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[rootsforyou]

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[rootsforyou]

[it's a mental note for her, for later]

You have a reputation for being fair and just. Your sect is unlikely to reveal any involvement you had in helping A-Xian previously, so that reputation likely remains. That alone might be enough to protect him. Though such action might cause difficulties for your sect if it is not discussed beforehand.

[strikingchords]

...

Four things must occur.

First, the damage done, redeemed.

Second, those who are vulnerable, protected.

Third, he must be known to have desired this.

Fourth, a mutual assurance against vengeance.

There are multiple paths to any one. Together, they buy necessary time.

[rootsforyou]

In the broadest terms, yes. They are also not a guarantee that a repeated scenario will not occur regardless of our attempts. If it is the worst case scenario we would need to prepare for that as well.

[strikingchords]

We must start broadly.

[Lan Wangji's eyes are narrowed, considering the issue, still coolly determined. she may or may not remember that his early role in the Sunshot Campaign had almost nothing to do with the shifting self-protective politics of getting the Great Sects involved and almost everything to do with going from smaller sect to smaller sect, helping individuals and insisting that fighting an enemy that would be insurmountable for any of them alone was right.]

There are no guarantees. But, time would assist. "A small window." That was true insight.

...

A wish is most appropriate for the first two.

When Wei Ying first retreated to Burial Mounds, the idea was not bad. But, the year that followed further severed ties.

[rootsforyou]

[she knows this about him. but she also knows a lot of the rumors about him, the ones that all make him seem larger than life, and knows that secondhand knowledge is not always the truth. he is only human, and has human limitations, and placing a heavy burden on one person's shoulders has proven to not go very well every time.

her hands clench a little at the mention of Wei Wuxian retreating to the Burial Mounds]

...It was the only option he had at the time. But because he was left without protection it made it easier to plot against him. I had been...anticipating for Jin Guangshan to ask him once more about the Stygian Tiger Seal during A-Ling's one month celebration. I was preparing for the wrong thing. I would prefer not to make the same mistake again.

[strikingchords]

[watching her hands...]

...

What had you prepared?

[rootsforyou]

[shakes her head]

It was nothing much. Zixuan and I spoke of it a bit. Since he was to be our guest, that meant that no one else would be able to harass him easily. We thought it would be easy enough to keep him by us so that no one could bother him and he wouldn't accidentally start any trouble. He was there to see A-Ling, so I anticipated he wouldn't leave my side much. If Jin Guangshan or someone else made any mention of A-Xian's situation, we could simply be firm that it wasn't the place for such talk. And if it went well it would open the chance for him to visit more, perhaps.

Zixuan knew I wanted it to go well. I think that's why he left in such a hurry.

[strikingchords]

[...

this time he reaches for her hand, mirroring her careful hesitation to give her the opportunity to pull away]

[rootsforyou]

[takes it, grateful]

We can only offer ourselves such introspection once the moment has passed. It's alright.

[strikingchords]

[squeezes it back.]

...

YunmengJiang's position on the Wens is known.

Do you share it?

[rootsforyou]

[quiet for the space of a few heartbeats, looking at their hands]

The Wens who destroyed our home have long since passed on. The ones that remained were under my dear brother's protection. Although I have not met most of them in person in order to make a judge of character, I trust in A-Xian's judgement. I bear them no ill will.

[strikingchords]

[exhales]

Those are glad tidings.

[rootsforyou]

[nods]

They have been kind to us as well. As I understand it, they helped A-Cheng and A-Xian a great deal when they fled Lotus Pier. I do not wish to repay that deed with unkindness.

[strikingchords]

[nods, stiff]

...

That was what happened?

[rootsforyou]

Mm, that's what they both confirmed. More or less. It's difficult for them to talk about that time, so I didn't ask for details. Wen Qionglin and Wen Qing hid them both when the Wens were searching for them, at great risk to themselves. After they all parted ways A-Cheng and A-Xian were separated.

[which is, Lan Wangji knows, around the time Wei Wuxian would have been tossed into the Burial Mounds for the first time]

[strikingchords]

[he doesn't know he was tossed into the Burial Mounds that time! none of them do! WHOOPS]

His disappearance. Yes.

[rootsforyou]

[*no one outside of the Jiangs know WHOOPS. Lan Wangji was looking for him when he vanished tho, which has new context for her :(]

By the time he reappeared the Sunshot Campaign was underway. But if the opportunity were to present itself, I would have at least liked to extend my greetings to them.

[strikingchords]

[rather stricken... his mouth has gone tight with distress]

I, too.

[rootsforyou]

We shall see if we get the chance. They're currently out of our reach.

[strikingchords]

...

[exhales, with a slight nod]

[rootsforyou]

...I didn't mean for it to sound so bleak. But I don't wish for anyone to think this is an easy path to take, just because it's a wish.

[strikingchords]

[ah.]

...

Respectfully, young Madame Jin.

A reminder is unnecessary.

[rootsforyou]

I am aware. On occasion, though, it is good to say such things out loud.

[strikingchords]

As you like.

[inclines his head, not arguing, blank as a sheet]

[rootsforyou]

[gives herself a chance to sip at her tea, which is probably now cold, to collect her thoughts]