[Jin Ling's almost overcome by insecurity and nerves, but Hanguang-Jun and Wei Wuxian's efforts made very clear to him that if he does not meet his mother on his own terms, the meeting will be forced upon him.
He sends the address of a park in De Chima.] Can you find your way here?
He'll be at the park with Fairy, pacing back and forth in front of a bench while Fairy watches him like a tennis match. His insecurity is almost overwhelming, but he's proud and stubborn and he's chosen his course of action.]
[It takes her a bit longer than she'd like to get there but when she does, she has to stop herself from rushing in and searching him out.
Strange as it is to meet a son she hasn't had yet, he's still her son. And her brothers had sounded so proud of him when they told her-
She looks around until she spots a teenager with a dog. Seeing him pacing reminded her of her own behavior around his father, and Jin Zixuan's awkwardness as well, and smiles just a little. Taking a breath, she makes her way over.]
[Jin Ling's easy to recognize. Even though he's started wearing modern clothes more often in the past month, he chose the chrysanthemum robes for this meeting, hair glinting with his favorite gold chains. He looks just like a slightly smaller version of his father, and Suihua is unmistakable in his hand.
Tensing nervously as a young woman in Yunmeng Jiang robes approaches, Jin Ling bows deeply in formal greeting. His tongue gets stuck behind his teeth and he swallows heavily. She's beautiful. Young. He's terrified he's going to disappoint her.
Fairy presses close against his side, reassuring and protective.]
[The Jin sects robes certainly stand out, especially with her relation to them, and her mothers friendship with Madam Jin.
She smiles and extends her arms to bow in turn, watching him and his dog for a moment before looking around for somewhere they could sit without being disturbed too much.]
I'm so glad to meet you. [Still smiling, she kneels down and extends her hand for Fairy to sniff.] Both of you.
Is there anywhere particular you'd like to sit and talk? [She figures its best to let him control this meeting.]
Her name is Fairy. [Jin Ling swallows nervously, hoping she won't find the name too stupid. He gets teased for it, but he's never cared about anyone else's opinion on the matter before today.] She's the best spiritual dog ever. I trained her myself. [He folds his arms defensively over his chest, nervous but unable to help bragging about his dog.
There's a bench not far away. He nods toward it, keeping a skittish distance from her.]
Hello, Fairy. [No, there's no mockery in that. In fact, it warms her smile a bit more.] Your uncle had puppies name Princess, Jasmine, and Love when we were much young, did you know?
[Would Cheng have told him? Likely not, it had been a sore spot when their father had adopted Wei Wuxian. Could still be.
She rises to her feet, brushes off her clothes and settles on the bench, patting the seat beside her invitingly.]
They told me that we- your father and I- passed away when you were still just a baby. I'm so sorry, Jin Ling.
Tell me what I've missed? Have you trained entirely in the Jin sect's style?
Uncle Wei mentioned it. [He smiles a little, relaxing at the information.]
Jin and Jiang. I split my time equally between them for my entire childhood. I was raised half by Jiang Cheng and half by Jin Guangyao.
[He curls into himself as he mentions Guangyao, hugging his knees to his chest.] I don't know if they've already told you about him. Hanguang-Jun has the testimony I wrote up, so you should just ask him for that. Jin Guangyao murdered a lot of people.
I can't ever forgive him, but he raised me and I love him.
[ When she arrives, Wangji greets her at the door, “dressed down” in modern clothes as his robes are drying from being hand washed.
He bows, murmurs his greeting and then leads her into the house, where he has set up tea on the low coffee table and placed cushions on the floor around it. Who needs couches, anyway?
Once she’s seated he pours her a cup, and then he pulls out the stack of paper, bound and hand written, that he has carried in his pouch all this time. He puts it in front of her, the calligraphy careful as Wangji asked the boy to copy it all over again, after the first time. ]
[It feels a bit odd to catch him so casual but she smiles and bows herself before following him inside and settling.]
I hope I haven't disturbed you.
[She won't be too much trouble. Not intentionally anyway.
She reaches out when he places the stack in front of her, lightly touching the papers and letting a ghost of a smile form. Too little time but that wasn't important right now.]
I truly appreciate this. And I apologize again for any offense I caused. I will do my best to understand everything I won't be able to see myself.
[ It is far easier to catch him so casual here than at home, where he has an extensive wardrobe and attendants to clean everything. Here, he does everything for himself.
He pours himself a cup and folds his hands carefully in his lap. ]
You have given no offence.
Jiang Yanli’s kindness is well known to me. I would not dishonour your son by offering you less courtesy than I offered him.
[ Jin Ling had wanted to know his uncle on his own terms. Perhaps even love him.
His empathy - and Yanli’s - were exactly what marked them from men like Meng Yao.
But he was neither of them, and the only kindness he could offer was staying his blade. ]
[Maybe taking this step would help her brothers to worry over her just a little less. Or maybe it would be just the opposite. Either way, she had to know.]
Would you like me to read this here? Or return it? [And, with some hesitation-]
Would you share your account as well? If you don't mind. I can only get a small part from Jin Ling alone.
[She'd ask a few others as well. And probably Meng Yao. Last. After everyone else has said what they're willing to say.]
[ He hadn’t wanted to let it far from him, at first, but he’s read it so many times now that he’s memorized it. If she wished to take it, he wouldn’t stop her.
As she continued, his eyes dropped, and he went still.
After a long moment of consideration: ]
I have yet to live what Jin Ling did.
My testimony far more limited. But ask, and I will answer.
Oh, not at all, Yanli. I had... an errand to run before this. The rest of my troupe, what few are left, can wait on me, complicit in the sabotage of my play that they were.
You said we. Will one of your brothers be joining you?
Oh, he won’t be any trouble. I have a knack for putting idle hands to work. What can he do? You mentioned training, and there are sword fighting scenes.
We're all cultivators, so he's usually very active. We all train with blades but he's very skilled. If need be, I'm sure he can be convinced to help with training for the scenes.
Good girl! I too can be very convincing if they need a little push. I’m sure they’ll be having fun by the time they show up. [Hopefully. If he hasn’t lost his mind by then. ]
[Oh she revitalizes his spirits. At least someone does. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Did they tell you who I am yet?
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Hang on, she's going to stare at the text for just a bit, making sure she isn't dreaming this.]
They told me.
I'm so happy to meet you, Jin Ling.
[She's a little slow texting, it takes some adjustment.]
Would you like to meet?
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He sends the address of a park in De Chima.] Can you find your way here?
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Yes, I think I can find it alright. I'll see you soon then?
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[Just in case she shares his uncle's fears.
He'll be at the park with Fairy, pacing back and forth in front of a bench while Fairy watches him like a tennis match. His insecurity is almost overwhelming, but he's proud and stubborn and he's chosen his course of action.]
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Strange as it is to meet a son she hasn't had yet, he's still her son. And her brothers had sounded so proud of him when they told her-
She looks around until she spots a teenager with a dog. Seeing him pacing reminded her of her own behavior around his father, and Jin Zixuan's awkwardness as well, and smiles just a little. Taking a breath, she makes her way over.]
Jin Ling?
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Tensing nervously as a young woman in Yunmeng Jiang robes approaches, Jin Ling bows deeply in formal greeting. His tongue gets stuck behind his teeth and he swallows heavily. She's beautiful. Young. He's terrified he's going to disappoint her.
Fairy presses close against his side, reassuring and protective.]
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She smiles and extends her arms to bow in turn, watching him and his dog for a moment before looking around for somewhere they could sit without being disturbed too much.]
I'm so glad to meet you. [Still smiling, she kneels down and extends her hand for Fairy to sniff.] Both of you.
Is there anywhere particular you'd like to sit and talk? [She figures its best to let him control this meeting.]
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There's a bench not far away. He nods toward it, keeping a skittish distance from her.]
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[Would Cheng have told him? Likely not, it had been a sore spot when their father had adopted Wei Wuxian. Could still be.
She rises to her feet, brushes off her clothes and settles on the bench, patting the seat beside her invitingly.]
They told me that we- your father and I- passed away when you were still just a baby. I'm so sorry, Jin Ling.
Tell me what I've missed? Have you trained entirely in the Jin sect's style?
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Jin and Jiang. I split my time equally between them for my entire childhood. I was raised half by Jiang Cheng and half by Jin Guangyao.
[He curls into himself as he mentions Guangyao, hugging his knees to his chest.] I don't know if they've already told you about him. Hanguang-Jun has the testimony I wrote up, so you should just ask him for that. Jin Guangyao murdered a lot of people.
I can't ever forgive him, but he raised me and I love him.
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I humbly request leave to decline your invitation to Yunmeng Jiang's banquet.
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Decline? Why? Is everything alright?
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Deepest apologies.
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My brother is adamant that he not attend. And Wei Wuxian is excited for you to be there.
Would you reconsider, knowing that? For A-Xian if no one else?
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Otherwise, I will attend.
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He won't be there. I do hope you'll forgive me.
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Sincere gratitude.
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I look forward to seeing you.
May I ask a favor of you?
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I have his written testimony.
You have full right to it.
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I think everyone would agree that I should know everything I can.
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I will make tea.
Come when you are ready.
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[She won't leave him waiting.]
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He bows, murmurs his greeting and then leads her into the house, where he has set up tea on the low coffee table and placed cushions on the floor around it. Who needs couches, anyway?
Once she’s seated he pours her a cup, and then he pulls out the stack of paper, bound and hand written, that he has carried in his pouch all this time. He puts it in front of her, the calligraphy careful as Wangji asked the boy to copy it all over again, after the first time. ]
The testimony of Jin Rulan.
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I hope I haven't disturbed you.
[She won't be too much trouble. Not intentionally anyway.
She reaches out when he places the stack in front of her, lightly touching the papers and letting a ghost of a smile form. Too little time but that wasn't important right now.]
I truly appreciate this. And I apologize again for any offense I caused. I will do my best to understand everything I won't be able to see myself.
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He pours himself a cup and folds his hands carefully in his lap. ]
You have given no offence.
Jiang Yanli’s kindness is well known to me. I would not dishonour your son by offering you less courtesy than I offered him.
[ Jin Ling had wanted to know his uncle on his own terms. Perhaps even love him.
His empathy - and Yanli’s - were exactly what marked them from men like Meng Yao.
But he was neither of them, and the only kindness he could offer was staying his blade. ]
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Would you like me to read this here? Or return it? [And, with some hesitation-]
Would you share your account as well? If you don't mind. I can only get a small part from Jin Ling alone.
[She'd ask a few others as well. And probably Meng Yao. Last. After everyone else has said what they're willing to say.]
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[ He hadn’t wanted to let it far from him, at first, but he’s read it so many times now that he’s memorized it. If she wished to take it, he wouldn’t stop her.
As she continued, his eyes dropped, and he went still.
After a long moment of consideration: ]
I have yet to live what Jin Ling did.
My testimony far more limited. But ask, and I will answer.
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I think it will be better, left with you. I trust you.
[It helps that her brother trusts him too.]
All I can remember of him is that he left soon after we all arrived in Cloud Recesses.
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It takes him a second to register who she means by ‘he’, but when he catches up his eyes drop, his gaze lingering on the tea set between them. ]
His treachery was unknown, even in my time.
His deceit far deeper.
If it began when you knew him, I do not know.
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[He says, clearly in his car, cigarette in mouth looking slightly harried. ]
Will you be making your way to the teleporter soon?
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Good morning. We've finished training so we should be there soon. I hope I haven't left you waiting.
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Oh, not at all, Yanli. I had... an errand to run before this. The rest of my troupe, what few are left, can wait on me, complicit in the sabotage of my play that they were.
You said we. Will one of your brothers be joining you?
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At least one of them. Wei Wuxian is insistent that I not be alone. I hope that won't turn out to be any trouble.
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Oh, he won’t be any trouble. I have a knack for putting idle hands to work. What can he do? You mentioned training, and there are sword fighting scenes.
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At this point, I think it would be simpler to teach cultivators lines than teach fumbling teens to use swords...
[He’s getting ideas, all of them bad. ]
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[Perhaps a little bribery. Mostly from her.] I'll convince them on the way there.
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[Oh she revitalizes his spirits. At least someone does. ]