【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-star resort and casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.
Due to a high volume of check-ins, temporary accommodations have been made in our parking garage for all new arrivals. We aim to have all guests moved into their reserved rooms as soon as possible. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience!
All are invited to There Is No Tomorrow, a Phoenix Casino soiree to celebrate our beloved guests. The festivities will begin at 1800 hours on January 20th and end at 1800 hours on January 27th. Please look forward to 168 hours of delight.
In an effort to raise happiness and encourage better guest relationships, attendance is required. The house will assist guests that are too shy to appear of their own accord. Please note that black tie attire is mandatory. As always, we hope you enjoy your stay! 】
PARKING GARAGE
ANY CAR IN A STORM
PHOENIX CASINO HALL
WELCOME TO THE NEXT 168 HOURS
Phoenix Casino is a-flutter with activity and packed to the beak with guests. As a famously ever-changing space, the staff would be remiss if they didn't deck the crown jewel of the Golden Peacock out. The casino glitters from top to bottom, shining brighter than diamonds, rubies, sapphires, opals! Party-goers are shiny and glamorous with picture perfect makeup, fluttering gowns, and sharp suits. Card tables are packed and the slot machines are a-ringing as guests play, play, play! Prizes, luxury, booze, attractive people, it's the place that everyone wants to be at.
Those people being dragged inside by some invisible force...? Silly, they were so excited to come that their bodies moved before they realized what was happening. Those are struggles of joy and definitely not the casino's infamous ghost hands dragging unwilling guests to the party at the behest of the house. Look, they're literally hurling their bodies at the card tables with unrestrained glee!
All clocks indicating day hours and night hours have been removed from the casino. Once a guest has entered, their Watch will jam, making it impossible to keep track of the time. You don't need to worry about that tonight.
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[ The answer comes and the first thing Wei Wuxian thinks is — Sizhui must be terribly homesick. His heart hurts for the boy for a moment and as he sees his shoulders slacken, he'll reach up to squeeze one lightly in what he hopes is a gentle comfort. ]
You do, but you still look like yourself, you know? Just a little less boyish, for certain.
[ He's not sure if that's reassuring or not though, doesn't know if Sizhui wants to have lost his precious teenage years hopping from world to world instead of growing up with his peers. That's a terrible, terrible burden to carry. He'll be different when he comes back home and it won't be something he can hide.
At the display of Sizhui's new powers, Wei Wuxian's eyes widen slightly and he looks impressed. It's simple magic but being able to organically produce something like a flower is still impressive. He smiles. ]
[it is a comfort, especially from someone he hasn't seen in a long time, and sizhui's lips curve faintly in another soft smile. he doesn't say it but his eyes convey: thank you. it's also a relief to hear that he still looks like himself if not nearly as boyish, which is completely fine with him, considering he always thought he looked a little baby-faced.]
I'm glad to hear that, then.
[and it's reassuring in some ways, to know that he hasn't changed much, even though he's been traveling these different worlds for so long now. yes, he is a little upset at having lost so much precious time with his family, but he can still look back on the time he spent on noctium and be happy with the fact he got to see some of them (and meet new family) before they were all taken away with him eventually disappearing too.
but it is, however, one-hundred-percent true that he will be different when he ultimately does go home.
sizhui's almost beaming at the look on wei wuxian's face, his own eyes bright and wide while he reaches with his other hand to pluck the flower off the vines and twirl the stem between his thumb and forefinger.] I do like them. I'm also able to create earthquakes, although I haven't tried, and I have superhuman strength. [like, ‘benchpress a small house’ kind of superstrength.]
[ It's nice seeing Sizhui seem so... content? In his own way? At least, that's the vibe he's picking up from the boy. He's definitely come into his own in a different way than the Sizhui he last talked to and Wei Wuxian isn't sure how to feel over it. He is a bit sad though that he didn't watch this growth from Sizhui himself.
He watches as Sizhui plucks the flower and twirls it, a small smile spreading across his own face. It's peaceful here, under the table, reuniting in their own way. Even if it's been a few days for Wei Wuxian, it's been longer for Sizhui. ]
Earthquakes, huh? That's gotta be impressive. [ And then, the superhuman strength. He looks curious. ] Stronger than a cultivator?
[ Cultivators are pretty strong compared to the mundane person, but he doesn't know how strong is superhuman strong so, he asks. ]
[good thing wei wuxian doesn't look or seem like he's sad or else sizhui would feel pretty bad; it's not his fault, of course, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't feel awful about the whole situation and the fact one of his favorite people has missed out on so much of his life (again).
even better is that they are finally seeing each other again after so long and he's delighted to get to talk to wei wuxian about everything, regardless of how long it's really been. he continues twirling the flower, watching it for a long moment before he offers it out to his guardian, attention upturning afterward before he answers.]
I would imagine so. [he head-bobs in agreement.] Yes, even stronger than that. [and for comparison, he decides he'll tell wei wuxian about one incident in particular—] I pulled a whole tree out of the ground once.
[ He knows, of course, that there's nothing to be done about the time lost. It makes him a bit melancholy, a realization that he was never going to raise A-Yuan himself and even now as Sizhui, his life was always going to steer away from Wei Wuxian's. Maybe eventually, after he's an adult, things will settle and they could have more time together. But for now, he accepts this as it is.
When he's offered the flower, there's a warm smile in response and he takes it, sniffing it. It smells nice, light and airy, reminds him of Sizhui himself. He makes an idle note to keep it, press it in a book, perhaps.
Then Sizhui is describing his abilities and his eyebrows raise, a soft huh leaving him. ]
[unfortunately, that's just the truth of it; nothing can be done, as they cannot turn back time, but they can at least enjoy each other's company now and perhaps for however long wei wuxian wants to deal with him. (because, of course, sizhui's going to want to spend as much time with him as possible.) maybe they'll have more time when he's older, when he's able to more freely travel by himself and see whomever he wants without having to worry about who might not approve. looking at you, lan qiren.
funny that wei wuxian would think of sizhui when he smells the flower. jasmine flowers are what he likes most and he tries his best to find things that smell like them often so he can have that scent and sandalwood whenever he wants to smell nice.
he flushes faintly at that, raising the same hand he'd handed the flower off with to rub the side of his neck in sheepishness.] It wasn't really replantable after that... so a friend of mine— [that's putting it lightly!] —helped me chop it up into firewood.
[ It's fine, Wei Wuxian has no intention of shooing Sizhui away anytime soon. Especially now that he's learned about his history — even he's empathetic enough to know that Sizhui must miss him a little. It's not arrogance, just simply putting himself in Sizhui's shoes because if this was reversed, he'd feel exactly the same.
But also, Lan Qiren is just a hater and he can shove it. Wei Wuxian is going to spend as much time with Sizhui as he wants.
The embarrassment is noted and thus it means Wei Wuxian doesn't pick up on any subtext either. If that friend was more than a friend, it goes over his head. For now. ]
Oh, good. That's a nice resolution. So, you can tear a tree right out of the ground and cause earthquakes without assistance. Any other neat surprises you've got up your sleeve?
[good, sizhui would feel a little heartbroken if wei wuxian told him to leave when they've only just begun chatting. (he knows better, knows that the other man wouldn't do such a thing, but there's always that little voice niggling at the back of his mind.) and it's far more than a little, he's missed him a lot, which is why he really wants to hug wei wuxian, yet isn't quite sure how to do that while they're underneath the table. so, it will wait.
sizhui would never say that out loud, but it's one-hundred-percent the truth and he's going to do whatever he can to spend time with wei wuxian, even if it means getting reprimanded later.
how fortunate, he was subtle enough to not let on about who had helped him being more than a friend, regardless of the fact that wei wuxian's going to understand a bit better once he's spent some time in the hotel. no matter how long one tries to hold out, they eventually succumb to the golden peacock's wiles.]
Don't forget that I can grow plants, too. [just in case he needed the reminder!] Other neat surprises? [now that makes him pause, his brow furrowing, his hand sliding up, over his cheek and stopping at the ribbon on his forehead, fingertips rubbing it idly for something to distract himself with while he contemplates how he's going to tell wei wuxian about the other neat little thing he can do.
eventually, he figures just coming out and saying it is easiest, though he's bracing for the reaction when he does speak again.] I turn into a monster at the end of every month.
[ It helps that Wei Wuxian is a hugger, so when Sizhui inevitably gets up the courage to ask for one, Wei Wuxian will absolutely deliver. He likes to hug, to touch, to hold. Sizhui is special to him and being able to hug him tight will be a treat.
He's already noticed too, the way Golden Peacock pushes for people here to do one thing and one thing only: have sex. He's always been fine with casual sex but this might be pushing it for even him. Welp, we'll see what happens.
He laughs at the correction though, nodding his head. ]
Right, right, the plants too.
[ And then he waits for the answer to his question, clocking the way Sizhui seems a little nervous to reveal it. He tries to keep his expression soft, friendly, so Sizhui's nerves don't get the best of him. He wants to know now, more than he did before. And when he finally gets the answer — ]
Oh.
[ A pause, he processes it for a moment. Then, questions. ]
[sooner rather than later, he'll gather up his courage and give him a hug, a more proper greeting in his opinion, considering the one he'd given wasn't all that great. it's just that they're under the table and, knowing their luck, someone will crack their head or something while they're trying to embrace. so, it really is just a ‘better safe than sorry’ sort of situation.
being promiscuous is one of the four thousand plus rules the lan clan has but, if wei wuxian were to ask, he'd be truthful and tell him that he's been hooking up with different people throughout his world travels because each world he's been to has encouraged intimacy in some form or another. however, he would also be able to admit that, despite this, he's found particular people that he keeps going back to rather than continuing to just pile up a body count.
the laugh makes him smile lightly though it's gone as quickly as it'd come once what he said sinks in. there's the pause and sizhui bites the inside of his cheek, hoping that he didn't say too much, even if it doesn't seem like that's the problem.
honestly, it doesn't seem like there's a problem at all? wei wuxian seems curious still and while curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back and all that.]
It depends. Sometimes I'm a puca with rabbit ears and a puffball tail and antlers. Another time I might be a dragon with horns and a long, scaly tail. [a beat so he can consider how to respond, but then he figures the explanation is just continuing to be straightforward.] It came with my gemstone, a part of being gembonded, as they called it.
[ Someone absolutely would crack their head if they attempted to hug right now. Probably Wei Wuxian knowing his luck. But they'll get there — they have plenty of time after all.
And thankfully, Wei Wuxian would never judge Sizhui for doing what he had to to make it through the places he's been. Sex is sex, it's perfectly natural and even fun. He'd be glad to know Sizhui hasn't hampered himself because of the Lan clan rules. Being in a whole other world changes the stakes, after all.
There's no worry here about what Sizhui said. Well, no, maybe some but it's not enough to keep him from asking after it, wanting to know what Sizhui has dealt with in his time away from home. So, yes, Wei Wuxian decides to lead with curiosity over concern. For now. ]
A puca... [ He doesn't know what that is, he realizes. But a dragon, he does! ] Huh. You must look very impressive as a dragon, I can imagine it now.
[ The horns, the tail, maybe even one of those dragon beards. Very impressive. ]
Gembonded... What an interesting side effect. Do you know why the gem was put in you in the first place?
[thank goodness, wei wuxian is always so understanding of the circumstances. sizhui cannot think of anyone else who might be like him and, even if he could, they still wouldn't be as accommodating as him. perhaps sex is just sex and it can be fun, as he's learned, it's still something that he found hard to accept the first time because of just how casual a thing it seemed to be for other people.
fortunately, he had a special person who was just as new to such things as he was and they were able to learn together.
if wei wuxian asks, he'll answer, just like he has been doing. there's no reason to hide what he's gone through from someone so important to him, so he'll keep right on talking for as long as wei wuxian wants to listen.]
Pucas are shape-shifting spirits, usually of the rodent variety on Noctium. [now, he wouldn't normally act smug about anything, especially not something like this because his worry would override it, but he can't help smiling and puffing his chest a little at the remark about him looking impressive.] I like to think I do. Perhaps you'll have a chance to see it sometime.
As for why it's there... they were part of us because we were encouraged [encouraged like it wasn't forced out of them] to be intimate with each other to produce Manna, which is a type of magic that was used to help the Gods of that world.
[ Wei Wuxian will absolutely want to know more about Sizhui's special person when he realizes there is one. He hasn't yet put together the pieces of "this is a degenerate sex hotel" and "Sizhui is in the degenerate sex hotel" which must mean "Sizhui has had sex in the degenerate sex hotel" — solely because the thought of Sizhui having sex is still a foreign one. He would not judge, no! It's just, well, Sizhui is still something of a baby in his eyes. His A-Yuan...!
For now, there is the mystery of what Sizhui turns into though, that's something to listen to and take in. The answer about pucas helps because that, he didn't know, but a tiny shape shifting rodent ... well, it might be cute. The dragon is still better though. ]
I'd love to see it.
[ He's excited about the opportunity! But, ah, right. The explanation comes and that really does send Wei Wuxian down the path of "his A-Yuan is having sex, oh" and there is a complicated set of emotions on his face for a moment before he lands on acceptance. Sizhui is old enough, more than old enough now. He accepts it. ]
Right. A form of worship for the gods, that's right out the old stories. I hope it wasn't too... difficult for you.
[ The Lan clan precepts, after all. They have rules around that sort of thing. ]
[at least sizhui's well-aware that wei wuxian won't be judging him, but he can understand how it may sound to him that he's had sex, especially given the clan he comes from. thankfully, the hotel has been easy enough on him and he hasn't had to search for many partners whereas most of them have come naturally. (no pun intended there—) and it's also completely understandable that sizhui's still just wei wuxian's little a-yuan in particular because they haven't had a lot of time to spend together lately; this is clearly why they must make up for lost time while they have the chance.
the dragon may always be superior, but the puca is adorable because bunny rabbits are too dang cute.]
I'd like it if you could. I think you would find them interesting... and maybe even a little cute.
[so long as they're around each other long enough, there will come a time at the end of the month where wei wuxian can see whatever sizhui becomes that week and hopefully it won't be something more worrying like his nixie or merrow transformations.
he nods for affirmation,] Just like that, yes. [as for the difficulty, well . . . ] It was, at first. It took many months for me to finally accept what we had to do, but I was lucky enough to find someone who was just as new to it as I was, and we were able to learn together.
Fortunately, simple things like hugging and holding hands produced Manna as well, so we could start with very easy things and progress from there. [a beat then,] And it also worked with platonic relationships, too.
[ Wei Wuxian would love to make up for lost time with Sizhui. It's definitely one of the things he's had as his priority, even before coming here. He just... wants to know more about who he is now, as a person. How he feels, what he dreams about, his life in general. Everything. This really is a good chance for that.
And look, don't get him started on how cute rabbits are. It's a Whole Thing, obviously. ]
I'm sure I'd find it cute, my A-Yuan is the cutest no matter what he looks like.
[ If they weren't under the table, he would pinch his cheek just then. As it is, he just smiles at him.
But then he listens to Sizhui's reply, understanding his experiences a bit better. Alright, that's... good. He's really glad Sizhui had someone to learn from and with. That's what people need. ]
I'm really happy for you. It sounds like you approached a difficult situation with a level head and sensibility. Being able to find someone who you could be comfortable with is really important when it comes to matters like these. Just because it's the will of the gods, doesn't mean you should force yourself into an uncomfortable situation.
[ A pause and — ]
You said three worlds. This world, the first world, what was the second?
[well, for however long wei wuxian will listen, sizhui will keep right on telling him about his adventures and where they've led him so far; he's enjoying retelling his tales, especially to someone who can appreciate them— which isn't to say that some people don't, it's just different with wei wuxian, with someone who enjoys hearing such things, even if they may seem unbelievable at first.
no worries there, he knows all about the rabbits hidden away in the back mountain, so he's well-aware of just how cute they are.]
Aiyahhh, [he sighs, raising a hand to wave back and forth, looking a little flustered by the remark despite the fact there's no cheek-pinching, though his smile doesn't waver in the slightest.
another quick head-bob of agreement then he lowers his hand again, interlocking both of them across his lap for now.]
Thank you, Xian-gege. [yes, he is just dropping that like it's totally normal.] I'm glad I didn't have to force myself into something uncomfortable either, but I'm also happy it happened before anything terrible happened on Noctium. If we didn't participate, we would eventually start turning to stone and that wouldn't have been good, either.
[ah, the second world... he wonders how he should even start with that one.] Amani. It wasn't too different from the first world, intimacy-wise, but the aesthetic was different. It was still full of technology that I didn't understand at first, but slowly became accustomed to. It also had different worlds we could travel to like Hiromitsu, which was a world full of yokai, creatures not unlike some of our world's ghosts, demons, and monsters.
[ Seeing Sizhui's fluster is very cute and makes him want to tease him more but he doesn't want to derail the conversation entirely either. So, he just smiles and resists the urge to ruffle his hair instead.
And then Sizhui goes again and calls him Xian-gege and now Wei Wuxian is the one who is flustered and touched. Ahh!! He's Xian-gege again!! That makes him, honestly, want to cry. But no, he'll power through it and focus. Focus!! ]
Oh, that — hm. [ Turning into stone, huh? ] Sounds bad.
[ But right, the second world. Amani. A world full of technology he he didn't understand? Sounds kind of like Wei Wuxian's current predicament here in the Peacock. Maybe Sizhui will be able to help him learn a bit more about the ways things work here, especially this gadget on his wrist. ]
Amani on the other hand sounds... a bit fun? Learning new technology, traveling to different worlds, it's all interesting. I guess that's the bright side of being taken to these different worlds, you get to see and learn a lot.
[please, more teasing is always welcomed, even if it'll fluster him more, but he doesn't mind because it's only himself and wei wuxian under the table. at least if he'd ruffled sizhui's hair, it wouldn't mess anything up since he's decided to wear it all down.
it helps that he gets to fluster wei wuxian a little; the nickname has always been special to them, of course, and any chance sizhui gets to use it, he'll take it.]
Mmhmm. [he nods in agreement, expression briefly looking grim, though it softens again once he remembers that it isn't something he generally has to worry about anymore.
fortunately, he'd be more than happy to help the other man learn about technology, especially since it's something else they could bond over. imagine: him teaching someone like the great yiling laozu . . . if it weren't possible, it'd almost be laughable.]
It was quite fun, especially the world traveling! There were many different places that we could visit, some a little stranger than others, but there wasn't anything wrong with that. I wish you had been there to experience it with me, you would've loved it.
[ Then that hair is definitely going to get ruffled... soon. Just give it some time. Next opportunity he gets, for sure.
And the back and forth is nice too. It's strange, being able to be so comfortable with someone he loves so much in a world so brand new and unusual. Like finding a bit of home, in a foreign land. He's grateful for Sizhui's presence.
Being taught technology by Sizhui would be something that Wei Wuxian would gladly brag about as well. Just boast so much — his A-Yuan, teaching him about how phones work! Look at how smart his A-Yuan is! Look at how bright! He loves him sooooo much! So, they'd both have a good time bonding over it. ]
Ha... ha, yeah! I wish I had been there too. [ For so many reasons. First and foremost, to just be there for Sizhui during all this. He needn't have to go through it alone. ] So, in a way, you've been to more than three worlds, but one of them had a bunch of different worlds within it. That's impressive. I wonder if I'm going to end up seeing a bunch of different worlds now that I've ended up here. Ah... but I'd miss everyone so much!
[it'd be stranger to sizhui too if he weren't already so used to the world-hopping. regardless of this, he finds comfort in wei wuxian's presence as well, feeling like maybe together they can face this obstacle head-on and perhaps figure out a way back home.
what a way to embarrass him even more! he would be the ever-humble lan boy and say that he's nothing too special, he's just lucky to already know how a lot of this stuff works, et cetera and so on. he would, however, maybe preen a little about being called bright and smart because he does know he has a good head on his shoulders and has been taught well by those closest to him.]
It's okay, we can start by learning more about this world together. [even if sizhui's already learned some things about the golden peacock that he almost wishes he hadn't. now, though it makes him feel a little bad that wei wuxian has to suffer through it too, they can go through it with each other rather than alone.] In a way, yes, you're right. Who knows? We'll just have to see what it has in store for us and prepare for the worst but hope for the best. [a beat then,] I miss everyone too, but it's nice to see a familiar face here.
[ Wei Wuxian leads more with curiosity than anything else, so he's not too panicked about the whole "being kidnapped to a different reality" thing just yet. Not yet at least. But he's also expecting this to be a few months at most and then he'll make his way right back home.
... Though thinking about it now, about Lan Sizhui's adventures... what if that happens to him too? Hm. ]
Yeah, we can!
[ He beams so brightly, so pleased, so happy. Lan Sizhui is definitely one of the few people he'd want to be stuck with in a separate world than their own. Probably his number 2 pick! (Lan Wangji would be his number 1, unsurprisingly.) ]
I'm glad I can be that familiar face. [ Ah, fuck it. He's going in for the hair ruffle! Ruffle, ruffle. ] Oh, help me out with one thing, why don'tcha? What's a "card suit"?
[oh, wei wuxian, ever the optimist. sizhui thought the same thing and then months turned into more months, then eventually a year and a year became two, so on and so forth. as it stands, being away from home for four whole years has been quite a journey, but he can't say that he regrets any of it because it has been a fun adventure and he's met a lot of great people during it.
here's hoping wei wuxian gets his wish though and is only stuck at the golden peacock for a few months rather than longer.
unsurprisingly, sizhui would probably choose lan jingyi as his first and wei wuxian and lan wangji as his second (because he can't and wouldn't choose between them, so they'd somehow have to all be together, clearly).
following the hair ruffling, he laughs softly, raising a hand to muffle the sound and cover his smile out of instinct.] Me too. [as for the card suit, well... he pauses for contemplation, lowers the hand to tap his chin then he explains as best as he can:] I still think it has something to do with groups we've been split up into, but different things happen to people within the suits. If that makes any sense?
[ Wei Wuxian is not sure he'd be as good natured about being away from home for so long as Sizhui is. He's almost certain he'd become a little more bitter and melancholic about not being able to see his loved ones if he was away for four years. So, he might be an optimist but not exactly in that direction.
Still, fingers crossed!!
Wei Wuxian wouldn't be surprised at all about Sizhui's picks either. They really are family, huh?
But for now, Wei Wuxian watches him laugh, smiles a bit about it and then listens earnestly to Sizhui's explanation. Alright, huh. ]
And I'm a "wildcard" which means I haven't received one of the card suits yet. I guess I'm stuck on what they mean. I know what a diamond is, though I don't know what it has to do with cards. Hearts, like the heart inside you. The clubs and spades loses me entirely, I've never even seen those symbols before.
[ . . . ]
Bah! If I question every single new thing I see since I've arrived here, I'll never get anything done! I suppose what they are doesn't really matter as much as what they do. If it's just a way to sort us into groups, then so be it.
[in the beginning, sizhui wasn't too excited about being torn away from his family, but as time went on, he found that he started enjoying visiting these new worlds and making new friends. sure, he misses his family a whole lot, but he knows that eventually he'll make it back to them and it will be like no time has passed at all. (or so he assumes because he imagines that once he does get home, it will be like he never left in the first place, although he hopes that he remembers his adventures.)
and yes, they really are, no one can tell him otherwise.
sizhui moves the hand from his chin to the side of his neck, rubbing it idly while he considers, but he ultimately says,]
I am, too. From what I've gathered, it depends on how we are affected when our suits are “active,” which is different for everyone. I've never seen symbols like the clubs or spades, either. When I think of a spade, I think of a shovel, though. Maybe it's where the symbol came from? [if that's the case, however, what in the world would a shovel have to do with card suits?]
Yes, you will be spending a lot of time questioning things and you won't get far. However, it's good to ask questions, too. We need to figure out what they plan on doing with us, after all, so I see no reason why we shouldn't learn as much as possible about this place.
[ Wei Wuxian will eventually piece together the likelihood of returning exactly when he left and feel much, much better about this whole thing when he gets there. But still, there's much to learn and so much he doesn't know — just like this conversation is showcasing. ]
A shovel, huh? [ What WOULD a shovel have to do with card suits? Wei Wuxian frowns but he can't seem to figure that out either.
At Sizhui's consoling though, he feels a bit better. Yes, that's the right approach to take and he agrees with it wholeheartedly, no matter how frustrating it might become. ]
You're right, of course. The more knowledge we have, the better equipped we are to deal with such a strange place. Ahh I really hope I'm not here for too long. Though it'd be nice to take my memories back of this place, I'd love to go home and see if I can make something like this "watch".
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peacockstop2025-01-15 09:00 pm
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You do, but you still look like yourself, you know? Just a little less boyish, for certain.
[ He's not sure if that's reassuring or not though, doesn't know if Sizhui wants to have lost his precious teenage years hopping from world to world instead of growing up with his peers. That's a terrible, terrible burden to carry. He'll be different when he comes back home and it won't be something he can hide.
At the display of Sizhui's new powers, Wei Wuxian's eyes widen slightly and he looks impressed. It's simple magic but being able to organically produce something like a flower is still impressive. He smiles. ]
That suits you. Do you like the powers?
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I'm glad to hear that, then.
[and it's reassuring in some ways, to know that he hasn't changed much, even though he's been traveling these different worlds for so long now. yes, he is a little upset at having lost so much precious time with his family, but he can still look back on the time he spent on noctium and be happy with the fact he got to see some of them (and meet new family) before they were all taken away with him eventually disappearing too.
but it is, however, one-hundred-percent true that he will be different when he ultimately does go home.
sizhui's almost beaming at the look on wei wuxian's face, his own eyes bright and wide while he reaches with his other hand to pluck the flower off the vines and twirl the stem between his thumb and forefinger.] I do like them. I'm also able to create earthquakes, although I haven't tried, and I have superhuman strength. [like, ‘benchpress a small house’ kind of superstrength.]
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He watches as Sizhui plucks the flower and twirls it, a small smile spreading across his own face. It's peaceful here, under the table, reuniting in their own way. Even if it's been a few days for Wei Wuxian, it's been longer for Sizhui. ]
Earthquakes, huh? That's gotta be impressive. [ And then, the superhuman strength. He looks curious. ] Stronger than a cultivator?
[ Cultivators are pretty strong compared to the mundane person, but he doesn't know how strong is superhuman strong so, he asks. ]
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even better is that they are finally seeing each other again after so long and he's delighted to get to talk to wei wuxian about everything, regardless of how long it's really been. he continues twirling the flower, watching it for a long moment before he offers it out to his guardian, attention upturning afterward before he answers.]
I would imagine so. [he head-bobs in agreement.] Yes, even stronger than that. [and for comparison, he decides he'll tell wei wuxian about one incident in particular—] I pulled a whole tree out of the ground once.
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When he's offered the flower, there's a warm smile in response and he takes it, sniffing it. It smells nice, light and airy, reminds him of Sizhui himself. He makes an idle note to keep it, press it in a book, perhaps.
Then Sizhui is describing his abilities and his eyebrows raise, a soft huh leaving him. ]
Did you replant it after?
[ Seems like a waste of a tree. ]
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looking at you, lan qiren.funny that wei wuxian would think of sizhui when he smells the flower. jasmine flowers are what he likes most and he tries his best to find things that smell like them often so he can have that scent and sandalwood whenever he wants to smell nice.
he flushes faintly at that, raising the same hand he'd handed the flower off with to rub the side of his neck in sheepishness.] It wasn't really replantable after that... so a friend of mine— [that's putting it lightly!] —helped me chop it up into firewood.
[not a total waste that way, right?]
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But also, Lan Qiren is just a hater and he can shove it. Wei Wuxian is going to spend as much time with Sizhui as he wants.
The embarrassment is noted and thus it means Wei Wuxian doesn't pick up on any subtext either. If that friend was more than a friend, it goes over his head. For now. ]
Oh, good. That's a nice resolution. So, you can tear a tree right out of the ground and cause earthquakes without assistance. Any other neat surprises you've got up your sleeve?
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sizhui would never say that out loud, but it's one-hundred-percent the truth and he's going to do whatever he can to spend time with wei wuxian, even if it means getting reprimanded later.
how fortunate, he was subtle enough to not let on about who had helped him being more than a friend, regardless of the fact that wei wuxian's going to understand a bit better once he's spent some time in the hotel. no matter how long one tries to hold out, they eventually succumb to the golden peacock's wiles.]
Don't forget that I can grow plants, too. [just in case he needed the reminder!] Other neat surprises? [now that makes him pause, his brow furrowing, his hand sliding up, over his cheek and stopping at the ribbon on his forehead, fingertips rubbing it idly for something to distract himself with while he contemplates how he's going to tell wei wuxian about the other neat little thing he can do.
eventually, he figures just coming out and saying it is easiest, though he's bracing for the reaction when he does speak again.] I turn into a monster at the end of every month.
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He's already noticed too, the way Golden Peacock pushes for people here to do one thing and one thing only: have sex. He's always been fine with casual sex but this might be pushing it for even him. Welp, we'll see what happens.
He laughs at the correction though, nodding his head. ]
Right, right, the plants too.
[ And then he waits for the answer to his question, clocking the way Sizhui seems a little nervous to reveal it. He tries to keep his expression soft, friendly, so Sizhui's nerves don't get the best of him. He wants to know now, more than he did before. And when he finally gets the answer — ]
Oh.
[ A pause, he processes it for a moment. Then, questions. ]
Why? How? ... What do you turn into?
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being promiscuous is one of the four thousand plus rules the lan clan has but, if wei wuxian were to ask, he'd be truthful and tell him that he's been hooking up with different people throughout his world travels because each world he's been to has encouraged intimacy in some form or another. however, he would also be able to admit that, despite this, he's found particular people that he keeps going back to rather than continuing to just pile up a body count.
the laugh makes him smile lightly though it's gone as quickly as it'd come once what he said sinks in. there's the pause and sizhui bites the inside of his cheek, hoping that he didn't say too much, even if it doesn't seem like that's the problem.
honestly, it doesn't seem like there's a problem at all? wei wuxian seems curious still and while curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back and all that.]
It depends. Sometimes I'm a puca with rabbit ears and a puffball tail and antlers. Another time I might be a dragon with horns and a long, scaly tail. [a beat so he can consider how to respond, but then he figures the explanation is just continuing to be straightforward.] It came with my gemstone, a part of being gembonded, as they called it.
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And thankfully, Wei Wuxian would never judge Sizhui for doing what he had to to make it through the places he's been. Sex is sex, it's perfectly natural and even fun. He'd be glad to know Sizhui hasn't hampered himself because of the Lan clan rules. Being in a whole other world changes the stakes, after all.
There's no worry here about what Sizhui said. Well, no, maybe some but it's not enough to keep him from asking after it, wanting to know what Sizhui has dealt with in his time away from home. So, yes, Wei Wuxian decides to lead with curiosity over concern. For now. ]
A puca... [ He doesn't know what that is, he realizes. But a dragon, he does! ] Huh. You must look very impressive as a dragon, I can imagine it now.
[ The horns, the tail, maybe even one of those dragon beards. Very impressive. ]
Gembonded... What an interesting side effect. Do you know why the gem was put in you in the first place?
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fortunately, he had a special person who was just as new to such things as he was and they were able to learn together.
if wei wuxian asks, he'll answer, just like he has been doing. there's no reason to hide what he's gone through from someone so important to him, so he'll keep right on talking for as long as wei wuxian wants to listen.]
Pucas are shape-shifting spirits, usually of the rodent variety on Noctium. [now, he wouldn't normally act smug about anything, especially not something like this because his worry would override it, but he can't help smiling and puffing his chest a little at the remark about him looking impressive.] I like to think I do. Perhaps you'll have a chance to see it sometime.
As for why it's there... they were part of us because we were encouraged [encouraged like it wasn't forced out of them] to be intimate with each other to produce Manna, which is a type of magic that was used to help the Gods of that world.
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For now, there is the mystery of what Sizhui turns into though, that's something to listen to and take in. The answer about pucas helps because that, he didn't know, but a tiny shape shifting rodent ... well, it might be cute. The dragon is still better though. ]
I'd love to see it.
[ He's excited about the opportunity! But, ah, right. The explanation comes and that really does send Wei Wuxian down the path of "his A-Yuan is having sex, oh" and there is a complicated set of emotions on his face for a moment before he lands on acceptance. Sizhui is old enough, more than old enough now. He accepts it. ]
Right. A form of worship for the gods, that's right out the old stories. I hope it wasn't too... difficult for you.
[ The Lan clan precepts, after all. They have rules around that sort of thing. ]
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the dragon may always be superior, but the puca is adorable because bunny rabbits are too dang cute.]
I'd like it if you could. I think you would find them interesting... and maybe even a little cute.
[so long as they're around each other long enough, there will come a time at the end of the month where wei wuxian can see whatever sizhui becomes that week and hopefully it won't be something more worrying like his nixie or merrow transformations.
he nods for affirmation,] Just like that, yes. [as for the difficulty, well . . . ] It was, at first. It took many months for me to finally accept what we had to do, but I was lucky enough to find someone who was just as new to it as I was, and we were able to learn together.
Fortunately, simple things like hugging and holding hands produced Manna as well, so we could start with very easy things and progress from there. [a beat then,] And it also worked with platonic relationships, too.
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And look, don't get him started on how cute rabbits are. It's a Whole Thing, obviously. ]
I'm sure I'd find it cute, my A-Yuan is the cutest no matter what he looks like.
[ If they weren't under the table, he would pinch his cheek just then. As it is, he just smiles at him.
But then he listens to Sizhui's reply, understanding his experiences a bit better. Alright, that's... good. He's really glad Sizhui had someone to learn from and with. That's what people need. ]
I'm really happy for you. It sounds like you approached a difficult situation with a level head and sensibility. Being able to find someone who you could be comfortable with is really important when it comes to matters like these. Just because it's the will of the gods, doesn't mean you should force yourself into an uncomfortable situation.
[ A pause and — ]
You said three worlds. This world, the first world, what was the second?
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no worries there, he knows all about the rabbits hidden away in the back mountain, so he's well-aware of just how cute they are.]
Aiyahhh, [he sighs, raising a hand to wave back and forth, looking a little flustered by the remark despite the fact there's no cheek-pinching, though his smile doesn't waver in the slightest.
another quick head-bob of agreement then he lowers his hand again, interlocking both of them across his lap for now.]
Thank you, Xian-gege. [yes, he is just dropping that like it's totally normal.] I'm glad I didn't have to force myself into something uncomfortable either, but I'm also happy it happened before anything terrible happened on Noctium. If we didn't participate, we would eventually start turning to stone and that wouldn't have been good, either.
[ah, the second world... he wonders how he should even start with that one.] Amani. It wasn't too different from the first world, intimacy-wise, but the aesthetic was different. It was still full of technology that I didn't understand at first, but slowly became accustomed to. It also had different worlds we could travel to like Hiromitsu, which was a world full of yokai, creatures not unlike some of our world's ghosts, demons, and monsters.
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And then Sizhui goes again and calls him Xian-gege and now Wei Wuxian is the one who is flustered and touched. Ahh!! He's Xian-gege again!! That makes him, honestly, want to cry. But no, he'll power through it and focus. Focus!! ]
Oh, that — hm. [ Turning into stone, huh? ] Sounds bad.
[ But right, the second world. Amani. A world full of technology he he didn't understand? Sounds kind of like Wei Wuxian's current predicament here in the Peacock. Maybe Sizhui will be able to help him learn a bit more about the ways things work here, especially this gadget on his wrist. ]
Amani on the other hand sounds... a bit fun? Learning new technology, traveling to different worlds, it's all interesting. I guess that's the bright side of being taken to these different worlds, you get to see and learn a lot.
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it helps that he gets to fluster wei wuxian a little; the nickname has always been special to them, of course, and any chance sizhui gets to use it, he'll take it.]
Mmhmm. [he nods in agreement, expression briefly looking grim, though it softens again once he remembers that it isn't something he generally has to worry about anymore.
fortunately, he'd be more than happy to help the other man learn about technology, especially since it's something else they could bond over. imagine: him teaching someone like the great yiling laozu . . . if it weren't possible, it'd almost be laughable.]
It was quite fun, especially the world traveling! There were many different places that we could visit, some a little stranger than others, but there wasn't anything wrong with that. I wish you had been there to experience it with me, you would've loved it.
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And the back and forth is nice too. It's strange, being able to be so comfortable with someone he loves so much in a world so brand new and unusual. Like finding a bit of home, in a foreign land. He's grateful for Sizhui's presence.
Being taught technology by Sizhui would be something that Wei Wuxian would gladly brag about as well. Just boast so much — his A-Yuan, teaching him about how phones work! Look at how smart his A-Yuan is! Look at how bright! He loves him sooooo much! So, they'd both have a good time bonding over it. ]
Ha... ha, yeah! I wish I had been there too. [ For so many reasons. First and foremost, to just be there for Sizhui during all this. He needn't have to go through it alone. ] So, in a way, you've been to more than three worlds, but one of them had a bunch of different worlds within it. That's impressive. I wonder if I'm going to end up seeing a bunch of different worlds now that I've ended up here. Ah... but I'd miss everyone so much!
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what a way to embarrass him even more! he would be the ever-humble lan boy and say that he's nothing too special, he's just lucky to already know how a lot of this stuff works, et cetera and so on. he would, however, maybe preen a little about being called bright and smart because he does know he has a good head on his shoulders and has been taught well by those closest to him.]
It's okay, we can start by learning more about this world together. [even if sizhui's already learned some things about the golden peacock that he almost wishes he hadn't. now, though it makes him feel a little bad that wei wuxian has to suffer through it too, they can go through it with each other rather than alone.] In a way, yes, you're right. Who knows? We'll just have to see what it has in store for us and prepare for the worst but hope for the best. [a beat then,] I miss everyone too, but it's nice to see a familiar face here.
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... Though thinking about it now, about Lan Sizhui's adventures... what if that happens to him too? Hm. ]
Yeah, we can!
[ He beams so brightly, so pleased, so happy. Lan Sizhui is definitely one of the few people he'd want to be stuck with in a separate world than their own. Probably his number 2 pick! (Lan Wangji would be his number 1, unsurprisingly.) ]
I'm glad I can be that familiar face. [ Ah, fuck it. He's going in for the hair ruffle! Ruffle, ruffle. ] Oh, help me out with one thing, why don'tcha? What's a "card suit"?
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here's hoping wei wuxian gets his wish though and is only stuck at the golden peacock for a few months rather than longer.
unsurprisingly, sizhui would probably choose lan jingyi as his first and wei wuxian and lan wangji as his second (because he can't and wouldn't choose between them, so they'd somehow have to all be together, clearly).
following the hair ruffling, he laughs softly, raising a hand to muffle the sound and cover his smile out of instinct.] Me too. [as for the card suit, well... he pauses for contemplation, lowers the hand to tap his chin then he explains as best as he can:] I still think it has something to do with groups we've been split up into, but different things happen to people within the suits. If that makes any sense?
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Still, fingers crossed!!
Wei Wuxian wouldn't be surprised at all about Sizhui's picks either. They really are family, huh?
But for now, Wei Wuxian watches him laugh, smiles a bit about it and then listens earnestly to Sizhui's explanation. Alright, huh. ]
And I'm a "wildcard" which means I haven't received one of the card suits yet. I guess I'm stuck on what they mean. I know what a diamond is, though I don't know what it has to do with cards. Hearts, like the heart inside you. The clubs and spades loses me entirely, I've never even seen those symbols before.
[ . . . ]
Bah! If I question every single new thing I see since I've arrived here, I'll never get anything done! I suppose what they are doesn't really matter as much as what they do. If it's just a way to sort us into groups, then so be it.
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and yes, they really are, no one can tell him otherwise.
sizhui moves the hand from his chin to the side of his neck, rubbing it idly while he considers, but he ultimately says,]
I am, too. From what I've gathered, it depends on how we are affected when our suits are “active,” which is different for everyone. I've never seen symbols like the clubs or spades, either. When I think of a spade, I think of a shovel, though. Maybe it's where the symbol came from? [if that's the case, however, what in the world would a shovel have to do with card suits?]
Yes, you will be spending a lot of time questioning things and you won't get far. However, it's good to ask questions, too. We need to figure out what they plan on doing with us, after all, so I see no reason why we shouldn't learn as much as possible about this place.
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A shovel, huh? [ What WOULD a shovel have to do with card suits? Wei Wuxian frowns but he can't seem to figure that out either.
At Sizhui's consoling though, he feels a bit better. Yes, that's the right approach to take and he agrees with it wholeheartedly, no matter how frustrating it might become. ]
You're right, of course. The more knowledge we have, the better equipped we are to deal with such a strange place. Ahh I really hope I'm not here for too long. Though it'd be nice to take my memories back of this place, I'd love to go home and see if I can make something like this "watch".
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i am so sorry for the wait..... it's been a long week 😔
no apologies necessary!!! take ur time always
tysm 😭
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