video | un:jinzixun

[amidstsnow]

[look at this finely dressed deer in the headlights. this is the face of a man who's clearly trying hard at something. and while he's still new to much of the technology here, that isn't the problem. (even if the typo in his own name might suggest otherwise.)

he looks like he might turn this off after all, and maybe he's regretting that he didn't go with the texted word, but then he takes a breath and pushes forward.]

I would like to address those out there who are fathers. Or anyone who might have experience with raising a child. Sons, especially.

[a long pause...a man with as much pride as jin zixuan surely finds it hard to ask for help. but he reminds himself of his sole reason, and suddenly it all rushes out.]

How does one...form bonds with them? What activities do they enjoy? What should you talk about? Do you try to be their friend?

How do you inquire about their [his expression twists.] chroma?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[please make him father of the year, it would mean so much.]

Comments

video | un: jinzixuan

[huakongque]

[Jin Zixuan sees this on the network and suddenly feels overwhelmed by the utter deja vu. Because he's struggled with these exact same questions (well, okay, maybe not the chroma one, but he simply hasn't let himself think that hard about Jin Ling) before. But then looking at this guy is kind of disgustingly familiar. A lot familiar. Like looking into a mirror familiar. But then that username?

This is a lot.]

I have questions. You're not actually Jin Zixun, are you? And if not, then why are you masquerading as him?

[amidstsnow]

[he would probably dismiss any questions not related to the matter at hand...if it weren't for that username. and that face.

ah, this must be the him - the jin zixuan that she's marrying. he takes a long look before answering, forehead wrinkled in confusion at first.]

Jin Zixun is my cousin. Why would I have need of-

[and then he sees it. zixuan closes his eyes, breathing in through his nose.]

A mistake made while I was still learning.

[huakongque]

[...This is really weird, but he presses onward.]

Right, I didn't think you were. You don't act like him. It's an unfortunate mistake, all the same.

[And for anyone else he might end it here, but...this is him? Somehow. And he's clearly struggling with this. And while this Jin Zixuan isn't much more qualified to offer help, he at least has been here longer and spoken to some people.]

...A-Ling likes dogs. I believe his Fairy is here, as well. Getting in its good graces wouldn't hurt. Otherwise...

[He frowns, trying to not embarrass either of them.]

Talking to him would probably be the best option. I know small talk hasn't necessarily been my - our? - strong suit, but it is the most straightforward way to learn. He can be a little defensive, I've found, so I wouldn't suggest forcing yourself upon his trust, but rather just...making yourself available.

[amidstsnow]

[he shouldn't speak ill of his cousin, but...he's taking the fact that he doesn't act like him as a good sign.]

Yes, I met her in the park. She seems to be a good dog.

[he's grateful for her. jin ling seems to care for her a great deal, and fairy is obviously a faithful companion to him.

zixuan sighs heavily, and he can see what the other man - the other him is trying to do. if anyone knows what he's going through right now, well...

he nods after a moment.]

I had hoped that I was doing better by doing this. [talking to other people, listening. he was on the right track, but just the wrong audience.] I've had less fear going into battle.

[huakongque]

[They shouldn't speak ill of Jin Zixun...but he is still kind of a dick, let's be real.]

She's a spiritual dog. I'd hope she'd be well-behaved.

[But, yes, looking at the fallout of this post, Jin Zixuan can only cringe internally. At least when he had posed these question, it had been to Jin Ling himself - when he was here before, though he doesn't seem to remember his last time here - and Lan Sizhui in private. If he has something positive to say about this other him, though, it's that he had some big balls to be so transparent and vulnerable in his lack of knowledge.]

Battle, for all its chaos, is something we can understand to an extent. We've trained for it for years. Fatherhood, I've found, has no set rubric. It relies on...day-to-day discoveries.

[amidstsnow]

[it may be worth it in the end, if only to find that there are other fathers here to take something from.]

As challenging as it sounds, I do hope for many days in which to learn.

[oh, and now that he's thinking about it...]

Your son is here as well, I take it?