un: man's greatest treasure [text]

[reparo]

[While on the boat ride from hell, there's a point in the first night where Hermione decides what the hell, for morale.]

I have mint leaves for anyone who is sea-sick, so please reach out if you would like some. I can float them to your boat. Chewing on peppermint would've been better, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

[There is a pause on her end here, before she writes out the rest:]

For whoever is holding the candles lit, if you are having trouble staying awake or keeping calm, maybe we can exchange stories. Surely if we whisper into our pendants...

Oh, one more thing! Does anyone know how to change the display name on these bloody things?

Comments

[reparo]

I'll float some over to you - the offer stands. I just need to see you, raise your hand? Can you see me waving?

[Can you see her STANDING UP IN HER BOAT and WAVING LIKE A LUNATIC, Sizhui? Can you?]

[paperbutterflies]

I... see you.

[ Sizhui's own attempt to stand up in his boat is very short-lived, before he bends over to throw up again. But at least the white robes that he's donned back should be visible ... ]

[reparo]

[It was long enough to spot him, though. There's a squeak of recognition, before she starts to say:] I see - [No wait, they're running away in silence.]

Okay - coming your way, I saw you!

[She tucks the pendant away, and reaches inside her bag - arm goes in to almost the armpit - summoning the bag where she's stored her fresh mint. And a ball of twine.

She sits back down in the boat, ties three sprigs of mint, leafy and green, together. Then the wand, the Wingardium Leviosa, the focus. Off the bouquet floats, over the waters, over the heads of others, dropping finally in Sizhui's boat.]

[paperbutterflies]

I thank you.

[ The leaves around safely, and he has more than enough dexterity, even like this, to catch them while still keeping the candle protected. Despite their fresh scent, however, it takes a little bit of effort of will to try to put one of them in his mouth, it's that bad, the seasickness.

They don't send him retching, so that's at least something.

After a while. ]

The changing of names I think can happen if you get a new pendant. When we arrived in Taravast, we received new ones. Before that, my name was blushing beads of heft and beauty.

[ Which he still hasn't deciphered enough to be embarrassed about but thought it wasn't really informative, hence he changed it to the much simpler one of his own name. ]

[reparo]

[Blushing. Beads. Of heft.

And beauty.]

I don't know why I'm whining about mine, then.

[paperbutterflies]

[ They were ones borrowed from employees in a brothel... so, yes. Blushing beads of heft and beauty. He still has that crystal because when they got their new ones, they were already in Taravast, and sending it back to Sa-Hareth was not asked of them. ]

What would you like to change yours to?

[reparo]

Just Hermione, probably. I don't really need a pun.

[paperbutterflies]

That makes sense. I know they don't have to be the name, nor a pun, like Eleven's name which he chose, so I was curious.

[reparo]

Did you choose your second pendant?

[reparo]

What a silly question, of course you did - why would they have a pendant with Sizhui as a username just lying about?

[paperbutterflies]

As you guessed, I did choose the name. We were rather spoiled, on arrival in Taravast.

[reparo]

Can't even imagine what that feels like, in hindsight.

[paperbutterflies]

[ It takes a little while before he can find the words to respond, even if he knows they are not the best words, either. ]

I think... for all that we were given, we tried to give back, too, whether by protecting people from immediate dangers or by helping to rebuild and heal. I hope that Taravast can be safe, from here on.

[reparo]

[She hopes they don't hear about the contrary, just for that hope.]

I think we did the best we could. We helped people, we helped rebuild - but ultimately, it will be up to Taravast to help itself.

[paperbutterflies]

Unless we would stay and take over, which we really should not do, yes. It is up to the citadel to find a way forward. Hopefully a better way with fewer lies.

[reparo]

And hopefully fewer interferences from external forces who want the land for themselves, too.

[paperbutterflies]

In this realm, this seems a somewhat more far-fetched hope. But... a good one, all the same.

1/3

[reparo]

[She may have been witnessing an interraction between father and son over there that has had her biting back a specific reply.]

[reparo]

[Will she keep quiet forever?]

[reparo]

[NOPE.]

You know, I absolutely hate flying. If you put me on a broom again, I'd probably get queasy and my palms would sweat and I'd be deeply uncomfortable. Also someone telling me to not look down would make me immediately remember how high I am.

[paperbutterflies]

[ Sizhui considers and almost asks what would happen if she is only a couple of chi in the air, but in the end, it doesn't matter, and is not going to help. ]

... broom?

[ Focusing on the important questions, or something. No, he heard her, but it's complicated. His seasickness is a sign, he knows now, of his not belonging to the Lan Clan by blood - not something that would matter much here, he thinks, but back home, it would have put him into danger, and others beside him, despite Hanguang-jun's efforts.

And he has to get through this journey - and Hanguang-jun is trying to help. That's enough, he thinks.

So, asking about the part which he doesn't quite understand. ]

[reparo]

Flying broom.