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[deferences]

lan.sizhui

TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO • ACTION

XIMILIA

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[singlelogbridge]

[It's the robes he sees first.

Between the recent loss of Gwen and everything that's been going on with Finn and Felix, Wei Wuxian hasn't been paying much attention to anything lately, ghosting through the halls from one room to another, and spending all of his time in the infirmary at Finn's side or in Itachi's room with only the occasional visit to his own room. It's one of those days when he's merely ghosting through the station, hardly aware of where he is or who he's passing as he makes his way from Itachi's room to the sunlight room when he catches sight of them.

Even in his distracted state his eyes stall on the familiar flutter of white robes, and he comes to a full stop at the sight of the young man moving towards him just a little down the hall. Lan his mind supplies even before he's fully registered what he's seeing.

When his mind finally catches up with the image in front of him, he stops short, mouth opening slightly in surprise. It isn't Lan Wangji or Lan Xichen. The man, a junior from the looks of it, isn't immediately familiar to him, but there's something about his face that catches in his memory. Something he recognizes.

He continues to stare as the Lan junior comes closer, and then Wei Wuxian remembers the painting in his room, lovingly crafted by Lan Xichen. The young man with his soft smile. An orphan raised by Lan Wangji.

Lan Sizhui he remembers, because how could he not. (Sizhui doesn't hurt like it did the first time Lan Xichen lobbied it at him like the weapon it was, but his heart twinges for a moment before the shock of the boy returns and wipes everything else away.

And so it's an open mouthed and silent Wei Wuxian that Sizhui comes upon, his eyes wide and staring as Wei Wuxian wraps his mind around his little a-Yuan, living and breathing, and grown and standing right in front of him.]

[deferences]

[given his rather recent arrival, lan sizhui has been roaming the halls in almost the same manner; without much concern to where he's going or what he's doing, even though everything around him is new and really quite foreign. he's learned a few things pretty quickly, necessary daily things like using the stove and working the shower (without turning it on while his head was underneath the showerhead), but he's understandably shell-shocked by the abrupt change in living situation.

it's on his way from the sunlight room to the common living area that he encounters wei wuxian, noting him at first from his peripheral view yet immediately perking once he recognizes just who he's passing by.

embarrassingly, sizhui's paused too, eyebrows arched in astonishment and his mouth falling open, but he's quick to segue into an excited-sounding gasp, demeanor suddenly far more enthusiastic than it'd been moments ago. so many remarks run through his mind, saying what a surprise! or commenting right away about what new things he's experienced today, how funny that he'd see wei wuxian of all people while heading back toward his room—

but, taking into account sizhui manages working through his flusteredness first, he doesn't follow through with any of that, deciding he'll go in a whole different direction by being just a little more easy-going.]

Ah, Wei-qianbei, [he observes, tone already bordering on playful despite the attempt to stifle his amusement.] You look as if you've seen a ghost.

[singlelogbridge]

[Wei-qianbei.

His eyes tear up and he shakes his head, unsure how to respond to that impossible name.]

How...[He swallows over a lump in his throat and then closes the distance between them, pulling Sizhui into a crushing hug.

There will be time for details later. It doesn't matter now. A-Yuan is here. Alive and grown and in his arms.

Wei Wuxian cries.]

[deferences]

Well, I— [imagine the same way as you? is what he was going to say, but he cuts off mid-response, the air leaving his lungs in an audible whoosh, although he's not worried about that at all. no, what he's concerned by is wei wuxian's crying, something he both expected and didn't, considering . . . everything.

sizhui's arms lift, encircle the man's midsection and squeeze, almost to the point of possible discomfort.] Don't cry, Wei-qianbei, it's okay. [what is ‘it’? he's unsure, it'll just have to be another of those things that can be explained later.

for now, he leans into wei wuxian's shoulder, burying his face in an attempt to muffle his own soft sniffling. (he's not crying outright yet, but give it long enough and he'll be right there.)]

[singlelogbridge]

[There it is again, Wei-qianbei. He lets out a soft whimper and squeezes his eyes shut the same as he squeezes a-Yuan close. Lan Sizhui, he thinks. For a long time he does nothing else but quietly cry and hold onto the boy he'd had no reason to believe he'd ever see again. The boy whose grown and who has a smile so gentle it could break his heart all on its own. Eventually, he pulls back and swipes at his eyes, shaking his head and trying to get himself together.]

Who's crying? I'm not crying! [He says, ignoring the tear streaks on his face and reaching up to rest a thumb against Sizhui's cheek. The bravado doesn't last for long and he swallows back another bout of tears.]

Zewu-jun told me. What Lan Zhan did for you. But he said you didn't remember. So how—[His voice breaks on that "how" and he has to close his eyes just for a moment to try and find his composure.]

How is this possible? How do you know me?

text ↪ un: うちは (pre 'a matter of import' im just slow)

[blackfire]

（ it's not long before they leave on the mission proper that itachi reaches out. he means to do no more than introduce himself, and offer himself up as a resource. the rest can wait. ）

Lan Sizhui.

My name is Uchiha Itachi. （ wei wuxian had mentioned that he had passed his name along, so he does not expect his name will hold no meaning. ） We will be in separate groups for the mission, but if you encounter a scenario with which I may assist upon my arrival, please contact me.

text; (no worries, as i am slow too with work 😩)

[deferences]

[while it takes him a minute to finagle this networking thing, sizhui wastes no time responding once he figures it out, excitement overtaking him more zealously than expected, but it's easier to reel in when someone can't actually see his expression.]

Hello, Uchiha Itachi. [using just ‘itachi’ during an initial meeting feels too casual, so let's hope it suffices— until he's told otherwise and can choose freely.]

Thank you, I appreciate the offer! I'm certain there will come a moment when I'm in need and knowing you're willing to help is quite reassuring.

high5 for slow!!

[blackfire]

（ and if it were anyone else, he would leave it at that and simply end the conversation. his point has been made, affirmation has been received, and he truly has nothing else to say.

as it stands, though — ）

It seems as if the worlds we will be travelling to have a high level of technological fluency. It may be of benefit to you to take some time to learn enough about the basics that you can blend more seamlessly there.

I will give you access to one of the training missions I've built into the simulation room room for such a thing. I would recommend visiting it prior to our departure.

（ no transfer or exchange of documentation is needed, sizhui can simply select the sim from the available list once he goes there himself. ）

return highfive awyiss

[deferences]

[to be fair, sizhui's not entirely sure what to expect, but it wouldn't be surprising for uchiha itachi to be one of those people who likes to keep it short, simple and very to the point. however, the fact he's taking extra time to help sizhui learn a bit more about their mission is extremely appreciated.

unfortunately, the man has brought up his one major weakness in ximilia so far: technology. he likes to think himself a rather quick learner, yet if there's one thing he's still clearly struggling with, it's that.

and part of him is curious as to how itachi seemed to just know this, even if what he asks has nothing to do with it.] The simulation room will help me learn more about technology? [it sort of makes sense, after all. (also: sorry, itachi, you're not getting out of this so easily—)] Would you mind coming along and helping me?

[blackfire]

（ wei wuxian would be better positioned, he nearly says.

but wei wuxian would prefer that they get along, and though he doubts the man would be disappointed — he would appreciate if itachi were to make the effort.

so, there's a bit of an awkward pause, and then: ）

I will meet you there. Twenty minutes.

（ does... does he get a choice?

no. it seems he does not.

sorry, he's just. you know. like this. ）

action; before the mission

[hindsights]

[ it feels like a lifetime ago that cal kestis walked the halls of the ximilia. it's been years for him, he knows, but others have said it's barely been days since they last saw him.

or at least a younger version of him.

it's hard to really wrap his head around it, even if the force affirms that this is reality and not some sort of break after -- after nova garon, after bode. after everything seemed to slip through his fingers and all he wanted was to make someone pay for the loss of it all.

cal shakes his head.

he's headed toward the kitchens when he spots a familiar figure walking opposite of him; it's some one he knows. it's sizhui, of course, and he can't help by try to push his own whirlwind of thoughts down to focus on the young man approaching him. last they saw each other, cal was younger than him -- he could even tell without asking the other's age. now he's not so sure.

what he is sure of is the wave of sadness, as if something isn't quite right and cal's sure that's the force and it's coming from his friend. ]

Sizhui? [ he calls out. just in case -- he doesn't want to startle anyone else with the way he's grown. ] Are you alright?

[ and what a loaded question, kestis. when you're about to give the guy a surprise! ]

[deferences]

[best believe, cal's not the only one with thoughts that are going a million miles a minute; it wasn't unknown to him that people leave, return home, whether their regrets were fixed or not, but it still doesn't hurt any less to have lost someone he'd felt like he was forming a bond with.

sizhui, of course, is trying his absolute hardest not to let it get to him, despite the fact it's more and more difficult with each passing day. perhaps it's fortunate, he hadn't been given a chance to realize cal was missing those few days during this situation, but it also means he's definitely in for a shock once he lifts his attention from where he's halfway dragging his feet across the ground on his way to the kitchen.

the sound of his name draws his attention first, has him pausing mid-step and glancing up at the familiar sound, his lips initially quirked on one side when he says,] Ah... hello, Cal, I'm— [then he gets a whole eyeful of cal and astonishment overtakes his features, his brows lifted and mouth faintly hanging open. wow, he looks so... different? yet also the same. (there's no mistaking that red hair, after all!)

rather than continue standing there, gaping like a fish out of water and possibly offending his friend, lan sizhui shakes his head, exhales a laugh then raises a hand to cover the even wider smile that's come across his face now.] Goodness, look at you! I almost didn't recognize you. [maybe he's overexaggerating a little? it's fine, don't worry about it.]

— text | un; zewu.jun

[calmness]

are you alright, sizhui? safe?

text;

[deferences]

Ah, Zewu-jun! Yes, I'm okay and I'm safe. Are you?

[calmness]

Gladdened by the news.

I am. At least for now, as long as no other surprises occur.

[deferences]

[a few cuts and bruises here and there aren't worth anything... right?]


Surprises? What sort of ‘surprises’?

text. un: Aleksander (mid-mission madness)

[cruelyethuman]

Are you alright?

[Wuxian would die for this man, so. Aleksander refuses to look any deeper in to why he might be checking in on Sizhui]

text;

[deferences]

[don't worry, aleksander, that's more than enough for sizhui, given who wei wuxian is to him and all.]

Yes. [is the immediate response, but after a moment or two, he adds:] For the most part.

[cruelyethuman]

Which part of you is not alright?

[The whole town was drenched in madness and he was trapped in his shadows next to a fallen tree, watching the house he'd called a home for weeks boarded up and locked.]

[deferences]

[that is such a loaded question, especially after everything that's happened; mentally and emotionally, he's shaken by what had happened with wei wuxian, knowing full well that something was off when it happened so he wouldn't blame him, but it was startling anyway. physically? bruises here or there aren't anything he can't handle, even if he's only sparingly used qi where necessary to lighten them in visible places, figuring it better to save his energy for more important things.

what part of him isn't alright? well.] My injuries are minor, nothing to worry about in that sense, but my emotional state might be... questionable.

Audio, the night before the last mission

[singlelogbridge]

A-Yuan, you arrived on board with a qiankun pouch, right?

[deferences]

I did! It even still had some of my personal items inside.

Why do you ask?

[singlelogbridge]

I should have advised this sooner, but the mission file we received reminded me. Please make sure to pack your bag with food and water provisions. There have been missions in the past where it was difficult to acquire either and the information we have makes me believe this might be one of them.

Are you able to practice inedia?

[deferences]

Oh, that's a good idea! I usually keep extra in there already, but it wouldn't hurt to check on those and perhaps double-up before we go. Maybe more than that, in case there's someone else... [sorry, wei wuxian, he got caught up thinking there a bit—]

Yes, I am. I've used it a few times before.

Letter

[singlelogbridge]

[Wherever Lan Sizhui is staying, the letter appears among his things thanks to some handy array work and a little help from some friends.]

Lan Sizhui

Sweetest of boys, light of my life, my a-Yuan.

My goal on this mission is to write letters of sentiment to those of my choosing.

It isn’t my usual style to be so sentimental, but I’ll admit this place has softened me to it and there is no one more deserving of my honest sentiment than you.

I know I’m not your father. That was the privilege of a man with the surname of Wen whose acquaintance I never met, and now that privilege resides with Lan Wangji. I don’t have the right to it, but I’ve always been a selfish man, Lan Sizhui, and I’ve taken hold of it all the same. Not in lieu of those other two men, but I hope in a small role beside them. I hope you’ll forgive me this impudence.

I never called you my own on that mountain except for in jest, but it was not for lack of love or for not feeling it. I will admit to you now that in the deepest place in my heart, I always thought of it. In that short time, you were mine in all the ways that mattered, and I loved you more than I thought my heart capable, especially then.

I love you now even more. This impossible affection can only be what it’s like to be a parent, for there is no other explanation for its size.

I’ve failed you in many ways before, as I’ve failed so many people, but Sizhui, you were the best thing I ever did right.

I’m so proud of the young man you are. You are a credit to your parents, every single one of them, and to Wen Qing and Wen Ning as well. I know every one of our Burial Mounds family looks on at you with pride.

Our time here aboard the Ximilia will come to an end soon, so I’ll leave you with some parental advice, if you’ll allow me.

Continue to seek justice and be kind. Be slow to judgment and listen carefully. Ask for help when you need it, and trust yourself. Your heart is good, Sizhui.

Love always,
Your Wei-Qianbei