[handmaiden of unsheathed swords] voice posted:

[darkeststars]

This is Darth Imperius.

Anyone interested in discussing our newfound options in person... [ or more importantly, away from prying ears on the quartz ] ...may find me in the parlor this evening. Perhaps it is genuinely time to round up that group meeting several of us keep threatening.

Comments

un: sweet lily of the hidden valley

[bearshermark]

I don't think there should be terribly much to discuss in that regard, but a meeting wouldn't be amiss.

[darkeststars]

Shall I expect to see you, then? Not that you're a hard man to find. I suppose you and I could always speak over our spar in the morning.

[bearshermark]

We should probably have as many people in attendance as we can manage, but given it could take some time to organize, I'd be happy to discuss it with you sooner.

[darkeststars]

I suppose we should try to drag everyone together within the week, at least, if we are really doing this. None of the parties waiting on our group's answer exactly seem the patient sort.

But, hm, yes. One way or another, I'm sure I'll see you soon to speak about it.

un: heart-fluttering hummingbird | audio

[downswing]

( 'Dark and handsome,' huh? )

We need not preserve either warlord.

[bearshermark]

I think my own position is pretty clear, but I'm sure you'll have some interesting insights.

[darkeststars]

[ gosh, he'd just be so flattered if he knew. ]

Indeed. In this situation we owe nothing to anyone.

[downswing]

Then?

[darkeststars]

Then I'd be quite gratified to hear your thoughts about the matter this evening in person, at your leisure. You have proven to occasionally have a decent head on your shoulders.

[ Occasionally. ]

Will I be seeing you? [ dryly now ] Or perhaps you will be trading places with your friend off the network as you do on it, hm?

HOW ARE YOU DOING A 20+ CHARACTER LOG THO

[downswing]

He is not my instrument.

GOD PERISH THE THOUGHT no that's why the first half was "come see me individually" lmao

[darkeststars]

Just your partner? So I'd gathered, at least.

[ was the Dark Lord just.......... teasing? Naaah, surely not, right. ]

lmfao who asks this kind of question, Archeval

[downswing]

The person who knows me.

un: yiling patriarch

[weifinder]

How about we tack up notes for each way forward and leave a mark underneath?

Why anyone wants to support either warlord of the dead is honestly beyond me. I can see no justice in either one, and neither spare the people. Leave them and this region to find their own way forward. They have to bear the consequences long term, not us.

[weifinder]

Yeah! Like Lan Zhan says, we're soulmates.

someone who has zero knowledge of the cultivation world & only a passing relationship with tact lmao

[darkeststars]

[ he meant it a little less seriously than that, but the specific turn of phrase in that response says an awful lot, even by Lan Wangji's cryptic standards. ]

The one who watches your back, yes. Fair enough.

[ dryly ] I will hope to see one of you, at any rate.

[darkeststars]

Perhaps a simple vote would be easiest.

With as little as we all truly know of this region, I am tempted to leave it to the one who's apparently been here long enough to be part of the traditions. But of course our real concerns lie far beyond this place. Whatever will get us out of Sa-Hareth in the cleanest fashion would certainly be the wise course.

[darkeststars]

[ this is the Dark Lord speaking in the most deeply amused drawl you have heard out of him thus far ]

Soulmates. Noted.

weeping

[downswing]

Not all decisions need come by committee.

[downswing]

( THE LONGEST SUFFERING SIGH, JUST FOR ALL OF YOU, EVEN YOU, ARCHE, EVEN YOU. )

You aggravate him.

[darkeststars]

I completely agree. And who do you elect to decide for all of us, in that case? I imagine you don't want me delivering the Merchant any answers by my own self, hm? [ he sounds dryly amused again. ]

[downswing]

I decide for my conscience.

[weifinder]

( nuance is being lost here but it's very much backing up the "one who knows me" so he's just nodding to himself, all is as it should be. )

Mm, though really, Lan Zhan is perfectly capable of finding you on his own!

[weifinder]

... Hahaha, how?

[darkeststars]

Sadly I can't say that I prefer to elect your conscience to decide for all of us either. At least not solely. So, committee it is.

[downswing]

He will misunderstand.