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[dazzlingdream]

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[text]

[snowsparksjr]

What job did they give you?

[What is this?? This is a boy who is used to near-constant personalized attention and from his uncles who now is separated from one, estranged from another, and barely known to the third. Lan Sizhui's friendship can't carry the full weight of Jin Ling's need for attention and love, and the elder Lan brothers have other things on their mind.

This isn't forgiveness. It's the barest thread of contact past the game they've been playing of following each others shadows on the network. Your nephew misses you, too.]

[text]

[dazzlingdream]

[Be still his heart! His baby is talking to him. His baby. Meng Yao re-reads the text several times before he tries to respond.]

Hot dog cart vendor.

[He has no idea why. Was it the hat? That hat is only for nobility, damnit!]

I will procure another. What about you, Jin Ling?

[Text]

[yilingdaddy]

[Yes, Wei Wuxian knows text is difficult for Meng Yao. He also doesn't really care. So.]

I want to know your side of everything. Reasons. Actions. Everything.

Written down.

[Text]

[dazzlingdream]

[Voice to text helps.]

What good will that do? You know the truth from others, I assume. Will my reasoning erase it?

[text]

[snowsparksjr]

[He hasn't yet realized that it's supposed to be romantic, and also has no idea that this is a misdelivery thanks to the miniplot. He finds it more creepy than anything. But hey, ostentatious gift with a card that says "I love you", he has an immediate first suspect.]

Did you send this?? Stop SENDING me things.

[text]

[dazzlingdream]

Jin Ling, I didn't send those to you.

[But they are cute, aren't they? And in...red. That is the color of marriage for them. Who wants to marry his boy?]

Video: Pre-recorded, not live feed

[snowsparksjr]

[Jin Ling's sitting in the main room of his apartment. He tilts the camera so that the tea set is visible laid out tidily on the table, then brings it back to his face.]

Uncle. I spoke to Hanguang-Jun and Uncle Wei regarding justice for your crimes, considering the limitations upon us in this place. I suggested a course of rehabilitation, and they agreed to Zewu-Jun and myself working with you to help you find a path to earn back our trust, so long as neither of us meet with you alone.

I ask that you respect that requirement, and help us to do the same, even if we might be tempted otherwise. [He lowers his eyes, which is as good as a confession that he is so tempted.]

I'll send the address. Please come and speak with us here.

[Action Disaster]

[dazzlingdream]

[He starts to shake the moment he finishes viewing the video. Justice has come at last. A cold sweat pricks at his skin and he grips his shoulder; the pain of losing his arm is hardly forgotten. His fingers graze his chest too, recalling the agony of Zewu-Jun's sword piercing all the way through.

Meng Yao has no guarantee that he won't suffer similarly, however if he doesn't go, they will pursue him. And that meeting will surely be worse.

He drags in a sharp breath, drinks a glass of water - he can't have anything stronger thanks to the pain medication - and makes sure he looks somewhat presentable. Hopefully they don't mind him being paler than a ghost.]

text;

[therewillbeorder]

We should talk more. Come over when it's convient.

[address attached]

text; -> action;

[dazzlingdream]

If that interests you.

[He has memorized the layout of De Chima - no, really, this man is a genius - and so it isn't difficult for him to find Hux's home. His prosthetic arm is fitted to his shoulder, giving him the appearance of being more complete - especially in the robes he prefers - however he is still as pale as snow.

Knocking on the door, he waits patiently.]

Text; following lantern festival shenanigans (also I’m mobile pretend this is the texting font)

[blackwaterchild]

Sorry for running off so suddenly, I really did want to talk to you more and make sure you were doing okay. (;´□｀)/ But it was nice to make Jin Ling laugh for once instead of just yelling at me.

But we should’ve stuck around instead of running. Hanguang-jun caught us (ToT) it was the worst outcome. Who knew our actions would have consequences?

Kidding.

But seriously, are you doing well?

Text;

[dazzlingdream]

You were avoiding punishment. Briefly. I think you would have been happier with my verdict. Hanguang-jun can be difficult.

But I agree with you. I like hearing Jin Ling's laughter too.

I cannot complain. I have more stamina than I did.

Text; During the Lantern Festival, immediately after Jiang Cheng's arrival

[snowsparksjr]

RUN

Text;

[dazzlingdream]

Jin Ling?

action.

[secondjade]

[ Hi, Meng Yao. Bet what you really wanted was Lan Wangji showing up outside your door, one hand tightened into a fist behind his back, Bichen gripped in the other.

The knock is sharp and pointed. ]

action.

[dazzlingdream]

[Can he cry? This seems like the right moment to cry.

Lan Xichen had given him some warning, but he is as white as a sheet when he answers the door. Bowing low, he steps back and welcomes Lan Wangji inside.]

He's in here.

Late evening after the Heartless plot ends

[snowsparksjr]

Jin Ling has a lot to deal with the day that his heart suddenly returns and his golden core lights up. After the initial gasping and trembling, there's a long fit of sobbing and clinging to his dog and then to his roommate.

But once he finally calms down a little and starts thinking about apologies due, there's somewhere he has to be.

He sends a text on the way, just in case. You home?

But he's already on his way, and it won't be long before he shows up on his uncle's doorstep, knocking lightly at the door. Fairy is at his side, as usual, worried about the amount of crying her person has done today but glad that he no longer feels Wrong.

When the door opens, he offers a shy, apologetic smile. "Hey."

BB WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN.

[dazzlingdream]

The text surprises him nearly as much as Jin Ling had when he had shown up unexpectedly at his door. Meng Yao is in the process of wording a reply - he wants to say yes so badly, but his encounter with Lan Wangji is making him cautious. As much as he wants to see his nephew, does he have the right?

No. However Jin Ling does have the right to choose who he visits and when. The knock makes his heart race and he hurries to answer it, softening immediately. Relief is his first emotion, but he is confused and worried too.

"Are you -" he starts, forgetting his manners in a fit of concern, "Come in if you like. I'm relieved to see you."

Whole and...himself. Yes, he feels like Jin Ling again.

delivery: Feb 20 after the shadows disappear

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Xichen is utterly exhausted, and he knows the rest are not any better. So he can't... he can't go to Meng Yao. Because he's too vulnerable right now, but also because this would hurt his brother who is already bleeding so heavily on the inside that Xichen can see in his eyes that he's longing for actually bleeding.

So Xichen stays close.

Only takes a moment to send a package he had prepared from before, containing a jade peony in Lan hues, writing a note to go with it. ]

The storm seems to be over, for now. Happy day of birth, Meng Yao.

I hope that it can truly be a new beginning. I'm glad that you live to see another, with all the complications that may come.

- Xichen

[dazzlingdream]

[He understood when Jin Ling confessed his love and kissed his cheek that he is surrounded by remarkable people. He had thought of Xichen, remembering how the man had chosen him so many times and believed in him every single time someone threatened him.

Meng Yao loves them. Deeply. Unconditionally. If they asked him to rend himself to pieces, he would.

But, no, they are wishing him a happy birthday instead.

His fingers caress the jade peony and he tucks the emblem, a marriage of two sects, against his heart. The letter too is folded delicately and placed in a pocket.

He was glad he was alive. Xichen was glad.

How can he say "I love you" to a man he has broken so thoroughly? A return letter will have to do - and it is delivered the next day.]

Long yearning,
To be in Chang'an.
The grasshoppers weave their autumn song by the golden railing of the well;
Frost coalesces on my bamboo mat, changing its colour with cold.
My lonely lamp is not bright, I’d like to end these thoughts;
I roll back the hanging, gaze at the moon, and long sigh in vain.
The beautiful person's like a flower beyond the edge of the clouds.
Above is the black night of heaven's height;
Below is the green water billowing on.
The sky is long, the road is far, bitter flies my spirit;
The spirit I dream can't get through, the mountain pass is hard.
Long yearning,
Breaks my heart.

- Yao

[Text]

[lanofsizhui]

[This message may come as a surprise. But Sizhui has an idea, a plan. It's risky, so he wants to be sure Meng Yao follows.]

Meng Yao, do you enjoy the archery lessons? If you're able, can you come to my archery class...this Friday in particular?

I haven't told my father of your attendance. I decided not to. So you're safe.

[Text]

[dazzlingdream]

[Sizhui, what are you up to? Meng Yao is intensely curious, yet cautious.]

I do. I think I would be available, but why is that class particularly important?

Are you attempting to hide me from him? I appreciate your efforts, I do, however I don't want you keeping secrets from your father.

[Text]

[yilingdaddy]

how's the arm?

[ NOT said yet is the are you behaving really? ]

[Text]

[dazzlingdream]

Getting stronger daily. Thank you for asking.

text; once a certain disappearance has been confirmed

[ze_uwu_jun]

Meng Yao?

text; bb boy nooo

[dazzlingdream]

Hello, Zewu-Jun.

Morning of 3/26

[lanofsizhui]

Meng Yao?

I'm going to go search for Jin Ling and Fairy all over the cities. He hasn't come back home for the last two days now. Would you join me in the search?

[He refused to believe he's gone. He never handle grief before one being so young. He doesn't want to give up. But a visit to the porters to ask questions, just to be sure.]

[dazzlingdream]

I will search with you all you like, however I believe he has ventured home.

If we are able to find Fairy, we can care for her.

[Since she has the ability to teleport.]

It will be alright.

late ;; backdated action

[lotus_heart]

[The night of the dinner with everyone, Yanli made a few dishes early and packed them up carefully in a basket and tucking in a small blanket to keep anything from moving around too much or getting cold.

And then, sword in hand to put her brothers at ease if need be, she makes her way to visit Meng Yao, knocking lightly at his door after a bit of wandering.]

[action] <3 <3 <3

[dazzlingdream]

[She is so sweet and good that just speaking to her makes him feel guilty. When he answers the door, he bows his head immediately, stepping aside to let her in.]

Please make yourself at home, Lady Jiang. [The young ferrets are scampering around, playing with a fuzzy toy. Tug of war is a serious game!] You are so kind to come all this way.

Delivery | About a week after latest convo

[yilingdaddy]

[ Meng Yao will find a gift basket on his doorstep. It has a bottle of decent liquor, as well as a rolled up painting of Jin Ling in a style he might recognize as Wei Wuxian's.

But no note. ]

Delivery | A few days later...

[dazzlingdream]

[In return, he sends satchels of lavender that can be placed under pillows to aid in sleep. There is also, curiously, a painting of Yanli kneeling beside two excitable young ferrets.]