audio | un: wei laozu, following Wrath's announcement b/c bendytime

[weifinder]

With Prince Wrath having spoken as he has, let me follow up with what Lily Evans and I learned on a recent evening ( because life is busy and time is for HANDWAVING BENDINESS ). Lady Vannozza has been slowly carved hollow. We should secure her spirit's bonds to her body, and prevent other spirits from flowing in.

Lily and I learned of this from one such spirit forcibly filling Lady Vannozza. We've met the famed, or infamous, and long dead Lady Hatisse, and she is... exemplary of her school of magic. ( note: attaryl. note: the shit they've been up to. further note: this is and is not a compliment. ) She noted Lady Vannozza was prepared as a vessel for another.

She also offered trade. Lady Hatisse asks we bring out her entombed, preserved body before the moon swells full. In return, she says she'll assist in opening a beacon to send us home. As to what else she will or won't do, I wouldn't make claim. She's powerful. She's dead. Her body is her own.

I know my mind on this. I want to hear yours.

Comments

audio; un: sizhui

[paperbutterflies]

Senior Wei, knowing what spiritual energy can do, do you think I can be of assistance for that strengthening that you mentioned? I will ask lady Wen, as well, of course.

[weifinder]

Lady Wen would know for body, when it comes to spirit, Sizhui, I would hesitate to say no. There's a permutation of the spirit attracting and repelling talisman I used with your cousin, I don't think you'd know it still, it wasn't what people made use of after... after. Still, you've a good hand and keen eye, would you work with me in crafting enough of these to adorn Vannozza should she agree, and for me if nothing else.

( said cheery! upbeat even! for something implying a certain level of messed up when he is not lacking any spirit whatsoever. )

[paperbutterflies]

[ Hoo boy, Sizhui knows that tone and cadence, if he didn't already know this is serious, they would be enough. Sizhui takes in a sharp breath, then, quietly, ] tell me when and where you want me and I'll be there, ready to help.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( His baby. )

A gentle hand. Trial and increment wards.

Sickened bodies cannot bear strength.

[paperbutterflies]

[ His baby is doing his best. ]

Yes, Hanguang-jun. I will be careful and gentle. Have you spoken with the lady Vannozza yourself? And if so, what did you perceive?

[ He'll look for himself, if Senior Wei gives them the chance, but more information can't harm, can it? ]

un: absterge

[downswing]

The traitor's bones returned, to what purpose?

[weifinder]

Mm.

[downswing]

Wei Ying.

un: daozhang | audio

[binghua]

[Well. This is a mess.]

Spirits do not belong in vessels not their own, else they should be released back into the cycle of reincarnation. However I can help to keep Vannozza safe, my hands are yours.

[He doesn't like Vannozza, but he certainly doesn't wish her dead and not like this. He's not cruel. Though that does bring up another issue.]

If we succeed in this much, then Bonaccorso will have to die. I suspect more than just him will not like that.

[weifinder]

He was dying already. Now it should be ensured, and soon, and I don't doubt it will be, by Macaluso or Vannozza's hands, or itchy ones that move faster.

Reincarnation here seems to be a mixed concept, but I agree, Shishu, and never would argue otherwise. Not every spirit has a choice, when it comes to the vessel they inhabit. Sometimes you're called, you're bound. I'd see to it that this does not happen for her, if it's within my abilities.

[binghua]

Again, if I can be of any help, you need only call for me.

[But, well. There is still that other matter.]

Hatisse should also be able to rest with her own body, but I worry what she may do with it. How many people here have been responsible with second chances?

text / un: starkov

[sankta]

you know more about the dead than i do. what do you think about Hatisse's offer?

can we save Vannozza?

[weifinder]

I think she's sincere, and will do as she pleases likewise. She's Attaryl, and one of their best and strongest. They're a line built on manipulation, and to their own ends.

Then again we're being led by a man who is the same sans the magic affiliation, so what do you wish to hear from me that makes her any more of a danger than we are, at all times, wielded as we have been?

We can stop Vannozza's degeneration, at most. Not restore her. But we can stop her from being turned into someone else's vessel, and for personal reasons, I would see to succeed in that way.

un: moonage daydream (text)

[lancifolium]

I do see the importance of returning her spirit to her body, but I have my reservations. Hatisse most certainly will have her own agenda, and though she has promised obedience should we reunite her with her body she is a powerful person who spent their very busy life learning how to get what she wants from others, like Arha.

However, she has promised to activate the Beacon, and thankfully confirmed the existence of others like it, and she may help save Lady Vannozza if we ask for her help.

I'm not certain yet what my opinion is, but I think should we decide to bring her body to her we should be prepared in some way, perhaps with some sort of countermagic that would push her back out of her body, or bind her in some way, should the situation go south. My magic doesn't encompass these particular spheres of knowledge, but I'm hopeful there are some among us who might be able to think of a way.

It's a very intricate situation and my thoughts keep returning to what the Merchant said about our group being the greatest threat to this world.

[weifinder]

I, for one, think we should all examine what we are in the Merchant's hands. I agree, and continue to agree, we are the greatest threat to this world.

He knows that.

Well enough to bell and collar the body, nothing was said on what else was to be provided beyond what is in her tomb, ah? Our word, lived up to, as likely as she'll have her creative interpretations for her word being likewise honoured.

So yes, I have no objection to any of those measures of control, as long as they do not link or hinge on one individual's life. Nor do I care to dictate what she does, but what she does not do: cause harm to our group directly or indirectly, being one. About the only one viable, perhaps.

[valeas]

I ask you both this with the understanding it might've been difficult to gauge, and Hatisse would have no reason to reveal ulterior motives. But what did she speak of the Attaryl? Did she seem loyal to them still?

( their current and biggest problem involves the attaryl. and while the woman who summoned a demon prince from the pits of hell to achieve her goals can see the worth in this move if they play their cards right, she also worries about this possibility: arming them further. )

un: stormborn

[thebrideoffire]

What can I do to help her? I have no real magic of my own, but I don't want to see her suffer this way.

[weifinder]

Information always helps, and protecting, ah. Protecting those who do have magics of their own, because I don't anticipate when she's told she'll have any level headed response. Understandable, too.

un: ut malum pluvia | audio

[somebadnews]

[ Well. It sounds like Vannozza has her share of problems, just not the exact ones he originally assumed. He misses the days when these things were shared privately, because something like this is liable to split opinions.

Five never put his faith in the beacon, and would refuse to use it until he finds the rest of his family, but he can't ignore it either. ]

If she's returned to her body, how hard would it be to kill her again?

[Audio; UN: heavenly four seasons]

[eternallywandering]

I do not trust her. [He is too sick to be anything but blunt.] I understand your desperation - I feel it too - but anyone who lacks basic morality will only disappoint us in the end.

un: Black Prince; text

[blackscales]

[ WellThatEscalatedQuickly.gif ]

Someone who possesses another unwilling isn't one I'd be inclined to trust.

It is possession, yes? Not control. Is the Lady Vannozza aware of what is happening, as it happens, or is her presence suppressed until Hatisse leaves her?

un: absterge | excuse interference from someone who is NOT A GREEDY NECROMANCER

[downswing]

Malign spirits only desire possession.

audio | un:thewrench

[in_theworks]

How hard would it be to make her dead-dead again, if she decides to go fucking nuts, if and when we give her her body back?

[because he feels like that's a real possibility, whether or not she actually holds up her end of the bargain and helps them with the Beacon. everyone in this shitty town is out of their goddamn minds]

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

I suppose giving her her body back is actually the least we can do, but I seem to remember someone mentioning it was incomplete? Maybe it was yourself, Master Wei? Have the missing pieces been found, or is she likely to be annoyed to find her shell incomplete?

un : deft hand of little deaths (voice)

[scrapgege]

Can we stop her if she decides not to abide by what she promised ?

... The merchant did say we should try and access the beacon at all costs, and I don't think of the officials of the city will let any of us near it now, so...