maskormenacelogs

Wangji bows to him in response, then turns without a word and leads him into the house, his steps almost inaudible as he glides across the floor.

He leads the boy upstairs to their quarters - knocks, briefly - then opens the door and enters.

“Wei Ying.”

He steps aside to reveal Jin Ling behind him.

Wuxian's been spending more time meditating lately than before, and that's what he's been doing when Wangji leaves for a moment, then returns but knocks. The difference is what breaks him from this round at meditation, and he looks up when the door opens to reveal Lan Zhan, of course...but also Jin Ling.

"Jin Ling...?" He starts to his feet before certain details are noted and acknowledged. He sits right back down, letting arms flop back over his knees.

No Fairy too, though it's a fleeting flash of gratitude in the face of sudden wariness. He sighs and tries for a smile, though he knows it's a tired one. "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to need a drink after this...?"

"Why wait until after?" Jin Ling asks dryly. He feels like he's going to need a drink by the time they're done with this, though he's also pretty sure his seniors aren't going to allow that. Especially not Hanguang-Jun.

Kneeling in front of his uncle, he bows once in greeting. "I have refused to accept judgement against my uncle Jin Guangyao for his crimes without your involvement in the decision. I have written out my testimony twice regarding everything that I witnessed, to the best of my ability to remember. Hanguang-Jun has those manuscripts."

“Elder brother’s testimony, also,” Wangji adds, but that’s all he adds. He didn’t want to involve Wei Ying in any of this in the first place, and Jin Ling is speaking clearly and consicely for once, on his own behalf.

He moves silently across the room to a cupboard under his desk, and pulls out a bottle of wine, and a cup for Wei Ying.

Edited 2020-01-28 01:33 (UTC)

Even better. But Wuxian returns the bow half-heartedly. He glances over at Lan Zhan's addition and watches his friend pull out the hinted at alcohol. Then back to his nephew. He knows enough to be wary that he will probably lose control to a degree. Again.

...But he also knows he needs to know the rest. So he tries for a stronger smile for Jin Ling. "Jin Ling... Thank you.

"Before I read it, or you tell me, you should know. I destroyed this room after you told me just a little of what Meng Yao did."

Wangji is right to be afraid for his mental stability. It's...not the best.

Jin Ling holds his gaze, calm and steady. “I trust you.”

Maybe that’s not enough. It’s enough for Jin Ling. He has absolute confidence that Wei Wuxian will do his best and keep him safe. Maybe he’ll become upset. But Jin Ling knows he’ll still be safe, and that Wei Wuxian will help him figure out the best course of action.

It’s also true that Jin Ling’s delivery of information previously might... not have been the best. This time, he’s here. This is something they’re going to do together, and he will try to be helpful to his uncle.

Three words, said in such a way, from this particular young man, mean a great deal to Wei Wuxian.

His breath huffs out a little in almost a laugh, some of the growing tension eases from his shoulders and he reaches out to clap his nephew on the shoulder. Nods.

"Lan Zhan. Please bring out this testimony."

Wangji nods, pulling out his pouch and withdrawing what looks to be a bound stack of paper, with a thicker paper cover. The words 'Jin Ling' are written in his neat, precise script. Apparently he had gone to the trouble of getting it bound. He hands this to Wei Ying, and then reaches back into his pouch to bring out a second.

This one is labelled 'Lan Xichen'.

Both pamphlets, once looked into, have had a great deal of notes added into the margins by Lan Wangji. Marking where they share the same info, where one has witnessed something but not the other, with particular notes to highlight passages pertaining to Meng Yao.

It's clear that he's read them both over more than once, and has been percolating on the information since.

Being handed two bound books doesn't actually surprise him that much, though it does get Wangji a wry little smile as he pulls away from Jin Ling. The faith these two have in him...No. He won't let them down.

Wuxian sets Xichen's account down to read second, wanting to read Jin Ling's first because...Nephew. Her son. And probably an easier delivery than bare facts he'd expect from Wangji's brother.

And yes, he takes a preemptive drink before even opening the first set. He notes how similar Jin Ling's calligraphy is to his own with a quiet little chuckle before setting in to actually read.

His expression gives his thoughts away. Curiosity. Flashes of annoyance, then anger- which leads to fingers tightening on paper before moving to his knee to hold on. But there's a grim set there, too, despite the rapid paling and slight tremor that sets in. Determined to read it all. Not aware enough of the expected shadows that seep from him, a sudden breeze teasing at his hair and clothes. But not even touching Lan Zhan or Jin Ling.

He knows, when he comes to the end of it, that there are things missing. He doesn't reach for the next right away, instead squeezing his eyes closed and pressing the heel of a hand to the side of his head with a grimace.

"Wei Ying." The voice is soft, calm, low.

He lowers himself down, crouching next to the man, the black smoke curling away from his clean white robes. He reaches out, putting his hand on the man's shoulder, a firm, careful touch but not a hard one.

Quietly:

"Wei Ying. Focus."

Jin Ling’s eyes widen at the sight of those black tendrils, but he stays still and quiet. There are more important things at hand than his outbursts. He keeps his mouth shut, waiting.

He is, however, curious about ZeWu-Jun’s testimony. So he goes ahead and reaches for it, moving to sit close by Wei Wuxian’s side, legs crossed and thighs touching, and then he opens it for both of them to read.

Steadying hand on one side, familiar voice giving him guidance. A press of another on the other side, paper spread between them.

Not alone.

Wuxian rubs at his head, takes a deep breath, and forces himself to calm. Darkness draws back into him and the wind dies. He takes another, larger, gulp of wine. Then a second.

He shifts just enough to rest his shoulder against Jin Ling's as he focuses on the second account, a hand lifts to briefly pat Lan Zhan's in silent thanks.

He doesn't move his hand from Wei Ying's shoulder, but does move the other to grasp the bottle of wine, pouring out a second cup for Wei Ying. He knows the man can hold his liquor, at least, and will make sure it doesn't get to be too much.

But Jin Ling being here did seem to have an effect on Wei Ying, and Wangji was greatful for it. He stopped pouring, pulling the bottle back--

Jin Ling was fast. He had plenty of weaknesses as a cultivator, from youth and inexperience to his hot temper, poor inability to focus, and lack of diligence, but he was fast, and he was ready.

The moment that Hanguang-Jun stopped pouring, while Hanguang-Jun's hands were full and Wei Wuxian was distracted, Jin Ling smoothly picked up the cup, drained it, and set it back down. Then he continued reading like nothing had happened.

He leaned into Uncle Wei in return, always grateful to have physical contact.

Considering all of Wei Ying's drinking...he doesn't bat an eye when Jin Ling snatches the cup and downs it. It does earn a brittle little laugh though. Then, since his nephew hasn't shoved him away...he moves to drape an arm over Jin Ling's shoulders to welcome him close.

And he'd been right. Xichen's account is more factual. Reading a second time that people know about giving his core to Jiang Cheng...he pauses at that and shakes his head again. No. Don't focus on that. It's a small thing compared to the rest. He'll just...talk to Lan Zhan about it later, if he has to.

Back to reading. Only when they're done does he close his eyes again, fingers twitching and tremors just a little harder. He needs...

"Lan Zhan..." he murmurs, barely audible. "...Play for us?" He has Jin Ling to hold onto. He thinks he can handle Lan Zhan pulling away enough to grab his guqin.

He just gives a look at Jin Ling when he snatches the cup, but he doesn’t say anything. Given the circumstances... this once, he’ll let it go. But he doesn’t fill the cup again.

He just waits, watching Wei Ying rather than reading along with him, tracking every shift of facial expression.

When the man asks for music, Wangji nods once - tight and swift - and then rises to move across the room.

He’d already wanted to, but he hadn’t wanted to force it. A few seconds later and he is seated, guqin out before him, and he starts to play a melody of clarity and calm.

Jin Ling leans more into the arm around him, glad for the comfort and affection. He rests his head on Uncle Wei’s shoulder and shifts his legs so that both knees lean against Wei Wuxian’s thigh.

An opinionated reader, he makes little huffs and grumbles as he reads, but only comments when there’s a point he wants clarified, either offering additional details of his own memory or asking for Hanguang-Jun to explain what ZeWu-Jun means about something.

Jin Ling isn't the only one glad for the affection and comfort, Wei Ying focuses on keeping as level a head as possible. Not just to protect his nephew and Lan Zhan, but also in an attempt to be better. He listens to the questions Jin Ling asks, and what answers Lan Zhan gives. And the music helps soothe the tremors back to nothing out of pure stubborn will.

Jin Ling deserves an uncle who isn't about to shatter at the smallest thing. This...? Not a small thing. But he does his best anyway. Letting himself lean on these two. And his nephew hadn't flinched from him when the cracks did appear. Came closer, in fact.

Information overload, but necessary. He keeps quiet, working on accepting and organizing what matters and how to respond. Not...just lash out. If he does that...Well. Meng Yao wouldn't see another day.

But finally, "Jin Ling...What do you want to do about Meng Yao?"

Jin Ling doesn't want to think about it. He doesn't want to have this responsibility. He wants to be six again, to believe that his uncles are perfect heroes above reproach. He doesn't want to be at the center of a justice tribunal that he called together, making decisions about his uncle's life and freedom.

"I don't want him hurt. I want to go to him. I want everything to be okay." Jin Ling winces his eyes shut, pressing his face a little more into Wei Wuxian's shoulder. "I want him to tell me that none of it was real, that it was all caused by some villain that none of us know. I want my parents."

He realizes that he's being childish. The whole point of this meeting is for rational discussion of what's fair and just, within their capabilities. But Wei Wuxian asked what he wants, and this is all Jin Ling has to respond. Keeping his mouth shut won't help, and he's too tired and scared to manage anything but petulant wishing that the situation was different.

It's far easier to focus on other people than on himself. Wuxian tightens the arm around his nephew, resting his cheek against the boy's head as he listens to Jin Ling's wants. He doesn't laugh at them. He can even understand where Jin Ling is saying them from.

But reality isn't so kind. Because of Meng Yao.

"That would be nice," he admits quietly, breath sighing out as he rubs at the side of his head in an attempt to ease the ache there. Then pours himself another cup of wine, downing it, then...sets the cup down away from him. It would be far too easy to just drink himself into senselessness. But it wouldn't solve anything.

"Lan Zhan?" He looks to his friend, wordlessly asking the same question.

Wangji was, characteristically, utterly silent and still as they spoke. His eyes were lowered, his face impassive and pristine, no sign of whatever thoughts were swirling behind his eyes.

At the sound of his name, however, he looked up, his expression stony.

He would have to be the voice of justice, in this room, and neither of them were going to like him for it.

"It is real." His voice was low, even, calm, and didn't hold a trace of doubt. "Actions cannot be retracted. Crimes cannot be undone. This world or the other, Meng Yao still himself."

"No evidence he will not do again as he did before. Place lies on lies, endanger you both. Endanger Lan Xichen."

Jin Ling definitely doesn't like him for it. But it does help draw him back up from his childish fit. Indignation is like armor for him.

Sitting up straight, he glares at Hanguang-Jun. (Respect for elders instantly forgotten, yet again.)

"I know that! But it doesn't help us decide what we're going to do. If we were at home, if he'd lived, I'd take him to be imprisoned at Lotus Pier. There would be a formal trial. What are we supposed to do here? We don't have access to dungeons. The government isn't going to put him through trials for crimes committed in another world. Their government chose to bring him here!"

Wei Ying isn't actually upset with Wangji for what he has to say. That's precisely why he'd pointedly asked. So he nods and attempts a smile for his friend.

He'll only pull away from Jin Ling if his nephew pushes away though, that arm will stay loose around his shoulders. And he listens to what would have happened had certain things happened differently.

Making the most of various immediate opinions to settle his own. So he squeezes his nephew's shoulder, understanding that glare and not bothering to chide him for it.

"So we monitor his movements to the best of our ability. I'll see if we can use this technology to make that easier." He has friends he can ask who know this tech stuff!

"Jin Ling. I don't want you to meet with him in person. Not alone, at the very least." Uncle Voice Here.

His eyes fell again, his face the same calm impassive while Jin Ling was yelling at him than it had been before. Weathering the storm.

"Watch, wait." He echoed Wei Ying's suggestion, though he wasn't sure he was satisfied with it. "... Consequences must be clearly defined, for trespass. Peace only offered if peace promised."

"I won't meet with him alone." He probably will, sooner or later. "I'm still scared he'll try to kill me. I've defied and humiliated him, and I'm now his competition for Jin Sect Leader."

Jin Ling stays tucked against Wei Wuxian's side, but he leans forward a little, trying to think about how he wants them all to move forward with this. "I think..."

The thought is half-formed, and already Jin Ling doesn't want to say it. It feels wrong. It's contrary to every one of his instincts, which scream that he either needs to flee from Meng Yao or he needs to put a forest of swords between them.

"I think that ostracizing him is the wrong move," he says at last, lifting his chin like the proud little prince that he is. "Even if it's just watching and waiting and threatening him from afar. Don't you remember everything he..."

Obviously they don't remember. Jin Ling scowls, but then starts again. "When he was rejected and sidelined in the past, that made him willing to commit any evil in order to achieve vindication over those who rejected him. I want to find a way to rehabilitate him. We need to listen to him, genuinely listen. He has to earn back our trust if he wants a place among us and in my life, but we need to give him that chance and we need to help him. He has to do all of the work of redeeming himself, but we need to make it possible. We need to create a path."

"Just so," he agrees grimly with Jin Ling. He listens with growing pride in how his nephew is using his brain instead of throwing it all to emotion. Even if he really doesn't like the result.

Wei Ying sighs and shoots Wangji an almost apologetic look.

"I'll message him later. I have some questions. Get his account. Listen."

Lan Wangji was silent a long, long moment. He was utterly still, not a trace of emotion on his face, but perhaps that belied just how unhappy he was, to those that could read it. But Xichen wasn’t here.

There were many arguments he wished to make, and none that he voiced. That Meng Yao had proven himself far too adept - that they wouldn’t see the treachery until too late, that he turned men against each other.

That Lan Wangji had already made an enemy of him, removing his arm even when he couldn’t recall it.

That the wounds ran too long and too deep to heal without festering.

This would cause pain. He could see it. He could see it as clearly as he’d seen it in Wei Wuxian, when everything started falling apart. He could see the corruption that would seep into everything, the potential for far worse.

He recalled, with painful clarity, when Wei Ying told him that the justice to be doled to Wen Chou was none of his business.

This was none of his business, either. What right did he have to demand justice for Wei Ying’s life when the man himself would not?

So he said nothing, and let his silence be his unhappy acceptance.

Jin Ling is bewildered when they accept his idea. He’d been ready to argue furiously, but they simply accepted his judgment instead. He isn’t used to that. His uncles have always believed his word, but made all his decisions for him. This is his decision, and his seniors are letting him make it.

After getting over his shock at not having his idea dismissed, Jin Ling thought about what he wanted to do next.

“I’d like to speak to ZeWu-Jun about this,” he suggested, watching them both to make sure he had permission to proceed. “I think that the two of us are most likely to be able to genuinely gain Jin Guangyao’s cooperation, though I agree that we should not be alone with him.”

Something in Wangji's expression bothers Wuxian. This isn't a silence he likes. And the attempt at a smile for his friend fades, leaving him looking troubled and concerned.

Later. He'll try and puzzle it out...later.

Wuxian looks back to his nephew, thinking over the suggestion and what Jin Ling feels would be the natural conclusion. "Mm. Fine."

“Not alone,” he agreed. It had been the argument he had been about to voice, though Jin Ling had foreseen it.

To the rest, though, he reluctantly agrees.

Jin Ling nods, thinking about his next course of action for a moment before taking out his communicator and setting it to record. He shifts around so that he's framed in the shot but both of the seniors are visible in the background.

"Zewu-Jun." He makes a cursory little bow, the best he can do while he's still holding the communicator steady. "I asked Hanguang-Jun and Senior Wei to meet with me to discuss what to do about LianFang-Zun. I fear that ostracizing my uncle will only worsen him. I remember how he spoke about having no choice, and how he was driven to his crimes because he felt trapped and isolated by his situation. I want to provide him a path to rehabilitation by making clear to him that he is not trapped and isolated. We will help him, but he has to learn to trust us to help him at times when he feels that there is no choice. He will have to work hard to earn back our trust, but I believe that helping him find the right way to do so is the best course of action.

"Hanguang-Jun and Senior Wei agree that we should not meet with him alone. I would like to speak with you, so that we can discuss how best to proceed before we contact him."

He ends the video and sends it, and then curls up against Wei Wuxian's side again, feeling exhausted by the weight of all of this.

Only when his nephew sets to record a message does Wuxian pull back, not completely, but enough to give formal weight to what Jin Ling has in mind.

But when Jin Ling curls right back up against him when it's sent off, he immediately welcomes the boy with another hug, rather amazed with how things have changed since their initial meeting here. And grateful.

"No more tonight," he decides quietly. He glances at Wangji with a question, but speaks to his nephew with options. "Let's get you home, Jin Ling. Or...you could stay here with us tonight." Either way he's not letting Jin Ling leave alone, not tonight.

Jin Ling flushes as he's hugged, but he leans into it and doesn't make any fuss at all, though he does lift his chin and look away primly as though he's leaning into this cuddling against his will.

"Sizhui will worry if I don't come home," he says, though he is already yawning, and his head is very comfortably pillowed against Wei Wuxian's shoulder. The cup of wine he drank has gone straight to his head, since he has no tolerance whatsoever, and that compounds with the emotional exhaustion of this conversation to make him hopelessly drowsy.

Wangji rose silently, despite the yards of fabric involved in the motion, and clasps one hand behind his back.

“I will inform him,” he murmurs, before turning and leaving the room.

He lets the door close behind him before he can hear a complaint, and then keeps walking until he’s left the house.

Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian both needed space to heal, and the space to do it together. He would not intrude.

Whatever his place was, ‘family’ was not it.

Edited 2020-01-31 06:44 (UTC)

He starts to tell Lan Zhan he doesn't have to leave, but subsides with a frustrated little sigh as Jin Ling leans heavily on him and his friend walks out.

Wuxian carefully stands up, moving to tug his nephew up with him before leading him to the comfortable bed. He'll carry the boy if he has to, and will gently tuck him in (yes, those boots are coming off but that's it!).

"Sleep, Jin Ling," he murmurs.

"I'm not tired!" Jin Ling allows himself to be pulled to his feet and moved, but once they reach the bed he rebels. "It's not even that late. You can't make me go to sleep."

The eloquent and logical young man of mere minutes before is gone, and his brattiness returns in full now that he no longer has to bear up the weight of justice and mercy.

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no bedtimes!! revolution!!!!!