Joy and Peace Prevail

Lan Xichen allows no sign of his impatience as he waits, along with the assembled gentry, outside the Glamour Hall. Of course the Yao Sect are late, forcing everyone to wait for them to perform the greeting. It is uncomfortable to be in such close proximity to so many people he has not greeted for so long.

Instead of allowing himself to stew in his irritation, he forces himself to make note of persons he has a particular desire or obligation to greet. Sect Leader Jiang has brought a new disciple with him who has a lively air that he likes. Likely the disciple will be quite busy, as she cannot have greeted very many of the assembly before, so Xichen reminds himself not to presume too much upon her time, although if he gets a chance later, he intends to take it.

Mingjue and A-Yao are standing separated by quite a few sects: knowing A-Yao, not by accident, as the tension between them will be quite unpleasant until they are able to greet. It is very inconsiderate of Sect Leader Yao to put them in this position, he catches himself thinking, before he can distract himself with more pleasant thoughts.

Never mind that. He lets himself imagine when he will be able to greet Mingjue again, since he has not seen him in a while. After he and A-Yao have greeted, Mingjue will be in the sort of mood Xichen most likes to see him in: agreeable and generous, full of good will and benevolence. He wishes Wangji could have come, because he knows Mingjue and Wangji are always so pleased to be able to greet, but Wangji finds even the shortest wait before greeting in large gatherings nearly unbearable, so it is just as well.

Finally, “Sect Leader Yao and disciples!” a servant announces, ushering them in.

Sect Leader Yao’s face looks pleased, not in the slightest apologetic. Xichen feels his smile tighten. He feels his muscles tighten along the backs of his arms, without his consent. It’s like an itch: along his spine, not his skin. He wants to greet Sect Leader Yao right now.

As soon as the doors to the Glamour Hall are opened, he makes use of his height and his standing to outmaneuver several other people who are no doubt feeling similarly towards Sect Leader Yao, reaching him first. “Yao Zongzhu,” he said, bowing, hardly waiting for him to return the courtesy. “Allow me to be the first to greet you.”

Yao Zongzhu accedes as if it is his due (irritating!) and Xichen only manages not to yank him toward the nearest pile of cushions in the Glamour Hall by concentrating on one of the Lan walking meditations. Before they reach the cushions, he is reaching out to help Sect Leader Yao disrobe, and as Sect Leader Yao returns the favour, he can feel the greeting begin to work. Under his robes, isn’t Sect Leader Yao just a man like any other? Don’t all men have their foibles?

As his skin is revealed, as Xichen touches his chest and shoulders, he remembers that wouldn’t someone have been last no matter what? When Sect Leader Yao gives him his mouth, Xichen reflects on times he himself has been thoughtlessly inconsiderate. Truly, a human failing that none may escape. When he comes between Sect Leader Yao’s thighs, he is restored to charity with the man. It’s lucky they have cultivation conferences to bring them together, and remind them of each others’ good parts.

His most pressing rendezvous sorted, he looks around to see if there are others available to whom he may pay his respects. The Jiang disciple he has his eye on is fully occupied, and, he notes with some amusement, an informal queue is forming, although the Nie disciple and Ooyang heir have the tact to involve themselves with each other while they wait.

A-Yao and Nie Mingjue are still very occupied. Although the Glamour Hall is full, a space has formed around them so that everyone can politely pretend they are only greeting as is proper. Instead, A-Yao has fully mounted Mingjue, which really ought to be saved for less formal occasions. Xichen momentarily wishes he could join them, but it wouldn’t do to draw any attention to their excess of enthusiasm.

Instead, he goes looking for Jin Xiandu. He finds the man trying, but once he pays his respects, he’ll like him better, and he is the chief cultivator. Since Xichen owes him loyalty in any case, it will be more pleasant if he can like him: at least, as much as is possible.

If he can make time to see his sworn brothers, this conference will not be too unpleasant, he thinks. He will pay his respects to Jin Xiandu several times, which at the moment seems tedious, but which he knows he will enjoy in the moment.

And it is only a week, after all.

Soon enough he will be returning home to greet his family again.