video; un: white pawn

[chosenbylight]

[Anduin is on the 12th floor of Zenobius' tower, his mirrors, lights, glass panes and telescopes visible in the background. The lighthouse keeper himself is nowhere to be seen.]

There is a ship.

[Anduin does not waste time with niceties. There is no time for niceties. He frowns, a troubled look on his face, as behind him Lily and Joker converse with one another beside one of the telescopes.]

It's caught in the storm and headed this way. Zenobius -- signaled them over?

[He shakes his head, as if to clear a thought (they don't have time to question that now but also what is the purpose of this lighthouse?) and strengthens his resolve.]

They'll never make it to shore. The three of us -- Lily and Akira are with me -- we saw Zenobius leave his post. He seemed... Distraught. Without any way to guide their boats through this mist, the storm, and those creatures in the water...

[His expression draws tight with concern.]

We must save them.

((ooc: this post is in regards to lily, joker, and anduin's plot roll. threadjacking is more than welcome for all!))

Comments

[beitangmoran]

I like to believe myself a quite good judge of character. I have at times been wrong, but not often.

[downswing]

I pray you correct.

[beitangmoran]

So do I, Master Lan.

Surviving in this place might be more dangerous than back in the city, but I am grateful to be out of those horrible suits at least.

[Red is not his color.]

[downswing]

Instead, in strange hands.

[beitangmoran]

Now, to be fair, we have been in strange hands ever since we arrived in this world, Master Lan.

Although now that you mention it, I wonder...

[Give him a second.]

I do not believe our host is pretending in his cloud-mindedness, but... could he be the one provoking this, instead of simply being affected by it? Maybe not even knowingly?

I wouldn't know how to even start testing that theory, but it bears thinking of.

[downswing]

Forgetting, to protect himself?

[beitangmoran]

That's a possibility.

Or something possessing him and making him act things out, but he would be unaware. He seems to be in a fugue state at times.

[downswing]

As if possessed.

[beitangmoran]

Like I said, I lack the knowledge and means to test this, or prove it in any way. But it bears investigating.

[downswing]

Master Beitang is suited to inquiries.

[beitangmoran]

Trying to examine a situation from all angles to find possible outcomes and trying to prevent the ones I don't want from happening is basically my daily occupation, Master Lan.

Unfortunately, I sometimes have to delegate investigations.

[downswing]

Now is your hour.

[beitangmoran]

Taravast was easier to navigate. Magic, zombies and time loops are a bit outside of my realm of expertise.

In any case, something is definitely happening in this building that cannot be rationally explained.

[downswing]

The Merchant intends our survival.

He would not have entrusted us to an abode guarded by malice.

[beitangmoran]

He does, yes.

He's also angry with us. And while I do believe there is no intentional malice, angry people can have irrational reactions at times.

But every single place we have been shuffled to is dangerous in its own right. This one is too, but only in a different way.

[downswing]

At ease.

You will not perish. You wear Wei Ying's likeness.

[beitangmoran]

I am not afraid of danger, Master Lan, but...

I fail to see what my resemblance with Master Wei has to do with my continued survival?

[downswing]

I wonder.

[beitangmoran]

Might you, maybe, enlighten me?

[downswing]

Master Beitang is a man of wisdom.

[beitangmoran]

And yet, the relation between these two things evades me, Master Lan. My face has rarely saved my life before.

[downswing]

A start.

[beitangmoran]

You speak in riddles, Master Lan.

Surely I cannot pretend to any regard from you just because of your... affection for Master Wei

[downswing]

( BIDDING YOU WELL, sir. )