( This turns out to be true, when, eventually, they do meet: Wei Wuxian has perched on the wall framing the entrance, jauntily waving at people passing by, too many who actually seem to know his name. Which is great, because most his responses are generic, as he has no idea who most of these people are.
Either way, he does clamour down the wall when he sees Xie Lian, waving expressively and with a grin on his face. )
[Xie Lian is wearing jeans and a white t-shirt and a bandage around his right forearm, because he's usually bandaged in some way. And also a weird sort of red scarf around his neck. To hide the tattoo because it makes some people uncomfortable, for some reason.
He also greets a lot of people on the way - except he actually knows who they are - and is waving back at Wei Wuxian until he is addressed, and then he blinks with a slightly puzzled expression.]
.... Wei-xiong, I'm not a swordmaster. Oh, I need to text them back!
[Let him get out a slightly beaten up smartphone that somehow looks more beaten up than his previous one which is nowhere to be seen.]
( Some people would think having an artistic shackle around the neck is a little bit odd, sure, but who is Wei Wuxian to judge? He's gotten accidentally branded before. Life be like that, sometimes. )
Neither am I, but it's still fun to say. I haven't even been in a formal martial arts group for years--is that a new phone?
Ah... yes. I dropped mine, and, well, i think it would have been fine... bu it fell right in my mug of tea that was on the floor next tot he coffee table and it died.
[Because of course Xie Lian has shit luck with everything.]
Once I get my scholarship payment, I'll get a new one, but for now I have to make do with a cheap replacement I found online.
.. Maybe go for one of the waterproof ones next time. Also keep a thing of rice just for things like that--it's, uh, come in handy more than once!
( More than many times. Wei Wuxian and phones don't have the best longevity readings either. )
Anyway, let's eat! These cards come with a guest pass as it is...
( Trying to then usher his friend along toward the proper entrance of the cafeteria, his winning smile back in place: he does know the people who work here. They rate as important in his mind, ergo. )
Ah, it might have worked, but the screen was cracked from me dropping it before so the liquid just got right inside and killed it.
[He will follows readily, because hey, free food! One never scoffs at free food.
He does have a question, though.]
Do you think I might be able to get a to go box as well? In case Banyue drops buy.
[Because yes, he needs to feed himself, but honestly less important than feeding his little protégée. He can go a day or two without food, but she shouldn't.]
When did you lose the case to help with that? Don't tell me you broke that too!
( He's more amused out of familiarity at the sheer amount of bad luck Xie Lian suffers from; he deserves none of it, really, the guy's made of kind actions and sincerity, but his luck is like watching some of the people in Wei Wuxian's past turn black to white, and white to black, leaving him painted as the target. )
Yeah, sure, ask for two. That way you'll have enough for you both.
( Past the front, the cafeteria is mostly busy with seated people, leaving the various counters of food made and food to be ordered (bowls and some cuts of fish and similar things were seared or fried or cooked to order) open but for a few scattered souls. He gestures for Xie Lian to take the lead, grinning. )
[Because sometimes, he doesn't know his own strength. His bad luck really is something extraordinary, and he more so that he hasn't turned bitter and depressed from it, really.
And he does appreciate all of his friends. It's been a struggle to feed himself on his meager allowance, and he's stretched it as much as he can to feed Banyue whenever possible. Giving her a full meal will be a party.]
Thank you, Wei-xiong. She's better now that those older kids have stopped picking on her.
( He's a good older brother, and when Wei Wuxian's reminded, or remembers, between the rest of his distractions and duties in life, he likes to shove some help (usually food) both their ways. He hasn't been hungry so much for years, but he remembers it, in the dull way one does in nightmares of times gone past. )
Oh? ( A sideways glance and knowing half smile. ) I wonder how that came about.
( Heading for another of the counters to pick up the container he can use for taking anything "to go." )
[Xie Lian, just lets out a small embarrassed laugh and doesn't elaborate. It's not like he had set out to beat them up, he's just put himself int he middle hoping for the fight not to break out, and it had and, well...
But Wei-xiong doesn't ask for more, so it's easy not to answer, and instead, he follows so he can make sure to choose stuff that Banyue would like. Not that's she's picky, but still...]
( He helpfully shoves a few of the energy bars also found in the cafeteria toward Xie Lian, not strictly for Banyue. The guy burns enough energy, he could stand to eat a few, and they were easy to shove into pockets, hoodies, packs, hairbuns...
... He's lived some interesting moments, what can he say? )
Hahaha, what, are you and Fei-xiong on some kind of tag team on this... Lan Zhan tries to, yeah! He's a great cook, I'm not complaining, but I keep telling him there's take-out for a reason and I'm not that ill equipped to handle picking up food every once in a while, you know!
he laughs, shaking his head but offering no commentary either way. he doesn't try to keep lan zhan from cooking for them both, but he does remind him that in this day and age, takeout seriously is fine sometimes. given him attempting to cook in turn would be the kind of thing he, jiang cheng, and jiang yanli were the only ones likely to survive, well.
anyway. everyone has their own strengths. )
Mm, you're an adventurous cook! Though when you go big sweet or big sour is usually when it's a test for me... big spicy's great!
['Adventurous' is a pretty generous description of Xie Lian's cooking. 'Disastrous' is probably a lot closer to the truth, ut the thing is most of the people who know that avoid eating his cooking, and the people who do eat it never tell him that. Not that Xie Lian fancies himself a chef, but he does think he is not a too bad homecook, which he very much is not, he just has people around who are not picky.]
Then I'll have to make you something spicy again, when I have enough money to buy ingredients. Here, let me get a few sweets for Banyue, she doesn't get them often. Some chocolate, and maybe some fresh fruit too.
Mm, who doesn't like fruit? We grew up with a loquat tree, you had to pick so many of the fruits all summer keeping up with the animals and the sun trying to burn them...
( A happy sort of nostalgia, apparently, but also they're so perfectly bite sized and the seed or seeds come out so easily and—really, only one's nails needed for the peeling. Who wouldn't like such an easygoing fruit? )
Hmmm, I don't really have a fruit I don't like. Or a food I don't like. As long as I get to eat something, I'm happy.
[As someone who has had and still occasionally has to go hungry for several days or weeks in a row, Xie Lian honestly appreciates good food, but food is food and what it is is less important than that there is some.
Now comes the time for paying, and Xie Lian does look a little embarrassed at that.]
Thank you again, Wei-xiong. This will really help.
Ah, I can't say I don't know what you mean, really, but what about preferences? Do you really not have any?
( His times of going without are further behind him... or not so much, but he tries not to think too hard on that.
Payment is the same card he keeps talking about, and he smiles, shrugging his shoulders as he hands it to Xie Lian as they're freed back into the seating areas adjacent to the cafeteria. )
It's not something that needs thanking, isn't this just what we should do? Come, come, let's sit down and eat!
[Food! Time to start eating while still maintaining a conversation.]
I think he's doing fine. I mean... he's skipping a lot of classes, I think, because there's no way his schedule matches with mine that perfectly, but for some reason his grades are still great, so... I can't really scold him for that.
( He quickly shoves something in his mouth, and just as quickly almost chokes on it, because he's wanting to laugh over missing out on classes but still pulling excellent grades. He hurriedly swallows, downs water to follow, and waves a hand at Xie Lian. )
It's no trouble, he's a first year! Those classes are better for sleeping through than attending, you've got hundreds in most lecture halls.
[But then, Xie Lian is someone who relies on keeping his grades up and his attendance record spotless so that he can keep getting his scholarship money.]
Hopefully he finds something he likes and chooses a major soon. He doesn't have parents or a guardian to be on his back about his grades, so I have to keep an eye on him.
I really don't think he's failed at applying himself...
( A slightly narrowed eye look of amusement cast Lianlian's way. )
Mm, I'm sure he likes you on his back. Besides, isn't that one way to do things? You keep an eye on him up close and he feeds you. Pretty nice deal, isn't it?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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( This turns out to be true, when, eventually, they do meet: Wei Wuxian has perched on the wall framing the entrance, jauntily waving at people passing by, too many who actually seem to know his name. Which is great, because most his responses are generic, as he has no idea who most of these people are.
Either way, he does clamour down the wall when he sees Xie Lian, waving expressively and with a grin on his face. )
You! Swordsmaster!
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He also greets a lot of people on the way - except he actually knows who they are - and is waving back at Wei Wuxian until he is addressed, and then he blinks with a slightly puzzled expression.]
.... Wei-xiong, I'm not a swordmaster. Oh, I need to text them back!
[Let him get out a slightly beaten up smartphone that somehow looks more beaten up than his previous one which is nowhere to be seen.]
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Neither am I, but it's still fun to say. I haven't even been in a formal martial arts group for years--is that a new phone?
( Slipping closer to look. )
New old phone?
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[Because of course Xie Lian has shit luck with everything.]
Once I get my scholarship payment, I'll get a new one, but for now I have to make do with a cheap replacement I found online.
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( More than many times. Wei Wuxian and phones don't have the best longevity readings either. )
Anyway, let's eat! These cards come with a guest pass as it is...
( Trying to then usher his friend along toward the proper entrance of the cafeteria, his winning smile back in place: he does know the people who work here. They rate as important in his mind, ergo. )
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[He will follows readily, because hey, free food! One never scoffs at free food.
He does have a question, though.]
Do you think I might be able to get a to go box as well? In case Banyue drops buy.
[Because yes, he needs to feed himself, but honestly less important than feeding his little protégée. He can go a day or two without food, but she shouldn't.]
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( He's more amused out of familiarity at the sheer amount of bad luck Xie Lian suffers from; he deserves none of it, really, the guy's made of kind actions and sincerity, but his luck is like watching some of the people in Wei Wuxian's past turn black to white, and white to black, leaving him painted as the target. )
Yeah, sure, ask for two. That way you'll have enough for you both.
( Past the front, the cafeteria is mostly busy with seated people, leaving the various counters of food made and food to be ordered (bowls and some cuts of fish and similar things were seared or fried or cooked to order) open but for a few scattered souls. He gestures for Xie Lian to take the lead, grinning. )
How's Xiao Yue doing?
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[Because sometimes, he doesn't know his own strength. His bad luck really is something extraordinary, and he more so that he hasn't turned bitter and depressed from it, really.
And he does appreciate all of his friends. It's been a struggle to feed himself on his meager allowance, and he's stretched it as much as he can to feed Banyue whenever possible. Giving her a full meal will be a party.]
Thank you, Wei-xiong. She's better now that those older kids have stopped picking on her.
[Because Xie Lian beat them up, ooops.]
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Oh? ( A sideways glance and knowing half smile. ) I wonder how that came about.
( Heading for another of the counters to pick up the container he can use for taking anything "to go." )
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But Wei-xiong doesn't ask for more, so it's easy not to answer, and instead, he follows so he can make sure to choose stuff that Banyue would like. Not that's she's picky, but still...]
Is Lan-xiong cooking for you every day?
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... He's lived some interesting moments, what can he say? )
Hahaha, what, are you and Fei-xiong on some kind of tag team on this... Lan Zhan tries to, yeah! He's a great cook, I'm not complaining, but I keep telling him there's take-out for a reason and I'm not that ill equipped to handle picking up food every once in a while, you know!
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No need for this here, he can accept them freely and he'll keep them for emergencies.]
I think it's nice that he does it. And he obviously enjoys it, so you should let him do it!
I try to cook when I can, but I think only Banyue, Hua Cheng and you really like to eat it.
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he laughs, shaking his head but offering no commentary either way. he doesn't try to keep lan zhan from cooking for them both, but he does remind him that in this day and age, takeout seriously is fine sometimes. given him attempting to cook in turn would be the kind of thing he, jiang cheng, and jiang yanli were the only ones likely to survive, well.
anyway. everyone has their own strengths. )
Mm, you're an adventurous cook! Though when you go big sweet or big sour is usually when it's a test for me... big spicy's great!
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Then I'll have to make you something spicy again, when I have enough money to buy ingredients. Here, let me get a few sweets for Banyue, she doesn't get them often. Some chocolate, and maybe some fresh fruit too.
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More or less.
And sometimes you just want a full system cleanse... )
Fruit's gotta be eaten in time, don't forget! Oh, look, loquats—
( He takes those and puts them in his pockets. Then also in his friend's pockets. Loquats for everyone! )
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But hey, loquats! Loquats are good! Although...]
You really like loquats, don't you, Wei-xiong? You always have some when they are available.
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( A happy sort of nostalgia, apparently, but also they're so perfectly bite sized and the seed or seeds come out so easily and—really, only one's nails needed for the peeling. Who wouldn't like such an easygoing fruit? )
Don't you have some fruit or another you like?
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[As someone who has had and still occasionally has to go hungry for several days or weeks in a row, Xie Lian honestly appreciates good food, but food is food and what it is is less important than that there is some.
Now comes the time for paying, and Xie Lian does look a little embarrassed at that.]
Thank you again, Wei-xiong. This will really help.
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( His times of going without are further behind him... or not so much, but he tries not to think too hard on that.
Payment is the same card he keeps talking about, and he smiles, shrugging his shoulders as he hands it to Xie Lian as they're freed back into the seating areas adjacent to the cafeteria. )
It's not something that needs thanking, isn't this just what we should do? Come, come, let's sit down and eat!
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[He's going to put that card carefully in his rather atty wallet... and then stare at it thoughtfully for a little while.]
I should probably let San lang safekeep it for me, or else I might lose it or mistakenly snap it in half.
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( He asks, sitting down and setting his tray down with a decisive tap. )
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I think he's doing fine. I mean... he's skipping a lot of classes, I think, because there's no way his schedule matches with mine that perfectly, but for some reason his grades are still great, so... I can't really scold him for that.
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It's no trouble, he's a first year! Those classes are better for sleeping through than attending, you've got hundreds in most lecture halls.
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[But then, Xie Lian is someone who relies on keeping his grades up and his attendance record spotless so that he can keep getting his scholarship money.]
Hopefully he finds something he likes and chooses a major soon. He doesn't have parents or a guardian to be on his back about his grades, so I have to keep an eye on him.
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( A slightly narrowed eye look of amusement cast Lianlian's way. )
Mm, I'm sure he likes you on his back. Besides, isn't that one way to do things? You keep an eye on him up close and he feeds you. Pretty nice deal, isn't it?
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