return from lanling

[shangba]

A full moon, unblinking.

You did not sleep, to see?

Comments

[shangba]

I am not the one long forced to silence his wants.

[emperorssmile]

Weren’t you? You were raised to strictly follow thousands of oppressive rules.

[shangba]

Wei Ying. Your nature is free flow, untamed. Rules oppress you.

They protect me. Offer stability.

[emperorssmile]

There are rules against laughing.

I want you to feel free when you’re with me. Free to say or do whatever you want without worrying about whether or not it would break one of the Lan Doctrines.

Do you feel free?

[shangba]

At times.

[emperorssmile]

That’s better than never.

Is it because of something I do?

[shangba]

At times, too much choice overwhelms. Rules assist.

[emperorssmile]

Mmm, I could be more bossy then. Just as long as you promise to tell me when it gets annoying.

[shangba]

New rules unnecessary. Only understanding for the old.

At times, you seek to rupture me from them.

[emperorssmile]

I'm just thinking out loud.

I thought Lan Zhan liked rules.

[shangba]

You jest.

[emperorssmile]

Yeah, I'm just teasing you.

[shangba]

...do not ask me to speak of vulnerability, then tease after.

[emperorssmile]

I didn't think about that. I'm sorry, Lan Zhan. I'll do better next time, I promise.

[shangba]

As you say.

[emperorssmile]

I can be such an asshole sometimes.

You know I don't judge you for it, don't you?

[shangba]

At times, you look down upon our ways.

[emperorssmile]

Sure, in general. You have to admit that it's a little extreme to have that many rules.

But I'm not judging you. I think it's cute that you start falling asleep at the same time every night.

[shangba]

If so extreme, why marry in?

[emperorssmile]

Because I love you so damn much. I could learn to follow ten thousand rules if it means I can be with the man I love more than anyone or anything else.

[shangba]

Grateful Wei Ying could look beyond my people and upbringing to love me.

[emperorssmile]

I'm trying to follow the rules while I'm there, aren't I?

[shangba]

Unnecessary to observe the rules past basics.

But respect their importance to us. To me. Do not deride them.

[emperorssmile]

Right, right. I'll be more respectful about the Lan rules.

You and Sizhui both come from Lan upbringings and you're two of my three favorite people.

[shangba]

I regret Wei Ying is yet to love our culture.