eastbound | un: ut malum pluvia

[ When you hear Five, it's not immediately clear if he's expecting actual input or if he just needed to vent, but he's done suffering in silence. Their demise is being plotted right in front of them, so obviously the time for making peace is over. ]

I'm starting to think no one has ever actually reached Taravast. Between the shapeshifting tar, the harpies, and the tyrannical ghosts, it's a goddamn circus. I didn't think it could turn into a bigger mess than what we left, but here we are. Being held hostage and everyone would still rather ignore it, or empathize with the dead. [ You want to join them? Be his guest. It's that kind of mood. ]

It's time to get your priorities in order. Aren't some of you supposed to be necromancers? What's the hold up, exactly?

[ That bear better not have eaten them, because that would be just his luck. Whatever they've been plotting, they haven't told him about it. They tried going into temple, and as far as he knows, they managed to put all of one soul to rest. It's maddening. ]

So here's what's happening. If you don't do something about them, I will. Either exorcise them now, or whatever it is you do, or I jump to the backup plan. We can't keep waiting around.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dividing tasks so that those of us with sway over spirits can handle the dead, and those of you living can protect the living while we do.

[ He's good at making that all sound sensible, though he can't tell if they've actually started to organize or if he's coming up with it on the spot.

Five stays quiet for a while, considering the less nuclear option. There's more than one reason he's putting pressure on them; he's not sure how long he can hold it together if they don't get moving soon. ]

Dividing tasks and swaying spirits. How much time will that take?

Starting now? An hour for general suppression, probably, it's the targeted one after that's happening that I can't say. Only that holding allows for the opportunity to set the rest to rest.

[ Seriously? Was he waiting on someone to ask? ]

Now sounds great. [ He can spare an hour. ] Allows for the opportunity, meaning there's no guarantee? How does that work?

How willing a spirit is to leave is individual. Some are simple. Some need more.

And if they aren't willing at all?

As I said, some need more.

( which is yes. they can forcibly lay a spirit to rest. )

[ He makes it sound simpler than it probably is. Five can’t tell if that’s for the sake of brevity, or if he’s just telling him what he wants to hear so he doesn’t make a move. The conversation with Wangji isn’t helping his paranoia, and he still wonders how much they agree. ]

So I should just trust you to handle it, then?

Trust is relative, but ghosts don't die the ways I've seen you kill.

We'll all keep our crystals on us, no going silent. If you're hearing music from mine, I'm working.

[ He scoffs at that, but doesn't voice his other ideas. It's a mistake to think that will be enough to hold him back if he loses any more of his diminishing faith in them. ]

That makes one. I thought more of you would be motivated. [ Why everyone has to see a slaughter before they sense the urgency... ]

Is there a reason you waited to start?

I haven't waited. I've been settling souls and keeping a whole slew of them from flying into a rage at Arha's soldiers since the tombs opened, Xiao Five.

[ He didn't know that, actually. The way Arha's soldiers are acting, it hasn't helped their aggression towards the rest of them. ]

What's wrong with letting them fight each other? It might be enough of a distraction to put them behind us.

Not even forces, and Arha's likely stronger. I don't know if spirits here can absorb each other or not, but if they can, then we have a stronger, unchecked Arha at our backs. Anurr might find that appealing, and if you wish, you can even speak to him for resolutions, but as one who doesn't believe souls are meant for consumption, I'd recommend that as last resort.

It doesn't say we don't have you who aren't directly fighting move on first. We can keep things focussed here.

[ It's frustrating knowing so little about what he's explaining. He's never even heard of souls consuming other souls. He also doesn't see a benefit in going to Anurr for counsel, but he might have just said that knowing he wouldn't. ]

What will it take for you to decide on a last resort?

Innocents endangered.

( A pause. )

Not sure if that means I should be concerned with you, unless your ability to portal's interfered with.

You shouldn't. [ Nobody should ever lump him in with the innocents. ]

But you can let me know when you get to that point.

Then I won't.

( And no, he never thought of Five as innocent. But someone to worry over, yes. )

And I will.

[ Wei Wuxian should have earned his faith by now, but he still won't let his guard down or even tell him his alternate plans after that conversation with his associate.

At least he made a good case for seeing how this goes for a while longer. ]

Good luck.

un: ut malum pluvia | audio

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