[ic] duplicity inbox

[darkpath]

text | call | action | pictures

Comments

text

[inquiryguqin]

[It has been quite a week. There are new arrivals arrived this month. But what is particular is that some of them came from their world. While it's another day to find work and getting by with what they have, making ends meet with limited resources.

Lan Zhan usually never speaks unless there's an important matter to discuss.]

Wei Ying. This is important. People from our world are now here. Xiao Xingchen, Nie Huaisang, Xue Yang...I saw them.

Have you seen them too?

text

[darkpath]

Lan Zhan, I've seen them too. Then you've met them as well?

*chin hands*

[ He's learned to use words for actions now, too. ]

Even more strange, they all remember different things.

[inquiryguqin]

Mn. I have. I wonder if you have seen them.

It's unfortunate they are here. But I think they could help us. We have to meet up with them.

It just proves whoever brought us here, they can bring in anyone from different time and place.

[darkpath]

Hm. I'm going to meet with them. Two of them are fun.

[ To be fair, Xue Yang is also fun, but he's evil and Wuxian is stubborn. ]

We can get them to invite us over. They get to be in the Up.

[inquiryguqin]

Which of the two?

They have access to the Up?

[Lan Wangji is always curious what's in the Up. That part of the city is barred to them.]

After Xue Yang's delightful network post

[fanoperator]

Huaisang isn't thrilled about having to come to the Down. So dirty! So ugly! What if he gets mud on his robes??

But he needs to be here for his friend, and after Xue Yang all but outed him on the network--or, at least, brought the situation to a point where Huaisang felt that he needed to interfere for all their sakes--he's obligated to offer a certain amount of honesty.

So he turns up at his friend's apartment, trying not to grimace too much at the overall situation. "I'll contract you, Wei-xiong. This is awful." This wasn't the topic at hand, but Huaisang's encountered higher priorities along the way. "Do you even have alcohol?" Please have alcohol. He wants alcohol.

action;

[darkpath]

"It's not that bad..."

His last bedroom was a cave, after all.

The apartment isn't the cleanest, but it's also not a mess. Wuxian has an apartment to himself for now, if only because no roommate has been assigned to him as of yet. The bed that such a person would occupy currently holds trinkets Wuxian has picked up from the market -- a lot of them claim to have magical powers. While he knows most are scams, he doesn't yet know enough about this world to assume none of them have promise.

"And I do have alcohol."

Turning around, he reaches beside the bed and pulls out a bottle.

"Ahhh... I usually just drink from the bottle, but we can still share."

They'd kissed, after all. Too late for modesty now.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang takes a swig without hesitation. It's not as good as what he's been drinking in the Up, but it didn't occur to him to bring a gift, since he'd come straight here. He'll remedy that on future visits.

Sitting on the end of the bed, Huaisang pouts up at his friend. "Wei-xiong, he was the first person I encountered in this place. I didn't know anyone else was here. I was so frightened. Of him, of this place."

He drinks again. Hugs the bottle to his chest. "He persuaded me to go back to his apartment. I knew it was stupid. I berated myself the whole way there. But I was lonely and he is... very handsome."

A shy, sweet smile appears on Huaisang's lips. "He was so gentle with me, Wei-xiong. He was sweet and generous. I started off terrified." He shakes his head and shudders. "I haven't forgotten what we saw in that courtyard. I know... I know I didn't see the worst of it. The rest of you protected me from it. I can only imagine."

Offering the bottle, Huaisang sucks nervously on his lower lip. "I know how dangerous he is. But yes, I will vouch for him, at least on this point. When he wants to be, he is a very generous lover."

[darkpath]

"I didn't ask what he was like in bed..."

Wuxian pouts slightly. Xue Yang isn't the worst looking person in the world (not at all), but that's beside the point. He's a murderer.

Inhaling, his hands reach out to rest on either side of Huaisang's arms, looking him seriously in the eyes.

"You're not alone anymore. You have me and Lan here, now. You don't have to be with somebody who scares you."

He tries a smile, hoping it will help. His friend doesn't need to be pressured into sex.

[Voice] April 11th

[bright_moon]

Nephew? Are you - when you have a moment, I would like to speak with you. It is not urgent.

also that time... sorry

[darkpath]

I'm here, I'm here.

[ Wuxian's voice appears, musical enough to display his good mood. ]

You're fine! <3

[bright_moon]

[ a smile can be heard in Xingchen's quiet voice ]

If I may be blunt? I would like to offer you a contract with me.

[darkpath]

[ Surprise, not doubt, is what earns the silence. It doesn't take very long for an answer to come, however. Xingchen is a kind person. Perhaps he should work out details, but there's little need before signing the actual contract. After all, he can trust the other man.]

That's a good idea.

[ Perhaps the fact he doesn't ask for terms signals the trust he holds in Xingchen. ]

It is getting close.

text

[fanoperator]

Wei-xiong:
Two things
No, i've changed my mind already, three things
i am so glad to be back in the city and out of that metal box
xue yang, xiao xingchen, and i
i know you saw us together on the metal ship
we have agreed to be romantically and sexually exclusive
third thing: i know your deadline to get a dominant is in a little over a week
let me help? it won't be romantic or sexual, but you're my friend and i want to take care of you

voice; he's usually too impatient for text

[darkpath]

Until the end, the ship was fun...

[ Despite a lack of video, the frown on Wuxian's voice is easily audible. He enjoyed everything leading up to the visions, but the visions themselves were harsh. ]

Hm. [ But the tone switched to something more thoughtful as he continues to read. Being exclusive is a good idea if that's what his friend wants, and it's a bit harder to argue against Xue Yang after accepting his help on the ship. He'd been the one who closed the distance and calmed Wuxian. It doesn't undo all the bad he's done, but it's a step toward making it less black and white. Besides, he's already giving his warnings. ]

But don't worry! I have a plan.

voice

[fanoperator]

[The ship was fun for Huaisang, too, but only because he got to spend the entire time tangled up with his lovers. Also he honestly enjoyed the scandalous apparel. Everything else about it was awful, however.]

A plan?

[He's equal parts excited and worried. Wuxian's plans are always fun! But they have a high chance of getting in trouble and Huaisang is very scared of being punished by the authorities of this terrifying place.]

[darkpath]

A plan.

[ Because repeating the word is a clarification. Though, he does expand on it a second later. ]

I'm working on a contract with one of your ... boyfriends?

[ Is that the right word? ]

text ; un: hanguang-jun

[inquiryguqin]

[This happens after the dom/sub finder went up and Lan Zhan realized they're running out of time.]

Wei Ying.

I made a contract with Xue Yang. It is done. He made a promise on his honor to abide by the rules and laws. So don't worry about me, I'll be fine. It's taken care of.

Make your decision quickly before the deadline.

[Lan Zhan is worried, but he trusts Wei Ying to be sensible in the choices he makes. His guidance is available.]

text;

[darkpath]

It's already made?

[ Wuxian can't help but find himself confused. Was he the only one who'd been wary of Xue Yang after what they'd seen all that time ago? He's less worried now, but the suspicion remains if somewhat muted. ]

Lan Zhan, are you sure that's a good idea?

text;

[inquiryguqin]

[Coolly, if anything with a certain indifference as Lan Zhan meditates on his sword.]

Made. Terms already discussed. If he cause trouble, he'll take his punishment too. Which he doesn't want, I'm sure.

I know what he is capable of. So, I'll keep him in line. For at least, three months.

[It's a temporary measure.]

It's only paper. The only person I love is you.

text;

[darkpath]

I know you do. I'm just worried.

[ Lan Zhan isn't the first person he's had this conversation with. Xue Yang seems to have some kind of charm when he's not killing people. ]

If he does something bad, the city will be on his side, but I won't be. Even if it means running away together. But Lan Zhan, why him?

[Text]

[cultivatingsin]

Senior! I know you like danger, but isn't this cutting it a little bit close?

voice;

[darkpath]

What? You say you think I'm smart but then doubt me this much? Like I would end up with some stranger.

voice;

[cultivatingsin]

[Voice is faster and easier, so he makes the switch:]

You better not! A stranger wouldn't like you as much as we do.

[darkpath]

[ Wuxian doesn't bother to hide the sigh. ]

It's no good if you're already with everybody I know. I know you've went exclusive with two of my friends, and now you're going into a contract with Lan Zhan.

[ And Xue Yang had helped him on the ship. Reached out, took the risk of bonding, and helped him. Without seeing the relationship with Xingchen, it feels so odd to have such contradicting personalities. It's like Wuxian came back to live with the same world but with everybody being so very different. ]

I don't have a choice but to keep an eye on you now.

[ It's a tentative agreement to allow Xue Yang to be around him. Now that Xue Yang hadn't decided they'd be hanging out anyway, but now, Wuxian offers a faint and very careful sort of permission. ]

But if you hurt any of them, I won't forgive you.

[ Any of them. As always, Wuxian's confidence is in play. The others are capable of caring for themselves, and yet Wuxian is ready to protect them. Obviously, since he's the great Wei Wuxian, he's not in any danger.

Not that Xue Yang has threatened them here. ]