doublesmall | [INBOX] fractura.

[Lan Wangji doesn't respond immediately. His gaze is distant as he thinks over the words he'd memorized; he and Wei Wuxian hadn't discussed it much, beyond simply agreeing that it needed to be taken to their respective families.]

None of ours. [Partially because he doubts any of them would be careless enough to leave notes like this around, and also because they have no pairs of brothers who carry out tasks of major significance. ~~(If there are any he'd know about then I pixi am a dumbass but shh)~~ Besides, if it was one of theirs and they feared an attack, it wouldn't make sense for them not to come to Chuuya for protection--unless, of course, one of theirs was trying to sell them out, botched it up, and didn't want to risk Chuuya's wrath. Lan Wangji doesn't think that's terribly likely, though; Chuuya's feelings about Baren aside, he's probably even more careful than Lan Wangji himself.] It could be the results of the aftermath. Discontent from a smaller group.

[A pause.]

However, it could also mean that they [Xian Le, that is] are planning something that would merit violence to cover up.

Maybe, yeah.

[Chuuya takes another few moments to consider, going over the contents of the note again in his head, before he continues.]

The tone doesn't sound like they're too attached, so they could be among that group... but if they were getting paid off because of something? I'm leaning towards thinking they ran across something they shouldn't have. Not big enough to just kill them for it, but enough to try to buy their silence.

I think I'd like to figure out who wrote this. If they might know something, and they're not too loyal...

[Well, that sounds pretty useful, doesn't it?]

We're also going to have to consider that they weren't actually careless enough to leave this around, but there's no way to guarantee the right people would find this, so I don't think it's too much of a risk.

Mm. Too much left to chance. The book was in a shop in Middleton, closer to our side than theirs.

[So the chances of it being a trap aren't nonzero, but they're pretty slim, he thinks. The only reason he picked up this book in the first place was because he and Wei Wuxian had been shopping for a gift for Haku to give Mizuki (and they figured having him pass on a weapon would be a bad look, even if they are betrothed and also 12).

He agrees with Chuuya, though. Information is probably the most valuable resource of all, for them.]

Would you like me to investigate, or will you be doing so personally?

Keep looking into it. Don't do it alone, either-- I trust you're capable, but I'd rather not take any risks with how little we know right now.

[Just in case it is a trap, but also just in case it's bigger than they anticipated. The last thing he wants is for his right hand to get into any trouble.

After a moment of consideration, he adds with a brief sigh-]

If Wei Wuxian wants to keep investigating, then fine, but if you start getting close to their identities I'd rather you get him out of the loop. I trust your judgment, but he's still not ours, and we don't need everything getting back to Xie Lian.

I did not intend to ask him.

[For multiple reasons, honestly. It's partially because of his loyalty to the family--he would never intentionally jeopardize them, not for anyone. It's also because he knows that Wei Wuxian made the choice to step away, to minimize his involvement with Xian Le, and he is not going to be the one to drag this lifestyle back to his doorstep. Most of Lan Wangji's efforts have been towards keeping his two loyalties as far apart as possible, so that situations like this don't arise. That way, he doesn't have to worry about risking his family, and Wei Wuxian doesn't have to worry that he'll bring potentially deadly information close to the children he cares for.

Usually, it works out well. In situations like this... well. He can only assume that Wei Wuxian will leave the work to the rest of Xian Le, because he has no intention of asking about it again unless it directly involves Wei Wuxian and his family's safety.

Fortunately, he already has someone in mind, and he doubts Chuuya will object.]

Nines has expressed an interest in expanding his work. Have you spoken with him?

-good.

[Chuuya doesn't dislike Wei Wuxian as a person, but he won't deny he's relieved whenever Lan Wangji keeps that distance between the two of them. It's one of the many reasons he has so much of Chuuya's trust-- he knows when not to involve people unnecessarily, however he feels about them.

He nods at that last question, though, looking pleased.]

You too, huh? He said he wanted more to do around here, so if you don't mind bringing him along, I'd appreciate it. I've given him some work to do until I found him something, so just pull him off it if you need to.

[And then Anna clowned me and forced me to send the kids to Wei Wuxian BUT LAN WANGJI DOESN'T KNOW THAT YET and even when he finds out he won't be happy about it. Terrible.

Anyway]

Mm. It would be a good test for him. [Considering they might not even find anything, and also even though Lan Wangji's people skills are passable when it's not Jiang Cheng, he's also well aware that people are far more likely to give information to someone who isn't 6'2" and kind of intimidating.]

I will inform you as soon as we find something.

It would. I'd like to have more people I know I can trust in the field, and you're the best to send him out with.

[Chuuya gives him a nod, there, one Lan Wangji will recognize as not so much a gesture of dismissal, but one that means he's satisfied leaving it at this. He doesn't tend to keep Lan Wangji here for too long when they're talking business, most times.]

Just keep me updated, especially if you think we should give him any particular training before we use him again.

[INBOX] fractura.

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