audio | un: xianxian of yunmeng jiang

[weifinder]

Bear!? Bear! There was a bear in the bath!

( So comes this startled and startling shout, as elsewhere in camp, Wei Wuxian is (unfortunately) streaking past in damp, confused glory, a bear of arctic composure lumbering after him, soap bar still in mouth. Come back! He was just handing the soap over, he wanted to help! )

Comments

[weifinder]

( this would be a gasp of shock but since he's running, it's just a gasp for air. )

I would never!

[silverneedles]

Never?

[weifinder]

I'd never look for a reason, and mah, when did I! When did I ever!

[silverneedles]

You never did this as a child?

[weifinder]

With full sincerity I can tell you I have absolutely no idea.

[silverneedles]

Maybe I'll ask your brother, then.

[weifinder]

You're free to, he might remember something from when we swam, maybe we hid robes from each other, but usually that wasn't without layers...

( He feels he was too old by the time he was in Yunmeng Jiang at Lotus Pier to be running around nude. What can he recall of his time with his parents? Nothing, just an impression of laughter and the donkey. Of his time as an orphan on the streets? Nothing but the teeth and sounds of the baying, biting, horrid dogs. Bein naked there sounds like a means of ending up dead if layers went missing; he needed anything for warmth, in his vaguest memories. )

If he has any stories, pass them along after, will you?

[consignation]

WEI WUXIAN! WEI WUXIAN MEET ME in the pit OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW. GET RID OF THE BEAR AND MEET ME RIGHT NOW—

[weifinder]

I'm running from a bear I'm outside already?!

[consignation]

RUN YOUR ASS TO ME BEFORE I HUNT YOU DOWN AND SNAP YOUR LEGS LIKE TWIGS.

[weifinder]

Are you going to stop the bear?! Because no! Master Su is!

[consignation]

I said lose the bear first didn't I?! Where are you!! Where is this Master Su?!?!

[weifinder]

The north end of camp! Uphill!

( not that it's very uphill but it's still. up. )

[silverneedles]

He has confirmed you did but I am not pressing for details. We will preserve what little modesty you have.

[weifinder]

( much later, whispered while Jiang Cheng can be heard in the background: )

Ah, I think he's mortified at being seen, was he always this bad around you?

( whispered. WHISPERED. it's been years and he cannot recall right now, he's trying not to talk about the Core Issue even though he knows he needs to )

[silverneedles]

His heart was in the right place, but yes. He's lucky you weren't around when he gave me the comb.

[ said in a completely normal tone, just to mess with him. ]

[weifinder]

( a pause, and still a whisper: )

Hahahaha, what, he did what? ( she has to be kidding? ) He proposed?

( WHAT A JEST??? )

[silverneedles]

He didn't mention it to you? He gave me a comb, told me if I needed anything, just to ask.

[ and well, proposed but she'll just gloss that over ]

1/2

[consignation]

Lady Wen, I would never trouble your already overburdened mind with the unsightly tales of the horrors Wei Wuxian wrought as a child. But you are correct in your every assessment, and should disregard his protests as nothing more than the ravings of a guilty soul.

[ Wait while Jiang Cheng buffers the rest of Wen Qing's statement.

Buffering...

Buffering... ]

2/2

[consignation]

—HOW DO Y—

[silverneedles]

Thank you for the confirmation, Sect Leader Jiang. It's not surprising. You need not share detailed stories— he will likely embarrass himself enough that we need not add to it.

Please pay no attention to my comments. I am a doctor, part of my practice involves seeing people's bodies.

[consignation]

Yes, of course. Forgive me for my outburst. Your conduct is certain to be beyond reproach, and I did not mean to imply otherwise.

[silverneedles]

You didn't imply that hasn't been whispered about, back home. None of it true. Your brother's honor was safe with me.

[consignation]

Lady Wen! [ He sounds a little frantic, mortified by the reminder of the whispering he aggressively walled off in his mind along with the rest of his failures and regrets surrounding her and all the other people he once loved. (And loves still, but they've been gone and he...) ]

I assure you, it was never his honor I had concern for.

[silverneedles]

There was never any reason to be worried. Wei Wuxian is like a brother to me. [ Besides, the sort of work they had to do left little time for fun, let alone anything else. ]

But your concern is noted.