Jiāng Chéng (zidian) wrote in valloic, @ 2022-01-21 19:05:00 |
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The DOA was a little busy on a Monday and he was waylaid several times by questions that he answered in passing with increasing irritation. By the last person, he snapped.
"This can wait! My nephew is here and I haven't seen him in a year. I will find you tomorrow." And with that, he sidestepped the coworker to enter the door to the waiting area for new arrivals with a flourish of his robes and a slightly tense glance around the room. The moment he spotted Jin Ling, his shoulders relaxed and a helpless hint of a smile shaped his mouth.
"I thought for sure you would have wandered off by now."
Jin Ling, however, didn't immediately snap his head up. He had this miracle device, a 'phone' they called it, sitting on the table in front of him and he was steadily tapping away on it with his two index fingers. A message to his mother, a message to Sizhui. A message to his Uncle Wei and Lan Xichen. This was so much more convenient than sending runners. And a little addicting, truth be told.
"Mm-hm," he responded, finishing up the last of his typing. Then he looked up and looked past his uncle. "Where's Fairy?"
Jin Ling's distraction wasn't shocking, even if it did make Jiang Cheng scowl in mild affront. "Hello to you too. He's at Lotus Pier. This is no place for dogs." He moved closer, glancing over Jin Ling for any surprise injuries or signs of what had been happening to him lately. There was never any way to know when a person arrived from.
"What is the last thing you remember?"
"Before arriving here? I was about to go for a stroll before a meeting with sect leaders." He didn't understand entirely why his uncle was being this way, after all they'd seen each other just hours ago. Thankfully he didn't need to ask about Lotus Pier since that had already been explained, even if it was rather hard to believe. He'd see it for himself soon enough.
Still, remembering his manners, he quickly hopped to his feet and gave a half-bow of deference. "Sorry. Hello, Uncle."
Jiang Cheng frowned. The answer wasn't specific enough to clarify if Jin Ling was from the same time. He didn't look different. Jiang Cheng would have to accept that as enough confirmation for now and badger him later. There were more important things at hand. He watched Jin Ling bow and knew how his nephew expected him to respond. With similar restraint and distance. Maybe even a sneer.
He stepped forward and pulled Jin Ling into a hug instead. "I know you will probably refuse to believe any of this for a while yet, but it really is good to see you. It has been longer than you know."
Jin Ling started to sputter and resist because what was he, some kind of child? But then he stopped suddenly, leaned into it, and hugged Jiang Cheng back. He didn't truly understand what was going on, but he wasn't entirely used to physical affection from anyone (other than Fairy), so it was both strange and welcome at the same time.
Speaking through a mouthful of his uncle's robes, he admitted "I am very confused right now. But happy to be here, I think."
Jiang Cheng snorted and pulled back. “You are bound to get more confused before you get less. This place…” He glanced around the office, a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he thought all the technology Jin Ling was going to be introduced to in the coming days. “…There is very little here you will recognize. But the things that are here from home are the most important.”
His composure came back slower than it might’ve before Vallo changed everything about his life, but he did grow serious. Cautious. He knew Jin Ling had spoken to Yanli already on the network and it wasn’t helping him believe any of this was real. “Your mother will be not far from where Fairy is. You can see her in person now or take some time to look around and center yourself first.”
Squaring his shoulders and tilting his head back a little, as if to look authoritative, Jin Ling stood up straight and tried to look his uncle eye-to-eye. "I am centered enough." Real or imagination, he wasn't going to pass up seeing his mom - honestly he wasn't sure why he hadn't just appeared in front of her already. Or drifted on the breeze like a butterfly, those were some of his favorite dreams.
The rest of what his uncle had said made some sense to him, though. He'd already seen a lot of things he couldn't even think to categorize. Certainly nothing that felt (or looked) like home. So many people with strange clothes and short hair, furniture made of metal, it was all very strange. The phone he liked, though. Which reminded him of a comment he'd read.
"Are you considering marriage to George Weasley?" Saying names in reverse still felt uncomfortable in his mouth.
Pride was evident on Jiang Cheng's face; he'd almost forgotten how rewarding it was to see his nephew's strong will, even when it was sometimes used against him. He nodded and started to turn before the question made him stumble a half step. Trust Jin Ling to believe none of this but to lock onto this particular detail anyway.
"Where did you hear tha--nevermind, I know exactly where. Wei Wuxian is a terrible gossip." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. There was a little flutter of nerves in his chest. "I am involved with George Weasley, yes. I am in love with him." It was shockingly easy to admit that to this person of all people. He thought it would be harder. He still shook his head and gave a little shrug of his shoulders. "I don't know what lies in the future for us. For any of us, for that matter." "I don't think you've ever been in love before," commented Jin Ling, following behind his uncle. "I can see why Wei Wuxian would say such a thing." At least, it wasn't something Jiang Cheng had ever mentioned before. Or showed interest in, even though Jin Ling himself knew there had been many interested parties back home trying to catch his eye. For his own part, he'd always just thought his uncle was not interested in that kind of thing. There were some people that were just like that. He supported it either way, people should live how they want to.
"If it makes you feel better, I have never been in love either."
Jiang Cheng did not like this subject of conversation. It was an unbearable spotlight on something he was careful to protect. Attention brought questions, questions brought doubts. He wasn't ready for questions. Not about George. That boat had been sailing along steadily for sometime and he wanted to keep it that way. He huffed a breath out through his nose and pressed a hand to his nephew's back to nudge him towards the exit.
"It does not make me feel better about you being nosy," he teased, raising one imperious brow. "Be careful gossiping with your uncle. He is well-liked here thankfully, but that doesn't mean he isn't just as prone to getting into trouble." He opened the door into the main office hall. "Do you have any questions that aren't about my private affairs?"
"Not yet. I've asked so many on this," answered Jin Ling, holding up the phone so his uncle could see it. He'd have to figure out a way to carry it without impeding his ability to draw his sword, but it was small enough that he didn't think it'd be much of an issue. Maybe he could carry it in a pouch like he did his coin, which he suddenly realized probably wouldn't be of much use here if they didn't have the same currency.
With that, he stepped through the door in front of Jiang Cheng and marvelled again at everything there was to see. None of it made any sense, which just made it more fun to look at and try to figure out. After glancing around and taking it all in again, he even caught a glimpse of someone drinking water from a fountain and raised an eyebrow. Did they all drink from the same bowl? That didn't feel clean. Instead of asking about it, though, he just stopped and crossed his hands inside of his sleeves and gave every outward appearance that he was ready to follow his uncle.
"Very well but if the answers were provided by someone I didn't vouch for, take them with a grain of salt. Some people here like to tease newcomers with exaggeration," Jiang Cheng warned. To be fair, of the people he would vouch for would also tease with exaggeration, whether someone was new or not, but Jin Ling was no stranger to sarcasm.
He led Jin Ling to the lobby of the travel crystal. "Do you want to fly to Lotus Pier or travel by crystal? It's harmless and instantaneous, but flying would give you an overhead view of the city." And perhaps give Yanli time to prepare for her son's arrival.
Jin Ling wasn't sure how much of what he'd already seen could be exaggerated, since it was already so unbelievable, but he took some solace in knowing his uncle agreed that people here might not be telling the whole truth. He was looking at the crystal with some trepidation already when Jiang Cheng asked how he wanted to travel and his response was immediate. "Flying."
He turned and looked at his uncle. "You say harmless and instantaneous but how do I know accidents won't happen? What if we arrive with our bodies switched? Or our heads on backwards?"
Jiang Cheng's heart warmed. All of his efforts in raising Jin Ling weren't in vain; his nephew didn't take things for granted. Trust was earned not given without care. Jiang Cheng kept walking towards the exit.
"What if a bird crashes into you while you're flying and you fall to the ground? There are always risks. The Outlanders have been using the crystals for over two years and so far, no one's come out the other side damaged." They'd come out in the wrong place, but he kept that detail to himself as he stepped out of the DOA building. "You'll find you need to get somewhere fast sometimes here. Things happen quickly and protecting your family is easier when you can be at their side within minutes."
Jin Ling scoffed and muttered "I can handle a bird, uncle." But he knew Jiang Cheng was right. There were always risks when traveling. Of course, Jin Ling wasn't afraid. He'd been through all kinds of dangerous adventures and came out okay (sometimes with a little help, sure). But that didn't mean he wasn't learning to be more cautious as he got older. Besides, getting to family faster was an excellent point that he hadn't considered. But it sounded like it could also be a problem. His uncle saying it was easier to protect your family, but Jin Ling heard the unspoken part too - it was also easier to arrive and grab your nephew by the ear when he was getting into something.
"I will try it, then, with your assurances. But only because it may mean getting to see my mother sooner."
“In that case…” Jiang Cheng changed course towards the waypoint. “…You have my assurances. You will get to the other side will all your appendages where they belong and not a hair out of place.” He reached out to tug on a chunk of Jin Ling’s hair and offered a nervous smirk. He wasn’t sure how things would go with Yanli. If it would upset her or Jin Ling. Emotions were bound to overflow. It might be a bigger concern if they didn’t. They were virtual strangers to each other no matter how many stories Jiang Cheng had told his nephew over the years.
“Here.” He took Jin Ling by the elbow. “I’ll direct our trip, just don’t pull away.” His grip stayed firm but his expression gentled. “Focus on what you’re going to say to her.”