Video / Action - Open with one closed

[achickenformylove]

Video
[As seemed to be per usual when WangJi made a lot of posts, he was in the Greenhouse Carriage where the rabbits' hutch was. Today though, there is now a very large scaffolding in the view with him. Behind him, if one is observant, they will see his black rabbit, Little Carrot, trying to figure out if he can climb it.

Spoiler: he can't.

But WangJi had his other rabbit, the white Little Radish sitting patiently in his lap]

For those that knew him, it seems that my brother Lan Xichen had departed the train. I hope that he returns home and can find some peace.

Action - Open
[WangJi could most definitely be found in the Greenhouse Carriage for a good part of the day. Later, he could be found walking the corridors of the train with Little Radish. It would be a good distraction to meet some of the new arrivals]

Action - Closed to Sizhui
[It had been an important day between now and when the train was at the previous station. As such he had spoken with his son and asked for his input.

And now that it was a new platform day, it was time to deliver on his promise. He went to the Luggage Carriage to retrieve the "item" with his name on it, a pet carrier. Now that he had it, he set out to find Sizhui]

Comments

Actually, hits this now before I forget. Action, let's say greenhouse car

[obliviouspatriarch]

[Wuxian just knows that seeing their world's Xichen leaving is going to affect the man he loves more than he'd ever let show. He knows this man, better than he'd admit. But it comes in handy to be so observant, because he can just go to him and just Be There without words.

Which he does, after stopping by the kitchen for some tea for the two of them, as well as some snacks for them and the bunny. He quietly enters the greenhouse car with the tea and snacks, setting them down nearby with a sad smile and a cup held out for Wangji.]

Here, drink it. I brought snacks as well.

sorry if he cries, dadji 😭

[deferences]

[sizhui hadn't hesitated to tell his father exactly what he wanted: a pet. obviously, something not canine-shaped because he has two dads that fear them, so he'd decided instead on a cat. (and what he receives will be delightful beyond words once he actually sees—) but first, it's finding lan wangji on platform day, which is already something, except now, it's also coupled with the weight of lan xichen having left.

nothing he'll mention right away since he's sure the man is already suffering, though they can commiserate a bit afterward.

it's between corridors near the stone garden and greenhouse carriages, he spots him, visibly brightens and calls out,] Fuqin! [then sizhui waves for good measure before making a beeline in his direction.]

Woohoo

[achickenformylove]

[WangJi was just quietly sitting and petting Little Radish. Little Carrot had finally decided that climbing the scaffolding was not a thing that would happen and had returned to sit by WangJi, though not as patient with it.

The entire group looked up as WuXian entered. Little Carrot came bouncing over to see WuXian, happy to see his friend. He followed WuXian back over, settling again by WangJi.

WangJi reached to take the tea when it was offered]

Thank you.

It's okay

[achickenformylove]

[WangJi, of course, had the crate with him. Kitty wasn't going to leave his side until it was in his son's possession.

Not that he really needed to wave. Not many on the train would call him "fuqin". But even if it wasn't needed, it was nice. And today, seeing his son and hearing him call out to him brought a faint smile to his face]

It is good to see you, Sizhui. [So much more today, knowing that he still had his son] Your friend is here.

video

[agoodsoul]

[It's the headband and the Lan name that catches his attention. Dennis feels pretty bad that he's been out right terrible about getting to know any of Sizhui's family, since it seems like there's a good amount on the train... so here we go!

Doesn't mean he's not nervous as heck about though.]

M'sorry. Hard when someone leaves, even if they're hopefully going home.

Action

[jinlingers]

[ Jin Ling had seen the network video but he hadn't responded to it. He does however stop when he comes across Lan Wangji in the greehouse. He bows. ]

Hanguang Jun.

such a good dad, dealing with his weepy son

[deferences]

[he's using all his willpower to not immediately go for the kennel, and while it's so tempting, sizhui's filial piety still wins out in the end. (as it will and always should, of course!) he hesitates a moment before lan wangji, smiling up at him in kind then shuffling forward to embrace his father.]

I'm glad to see you too, [comes softly, almost inaudible if it hadn't been for the faint lilt of excitement in his voice.

following that mention of his ‘friend,’ sizhui's attention flickers toward the crate, his lips roll and with a full-on grin, he leans halfway back then upturns.] Is it okay if I see them now?

[achickenformylove]

[He was a good boy, still waiting to be proper and greet his father before looking at the kennel that WangJi was carrying. He was sure that it very hard not to. He had asked for a pet and it was here so of course, he would want to see it.

WangJi put his free arm around Sizhui, keeping the other unmoving so as not to disturb the small cat inside the kennel. As Sizhui looked down at the crate before back at him, he nodded]

Of course.

[And he'd step out of the embrace enough to be able to raise the kennel so that Sizhui could see the kitten and even take it out if he wanted to]

[achickenformylove]

[WangJi looked up as Jin Ling entered, both of his rabbits by his side at the moment, Little Carrot taking a nap.

As Jin Ling bowed, he gave a slight bow with the nod as something of bow back]

Young Master Jin.

[achickenformylove]

[Yes, there were quite a few of them. Some of them repeating, but what can you do when the train decides they were so important, there had to be more of them.

WangJi nodded his head]

It is. You wish them well, but there is still that separation from them.

[agoodsoul]

[And another one, and another one- the train is just a big fan!]

Yeah...

[There's a moment of sadness as he remembers seeing Wen Sizhui walking into the fog on the platform, knowing there was nothing he could and he will probably never see his friend again... BUT THEN, an awkward clearing of his throat.]

So um, you said Lan, yeah and you got the-

[Dennis taps his own forehead. The headband.]

You're Sizhui's family then.

[deferences]

[nobody could ever take hanguang-jun's place for sizhui, so it makes sense, but it's also okay for him to be excited about gaining a new companion; this lovely creature he's hoping he'll train into a smart, brave and graceful spirit beast with time, which will take all his doing to strengthen the bond enough for that.

he instinctively grips tighter after his father hugs back, somehow brightening further at the revelation. of course it is, because why else would lan wangji have a carrier? (just ‘better safe than sorry,’ really!)

so, whenever space is created for him to be able to see and move, he wastes no time doing the latter, popping the gate open then reaching inside and gingerly removing the kitten with both hands. it's a mewing, squirming fuzzball that sizhui softly awwws at, his hold adjusting, one hand underneath its little arms, the other cupped underneath its back feet and tail.] They're so cute...

[achickenformylove]

[Yes, it was better to be safe and ask since WangJi did have two rabbits and they both had carriers as well so it could have been that he was carrying one of them... even though neither of them was usually carried around the train in that manner.

He much preferred carrying animals actually in hand, but this was Sizhui's cat. He should be the one to carry it first.

He smiled faintly as Sizhui removed the cat from the carrier and held the little thing for the first time] Very cute. This little one was asking for you so I had to find you.

[achickenformylove]

[WangJi had witnessed that as well, watching Wen Sizhui. He had witnessed too many from home or even just others he had befriended here departing the platform and it never got any easier. But he felt that even though they were leaving, he needed to see them off.

He was silent as Dennis spoke and gestured to indicate his forehead ribbon. After he had finished, WangJi nodded his head once]

I am. I am Lan WangJi, Lan Sizhui's father.

[agoodsoul]

[There's a flash of shocked realization at the name. Dennis' mind screeching to a halt and flashing back to the first time him and Lan Sizhui spoke when he'd arrived on the train. Lan Wangji. Hanguang Jun. Oh he's the cultivator king guy!

Of course most importantly Sizhui's father. Or one of them.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.

[Is what tumbles out of his face nervously.]

Shit, really should be doing this in person, but um, m'Dennis. Me and Sizhui are uh... uh-

[Has Sizhui told Wangji? He imagines he must have, even still this is lowkey terrifying. Come on Dennis, you murder fires back home! This is nothing!]

We're a thing, together. I mean dating, we're dating.

[He can feel Jingyi's scorn and disapproval at the wording as they leave his mouth from whatever corner of the train the young Lan is at.]

Action - hopefully this is okay!

[to_rise_above]

[ Losing someone wasn't easy, whether they left or-- disappeared. Jin Ling thought about what happened with his father, and somehow felt a little sad for many reasons. While his experience couldn't be the same as Lan Wangji's, he's empathetic of the situation and could kind of relate in his own way. At least, he thought so.

Though, the situation right now wasn't about him, but a person who had watched someone close to them leave. He wasn't exactly the most experienced in understanding others. He was certain that both Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen had a close relationship based on his observation of them back in their world, thus why he thought maybe there was more to that then just a video with a simple statement.

Who knew when Lan Wangji could meet with his brother again when returning seemed uncertain and spontaneous. Days could be months and months could be years. At least, from what he had been told about the train.

Regardless, when he happened to pass by Lan Wangji down one of the corridors, he had a thoughtful expression on his face, following a bow of greeting. He eyed the small rabbit briefly, remembering that he saw it in the video feed earlier. He didn't know what to say at that time, thus he didn't respond then. Comforting others wasn't something he was good at. It wasn't like he had much to lose here, (except maybe his pride.) so he spoke, cautiously of course. ]

People-- they leave often here, don't they?

[yondu]

[He remembers when a particular Wei Wuxian left as well. It's never easy when people go. But here's Wangji, and he bets the bastard's somehow staying stately in the face of sadness. It's how he seems to do, without fail.]

Sorry to hear it.

[He has no doubts that Wangji's gonna have a lot of support. But.]

Your rodents need a little more grub? [He guesses that Wangji'll be spending a little more time with them.]

works for me

[achickenformylove]

[WangJi would certainly say that in the scheme of things, Jin Ling had lost more than he had with his brother just leaving the train. But even so, it was still hard knowing that Xichen was no longer on the train even though he could hope that he was going home and would be happy there. Home was certainly better than here where things were not normal by their standards.

To be honest, WangJi wasn't necessarily the best at comforting people either, but he had more experience providing comfort here than he had at home. As Jin Ling bowed to him, he returned the bow with his slight bow. Little Radish just looked over from WangJi's arms, just along for the ride]

They do. It is hard to tell when, but someone always seems to leave at each platform.

[achickenformylove]

[It was WangJi's curse, always having the same serious face even when there was a problem]

Thank you.

[He gave Yondu a slight nod]

I'm sure that they would like some more.

[He glanced back at Little Carrot still attempting to climb the scaffolding... silly bunny]

[achickenformylove]

[Surprise. He might not be the one from Sizhui's home, but he is definitely one of them and treats Sizhui just the same whether they are from the same world or not.

Did WangJi already know? Whether he does or not, he's not going to say specifically]

Ah, I see. It is good that Sizhui has found someone he is happy with. It is good to meet you as well.

[deferences]

[exactly right, there's a chance! even though sizhui knows all too well that both rabbits are usually free-roaming for the most part, it never hurts anything, just in case.

once he's gotten through his other emotions a little better, he'll also be super appreciative of that courtesy, but first, there are tears pricking the corners of his eyes he must stifle when the man says they'd been crying for him. with the utmost gentleness, he draws the kitten in, settles it against his chest and sniffles, his hand not supporting their legs lifting to rub those fluffy ears.]

Thank you . . . [sniff, sniff. it's fine, he's great, everything is a-okay! his throat feels somewhat tight and yet sizhui manages anyway,] I promise, I'll always give them the best care.

[Action]

[yondu]

Alright. I'll be down there real soon.

[And he lights out after that. He doesn't want losing people to feel as normal as it's becoming. It reminds him of how things were a long time agao, back before he was even freed, when he wouldn't let himself form attachments because he'd lose 'em anyway.]

[That state of attachment formation has been wildly fluctuating because of the train. And that's just him. Here's WangJi losing people actually close to him all the time. He likes the guy a lot and it concerns him.]

[When he shows up, he offers a carrot to his old roomie.] You need somethin' for yourself? Tea? Somethin' to punch on a little? Or does the rabbit got your needs met?

[agoodsoul]

[True dad behavior right there. Dennis gives a little smile of relief as the ground does not open up and swallow him whole. In fact Sizhui's dad seems pretty chill.]

Thanks- I mean yeah. I hope so, I really want to make him happy. He deserves it.

[achickenformylove]

[Well, it was more just the thought that the kitten had been calling for Sizhui. For all he knew, the cat had been asking him for food or something like that, but either way, he had wanted to make sure that the kitten got to his rightful owner as soon as possible.

He reached over to put his hand on Sizhui's shoulder seeing his son a little teary-eyed about his new pet]

I know that you will. You have always been good with them.

[achickenformylove]

[And WangJi would still be there. He also hated that losing people to the train was becoming normal. His husband several times, his son, his brother, so many others. It could be literally anyone at the platform who could leave.

WangJi nodded in greeting as Yondu arrived with the carrot. Rightly assuming that it was not for him, but for the rabbits, he took it to offer to the two rabbits. At the question, he thought for a moment, considering that]

Some tea would be nice. Something to punch would also be nice.

[Work out some of that annoyance at the train]