, he lets himself be led to the washroom because this is, of course, a very sworn brotherly thing to do.]
...Is it really that bad?
[There's a chuckle in his voice. And yes, it's pretty bad. He's lucky he didn't smear it right into his eye.]
[they're being completely ridiculous about this, but that is in no way a deterrent. Jin Guangyao at least has the presence of mind not to lead Lan Xichen by the hand through the siheyuan to the washroom. once they arrive, he reaches for the mirror affixed to the wall and angles it so that Lan Xichen can see his reflection.]
Er-ge may see for himself, [he answers with unerring (and therefore mercilessly teasing) courtesy, having pursed his lips into a line to prevent himself from grinning. his eyes sparkle with delight.] But don't worry. I found something while taking Huaisang shopping that I think will help.
Er-ge may see for himself, [he answers with unerring (and therefore mercilessly teasing) courtesy, having pursed his lips into a line to prevent himself from grinning. his eyes sparkle with delight.] But don't worry. I found something while taking Huaisang shopping that I think will help.
Ah.
[That's one big greasy blue smear all over his face. And his fingers. Probably for the best Jin Guangyao didn't take him by the hand or they'd both look like they were about to transform into smurfs.]
Lianfang-zun has made his point loud and clear. This one will gladly take his suggestion.
[His own eyes are bright with amusement and warmth for the other man, simply enjoying this odd but comfortable space their relationship now occupies.]
[That's one big greasy blue smear all over his face. And his fingers. Probably for the best Jin Guangyao didn't take him by the hand or they'd both look like they were about to transform into smurfs.]
Lianfang-zun has made his point loud and clear. This one will gladly take his suggestion.
[His own eyes are bright with amusement and warmth for the other man, simply enjoying this odd but comfortable space their relationship now occupies.]
[his cheeks dimple as he smiles.]
Permit this one to show you.
[he steps over to the cabinet above the sink and sorts through it for a brief moment, before returning to Lan Xichen with a small glass jar which, when unstoppered, smells pleasantly clean and fresh, like linens left to dry out under the sun on a warm summer day. he dabs a portion of it onto a cloth and starts to reach up to do the work himself, then pauses, meeting Lan Xichen's eyes--
--and it's not that he's hesitating because he doesn't want to be the one to do this, he doesrather desperately, but perhaps this intimacy is a step too far.]
Does Er-ge mind if I...? [his words trail off quietly.hopeful]
Permit this one to show you.
[he steps over to the cabinet above the sink and sorts through it for a brief moment, before returning to Lan Xichen with a small glass jar which, when unstoppered, smells pleasantly clean and fresh, like linens left to dry out under the sun on a warm summer day. he dabs a portion of it onto a cloth and starts to reach up to do the work himself, then pauses, meeting Lan Xichen's eyes--
--and it's not that he's hesitating because he doesn't want to be the one to do this, he does
Does Er-ge mind if I...? [his words trail off quietly.
Not at all.
[Their eyes lock for a brief moment, though Xichen winds up shutting his as he lowers his head. They are already skirting so many boundaries and if he looks, he'll want to kiss those lashes and dimples, and every inch of Jin Guangyao's face and that is rather off the table whatever else they want. Which is fine. They have always occupied this nebulous space of plausible deniability and Xichen can exist there quite content. There is little he cherishes more than these small moments they allow themselves; little treasures he locks away in the safety of his heart.]
This Zewu-jun is at Lianfang-zun's disposal.
[Their eyes lock for a brief moment, though Xichen winds up shutting his as he lowers his head. They are already skirting so many boundaries and if he looks, he'll want to kiss those lashes and dimples, and every inch of Jin Guangyao's face and that is rather off the table whatever else they want. Which is fine. They have always occupied this nebulous space of plausible deniability and Xichen can exist there quite content. There is little he cherishes more than these small moments they allow themselves; little treasures he locks away in the safety of his heart.]
This Zewu-jun is at Lianfang-zun's disposal.
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