[That's the first sign something is up-- Chuuya usually uses his full name when he's greeting Lan Wangji. This is reserved for when he's in a hurry to get to business, and regardless of what Lan Wangji is up to, Chuuya's just swooping in and locking the door.]
[Honestly, Chuuya's lucky that he's in, given how he's staying at Yiling Ridge more than he isn't, these days. IF ONLY WEI WUXIAN WOULD STOP ACQUIRING HIGHLY TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN.
REGARDLESS he's in his office when Chuuya comes in, and if his name wasn't enough to tell him this is Immediate Serious Business, Chuuya's demeanor is. He sets his pen down he was not doodling aiaigasa, thank you and stands up, immediately moving to shut the curtains to his windows. NO RISKS TAKEN.
He remains standing even after he's done, turning back to Chuuya.]
About the kidnappings? [Since that's currently the entire city's top priority, he's assuming it's related.]
[Lan Wangji takes it right away, reading over it once quickly, then a second time, burning the words into his mind. His face is impassive, as always, but his eyes are sharp with focus--no matter what else has been going on, all of his attention is clearly now focused on this.
When he's confident he has it memorized, he hands it back.]
The first is going for whoever they've got working for them. Old boss has a point there, I think... we'd be in a better position that way, though I don't like the idea of just letting the current situation continue.
[He finds somewhere to take a seat, there, exhaling a sigh and rubbing at his face.]
Adult family members know what they're doing. Those kids didn't accept the risks that come with being part of the family-- I don't want to let that part of the problem go untackled. So the other option...
[Chuuya looks up to him there.]
Is finding who's working against them. I'd like to have a few words-- if the whole kidnapping kids business isn't something they're involved in, we might be able to work with them. If the Xian Le can't restabilize, we're at less risk.
[It's not that he wants to control the town, exactly... but threats will remain threats. He'll feel better knowing Xian Le isn't one anymore.]
[As Chuuya speaks, Lan Wangji stands with his hands folded behind his back, eyes fixed on the photos (multiple, now) on his desk as he listens. The look on his face is one that Chuuya's likely seen many times, though never under circumstances quite like this.
He's quiet for a little while, then--]
And if this traitor did instigate, or encourage the kidnappings and torture?
Well, then we'd have a responsible party to deal with as we see fit, wouldn't we?
[His smile at that is sharp, not at all pleasant; not a common expression on him, but certainly one Lan Wangji is familiar with.]
The way I see it, we're in a good position either way. If we can work with them, that's something new we've got over the Xian Le. If we can't... then we remove a mutual problem, they owe us-- and they probably lose face, for not finding and dealing with the issue themselves. We're still ahead.
I would not call anything about this a good position.
[He's never had much patience for the inter-city politics. It's why the only arguments that ever sway him are the ones focused on keeping their people safe--and when they're losing so many innocents, the very thought of using this as leverage is grating.]
If Xie Lian's informant is trying to put a stop to this, then they are on our side, even unintentionally. Targeting them would do us no good. ["Ensure the safety of our people", "peace of mind"--all because they satisfied some old money greed? How long would that last? Not that it matters, because Lan Wangji refuses to even consider anything that would support those enabling this, however indirectly.] Those involved in making this happen are worth nothing. They will never be content.
[Forget Xie Lian, honestly, he's purely on team "kill all the kidnappers and their enablers". NO MERCY.]
It's not the best position, no-- I'd rather not have any of our people in danger. But even if whoever is working for him is on our side for now... that won't hold.
[His brow furrows, quiet as he considers.]
You know what would have happened to us if they hadn't taken the damage they did, Lan Wangji. If they handle this problem, they'll rebuild. If they do that... they'll be the same threat they used to be.
We're at least in a better position than they are. Now's the time to do something to keep it that way.
[Lan Wangji's mouth tightens a little, and he inclines his head at that.]
I know.
[Of course he knows. And he knows that Chuuya must consider the good of their family as a whole. But Lan Wangji is finding it very difficult to think in the long-term when he has the image of that warehouse so freshly burned into his mind, when he's still reeling from the loss of an entire truck filled with children they were supposed to protect.
Lan Wangji has never wanted to be the Family Head, and this entire fiasco has only cemented his feelings on that even further. Chuuya's points are perfectly valid, and not at all anything Lan Wangji's been thinking about.
Chuuya will do what he must. Lan Wangji knows this, and it's something he's come to accept. He can only hope that Chuuya understands why his priorities are where they are right now.]
Xian Le is falling apart. Even if we aided them in rooting out the discontents, [LET HIM KILL THEM] Xie Lian would still be at a severe disadvantage.
[His fist clenches at his side.]
We will have no family left to threaten if we do not put a stop to this.
He'll be at a disadvantage to start with. Root out the discontents, though, and they've got a rallying point.
[He understands where Lan Wangji's coming from. If he weren't in this position, he might feel the same; he might be able to put his focus toward the harm done to them, instead of looking past the eventual resolution to it while it's still going on.
Chuuya doesn't have that liberty, though.]
...Wangji. They're digging for who's working against them, right now. After they do that, what do you think they're going to start hunting for next?
[It's rhetorical-- he just shakes his head.]
I'm not going to ask you to stop doing what you're working on now. It's better for you to do it in my place-- but I have to consider what puts us in the best position after this. There are still moves we need to make.
[He knows. He knows, and there's no way for him to tell Chuuya that it's a risk he would be willing to take. If Chuuya knew he was fully prepared to take the fall for both of them--no matter what he says about knowing what they've gotten into, there's no way he'd accept it. And Lan Wangji, ironic as it is in this lifestyle, tries not to tell lies, so the alternative is staying silent.
His gaze moves, almost unwittingly, back to the pictures on his desk, and he presses his lips together, a thousand different words coming and going before he finally speaks again.]
They cannot be allowed to remain. [The kidnappers, the ones enabling them, anyone involved in the horrific scene he'd come across. He and Chuuya have seen, and done, plenty of things that the average person would call "terrible"--and Lan Wangji would gladly do all of them to those complicit in the murder and torture of children. He truly doesn't care if that would put the Xian Le at an advantage later on down the line; it's a simple statement of fact that he's making, right now. If these people remain in his city, and he finds them, he will kill them.
A pause, then softer--]
But, thank you. [For not asking him to stop. Because the answer would have to be no, and they really don't need friction between them now, of all times. Lan Wangji would never forgive himself if he let his attention stray too far, and more of their children were snatched away because of it.]
But, Chuuya... do not forget that they [this informant, that is] are part of this city too.
[He already knows Chuuya is prepared to be ruthless. But Lan Wangji does not want him to forget that he may need to be kind, too. They will win no love from the city if they are needlessly vicious.]
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no subject
[That's the first sign something is up-- Chuuya usually uses his full name when he's greeting Lan Wangji. This is reserved for when he's in a hurry to get to business, and regardless of what Lan Wangji is up to, Chuuya's just swooping in and locking the door.]
Got a message today. We need to talk.
no subject
REGARDLESS he's in his office when Chuuya comes in, and if his name wasn't enough to tell him this is Immediate Serious Business, Chuuya's demeanor is. He sets his pen down
he was not doodling aiaigasa, thank youand stands up, immediately moving to shut the curtains to his windows. NO RISKS TAKEN.He remains standing even after he's done, turning back to Chuuya.]
About the kidnappings? [Since that's currently the entire city's top priority, he's assuming it's related.]
no subject
[Chuuya slides over the letter, there.]
Memorize it. I'm burning this once you do. But I figure this gives us two possible courses of action to aim for; I want your opinions.
no subject
When he's confident he has it memorized, he hands it back.]
What actions are you considering?
no subject
[He finds somewhere to take a seat, there, exhaling a sigh and rubbing at his face.]
Adult family members know what they're doing. Those kids didn't accept the risks that come with being part of the family-- I don't want to let that part of the problem go untackled. So the other option...
[Chuuya looks up to him there.]
Is finding who's working against them. I'd like to have a few words-- if the whole kidnapping kids business isn't something they're involved in, we might be able to work with them. If the Xian Le can't restabilize, we're at less risk.
[It's not that he wants to control the town, exactly... but threats will remain threats. He'll feel better knowing Xian Le isn't one anymore.]
no subject
He's quiet for a little while, then--]
And if this traitor did instigate, or encourage the kidnappings and torture?
[Then what would the plan be?]
no subject
[His smile at that is sharp, not at all pleasant; not a common expression on him, but certainly one Lan Wangji is familiar with.]
The way I see it, we're in a good position either way. If we can work with them, that's something new we've got over the Xian Le. If we can't... then we remove a mutual problem, they owe us-- and they probably lose face, for not finding and dealing with the issue themselves. We're still ahead.
no subject
I would not call anything about this a good position.
[He's never had much patience for the inter-city politics. It's why the only arguments that ever sway him are the ones focused on keeping their people safe--and when they're losing so many innocents, the very thought of using this as leverage is grating.]
If Xie Lian's informant is trying to put a stop to this, then they are on our side, even unintentionally. Targeting them would do us no good. ["Ensure the safety of our people", "peace of mind"--all because they satisfied some old money greed? How long would that last? Not that it matters, because Lan Wangji refuses to even consider anything that would support those enabling this, however indirectly.] Those involved in making this happen are worth nothing. They will never be content.
[Forget Xie Lian, honestly, he's purely on team "kill all the kidnappers and their enablers". NO MERCY.]
no subject
[His brow furrows, quiet as he considers.]
You know what would have happened to us if they hadn't taken the damage they did, Lan Wangji. If they handle this problem, they'll rebuild. If they do that... they'll be the same threat they used to be.
We're at least in a better position than they are. Now's the time to do something to keep it that way.
no subject
I know.
[Of course he knows. And he knows that Chuuya must consider the good of their family as a whole. But Lan Wangji is finding it very difficult to think in the long-term when he has the image of that warehouse so freshly burned into his mind, when he's still reeling from the loss of an entire truck filled with children they were supposed to protect.
Lan Wangji has never wanted to be the Family Head, and this entire fiasco has only cemented his feelings on that even further. Chuuya's points are perfectly valid, and not at all anything Lan Wangji's been thinking about.
Chuuya will do what he must. Lan Wangji knows this, and it's something he's come to accept. He can only hope that Chuuya understands why his priorities are where they are right now.]
Xian Le is falling apart. Even if we aided them in rooting out the discontents, [LET HIM KILL THEM] Xie Lian would still be at a severe disadvantage.
[His fist clenches at his side.]
We will have no family left to threaten if we do not put a stop to this.
no subject
[He understands where Lan Wangji's coming from. If he weren't in this position, he might feel the same; he might be able to put his focus toward the harm done to them, instead of looking past the eventual resolution to it while it's still going on.
Chuuya doesn't have that liberty, though.]
...Wangji. They're digging for who's working against them, right now. After they do that, what do you think they're going to start hunting for next?
[It's rhetorical-- he just shakes his head.]
I'm not going to ask you to stop doing what you're working on now. It's better for you to do it in my place-- but I have to consider what puts us in the best position after this. There are still moves we need to make.
no subject
His gaze moves, almost unwittingly, back to the pictures on his desk, and he presses his lips together, a thousand different words coming and going before he finally speaks again.]
They cannot be allowed to remain. [The kidnappers, the ones enabling them, anyone involved in the horrific scene he'd come across. He and Chuuya have seen, and done, plenty of things that the average person would call "terrible"--and Lan Wangji would gladly do all of them to those complicit in the murder and torture of children. He truly doesn't care if that would put the Xian Le at an advantage later on down the line; it's a simple statement of fact that he's making, right now. If these people remain in his city, and he finds them, he will kill them.
A pause, then softer--]
But, thank you. [For not asking him to stop. Because the answer would have to be no, and they really don't need friction between them now, of all times. Lan Wangji would never forgive himself if he let his attention stray too far, and more of their children were snatched away because of it.]
But, Chuuya... do not forget that they [this informant, that is] are part of this city too.
[He already knows Chuuya is prepared to be ruthless. But Lan Wangji does not want him to forget that he may need to be kind, too. They will win no love from the city if they are needlessly vicious.]