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Come to your window. I created something for you.
[That's all that Lestat sends him before Jin Ling can hear a beautiful song played on the pipa. When he gets to the window to look out, he'll see Lestat there with his eyes closed, fingers dancing along the strings. The song is one unfamiliar to Jin Ling of course.
And that's because it's an original piece of his own making. Carefully played with such feeling for him now as the moonlight shines down on him.]
[That's all that Lestat sends him before Jin Ling can hear a beautiful song played on the pipa. When he gets to the window to look out, he'll see Lestat there with his eyes closed, fingers dancing along the strings. The song is one unfamiliar to Jin Ling of course.
And that's because it's an original piece of his own making. Carefully played with such feeling for him now as the moonlight shines down on him.]
[The vampire gives him a pout in that moment.]
I want to call you that.
[He wants to be that close to him!]
I want to call you that.
[He wants to be that close to him!]
[Lestat's eyes widen and then his expression softens. Gathering him close, he presses a kiss to his hair.]
Sleep well, A-Ling.
Sleep well, A-Ling.
[ Jin Ling gives Mojo a solid scratch behind the ears and across his back. His expression warms into a small smile at being allowed such liberties. ]
It's good to meet you, Mojo. I look forward to getting to know you better.
[ He leans back after while, not wanting to push or overstay his welcome. He stays kneeling to watch Fairy and Mojo interact. Fairy accepts the typical dog greeting and sniffing with the same initial caution that she gave to Lestat, but then she seems to realize something and becomes a lot more friendly and enthusiastic.
Jin Ling's gaze flicks from the dogs to Lestat and his expression closes back up. He stands.]
It seems Mojo is a gentleman. [ He says it to mean educated and refined, not just that Mojo is male. ] Not an ordinary dog at all. We're both grateful for the chance to meet him.
It's good to meet you, Mojo. I look forward to getting to know you better.
[ He leans back after while, not wanting to push or overstay his welcome. He stays kneeling to watch Fairy and Mojo interact. Fairy accepts the typical dog greeting and sniffing with the same initial caution that she gave to Lestat, but then she seems to realize something and becomes a lot more friendly and enthusiastic.
Jin Ling's gaze flicks from the dogs to Lestat and his expression closes back up. He stands.]
It seems Mojo is a gentleman. [ He says it to mean educated and refined, not just that Mojo is male. ] Not an ordinary dog at all. We're both grateful for the chance to meet him.
He really isn't. He and I have been through a great deal now. In my world there was a time where my soul was in the body of another but he always knew where I was. Mojo isn't fooled by smells and such.
[He reaches down to scratch the dog's ears before he looks back to Jin Ling. Almost like he's seeing him in a new light. Oh he still wants to tease him and such but now he almost wants to...
Hold him. Yes, that's the instinct.
Lestat smiles warmly at him.]
I'm glad you and Fairy can join us. Are you two ready?
[He reaches down to scratch the dog's ears before he looks back to Jin Ling. Almost like he's seeing him in a new light. Oh he still wants to tease him and such but now he almost wants to...
Hold him. Yes, that's the instinct.
Lestat smiles warmly at him.]
I'm glad you and Fairy can join us. Are you two ready?
Why
[ Is what Jin Ling has already sent back before he hears the music coming in through the window. The sound of the instrument is sweetly familiar and he stays where he was sitting -- on the floor, working on some talismans at a low table -- for a long moment before he accepts that 1, he doesn't know this song, and 2, Lestat is outside playing music for him.
He scrambles up to his feet to lean out the window. His hair is bound in a single long braid that slides forward over his shoulder.
Lestat is ethereal in the moonlight, gold hair and jade pale skin painted over in clear, cold sliver. An image meant for a painting or a romantic poem. The sight hits Jin Ling like a punch in the gut. The feeling swells up in his throat and tightens the corners of his eyes.
He swallows and leans against the window frame, listening as the song winds through the night air, taking in every detail. If he'd heard about someone else doing this, he'd have thought it ridiculous, but it doesn't feel that way now. It feels new and precious.]
[ Is what Jin Ling has already sent back before he hears the music coming in through the window. The sound of the instrument is sweetly familiar and he stays where he was sitting -- on the floor, working on some talismans at a low table -- for a long moment before he accepts that 1, he doesn't know this song, and 2, Lestat is outside playing music for him.
He scrambles up to his feet to lean out the window. His hair is bound in a single long braid that slides forward over his shoulder.
Lestat is ethereal in the moonlight, gold hair and jade pale skin painted over in clear, cold sliver. An image meant for a painting or a romantic poem. The sight hits Jin Ling like a punch in the gut. The feeling swells up in his throat and tightens the corners of his eyes.
He swallows and leans against the window frame, listening as the song winds through the night air, taking in every detail. If he'd heard about someone else doing this, he'd have thought it ridiculous, but it doesn't feel that way now. It feels new and precious.]
[Lestat continues to play until the song finishes, letting the last notes hang in the air. A sigh leaves him and he smiles, looking at his pretty young lover. He looks so much like his Juliet waiting for him in the window.
Lowering his hand, he rests it against the instrument.]
I wrote it for you, A-Ling. What do you think?
[Wrote it for him to be played on Jin Ling's favorite instrument too.]
Lowering his hand, he rests it against the instrument.]
I wrote it for you, A-Ling. What do you think?
[Wrote it for him to be played on Jin Ling's favorite instrument too.]
[ There are two interesting points in that story and Jin Ling isn't sure which to start with first; Lestat's soul spending time in another body but making it's way back to his, or Mojo's soul-sensing abilities. He'd had his doubts about agreeing to this meet-up, but it was already looking worth the time.
Fairy happily barks out an agreement before Jin Ling has a chance to answer and prances a few feet way in emphasis. He casts her a look and sighs, shaking his head. That's even more reason. Fairy had been thrilled to make friends with Dirk and Blade, and was apparently just as excited about Mojo.
He couldn't blame her. ]
We're ready. Where are you taking us?
Fairy happily barks out an agreement before Jin Ling has a chance to answer and prances a few feet way in emphasis. He casts her a look and sighs, shaking his head. That's even more reason. Fairy had been thrilled to make friends with Dirk and Blade, and was apparently just as excited about Mojo.
He couldn't blame her. ]
We're ready. Where are you taking us?
There's a place that makes crepes. Have you ever had one? They're very good for eating while one walks.
[Mojo joins Fairy so they can walk together and get to know each other, leaving vampire and cultivator to get to know each other better. That works for Lestat honestly because he's pleased to have this chance. Especially now that he finds himself looking on the young man in a new light. He's always thought him beautiful but now...]
But I was thinking perhaps a walk around the park? It's lovely in the evening. Besides, it does allow for something fun for our companions to explore together.
[Mojo joins Fairy so they can walk together and get to know each other, leaving vampire and cultivator to get to know each other better. That works for Lestat honestly because he's pleased to have this chance. Especially now that he finds himself looking on the young man in a new light. He's always thought him beautiful but now...]
But I was thinking perhaps a walk around the park? It's lovely in the evening. Besides, it does allow for something fun for our companions to explore together.
[ He needs a moment to make himself speak. The first couple words come out rough and stunned. ]
You wrote -- you wrote that? For me?
[ No one had written him a song before. Or learned a whole new instrument just to play it to him. Lestat played liked he'd been practicing the pipa for years, despite only promising to learn it a few weeks past.
It wasn't... it wasn't impossible, but it was a feat. He didn't think even Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, who were said to compose on the fly and could replicate a song after hearing it once, could pull off something like this.
The part of him still cut-up and barely scarred over from being so mislead by a loved one has him asking: ]
Did you really just learn it?
[ There's an edge to it, but the question is less an accusation and more a plea. ]
You wrote -- you wrote that? For me?
[ No one had written him a song before. Or learned a whole new instrument just to play it to him. Lestat played liked he'd been practicing the pipa for years, despite only promising to learn it a few weeks past.
It wasn't... it wasn't impossible, but it was a feat. He didn't think even Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, who were said to compose on the fly and could replicate a song after hearing it once, could pull off something like this.
The part of him still cut-up and barely scarred over from being so mislead by a loved one has him asking: ]
Did you really just learn it?
[ There's an edge to it, but the question is less an accusation and more a plea. ]
I did.
[Lestat can hear the conflict in his mind and he knows that he's surprised him. Caught him off guard. It makes him smile as he waits for the next question.]
Yes. It's one of my gifts that come with my nature. I can learn that which I hear so I made sure to listen to your preferred instrument every single night for a week while I worked to obtain one. Then I started work on the song.
[He plays a few notes then looks back up at him.]
You can give me any instrument and I can learn to play even if I've never seen it before. I promise.
[Lestat can hear the conflict in his mind and he knows that he's surprised him. Caught him off guard. It makes him smile as he waits for the next question.]
Yes. It's one of my gifts that come with my nature. I can learn that which I hear so I made sure to listen to your preferred instrument every single night for a week while I worked to obtain one. Then I started work on the song.
[He plays a few notes then looks back up at him.]
You can give me any instrument and I can learn to play even if I've never seen it before. I promise.
I have no idea what type of food that is.
[ A type of bun, maybe, if it could be eaten while walking. He watches the two dogs amble on ahead of them.
He takes a moment to consider the question and nods imperiously. ]
That's acceptable. It's better than the usually scenery I've had to put up with.
[ So saying, he lets Lestat take the lead and then falls into step beside him. ]
[ A type of bun, maybe, if it could be eaten while walking. He watches the two dogs amble on ahead of them.
He takes a moment to consider the question and nods imperiously. ]
That's acceptable. It's better than the usually scenery I've had to put up with.
[ So saying, he lets Lestat take the lead and then falls into step beside him. ]
The Down really can be so unfortunate looking, it's true. I've never had to live down there but I do walk there on occasion.
[And by walk he means he hunts there. Stalks criminals and memorizes their patterns and habits. All so he can come crashing down on them in...
Ah but they're not talking about that, of course.]
You know, I've not asked before. Do you prefer sweet or savory things more?
[And by walk he means he hunts there. Stalks criminals and memorizes their patterns and habits. All so he can come crashing down on them in...
Ah but they're not talking about that, of course.]
You know, I've not asked before. Do you prefer sweet or savory things more?
[ Would Lestat have reason to lie to him? About this? Lestat didn't seem to lie in general.
Fail to explain himself, absolutely. Actively hide information? Maybe.
But Jin Ling hadn't seen evidence of him lying. (Yet.)
More than that, he wanted it to be true. He wanted Lestat to have written him a song. He wanted Lestat to have learned an instrument just so he could play it for Jin Ling. ]
I believe you.
[ The window was short, but he could readily jump through it and into Lestat's arms. He presses his shoulder to the windowframe, repressing the impulse. ]
The song wasn't so bad.
[ It feels sticky and ungrateful the instant he says it. The song was wonderful. The song was his.]
What I mean is I really liked it. You played it well. [ He'd played it perfectly. ] I have no complaints.
Fail to explain himself, absolutely. Actively hide information? Maybe.
But Jin Ling hadn't seen evidence of him lying. (Yet.)
More than that, he wanted it to be true. He wanted Lestat to have written him a song. He wanted Lestat to have learned an instrument just so he could play it for Jin Ling. ]
I believe you.
[ The window was short, but he could readily jump through it and into Lestat's arms. He presses his shoulder to the windowframe, repressing the impulse. ]
The song wasn't so bad.
[ It feels sticky and ungrateful the instant he says it. The song was wonderful. The song was his.]
What I mean is I really liked it. You played it well. [ He'd played it perfectly. ] I have no complaints.
Give me a moment.
[He laughs and then puts the instrument on his back. Soon he's letting himself float on up until he reaches Jin Ling's window.
Settling himself down on the frame, he smiles at his pretty lover, leaning over to kiss him quickly.]
There. Now I can look right into your eyes rather than see you from a distance.
[Making himself comfortable, he tilts his head.]
Would you like me to play it for you again?
[He laughs and then puts the instrument on his back. Soon he's letting himself float on up until he reaches Jin Ling's window.
Settling himself down on the frame, he smiles at his pretty lover, leaning over to kiss him quickly.]
There. Now I can look right into your eyes rather than see you from a distance.
[Making himself comfortable, he tilts his head.]
Would you like me to play it for you again?
Count yourself lucky. It's offensive. The feng shui is so bad, I'm surprised it's not crawling with resentful corpses.
[ He gave Lestat a curious sideways look. So he'd had a place to go as soon as he arrived? Jin Ling clicked his tongue. He wished he'd had somewhere else to go.
...that wouldn't have required humbling himself to Hanguang-jun or living with him and Wei Wuxian in all their disgusting romance. ]
When would you have asked? Savory. [ Remembering his earlier speculation, he amended: ] Unless it's pork buns, then sweeter is better.
[ He gave Lestat a curious sideways look. So he'd had a place to go as soon as he arrived? Jin Ling clicked his tongue. He wished he'd had somewhere else to go.
...that wouldn't have required humbling himself to Hanguang-jun or living with him and Wei Wuxian in all their disgusting romance. ]
When would you have asked? Savory. [ Remembering his earlier speculation, he amended: ] Unless it's pork buns, then sweeter is better.
I would have asked you the first time there was food involved. Like tonight. My dietary needs are so different I can usually forget about it entirely.
[Lestat actually shrugs then looks over Jin Ling with a smile on his lips.]
Tell me more about feng shui. I've heard some about it but I admit I'm not as familiar with the practices of it.
[Lestat actually shrugs then looks over Jin Ling with a smile on his lips.]
Tell me more about feng shui. I've heard some about it but I admit I'm not as familiar with the practices of it.
[ Jin Ling moves back to give him space on the windowsill, but not so far as to miss out on the kiss. His cheeks go read. He's sure he'll never get used to the easy way Lestat shows affection. ]
You could've come in through the front if you wanted to talk face to face.
[ Lestat's eyes are the ones worth being looked into up close; vivid summer blue despite the dim lighting. There's a weight to them, pulling him down, and Jin Ling lets himself be drawn in to take a kiss of his own. The quiet of the evening and their closeness seems to form a bubble of privacy around them.
He retreats to the other side of the window to give Lestat and his instrument some room. ]
I do. I... I want to hear it again.
You could've come in through the front if you wanted to talk face to face.
[ Lestat's eyes are the ones worth being looked into up close; vivid summer blue despite the dim lighting. There's a weight to them, pulling him down, and Jin Ling lets himself be drawn in to take a kiss of his own. The quiet of the evening and their closeness seems to form a bubble of privacy around them.
He retreats to the other side of the window to give Lestat and his instrument some room. ]
I do. I... I want to hear it again.
Then I'd have to go through the building and this is faster.
[Lestat waves the notion off and lets himself relax where he's sitting. Easily balanced and without a care for where he happens to be or anything to do with height. Why should he care, after all?]
Allow me to play for you again.
[Positioning the instrument, he starts to play the song from the start, smiling as each note fills the air. The hardest part of all of this has honestly just been making sure to get the song right. Knowing that Jin Ling loves it?
Ah that's the truest satisfaction here.]
[Lestat waves the notion off and lets himself relax where he's sitting. Easily balanced and without a care for where he happens to be or anything to do with height. Why should he care, after all?]
Allow me to play for you again.
[Positioning the instrument, he starts to play the song from the start, smiling as each note fills the air. The hardest part of all of this has honestly just been making sure to get the song right. Knowing that Jin Ling loves it?
Ah that's the truest satisfaction here.]
[ sent at 12:01AM ]
Happy birthday, A-Ling!!
Happy birthday, A-Ling!!
[Lestat arrives right at midnight, gently knocking at Jin Ling's window. There's a smile on his lips and a small box in his hand. No sooner does the window get opened than he steals a kiss from his lips, making sure in his own mind that it happens while the clock still strikes twelve.]
Happy birthday, A-Ling.
Happy birthday, A-Ling.
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