lan sizhui ♪ the untamed (open post)

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[it'd be a lot better (and far more fun!) to lean into jin ling's ear and whisper like it's an actual thing to keep hush-hush, but he'll make do!]

Sometimes, I forget one here or there.

[fairyherder]

I'd be afraid of you if you didn't. Remembering them all is weird, all of you Lans are weird.

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You would be afraid of me? [now there's something he'd like to see.] Oh, and what is your definition of ‘normal,’ then?

[fairyherder]

Everyone but you.

... it doesn't mean it's bad or anything.

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It just means different, right?

And there's nothing wrong with that at all.

[fairyherder]

Yeah. Sure.

[ Sizhui is definitely different for one— Jin Ling don't let your mind wander. ]

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Do you believe it or are you just agreeing with me?

[is he teasing? hmmm, maybe just a little! and please, jin ling, there's nothing wrong with that, either.]

[fairyherder]

Of course I believe it!

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Okay, I was just making sure!

[following an extraordinarily long couple of seconds:] What makes me different?

[fairyherder]

That's...

[ fuck what does he say he's not someone who gives out compliments and now he's just getting embarrassed. ]

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[wuh-oh, was that a mistake? sizhui's uncertain either way; backpedaling, however, seems safe enough.]

You— Nevermind, it's okay, you don't have to answer that.

[fairyherder]

[ oh no he messed up. why is he never good with things like this did he make him upset now? ]

You're just. Different. Good different.

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[no, he didn't mess up, sizhui did! he should've known better than to put him on the spot like that— and yet he gets an answer anyway.

a good one, even, by jin ling standards.] This might be selfish to say: I like being different.

[fairyherder]

Good. That's... that's good.

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How are you feeling now?

[fairyherder]

What? Why do you ask?

[ safe to say he's been properly distracted. both from hangover and from being mad at Jingyi. ]

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[...the hangover is why he's asking, jin ling, please. (at least jingyi's been too tired to complain like he usually might or else the jin sect heir might've had that continuous problem as well.)]

You did get sick last night, so I feel like that's a proper thing to ask.

[fairyherder]

... oh.

I'm fine.

[ he has a splitting headache and he wants to sleep, but he's stuck doing reports, and he's only been procrastinating doing them by texting Sizhui. and he's not about to admit he's weak and whiny. ]

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Are you sure?

[because if there's anything he can do to help, you can bet sizhui's going to try. again, he knows how jin ling is, but for whatever it may be worth: he doesn't think it'd be either of those things.]

I might have some leftover ginger candies that could help any remaining nausea.

[fairyherder]

[ he knows that. he also just wants to look impressive really. or simply doesn't know how to accept help, that's probably more likely. ]

... don't you need them yourself?

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No, I don't. I'm fine.

[perhaps not entirely, but this will give them a reason to see each other again.]

[fairyherder]

[ they're equally bad at this. but... the idea of Sizhui coming by is more appealing than the stack of papers on his table that he doesn't want to look at.

he takes a couple minutes before he replies. ]

Okay.

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[they are, though that could be exactly why sizhui's trying so hard to be accommodating; he knows this is new territory, is well-aware treading with caution is important, and yet—

meanwhile, he doesn't miss a beat:] It might take a little bit.

But I'll be there, okay?

[fairyherder]

[ it's just like Sizhui to try and be accommodating and reassuring and he just huffs a little, sends another text before putting his phone down. he should try to be responsible in the meantime. ]

It's fine. You don't need to reassure me, I'm not a child.

[ it's not like he's dying. ]

text → action;

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[no, he isn't a child, but the fact he got a response from is all the reassurance sizhui needs. thankfully, it doesn't take long to gather his things and – after a brief pit-stop to plead with hanguang-jun to let him go from his studies a bit early – he heads out.

by the time he reaches lanling from guangling, the sun has sunk low on the horizon; stunning pinks and reds are scattered across the sky as he greets the guards at the gate. purples and blues are what follow the whole way to jin ling's room, his pace quickening each time he gets past other sect members. some greet him, sizhui at least has the courteous to return the gesture then makes a soft excuse about being in a hurry. it's out of sheer luck, he makes it there as fast as he does.

sizhui hesitates outside the bedroom door anyhow, clenching his fingers around his sword, pinching the small candies against his palm, taking a deep breath in and sighing it back out before he finally reaches to knock.]

Jin Ling? [or does he call him by his more proper name now? he isn't sure but—] It's me, Lan Sizhui.

[...just in case.]