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

[poorlittlesange]

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 )

Comments

[poorlittlesange]

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.

[xiaoxiuya]

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."

[poorlittlesange]

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.

[xiaoxiuya]

"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!"

[poorlittlesange]

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?"

[xiaoxiuya]

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."

[poorlittlesange]

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.

[xiaoxiuya]

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'..."

[poorlittlesange]

"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?"

[xiaoxiuya]

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.