camping shenanigans mingle log; open

[equivocations]

WHO: the Lan-Wuxian-Jiang-Meng family + you!

WHAT: camping shenanigans mingle log! Join the family camp for food, conversation, etc

WHEN: spanning throughout the event in the forest

WHERE: the family camp + surrounding area

NOTES: none right now, will update as needed

Night hunts are practically routine where Lan Xichen's from, at least for cultivators, and exploring an unfamiliar forest with relatively unknown dangers doesn't seem any different just because it's in another world. There certainly seems to be something of a sense of ease as they travel, and then as they set up camp.

During the day, there's a flurry of activity as the camp's occupants drift in and out, setting up or taking down tents, making weapons or food, going off to collect firewood or go hunting or fishing, patrol the area or anything else that needs doing.

In the evening there's a roaring fire to ward off the chill, the scent of cooking food and the sound of conversation.

Someone - quite likely Lan Xichen himself - will invite anyone who happens nearby to come sit down, warm themselves by the fire and have something to eat.

At night, there's likely always someone up on watch who might need company, or who might come to investigate someone nearby.

Comments

[billowing]

midsummer Harvest

[ One of the younger Lan brothers has a large waxy leaf in front of him that he's using as a plate to hold leaves that he keeps plucking from another container, and rolling for a bit before depositing it in the steadily increasing pile on the big waxy leaf. Should you come over to ask what he's doing, he'll wordlessly hand you a share of leaves to roll.

Alternatively, if he sees you coming over from further away, he'll stop what he's doing and pop a seed out of the nearest lotus pod. He peels it, and pulls out the pesky green center, before offering it up to your character. ]

Wanna go on a night hunt?

[ During the day, Lan Wangji can be found sitting by a body of water fashioning a bow and some arrows out of foraged items and things found in his medical kit. The first couple of them are complete trash, but after he gets the hang of it, he ends up with a modest set by sundown. Notching his bow for the first time, he aims it and--

--Then lowers his arms and loosens the tension once he sees your character approach. ]

Did you find anything?

taste test

[ Honestly, Lan Wangji feels more comfortable cooking out here in an open fire with a cleaver and a stump for a cutting board, than he does eating the bulk of the offerings in the dining hall at the hotel. Some of the dishes were nice, but for the most part, he misses knowing what it is he's eating and the feel of raw ingredients being washed by his own hands.

Far from being the only cook in the family, it's kind of an interesting bonding exercise, seeing who might have extra of which spice or who might have ideas over how best to combine their daily hauls. Spoon in hand, he dips into the sauce he's just made, and holds it out towards your character. ]

it's five am which means...

[ Lan Wangji emerges from his tent before dawn to go for a run and find a private spot to bathe, playing it safe though he assumes only his brother and his other self would be awake at this time. Feel free to run into him then or a little later, as he makes breakfast and a little bit of the green tea he'd made the day prior. There's plenty to share. ]

wildcard

[ Tag me with your own starter or hmu assemble ]

FIVE AM

[equivocations]

[ Lan Xichen is indeed one of the few that's also awake this morning, and he'd been of a similar mind to his brother. He is still in a stage where it is - uncomfortable, to be far from Meng Yao, and so he settles for practicing swordwork with a branch and holding handstands near their tent for his own early morning exercise, while Meng Yao sleeps inside.

He ends with a short meditation, and he's just finishing up when Wangji returns to the camp. Lan Xichen stands, moving over to greet him with a smile. ]

Good morning. Did you sleep well?

[ There is the smallest hint of a raise to one of his eyebrows. He hasn't drawn attention to the fact that early on in their trip he had discreetly moved his tent a little further away from Wangji and Wei Wuxian's, but - well.

He had to move his tent, didi.]

[billowing]

[ He gets back to camp and with his hair slightly damp and looking up at his brother, he blinks at the question, looks over the campsite, and does notice that the tent, has in fact, moved several feet.

Maybe a little more than several feet.

He tightens up his shirt and looks away, tips of his ears turning red. ]

I-- hm. We will be more discreet. My apologies.

[ Lan Wangji, who hadn't moved his tent, would possibly have noticed if his brother was having the same sort of situation, which he was not, which prompts him to ask: ]

How is Meng Yao?

[equivocations]

[ He considers gently teasing his brother just a little bit more, but - there will be time for that later. Out here, all of them together like this, he can't find it in himself to be anything other than pleased for them both. ]

You are happy. There's no shame in expressing that. I will be glad to welcome him to our family.

[ He assumes they will want to wait until they are back home to make anything official, but as far as he's concerned, this is as official as he needs to consider Wei Wuxian family.

His smile slips a little when Wangji asks about Meng Yao, and he spends a moment focusing on his breath to quiet the complicated tangle of his emotions before they reach Meng Yao himself. ]

Overwhelmed. It is difficult to give him the space he deserves to process everything, at the moment.

[ Both physically and emotionally. Being told of the events that may be his future doesn't mean that he was at all prepared for the depths of Lan Xichen's feelings about them. ]

Five am - after Mad March encounter

[inquiryguqin]

[There was a day he and Wei Wuxian were gone to explore the ruins, but they came back. Lan Wangji did his part, helping out whenever he could for the others. Setting up camp and tent so the others can sleep comfortably, foraging for food to cook and adding his findings to the pile, making bows and arrows, keeping watch and patrol at night. Since there is food cooked already, he eats what is offered.

It wasn't precisely five am when he woke up, a little after. Staying up all night to patrol to keep the others safe can take a toll on his sleep. His morning habits is similar. Wake up, go wash, meditate until a trickle of the morning light rose.

When he returns to the camp, he greeted his other self and the brother too with a nod. Acknowledging. Silent at first, and then usually quiet, he spoke]

Good morning.

[As he helps himself to the tea and eat what's available for breakfast]

[billowing]

[ Lan Wangji, hair half-up and still a little damp from his morning bath, though on the opposite side of the river, comes back to camp and isn't expecting any sort of greeting beyond a nod. Seems like in the comfort of the Lans being around each other, they mostly talk in glances. ]

Wangji.

[ A statement, but there's an unspoken question there too, from addressing him directly instead of merely returning his greeting. Is something the matter? ]

Good morning.

[inquiryguqin]

[With a nod at his greetings, his hair also wet, sitting by the fire to get dry, he sat and waited, thinking of what to say before he eats. Because it's against Gusu Rules to talk during eating]

Mn. A lot has happened this week. [Not to mention since they last met, as the both of them had been busy, so they had much catching up to do]

Mad March. Did he seek audience with you?

[scaredofdogs]

Come at me, Bro

[Wei Wuxian has regained his spirit attraction ability and so one of the first things he does is find a quiet place to put it to the test. Not wanting to get scolded about using it and well aware of the risks of potentially encountering a dangerous spirit..he opts for doing it anyway.

It's hard to go too far given the tug of needing to be with his buddy, but he does his best to put a little distance between them and finds a place where he can hide. Mostly he wants to make sure if he does encounter something that he doesn't get it too close to the camp. He doesn't want anyone else getting hurt if things go wrong.

He removes his upper robes, revealing his bare chest and sits down with his back against a tree. He removes the little switchblade from his pants pocket, wincing as he cuts his finger just enough for it to bleed. He then proceeds to draw out the talisman on his own body.

He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he activates the ability, body tense and waiting to see what might come his way.]


Ye Ol' War Stories

[With Spirit attraction being successful, Wei Wuxian now has a happy talkative army of White Knights ready to tell their tales to anyone who will listen. He was so excited about his new spirit friends that he brought them all down to the campsite to show everyone. And then they agreed to stay and almost act like a boisterous guard to them all.

So now they are all seated around the campfire, telling tales of their successes and their failures. They are fairly upbeat..considering they are spirits.]

Give me Wings and Set me Free

[Quite pleased that he has the ability to shapeshift again, and even more pleased that he gets to put it to use outside, Wei Wuxian decides to put all of Aziraphale's lessons to good use. He can't stray very far from the campsite because of the bonding but he is okay with that so he just picks a spot behind one of the tents. He just hopes the bonding doesn't put a damper on what he is about to do. No wings on him at the moment, he has decided to go full on bird for this test. He really really wants to try and get the clothing part of this right for once though...but that might be asking too much.

He's going to give it a try though and so after a couple deep breaths, he thinks about being a bird and...suddenly he can't see.]

Every time...[He grumbles a little as his now very bird body hops out from under his robes. He flaps those wings a couple times in irritation. He'll just have to hope no one comes to collect this things while he is in the air.]

give me wings

[billowing]

[ He sees a puddle of Wei Ying's clothes on the ground in the forest, so he assumes that he must've transformed into a rabbit again. He's surprised instead, as he sees a beak poke out, and then red eyes and a little black bird.

Ah, right. The flying.

He goes over and helps Wei Ying gently untangle his feet from his collar. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[Wings flap a little in surprise as a large shadow appears to block out the sun and suddenly there are hands. The panic only lasts a moment when he realizes who those hands belong to. And thankfully they are helping him with his clothing issue.]

I still can't figure out how to make the clothes change, Lan Zhan...

[It's clearly not meant to be, but he is still going to whine about it.]

War Stories

[madmarch]

[Being given carte blanche outside of the hotel is nothing to sneeze at, when it comes from Her Highness. It's even enough to make up for having to play babysitter to this overenthusiastic bunch.

March knows they've all seen him. He's made sure of that. But he didn't come here just to fuck around playing hide and seek.

He listens, first  —  approaches when there's a lull in the storytelling. Maybe the others listening have gone, maybe they haven't. It's all the same to him.

One minute there's nothing there, the next he steps out of the shadows, leans against a tree nearby the campfire.]

Inspiring. [There's a robotic edge to his voice, as if it's being relayed through a vocoder. Somehow, his New Jersey accent still makes it through.] Tell me more.

[scaredofdogs]

[Wei Wuxian stiffens when he spots the weird rabbit man. Fully this time. Not hiding away like when he was locked in that room or the few times he saw him on the trip here.

He jumps to his feet, fists clenched at his sides. He isn't going to just let this rabbit hop away this time.]

You...Who the hell are you?

[equivocations]

FISHING

[ He has gotten more lax about wearing the clothes he arrived with, though he still feels reluctant to go without too many layers very often. This is one of those times, however, as he stands in the stream with a makeshift spear in his hand. His pale blue pants are rolled up to mid calf, and the loose white shirt he's wearing also has its sleeves rolled up. The dark blue cloak that he had been wearing earlier is folded neatly on a rock a few feet from the edge of the stream, and there is a bucket nearby with a few already caught fish.

At the sound of someone else near, he looks up, and then relaxes a little when it isn't one of the guards that have been sent with them. ]

If you would like to observe, I have no objections.

FIREWOOD

[ All the wood for their campfires has to come from somewhere, and it's Lan Xichen's turn to collect some. It's easy enough, in a forest this thick - though the ever present fog does mean some of the most ideal fallen branches are somewhat damp, it isn't anything that won't be resolved by letting them dry out next to the current fire.

He's on his way back to the camp, now, having collected enough to last for quite some time. The large bundle of branches is tied off with one of the sashes he'd brought with him, and he balances it on one shoulder, carrying it easily despite that it's clearly quite heavy.

When he runs across someone, he gives a small, polite smile. ]

Do you need some?

NIGHTWATCH

[ Someone must guard the camp at night, and tonight it is Lan Xichen. He doesn't mind - nearly everything in this world or any other that is precious to him currently resides in their camp, and he is glad to watch over it. There is no denying how happy he has been these past few days - once he made sure that his and Meng Yao's tent was outside of easy hearing distance from both Wangji and Wei Wuxian's tent, at least.

Having Jiang Yanli and Meng Yao returned to them, watching his brothers and their partners - whatever complicated relationship exists between the four of them, it is undeniable that they make each other as happy as Lan Xichen has always known they could - he can feel nothing but grateful to have this opportunity.

It easy, then, to stay up and ensure their safety. Easy enough that he opts to do it most nights.

When he hears the sound of someone approaching, even before he can see them, his focus sharpens immediately as he takes hold of his makeshift spear. ]

Please state your purpose.

Fishing

[scaredofdogs]

[He is just heading back to the camp when he spots the older brother in the water. He changes his course and heads in that direction instead. He gets spotted as he is just about to the waters edge. He places his hands on his hips with a smile.]

Just observe? I've done quite a bit of fishing, I can help if you need it.

[equivocations]

[ The corners of his eyes crinkle just a little bit in amusement, though his polite smile doesn't widen. ]

I remember. In my world, you would try your luck in the streams at Cloud Recesses.

[ And in Yunmeng, too, he imagines, remembering how Wei Wuxian and his brother had attempted to persuade him to allow them to assist in facing the water ghosts so long ago, but he's aware that Lotus Pier is a difficult subject. He will not be the one to bring it up. ]

Do you use your hands as well?

Nightwatch

[sadflutenoises]

[It's been a while since he sat down to talk to Lan Xichen. Their last conversation had ended on a rather tense note, and... well he had to assume the man knew about his brother's recent impromptu proposal, though hopefully Lan Zhan had spared him some of the details. And it probably hadn't done a lot to endear himself to have been a little(okay, maybe a lot) too noisy last night, to the point that Zewu Jun had actually moved his tent.

He clears his throat, announcing his presence, so hopefully he won't take a spear to the face, then waves a friendly hand.]

Ah... just wanted to say... hello? Thought you might like a little company.

[equivocations]

[ The tension melts from him when he hears Wei Wuxian's voice, going from defensive to a more relaxed readiness in a moment. ]

While I would very much appreciate your company, I admit I am a little surprised you would want mine.

[ Considering the last time they'd spoken, Lan Xichen had all but yelled at him - as much as he ever truly yells, in any case - and brought up painful, conflicting memories.

And especially considering that he is aware that Wei Wuxian now knows at least some of what Jin Guangyao's actions truly were. Wangji had told him that Wei Wuxian had agreed not to take his revenge on Meng Yao, but withholding retribution from someone who has yet to actually commit any crimes is vastly different from wanting to associate with one who has already been complicit in them. ]

nightwatch but different

[misrepresentation]

❰ it's not that meng yao begrudges the weis wuxian and lans wangji their happiness. it's not even that he is particularly bothered by the sounds of their happiness — it is impossible to care too much about such things as the child of a whore raised in a brothel. truly, he doesn't care about these things. let them be happy and fuck loudly, it does not bother him.

it's just that they are wei wuxian and lan wangji, and he doesn't particularly care to know what they each sound like in the throes of passion.

convenient, then, that zewu jun takes night watch more often than not. meng yao can sit with him, away from the tents of the men having a far bettwer time in the forest than he, and simply enjoy the company of this man who likes him so well. it has been long enough that meng yao is accustomed to the idea now, and has ideas of how to use it — nothing devious, nothing on the scale of his transgressions in their home. but it would be stupid to have the affection of a man so devoted and not do something with them, even if that something is just to keep himself protected from the possible retaliations of his brothers. ❱

I hope we aren't out here long enough that you might have to do laundry, ❰ he comments idly from where he's sat nearby zewu jun. he looks at the sect leader out of the corner of his eye and lets his mouth corner turn up in the slightest hint of a smirk. zewu jun likes it when he is clever and impertinent; clever and impertinent he shall be. ❱

[equivocations]

[ Lan Xichen trusts his brother above all else. He does not for a moment doubt that he does have Wangji's support in this, however little he believes that he deserves it, and if Wangji says that Wei Wuxian will not take his revenge, than Lan Xichen believes it to be so.

That doesn't mean that he is not... cognizant of the fact that both of his brothers and their partners would not choose to spend time with Meng Yao of their own accord. That having Meng Yao here at all is a balance more delicate than riding a sword through a storm. He cannot forget it, even as he allows himself to be content with his brothers' happiness, to enjoy Meng Yao's presence.

He focuses on that contentness as much as possible. Content is a much better emotion for Meng Yao to feel than the sheer weight of his feelings for the other man. Although Lan Xichen has never explicitly said it, he knows that Meng Yao knows that Lan Xichen loves him. He knows, even, that he has likely discerned that he was in love with him, even beyond their sworn brotherhood.

He also knows that that knowledge would pale in comparison to the true depths of his grief, betrayal, and devotion. Lan Xichen himself hasn't even sorted them out; he will not allow himself to let them spill out onto Meng Yao.

So he stays restrained. He radiates serenity when he meditates, and does not try to stop the surges of fondness, the amusement, the contentment - even occasionally the melancholy, the loneliness, the frustration. Anything but the true intensity of emotion he possesses.

Now is it amusement that curls outward at Meng Yao's comment, soft and fond and pleased. ]

I have had many years to practice the finesse of my strength, though I suppose I will never live it down. [ He allows himself to be playful in return, his own smile curving up just a little. ] I do not mind being humbled before you.

[sadflutenoises]

Lotus Soup for the Soul

It's a taste he never thought he'd get to enjoy again. And for all the bad things about being stuck here, he can't be upset at the second chance to see his sister, hear her voice, and taste the soup she always made so lovingly for her family. It tastes like memories and better times and all the things that warm his heart. The mood around the campfire is pleasant and smiles come easy, and he pours himself another helping, long after everyone has finished.

He sits a little way off, trying to calm his heart and fluttering emotions, though he still wears a faint smile. Wei Wuxian stirs the bowl, not really eating it anymore, but content to sip occasionally, trying not to get emotional over a simple bowl of rib and lotus soup.

Arts and Crafts

Having even one bit of familiar power flowing through him has done wonders for his motivation. Wei Wuxian sits amid a small pile of paper cut-outs that are in the vague shape of a man, drawing tiny robes on one side and a bit of calligraphy on the back. One of the papermen is standing up all on its own, tidying the pile as Wei Wuxian makes more. As you approach, it crawls up onto Wei Wuxian's lap and waves up at you in a friendly greeting.

[inquiryguqin]

Lotus rib soup is the dish that is for dinner tonight. It's a dish he's trying to learn for himself to cook for his Wei Wuxian, but it can't be compared to the original recipe his sister makes. After having a bowl of his own, tasting it, it soothes him somewhat to have a taste of home. The soup is really good and melts a measure of stress that Lan Wangji is under after his encounter with the Mad March.

He was quiet as everyone is eating around the campire. He glances at Wei Wuxian, when he was creating his paperman, he can't help but to smile back as the paperman waves and he waves back.

"Wei Ying, is the paperman you?"

[sadflutenoises]

Just having the scent of Shijie's soup on the air as he works is enough to settle him, to make passing the time with simple work like this pleasant. He looks up as Lan Zhan approaches, and the timid wave he offers the little paperman is nothing short of endearing.

"Is it... oh- well, it has a bit of my spiritual energy in it, I suppose," he smiles.

"They're like the ones I used to send over to Lan Zhan's desk while he tried to work," he adds, just in case this Lan Zhan's experience isn't entirely the same. With a flick of his finger, the paperman in his lap takes a running jump toward Lan Zhan, floating toward the hem of his robe before trying to climb his way up to say hello.

"If I can still manage to do this when we go back to the hotel, I might be able to try that way though. I bet I could slip into some new places, hm?"

closed to Jiang Yanli

[billowing]

Lan Wangji comes to the tent where Jiang Yanli resides, and raps at the entrance, seeking her audience. He has in one hand, a basket that contains ribs of a deer, and a couple of pilfered lotus roots, plus some various wild berries for sweetness. He couldn't find goji.

"Jiang-guniang," he greets, with a bow. "I require some assistance."

[soups]

Having a tent to herself, it could be basically anyone who softly knocks at the fabric that makes up her door. Perhaps one of the Wei Wuxian twins -- well, not technically twins. It's still strange to think of two of them being here.

Instead, it's a member of the other duo: the Lan Wangji she's most familiar with.

"Of course, Lan-gongzi." She stands, bowing in return. "What did you need my help with?"

[billowing]

He takes out the basket full of ingredients that should look very familiar. "Wei Ying has requested soup." He knows how to make it, of course, but he doesn't know how to make it like Jiang Yanli.

And he would like to make it exactly as Jiang Yanli does, going forward, when one day they should return and -- he won't talk about that.

"Will you teach me?"