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

[inheritedpain]

I'm not screaming!!!!!!

[ He's yelling. There's a difference. ]

[consignation]

Then why do I feel like I'm going deaf?!

[inheritedpain]

Well maybe I should confiscate your device so that you don't have to listen to it!!!

[consignation]

A-Ling.

Would you like to say that to my face?

[inheritedpain]

[ fuck fuck fuck abort abort abort ]

--No! No. I'm sorry, Uncle, I just--

I don't see why I should be the one in trouble when he does this in front of everyone on the network!! I didn't do anything wrong!!

[consignation]

Oh? You didn't?

I see.

[ A pause. He flexes the hand wearing Zidian. ]

So this is my fault? I never taught you any manners?

[inheritedpain]

[ He goes very red, shamefaced and glaring at the floor rather than at the camera.

And then he disconnects. He is not doing this over the public network, you can shame him in private. ]

[firebranding]

Now, now, A-Cheng, let’s not get hasty. [His tone is smooth and soothing]

You would be quite angry and embarrassed too if something like this happened to you, would you not? I seem to recall a certain post when I was browsing back through the network...

[consignation]

[ 'A-Cheng', huh? He supposes if we basically raised a kid together it is what it is, but... ]

How do you even have this much free time, A-Yao? Anyway, Zixuan is asking for parenting advice not selling him off for marriage. No one would even know A-Ling was the subject if he hadn't run right in here shouting.

[firebranding]

[Oh. Hm. It’s been a while since someone actually called him A-Yao, he feels a bit soft.] It’s not as though I have a sect to run here, and information is important. [Why don’t YOU have more free time, Jiang Cheng?? What could you possibly be doing with your life right now.]

I’d like to believe most people could make the connection with the names, but the mistake has already been made. It doesn’t do anyone any good to keep on it, and especially not Jin Ling. [He’s sensitive!!]

Let him cool down and we can discuss it later. This is hardly a punishable offense. His own humiliation is likely punishment enough as it is.

[consignation]

[ He's dating two people, micromanaging Wei Wuxian's love life, and trying to deal with Jin Ling. Maybe you should get on your threesome instead of reading several months of network backlog, Jin Guangyao. ]

So you wouldn't punish the way he's speaking to his own father, shouting at everyone and everything, then running from the conversation when it no longer suits him? Did we always let him get away with this sort of thing? Because if so, it's no wonder he's so badly behaved.

If I'd done even a fraction of this in front of my mother, she wouldn't just kill me. She'd reach back in time and unmake me, do you understand?

[firebranding]

Regrettably, that’s not something you have to worry about here, is it. [YOUR MOM’S DEAD, JIANG CHENG.]

If you try to force him at this age he’ll simply rebel harder. You can beat him into submission, but that doesn’t mean he’ll learn anything. You threaten to break his legs so often it’s a wonder he trusts in you at all for his safety.

Allow him to make his mistakes and learn from them—and perhaps allow his father to step in for this one, since it’s against him that A-Ling brings offense. It’ll be a good chance for them both.

[consignation]

[ Well, that's the fastest anyone's ever burned through Jiang Cheng's goodwill. ]

Jin Guangyao.

I believe it's hypocritical of you to say unwelcome things about people's mothers.

You have an awful lot to say about family dynamics for someone cast out of his.

[firebranding]

[Guangyao’s smile freezes in place, still as a statue. Then there’s something terrible in the twist of his mouth, even as he demurely bows his head as if in deference to the younger sect leader. A mistimed barb and he can be angry at no one but himself—but hatred of himself is nothing new and he blankets himself in that cold fury and tells himself to be grateful he still has that ability to feel it.

He reminds himself that Xichen would likely be a little upset if he murdered the young man.]

Is there something you’d like to say about my mother, Sect Leader Jiang? My mother had no fearsome reputation to back her and silence anything said against her. Would you care to continue?

[It’s like stabbing a prey that’s already been caught, he’s making sure of that.]

This place has brought people back from the beyond before. Who’s to say your family won’t return to you again?

[Surely madam yu would LOVE to know about jc’s tangling with Zixuan and Wen Qing both.

Not that jgy knows all those details either but still]

[consignation]

[ Where Jin Guangyao's fury frosts over, Jiang Cheng's rage burns hot, chin lifting in defiance of those accusations. ]

No, I honor your mother's memory as I would wish anyone else to regard mine. The only shame I see is the conduct of her son.

[ His back straightens, his shoulders pull back, Yanli's memory reminding him he's sect leader now, he's grown, he's no longer a child. ]

Since you have been kind enough to wish it upon me, allow me to return the favor. May you also be reunited, so she may see what you've become.

[firebranding]

[Gods. It’s almost sad that Jiang a Cheng will ever know how close he’s come to death this day or that he should be throwing himself to the ground before Lan Xichen and beg for the honor of thanking him for his own life that’s spared only because of the first jade.

He bares his teeth in a smile that feels like it might crack his face in half and he bows his head again, his voice smooth and unshaken]

May the day find you well, Sect Leader.

[He will not run away like Jin Ling without a proper, polite farewell before he cuts the feed.]