Collide and Cry

Aftermath of Failed Escape

When Lan Qiren had said that it was safest for him to remain in the Cloud Recesses whilst they looked into what exactly it was that the Jiang clan had done, and at the very least until they had the conference, he had not quite expected what happened as a direct result of that. Of course, he was more then willing to stay should they desire him to do so. After all, it was not as though he had anywhere else to really go in the first place. Not to mention, they had actually managed to save him, to drag him from the Jiang Clan and away from Jiang Cheng and that evil dog. Wei Ying would be forever grateful for such efforts on his parts. He was still in awe from the whole experience. There were times that he still felt that all of this was unreal. 

Yet, after his attempt to leave the Cloud Recesses upon the belief that he had overstayed his welcome, many things had changed. Most notably, Lan XiChen had taken his troubling coin back from Wei Ying. Something that caused Wei Ying great relief. He was not sure why exactly such a thing caused him endless worry, particularly because he should be incredibly honored that Lan XiChen even bothered to allow him to hold the metal for more then a second. He should take full advantage of the fact that he had been given the coin in the first place, but something just felt...wrong to do that. Wei Ying was more then above doing things that were socially morally ambiguous and downright wrong at best as long as he felt right about doing so, or if the end justified the means in his mind. Something about taking such a powerful thing from Lan XiChen, just did not feel right in his mind, however. Especially not when the Lan Clan had done something so helpful for him, helping him escape the Jiang Clan. How could he bear to take such a vital thing from Lan XiChen. Of course the protection that it offered would be very useful, especially should Wei Ying be forced from the Cloud Recesses, or should they leave for whatever reason, or should Jiang Cheng come looking for him. There were a thousand things and a million situations in which Wei Ying could think of that coin being useful, but he just did not feel as though Lan XiChen should let him have such a thing. It just felt wrong.

Another rather large difference was the amount of time that Lan SiZhui and his friend, Lan JingYi spent with him. Of course, it was not nearly enough, they had classes and such, and Wei Ying still spent a majority of his time with Lan Zhan, but that was to be expected. Wei Ying had no idea if the younger boy somehow knew that he needed some companionship, but the boy had been coming to visit him with his friend for hours on end every day for the past two weeks. Something which Wei Ying was not only grateful for, but found great joy in as well. There was also something that Lan SiZhui had said when Wei Ying had been about to leave the Cloud Recesses and rid them of his problematic self for good that struck Wei Ying a bit odd. He just, he did not have the confidence to really ask. However, the fact that Lan SiZhui had expressed intimate understanding of just how overwhelming the Cloud Recesses can be to those who are not used to it...he had not said I can understand, he had said I understand. Something which really made Wei Ying question quite a few things. He just...he did not have the confidence to ask Lan SiZhui whether or not he had been adopted into the Lan Clan by one of the clan members. It seemed like such personal information. 

Not to mention he enjoyed their company. SiZhui and the other boy. They were...interesting fellows. He liked talking to them, and asking them questions. They were so much more well versed in the world then he was. Although, Wei Ying knew that the little he understood and knew about the cultivation world was not his fault, of course, but despite that he was curious about it all. For once, they did not get upset with his questions either. They enjoyed answering them. Or at least, Wei Ying felt that they did. Such things he did not think he would have the courage to as Lan Zhan, or Master Lan Qiren, or Sect Leader Lan XiChen. Lan Zhan...Well, Wei Ying knew that he would be more then happy to indulge him in answering his questions, but Wei Ying also was aware that Lan Zhan was someone who really...had a hard time maintaining conversations. Wei Ying doubted that he would be able to really explain and even want to answer all of the questions that Wei Ying had. He would probably try, of course, but Wei Ying did not want to make Lan Zhan uncomfortable. 

He had also been forced to take residence in the infirmary. Something which caused him great dismay. He hated it so far. He had never been in one, but Wei Ying was certain that he would hate them all if they were anything alike. The Lan Doctor constantly was interrupting him at all points of the day and night and asking him to drink this or if he could check that. It was quite annoying. Still, Wei Ying had to admit that he was feeling so much better. Far more then he had felt in years. Wei Ying was not even sure he ever remembered not feeling the trace echos of pain from ZiDian and somehow the Doctor had managed to cure him of that curse. He would be forever grateful. Wei Ying was not sure how he had managed it, and even though he despised being forced to drink down such evil concoctions. Still, he was doomed to do so. The aftermath of such things was quite wonderful however. 

Lan Zhan also seemed to be keeping a painfully close eye on Wei Ying. He...Well, Wei Ying was not really sure how to name it but something filled his chest with this weird squeezing feeling every time he noticed Lan Zhan's worry over him. This...helplessly foreign feeling came to him, every time he heard Lan Zhan playing for him at night on his Guqin, and Wei Ying would fall asleep to the sounds of strumming songs. 

Wei Ying was grateful for Lan Zhan. He knew that it was Lan XiChen that saved him, and by extent also Lan SiZhui, Lan Zhan had not even been a part of the party that had gone to the Lotus Pier to investigate. Somehow, though, Wei Ying felt that he was the greatest part of everything. He did not really know why, persay, and he had to say that it was likely stupid of him to become so attached, but still. 

Wei Ying was glad. He was...content. For once. Even if he was shoved into a stuffy room and not allowed to really move or go anywhere (doctor's orders which Lan Zhan ensured were followed to the letter). For now, even if it was frightening...Wei Ying would allow him to bask in the feeling. Just for a little while.