Pitched Normal

Extracting Information

Nie Huaisang had now been attending the classes at Cloud Recesses for three years. The young cultivator was not too keen on attending though, preferring to spend his time at home with his paints and fans and collecting fine works of art. However, his elder brother Sect Leader, Nie Mingjue, was determined that he pass the classes. He kept sending Huaisang and the boy kept failing. Nonetheless, the only person's orders that Nie Huaisang would even pretend to abide by was his older brother. The younger adored his older brother as much as he feared him. Nie Mingjue could be a bit ... intense, especially to more timid people which included his younger brother. Still, he kept returning to the Cloud Recesses, though this last time around he did seem somewhat more serious in his studies.

Lan Zhan did not know the sort of friends that Wei Ying had. The only other people that he had seen him with outside of the Jiang sect were Wen Ning and Nie Huaisang. The best bet as to who would have more information was the Nie - Huaisang always knew things that he should not, the man was the king of gossip and rumors. Which made him both extremely useful, and extremely dangerous. Though not many actually knew about the dangerous part, or the useful part. Nie Huaisang's abilities were rather underestimated by quite a few, something which furthered Lan Zhan's agenda.

So, of these two friends ... of course he was going to Nie Huaisang. He was unfamiliar with Wen Ning, and he was not as confident as Wei Ying to approach him.

Yet another reason why Wei Ying was so fascinating. He was confident and bold, and so very caring. Lan Zhan knew his uncle did not seem to like Wei Ying much, but that was because he was certain that he was reminded of his parents whenever he thought of him. Once his uncle saw him for who he was, he was sure that he would at least tolerate Wei Ying somewhat more.

Lan Zhan found Nie Huaisang after a little bit of searching. It was slightly more difficult than he had previously expected, but luckily, he figured out where he was. They were where he had first taken Wei Ying to surrender for his punishment, something that he still had not finished, though Lan Zhan felt a bit guilty for not telling Uncle, he also had no intention of doing so.

Nie Huaisang was with Wen Ning, so Lan Zhan's hopes of avoiding more people than was strictly necessary were no longer possible. He inwardly sighed, but he also knew that he could not allow such things to stop him in his mission. He may not wish to speak to anyone except Nie Huaisang, but he needed to know more about Wei Ying, and this was his best bet.

Lan Zhan walked up to the two, who were speaking in somewhat hushed voices, but then fell silent as he approached. This was totally opposite to Wei Wuxian. The boy spoke to him incessantly to the point of annoyance at times. Though, despite that, he found that it was somewhat a source of comfort. Though Wei Ying did not speak all of the time, he did speak a lot, and it was comforting, in a way.

Lan Zhan pushed these thoughts from his head. He could not get distracted; he had other things that he had to do. Wei Ying was resting, and currently preparing for a test that they were having the next day. Lan Zhan breathed deeply as he looked at Huaisang. The other seemed to shrink from him, but Lan Zhan did not let that affect him. He jerked his head to the side, and Huaisang scrambled upwards hastily following him as he moved away just enough so that Wen Ning would not hear their conversation. He did not want any more than necessary knowing what he was asking.

"This stays between us." was the first thing that Lan Zhan said, his eyes boring directly into the poor Nie Heir's eyes. The boy scrambled back, eyes wide and nodding quickly. He did not wish to anger the Lan Heir. The other was terrifying on a good day, far more so when angry.

Nie Huaisang did not know what all of this was about, but he did not want to find out through an angry Lan Wangji. He gave the Lan Heir a nervous smile, but did not back down, standing resolute. Something his brother would be somewhat proud of ... assuming he was still alive to be able to relate the story.

Lan Zhan hesitated ... unsure once more. He closed his eyes, breathed heavily and opened them, boring them into Nie Huaisang. "You ... " he paused. "Are friends ... With Wei Wuxian." The words were forced, and Lan Zhan was obviously uncomfortable, but either way, he knew that he could do this. He had to, for the good of his only friend, that and the fact that he would not be able to sleep if he did not. His conscience would keep him up. There was something going on with Wei Ying and he would figure it out.

"Yes???" Nie Huaisang squeaked. This was it; Lan Wangji was going to murder him for acquainting himself with Wei Wuxian. The Lans were rather possessive, or so the rumors stated. He had seen how the younger of the Twin Jades had glared at him and Wen Ning, he could not get the scene out of his memory.

"What ... do you know ..." Nie Huaisang blinked, and waited a bit ... but Wangji did not seem to be more forthcoming and he just sighed.

It was not really ... helpful after all. He knew a lot, but what did Lan Zhan want to know? Surely not ... everything. He specialized in gossip and rumors. Along with his own observations of course, but even still. He knew that Lan Wangji did not speak often but surely, he could try to be a little more specific?

"Uh, Young Master," Nie Huaisang said with a slightly nervous laugh. "What ... what exactly is it you want to know?"

The deadpan look in Lan Zhan's eyes had him somewhat nervous. He gave a small nervous laugh and flicked his fan out, hiding behind it, watching the elder cautiously.

"Sleep, how ..." Lan Zhan swallowed, "How does he rest?" Nie Huaisang's brows furrowed slightly, but he answered the question dutifully.

"He tries to hide it, but Young Master Wuxian does not really sleep well. It is not overly noticeable, but after a few days you begin to notice some things. I do not really know what is keeping him awake at night, and I do not need to know, though I have my own guesses. He definitely needs to be getting more sleep, but ... Young Master, why do you wish to know this?"

He took a risk asking Lan Zhan such a question. He did not know if the other would take well to it, but he hoped that he would answer. Lan Wangji was not the type of person to seek others out, something must have happened. He was curious as to what it was, but he did not want to push too much, and end up as a puddle of nothingness. That would be highly unfortunate.

"Slept during punishments." Lan Zhan said simply, watching the other carefully. Nie Huaisang's eyes widened. Slept ... during the ... what???

"Now, Master Wangji," Huaisang said, chuckling, now worried a bit for Wei Ying. It was not exactly subtle that Lan Qiren did not really like him, and now with him having slept through a punishment ... well there was reason to be concerned. "I am sure ... I am sure he did not mean to; you know he ..." Lan Zhan lifted a hand, and Huaisang shut up instantly.

"Not in trouble. Just wanted to know." Lan Zhan said resolutely. Nie Huaisang nodded, an anxious smile on his face.

Lan Zhan looked away from him to Wen Ning who was hanging back, waiting. He looked around, but saw none else. He inhaled deeply, before releasing that breath quickly.

"How is ... " He shifted slightly, eyes moving towards Wen Ning. Nie Huaisang looked behind him before his eyes went big.

It was not common for Lan Wangji to ask after other guests either. He glanced back at Lan Wangji, who was uncomfortable, that much was obvious, but still staying resolute. For a moment, Nie Huaisang saw Lan Wangji differently from what he and everyone else, except Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian, did. He saw Lan Wangji as a lonely, young, powerful cultivator who was socially inept. No wonder Wei Wuxian took him under his wing, and cursed all of them for ousting him just because of their fear.

"He is good. Wei Wuxian was right. He got picked on a few times, but luckily with Lan Xichen watching over him it ended pretty quickly."

Nie Huaisang watched Lan Wangji begin to walk away and could not help asking, "Young Master Wangji!" The young heir paused, but did not turn. "Uh, I ... that is, Wen Ning and I, well, whenever you have free time of course, I know you are rather busy after all, but we were wondering if you would like to go to town with us? And Wei Wuxian? We were all planning it, and Wei Wuxian wanted to bring you along. Maybe ... think about it?"

Lan Zhan did not know what to do with this request. He had never really been invited on outings with others before. "Wei Ying, ..." his mind supplied, and he let a small smile curl on his lips, just slightly.

"I will think ..." He said softly, but still loud enough for Huaisang to hear.