Catch-all: June

[ze_uwu_jun]

WHO: The Untamed / MDZS cast and friends (enemies, etc)
WHERE: Anywhere, everywhere, including still-assigned lodgings / the cast house and around all towns
WHEN: June
WHAT: Catch-all because neither the emotions nor the shenanigans ever end.
WARNINGS: The Untamed / Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation / Mo Dao Zu Shi spoilers; canon-typical violence; event-typical violence. Will add more if it becomes necessary.

ooc: Go ahead and make top levels, etc. as need arises. If someone wants to seek out somebody from the cast/s, this is also a place they are welcome to do so. The house they have is in Jeopardy, it's a bit emptier than expected but also there are still bunnies.

Comments

OTA

[disasterstraight]

[ The location: Your house. Any house. A whole neighborhood of houses, in any city.

The time: Early one weekday morning. Not ridiculously early. Not Lan clan waking up at five am early. But a nice, sensible hour when normal people conduct their business. That kind of early.

The scene: A man, with impeccable long black hair and impeccable pale yellow robes, walking from house to house with a black briefcase in hand. At each house, he stops, rings the doorbell, waits (im)patiently for a response. ]

Good morning. [ He bows. ] I am a representative of Silver Scentury Colognes. May I interest you in a sample of our newest fragrances?

[ This is mortifying and so beneath him, but until he finds something better to do, you bet your butt he's going to do it. ]

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ When Xichen opens the door, he definitely... doesn't look his best, though it's mostly about the eyes and how pale he is - there are juniors to take care of, and he will not set a bad example to them by being disheveled.

At seeing who it is, his eyebrows rise. Then he nods slightly. ]

Of course. [ Who knows... maybe there will be one which won't give him a headache... But that doesn't matter that much. ]

Will you come in for tea while I - try them?

[ That's what he should say, right? The sample part, that is, not the invitation. The invitation, he is certain about. ]

[disasterstraight]

[ When Zixuan stands from his bow only to lock eyes with Zewu-jun of all people, his own eyes widen in surprise. He vaguely makes note that the Lan cultivator isn't looking as vigorously healthy as he remembers, but then that can be excused, certainly. This world is an uncertain place. Who knows what may have happened to him during his time here. ]

Thank you.

[ With a flourish of his sleeve he steps inside the house, waiting for Lan Xichen to direct him where to go. ]

I was unaware you were here, Zewu-jun.

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Xichen closes the door, then cups his hands in both salutation and apology.

Then he does lead the way inside the low, sprawling house in Jeopardy which he chose alongside Wangji, to the living room where there is, indeed, tea that is fresh enough. He motions the guest to sit and, yes, there are low seats and a low table because this was supposed to be at least home enough while they were here, so there are some comforts. If not physical, then of familiarity. Of course, a soft fluffy couch is there, as well, in case Jin Zixun opts for something more contemporary. ]

I apologize. I should have welcomed you sooner, but your arrival was during a time when we were undergoing changes, and then Wangji disappeared, and I thought it would be ... easier if you did not have to - try to accommodate me on top of getting used to an entirely new world.

Are you well?

[disasterstraight]

[ Are you kidding? He's going straight for that low table. Finally, something resembling the way things are back home. He really ought to get around to redecorating his apartment to suit his tastes, but... That would feel too much like acknowledging some kind of permanence about this world. ]

Yes, I had heard about Hanguang-jun's disappearance. [ And Wei Wuxian's to boot. He hadn't thought much of it, other than worrying over how his fiancée was handling it. ]

I am well enough. [ He gestures towards the case he had come in with, with a sigh. ] They have given me a position selling fragrances door to door. It is... simple enough, which is about the best thing that can be said about it.

[xth_gambler]

[No one goes door to door in Maurita Falls, right? It's not wise. It's not safe. It's several sorts of stupid. It's so strange that Luxord, not used to someone knocking at his door, actually goes and opens it. And stares.]

You really just... Came to my door, to sell me something?

[disasterstraight]

[ Maurtia Falls is dangerous, yes, but that is why, in the hand that is not carrying his briefcase, Zixuan is carrying his sword. ]

Yes. [ Begrudgingly, he bows again. ] I apologize for the inconvenience. This is the position I was assigned upon arrival.

[ He doesn't like it any more than you do. ]

[xth_gambler]

[The sword earns Luxord's attention. It lingers there not briefly, and his eyes narrow as if it's a threat.]

And what, exactly, are you attempting to sell again?

[disasterstraight]

Cologne. [ He raises the briefcase, trying to draw attention away from the sword and towards the case instead. ]

It is a type of scented oil one applies to their skin.

[ They'd had to explain what it was to him when he'd started this job, so he assumes it's not common knowledge. ]

[lotus_heart]

[Poor Zixuan! It's Yanli who answers the door, wearing a mix of Jin and Jiang colors (tastefully paired of course), and she can't help but giggle softly. Not cruelly, it's endearing to see him making this job work until he finds something better. She'd given in to her brothers, even if she'd had no objections herself, and quit her job as a waitress.]

Oh, please. I'd love to see them, perhaps I'll find something my husband likes. [And she can't help that impish bit of teasing.

More seriously though-] It's bound to get warm today, would you like something cool to take along? This world has bottle that can be partially frozen without making your drinks taste awful.

[disasterstraight]

[ Oh. Oh great. If he had realized this was his fiancée's house he would never have rung the doorbell. He clears his throat, feeling flustered. As always, Yanli knows how to make his emotions fly completely off the handle. ]

Ah-- Yes. I'm sure I have something here your h-- your husband will like.

[ It's odd, them being from different points in time. For her, they have already been married some time. For him, it hasn't happened yet.

But her concern is enough to make him smile. ]

I would like that, thank you. I didn't realize just how warm Jeopardy could get, even so early in the day.

[lotus_heart]

[She won't push him to get used to the too-close periods of their lives they're experiencing. And she won't mind if he wants to start from where he's more comfortable with.]

It's gotten warm enough that I've thought of seeing if everyone would like to stay at the house Wei Wuxian left for me. It's in the woods, just outside of De Chima, I haven't visited it yet though.

[Into the kitchen she leads him and she pulls a sports bottle from a cabinet and a frozen stem from the freezer.]

Would you like anything particular to take with you?

[rebelarrow]

[The man who opens the door is familiar, albeit slightly sweaty from a vigorous morning run, evidenced by the damn t-shirt that clings to him. In his free hand is a colorless shake of some sort.]

Jin Zixuan.

[There's no surprise in his tone or in his face, but he's surprised all the same.

And then he registers the other man's words.]

I apologize, but I only purchase colognes designed for Changeling noses. As this world doesn't carry such scents, I've gone without.

[Not that he's ever been much of a cologne man, anyway. He just has some on hand for dates with Brenna, or pack functions.]

[disasterstraight]

[ His eyebrows raise in surprise. ] Judd Lauren.

[ He was bound to run into someone he knew, going door to door like this. But this is a surprise nonetheless. ]

I'm afraid I wouldn't know what sort of cologne is tailored to a... a Changeling, you say? What is that?

[rebelarrow]

Changelings are a race native to my world, and in the barest sense are animal shapeshifters. There are two sides to any Changeling, human and animal, and their animal side makes their human side more sensitive to smell.

Sad songs say so much

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Xichen is... functioning. He is sleeping even less than before, since Wangji disappeared, but there are juniors (fewer than they had been, too) to take care of, and a household.

Meng Yao's disappearance...

It has brought a small measure of rest from the terror that Xichen will make the same mistakes, and an ocean of grief all over again.

It is this sadness that pours out of the xiao in the yard of the house that he now owns unilaterally; he just takes care to not infuse the music with spiritual powers. The bunnies do not need that, nor do the residents still living here. ]

[xue_yang]

[Xue Yang is in a bad mood and that's not usually a good thing for anyone. He should be in better spirits considering his time spent with Xingchen a few weeks ago, but the conversation they had a little after that has left him sour. And then to find out that his only real ally in this place is also gone..makes for one grumpy cultivator.

He pauses when he hears the sound of the music, having a vague idea who might be the cause of that given the area. He walks closer and just looms near the corner of the yard. It's not like he has spoken to this Lan member really at all, but with as much time as he has spent under the care of Jin Guangyao it's not like he isn't aware of this man's connection with him.

He figures the sadness in the tune has a lot to do with his leaving as well as others.]

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Xichen becomes aware of another presence, but as there is no immediate action taken, he finishes the melody before taking Liebing down from his lips, and looking.

Then he blinks.

After a moment's consideration, he inclines his head. ]

Xue Chengmei.

... come, join me?

[ Not necessarily inside the house, but out here in the yard, it should be safe enough. ]

[xue_yang]

[He's not one normally to hesitate but even he knows how to tread carefully around one of the twin Jades. And the use of that name..he should have expected it perhaps but there are so few that call him by that.

He walks into the yard until he is a few feet away from the other, crossing his arms over his chest. He doesn't have any grudges against this man. No reason to despise him or wish him harm. And Xue Yang is not as callous as people believe him to be.]

You don't have to play gracious host with me, Zewu-jun. You're welcome to run me off.

[lotus_heart]

[Of course she could hear the sadness in that music, she'd have to be deaf not to. And they all knew the pain that came with someone dear departing.

Yanli doesn't immediately join him, she lets him have his time alone before joining him in the yard with a pot of freshly brewed tea. She's not... entirely sure what to say but company, even quiet company, and a cup of tea will help. At least, she hopes so.]

May I join you, Zewu-Jun?

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Xichen knows that he is not the only one in the house who has lost someone dear, several someones, over the last few weeks. She has lost both her brothers, for example, and before that, her son who she had barely become aware of.

So his music is not entirely for him alone. Sometimes, what is in the heart may need to be let out, that it may run its course. ]

Lady Jiang. Please, do. [ He tucks Liebing away, cupping his hands in greeting. ] It would be a pleasure and solace that you do.

[ And, once she has settled, ]

Is something in this world proving difficult for you, Lady Jiang?

[ A more specific question than are you well, though - even if he suspects he knows the answer to - it is a question that he means, all the same. ]

[lotus_heart]

[It probably comes as no surprise that Yanli hasn't considered herself so much as she has Xichen.]

Only how temporary some things can be here. [Something everyone, she thinks, has to deal with eventually.

Once settled, she sets out a pair of cups that she'd balanced on top of the tea pot.] Would you like some? A-Yao gave me this tea, I thought it might be appropriate.

(ಥ﹏ಥ)

[gusumouthcannon]

[The music lures Jingyi out, and he comes prepared with a carton of ice cream and two spoons, though he does not break it out right away. It will be for later, when his father's done with playing. It would not do to get sticky sugary condensation inside of any xiao at all. No instrument deserves that.

As it is, he plants himself as close as he can get without actively leaning on him, pops open the ice cream for himself, and starts eating it right out of the container while he listens.]

baby boooy

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Xichen notices his son, and his offering, and doesn't linger in the music too long.

He sets his instrument down, then away after a deep breath, and looks at Jingyi...

... then opens his arms to him. ]

Come?

[ Not a demand. An offer. ]

[gusumouthcannon]

[Like he would turn away from that kind of offer! He carefully sets down the ice cream on the ground beside him and then launches himself the couple of finger-widths that there had been between them. Not enough to pick up a lot of speed, but enough for a satisfying thud of impact.

He wraps his arms around him in a hug and smushes his face against his shoulder. Congrats! You have acquired a reassuring kid with impressive arm strength ready to cling for dear life!]

Sounds like you are having a terrible day.