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

[downswing]

Attention.

[weifinder]

Yes. A draw, to fight against, to... try to inform. She's speaking.

[downswing]

To... them?

[weifinder]

To all of them, once the letters dropped. Lily and I sent one soldier to rest, by his request. Only Arha remained obstinate. She's working hardest for him. Reminders. All of them reminders.

[downswing]

...of?


( But he knows. They both know, sickly and sticky on the tongue. )

[weifinder]

Does it need saying?

( sounds of water. splashing, raindrops hitting surfaces. at least the blood washes off come morning. )

[downswing]

This was ill done.

[weifinder]

It was. ( All parts. Theirs included. ) But action's required; what would you have me do?

[downswing]

I know you.

( Wei Ying's deception. His tender, threadbare manipulations. )

You wish it said now, so I many not begrudge after.

[weifinder]

Acknowledged so that when begrudging after, we both knew at the start.

[downswing]

Why torture yourself with thought of my disdain?

[weifinder]

Because you care enough, either way.

( that it's less torture, and more actually mattering, having one fixed point on a compass of just morality, shifting world understanding. )

1/3

[downswing]

( He takes a moment. Another. A hard swallow. )

Wei Ying. When a sword is released, it should not be sheathed unbloodied.

[downswing]

The master's blood, or another's.

Price of violence earned.

[downswing]

I release you.

[weifinder]

( a pause, and a smile in his voice even as the splashing of water, or the dripping of water into itself, silences. )

Lan Zhan...

( another shifting moment, and: )

Strike true.

( Thank you, and I'm sorry. But for what he's facing now, he's ready to take on the world, bared blade as Lan Zhan's rendered him to be, and blood (his, anothers, there is always blood, as Lan Zhan says) will flow.

... But not from the skies, that's just. A whole other issue entirely. )