"Shijie! I know I'll be home then, but gala ball thingies aren't exactly my cup of tea." Wei Ying took another sip of his chai tea from a raw pottery cup as if to prove his point.

Jiang Yanli looked at him crestfallen. "A'Xuan and ChengCheng are going to a retreat to solidify the new business branch they're opening together. It was planned months ago before the Lan Charity Ball was announced. So if you don't go, I don't have anyone to go with." Yanli deliberately let her voice drop. "It's even a masquerade ball. I was going as a lotus fairy."

She looked down and fiddled with her fingers.

Wei Ying couldn't stand it. Disappointing his Shijie? He sighed.

"Okay. I'll do it." Yanli's head jerked up with a megawatt smile in place of the sad droop.

"BUT I get in from India three days before so make sure you pick me out a costume. Something cool like a space alien or maybe a dinosaur." Wei Ying said.

"Of course, XianXian! I'll pick you out the best costume ever! We'll get it fitted the day after you get back! Okay, love you! Bye!" A blown kiss and Yanli was gone. The phone screen now only showing his own face.

He chugged down the last of his chai with satisfaction and hailed an auto rickshaw.

"Baba Imambera!" he told the driver and then slumped into the backseat.

The driver smiled and started down the streets of Lucknow, India with a wild determination to deliver his passenger as soon as possible.

"Fitted?" Wei Ying muttered. "What have I got myself in to?"
---

Lan Zhan was furious.

"I will not go." His voice dropped the temperature by three degrees.

"You will! This is the Lan honor! You cannot spend your life hiding in your studio recording music. You have responsibilities to the family and I expect them to be fulfilled!!" By the time Lan Qiren hit the word 'responsibilities', he was bellowing and his face was turning a splotchy red. It made him look like his wispy beard was growing out of a tomato.

Lan Zhan was unimpressed.

"I do not enjoy the company of the masses." The temperature dropped yet further. Soon his words would be visible in cold little patches of breath.

Uncle didn't even notice.

"All three of us will be there from the beginning at eight o'clock until the unmasking at midnight. We make a great deal for charity at this event. You will attend!! You will mingle!! That is final!!" With that concluding roar, Lan Quiren stomped out in full righteous indignation and slammed the door.

Lan Huan sat on the love seat across from his brother who stared stonily at the closed door.

"That could have gone better." Lan Huan coughed lightly. "What will you do, brother?"

Lan Zhan turned his amber eyes on his brother and Lan Huan was amazed at the scheming look in them.

"I'm going to the ball."
~~~~~
Later that Day

Lan Zhan sat at his desk and stared at the enormous framed photograph on the wall. Cascading sand was blowing past carved ruins. The photographer was his favorite and must have been lying on the hot sand to get the shot. The high, pale blue sky with the columns thrusting upward at odd angles against it as the sand flew in a glittering arc in the forefront of the photo. It was perfect.

For some reason, it made him feel like he could do anything.

Including taking on his uncle.

His jaw set, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, my friend!" A voice exclaimed.

"I need some help."

"Of course. What can I do for you?"
~~~~~
Four Weeks Later.
Two Weeks Before the Ball.

"A what!?!?"

"A matador!! You have a perfect build for it and it's very original! I don't think there will be another at the entire ball!" Yanli was beaming. He could tell by her voice.

"Please tell me it isn't in aqua or peach or some other ridiculous color." Wei Ying carefully adjusted his lens to get a beautiful shot of the Red Fort at night.

Yanli's voice piped up in his ear piece again. "I would never! It is red with black accents. I used the measurements from your last suit but it will need to be fitted."

"I guess red is okay. Hey, isn't there a hat with that costume?" he grumbled.

"You can just carry it until you lay it down and forget it." Yanli laughed.

"In that case, Ole!" he grinned giving her the traditional call of the matador as the bull passed them.

His professional camera made a whirring sound as he held the button and just turned. Sometimes luck gave as many amazing shots as careful planning.

"Where are you now?"

"Delhi. Just finished with the Red Fort. Tomorrow is Agra. Pictures of the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal of course then The Elephanta Caves in Mumbai and home. The tourist agency wanted some really specific shots but so far so good. Hope their rich clientele approve of the souvenir book."

"With your pictures? They'll love it!"

Wei Ying smiled. He always told everyone his sister was his biggest fan.

"I'll call you from Mumbai before I fly home."

"Sounds good. Be careful and don't forget to eat!"

"I promise I'll eat! The food is excellent. India understands spicy hot food!" Wei Ying laughed.

With that, they ended the call.

Yanli stood in her private office, looked at the pictures of the matador suit and smiled to herself.
---

"Tell me what you have chosen to wear at the masquerade ball, Lan Zhan." Lan Qiren took a delicate sip of green tea.

"No."

Lan Qiren coughed, choked and sprayed a bit of his tea.

"Excuse me?" he managed to get out.

"It's a surprise." Lan Zhan took another swallow of tea totally unperturbed.

"I guess surprises are allowed." Uncle didn't sound pleased in the slightest.

"Mn"

And that was that.

Lan Huan's eyes narrowed slightly.
~~~~~
Three Days before the Ball

"Is it really supposed to fit this tightly?" Wei Ying's voice was a bit higher that usual.

" I think so." Yanli mused as she turned her brother around. "It looks wonderful. A slight adjustment here on the sleeve, finish the hemming and all done!" She glanced at the designer. "What do you think, Huaisang?"

Wei Ying looked at his old friend. "It seems a bit um revealing?" He glanced down at himself and back up with a rather pointed stare.

Nie Huaisang merely looked him over carefully. "I do think that the sleeve needs to be adjusted and of course the hemming with the last stitching to complete the look. You have an excellent eye, Madame Jin"

He turned to Wei Ying. "As for your question, I did extensive research before even placing pencil to paper. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to showcase my talents in a style I usually do not work in." He glanced over Wei Ying with a critical eye. "It is, of course, flawless."

Wei Ying was left staring in the mirror. Every asset he possessed was revealed. He had no idea how he was going to peel himself out of it to go pee even. He sighed.

A member of Nie Huaisang's staff knelt before him to pin the hem. He gave a small grin.

"If Sir would like, I can show him how to get in and out of the trousers a bit faster."

Wei Ying sighed in relief. Someone got it at least.
---

Lan Zhan arrived home with a large garment bag marked with Nie Huaisang's flamboyant logo.

"Ready to share your costume yet, didi?" Lan Huan asked.

"No." Lan Zhan said in passing as he went to his room.

Lan Huan grinned with a twinkle in his eye at his brother's back before continuing on his way.
~~~~~
Two Days Before the Ball

"Are you sure you want to do this, sir? As in truly positive?"

Lan Zhan looked at the woman.

"It can be undone in several weeks?" he asked.

"Yes, of course, but -"

"Then do it."

"Please, have a seat, Mr. Lan." she replied as she reached for her comb.
~~~~~
The Day of The Ball

Yanli had taken over Wei Ying's afternoon. A long nap because jetlag is a bitch and then a shower. He brushed his hair, put on some lip gloss (mostly because his lips were still dry from the plane) and he thought he was done.

Wrong.

Yanli's makeup was done. Pale lilac sparkles deepened into lavender on her eyelids matching the small jewels entwined in her hair. She did indeed look like a lotus fairy newly risen from the blossom.

There was no one more beautiful than his sister. Wei Ying was willing to fight on the subect. He had twice previously. Once in the fourth grade with a dreadful kid named Wen Chao and once with Yanli's now husband, the Peacock. He preened for a moment, knowing he had won soundly both times.

Meanwhile, Yanli had seated him and was pulling out additional make up.

"You look fantastic, Shijie! You don't need more make up!" He smiled up with such love, she lightly pinched his nose just like when they were children.

"This is for you, didi! Those big gray eyes? Tonight, they are going to pop!"

"Eyes should not pop." He replied somewhat concerned.

"Trust me, XianXian. It's a costume ball. I won't make it too dark or obvious. Just highlight how handsome you are." Yanli smiled back. "Okay?"

"Okay but not a lot!" Wei Ying said nervously.

"I promise. Not a lot."

An hour later and Wei Ying was staring at himself in the mirror.

His usually rather wild black hair was smoothly pulled back into a low, tight, neat bun. His hair shone.

His eyes were lined with a dark gray with a soft silver on his lids and a matching dark gray in the crease. Mascara showed how long his lashes truly were. Yanli had dabbed a tiny bit of concealer under his eyes.

They'd looked at each other in the mirror and said 'Jetlag.' together before laughing.

She stood back and watched her didi take in his new appearance. All of it was subtle and meant to accentuate.

He looked up at her stunned.

"Guess eyes popping isn't so bad." he said as he looked at himself. "Thank you, Shijie!"

"Let's get dressed and get my wings on!" Yanli smiled and Wei Ying smiled just as brightly back.
---
A message alert went off on Lan Huan's phone. It was their family thread and rarely used.

He opened the message from Lan Zhan apprehensively.

"I will be arriving separately due to unavoidable circumstances. I will arrive by 8:15 at the latest. My apologies for any inconvenience."

Lan Huan winced as there was a roar from the direction of Uncle's room. He could clearly imagine his uncle stabbing in anger at his phone to write his message.

'Lan Zhan! You will ride in the family limousine!'

'I can not, Uncle. I will be there as soon as possible.'

Then Lan Zhan did the unthinkable. He left the family chat.

Another roar from Uncle's room as Lan Huan smothered his laughter in a throw pillow.

The sounds of feet stomping down the hall passed Lan Huan's room. He knew exactly where Uncle was going and knew exactly what he would find.

Less than two minutes later, his Uncle burst into his rooms.

"Where is Lan Zhan?" Uncle was back to being splotchy.

"I saw him leave earlier today. He mentioned makeup and hair assistance needed for his costume." Lan Huan said with a perfectly straight face. It was almost painful not to laugh at the situation.

"CALL him. Immediately!" Lan Qiren ground out.

Lan Huan obliged and put his phone on speaker.

It went directly to voice mail.

Lan Zhan had turned off his phone.

Lan Huan watched as Uncle's splotches began to grow and connect.

"Uncle, Lan Zhan is making sure his costume is wonderful. If he needs help with makeup or his hair, then I appreciate his efforts to shine before our guests." Lan Huan's voice was soothing. As delicate as honey slowly and silently stirred into tea.

"Hmmmph! He should have told us before!" Uncle was still growling but it wasn't quite as angry.

"He is working on composing his latest album. Perhaps it simply slipped his mind. You know how composing absorbs all of his attention." Lan Huan patted his Uncle's shoulder in sympathy.

"If he shows up a minute after eight fifteen, we will have words!" Lan Qiren announced before departing as suddenly as he arrived.

Lan Huan quietly closed his door and began to just as quietly laugh.
~~~~~
The Ball

Wei Ying gave one last furtive and futile tug at the crotch of his matador costume while his Shijie looked out the window at all the photographers piled at the entrance to the ball.

The car stopped smoothly and the door was opened. He exited first with his eyes lowered to keep from being blinded by all the flashes. He offered his hand to his sister to help her exit without disturbing her wings. A buzz went through the crowd as she emerged.

Dressed in graduated purples sprinkled with rhinestones and iridescent dragonfly wings, Yanli was a show stopper. What Wei Ying didn't realize was there had been the same reaction for him in his black mask and matador suit.

They walked up the red carpet, Yanli's hand on her brother's arm as she nodded graciously. They answered questions all designed to not reveal the identity of the guest as if everyone didn't know everyone else. Wei Ying found them rather ridiculous but smiled and answered anyway.

Once inside, he breathed a sigh of relief as he snagged two champagne glasses from a waiter wafting effortlessly through the crowd. He offered one to his sister as he wondered if they had waiter classes where they taught them how to do that.

They had been there half an hour when silence began to spread out from the entrance. At the top of the stairs was a man in an impeccable white suit. Rough shaggy fur was spread across already broad shoulders and pulled upward like a collar to his chin. From the matching white waist length hair rose two bull horns. The mask was elegant despite the bull nose.

Wei Ying began to smile.

White bulls were sacred and the most sought for sacrifice.

Someone had come as a sacrificial bull.

The man moved gracefully down the stairs and disappeared into the crowd.
---

Lan Zhan stood at the top of the stairs with a tiny smile. His Lan ribbon left no doubts exactly who he was. If Uncle wouldn't take no for an answer, he would teach his uncle there would be consequences. Let Uncle deal with the fallout.

His bleached and dyed hair swung gently behind him as he slowly began to descend the stairs. Lan Zhan wanted to make sure everyone saw his grand entrance.

As expected, his uncle and brother were waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

"What an unusual costume choice, didi! You look wonderful!" Lan Huan enthused.

"Thank you, gege. It seemed appropriate." Lan Zhan replied.

Lan Huan coughed to cover his laugh.

Uncle ground his teeth.

"A sacrificial bull?" he said in a growl.

"No means No, Uncle. If forced, it becomes a sacrifice. If you'll excuse me, I believe we should mingle." He said calmly and stared his Uncle in the eye.

Lan Qiren's face had gone a particularly vibrant shade of red and the thready bit of beard he was so proud of quivered in a rather unbecoming way as he fought to control his anger.

"You will be a gracious host and stay until the unmasking!" he hissed before stomping off with his Caesar costume flapping behind him.

Lan Huan turned to his brother and smiled with delight.

"That was absolutely magnificent to watch, brother!"

"Thank you, gege. I want you to know first. I have purchased a house. It is large enough for a studio as well as a guest room or two for my brother if he should choose to visit." Lan Zhan looked almost hesitant.

"Your brother will always choose to visit." Lan Huan grinned. "Is it nearby?"

"About an hour away from the family estate. It is set on several acres with trees and gardens. Very peaceful. Very quiet. I like it very much." Lan Zhan told him.

"I am happy for you, didi. Will you move soon?"

"There are a few more things to finish in the studio but the rest is ready. Furniture has been delivered and all the other items to comfortably live in a house. I will move my clothing and last few personal items tomorrow." Lan Zhan was pleased his brother supported his choice.

"Would you like some help? I would love a personal tour!" Lan Huan smiled.

Lan Zhan gave him a nod and a small smile in return before both brothers began to circulate. One with a smile and easy chatter. One with a cool seriousness and few words.
---
Nie Huaisang, as always, made a grand entrance. His silk sage green outer robe was woven with the Nie Clan Beast symbol in a subtle silver. The inner robes were all the same green and silver gray in a variety of patterns. His hair had been gathered in a silver guan with a beautiful white jade hair pin holding it in place.

His fan was magnificent. Gilded to accent a stern fortress seen in the distance, the fore of the painting was a garden. Birds, flowers and greenery were all accented by a touch of gilding here, crushed semi-precious stones there. It was an art piece and Nie Huaisang knew it.

He looked like he had stepped out of a past filled with mystic abilities and flying swords.

When asked what he had come as, the eclectic designer looked affronted.

"As myself! What could be better than that?" he had replied in a huff.

The crowds had loved it.
---

Wei Ying had left his Shijie with a friend of hers so he could meander a bit and hopefully find the bathroom.

He wished he had his camera. Some of the outfits were amazing and his photographer's eye was already picking out angles.

He missed his earbuds though.

When he took pictures, he listened to music. Especially one particular artist who composed and played his own music. There was something enthralling about their ability to combine the piano and guqin in both Western and Eastern classical styles. It spoke to Wei Ying and helped him find his creative zone.

His favorite photo shoot had been just for himself. A desert shoot had obstacles but the results had been totally worth the sweat and sunburn. There were columns from antiquity jutting up into a pale blue sky as the wind blew fine sand in front of it. He had laid in the sand, listening to the guqin delicately dance with the piano, while taking dozens of pictures.

He couldn't believe he had captured the image. When he saw it, he knew that one was it. The gallery had wanted to do a mass replication but Wei Ying declined. Not this picture. Only two copies were made. He signed both of the large panoramic views and added 'one of two' to the first. 'Two of two' to the second. He kept the first. The second sold the next day.

'Why am I thinking about this?' he wondered. Then his ears perked up. Playing in the background, barely heard over the sounds of conversation, was the song he had listened to over and over that day.

Wei Ying smiled at the memories. The scent of sand, the glare, the satisfaction of success. He was still smiling when he turned and spotted the men's room sign. A sigh of relief as he headed in that direction.
---
Lan Zhan saw the Matador. Even though there were people between them, it was obvious the man was beautiful. His smile was breathtaking. A too brief glimpse and the man had turned away from him. He swallowed loudly. That was a fine ass. The pants fit like skin over a rump that was made to be adored. Possibly worshipped.

He tried to follow but Jin Zixun and Su She were suddenly standing in front of him. There was no mistaking either man unfortunately.

"Nice outfit. Too bad Su She thought of it first." Jin Zixun said snidely.

Lan Zhan loathed both of them. Mediocre men who somehow had reached the erroneous conclusion they were paragons of manhood. He had dealt with them during their school years and through their societal contacts. None of the interactions had been pleasant.

Jin Zixun thought he could get away with anything due to his family name. Su She had been imitating Lan Zhan for as long as he had known him. How had he found out about Lan Zhan's costume?

"I think you might be mistaken. I am a bull not a cow. And you are the court jester?" Lan Zhan said drily.

Jin Zixun turned a royal purple in anger as Su She gaped.

"What!?!" Jin Zixun said in a strangled tone.

"Did I guess wrong?" Lan Zhan dead panned.

"I am a prince!!" It was nearly a shriek and drew the attention of several people around them.

"Of course." The tone left no doubt. Lan Zhan didn't believe it.

"I am not a cow!" Su She finally managed to say.

Lan Zhan simply stared at them both for a moment. It was a tundra look. No hope of shelter. Just snow and cold.

Jin Zixun looked away first. Su She seemed to be trying to copy the look but was failing horribly.

"Enjoy the evening." A flat statement and Lan Zhan turned away.

Unfortunately, the Matador was long gone.
---

Wei Ying's jetlag had decided to kick in. He had wandered the edges of the room looking for coffee. Espresso. Hell, he was willing to chew some coffee beans. It was getting desperate. In a quiet corner he found what he needed. A table set up with a barista and a full coffee bar.

In minutes he had an espresso laden with caffeine. He sipped and sighed in appreciation.

Eyes closed, he sat for a moment drinking the thick coffee. Closing out the ball and taking a moment to recover. He liked people and parties but he was tired. He'd taken the commission from Panda Tours because their CEO was a well loved friend and he loved India. She had sent him on the same tour their upscale clientele went on and the company's reputation was well deserved. But no matter how wonderful the tour or the amenities offered, time zones simply didn't care.

A deep breath and he opened his eyes with a smile. A few swallows and he was ready to face the crowds again. He returned the cup while assuring the barista she was a life saver.

As Wei Ying turned, he caught a glimpse of the Sacrificial Bull. Tall. Elegant. He looked as though a god had descended and deigned to attend a ball.

It occurred to Wei Ying that the Sacrificial Bull and the Matador should meet. Surely of all those present, they were a fated pair. He laughed at his own whimsy and began to weave his way through the crowd.

He found his path blocked by three giggling socialites.

"We love your costume!" one young woman simpered.

"Thank you. That is high praise indeed from Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt." Wei Ying gave a flirtatious smile as he bowed before the blushing queen. He wondered what the other four Cleopatras he'd seen that night thought of his outfit.

"You are the only matador we've seen! Whoever did your costume certainly knows how to fit it properly." A quick downward glance before Marie Antoinette boldly looked him in the eye.

Wei Ying was grateful most of his blush was hidden behind his mask.

"That would be Nie Huaisang and he is very good at what he does." he managed to get out before turning away from the brazen flirt. He was fairly sure most of his head had blushed.

The last young woman was dressed rather adorably as a mouse with large round glasses. She seemed quite young.

"Mr. Matador, did you attend the ball with someone special?" she asked with genuine interest. Wei Ying was suddenly sure this was her first social event as an adult. Sixteen? Eighteen at most.

With a smile, he bowed over her hand and placed a chaste kiss on the back of it.

"Alas, I did. Otherwise..." he gave her an honest smile. "I must away to find him. Have a pleasant evening, ladies."

He grinned as he walked away, scanning the crowd for the long disappeared Sacrificial Bull. He sincerely hoped he had made the young lady's night. A quick glance back showed the Little Mouse grinning bashfully after him with her hand laid against her blushing cheek.

"Oh yes! Made her evening!" Wei Ying whispered happily to himself. "Now where did my Bull get off to?"
---

Lan Zhan had made three circuits of the room. It felt like a full marathon. He was sure a large percentage of the guests were Energy Vampires sipping and slurping his strength one guzzled mouthful at a time.

'Introverts should not be forced to do this for this long.' he admittedly whined to himself. A quick peek at his wristwatch. 'Two more hours? Oh. My. God.'

He excused himself from the group he was currently 'mingling' with. It would be more accurate to say he had been stoically standing near them with minimum input to the conversation. He prided himself on his honesty.

"Tea. I need a cup of tea and five minutes of quiet. Not even Uncle can begrudge me that." he muttered as he headed toward the refreshment area.
---

"Well, well, well. Who do we have here? If it isn't Wei Ying the street rat." Jin Zixun sneered.

Wei Ying blinked at him with quizzical annoyance. "I realize your education is minimal so let me elucidate for you the difference between a rat and a matador. You will notice a distinct lack of a long tail and large ears. Rats have these while matadors do not. Rats are also not known for wearing clothing while I am magnificently dressed in a Nie Huaisang original. This would perhaps lead the most obtuse of people to realize I am a matador not a rat. You, however, may be the exception."

"Shut up!" Su She spluttered.

"Yeah, shut up!" Jin Zixun joined in belatedly.

Neither man knew what elucidate or obtuse meant but they were sure it was somehow an insult.

"You don't deserve to be here with your betters. I can't believe the Lans let you in. I would leave before they find you and throw you out! " Su She was a snob with very little to back it up and Wei Ying knew it.

"Well in that case, I should be on my way." He gave them both a devil may care grin. "Nice outfits. The king's fool and his noble steed, the cow. Excellent idea!"

He moved to the side to go around the obnoxious pair who were yelling something about being a bull and a prince. It didn't matter to him in the slightest what either of them said. They were bullies and assholes. A rather wretched combination he had no intention of dealing with.

That's when he felt it. The kick to his shin that tripped him. Trust the simple minded to come up with a simple trick.
---

Lan Zhan was walking with determination toward a table laid out with a variety of tea cups. His goal was in sight when suddenly he had his arms full. Instinct caused his arms to tighten and hold the person up.

Looking down, he looked into gray eyes that spoke of stars and the light of galaxies. For a moment, they simply stared at each other. Lost in the seconds? eternities? gliding between them.

Lan Zhan said softly, "I had wondered where you'd gone."

Wei Ying sucked in air (he'd forgotten to breathe) before smiling jauntily upwards. "Sorry. I got sidetracked."

Wei Ying couldn't look away from the man's eyes. They were the warm golden of blown sand.

"May I have this dance, Sir Matador?" Lan Zhan's voice slid delicately down Wei Ying's spine causing him to shiver.

"I would love to." It was no more than a whisper but Lan Zhan heard it distinctly despite the chatter in the ballroom.

Motion behind the Matador caught Lan Zhan's eye. It was Jin Zixun and Su She.

"What do you want?" The voice that had moments before been kind and warm became frigid and almost hostile.

"You shouldn't have caught him! It would have been hysterical and shown where his true place is - on the ground beneath our feet." Jin Zixun laughed totally oblivious to Lan Zhan's rising anger.

"Stop touching him. God knows what diseases he has from roaming the planet taking his stupid pictures." Su She added.

Lan Zhan looked at the Matador who had regained his feet but was somehow still tucked into his arms.

"Did they trip you?" he asked quietly.

"What? Me? No! I'm just clumsy."

"Lying is forbidden."

"I should have paid more attention. I know they're both asshats. I just didn't think they would pull anything in such a public place." Wei Ying looked down slightly but had still made no move to separate himself from the safety of the Bull's arms.

Lan Zhan looked over at the smug pair of men.

"I would suggest you leave. Now."

"What the hell for?" Jin Zixun blustered. "It was just fucking Wei Ying! Who cares about him?"

Su She nodded in agreement.

If Lan Zhan's eyes before had whispered of the tundra, now they glinted with glacier.

"You attacked a guest at my family's charity ball." He was angry and even these two men finally realized Lan Zhan was pissed.

He whipped out his phone.

"Security?"

Wei Ying tugged at his arm looking desperate.

"Don't call security for me. I don't want to be the reason for trouble." he said low enough to not be picked up by the phone.

"Security, please hold one moment." He looked into Wei Ying's eyes.

"You did nothing wrong. They, however, will have to deal with the ramifications of their actions." Lan Zhan replied.

"Yes. This is Lan Zhan. I am near the table for tea service. There are two men who have accosted another guest. One is dressed as a king's fool and the other as a white cow. Please, escort them from the property immediately. " Lan Zhan stared at the stunned men as he spoke.

It took a second for it to sink in that Lan Zhan was having them thrown out. Neither man was clever or astute to put it mildly.

As the realization hit, they both turned to leave Lan Zhan and, presumably, try to hide in the crowd. They made it no more than a dozen steps before they were flanked by four masked men in black suits.

'Excuse us, gentlemen. We will, of course, help you to the proper destination." one of the men said with a slight grin.

Turns out the proper destination was the back alley with a door shut firmly in their faces.
---

"Now that the disruption has been removed, would you still like to dance?" Lan Zhan asked.

"I would love to. My name is Wei Ying. You are Lan Zhan as in the Lan family who is throwing this soiree?" Wei Ying smiled with mischief.

"Soiree? I can't imagine what your idea of a ball would entail." Lan Zhan said with a drop of humor lacing his words. He had offered his arm to Wei Ying who took it as they walked to the dance floor.

"Elephants serving drinks with diamonds in the glass.**" Wei Ying laughed.

"The meaning of expensive taste**?" Lan Zhan shot back with a tiny smile.

"You know your musicals!" Wei Ying complimented as Lan Zhan swung him on to the dance floor.

The music was a waltz but it was one Wei Ying had never heard before. Violins and cellos were lead by a guqin through classic Western music to create a melding that improved both Eastern and Western.

He only knew of one artist who did this in his compositions.

"Is this one of Lan Wangji's pieces?" he asked as they smoothly moved across the floor.

"Mn." Lan Zhan agreed. "Do you like it?"

"I love his work but I haven't heard this one before. I listen to his music while I'm working. It helps me feel more creative." Wei Ying said with his smile shining.

"I'm glad you are enjoying it." Lan Zhan replied with a tiny smile.

"His name is Lan Wangji. Do you know him?" Wei Ying asked. "Perhaps a member of your clan?"

"I do know him. Rather well and yes, he is a member of my clan." Lan Zhan's eyes warmed.

"Such talent! Maybe I'll meet him some day." Wei Ying sighed.

"I'm certain of it." Lan Zhan said with a straight face. "What do you do for a living, Wei Ying?"

"I'm a photographer."

"As in portraits?" Lan Zhan asked as they whirled further onto the dance floor.

"Rarely and then usually just for my family. I travel and take photos of the world. Not everyone can go themselves but everyone deserves to see the world even if it is vicariously. I believe it broadens our horizons. Reminds us we are all humans with the same needs and desires. Maybe bring a little pause before we start declaring hate for some other group or religion or country." was Wei Ying's passionate response.

"I like how you view your photography. What is your favorite photograph you have ever taken." Lan Zhan expected a pause or the sidestep of saying he couldn't choose. What he didn't expect was an immediate answer.

"It was a photo I took two years ago in the Jordanian desert. I listened to Lan Wangi's album 4000 Rules while I did it. 4000 Rules but then he broke most of them from what I could tell." Wei Ying laughed. "Raised a storm of controversy in the classical West and the traditional East over the musical rules he showed to be fallacies. Inspired me to break some of photography's concepts as well and the picture was the result."

"Sands with No Rules?" Lan Zhan had stopped dancing. The other guests continued to waltz around them forgotten.

"How did you...?" Wei Ying had stopped as well. "There are only two of those. I have one."

"I have the other. You are Wei Wuxian." Lan Zhan's gaze was intense. It made Wei Ying feel like he didn't need to breathe.

"I am."

"I am Lan Wangji."

Wei Ying started to laugh. "You are so sneaky, Lan Zhan! Soaking up compliments from me while not revealing your identity!"

Lan Zhan's tiny smile showed as he gathered Wei Ying in his arms to waltz again.

"I am glad you like my work as I find yours fascinating." Lan Zhan whispered into Wei Ying's ear.
---

Lan Xichen smiled as he stood on the balconey and watched his brother waltz. He shifted his wreath of flowers slightly and picked up his glittery bow and arrow prop.

He glanced at his co-conspirators.

"I think we deserve glasses of champagne. This was orchestrated perfectly." he grinned.

Jiang Yanli laughed. "It did work out nicely. After trying to introduce them for years, who knew all it would take was a charity gala and two totally appropriate costumes?"

Nie Huaisang coughed slightly.

"The involvement of the two cretins was an unfortunate complication but it worked well for us and we got to throw them out! Win win!" He smiled. "I demand to design the wedding clothes. All three sets!"

"Three sets?" Lan Xichen asked.

"Of course! Wedding, reception and traditional tea ceremony." Nie Huaisang exclaimed as if explaining the obvious.

"And maybe something naughty for later... Lan Zhan looks stunning in faux fur..." he tapped his cheek with his fan already lost in thought.

Jiang Yanli laughed at the blush spreading across Xichen's cheeks.

She glanced downward.

"Look! Look!" She pointed at Lan Zhan and Wei Ying slipping out of a side door hand in hand.

The champagne toast afterwards was especially tasty.
---
One Year Later

Social media across the board was graced with an announcement.

Music began as the simple statement was clicked.

WangXian Studio presents their latest collaboration.

It was a picture of two hands clasped together. Each was sporting a simple wedding band. In the background were jutting columns and blue sky with golden sand.
~♡~♡~♡~

Dedicated to The WangXian Writers. So many Thanks and so much Love! ❤️

The two references are 'Lady Marmalade' from Moulin Rouge.

Did everyone get the costumes of our conspirators? Lan Xichen was Cupid. Jiang Yanli was a fairy and fairies grant wishes. Nie Huaisang was just his marvelous self.

For those who are waiting for Red Light, do not abandon all hope. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things.

Thanks for your patience.

With love and hugs,
❤️🍫🫖❤️

6262 words
March 17, 2024