INBOX (for eastbound)

[lonelydream]

Zhou Xu

missives | encounters

Comments

[lanclan]

That was something like the face I'm sure I had while he waxed lyrical about you.

[ Mmm, tea. ]

[lonelydream]

[ He presses a few finger into the bridge of his nose, sighing. ]

I feel as though I ought to apologize.

[lanclan]

There's no need. I'm curious as to how he described me to you, in return.

[lonelydream]

He called you a very good friend. Indirectly, he spoke about what you've done together, and between that and what you've told me, Master Lan... I am very good at reading between the lines.

[lanclan]

[ He blinks a little, mildly confused. Still, he admits, ]

He is possibly, between this world and my own, one of the only true friends I have ever had. Besides my brother.

[lonelydream]

[ He wonders, briefly, if he should ask--but then asks anyway: ]

Do you resent me for coming here?

[lanclan]

[ His smile warms, dark eyes crinkling as he shakes his head. ]

No. You make him very happy and I can see why. I hope we can work together to help your condition, then I might one day be able to host the two of you at Cloud Recesses. That is what I want.

[lonelydream]

Master Lan is too kind.

May I make another request?

[lanclan]

Of course, please.

[lonelydream]

If I don't survive...

[lanclan]

There is no need for such a conversation, one way or another.

[ The patient look he weighs on Zhou Zishu speaks volumes (he would try to be there for Wen Kexing to help him through his grief, offer a home, a poor consolation of a friend in place of a zhiji but one there all the same). Xichen would. ]

You are here now, so bend all your efforts towards remaining with us. That is my last request today of you.

[lonelydream]

[ He exhales, soft. ]

You are very like him, in some ways.

[lanclan]

[ Xichen hums. ]

I think I am more like you, which explains why he was first kind to me.

[lonelydream]

[ Zishu certainly doesn't see it. Lan Xichen is kind and supportive, warm, gentle, which Zhou Zishu has never been, and a powerful enough martial artist that doesn't balk at handing his weapon to someone else. ]

I think Master Lan holds me in far too high regard.

[lanclan]

Not at all, I'm going off what I've learned of you today.

[ At this tea-room, meeting for a little chat. He remembers his duties as host, then. ]

Would you like something to eat? More tea?

[lonelydream]

[ He shakes his head, and then explains before he can risk offending the other man: ]

Since we are being rather frank with my situation... It isn't worth wasting good food and tea on me. I can't taste it.