deercountry | jin guangyao's february catch-all (closed starters & open!)

Entry tags:

jin guangyao's february catch-all (closed starters & open!)

Who: jin guangyao, select closed starters, & you!!
What: researching blood pollution with palamedes and viktor; giving a rose pin to a certain someone; platonic speed dating; bad luck?? /waves hands vaguely
When: throughout february; research thread happens early in the month; rose pin gifting happens on the 20th, which is jgy's birthday; speed dating happens near the end of the month.
Where: sanctuary and palamedes and viktor's laboratory; the siheyuan in willful machine; wherever the f the speed dating happens; other locations as needed.
Notes: as usual, if you're keen to thread something, hmu on plurk or discord.

Content Warnings: nothing yet, will update if that changes.

i. research club
(closed to viktor and palamedes)

[Jin Guangyao is punctual by nature, and so arrives at the laboratory space at the prescribed date and time as discussed with Viktor. he isn't overburdened by talismans and spiritual tools--or maybe he is, and his ~~wuxia-style bag of holding~~ qiankun bag just keeps everything tidily hidden from view until it needs to be retrieved. taking in his surroundings, he fetches out his omni and fires off a couple of quick texts to both Viktor and Palamedes to let them know that he's arrived, and then... waits, hands neatly folded behind his back.

it's a bit cold. he curls his fingers up into his sleeves to avoid chafing them together. he's here, guys, let's do some magical science.]

ii. a rose pin for er-ge
(closed to lan xichen)

[he's never had much interest in celebrating his own birthday, for rather obvious reasons, though his memory is far too sharp for him to ever be fortunate enough to forget when the date rolls around. this means that, when Jin Guangyao wakes up on the brisk morning of February 20th, he knows (regrettably) that on this date not so very long ago, he took his first tumble down the stairs of Jinlintai at his father's behest--all while his legitimate half-brother, Jin Zixuan, who shared his same birthdate, celebrated behind closed doors. (had he known? perhaps not on that day, but later on, surely he had known--)

his increasingly bitter thoughts stop abruptly as, upon entering the parlour, he sees the two rose pins displayed upon a dark green cushion in the centre of the low table. and though he can't quite articulate why, he knows somehow that they are for him in a way that goes beyond simple gift-giving, and that they are not from Lan Xichen. maybe the little card beside them, which explains their significance, helps clear things up. it also makes his next step the most natural in the world, because who else could he ever give such a thing to?]

Er-ge? [he calls out, curious, inquisitive rather than alarmed, lest Lan Xichen think something terrible has befallen them already this morning.]

iii. speed dating??
(open to all! nb: platonic dates only please)

[he'd been meditating in the small courtyard in his home, which means that Jin Guangyao is in for quite a shock when he opens his eyes and finds himself sitting across from you, whoever you are, with a friendly 'hello! my name is 金光瑶 (Jin Guangyao)!' nametag slapped in place across the front of his cream and gold outer robe.

he could not possibly look more politely distressed if he tried, and looks beseechingly around for an exit sign, but all appear conveniently absent. fuck.

this is the helpful info blurb that appears via your omni:]

UN: WHENINLANLING
Don't let this pathologically polite gentleman's advantageously kind eyes and disarming smile fool you: until you demonstrate otherwise, rest assured that this young master will view you as a potential threat to be out-maneuvered at best, and neutralized at worst. Do let yourself be shocked that, despite knowing this information, someone else in this city willingly married him anyway.

Hobbies include: poetry (reading, not writing), music (the guqin, playing and listening), and tai chi.

( 金光瑶 Jin Guangyao / 敛芳尊 Lianfang-zun / ~~孟瑶 Meng Yao~~ | mid-20s | M | Bisexual )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( If Peter's equally distressed expression (though less "polite" and more "anxiously nauseated") didn't already give away the fact he, too, is less than thrilled to be here, his own information blurb surely seals the deal. His body language couldn't read more "run away" than it does, with the way he barely perches on the end of his own chair rather than relaxes into it, uncomfortably tense.

However, by now, Peter has experienced enough of this nightmare to know how it works. ....Which is another reason he isn't settling comfortably into that seat; you get shocked a few times and you learn to sit in fear. Of course, Peter always kind of Looks Like That, with his perpetually nervous disposition and dark circles like bruises beneath his eyes. Has he ever once relaxed in his life? (No)

He does give a soft, shy "hello" to the new person he finds himself sitting across from, eyes sweeping down to his Omni device to read what's displayed, because that's the pattern here. And.... oh. Peter is immediately intimidated by this young man! )

Uhh.... So I guess we're... here.

( ...Good job. )

[it's debatable whether Jin Guangyao is ever genuinely comfortable within his own skin, but under different circumstances he at least is able to accomplish an effective imitation of it. under these circumstances, however, he looks very much as though he would exit his own skin to free himself from this experience, and is only keeping it together because the thought of making a scene is somehow more more objectionable than being a bit discourteous and leaving early. is that weird? it's extremely weird.

he attempts to smile agreeably at the young man across from him anyway, consults his omni to review Peter Graham's blurb, and--ah. his expression softens a fraction. that is, as the kids on the network might crudely say, a whole-ass mood.]

Indeed we are. [at least Jin Guangyao's voice is mellifluous and kind, however menacing his blurb may be and however uncomfortable he appears. it's a bit odd to try and bow while seated, but he does perform as close an approximation of the salute as he can manage, precise and mannerly, and straightening before Peter can be placed in the awkward position of trying to return the gesture.] This one is called Jin Guangyao, as you see. Please be at ease, Graham-gongzi, and we will endure this for as long as we must.

[he consults his omni again as a randomly generated question pops up on the display before him. he reads it, raises his eyebrows, and then looks towards Peter.] Does Graham-gongzi have a favourite musical instrument? [that one seems innocuous enough. what could possibly go wrong?]

( The bow catches Peter off-guard; it's the first time that anyone's greeted him that way, but the younger's aiming to be amicable in response. He lifts his hand in a return gesture, only it comes in the form of a palm raised to face the other man and a slightly slouched shoulder, a kind of "sup, bro" moment. These are two very opposite energies going on...

But the corner of Peter's mouth does lift in a little smile, friendly even if it's mostly shy. The "endure this for as long as we must" even almost makes him laugh a little, and there's some immediate dose of relief to hear his new partner in this hellish game say that. That's exactly how he feels and it's a lot more favourable to be in agreement over the vibes than if he were paired with someone who was.... thrilled about it.... (horrible!)

And the question actually is something that he's capable of answering pretty easily. Talking About Himself will always be weird, but there's maybe the tiniest flicker of something that brightens the browns of his eyes. He wouldn't call music a passion (wouldn't call anything a passion), but it's... pretty close. One of the only hobbies he'd actually say he feels good about. )

Oh yeah, I uh, really like guitar? ( Peter tends to frame everything like a question, almost as though looking for permission that it's... correct. ) Keys are fun too, but... guitar was the first thing I ever wanted to play, myself.

( Something that wasn't just... inherited, the way the family piano was, and subsequently, Peter's learning how to play it. )

It says you play the uh.... guqin? ( He definitely did not pronounce that right. ) I don't think I've heard of that before. What's it like?

Edited 2023-02-23 19:21 (UTC)

[something keen and bright quickens in Jin Guangyao's dark eyes at the word 'guitar'--not because he ever had cause to encounter the instrument in ancient fantasy China, obviously, but it's clear enough that he's figured out what a guitar is during his time in Trench. that is probably why he enquires with polite but genuine interest,] Six or twelve-string?

[oh, but his question coincides with the question about the guqin, which gives Jin Guangyao a moment's pause. it's hard to describe the expression that flickers across his features in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment--uncertainty, anxiety, shame (?), fear (??)--but then the polite mask is there again, and he smiles, inclining his head.] The guqin is a plucked-string instrument, but it would be much better for this one to show Graham-gongzi a video, rather than subject him to my poor explanations. [this last bit said with a self-effacing little smile, and he flicks his sleeves out while referring to his omni again. he's quick to draw up a video of a musician before the instrument in question, and turns his omni towards Peter.]

It is very different from the guitar, [he allows, smiling.]

( The question is unexpected, and there's an equally unexpected little thrum up under Peter's sternum, something that feels like a perk of his own spirit. The familiarity of the question is like some bridge that connects the gap, some small little thing that makes all of this, or at least the person he's currently sitting across from, feel a little less unknown.

Peter smiles, and it appears before he could think to subdue it, a genuine thing. )

Six, but I'd like to try twelve some time. Get that really smooth sound. Haven't found any music shops around here, but maybe someone'll open something.

( More and more people are doing it, starting up little businesses, selling things. He's still smiling, though it flickers just a tad at that brief thing that crosses the other man's features. Maybe something... upset? But the smile is right back there in place, and Peter's good at pretending he didn't notice a thing, letting his eyes drop from the face of the man and to the screen of his Omni.

The interest he wears is authentic, Peter's focus fixed on the demonstration, falling hushed. It is very different from the guitar, and it's so compelling to watch and to hear, the way the plucked notes resonate and flow, delicate. He thinks of Luna, that she would like it. )

Man..... that's really dope. ( Which is genuinely high praise from a Gen Z-er...... But quickly, to clarify that "dope" is representative of a good thing — ) It's really beautiful... Do you play it for people? Or is it more of a private thing? I uh, mostly play in my room. Stage fright. ( He gives a dumb, self-deprecatory grin. )

The blizzard shows up very suddenly, a clear day to whiteout conditions within minutes. Shen Yuan can take some well-earned pride in the fact that he keeps both his head and his patrol group together, and gets everyone into shelter before anyone gets hit with anything worse than messed-up hair and wind-whipped cheeks. Unfortunately, this is exactly what Trench intended him to do.

Speed dating? Well, okay. It's not like they can turn right back around and leave, so he lets his patrol group to amuse themselves however they want and accepts a cup of hot cocoa from the bar in the corner of the dating hall. He's really just looking for a place to sit when he sees --

"Shige?" Shen Yuan covers his mouth with one hand to stifle a shocked little giggle, turning it into a cough instead. "What are you doing here?" Immediately he starts looking around for Lan Xichen; it just doesn't make any sense for Jin Guangyao to be in a place like this alone.

What Jin Guangyao appears to be doing, at present, is trying to extricate himself from an awkward conversation with some cloaked stranger who appears more than content to drone on for an interminable amount of time about their family genealogy, and while Jin Guangyao is quite old hat at enduring boring conversations, present circumstances make this one almost unbearable. And so Shen Yuan's arrival really could not come at a better time. He brightens noticeably and, figuratively, swipes in whatever direction indicates that he's done with this conversation, please and thank you. "This one wishes you the best of luck in your future endeavours," he tells the stranger with a practiced smile of customer service-brand insincerity, rises from his seat, and strides quickly across the room towards his friend.

"Shidi," he says, earnest and dismayed and obviously scandalized if his wide eyes and worried frown are anything to go by. He even goes so far as to take hold of his friend by both arms to convey just how Serious he is. (He's very serious.) "Shidi, you must know that this one would never have consented to participate in this--" He grimaces with displeasure, "speed dating activity," does that phrase even exist in ancient fantasy China? maybe he even says those words in English, who knows. He looks into his friend's (very pretty) eyes pleadingly. "One moment I was meditating in the courtyard, and when next I opened my eyes--" that is where he gestures around them, agitated. Trench strikes again, pretty much.

Oh no. "Oh no," Shen Yuan says out loud, and ruthlessly stamps down on another deeply inappropriate giggle. This is no laughing matter (even though it honestly kind of is). "Oh no, my poor shige. This is basically hell for you, isn't it? Here, have some cocoa."

Even if pressed Shen Yuan would not be able to explain exactly why he presses his cup of hot cocoa into Jin Guangyao's hand before gently leading him over to a couch against the wall where he can at least take a break from talking to strangers; it was a completely instinctive move, no conscious thought required. But hey, at least he hadn't actually drunk any of it yet, and besides: he'd give up a lot more than a hot drink to take the look of dismay off his friend's face.

"Have you tried to contact Lan-gongzi via omni?" he asks sympathetically, once they're both seated. "I'm sure he'll be understanding. He might even have been teleported here himself."

It is with tremendous relief that Jin Guangyao allows himself to be led away from the speed-dating corral, with only the briefest of backwards glances over his shoulder to be sure that no one is following him to drag him back to his seat. It takes another moment or two for him to register that there is now something else held in his hand, and he blinks quizzically down at the hot chocolate, before simply choosing to accept the gift from Shen Yuan without question. He takes a calming sip from it as he is seated, eyes widening a modest fraction as he does so; he'd forgotten how unexpectedly sweet most beverages in Trench tend to be.

"I have not," he admits to Shen Yuan with a sincerely remorseful glance, then gestures with displeasure at the poor participants again. "I have not had the opportunity since.. arriving. I will do so now, before I blink and find myself in one of those chairs again." Out comes his omni with his free hand, and he takes a moment to quickly fire off a text to Lan Xichen hastily explaining the situation, and sighs with some relief once that is taken care of; his beloved Er-ge will no doubt understand.

Then he looks to Shen Yuan with wide, curious eyes, and a little smile at the corners of his mouth. "What is shidi doing here?" he asks, maybe a little teasingly, and certainly without an irrational twinge of jealousy that he is steadfastly ignoring. "You don't look as though you were drawn here in the same way I was. Did you come here hoping to meet someone?" This would be a very good thing, he thinks with absolute sincerity and not one shred of self-deception.

"Ah, well." Shen Yuan turns slightly pink, hiding another cough in his sleeve. "I was working," he explains, just a touch acerbically since the anti-chocolatier patrols were his idea, and it's annoying to find them so easily sabotaged. "But then a blizzard came in out of nowhere, and when my team and I tried to find shelter, we wound up here." He glances back over at the speed-dating corral, where a few other members of the patrol and Outreach seem to be making the best of the situation. "It's not like we can just leave, so I told everyone to just settle in and try to have fun." A self-deprecating laugh and a look that invites Jin Guangyao in on the joke with him. "Which I'm now realizing is probably exactly what Trench wanted us to do, or so it seems!"

He listens attentively as Shen Yuan explains his circumstances, making sympathetic noises and expressions in all the right places, and only looks down when his omni dings merrily informing him that he has received a text message. Opening it, he immediately sighs with fond forbearance and gives his head only the most modest of little shakes, then turns the screen towards Shen Yuan so he can read the text (and a frankly alarming quantity of emojis) for himself. He very briefly begins to text back some reference to a 'wall of discipline' and 'frivolous words,' then decides against it, erases the message, and simply pockets his omni.

"In which case, I suppose Trench will not let us out of this place until we participate as well." He glances Shen Yuan's way with another little smile and raises his eyebrows. "Would shidi like for this one to ask him some questions to pass the time?"

God, how can a grown man be that cute? It doesn't seem like it should be allowed, but who's going to stop someone as wonderful as Lan Xichen? He doesn't bother to hide his grin as Jin Guangyao types something into his omni and puts it away. And then comes the invitation.

Now, Shen Yuan knows perfectly well that playing speed-dating games does not exactly meet the definition of respecting his best friend's marriage. The most proper thing to do would probably be to politely demur and take his leave. But then Jin Guangyao would be alone in an environment that Shen Yuan knows he hates; whether he chose to show it or not, shige's feelings would most likely be hurt, and that's just not fucking on. So really Shen Yuan has no choice but to accept his invitation and stay! Got that? Good, glad we got it sorted out.

"By all means," he says happily, folding his hands in his lap and giving Jin Guangyao a passible attempt at a serene, politely interested expression (somewhat marred by the way he's clearly suppressing a case of the giggles). "This one will answer as many questions as shige likes."

Shen Yuan receives a pair of arched eyebrows in response to his poorly suppressed case of the giggles, though given how Jin Guangyao purses his lips and lowers his eyes to hide a smile of his own, it seems his reproachful little look isn't really meant in earnest. "Shidi's solicitousness is appreciated," he demurs, lifts his omni, and--ah.

It's Shen Yuan's blurb that confronts him first. Jin Guangyao's expression is rather frozen in place as he reads it (he'd solved this mystery on his own, of course, but it's something else entirely to see it confirmed before his eyes). He makes a conscious effort to soften his smile a moment later; no, he will not allow this city to make their experience more uncomfortable than it has to be. He turns his attention to the question as it pops up for his perusal.

"Does shidi have a favourite book?" That one is innocuous enough, surely.

Shen Yuan cocks his slightly in curiosity when Jin Guangyao's face falters -- not having seen his own blurb, he hasn't the faintest idea what might trouble his friend to such an extent -- but whatever the trouble is, either it's not important or Jin Guangyao is setting it aside to deal with later.

Shen Yuan tries his best to respect his shige's privacy by focusing on the question instead. Unfortunately... "That's actually a rather tricky question," he admits sheepishly. "Trickier that it should be, really. It's just that I was so picky in my first life, most of the books that come to mind are ones that I spent a lot of time critiquing, because they were so awful...hardly in keeping with the spirit of the word 'favourite'..."

"Shen-di has discerning tastes," Jin Guangyao answers, a little smile shadowing the corners of his mouth, and then adds, "perhaps you should discuss such matters with Huaisang when you are able. A-Sang has always had unparalleled taste in art and literature, as I'm sure you've noticed. Perhaps he could recommend something that might interest you."

Something to mull over later; he's been looking for an excuse to check in with Huaisang anyway. Instead, he decides to pry just a little bit further into these awful books Shen Yuan mentions, because he has to admit to some curiosity. "If you spent so much time critiquing these books, they must at least be interesting," he hazards, watching his friend's face curiously. "Why not tell me about them?"

Ahem! "Yes, I'm familiar with Huaisang's taste in literature," Shen Yuan says with an embarrassed blush. But does Jin Guangyao know, is the question? It's not one Shen Yuan feels like waiting around to answer! So instead he tries to push past it and says, "Since shige asked, I'll try to explain..."

Oh, but where to start? With, like, the concept of webnovels, or he should just start pulling specific books out his ass? It's not like he doesn't think Jin Guangyao wouldn't be interested in the concept of e-publishing, but if they get too far out on a tangent he'll never get around to answering his friend's question!

"Many of the books I spent the most time on," he answers slowly and thoughtfully, "were published by amateur authors, on a public network not too dissimilar from the one we use here in Trench. Most of these authors did their own editing, if you can even call it that, so their quality was. Highly variable." He grins sheepishly. "I used to get so frustrated, seeing these stories with amazing potential just getting wasted because their authors didn't know what they were doing. I'd try to help out, here and there, with improving the plotting, or clearing up their typoes, that kind of thing. That was how I -- well, 'met' isn't the really right word when he was still a fictional character at that point, but -- Luo Binghe was the protagonist of one of those books. I was reading his story when I... you know." He shrugs again. He's noticed, you see, that Jin Guangyao doesn't care for hearing reminders that Shen Yuan has technically died before.

Ezra's done a few rounds, so seeing the confusion and/or distress, he rattles off, "I think you have to do at least one round of sitting here for five minutes before this...whatever lets you go. I don't think there's any rules about who has to talk-"

In the meantime, he's holding up his omni, and then pauses, and...laughs, gently, at what he's reading. Look, he can't say that on one level he doesn't operate with that level of paranoia. He's always listening, and quietly doing threat assessments.

Then he just...consciously will set that aside, until a potential threat becomes actual. "Ok. How about this - you can ask all the questions, if you'd rather."

His name tag is straightforward: Ezra Bridger. His profile, less so.

It does not sit well with Jin Guangyao knowing that this wretched city is revealing details about his past to complete strangers in this way while leaving him no control at all over what that information is--but thus far, no one has tried to murder him over what has been shared. So it can't be that incriminating. (Can it?)

"How very generous," he replies with a smile that does not touch his eyes, but is also neither hostile nor snide. He sounds, and looks, very much as though he is attempting to meet Ezra halfway, even though if given the chance he would obviously prefer to flee the premises immediately. He lifts up his omni and consults the automatically generated question that appears before him--then pauses. ...huh.

"'Where does a thought go once it has been forgotten?'" He stares at the question in blank silence, then looks up at Ezra afterwards in a decidedly 'what the fuck' sort of way.

Ezra squints back, skeptically.

"Are we doing koans, now?" He sighs.

"Ok. Thoughts are energy, so...I suppose it goes into, um, the ambient energy that connects all of the cosmos."

The Force. He means the Force. He's just tired of explaining it over and over again, and feeling like people don't get really get it. The Force isn't some special, separate thing he taps into. At least, that's not how he sees it.

"...if I were a master, I'm sure that would have come out sounding much more mysterious and wise."

[Xichen is in the kitchen - a few months of practice has paid off in spades as he arranges the long noodles and red eggs on their respective platters. (The longevity peaches, stuffed with lotus seed paste, were commissioned from a proper bakery. Xichen knows his culinary limits - but noodles and eggs are well within them. ...Even if the noodles took him a couple tries.)

A small wooden box that would look rather inconspicuous to anyone but Jin Guangyao and his eidetic memory sits on the counter as Xichen looks up from his work with a bright smile on his face. He has, of course, been up since 5am as is the wont of a Lan and so he's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and full of warmth. For once in A-Yao's life, his birthday wouldn't be a miserable affair and so Xichen moves to his side to press a kiss on his forehead.

His husband.

He could live a thousand years and the novelty would never wear off.]

Good morning, A-Yao. Congratulations are in order.

[oh, if they are fortunate enough to share a thousand years together, Jin Guangyao is sure that the novelty will wear off over time. but there's lots to be said for the joy and comfort found in a bond that endures--allegedly, anyway, if the poetry is to be believed. looking into Lan Xichen's eyes each day, Jin Guangyao finds it easy to do so.)

he smiles with self-satisfied pleasure at that kiss and reaches out his unoccupied hand to catch hold of Lan Xichen's sleeve before he can draw back too far, leaning up onto his toes to dot an answering kiss to his cheek.] Thank you. Gege is all sweetness and generosity this morning, [he teases, notices the spread that Lan Xichen has been dutifully working on, and his eyes widen noticeably.] --oh, Er-ge, this is so much...!

[it might not be for someone else, but some part of Jin Guangyao continues to rebel at the thought of being the recipient of such attentiveness. that of course does not stop him from drawing towards the eggs and longevity peaches with a disbelieving smile, though he does not disturb anything from its rightful place just yet. he has his manners, of course.] Er-ge did not have to trouble himself so, [he starts to murmur, before simply allowing the words to taper off; he curls his fingers around the concealed rose pins in their little box.]

Edited 2023-02-26 19:54 (UTC)

[viktor's in the middle of ranting to palamedes about something (an equation not working out, and of course pal is very used to this particular pattern by now no doubt. viktor hits a snag, gets a touch sulky about it and vents himself into figuring out the problem then is in a fantastic mood for the rest of the day.) when the text comes through. he pulls out his omni, a little 'oh' before he's grabbing his cane from wherever he left it leaning.]

Later- [he waves a hand. the venting will continue until moral improves, aka he figures things out. either way let's get going, time for science.]

My apologies. [he offers about the delay as he comes in.] But welcome. Now- ah, what do you prefer being called?

[he's aware there's a lot of titles and what not the man seems to use, so best to make sure he isn't crossing some line. the cultural melting pot that was zaun taught him that much, and he leans on his cane as rio, the very large axolotl thing sits beside him. he resists the urge to roll his eyes that she's here, he knows she's just being nosy about the newcomer.]

[Jin Guangyao demonstrates no impatience or displeasure at all over the wait, however long it turns out to be, and greets Viktor with a warm, polite smile when the door opens. he steps inside once invited--and stops short with a startled 'oh' when he sees Rio, his eyes widening noticeably. oh wow. holy shit, she's so alarmingly purple. a pity Er-ge is not here, he would love her.]

Please call me Jin Guangyao. [this he says to Viktor, before he tears his eyes away from Rio to look back at his new acquaintance.] Forgive me for staring, I have simply never seen a creature like this before.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

jin guangyao's february catch-all (closed starters & open!)

speed dating

🤝 hell on earth for these little guys

hell is empty and all the devils are here.... (here = the nebulous Trench Room of Anxiety)

no subject

no subject

ii. speed dating?? speed dating!!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Speed Dating

no subject

no subject

Rose pins <3

no subject

I AM FINALLY HERE i research buds!

heyyyy I too am also finally here 💀