OPEN RP POST.

[dreamstars]

HOW TO PLAY ☆ request a character
☆ leave a comment/prompt
☆ go fucking crazy
☆ anything goes man
☆ seriously
☆ come at me
☆ just don't post bugs or I'll kill yer

code credit @ whaleparties

Comments

[secretkeeper]

It was just for one night...

[It's not often he welcomes other people into his shabby home. In fact, it's never—he tolerates them at best, and ignores them at worst. This guest, however, seemed... well, they were some kind of pitiful out on the street. His dirt-floor cellar isn't much better, but at least it has a ceiling and only a limited draft. It isn't raining in here, anyway. Maybe they'll entertain him for a while.]

See, much better in here. Is it up to your standards?

[thaumaturgic]

[ The steps he takes are ginger, delicate, trying not to track rainwater as they enter the other man's home. It's not too different from his own, maybe a smidgen nicer (definitely cleaner), but he still doesn't want to make a mess. Lor brushes a hand back through his hair, lets out a quiet breath.

How did he get here? To following others home?

(—he knows full well, but he was always spectacularly good at denial.)

There's a quick nod, offering him a small smile. ]

Um. Yeah. I mean- it's great, not that I have standards. [ A pause. ] Wait, that came out wrong, I— [ He sighs, scrubs his hands over his face. C'mon. ]

Sorry. It's- it's just fine, thanks for, um. Inviting me in.

♪ something is familiar, like a dream i can reach but not quite hold

[deferences]

[certainty was never something he'd felt about this whole thing in the beginning.

lan sizhui fought and argued and tried to plead his case the entire way through. not because of who it was, per se, but because of how people might talk or what it might do to his and jin ling's friendship in the long run. (one of his friend's having an arranged marriage with his uncle? how scandalous!) except he's of age, has been for a while and has yet to court anyone or be courted himself in his twenty-one years. perhaps that's part of the reason? the fact they hadn't gone through this properly, yet when he stops and wonders if there's still a chance for that, it makes him consider new things (and remember a preplanned courtship doesn't always allow for things like his own choices). makes him wonder if jiang cheng might actually attempt winning his affection or simply take it as he sees fit.

so many rumors have circulated throughout ancient china about the yunmeng sect leader; his ruthlessness and anger and inability to quell anything bad-tempered. again, it's something that has him thinking maybe this is right? sizhui's levelheaded mannerisms are a good balance for such a personality, it would make sense in the grand scheme of things, though doesn't make him any less anxious about the arrangement. most of which center around doing something wrong or being rejected and sent back home a failure.

because that is not something lan sizhui ever wants to be. so, when hanguang-jun— wait, no, when lan wangji – his father – shows up at his room and says it's time to go, there isn't a single word from him the entire way out of gusu. even when they reach moling and take a boat the rest of the way, he's quiet despite the raging storm inside his chest and the ever-present seasickness he hasn't quite gotten over throughout the years.

finally, it's just as they're outside yunmeng when lan wangji asks, ‘are you worried?’ and his posture somehow stiffens even further.] Yes, [he answers so softly, it's a wonder he can be heard.

‘don't be.’ he tilts his head, expecting a better explanation but the boat lurches to a stop and hanguang-jun, always the epitome of grace, rises to his feet then disembarks, leaving him to sit there for a long moment before he rises as well to follow along. they walk the docks in silence, exchange no other words until they reach the guest room where he'll be staying for the remaining time in anticipation of the ceremony. sizhui's sure that's it, almost regrets responding at all for once in his life, but as he reaches for the door, a gentle hand falls upon his wrist, instantly causing him to turn and outright gasp when the other hand touches the ribbon around his forehead; the sacred headband that's present even during something like this, one thing he'll always have. ‘you are my son and i know you will always do the right thing.’

then why does it feel wrong? he leaves the question unasked, inclines his head and presses his lips together.] I know, Ādiē. [which earns the softest inhale from lan zhan, something that could almost be considered a gasp if it were anyone else and for the first time since they left cloud recesses, sizhui smiles, squares his shoulders then squeezes the hand holding his wrist.] It's only proper, after all.

[bringing the sects together will eventually strengthen bonds and that's more than anyone could ask for. after a more polite bow of his head, he withdraws into the room, closes the doors behind him and only then does he let himself cry, the mixture of emotions finally overwhelming enough. however, when the attendant fetches him once he's dressed with his hair done up, there surely won't be anything leftover from that, but he is led away feeling somewhat more at ease nevertheless.]