un: fox rain [voice]

[foxable]

Hey, um, everyone. So, I uh - I know we have a lot going on right now, but uh - we may have more? Going on? Soon? Though I really want to talk about the implications of body switching sorcery but that's not the point --

Anyway, so, uh, for those of you from Earth - and from a vaguely similar time line to ours - you might remember something called the French Revolution. Yeah? Where the upper class got in some deep shit and a lot of unrest went down and a lot of killing happened.

Anyway, um, so our charge - Tamaiu's niece, Eydis - she's uh, the belle of the ball. Basically. I can barely show my face at court anymore but she's got like a billion suitors, which is all great -- if you like that sort of attention -- but one of them gave her a pretty dire warning.

He told her to flee Taravast and go back home to Sa-Hareth - you know, place being run by our friendly neighbourhood undead guy with a bear for a pet, super safe place - because unrest is starting to 'mount in the streets' and the gentry are going to be a target.

I know this sounds like no big deal compared to literal undead invasions, but we do not want to ignore something like this. Not when we, thanks to our patronage, are not only gentry but foreign gentry. They may not be zombies but when people decide that enough is enough they can overthrow anything.

Anyway, um. Just. Uh. Food for thought.

Comments

[descendency]

[ ...well. Mingyu has no argument for that. ]

Very well.

[ There's another pause, then— ]

I hope you understand that should you die, I will not allow you to rest peacefully.

[ A promise and a threat. ]

[jeoha]

I have already made arrangements, in the expectation they will not be necessary.

I have no intention of dying.

[ Or of being ressurected, sorry Mingyu. ]

[descendency]

[ He just meant he was going to kick your ghost's ass up and down the street, but now he's going to take that as a fucking challenge. ​]

Well, you're nothing if not thorough.

Shall we also plan our post-victory celebration, or would that jinx things?

[jeoha]

Depends on the definition of victory. [ A little amused. ]

I can't say I blame the people for their anger. A corrupt leader ruins a nation. So who's victory do we celebrate?

[descendency]

Our survival is victory enough.

I'm a poor heir, Lee Chang. All of my mother's foresight and my father's kindness died in me.

I do not see the forest for the trees. I do not care to. I am too tired to look past what is in front of me.

Allow me my selfishness while we are here. Indulge me my shortsightedness.

Be a man for a while, one who is loved, and cherished, and wanted, only for the man that he is. In all his stubbornness and faults.

Let us be flawed, fragile people who celebrate living to love another day.

[jeoha]

... Then a celebration of our survival it is.

I am attempting to see less of the forest when I look at the trees, but it is a difficult lesson.

[descendency]

Is it truly so hard when you're looking at me...?

[jeoha]

No.

Until I remember that you are as much a part of the forest as anyone. Protecting you means protecting the forest, too. We are far more connected than any of us would prefer to be. Even here.

[descendency]

Mm, well. I'm the part of the forest that will burn the rest down should the forest-keeper cease to please me.

Just something to bear in mind.

[jeoha]

[ That gets a short huff of a laugh. ]

Ah, I see. Well, I had best be attentive to avoid arson, then.

[descendency]

Yes, I would say so. We never did get to have any fun on our date.

[ You know, at the zombie fight club warehouse. A normal place for a date. Mingyu's feeling woefully neglected. ]

[jeoha]

Mm. My fault entirely, I apologize.

How can I make it up to you?

[descendency]

I think you should have to come up with it yourself.

Let's hear some ideas, my king.

[jeoha]

[ There's a slightly wistful tone: ]

Unfortunately the things I would love to grant you, I cannot. The delicacies of my home, the fresh wind of pure freedom.

[ And then, ruefully: ] I was raised to receive gifts, not give them.

[descendency]

Am I this disgustingly poetic to others? Is this what it's like to talk too me?

[ Mingyu self-reflects for a brief moment, then moves right along. ]

I wouldn't have thought you had much in the way of freedom, before.

Strange, though, that you think only of what you could give to me rather than what you might do for me. [ A measured pause. ] Or do to me.

[jeoha]

Ah, well.

That conversation is best held in private.

[descendency]

[ Mingyu laughs again, delighted. ]

No one's forcing them to listen. We used to share a channel with a brothel and all. They should be well used to minding their own business.

[jeoha]

It isn't their interest in privacy that concerns me.

There are simply things better said in whispers.

Unless you are saying you do not wish to come join me?

[descendency]

Oh, I didn't realize it was an invitation.

Mm, well. I suppose if you insist on staying as well, I will simply have to take full advantage.

And where are you, my king?

[jeoha]

My rooms, as they have not yet seen fit to take them from me.

I will make tea.

[ "Tea". ]

[descendency]

Oh? What blend?

Will there be snacks?

[jeoha]

Come and see.

[ And he discards the crystal somewhere away from him in the room. ]

[descendency]

[ Yes, yes, he understands that you are to be the snack. He will be there very shortly. ]