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[peacockjr]

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[peacockjr]

That's what I meant, there wasn't a -- [ He cut himself off and huffed. It hardly mattered. ]

The natural world has a way and an order to it, one that directs where spiritual and resentful energies flow and gather. When we humans arrange our buildings and homes in balance with that order, we too can control where that energy goes. Thus we bring good fortune into our lives.

[ His lecturing tone takes on a scornful note. ]

But if you don't care about that, arrange things however and all the resentful energies of humanity can just collect in one spot. Tch.

[ He gives Lestat a sidelong look. ] Those are the basics of Feng Shui. Was there something specific you wanted to know?

[peacockjr]

[ Jin Ling had known Lestat would be coming over to visit that night and held off from dressing down for bed. Only his hair had been undone from its top knot, but still sported all of the usual charms, plus an extra piece. Lestat didn't have to wait even a minute before he pulled the window open to greet him.

He returned the kiss with a sweetness he seldom revealed elsewhere and stepped back to let him enter. ]

Lestat, I'm - [ He should say it. He meant it, didn't he? He'd said it to others without meaning it half as much. ]- glad that you're here.

[ He'd spent the last few hours half-convincing himself that Lestat wasn't going to show up, that he was ridiculous for wanting to see him and equally ridiculous for doubting him, given that Lestat had yet to let him down.

But there was always that first time. ]

[tellmehowbadiam]

[Lestat listens, actually genuinely intrigued by the concept. To think that arranging things could change the energy of places. Perhaps that's why he likes the energy of New Orleans so much. The clutter makes it so chaotic.

But he does enjoy organization too. There's a beauty to it.]

Honestly I just like learning everything about you and the things you care about. Even just hearing this much about feng shui intrigues me just because I can tell that it matters to you.

[He looks to him.]

Is it only about arranging things? Does color play into it at all?

[tellmehowbadiam]

Are you? That's lovely to hear.

[He laughs gently and slides into the room. Wrapping his arms around his smaller lover, Lestat pulls him in close to him. There's all that anxiety in that beautiful head so now is the time to clear it.]

I had to time it perfectly so I can be here the moment the clock turned.

[The vampire kisses him again then trails his fingers along his cheek.]

I have a gift for you.

[chaosflute]

I was waiting up.

How old are you, now? Eighteen? Nineteen?

[peacockjr]

For what?

It's disgusting that I can't even fault you for not remembering. Eighteen.

[chaosflute]

For it to be your birthday!

And A-Ling is a very generous nephew. Aiyo, eighteen. So big.

[peacockjr]

[ He feels hot all the way up the top of his head both from his admittance and the response and takes advantage of Lestat's hug to hide his face for a moment. The height difference between them has lessened a bit over the last month, but he's still some inches shorter and easily enfolded.

It's comforting. Reassuring, as is the fact that Lestat went through the effort of timing his visit.

In fact, it's so much of both those things that Jin Ling is starting to retreat and create some distance when he's stopped by the kiss. ]

A gift?

[ He leans a little into the caress. ]

[Gift]

[cultivatingsin]

[Don't say he never did anything for you, baby Jin! Body accessories are sent in a neat box. Do with them as you wish and be safe~]

[tellmehowbadiam]

A gift. For your birthday. In some cultures it's tradition to extend gifts to people on the day of their birth.

[Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a little box. It's elegantly wrapped and he smiles as he offers it to him. Then he nods to it.

After opening it, Jin Ling will find a pair of sparkling ear cuffs. Slip on, of course.]

Happy birthday, A-Ling.

Christmas Gift

[companioning]

[Inara leaves a brightly wrapped box on Jin Ling's bed. There's also a card with the following:]

Dear Jin Ling,

I am aware that you don't celebrate this holiday, but please accept this gift given out of love.

Always,

Gift

[tellmehowbadiam]

[Naturally Jin Ling gets a lot of treats and such for Fairy and the puppies. Lestat makes sure to give plenty of variety so none will get bored easily during their training too. They might be special puppies but even toddlers need that variety.

As for Jin Ling, he gets some more specialized things. A beautiful robe, lovely lamps, and a warm blanket.]

My A-Ling,

You may not celebrate Christmas or may not even know what it is. However, it is tradition to give gifts to those we care about. And so I want you and the children to know how special you all are.

Yours always,

Lestat

action;

[sadico]

'Let us go out this evening?'

The text had said simply, without much explanation but a definite expectation that he would not be refused. After all, it was an invitation from one noble to another, it would be impolite to do so. It was also not unusual for their relationship, as it typically meant that Ignacio planned to add to Jin Ling's wardrobe in an attempt to make Lestat happy.

This evening, however, was different. Instead of going to the typical boutiques, Ignacio brought Jin Ling to his favorite bookshop. He was quieter than he typically was, and the smile that was typically on his lips, as he was often an almost-annoyingly cheerful fellow, was not present. He did not look upset by any means, his green eyes were clear and attentive, his voice strong, but it was obvious that something was off.

Regardless, he took Jin Ling to the fiction section and took a volume from the shelf called Eventide. "Do you enjoy fantastical stories, darling? Aside from Lestat's tales, this series is one of my favorites."

[peacockjr]

Whatever minor trepidation Jin Ling may have once had when it came to Ignacio's habit of inviting him out on shopping trips had long since dissolved. He responded to the text with a simple 'Of course.', got his hair and jewelry in order, and headed out without question.

The bookshop is unexpected -- and disappointing, given his initial excitement at the chance to get a new robe -- but Ignacio's unusual quiet isn't. From his last visit with Lestat and Louis, he knew their family had recently suffered a loss. It was more because of that than a sense of good manners that he followed Ignacio into the store with only a brief frown.

He was caught off-guard by the sheer number of books inside. Back home, most people couldn't read and books tended to be expensive, so shops and merchants usually offered small or highly specialized selections. This was shelf after shelf of densely packed volumes, all with elaborately painted covers. It almost rivaled the Jin Sect library in scale.

It took him a moment to understand Ignacio's question, goggling as he was. He blinked and composed himself.

"I do. Ones with grand quests and combat," he said, taking the offered book. The cover painting featured a pale hand holding up an orange against a dark background. "I've heard about Lestat's work, but he hasn't shown them to me. What is this book about?" He flipped it open to the first page.

[sadico]

Ignacio knew that Lestat's book was also featured in this shop, but he was not going to show it to Jin Ling at this time. After all, that was something that Lestat himself should gift to him! Instead, he focused on this particular story.

"It is fantasy and romance, with the intended audience being young adults but I found it compelling nonetheless," he said without even an ounce of embarrassment. What was embarrassment? Ignacio had no idea. "It features a beautiful vampire named Edgar and his family, attempting to... ah, how you say, blend in with the masses. I have a particular fondness of werewolves, and there is one that is featured in other stories who is named Jericho. At the height of the popularity of these novels, everyone had to choose whether they were 'Team Edgar' or 'Team Jericho', but I felt that was rather small-minded, for why could we not love them both?"

He motioned for Jin Ling to come to the couch area the book shop had, featuring plush furniture that one could sink into and perhaps have a beverage-- not that Ignacio had the need for any, but he was playing the gracious host. "Would you like a tea or coffee?" He asked as he remained standing, prepared to go to the nearby barista.

[peacockjr]

His nose wrinkled at being recommended a romance. Romance stories were for women and Ouyang Zizhen.

And Ignacio-qianbei, apparently. There had to be some deeper value to it than just a cringy love story if he held in such esteem.

A thoughtful look crossed his face hearing that the book was also about vampires trying to fit into society. Ah, that explained it. He closed the book to eye the cover again. It was a surprisingly realistic painting, but nothing about it suggested vampires, werewolves, or romance. Unless oranges were considered a symbol of one or the other where Ignacio came from.

"So this Edgar and Jericho are enemies?" He followed Ignacio's gesture and settled himself into one of the heavily cushioned couches.

Now that he knew that the book provided examples of both vampires and werewolves -- two beings especially relevant to him recently -- he returned to reading the opening paragraphs with more intent. To his surprise, it was told from the point of view of a girl named Belinda, not the vampire Edgar he was expecting.

"Tea," he said after a moment delay, "Green, the freshest leaves they have."

Text; un: da_ge

[theirdage]

Jin Ling.

Are you available for a meeting?

text; un: jinzongzhu

[peacockjr]

[ Shit, what happened now? ]

I am available. Where does Chifeng-zun want to meet up?

[theirdage]

Your residence.

[peacockjr]

[ Jin Ling leaves him room to make sure Inara hadn't come back early and that the house is in a state to receive guests before responding. ]

If Chifeng-zun will allow me an incense stick of time, I will be honored to host him.

[theirdage]

Agreed.

[That's literally all he says before he goes to gather what he plans to bring. Then, exactly one stick of incense later, Mingjue is there with a decent sized box at his feet.

Knock-knock. Da ge is here.]

[peacockjr]

[ Said text message received, Jin Ling wastes no time in diving into his closet to change out of his house robes and into something decent. His impulse is to put on his Cultivator silks for meeting with a (former?) fellow Sect Leader, but they were too short on him now. He settles for one of his better quality robes that aren't too ostentatious and puts on his best jewelry.

In the kitchen, he gets the water boiling, the tea service assembled, and only just has everything together when he hears the knock. He goes to answer the door. ]

Chifeng-zun, welcome. Come in.

[theirdage]

[Mingjue offers him a bow in return, perfectly polite, before entering with the box. What's in it? Who knows.

At the very least he waits until they are sat down and tea is served before he explains.]

I have come here to make a request of you as a fellow sect leader. Not the most traditional of requests but it felt appropriate.

[peacockjr]

[ He eyes the box like it might contain a dead body. ]

Of course, I will do what I can to assist Chifeng-zun. What is your request?

[ He can't quite keep the wariness out of his tone, but the cadence of his words are both polite and familiar. ]

[theirdage]

As the sect leader for Jin Guangyao, I offer these gifts for your permission to take his hand as my spouse.

[Opening the box he pulls out several small boxes. Each contains an ointment of a different scent but all perfumed nicely. Next is a dagger of deadly but elegant design. And the final item is carefully folded golden silk. Not typical gifts for a Dominant to give to a Submissive. However, he isn't here for the roles given to them by this place.]