[ On saturday, the twin jades of Lan made a short journey to Lan Jingyi's residence. Wangji sent a message before their arrival, alerting the junior and requesting him to be home.
When they appeared, Wangji was back in his formal robes, once more - weeks worth of hand sewing finally complete - and he stood in front of Jingyi's door with a folder tucked into his sleeve and his brother at his side.
When greeted, Wangji would give his pupil a polite, formal bow, and then step inside, asking Jingyi to take a seat, before putting the folder down in front of him.
... He's gonna let his brother do the talking, though. ]
[ Xichen's voice is soft and gentle, and he gives a greeting that is respectfully but does not cross the line of becoming mocking, from a Sect Leader to a junior. ]
It has come to our attention that in this world, the laws require specifically recognised relationships among kin. 'Clansman' might not suffice, in an emergency.
So, we have prepared what is called adoption papers, whereby one of us will be considered your father, while we are here.
We will both have you, and it is your choice whose name will stand next to yours.
Please, feel free to consider the situation, and read as much of the documents as you wish, before giving an answer.
[Jingyi feels no small alarm at the impending visit, and his time before the arrival is filled with whirlwind tidying and shoving himself back into his robes that have been losing out to jeans for the last week or so.
When they're finally at his door, however, he's properly attired and pink-cheeked from shoving his roommates things into unobtrusive corners.]
Zewu-Jun, Hanguang-Jun.
[He goes for a formal greeting with a bow. He's not nervous, obviously. (He is, in fact, nervous.) He knows how to host, but it has been an academic proposition prior to now. That they're here on what looks like...business(?) only makes his alarm grow as he leads them to the small dining table and seats himself. The only reason he doesn't speak is that he's too busy seeing things he should have already tucked away and does not want to call attention to them.
Once seated, though, and Zewu-Jun speaks, he is baffled.]
Father?
[Stunned, he looks down at the papers and shuffles them, not really seeing them. He is of the clan, but he is not himself particularly notable. This is something that would happen to Sizhui, not to him.]
Are you asking the same thing of the others? Have they already chosen?
[He looks between the two of them as he asks, still caught in how surreal it is to be asked to sign such documents.]
[ Wangji nodded, calm and sure. He didn’t seem bothered or put out by Jingyi’s nervousness. If anything, he half way expected it. ]
Lan Sizhui, Hinasaki Miu. My son, my daughter, as this world is concerned.
[ And, honestly, as far as Wangji was already concerned. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Sizhui was basically his son back home, too, and he had been looking after Miu from nearly the moment he met her. ]
Jin Ling tied to Yunmeng Jiag and Lanling Jin. We did not offer. [ It would have been pretty rude. ]
[ Then, gently: ] We seek not to dishonour your parents, Lan Jingyi. Only to declare kinship, responsibility.
You are welcome with either of us. You would have siblings in one case, and cousins in the other. No reason for the companionship to be any less close.
[To hear Hanguang-Jun say son and daughter out loud, with his actual voice, stuns Jingyi more than the offer itself. He knows how Hanguang-Jun treats Sizhui, yes, but even so it catches him right in squishy center the heart.]
Oh, but Sizhui was already your son.
[And Jingyi has always been Sizhui's cousin, if a little further of a cousin than what he is being offered. He doesn't know if he wants to change that, even if it is just on paper in a strange and distant world.
It is the acknowledgement of his parents that he becomes misty-eyed over, though he tries to keep the stoic attitude that would do both of his terrifying, illustrious seniors proud.]
And I know it is no dishonor on them. My parents are not here and that means you have to take me on. I will try very hard to make you both proud of me. And it is a honor to me that you would offer this, since I am just Sizhui's friend. It would be a wonderful thing to be his brother.
[Without pausing for thought and only barely pausing for breath, he continues.]
[ Lan Wangji had a solemn promise to himself to never lie. It was better to say nothing than to speak something that was not true. That Sizhui had been his son in spirit - that was true. But the formal recognized bond was not one that had been granted to him, and thus not one he could outwardly claim. Now, however, he had it signed, sealed, confirmed. By law and by personal acknowledgement. No longer a quiet sentiment shared only with Sizhui - this was a public, open commitment.
So there was no reason to mince words around it any longer.
He watched Jingyi with a careful eye - he understood the emotion it could cause. And he was proud for the relatively restrained way Jingyi was approaching it.
At least until the last comment.
He didn't smile. Not because he didn't find it amusing, but because he certainly did not want Jingyi to find it amusing. He'd seen the two of them together. He suspected it was something very different. But he was not about to call him on it, right now.
Instead he just nodded. ]
Your brotherhood undeniable, regardless of formal connection.
[ He knew how close the two boys were. Official brothers or not, they could rarely be separated. ]
If you do not wish such close association with Hanasaki Miu, placing Zewu-jun's name next to yours is clearest option.
[ Xichen's eyebrows rise sharply, thinking of Jin Ling's... attitude towards Hanasik Miu, but then again, he knows Lan Jingyi very well. He knows where the junior's heart is, and hurting others - for all he can be loud and sharp - is not what he wishes.
After a moment, his expression eases, growing more... thoughtful, instead. Speculative, even, if Wangji happens to be paying attention. ]
Not sister, but close? [ Not quite teasing, but it is... curious, and he would like to see if his guess is correct.
But the traces of mirth fade into soft certainty. ]
Of course it is. [Referring to his brotherhood with Sizhui.] I do not need anything to tell me that I am supposed to be there when he needs me. It is just that Miu—
[He stops halfway through his response to Zewu-Jun, mind blanking. He had not had a reason to blurt such a thing out to begin with. It is just when he thinks of the idea, he does not like it, and that is that. So, earnest and almost without pause, he explains (oblivious of any other way it could be taken).]
I really do not think of her as a sister.
[But they are both looking at him and he does not want them to think he does not like her, or does not approve of the fact that she is now family, so he has to make sure they know. He looks between Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun so he can watch both of their faces for approval.]
But I am glad you are adopting her! Just like I am glad that you are training her. She needs to be trained. [And adopted.] And I do not think that she could have better teachers.
[Which brings him to Zewu-Jun, who he gives a wide grin.]
I would very much like to be adopted by you, Zewu-Jun. Not just because you are an excellent teacher. You are also slightly less scary to demand hugs from, which I assure you that I am going to do if you claim me as a son.
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timeasmymeasure
backdated to white day
Date: 2020-03-16 12:23 pm (UTC)When they appeared, Wangji was back in his formal robes, once more - weeks worth of hand sewing finally complete - and he stood in front of Jingyi's door with a folder tucked into his sleeve and his brother at his side.
When greeted, Wangji would give his pupil a polite, formal bow, and then step inside, asking Jingyi to take a seat, before putting the folder down in front of him.
... He's gonna let his brother do the talking, though. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-03-16 12:30 pm (UTC)[ Xichen's voice is soft and gentle, and he gives a greeting that is respectfully but does not cross the line of becoming mocking, from a Sect Leader to a junior. ]
It has come to our attention that in this world, the laws require specifically recognised relationships among kin. 'Clansman' might not suffice, in an emergency.
So, we have prepared what is called adoption papers, whereby one of us will be considered your father, while we are here.
We will both have you, and it is your choice whose name will stand next to yours.
Please, feel free to consider the situation, and read as much of the documents as you wish, before giving an answer.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-17 06:47 pm (UTC)When they're finally at his door, however, he's properly attired and pink-cheeked from shoving his roommates things into unobtrusive corners.]
Zewu-Jun, Hanguang-Jun.
[He goes for a formal greeting with a bow. He's not nervous, obviously. (He is, in fact, nervous.) He knows how to host, but it has been an academic proposition prior to now. That they're here on what looks like...business(?) only makes his alarm grow as he leads them to the small dining table and seats himself. The only reason he doesn't speak is that he's too busy seeing things he should have already tucked away and does not want to call attention to them.
Once seated, though, and Zewu-Jun speaks, he is baffled.]
Father?
[Stunned, he looks down at the papers and shuffles them, not really seeing them. He is of the clan, but he is not himself particularly notable. This is something that would happen to Sizhui, not to him.]
Are you asking the same thing of the others? Have they already chosen?
[He looks between the two of them as he asks, still caught in how surreal it is to be asked to sign such documents.]
no subject
Date: 2020-03-17 07:58 pm (UTC)Lan Sizhui, Hinasaki Miu. My son, my daughter, as this world is concerned.
[ And, honestly, as far as Wangji was already concerned. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Sizhui was basically his son back home, too, and he had been looking after Miu from nearly the moment he met her. ]
Jin Ling tied to Yunmeng Jiag and Lanling Jin. We did not offer. [ It would have been pretty rude. ]
[ Then, gently: ] We seek not to dishonour your parents, Lan Jingyi. Only to declare kinship, responsibility.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-17 08:06 pm (UTC)You are welcome with either of us. You would have siblings in one case, and cousins in the other. No reason for the companionship to be any less close.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-17 08:49 pm (UTC)Oh, but Sizhui was already your son.
[And Jingyi has always been Sizhui's cousin, if a little further of a cousin than what he is being offered. He doesn't know if he wants to change that, even if it is just on paper in a strange and distant world.
It is the acknowledgement of his parents that he becomes misty-eyed over, though he tries to keep the stoic attitude that would do both of his terrifying, illustrious seniors proud.]
And I know it is no dishonor on them. My parents are not here and that means you have to take me on. I will try very hard to make you both proud of me. And it is a honor to me that you would offer this, since I am just Sizhui's friend. It would be a wonderful thing to be his brother.
[Without pausing for thought and only barely pausing for breath, he continues.]
But Miu would make a terrible sister.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-17 11:24 pm (UTC)So there was no reason to mince words around it any longer.
He watched Jingyi with a careful eye - he understood the emotion it could cause. And he was proud for the relatively restrained way Jingyi was approaching it.
At least until the last comment.
He didn't smile. Not because he didn't find it amusing, but because he certainly did not want Jingyi to find it amusing. He'd seen the two of them together. He suspected it was something very different. But he was not about to call him on it, right now.
Instead he just nodded. ]
Your brotherhood undeniable, regardless of formal connection.
[ He knew how close the two boys were. Official brothers or not, they could rarely be separated. ]
If you do not wish such close association with Hanasaki Miu, placing Zewu-jun's name next to yours is clearest option.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-21 05:35 pm (UTC)After a moment, his expression eases, growing more... thoughtful, instead. Speculative, even, if Wangji happens to be paying attention. ]
Not sister, but close? [ Not quite teasing, but it is... curious, and he would like to see if his guess is correct.
But the traces of mirth fade into soft certainty. ]
I would be happy with such a choice. Jingyi.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-21 08:45 pm (UTC)[He stops halfway through his response to Zewu-Jun, mind blanking. He had not had a reason to blurt such a thing out to begin with. It is just when he thinks of the idea, he does not like it, and that is that. So, earnest and almost without pause, he explains (oblivious of any other way it could be taken).]
I really do not think of her as a sister.
[But they are both looking at him and he does not want them to think he does not like her, or does not approve of the fact that she is now family, so he has to make sure they know. He looks between Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun so he can watch both of their faces for approval.]
But I am glad you are adopting her! Just like I am glad that you are training her. She needs to be trained. [And adopted.] And I do not think that she could have better teachers.
[Which brings him to Zewu-Jun, who he gives a wide grin.]
I would very much like to be adopted by you, Zewu-Jun. Not just because you are an excellent teacher. You are also slightly less scary to demand hugs from, which I assure you that I am going to do if you claim me as a son.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-26 07:04 pm (UTC)Xichen having to receive and give hugs. He was right - this would be a good arrangement for his Brother. ]
Mm. Then it is agreed.
[ And he gently pushes the papers toward the two of them. ]