[ Jin Ling is glad she'd done it. It helped him, and he liked the feeling, he liked this a lot. And it's good to realize that this isn't as bad as it had seemed and it could actually maybe be really good...
Hopefully, if he doesn't lose it or she doesn't get taken from him life too. That fear is one that never really goes all the way quiet that people he cares about he'll just lose them. ]
We don't have to let them know that we're in such agreement with them, though.
[ Zizhen sits up, nodding and turning to face Jin Ling better. She smiles confidently, placing a hand on his knee. ]
Right! We'll act like we're resisting. We don't want them to think we'll go along with anything they say just because they say it!
[ Just then, the door to the inner chambers opens, and the adults enter the courtyard. Zizhen quickly withdraws her hand from Jin Ling's knee and stands, pulling Jin Ling up beside her. Leaning in close (but not too close as to be incriminating), she whispers, ] Remember. Act like we're not up for whatever they say!
[ Jin Ling doesn't quite want to part he finds but he shakes off the
feeling as they both stand. He bites his lip as she whispers trying not to
smile. That would certainly be a dead giveaway. ]
[ It's not particularly hard for Jin Ling's face to shift into a scowl, glaring at Zizhen and pretending like he's not noticing the approaching adults. ]
Like it has been? How many times have you needed help already?
Like I've ever needed help from you! You must have hit your head, to remember things so wrongly!
[ Just then, Jiang Cheng and Zizhen's father step forward, barking at them to shut up and listen. There may or may not be a threat of broken limbs from the Jiang Sect Leader. Zizhen bites her tongue, but shoots Jin Ling a secret glance.
The adults go on to explain their decision to join the Baling Ouyang and Lanling Jin sects through marriage of the two junior heirs. Zizhen pouts and steps forward, moaning to her dad, ] Come on! You can't seriously want me to marry him!
[ Behind her back, she gropes around until she finds Jin Ling's hand and gives it a little squeeze. ]
[ Jin Ling had been about to say something even though he has to be careful of his choices of insults because he doesn’t actually want to insult her Sect. Jin Ling ends up just rolling his eyes, and tilting his chin up arrogantly instead. He listens to the explanation and then scoffs. ]
That makes sense, what doesn’t make sense is that you want me to marry her!
[ Still, he manages to squeeze her hand back subtly and subdue the urge to smile. ]
[ Zizhen opens her mouth to argue further, but Jiang Cheng raises a hand to silence everyone gathered-- and when the Jiang Sect Leader asks for silence, no one (besides maybe Jin Ling) is foolish enough to disobey him. He declares that the plans have been made, and their decision is final, then the elders dismiss the two young disciples and head off to discuss other business.
Zizhen turns to go, shoving Jin Ling with her shoulder to keep up the act, but of course, not so hard as to actually hurt him. As soon as they're alone, though, she bursts out into bright laughter. ]
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no subject
Hopefully, if he doesn't lose it or she doesn't get taken from him life too. That fear is one that never really goes all the way quiet that people he cares about he'll just lose them. ]
We don't have to let them know that we're in such agreement with them, though.
no subject
Right! We'll act like we're resisting. We don't want them to think we'll go along with anything they say just because they say it!
[ Just then, the door to the inner chambers opens, and the adults enter the courtyard. Zizhen quickly withdraws her hand from Jin Ling's knee and stands, pulling Jin Ling up beside her. Leaning in close (but not too close as to be incriminating), she whispers, ] Remember. Act like we're not up for whatever they say!
no subject
[ Jin Ling doesn't quite want to part he finds but he shakes off the feeling as they both stand. He bites his lip as she whispers trying not to smile. That would certainly be a dead giveaway. ]
Should we act like we've been arguing?
no subject
Good idea!
[ Once the adults are within earshot, she shoves Jin Ling's shoulder (not too hard) and raises her voice a little bit louder than necessary: ]
I told you, I don't need you or your clan! The Baling Ouyang Sect will do fine on its own!
no subject
Like it has been? How many times have you needed help already?
no subject
[ Just then, Jiang Cheng and Zizhen's father step forward, barking at them to shut up and listen. There may or may not be a threat of broken limbs from the Jiang Sect Leader. Zizhen bites her tongue, but shoots Jin Ling a secret glance.
The adults go on to explain their decision to join the Baling Ouyang and Lanling Jin sects through marriage of the two junior heirs. Zizhen pouts and steps forward, moaning to her dad, ] Come on! You can't seriously want me to marry him!
[ Behind her back, she gropes around until she finds Jin Ling's hand and gives it a little squeeze. ]
no subject
That makes sense, what doesn’t make sense is that you want me to marry her!
[ Still, he manages to squeeze her hand back subtly and subdue the urge to smile. ]
no subject
Zizhen turns to go, shoving Jin Ling with her shoulder to keep up the act, but of course, not so hard as to actually hurt him. As soon as they're alone, though, she bursts out into bright laughter. ]
Ha! I can't believe they bought it!