un: absterge

[downswing]

The dead divulged at sea's shore: bereft, they haunt night waters. Buried ashore, they would wake to death's work.

Rest rites elude them.

Some among you wield fire unending. Lend light. The rest may release candles, salt and incense at sea.

If we do nothing of righteousness here, let us achieve this. What of the other dead?

( ooc: won't someone think of Akira/Lily/Anduin's corpses???? Threadjack away, you've got this. )

Comments

[weifinder]

( a pause, and then the soft, huffing exhalation, not so much amusement as something touched and faintly haunted. )

A question we should never cease to ask.

[downswing]

Once, I thought the answer known.

Then, that Wei Ying should give it.

[weifinder]

To stand in justice to ensure the weak and powerless are not left to the dust. Once, I thought I knew the hows of it, and I was wrong, to think any man could face the world alone.

What is true, what is false. What is good, what is evil. What is right, what is wrong. All require support. One voice, one protector, without influence behind them, wasn't enough.

[downswing]

Wei Ying is right. The world was wrong.

[weifinder]

And it only mattered once I had your support, Lan Zhan.

[downswing]

Before. You knew. Your blood knew. Your heart. Your core.

Righteousness sang within them.

[weifinder]

It did. And I acted for it, and on behalf of it. The regrets I have were only that it wasn't enough to keep safe and protect those people I wanted to protect. Not that I acted on what was right.

[downswing]

You have Wen Qing returned. Treasure her.

[weifinder]

I do, Lan Zhan. Beyond words, I do.

[downswing]

( Perhaps awkwardly: ) We have brought her no gifts of ease, welcome or kindness.


( Not even a comb. )

[weifinder]

... I have brought her alcohol, tea, and news, but we can work on this together, ah?

[downswing]

I know more of her clan than of her.

I know their blood on my sword.

[weifinder]

Learn her. You're not alone, meeting the most of the Wens with blood shed. But you visited, peacefully. That mattered.

A-Yuan remembered you fondly.

[downswing]

She is fair, virtuous, strong. Beloved. Is she kind?

[weifinder]

She took us in when doing so endangered everything she loved. She's kind, not silken mannered.

[downswing]

A weed. Resilient.

[weifinder]

Mm, and beautiful for it.

[downswing]

What is beauty but survival?

[weifinder]

I must be both beautiful and hideous in that case.

[downswing]

More hideous.

[weifinder]

This explains the state of my hair...

[downswing]

Discover combs.

[weifinder]

I have, you've been given them!

[downswing]

Now, their use.

Lest you require assistance.

( DO YOU WANT ANY HAIR LEFT ON YOUR HEAD, SIR. )

[weifinder]

Lan Zhan, gentle, gentle! A gentle touch, I beg of you!