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]

The traitor's bones returned, to what purpose?

[weifinder]

I'll always want you ( he says, softer, but a different sort of truth, before his voice gains dimension, loudness: ), as for the rest, my rooms in the wing, later this afternoon between other obligations toward the peoples.

[weifinder]

Mm.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( His baby. )

A gentle hand. Trial and increment wards.

Sickened bodies cannot bear strength.

[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]

Lan Zhan.

Neither of them were what they thought each other should be, or would be. Arha is rested. Hatisse does not.

[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.

[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? ]

[downswing]

We have not crossed paths. But local spirits are silenced.

[downswing]

What purpose for her body?

You wish the deed done. Speak it.

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?

[paperbutterflies]

I understand, Hanguang-jun. It is the right thing to do, to at least try.

[paperbutterflies]

[ Sizhui's smile is as soft, audible in his voice. ]

I will make my way to the palace by then. I will... pick cinnabar on the way, and paper.

[weifinder]

As I suspect she will find a body sooner or later, I rather it be her own, and I rather the favour owed be ours.

[weifinder]

Mm, forward thinking, very wise! I look forward to working with you Sizhui, I've the brushes which should work well for us both.

[downswing]

She must choose. Whether agony, should wards overpower her.

Or possession.

[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.

[downswing]

You wish a faithless woman who betrayed her love returned to form.

Speak it.

[sankta]

what I worry about the most is manipulation. there's a lot of powerful people taking interest in us. more hands in the dangerous pot that is us.

no one should be used like that. if there's anything i can do to help with Vannozza, i will.

[weifinder]

I wish a manipulative woman who lived as she decided and used people at her clan's instruction and her own following whims to be returned her body. Hers.

Spoken.

Their love was not what we believed. Hatisse was never innocent of the games of appearing to love. Arha was. They were a fated disaster, and she mocks him now, the chastity that had been part of his being, just as he was bitter in his end, freed of the cycle of his march both coaxed on and rebuffed by her advances.

And she is who I would return her body to, as I did Arha, to send on. Bones and flesh.

[downswing]

No.