[ Fucking truly incredible, that this is finally what gets the prestigious Lan Wangji to come to Wu Ming.
The matron that greets Lan Wangji is openly surprised to see him, but no less polite - between her employer and a constant visitor coming in on crow wings, she knows who he is, and sends one of the other workers off to inform Hua Cheng on his visitor. He has to rot in the lobby for a little while, but it's actually the proprietor himself that comes up to greet Lan Wangji, rather than have him escorted to where he needs to go.
He looks tired. For someone so effortless and aloof at all times, who never lets anyone see him at less than composed, the two of them are certainly a picture to behold. His eyepatch is still replaced with bandages, a faint stain visible from the under layers of it where it rests over the socket of his right eye. Acid burns are just peeking from beneath it, and all of his hair is swept towards that side of his face, his shoulder, as if a shield. ]
[Wow they both look terrible. It takes a second for Lan Wangji to be aware of that, though. Hua Cheng has a presence that's easy to sense, but even so, Lan Wangji has to take a second to steel himself. He reaches for his ring, twisting it around his finger in an uncharacteristically fidgety move before he slowly raises his eyes to Hua Cheng.
Coin flip says that Lan Wangji dodges his hallucinations FOR NOW. But he can't even relax about that, because Hua Cheng's actually face really does look terrible, no matter how much he tries to cover it up. It's not like he didn't believe what happened, but seeing it is a very different thing.
Lan Wangji stares at him for a minute, but whatever he's thinking doesn't show on his face. (Probably because he's trying not to wince at his own pain, and putting extra care into keeping his expression even.)]
I spoke to Miss Beau. [Which probably explains a lot.]
[ yeet goes the coin flip, sailing over their heads. For now.
Wearing his exhaustion like a mantle, to own it rather than let it weigh him down, Hua Cheng chuckles faintly at the brief explanation. But even with its brevity it speaks volumes more than anything else could. Nearby, his matron twists her hands briefly, her own fox ears laid flat - it's a sign enough that it's better to move this elsewhere. Best not to worry his staff, they might not be able to do their jobs properly. ]
I think this is a conversation best had away from the front parlor. [ He dismisses his works with a wave of his hand, a lackadaisical motion that is befitting of the demon at his best, before turning to lead the way further into the ryokan. ] With fewer people to listen, and fewer people to be distracting.
[ Because even at his worst, Lan Wangji's fidgeting, his very presence here... he can tell that something is more amiss than Lan Wangji would let on. And for as careless as he acts about other people, Beau and Futaba's mere safety, now, is telling enough. He'll protect them, and Lan Wangji, because a kindness was given to him that he'll repay to others, few as they may be. ]
But if Lan Wangji notices the way the staff react, he doesn't say anything about it. Not that he would normally, but right now, he's too busy fighting down a full-body tremor. He's trying very hard to look as normal as possible, and only partially succeeding. What a pair they make.
He just nods in response, though, and obediently follows Hua Cheng further inside. He doesn't look uncomfortable with their surroundings, but he's also just keeping his eyes fixed to Hua Cheng's back, so. He's kinda cheating.]
[ A terrible, tired pair. Hua Cheng doesn't bother with asking questions where prying eyes and interested ears could follow, and instead leads him down a level into the dimly lit portion of Wu Ming. There are less people, currently, but it's because he has no interest in them being around unless they need to be.
There's no tour, and nothing that he's going to tease Lan Wangji with today. His jokes of getting Lan Wangji drunk with Wei Wuxian are for later days, when things are in less turmoil. Today, he just leads him back, all the way, until he's to his office and ushering him in. Better to have this taken care of as soon as possible than wait. ]
[Lan Wangji's a serious man by nature, but the atmosphere right now is even more somber than it might normally be. He follows in silence, stepping inside the office once they arrive. He waits until Hua Cheng closes the door, remaining standing and fixing his eyes on a blank spot on the wall. He wouldn't normally be so rude, but when he can't trust his own eyes, he figures it's better to take precautions.]
I'm fine. And, I suppose I have the advantage of having worn an eyepatch for so long, so I'm not necessarily caught off guard. [ It still hurts, dully. But that's what happens when you lose an eye and wind up with what amounts to chemical burns on your face.
His tails flick behind him as he moves into the office, door securely shut and better ensuring their privacy. Hua Cheng can tell something is off, but that's largely because, well, he knows Lan Wangji. Moving, he drops to sit heavily, massaging his fingers against his right temple. ]
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The matron that greets Lan Wangji is openly surprised to see him, but no less polite - between her employer and a constant visitor coming in on crow wings, she knows who he is, and sends one of the other workers off to inform Hua Cheng on his visitor. He has to rot in the lobby for a little while, but it's actually the proprietor himself that comes up to greet Lan Wangji, rather than have him escorted to where he needs to go.
He looks tired. For someone so effortless and aloof at all times, who never lets anyone see him at less than composed, the two of them are certainly a picture to behold. His eyepatch is still replaced with bandages, a faint stain visible from the under layers of it where it rests over the socket of his right eye. Acid burns are just peeking from beneath it, and all of his hair is swept towards that side of his face, his shoulder, as if a shield. ]
Wangji. To what do I owe this pleasure?
no subject
Coin flip says that Lan Wangji dodges his hallucinations FOR NOW. But he can't even relax about that, because Hua Cheng's actually face really does look terrible, no matter how much he tries to cover it up. It's not like he didn't believe what happened, but seeing it is a very different thing.
Lan Wangji stares at him for a minute, but whatever he's thinking doesn't show on his face. (Probably because he's trying not to wince at his own pain, and putting extra care into keeping his expression even.)]
I spoke to Miss Beau. [Which probably explains a lot.]
no subject
Wearing his exhaustion like a mantle, to own it rather than let it weigh him down, Hua Cheng chuckles faintly at the brief explanation. But even with its brevity it speaks volumes more than anything else could. Nearby, his matron twists her hands briefly, her own fox ears laid flat - it's a sign enough that it's better to move this elsewhere. Best not to worry his staff, they might not be able to do their jobs properly. ]
I think this is a conversation best had away from the front parlor. [ He dismisses his works with a wave of his hand, a lackadaisical motion that is befitting of the demon at his best, before turning to lead the way further into the ryokan. ] With fewer people to listen, and fewer people to be distracting.
[ Because even at his worst, Lan Wangji's fidgeting, his very presence here... he can tell that something is more amiss than Lan Wangji would let on. And for as careless as he acts about other people, Beau and Futaba's mere safety, now, is telling enough. He'll protect them, and Lan Wangji, because a kindness was given to him that he'll repay to others, few as they may be. ]
no subject
But if Lan Wangji notices the way the staff react, he doesn't say anything about it. Not that he would normally, but right now, he's too busy fighting down a full-body tremor. He's trying very hard to look as normal as possible, and only partially succeeding. What a pair they make.
He just nods in response, though, and obediently follows Hua Cheng further inside. He doesn't look uncomfortable with their surroundings, but he's also just keeping his eyes fixed to Hua Cheng's back, so. He's kinda cheating.]
no subject
There's no tour, and nothing that he's going to tease Lan Wangji with today. His jokes of getting Lan Wangji drunk with Wei Wuxian are for later days, when things are in less turmoil. Today, he just leads him back, all the way, until he's to his office and ushering him in. Better to have this taken care of as soon as possible than wait. ]
no subject
How are you faring?
no subject
His tails flick behind him as he moves into the office, door securely shut and better ensuring their privacy. Hua Cheng can tell something is off, but that's largely because, well, he knows Lan Wangji. Moving, he drops to sit heavily, massaging his fingers against his right temple. ]
You, on the other hand, look terrible.