Bunnies gonna bunny

So, I /thought/ I was going to revise the qi-and-meridians porn, and then Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji decided that instead I was going to be writing 2K of Burial Mounds feels and flashbacks. *hands*

The MDZS characters aren't as /headlong/ about it as the Naruto characters were, but they're at similar levels of "I never claimed to have any control over where this is going". At this point there are six stories I'm trying to juggle into some sensible order, and the only thing I'm still fairly certain of is that it ends in world domination, or at least Nie Huaisang throwing up his hands and taking over management of /both/ their reputations, because for pity's /sake/.

Untamed Rewatch 25-27

Ep 25
Look at that Jin Zixuan acting like a human being who’s enamored of a girl. And then promptly being an asshole to WWX (not without some provocation, to be sure).

Theory, based on how Meng Yao smiles about the Wen prisoners put in front of the targets, and then looks straight at WWX: this was at his instigation, to try to make WWX make a scene. Meng Yao is definitely displeased by WWX’s bravura move of blindfolding himself, shocked by his shot, and promptly withdraws his move (and the prisoners) after the five-arrow shot succeeds. Jin Zixun is not nearly that smart, of course, little pill.

(Note that, despite the full-body eye roll over WWX’s request for his headband, LWJ nearly /smirks/ when the blindfold goes on, and again when he returns.)

And we have the zhuji speech! Context is really interesting, here, because WWX is remembering Lan Xichen warning him not to be careless of those who care for him, and his response to that memory is to /not call out/ to LWJ (distance people to protect them, once again), but boy does WWX light up when LWJ spots him and comes to him. And then LWJ offers his new (illicitly researched) calming songs, and WWX more or less tells him to knock it off (annoyed by lack of trust). And then the parallel questions from each, what kind of person do you think I am/am I to you. WWX answers he /used/ to think LWJ was the one who knew him down to his soul, which suggests that it’s LWJ’s apparent lack of trust/belief in him that made him change his mind. But LWJ insists that he still /is/, which nearly makes WWX accept his offer (now reading it as concern instead of distrust). At which point, they’re interrupted by the courting Yanli and Zixuan.

God, Zixuan is so awkward. Vastly entertained that LWJ keeps WWX from interfering, knowing perfectly well what’s up with Yanli, and apparently feeling that /someone's/ love life should make some progress today.

Note that it’s only LWJ and shijie’s opinions of his musical trick with the prey that matter to WWX.

Note that it’s the remark about ‘only the son of a servant’ that snaps WWX’s temper (denial of his being clan to Jiang). And it’s Yanli’s repeated confirmation that WWX is her little brother that finally calms him all the way again. Unconditional love and clan-belonging are of equal importance to him, and quite possibly directly linked in his mind. (No wonder he always goes all-out for Xiao Xingchen, lineage uncle.)

Props to Jin Zixuan that he says in front of others it was him who wanted Yanli there, even if he failed the landing on declaring himself more explicitly.

Ep 26
Hard to believe that Meng Yao didn’t know Su She’s past, but he does seem genuinely upset he might have troubled Lan Xichen. Not so much he refrains, though.

Note that Jin Guangshan obviously keep Jin Zixun around as an attack dog who dares to trample all over other sects but could be disavowed if he goes far enough to cause trouble. Love that LWJ is so clearly snubbing him.

Enter WWX like the spirit of wrath (accurate enough, given what he just learned from Wen Qing). And he says flat out what everyone is clearly thinking, that Jin is trying to take over Wen’s empty spot, and that Jin Zixun is a nasty little sadist. Interesting that LWJ tries to interfere at that point, obviously knowing this is the issue that’s going to open up WWXx’s temper.

Note that everyone is clearly so afraid of what WWX might be able to do that they all back down from an outright challenge, including Zixun. And that it’s /this/ that causes Jin Guangshan to lose it; the knowledge that he can’t use the unspoken threat of force, as the largest sect, to get his way, not while WWX is alive. This whole banquet is cultivation politics in miniature, laid brutally bare.

And LWJ says, just as flat out, ‘was he wrong?’. Matching morals. And LXC tells him to go after WWX (still shipping it).

Note that, when Jiang Cheng is so pissed off he shatters his cup, Meng Yao smiles a very satisfied smile. He’s definitely targeted WWX for removal from the political board.

Note that WWX hangs on until the Jin start killing everyone to attempt to conceal their other cruelties, and at least intends to set Wen Ning after the ones who killed /him/. He's not lost in revenge yet. Interesting implication: the resentful spirits created by atrocity inhabit Wen Ning (with his ravaged spiritual consciousness) and are what take him out of WWX’s control. When WWX draws more of that very power into him, he can call and be heard. He's definitely doing /something/ with the resentful energy he takes in to alter/control it.

LWJ frames the great breakout as ‘abandoning classic teachings and rebelling against orthodoxy’ and WWX shoots back with their promise over the lanterns; possibly the final, irreconcilable framing that lets LWJ see the contradiction between orthodoxy and the moving target of human compassion and justice.

Ep 27
WWX’s arguments are all on very /aware/ moral grounds. He’s examined these issues and decided what he can and can’t live with. Based on that, his offer to have a fight to the death with LWJ (implication that he’s the one who will die, which, Core, yeah) is both a) the ultimate expression of his dedication to his morality and b) his offer to give LWJ his death if that’s what LWJ decides to value. God, no wonder LWJ looks so gutted. (WWX too)

This makes LWJ’s gesture of letting the umbrella fall interesting. He’s leaving himself open to the rain, and on the one hand, yes, grief, the sky is crying for him, but on the other... that’s finally a giving in to natural forces.

Note how WWX looks at his flute when he says he’s friends with the Burial Mounds. Suggestion there that he only made a kind of peace with it and its spirits when he hit on music as his mode of controlling (yes) but also (recalling how Lan uses music) /communicating/.

During the sect debate over WWX’s actions, we get a closeup of Jin Guangyao while Nie Mingjue is being inflexible and thereby damning Wen Qing and Wen Ning. Implied that he knew good and well this would be NMJ’s reaction, and is using it. Jin Guangshan also looks very satisfied by that. Meanwhile LWJ is looking quietly disapproving. JGS is really transparent about trying to split the power that WWX represents away from Jiang Cheng. Also, god Yao is such a tool. Note that LWJ is the one who speaks up to contradict JGS’s spin, and JGY recovers the core move without contradicting LWJ. He’s the only one with any subtlety at all. MianMian also sees it happening and tries to interject sense/facts; it looks as if Jin Zixuan appreciates her words. He’s clearly upset by her dramatic renunciation of the clan. JGY actually looks uneasy over it, which suggests it might have worked under other circumstances. LWJ likewise stages a walkout in her wake. Neither does a bit of good, which is this world in a nutshell.

Lan Qiren continues to shoot himself in the foot by being bound to the rules over justice. Darkly amused that he compares LWJ’s actions re WWX to his father’s actions re his mother. LWJ visibly upset/conflicted at this point, clearly doubting his uncle’s answers to life and the universe.

Behold, Jin Zixuan finally declares himself, god, it only took him twenty five episodes. Jiang Cheng looks distressed over this, probably over losing /another/ of his older siblings.

WWX adorably excited over Wen Ning finally moving and being a little aware. Wen Ning likewise. Cinematography note: all the positive, warm human interactions get shown by the ones associated with WWX. Including adorable kid interaction. WWX and Wen Qing continue a natural big sister-little brother pair.

Note WWX’s talismans keep out anything short of Zidian, even without a Core.

Suspect some of JC’s dark look, visiting the Burial Mounds, is seeing WWX with a different family. Also, really want to smack him upside the head for the cold shoulder he gives Wen Qing. Also, also, JC still cannot control his temper worth a damn, and you have to wonder if it’s nature or nurture, really.

Untamed Rewatch 28-29

Ep 28
Trust is still the biggest issue with WWX, the one that makes him look all dead-eyed at JC. And the question of what’s possible or what’s not is the hottest one between him and JC. JC wants to do what will appease the other sects (and keep WWX with him). WWX wants to do what’s right and just, even if it means separation from his family and, as JC says, going against the whole world. Also note that he succeeds in forcing JC’s sword hand back, which suggests, given their current relative strength, that JC isn’t really trying. Again, WWX is unbending when it comes to the moral stance he knows is correct, even when it clearly hurts, and that’s something JC does not grok, can only read as madness.

Interesting that Wen Qing also seems to be wondering if WWX is staying out of guilt, and tries to send him home.

Timing note: JC returns to Yiling, leaving the duel for daylight the next day, which is so Extra I can hardly stand it. On the other hand, it gives Wen Qing an opportunity to kick him in the emotional nuts with that comb, which I approve of given what an asshole he’s being to her. Also with another pointed question about doing the just and compassionate thing, which it’s now clear in action WWX would do and JC would not.

Another Lan music connection: the rousing Wen Ning calms when WWX plays Clarity for him.

And its The Duel! Note WWX has that little smirk at the corner of his mouth, though it’s tighter than it would be if he were really amused.Also, damn he’s got some moves for a Core-less man. Note that he has both the black and the orange energies going when he launches talismans, but black only when he’s playing the flute. Note that forms a physical barrier that blocks JC’s sword thrust. Dramatic light flashes! JC gets in a slash at his side, and then turns out to be bleeding both internally and from his shoulder. Those are some sharp black whispies. Note that the Jiang disciples don’t /actually/ buy the story of WWX ‘rebelling’, which is frankly adorable. Dramatic Cloak Rip! No wonder they don’t believe it.

Jin Zixuan getting muddy planting lotuses is actually adorable, and that was a canny matchmaking moment on Madam Jin’s part. Zixuan’s offer to build another Lotus Pier for her both points up how the one she had (her family) is breaking, and how much she values kindness like he’s offering.

LWJ seriously losing his temper at the gossip about WWX is also frankly adorable. And then he gets pounced by a-Yuan, and totally panics over a crying kid and scolding parents. Can’t blame WWX for seriously cracking up over it. Of course, when he intervenes, he promptly gets stunned and a bit flustered by the soft way LWJ is looking at him. (Adorable!) Which is probably why he jokes about giving birth to a-Yuan.

Note that WWX puts his finger on a clearly sore point when he says LWJ’s face looks like he’s harboring grief and bitter anger. On the other hand, LWJ outright smiles at WWX playing with a-Yuan. He’s clearly made some choices about his life and beliefs, at this point.

Ep 29
Still the Issues with Trust, in where WWX /in the course of small talk/ asks LWJ to please not start again with the music to cleanse him.

Note he makes himself not call Jiang Yanli ‘shijie’, at first, which is heartbreaking. But he also admits to LWJ that the big duel was a put-up. LWJ is not having fun watching WWX’s heart get torn up.

Note that WWX is back to inscribing talismans with straight qi, and uses a raw blast, in the urgency of stopping the rampaging spirits from Wen Ning’s awakening.

Note that LWJ displays in action a whole lot more trust in WWX’s work and judgement than JC ever did in re Wen Ning. Also in re WWX’s reverse-meaning naming sense. “Not based on what they think it means” indeed, WWX that’s so /you/. Yet he will still ask the hard questions, like what the plan is in case the tiger seal is taken.

Frankly hilarious how alarmed LWJ is over Wen Qing doctor-hounding WWX. Adorable that WWX lets himself basically swoon into LWJ’s arms.

Heartbreaking to see WWX basically beg for understanding from LWJ, but also fascinating that WWX believes, now, that LWJ would make the same moral choices he has. Suspect LWJ knows good and well that WWX’s control of resentful spirits and the tiger seal is a separate issue, here, but also cannot see any way around the use of the seal.

And here we have LWJ watching WWX walk back up the mountain, hearing his description of his path as a single-plank bridge. And a-Yuan’s comment that their destination isn’t dark at all (because WWX’s new family has put together a feast for him).

Entertained that WWX drinks /everyone else/ under the table. And then we get the quote about wine (home) now being better than fame. We also get a link made between Emperor’s Smile and LWJ (implication, another family).

And we wrap up with the wild proliferation of Yiling Patriarch gossip, now including fanboys and charlatans trying to cash in (competing charlatans in cosplay, even, omg). Meanwhile Wen Ning and WWX roll past in a wheelbarrow, rolling their eyes to find food offerings at the gate to the mountain. So obviously WWX’s reputation is mutating out of Jin control.

This is also when we get inventor-of-explosions WWX, and realize part of the issue here is that he’s still inventing and disseminating things of use to the cultivation world. Interesting statement of the value of material culture vs psy-ops.