Pitched Normal

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Lan XiChen requested to speak to Lan Zhan alone after this. Wei Ying agreed, how could he not. Plus, apparently Lan Qiren wanted to talk to him alone, which left him slightly shaking, and a tad bit worried about. He was not sure when Lan Qiren had gone from hating him to not hating him, but he was not willing to bet that the anmosity was entirely gone. It never was, and the best that he could hope for was probably avoiding Lan Qiren as much as possible. He hoped that they could just willingly avoid each other, but it would seem as though that was simply not going to be the case, which was something he was quite agitated and nerve wrecked for.

"I wished to speak with you, privately," Lan Qiren stated. Wei Ying fought hard to not roll his eyes. He was more than well aware that he wanted to talk to him alone, that was the whole reason that he was here, outside the room, walking around the building aimlessly as they waited for Lan Zhan and his brother to finish speaking. There was no real need to restate such things, it just left things boring. "I know we have not truly gotten on well from the start, but I did want to tell you clearly that I am happy you are joining us." Wei Ying stopped abruptly at that admittance. He stared at Lan Qiren with wide eyes, disbelief held heavy in them.

"I seem to have misheard, Master Lan," Wei Ying said a forced laugh echoing through his lips. "You definitely do not need to endear yourself to me, I understand why you dislike me, it is fine, I have not given you much reason to like me in the first place. I don't want you to feel like you need to do this for my benefit." Lan Qiren stopped himself, turning towards Wei Ying, severe look echoed through his eyes. Wei Ying felt suddenly out of place, and like he was missing something that he should not be missing. He did not understand the look that he was being given, but he knew that it was not what he had necessarily expected, which could mean quite a bit of trouble. He liked to say he was good at assessing people, and he was rarely wrong in his assessments, but he was clearly glossing over something that was not meant to be glossed over.

"I am not doing this for my benefit, or for yours." Lan Qiren stated, seeming somewhat offended. Wei Ying felt himself wither slightly at the offense noted through his voice. He had no idea what to say to that. He had no idea what to even react to that. "I am just saying that I want you to be able to enjoy yourself here. I know that the Cloud Recesses can be somewhat smothering. Your mother was one person who felt like that." Wei Ying felt his breath catch in his throat at yet another spoken word of his mother. He stared at the Lan, unable to quite speak anything.

"My...Mother?" he whispered, unable to quite make sense of this. Lan Qiren knew his mother. Of course, he supposed that if the Jiang sect Leader knew his mother and father it was only to be expected that others their age would have known them as well. He was somewhat surprised, but he knew that Lan Qiren had known his mother...right? Wei Ying could not remember, but he thought the other had said something similar before. Had he merely forgotten? How had he forgotten that? Or perhaps had he just been reading into things? Wei Ying mentally cursed his rather horrid memory.

"Yes, your mother and I were...friends of a sort...when we were younger. She was always such a vibrant spirit, and the Cloud Recesses at times were a bit stifling for her. Not that I can say I did not expect it." Wei Ying did not know what to say to that, but he held onto the information with preciousness. He had so few memories of his parents. He did not know them well, or much. "I said that to tell you this...I can see that you are very much like your mother, and though your father is obvious as well, I just wanted to be sure that you knew...if, at a time, you need a break from the Cloud Recesses, just tell me, or Wangji, or even XiChen. We will ensure that you go on a night hunt, or maybe a vacation of sorts, I don't know. I just don't want you to feel as though you are stuck here."

"Master Lan, thank you for the concern, but I do not think this would be a prison. Lan Zhan has been more than amazing. I do swear, though, if I am getting overwhelmed I will let you know."

"That is all I am asking from you." Lan Qiren admitted. "Barring that, we intend to move your quarters closer to Wangji's. You are his betrothed now, after all, and the wedding will commence rather swiftly in any case." Lan Qiren gave the other a light tipped smile. "XiChen will certainly be helping you there."

"Really?" Wei Ying questioned, his breath coming out light. "That is...a lot. Thank you,"

"Do not mention it, you are a part of the sect now, a part of the clan, we help each other." Wei Ying nodded slowly.

"Then I should mention that perhaps you should know that the wards are...lackluster. You should probably strengthen them." Lan Qiren stared at him, his eyes widening with the taletell sense of outrage. Wei Ying smirked slyly before rushing back into the room and barreling into Lan Zhan. He hastily pulled him up with some difficulty before hiding behind him.

Young Master Wei?" XiChen questioned. He stood easily as Lan Qiren rushed through, hair slightly askew as he drew an outraged gaze on Wei WuXian. "Uncle, that is enough," He stated clearly. Lan Qiren stared at his nephew.

"Ah, XiChen, he..."

"I don't care." XiChen said simply, his words cutting Lan Qiren off abruptly. "If it is something bad, you will address it with me. Do I make myself clear?" Lan Qiren gasped inwardly slightly, another unnerved feeling curling through his chest as he saw once more that slightly dark gleam to his eyes.