Back in more peaceful days

[ze_uwu_jun]

WHO: Lan Xichen and whoever wants to talk to him
WHERE: Cloud Recesses probably.
WHEN: Before things are happening because we want to build CR
WHAT: Things!
WARNINGS: None right now (other than possibly OC backstories), but will update as needed.

[ It is not that the Cloud Recesses have been entirely untouched by the unrest that is building up in the cultivation world, but Xichen, along with the Clan Elders - especially his shufu - do try to give the disciples the peace and calm that their path of cultivation favors.

But he is a Sect Leader. That means that he will meet those who need meeting, both of the sect and otherwise.

And, sometimes, he still does go out to night hunts. There are many things one simply cannot learn sitting behind protective barriers and stone walls of rules. Much as shufu might wish it were otherwise. ]

Comments

Whenever before real trouble starts

[tsukijiji]

.... An Invitation? Well, I've never needed one before, hahahahaha!

[The guard at the entrance must be new or young, because apparently, he doesn't recognize the richly dressed person in front of him. But Zong RiYue does not take offence.]

Well, would you be so kind to have someone tell your sect leader I am here? Or Zong XinWen, whichever of the two is more readily available.

'You will have to wait until we change the guarding posts in two hours, Senior.'

Oh, that's fine, I'll wait. I don't have anything better to do anyway.

[And he'll just go sit on a stone nearby and .... meditate. That's right, meditate. Not nap or anything like that... not that one can tell the difference from afar, really.

But he wouldn't just go to sleep on one of the four great families' doorstep, would he?]

cuuute

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Luckily, he might just not have enough time to actually fall asleep, as the Sect Leader is coming back to the Cloud Recesses very shortly after, spotting the visitor and approaching with a slight smile. ]

Is there trouble, master Zong?

[ In all fairness, he can guess that it's not an actual trouble, because then guard would be far more... disturbed. He must have been respectful enough, so that's a start. ]

[tsukijiji]

[You might underestimate how fast he is capable of dozing off, he is an old man. But on being addressed, he will open his eyes and quickly get up for a bow.]

Sect Leader Lan! Not at all, not at all! This young man here just told me I could not get in without an invitation and he could not leave his post until he was relieved, so I was simply waiting for him to be so he could get you or my brother.

oh, and I also do not bring trouble with me. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I would stop for tea, and to greet my brother if he is here.

[He is probably here. Zong XinWen isn't the cultivator you'd routinely send out on long, unexpected assignements most of the time.]

[zhuiying]

[ Things were getting worse. Everyone who knew Zhuiying could see it - there was a darkness building behind his icy exterior that was only growing with every hunt. He wouldn’t hunt spirits or monsters like he was supposed to - instead, he lay waste to mortals, specifically those that preyed on others. Bandits.

He hunted them like dogs.

It was killing him, slowly. Every death only burdened him further, his vengeance never ending. He was polite and calm, but stubborn - and even as he left Lan Qiren’s rooms, forbidden from going on another hunt, he was already deciding that he finally needed to leave.

He wasn’t even really looking where he was going, and nearly ran into Lan Xichen.

Hastily, he swept his arms out before him and bowed low. ]

Sect leader. Apologies. I didn’t see you.

[ze_uwu_jun]

Zhuiying.

[ Xichen's reach to keep him from bowing too low is automatic, eyes concerned.

And then, after a moment. ]

You are upset.

[zhuiying]

[ Arms caught, he couldn’t finish his bow, and he felt a flush of gratitude towards Zewu-jun. He considered, briefly, lying - if denying he was upset at all and trying to get the man to push him from his mind. But Lan Xichen was one of the most empathetic, insightful people he knew.

There would be no escape.

He stood back up straight and dropped his eyes. ]

... Zewu-jun. Forgive me. Do not concern yourself.