[Video] Kazoo 16

[ayao]

Forgive me for being...selfish...

And I warn you, the subject matter of my question might be sensitive...

[But why not make this inquiry here rather than in his world where it would surely bring negative repercussions.]

What are your thoughts on two men being in a relationship? [He doesn't dare say married, but he is drawn to the idea.] Do you perceive it as...wrong? Should the men instead continue their respective lines with wives?

[Heirs are important. Yet can they not be had in other ways? Of course said ways are illegal and immoral in the land he knows.]

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[ayao]

Jiang Cheng understands the laws that govern our society. We can't all be Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. [Nope, not bitter at all. Not one bit. See? Look at all of this non-bitterness.]

[obliviouspatriarch]

[A fluffy ear flicks as his face goes from a smirk to utterly confused by the wording, not to mention he knows his husband's courtesy name. The tone is less surprising.]

How do you know that name? I never said Lan Wangji. How do you know him? [Another pause, more things being realised.] And mine.

[ayao]

[Those...ears. They seem to fit Wuxian and yet...not. Meng Yao is feeling a headache blooming behind his eyes.]

You are speaking to Meng Yao, young lord.

[obliviouspatriarch]

[Did he hear that correctly, Meng Yao and not Jin Guangyao? That couldn't make any sense to him, but he's briefly seen Xue Yang alive in the other world already. As well as another him and now two more Lan Wangji? Absurd all the same.]

I haven't heard that name in a long time, the one you've used was Jin Guangyao in the time I remember.

[ayao]

[Anything is possible aboard this train! Meng Yao has learned that the hard way, though remarkably, he hasn't died.]

Yes, I know of my future. [And it fills him with disgust and dread.] I could apologize, but it would be meaningless.

[obliviouspatriarch]

[Something about this settles him, a chance to maybe do things differently? To do better, even. It both rubs him a little wrong, but at the same time he's willing to see that happen.]

It wouldn't be meaningless if you don't take that same path. [A pause, then a lighter tone. There had to be a reason for this question in the first place.] Who is it?

[ayao]

[Death is meaningless aboard the train - he would just return - and he can hardly disappear. So this is the next best option. Perhaps?]

I have no intention of following that road. [Said path frightens him and he pales at the question, ducking his head.] I would tell you in private.

[obliviouspatriarch]

Then those apologies will mean something, maybe accepted by those who were hurt by you.

[Anything was possible, wasn't it? He'd give anything to change events of his own past to be forgiven. But, told that in private? It must be someone important.]

Very well, where should I find you?

[ayao]

I can only hope and pray.

[And he does both with every fiber of his being and every spare second of his time. Meng Yao closes his eyes and steadies himself.]

The kitchen. I am making tea. There is no one here with me.

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[obliviouspatriarch]

I'll be there shortly then.

[True to his word, Wuxian arrives not too long after, having been in the standard car when he'd answered. He's managed to take a few breaths, reminding himself that he shouldn't act rashly no matter what the kitsune says to him.]

Is there enough to share?

[Polite conversation before jumping into it all, and there was no alcohol around, so talking over tea would do just fine.]

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[ayao]

Yes. [He pours them both a cup and sets a small pot of honey on the table in case Wei Wuxian needs his sweetened.] It is a fruit blend. The flavor is lighter and I find myself craving it more than the floral varieties.

[Meng Yao is stalling. Do you see him stalling?]